mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2022-11-16

29 years ago today--29 years ago today-- President Bill Clinton signed into law a bill sponsored by then- Representative Chuck Schumer that has aided in the defense of protection of one of the most fundamental freedoms that we have in our Nation; that freedom, religious freedom. The bill was called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. prgtoken The Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed by Congress today, 29 years ago, found that government should not substantially burden religious exercise without a compelling justification. It was truly a landmark piece of legislation to be able to add further protections to individuals who have religious liberty differences. And we have wide variations of religious expressions in the United States. It is part of what makes us such a unique nation. It is that we guard the rights of every individual to not have to believe the same as the government believes or not even have to believe the same as your next-door neighbor believes but to have the right to freely have a faith of your choosing, to change your faith at any point, if you choose to, or to have no faith at all and be respected as an American; quite frankly, to be protected as an American. prgtoken This landmark piece of legislation, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, has not been altered in the 29 years since it has been passed. The purpose of the act was to restore a compelling interest test to be able to make sure that if government acted in any way to affect anyone's religious liberty, there had to be a compelling reason for that from the government to guarantee its application in all cases where free exercise of religion is substantially burdened and provide a claim or defense for those whose religious exercise is substantially burdened by government. prgtoken The Religious Freedom Restoration Act doesn't pick winners and losers. It provides a balancing test. The government may burden someone's religious exercise only if the burden is in furtherance of a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling government interest. Twenty-nine years ago today. prgtoken Then, today, my colleagues moved forward on a bill that, instead of promoting equality for all people of all opinions, it specifically highlights areas of religious faith differences and says their opinions won't count this time. prgtoken It deals with this issue of marriage, which has been a controversial issue in America but was, quite frankly--since 2015 in the Obergefell decision in the Supreme Court, there have been no cases moved in the country to deny same-sex marriage to any individual in any State across the Nation. prgtoken Today, my colleagues moved forward on a bill to open up debate-- without amendment, may I add--on a bill that would certainly affect the religious liberty of countless people across the country. That is not just my opinion. Religious liberty organizations from
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2022-11-16

as I reflect on my 28 years serving in the U.S. Senate, I am reminded of the lessons I learned from my former colleagues and friends who have served beside me in the Senate. I had the privilege of serving with many great titans for a fairly long period of time. Some maybe thought too long. I had the privilege of serving with the people whom I have known very well--people like Orrin Hatch and Mike Enzi, friends I miss dearly. I single them out because they are no longer with us. prgtoken In Senator Hatch's farewell speech in 2018, he reflected on the striking shift in polarization and partisanship of the Senate, and he yearned for the days of Members finding common ground and breaking bread together. prgtoken Orrin reflected on this in his farewell speech. He said: Could two people with polar-opposite beliefs and from vastly different walks of life come together as often as Teddy and I did? And the answer is yes. Can conservative s and come together today? All the time, and they will in the future. But you may not hear about it because it is not newsy. The media doesn't really care if everybody loves everybody. prgtoken Then there is Barbara Boxer. Not too many people who are making their last speech talk about Members of the other party, but I will do this. I have shared this story many times with all of you about how former Senator Barbara Boxer of California and I worked together for many years as chair and ranking member of the EPW Committee to get things done. You can't get two more ideologically different Senators than Barbara and me--Barbara, a proud of the most far left State in the Nation, and me, a prgtoken proud from the most conservative State in the Nation. But we were able to see past our ideological differences to work together, and we did. We got stuff done. We passed landmark legislation, from highway bills like the FAST Act to the Frank Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act. You remember that. Most people still remember that. We did it, and we did it time and time again. prgtoken Every Wednesday, as s in this meeting in the Senate where the chairmen will go--I shouldn't probably be telling all you guys what s do. But they go around the room and give an update on what their committee is working on. And I would always say at that time: Now is the time to hear from the committee that gets things done. prgtoken And I can say that--that Barbara Boxer and I got things done. And do you know what? We actually enjoyed it. Nobody believed that we would enjoy it so much and actually get things done. prgtoken Then there is Jack Reed. Today, I have a similar relationship with the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I am a , and he is a . Jack is from Rhode Island, a very blue State, but we have worked together for years to pass the annual Defense authorization bill, which is the most important bill we pass eve
150TH BIRTHDAY OF GREAT BEND, KANSAS
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-11-16

I rise today to celebrate the 150th birthday of our home, Great Bend, KS. prgtoken Anticipating the westward expansion of the Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe Railroad, D.N. Heiser and E.J. Dodge made the first settlement in the Great Bend Township in 1871. The railroad reached the township in July of 1872, and Great Bend was soon incorporated as the permanent county seat for Barton County, named after the great bend of the Arkansas River--pronounced Ar-Kansas--that the town sits on. Later, this great bend on the river became the crossing point for settlers and supply wagons traversing the Santa Fe Trail. Great Bend would go on to be a premier shipping point for cattle, as well as a center of regional trade and commerce for western Kansas. The oil and gas industry arrived in Great Bend soon after, with the county bringing in more than $30 million annually from the petroleum industry by 1930. From its beginnings, Great Bend has been pivotal in the development of Kansas's economy, and today, our agriculture and oil help feed and fuel the world. prgtoken I had the privilege of raising my family in Great Bend and delivering some 5,000 babies in the community. Thanks to investments of hard work, innovation, and determination, as well as great pride in our schools, Great Bend continues to serve as an economic driver for central Kansas. The city of Great Bend plays such a vital role in telling the story of Kansas, so it is my honor to celebrate the city's 150th birthday. prgtoken I would like to thank and honor everyone living in Great Bend and our predecessors for the pride they have in our city and especially thank everyone who helped organize the sesquicentennial celebration. prgtoken I now ask my colleagues to join the residents of Great Bend in celebrating the city's 150th birthday and recognize them all for their contributions to the city's 150 years of history. prgtoken I am humbled and proud to call Great Bend home.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2022-11-16

I, along with my colleagues who have spoken before me, am proud to be able to work on a very sensitive issue in a very collaborative and bipartisan fashion. prgtoken We did it in a way that was always respectful of the fact that many Americans come from different walks of life and many diverse beliefs and viewpoints. prgtoken We know that nearly a million Americans are already committed to same-sex marriages who simply want long-term certainty--not only the million who are already committed to same-sex marriages but the millions of people who attended the ceremonies, their friends, and their family. prgtoken As we went through this bill, we listened to the very sincere concerns of Americans with strongly held religious beliefs who simply wanted to make sure that Congress protects their First Amendment rights, especially the freedom of religion. prgtoken By casting politics aside and working hard behind the scenes over the past several months, we managed to strike a balance with this legislation. There will be permanent certainty for same-sex couples, and they can rest easy knowing their families are secure. And there will be robust protections for churches, religious organizations, protections that are more robust and expansive than currently exist in Federal law. prgtoken I want to talk a little bit about the compromise we reached and what it will mean for our constituents who voiced their concerns over the past few months. This bill protects religious liberty and conscience protections available under the Constitution and Federal law, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, commonly referred to as RFRA. This bill cannot be used to diminish or repeal any such protection. prgtoken The bill also makes clear that no religious organization will be required to provide any services for the celebration of a same-sex marriage. Simply put, that means that no church or religious organization will be required to perform, recognize, or celebrate same- sex marriages. prgtoken We also took steps to protect the tax-exempt status of religious nonprofit organizations. We didn't leave anything ambiguous. We included language that guarantees the bill cannot be used to deny or alter any benefit, right, or status of any otherwise eligible person or entity. This includes tax-exempt status, tax treatment, grants, educational funding, loans, scholarships, licenses, and certifications. Put together, the Respect for Marriage Act essentially preserves the status quo we have had in our country for the last 7 years, since the Supreme Court ruling. prgtoken Same-sex couples will continue to have the right to get married, now without the fear of government intervention, and churches and religious organizations will continue to operate and worship free from government interference. prgtoken This is a good compromise. It is one that is based on mutual respect for our fellow Americans, protecting the rights of Americans
REMEMBERING DEPUTY JAMES LEE
Randy K. Weber, Sr. (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-11-16

I rise today to honor the service of the Honorable Michael Nelson, or as his friends and family call him, Mike. He has dedicated his life to serving the people of Galveston County. prgtoken Judge Mike was born on June 17, 1949, in Gould, Arkansas. At 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, served three tours in Vietnam, and retired from service in 1976. He is married to the former Carol Rotenberry of Santa Fe, Texas, where they raised their four daughters: Sarah Jane, Peyton, Heather, and Michaelia; and four sons: Doug, Michael John, Michael Jr and Curtis. prgtoken Mr. Nelson served as a justice of the peace and a municipal court judge since 1986 in Galveston County. prgtoken A true testament to his character, in 2017, he was awarded the Man of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce of Hitchcock. prgtoken Mike is a man of purpose, honor, and unwavering determination for the betterment of our community. He has left a positive impact on that very same community. prgtoken Judge Mike is a beloved member of his community and a fearless advocate for his constituents, whom he cares for deeply. He always had an open-door policy for any constituent who wished to meet with him. His accomplished record and willingness to serve are evident in his over 35 years of public service. prgtoken On behalf of Texas' 14th Congressional District, , I am honored to recognize his exceptional leadership and his example as a true public servant. prgtoken I thank Mike for being an incredible leader. He will be remembered for generations to come. He is a man of his word, he is intelligent, he is disciplined, and he treats people with respect. It is an absolute honor to know him. Celebrating the Life of Bill Neild
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2022-11-16

I rise today to express my strong support for the Respect for Marriage Act, a bipartisan bill that Senator Baldwin and I have introduced with our colleagues Senator Feinstein, Senator Portman, Senator Sinema, and Senator Tillis. prgtoken , this bill recognizes the unique and extraordinary importance of marriage on an individual and societal level. It would help promote equality, prevent discrimination, and protect the rights of Americans in same-sex and interracial marriages. It would accomplish these goals while maintaining and indeed strengthening important religious liberty and conscience protections. prgtoken I am proud to be the lead sponsor of this legislation, and I am grateful that a similar bill passed the House with strong bipartisan support. prgtoken As the Senate considers and prepares to vote on this historic legislation, I would be remiss if I did not begin by recognizing the tremendous progress that LGBTQ individuals in this country--in our country--have made in recent times in achieving equal rights. prgtoken It was not long ago that patriotic Americans could not be honest about their sexual orientation while fighting to protect our country-- our freedoms--in the Armed Forces. I led the fight with former Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut to repeal the discriminatory don't ask, don't tell law. prgtoken It was not long ago in America that a person could be fired merely for being gay. I strongly supported the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, known as ENDA, which passed the Senate in 2013 and would have prohibited such discrimination. Seven years later, the Supreme Court in Bostock held that the Civil Rights Act protects employees from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. prgtoken And it was not long ago in America that individuals could not marry the person whom they loved if that person were of the same sex. The Supreme Court's landmark decision in Obergefell found that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed by our Constitution. prgtoken , let us remember that we are talking about our family members, our friends, our coworkers, our neighbors. I am proud to have stood with them, and I will continue to stand with them in efforts to protect and secure their rights, while at the same time steadfastly protecting and respecting religious liberty. prgtoken The Respect for Marriage Act would accomplish two primary goals. First, it would guarantee that a valid marriage between two individuals in one State is given full faith and credit by other States, meaning that States must recognize a valid marriage for purposes of public acts, judicial proceedings, and rights arising from a marriage regardless of that couple's sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. That means that same-sex and interracial couples can rest assured that their marriages will be recognized regardless of the State in which they live. prgtoken
CONGRATULATING CLARION KIWANIS CLUB ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-11-16

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate the Kiwanis Club of Clarion, Pennsylvania, on their 100th anniversary. prgtoken Since the club's founding on December 16, 1922, the members of the Kiwanis Club have been a crucial part of the community in Clarion. prgtoken The Kiwanis Club is an international organization of volunteers that strives to serve the needs of children. The Kiwanis Club has over 550,000 members internationally and seeks to help children by fighting hunger, improving literacy rates, and improving children's health and educational outcomes. prgtoken Across the world, Kiwanis Club members have taken part in over 150,000 service projects to benefit communities and to help make them better places to live. prgtoken Today, the Clarion Kiwanis continue to carry out the club's mission of giving back to the community by hosting regular fundraisers to benefit children and providing an annual scholarship for students in Clarion County. prgtoken Please join me in congratulating the Clarion Kiwanis Club on 100 years of service and thanking them for their many years of giving back to Clarion County.
DEFENDING AMERICA'S BORDERS
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-11-16

. Madam , we have watched tens of billions of dollars be sent to defend another nation's border that is not our own. prgtoken Every single day, our border is invaded by people from foreign lands and also by drugs. Over 300 people are dying every single day. Americans are dying every single day from fentanyl poisoning. prgtoken Yet, the administration and this Congress have not done anything to protect our Nation's border and the American people. prgtoken Just to remind everyone, the building that we are standing in, the Federal Government and everyone's paychecks here are paid by the American taxpayers. The American taxpayers and the American people deserve to have a secure border and deserve the protection of the Federal Government from the Mexican cartels that funnel drugs into America to kill Americans. prgtoken I am calling for an audit of every single penny that has been sent to Ukraine, including aid money and any other moneys that have been given to the Ukrainian Government to defend their national security while our national security has been ignored. prgtoken This must be done. It has to be done as soon as possible for the American people. They deserve transparency, and they deserve to see where their money is going.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2022-11-16

I rise to honor the life of Stacey Allen Jones, who passed away October 8, 2022. Stacey was a native of Fort Smith, a leader, an educator, and a family man whose advocacy for the performing arts enriched the lives of people in western Arkansas. prgtoken Long-time residents of Fort Smith knew Stacey as a champion for the arts in the region. I knew Stacey as a fellow Northside Grizzly and a dear friend. prgtoken Before his recent retirement, he served as the associate vice chancellor of campus and community events at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith and led the Season of Entertainment on campus and at its predecessor Westark College for more than 39 years. prgtoken Through these programs, he brought nationally touring musicians and Broadway shows to the area and supported student productions to improve the quality of life in the community, provide opportunities for young people, and enhance the mission of the university. Along the way, he was also a mentor and advocate for thousands of students who participated in these programs. prgtoken Stacey was also well-known throughout the State for his dedication to the Miss UAFS and Miss Arkansas Programs. Because of his leadership, Westark College's local pageant became a qualifying event for the Miss Arkansas pageant. Among the many successful competitors who started at the Miss Westark pageant was Shawntel Smith, who went on to be crowned Miss America while representing Oklahoma in 1996. prgtoken Outside of the university, Stacey was a critical part of many community projects. As part of a coalition of local leaders, he regularly lent his voice and experience to help others in their efforts to enhance the arts, history, and culture of the region. prgtoken I extend my sincere condolences to Stacey's wife of 46 years, Sheila Jones; his daughters Stacie Kohles and Amanda Echols; his loving family; and many friends. Western Arkansas is richer because of his hard work, dedication, and genuine care for the university and the community. He will be missed.
RECOGNIZING TARRANT COUNTY UNITED WAY'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Roger Williams (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-11-16

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the United Way of Tarrant County's 100th anniversary. prgtoken United Way has supported the community in many ways and has enriched the lives of the people in the area. They have helped residents, volunteers, donors, businesses, governments, nonprofits, and community stakeholders and brought them together to solve some of the toughest issues affecting Tarrant County. prgtoken I join in proclaiming November 17, 2022, as Get United Day, and I am proud of their work to encourage unity among all residents and commitment to building a stronger community. prgtoken I congratulate the United Way of Tarrant County for this significant milestone. I am confident they will continue their exceptional service to the community for the next 100 years. prgtoken In God we trust.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2022-11-16

this week we celebrate the eighth annual National Apprenticeship Week. It is the perfect time to reflect on what is and what isn't working in our Nation's workforce development programs. prgtoken There are more than 10 million unfilled jobs in this country and nearly 6 million unemployed individuals. There is clearly a crack in the education-to-workforce pipeline. prgtoken The best way to address our country's skills gap and worker shortage is to promote workforce development programs that actually work. prgtoken I have been encouraged to see many businesses coming up with their own workforce development programs. Time and again, employer-led programs prove to produce the best results. prgtoken More industries are embracing apprenticeships as a solution for upskilling and re-skilling workers. As employers realize that baccalaureate degrees do not always prepare workers to fill needed roles, more alternative pathways will be needed. prgtoken Many businesses are already removing unnecessary degree requirements and are, instead, replacing them with apprenticeship programs. This is a great development for our country and our workforce. prgtoken Americans should not have to take out mountains of crushing student loan debt to study a subject that has nothing to do with their intended career, only to have to start from scratch once they enter the workforce. prgtoken For too long, the college-for-all mentality has pushed young people into obtaining a baccalaureate degree, regardless of their intended career. This mentality is slowly shifting, and our country will be better off for it. prgtoken Now that more young people are turning to apprenticeships, it is important to ensure that there are high-quality programs available. prgtoken We need apprenticeship programs that prepare workers for the open positions today, not the positions that were open yesterday. We need cutting-edge programs. One-size-fits-all, Washington-knows-best models are not the answer. prgtoken While President touts his support for apprenticeships, his cancellation of employer-led apprenticeship programs tell a different story. President supports only apprenticeships he can control. prgtoken Since terminating employer-led apprenticeship programs, the administration has doubled down on support for the registered apprenticeship model. prgtoken Because this system, founded in 1937, has not been substantially updated in eight decades, it is not easily adapted for innovative industries. Using this model to expand and modernize apprenticeships would be like starting on a journey on an already-leaking ship. We can push as hard as we want, but in the end, the vessel can only take us so far before we sink. prgtoken It is time for a new system, one with employers in the driver's seat. Job creators know the tools workers need to be successful. Washington swamp dwellers, on the other hand, are clueless. prgtoken Why the administration believe