mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2021-2-3

first I would like to associate myself with the remarks of the distinguished Senator from Oklahoma, who has such a good insight into the impact of the Executive orders of the administration on his State, very similar to my State. The concerns that he heard at home over the last 2 weeks are identical to the ones that I have heard in Wyoming the last 2 weekends. prgtoken It is day 15 today of the administration, and on day 1, President --and we listened as he spoke--promised to usher in a new era of bipartisanship, he said, and healing. Well, within his inaugural address, he said the words: ``With unity, we can do great things.'' prgtoken The Senator from Oklahoma and I agreed with the President and the words that he spoke on inaugural day, but here we are just 2 weeks later, and it seems to me it was all just talk. So far, we haven't seen much bipartisanship from the administration. President has already issued more than 45 Executive actions, and that is more Executive actions in the first 2 weeks than Presidents , , , and Clinton in their beginnings in office. prgtoken It is interesting because, as President was rolling out one Executive order after another, even the liberal New York Times, which endorsed President , had this lead headline. And this was Thursday, January 28, so this was a full week ago. It says: Ease up on Executive orders. The New York Times to President : Ease up on Executive orders. When the New York Times has to call President out on Executive overreach, you know that President has abandoned the promises that he made during the campaign and that he made to us on inaugural day. prgtoken To just kind of go into the editorial and what they wrote, they said: ``Ease Up on the Executive actions, Joe.'' They said: ``[T]his is no way to make law.'' They said: ``These directives . . . are a flawed substitute for legislation.'' prgtoken That is what we see the administration adopting, a flawed substitute, as they say, for legislation. prgtoken They go on to say that on the campaign trail, President touted his skills at making compromise. I saw that when I served with him in the Senate--before the Presiding Officer got here, but he and I served together in this body. I was on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which he chaired. He does have a history and a skill at finding compromise. prgtoken The New York Times went on to say that President ``'s legacy will depend on his ability to hammer out agreements with Congress.'' That is why we have three branches of government--the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judiciary branch; all of the branches of government--and, as they say, the legacy will depend on his ability to hammer out agreements with Congress. prgtoken The problem isn't just how many Executive orders are being issued, as my friend and colleague from Oklahoma said; it i
REMEMBERING PAUL CHARLES WESCH
Richard C. Shelby (Republican, AL) \u2014 2021-2-3

I rise today to honor the life of Paul Charles Wesch of Mobile, AL, who passed away on December 27, 2020. He will be long remembered for his vast knowledge of finance, law, and business, and for his commitment to his community. prgtoken Paul was born in Seattle, WA, on November 20, 1954. He grew up in Hunstville, AL, where he graduated from Butler High School in 1973. He went on to earn two undergraduate degrees, a law degree, and later a LL.M degree in taxation from the University of Alabama. Upon graduation from law school in 1980, he accepted a position with Stanard and Mills law firm in Mobile. In 1984, Paul joined The Mitchell Company as a real estate developer, where he worked for nearly 30 years. During his tenure at The Mitchell Company, he served as executive vice president, general counsel, and director. Paul was later appointed in 2013 by Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson to be the city's executive finance director. A few years later, in 2016, he became Mayor Stimpson's chief of staff while continuing to serve as finance director. prgtoken In addition to his professional achievements, Paul previously served as chairman of the Mobile County Party and managed several political campaigns. He served on the board of directors for National Security Group, Inc as well as the USS Alabama Battleship Commission. Paul was also involved with Camp Rap-A-Hope, St. Mary's Home for Children, and the University of Alabama President's Cabinet for several years. He was a respected member of the Athelstan Club, the Mobile Bar Association, and the Alabama Bar Association. prgtoken I offer my deepest condolences to Paul's wife, Linda; his children, Paul, Caroline, and Colden; his sister, Sharon; his brother-in-law, Stephen; and his nieces and nephews. I join all of their loved ones as they mourn his loss and celebrate his many life accomplishments.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-2-3

on January 20, I joined my colleagues on the front steps of the Capitol for the inauguration of our 46th President, . At a time when divisions run deep within our country, I thought President 's call for unity, where he pledged to be a President for all Americans, struck just the right tone. prgtoken As my ic colleagues in this body can attest to, I am always willing to work with anyone--s, and Independents-- on issues that will improve the lives of my fellow Iowans and all Americans. Sadly, the actions we have seen in the first few days of this administration do not seem to honor the promise President made to Americans throughout his campaign and again on Inauguration Day. prgtoken In just 2 weeks, the President has already signed over 25 Executive orders, that is a significantly more amount than any President in recent history in a short amount of time. Let's be clear, folks. He is not just breaking norms, he is obliterating them. Even the New York Times editorial board called on him to ``Ease up on the Executive Actions.'' And they are not wrong, folks. That is something that I don't say very often. prgtoken Now, I fully understand that the power of Executive order is often unpopular when your party does not control the White House, but when you set out to be a ``unifier-in-chief,'' which is something we hoped President would be, one would hope that the actions you take would unify or at least be a little more mainstream. prgtoken The reality is, that has just not been the case. What the new President has done in just 2 weeks on the job is show us his true colors and his desire to appease the more radical wing of his party. It is disheartening for someone who believes that the way we should be working together is a bipartisan path. prgtoken We have already seen disastrous decisions harmful to American businesses and workers--decisions that resemble the likes of the radical Green New Deal. prgtoken Keeping our air and water clean and protecting our environment for generations to come are shared concerns of every Iowan and all Americans. But on day one, as many predicted he would do at some point during his tenure, President issued a harsh punishment for American businesses by rejoining the Paris climate agreement. This agreement saddles hard-working folks with overburdensome government regulations, all while letting one of the world's biggest polluters, Communist China, completely off the hook. Instead of inhibiting economic growth, we should be focused on reducing our emissions and meeting our energy needs through market-driven, innovative solutions. prgtoken Iowa actually leads the way in creating renewable energy sources, from wind and solar to biodiesel and ethanol, but we haven't done it through heavyhanded government mandates. prgtoken The President has also raised concerns for folks in my home State of Iowa who work hard to grow
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-2-3

a few minutes ago, I had the opportunity to pay my respects to U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who lies in honor right now in the Capitol Rotunda. prgtoken By all accounts, Brian Sicknick decided early on that he wanted to be a police officer. He joined the National Guard as a way to achieve this, serving our country for 6 years before finally joining the Capitol Police in 2008. prgtoken On January 6, 2021, he joined his fellow police officers to defend the Capitol from invasion by a violent mob. He prgtoken was attacked by the invaders, pepper-sprayed twice, and reportedly hit in the head with a fire extinguisher. He later collapsed at his office as a result of his injuries and was transported to the hospital, where he died the next day. prgtoken While reading accounts of Officer Sicknick's death, I was particularly struck by reports that he returned to his division office after the day that he had had. A lot of us, after having been pepper- sprayed twice and hit on the head, would probably have made a beeline for the hospital or for home. Even if, like Officer Sicknick, we weren't aware of just how badly we had been injured, I am not sure we would have returned to the office. But Officer Sicknick did. prgtoken His family noted that Officer Sicknick had ``an incredible work ethic. He was very serious about showing up to work on time and refused to call out sick unless absolutely necessary.'' prgtoken We saw that dedication on January 6. His first thought was not of his injuries but of the job that he was committed to. prgtoken We are the beneficiaries of the service and dedication of men and women like Brian Sicknick, men and women who get up every day not knowing what they will face but willing to sacrifice up to and including their very lives to protect those that need protecting. prgtoken In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples, ``Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'' prgtoken All of us marvel and are moved when we hear stories of those who have laid down their lives to protect others: the soldier who jumps on a grenade to save his buddies, the mother who leaps in front of her child to protect her, the firefighter who dies trying to rescue someone from a burning house. prgtoken But Officer Sicknick's story hits particularly sharply because Officer Sicknick laid down his life for us. He died for us. He died for me, for every Senator in this Chamber, and for every Representative, for every staff member, for every cafeteria worker and maintenance worker and administrative worker in the Capitol Complex. prgtoken We were in danger, and he stepped forward to protect us. And he died for us. Greater love hath no man than this. prgtoken There is no repaying such a sacrifice. There is no earning it. We can only honor it and try to live our lives in such a way as to be worthy of it. prgtoken Officer Brian Sicknick died as he lived: defending the U.S
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Ashley Hinson (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-2-3

I thank the gentleman from Missouri. prgtoken , I rise today in opposition to this sham budget resolution. When I came to Congress, I said I would work with anybody to get things done and deliver for Iowans. I know there will be opportunities to do that, and I hope there are across the aisle. prgtoken But today, I have to say I am disappointed that we are debating a hyper-partisan resolution instead. It is a disgrace to taxpayers. It was crafted in the back rooms. And Iowans' seat at the table was taken away through this process today. prgtoken As a result, this budget resolution will allow major legislation to move along partisan lines, including President 's $1.9 trillion spending plan. prgtoken , this plan isn't about COVID relief at all. It is about jamming through a liberal agenda, including a $15 minimum wage mandate. prgtoken This would absolutely decimate our rural economy in Iowa and would destroy livelihoods across my district. prgtoken The Congressional Budget Office estimates that a $15 minimum wage would kill at least 1.3 million jobs. So let's talk about the real people here, the workers, the Iowans who make up these statistics. prgtoken Cubs Auto Shop is a small business in Brooklyn, Iowa, in my district. The owner built his business from the ground up, and he told us that a $15 Federal minimum wage would make it hard to expand his business at all. prgtoken We need economic growth now more than ever before. He is just one of my many constituents who have told me they would have to lay off workers, raise prices, or even shut down permanently if a $15 minimum wage becomes a reality. This might be right for California and New York, but one-size-fits-all Federal minimum wage mandates would destroy small businesses and rural communities in my district. prgtoken It is unacceptable that the budget would be used to push this through. Instead, we should be using it to stop Washington's pork spending. prgtoken So, today, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose this faux budget resolution and stand up for taxpayers.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-2-3

I appreciate these assurances from the majority leader. The right to offer amendments is important to Senators on our side as well, and we look forward to full and vigorous debates, including amendments, as the Senate takes up the many important issues before us. On a related note, I have discussed with the majority leader concerns that have been raised about debates on motions to proceed. I think many times cloture has to be filed on a motion to proceed because Members want to ensure they are given the right to offer amendments. Given the assurances regarding the ability of Senators to debate and amend legislation in this Congress, that should help in alleviating that practice. Also, when we are proceeding to bills with broad bipartisan support, it is my hope that we will not need to have lengthy debates on motions to proceed. prgtoken The resolution provides that the committee budgets and office space will be divided equally, subject to the customary set-aside for administrative expenses and nondesignated staff. It is our expectation that the details of those arrangements will be negotiated and agreed to by the respective chair and ranking member, in consultation with other members of each committee.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Randy Feenstra (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-2-3

I rise today in opposition to the H. Con. Res. 11, which paves the way for our national deficit to increase by $2.1 trillion. prgtoken Our current debt is $28 trillion. Let's put that in perspective. This budget that we are looking at here will never balance. It will push our national debt to $41 trillion by the end of its forecast. Let me say that again: $41 trillion by the end of its forecast. prgtoken This out-of-control spending is jeopardizing the very future of Social Security and Medicare. Every senior should be deeply concerned about the possibility of losing Social Security based on this out-of- control spending by the . prgtoken Currently, our country pays about 2 percent on the debt that we have. It will not stay at 2 percent because 2 percent is currently low. If our interest rate increases, we are going to struggle to try to fund our discretionary programs like defense and infrastructure because the money will go toward interest. This is dangerous, fiscally irresponsible, and reprehensible. prgtoken Just like a business or a family, when the credit card bill comes due and there is not enough money, you have to cut. The have put our Nation in a perilous situation with this out-of-control spending. prgtoken We must take our growing national debt crisis seriously and not look at this laundry list of progressive ideas put forth by the . prgtoken We are saddling our children and their grandchildren with this debt, focusing on the politics of today, and not worrying about our Nation's future. This budget must be stopped.
ROE V. WADE
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-2-3

. Madam , I thank Congressman Smith for his work on this important endeavor. I appreciate his hosting this opportunity to lift up the sanctity of life. I think there would be no debate that every life is precious and worthy of dignity and respect. prgtoken Jeremiah 1:5 says: ``Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.'' prgtoken I will repeat that. That is from the Holy Scriptures. ``Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.'' prgtoken The right to life should not be a political debate. We should uphold the value and dignity of life, even those who are defenseless and not with us yet. prgtoken This January marked the 48th anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court ruling on the case of Roe v. Wade that made abortion available throughout pregnancy for nearly any reason. Since that tragic ruling, over 62 million innocent babies have been aborted. In the year following Roe v. Wade, one in every three abortions in the U.S. were funded via taxpayer funds. prgtoken Again, from the Scriptures, Daniel, one of the great prophets, would not have paid taxes in this country and probably would have gone to jail on that basis. prgtoken Congress made changes so that taxpayer-funded abortions were prohibited in spending bills, but the are now placing the long bipartisan Hyde amendment on the chopping block while President rescinds important pro-life protections, like the Mexico City policy, which allows taxpayer dollars to go toward promoting abortion abroad. We are not only doing it here, we are doing this to the rest of the world. prgtoken As a father of four and a grandfather of 14, I feel very passionately about protecting unborn babies. Any and all measures that take steps to ensure the life of an unborn child will have my complete support, and I will adamantly oppose any that promote or defend such an immoral practice.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-2-3

we are just weeks into a new administration, and all hopes and promise of bipartisanship have been rejected. prgtoken The administration and my ic colleagues in the Senate lasted 10 days before they ditched any attempt at real compromise. Now, instead of working together to provide targeted relief to those who are hurting from the coronavirus pandemic, the are moving forward with a reconciliation process to pass a nearly $2 trillion spending bill. prgtoken Reconciliation is a process that was created to make quick changes related to budget and spending that were assumed to have gotten bipartisan support. It was never meant to be a tool to pass major legislation, but the know they can't pass their harmful policies through legislation, so they are looking for any tool they can find to ram them through the process prgtoken Senators Schumer and Sanders keep pushing forward, without support, to get the changes they need no matter what--no matter that the spending package includes a number of liberal policies that have nothing to do with the coronavirus; no matter that the spending package has a bailout of wasteful liberal States for their decades of mismanagement even though the latest data show that States across the country are reporting positive income growth; no matter that the $2 trillion would throw our Nation even deeper into unsustainable debt, hurting American families. prgtoken We need to be very clear about this: America is in a debt crisis, and we need to start talking about it and taking decisive action to reverse course. prgtoken In 2020 alone, the Federal Government increased its debt by more than $4 trillion. To date, it sits at a massive--an unsustainable--$27 trillion. That is why, every time I am faced with a question of spending taxpayer dollars, I ask myself some simple yet important questions: What is the plan to pay for it? What is the return on investment for American families? Does the proposal include measures to prevent waste and fraud and ensure accountability? prgtoken Asking these questions isn't a novel idea. It is the same process I went through every day when I was the Governor of Florida, and it is what most Americans go through when making financial decisions at home or for their businesses. No family would needlessly spend money without a plan, and no business can afford to not get a return on its investment. prgtoken Spending without consequence isn't how things work in the real world, and it is not how things should work in government. Congress's decades of failure to think and act responsibly has led to enormous deficits-- insurmountable debt--and out-of-control spending, but instead of getting serious about this debt and its inevitable consequences, the are focused on more government, more spending, higher taxes, and no accountability. 's nominees are no different. prgtoken In 2018, Janet Yellen, 's
IN RECOGNITION OF THE ARGYLE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-2-3

. Madam , I rise today to honor the Argyle High School Football Team, the Argyle Eagles, and their victory at the 4A Division 1 championship. prgtoken After an undefeated 15-game season punctuated by remarkable skill, commitment, and diligence, the Argyle Eagles qualified for their UIL conference's Division I championship in December 2020. With a strong showing at the final game in Arlington's AT&T stadium, the team secured the state title for the second time in its history. prgtoken Led by head coach Todd Rodgers, Defensive MVP Zach Stewart, and Offensive MVP Tito Byce, the team's unbroken series of successes in the 2020 season culminated in their outstanding victory last month. prgtoken The teamwork, tenacity, and effort demonstrated by the Argyle Eagles team and coaches is highly commendable. In spite of the many challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team, through diligence both on and off the field, overcame their obstacles and achieved their ultimate goal. I am happy to see the team's estimable fortitude be rewarded with another state title. prgtoken I congratulate the coaches and players of the Argyle High School Football Team for their admirable achievement in the 2020 football season, and for their exemplary devotion to both their team and their sport. I am privileged to be able to join the Argyle community, parents, family and friends who faithfully supported the team's efforts, as they celebrate this accomplishment, and I wish them well in all their future endeavors.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-2-3

I rise today in opposition to the budget resolution. prgtoken The American people have suffered. They have suffered greatly from this pandemic, and this body has taken action to support those efforts. prgtoken It should be noted that s have voiced support for targeting relief where it is needed we get it. We know there are still needs out there. We know there are still people hurting. We understand that, and we agree that we need to have targeted relief. prgtoken Thus far, Congress has passed nearly $4 trillion in COVID relief funding on everything from the PPP program to direct payments to money for testing and for vaccinations. prgtoken However, a significant amount of funding has yet to be utilized, with more than $1 trillion of available resources waiting on the sideline to be spent. Of that $1 trillion, there is $280 billion left in the PPP program, $239 billion in health spending, $172 billion in unemployment insurance assistance, and $58 billion in State and local aid, to name a few areas with leftover funding. prgtoken Now, we are discussing ramming through this budget resolution so that the can pass a $1.9 trillion COVID package without any bipartisan input or work. After weeks of talk of increasing bipartisanship and working together on big issues for our country, this resolution runs contrary to that. Not only does it do our budget process a disservice, but it moves forward with the idea that the bipartisan consensus of Congress should be cast aside. prgtoken As I said earlier, there is more than $1 trillion that has been passed in COVID relief that is just sitting there unused. Unfortunately, this budget resolution doesn't address that point or build upon that point. prgtoken For that reason, , I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution.