mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SUSPENDING NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND BELARUS ACT
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-4-7

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , the Senate has finally taken action, and now we move forward on our bill to answer President Zelenskyy's passionate plea to the United States and all free nations to stand with the brave people of Ukraine against Putin's deadly ambitions and heartbreaking genocide. prgtoken Putin's onslaught has been relentless. Beautiful town squares have been leveled, children have been killed, and families have been abused. The bill we sent to the President today will stop American dollars from funding Russia's bloodletting. prgtoken Today, , we are leading, and I thank Chairman Neal for his great leadership and his work on this bipartisan provision to suspend Russia's special trade status. prgtoken I was proud to have helped lead this bipartisan effort of the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees. Both parties in Congress came together and worked in good faith on a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to immediately ban purchases of Russian energy and suspend our trading relationship with Russia and Belarus. prgtoken We don't take these steps lightly, but Russia's aggression requires this approach. Russia will no longer enjoy the same special trade status with America as the country it is invading so that it will no longer be able to sell made-in-Russia products into the United States at lower tariffs. prgtoken Combined with the energy import ban which targets 60 percent of what Russia sells us, this provision targets the remaining 40 percent, hurting Russia's economy and cutting off funding for its war effort. Said another way, American dollars will no longer fund Russia's war machine. This is another step in the right direction and includes further incentives for Russia to end its aggression. prgtoken This bill, by the way, includes tough but clear conditions to be met for restoring Russia's trade status--the same conditions as we are requiring to reverse the import ban on Russian energy products. prgtoken Going forward, we must continue to work closely with our allies to increase pressure on Russia and ensure this is an effective, global effort. prgtoken Neighboring Canada has also taken serious action to do both of these, and other nations have announced their intentions to do the same. prgtoken Finally, I am glad this bill no longer includes controversial changes to the Global Magnitsky Act sanctions authority. Instead, this bill merely includes a straight extension of the current Global Magnitsky authority. prgtoken , I am thankful that the Senate shared our concerns and removed that provision, and .
USICA
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-4-7

watching the wrapup by our friend from Connecticut and the Presiding Officer, I don't know anybody who could argue that the Senate is incapable of getting a lot done in a short period of time, given the will. That was pretty remarkable. prgtoken , nearly 10 months after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation to fund the CHIPS Act, we are finally inching closer to the finish line. The House and the Senate are moving forward to a formal conference process to supply the CHIPS Program with $52 billion and make other investments in our competitiveness. prgtoken Yesterday afternoon, Members of the Senate and the House heard from administration officials about how important this legislation is. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo spoke about the economic risks of a weak semiconductor supply chain. prgtoken I might just pause here for a minute in case people are wondering why semiconductors are so important. Well, the fact of the matter is that semiconductors are essential to run everything from your cell phone to the most advanced stealth fighters made by the U.S. Government, the F- 35, and everything in between. And during the pandemic and the mitigation efforts that we undertook, with kids studying remotely on their laptops, that would not be possible, nor would the Wi-Fi connections be possible without access to semiconductors. So these microcircuits have become absolutely essential to our way of life. prgtoken Over the last couple of years, manufacturers have had to halt production of the various products that they make, shift their offerings, or even lay off workers because of a shortage of these semiconductors, these microcircuit chips. Now, at the micro level, this disruption is having a big impact on consumers: empty car lots, backordered electronics, higher prices on home appliances. But at the 30,000-foot level, the macro level, this is terribly damaging to our national economy. prgtoken The semiconductor shortage has shaved an estimated $240 billion off of our gross domestic product last year-- $240 billion lost because of an inadequate access to these semiconductors, these microcircuits. Based on the way that things are trending, the strain is only going to get greater. Global demand for these semiconductor chips is expected to increase by 56 percent over the next decade. prgtoken If you think about it, our dependency on technology is going to do nothing but get greater and greater and greater; hence, the demand and the need for these semiconductors and the demand that will go up by 56 percent, it is estimated, in the next decade. prgtoken It is absolutely critical that we start investing in domestic, made- in-America semiconductors now to insure that we have the capacity to meet that need in the future. And it is not just our economy. This has a very clear connection with our national security. prgtoken Not only will the CHIPS Program, as it is called--introduced originally by the
Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson (Executive Session)
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2022-4-7

I rise today in support of the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Based on my careful review of her record and experience, as well as my assessment of her character and judicial philosophy, I believe that she warrants confirmation to the High Court. prgtoken The Constitution delineates the roles of the President and the Senate in nominating and confirming members of the Federal judiciary. Article II grants the President the power to nominate judges, and it gives the Senate the power of advice and consent for such nominations. prgtoken Evaluating a nominee to serve a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court is one of the most consequential responsibilities of any Senator. Accordingly, I closely examine each nominee's qualifications, experience, writings, judicial philosophy, and personal integrity. One factor I do not consider is the political party of the nominating president. prgtoken I have spent the last several weeks reviewing Judge Jackson's record, both before and after she became a Federal judge. Prior to and after her hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Judge Jackson and I spent more than 2 and a half hours discussing her jurisprudence and approach to deciding cases. I explored her views on precedent and her understanding of the role that the judicial branch plays within our constitutional design. prgtoken I also watched Judge Jackson's confirmation hearing and, on numerous occasions, requested additional information from the White House and Senate Judiciary Committee. prgtoken There is no question that Judge Jackson is qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice. She has sterling academic and extensive professional credentials. She has been a Supreme Court clerk, an attorney in private practice, a Federal public defender, a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, and a Federal district court judge for more than 8 years. She now serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Her qualifications have been confirmed by the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, which has unanimously rated Judge Jackson as ``Well Qualified''--its highest rating. prgtoken Having determined that Judge Jackson possesses the requisite qualifications and experience, my consideration of her nomination then turned to whether she has the judgment and approach to deciding cases that are necessary to serve on the Supreme Court. prgtoken Words that I spoke--years ago--when announcing my decision to vote to confirm Justice Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court remain my standard today: ``I believe it is . . . critical for nominees to have a judicial philosophy that is devoid of prejudgment, partisanship, and preference. Only then will the decisions handed down from the bench be impartial and consistent with legal precedents and the constitutional foundations of our democratic system.'' prgtoken Federal
Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar (Executive Session)
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-4-7

. So what has President Zelenskyy been asking for for weeks, indeed, months on end? He said: ``Send us planes.'' prgtoken What has this administration done? No. Actually, first they said yes, then they said maybe, then they said no. prgtoken Today, the Secretary of Defense testified before the Armed Services Committee, under oath, that even though this Congress has appropriated $3 billion in military lethal aid to the people of Ukraine, the Defense Department has so far given them less than one-third of it. Why, because of logistics? No. He was asked that. No, because of policy. His comment was: We are giving them what we think they need. prgtoken I would just point out that that is not what the Ukrainians think. If you listen to President Zelenskyy, if you listen to the Ukrainian parliamentarians who have been here, if you talked to them, what they will say is they need more military aid; they need more help. prgtoken This administration won't give it to them, not because of logistics but because of policy. We don't have a logistics problem; we have a problem, and we have had that problem in Ukraine from day one. prgtoken This administration's policy was to deter a Russian invasion of Ukraine. It failed. Why did it fail? It is not hard to see. President came to office, what did he do?
Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson (Executive Session)
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2022-4-7

. Reserving my right to object, let me begin by saying my friends and colleagues across the aisle are right about one thing: Gas prices are incredibly higher right now in this country. prgtoken The effort to blame this on what has happened in Ukraine, however, overlooks the real cause of the phenomenal rise in gas prices that we have seen for a year before Putin even invaded. Definitely, the invasion did increase pressure on gas prices, but the problem is that this administration's policies have dramatically reduced the supply in the United States and Americans across this country know how supply and demand impacts price. prgtoken The gas tax holiday that is now being proposed is not a solution; it is a political gimmick that would not stop skyrocketing gas prices or inflation. In fact, Larry Summers said in a Wall Street Journal podcast: I think a gas tax idea is saved only by its triviality from being one of the worst public policy ideas of the decade. It will have little effect over any reasonable horizon on gas prices. It will be counterproductive from an environmental point of view. It is the ultimate policy gimmick. prgtoken Rather than accept responsibility for 14 months of reckless spending or the more than 40-percent increase in gas prices that had already occurred before the Russian invasion, want to blame higher gas prices on the Russian invasion or corporate greed. They also want to ignore the consequences of their relentless attacks on the American oil and gas industry, the administration's overly bureaucratic permit and regulatory process for domestic energy production, and the misguided policy decisions like canceling the Keystone XL Pipeline. prgtoken The solution to rising gas prices is not a tax holiday, which would offer little relief but threaten infrastructure investments and worsen our national debt situation; nor is the solution a tax on American companies who increase their production of oil and gas to try to help us become more energy independent; nor is it stimulus checks, which have the potential, as the past ones have, to increase gas prices even further and push inflation even higher; nor is it to encourage other hostile regimes to produce more oil. prgtoken The only lasting solution to our current problems is to bolster American oil and gas production to replace not only Russian imports but to facilitate exports to support our allies and end their dependence on Russia. Indeed, I, along with a number of my colleagues, have sponsored proposals to enhance energy independence and undo many of President 's misguided energy policies. prgtoken s believe we can and should be doing more to unleash America's domestic energy potential, reduce reliance on volatile foreign actors like Russia, and deliver cost savings to middle-class families across the country. Hard-working American families need real relief, not political gimmicks
PAYING TRIBUTE TO DR. THOMAS HILDEBRAND
James R. Baird (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-4-7

. Madam , today I rise to pay tribute to an incredible man and member of our community, Dr. Thomas Hildebrand. prgtoken Tom was a dedicated member of his community who joined the U.S. Army Special Forces after graduating Seymour High School in 1977 where he served as a medic, weapons expert, and Army Ranger. prgtoken The Bible tells us that the greatest among us is a servant, and I can think of no better way to describe Tom. prgtoken During medical school, Tom spent his free time volunteering for the local hospice, committed to comforting the patients and their families during those final precious moments. prgtoken After nearly 20 years of military service, Tom's commitment and sense of duty was repurposed, and he threw himself into tirelessly advocating for Hoosier veterans, arranging appointments and transportation, and connecting veterans with support groups. prgtoken His dedication to serving White County veterans knew no bounds, and it was not out of the ordinary to see Tom working into the late hours of the night or weekends to help his fellow veterans. prgtoken In the military, our credo is ``no man left behind,'' and Tom fulfilled that mission both in his service to this country and in his decade of service to Hoosier veterans. prgtoken Our country and our community are better for having had Tom in them, and I appreciate the opportunity to remember this outstanding Hoosier.
HONORING WBT RADIO
Dan Bishop (Republican, NC) \u2014 2022-4-7

. Madam , today, I rise to pay tribute to WBT Radio on the 100th anniversary of its founding. For over a century, WBT has helped inform and entertain residents of the City of Charlotte--my hometown. Charles Kuralt, Billy Graham, Rush Limbaugh, and Charlotte's John Hancock are just some of the voices that have come through WBT's airwaves in the past, and that tradition continues in the broadcasts of names like Bo Thompson, Vince Coakley, and Pete Kaliner. prgtoken WBT traces its origins from early broadcasts by radio amateurs who set up a transmitter in an abandoned chicken coop. These sporadic transmissions later expanded into playing phonograph records over the air, and then into the broadcasts we know and love today. The U.S. Department of Commerce officially granted WBT a broadcast license on April 10, 1922. At the time, it was only the third licensed radio station in the United States and the first in the entire Southeast. prgtoken I am proud to honor WBT Radio on their 100th anniversary. Here's to 100 more years of radio excellence from the station heard ``from Maine to Miami.''
PASCO CHAMBER'S 110TH ANNIVERSARY
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2022-4-7

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the Pasco Chamber of Commerce's 110th anniversary and to sincerely thank them for all of their contributions to the Greater Pasco Area. prgtoken The Pasco Chamber truly lives out its mission of advocating for local business owners and empowering entrepreneurs, all while keeping Pasco's rich history and cultural diversity at the forefront. Local economic development is crucial for any community to thrive, prgtoken and the Pasco Chamber is truly a leader in our region. prgtoken In addition, the Pasco Chamber of Commerce has been, and continues to be, a champion for our agriculture community and way of life. The agriculture industry is integral to our community, and their support for our farms and agriculture businesses has not gone unnoticed. I am also grateful for their partnership in working to protect our dams which provide clean, carbon-free energy throughout the region, water for our crops, and transportation to move our goods to export markets. prgtoken I extend my congratulations on the Pasco Chamber of Commerce's anniversary and wish them many more decades of servant leadership to our community.
HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. ROBERT HAGEN
Victoria Spartz (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-4-7

. Madam , I rise today to honor the memory of the late Dr. Robert Hagen. prgtoken Dr. Hagen moved to Lafayette, IN in 1987 to pursue an opportunity with the Lafayette Orthopedic Clinic, where he worked as an orthopedic surgeon for 34 years until his retirement in 2019. prgtoken Dr. Hagen was committed to his neighbors and community. In 1985, Dr. Hagen started Unity Health Care in Northern Indiana. Additionally, he worked with the Purdue campus of the IU School of Medicine, and was a team physician for two local high schools for over 25 years. He was state president of the Indiana Orthopedic Society in 2000, a member of the Board of Councilors of the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons from 2011 to 2017, and United Way campaign chairman in 2017. prgtoken Dr. Hagen dedicated a big part of his life fighting for health care reforms to improve health care value and make it more affordable for all Hoosiers and all Americans. His efforts will not be forgotten.
RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2022-4-7

I am here today to talk about the extraordinary accomplishments of the University of Kansas's men's basketball team. As the Nation saw on Monday night, KU beat the University of North Carolina in the NCAA championship game, doing so in a historic fashion. prgtoken The game started strong for the Jayhawks, taking an early 7-0 lead, but after some back and forth, North Carolina seemingly broke the game open, ending the first half on an 18-3 run to go up 15. This deficit proved to be the largest ever overcome in an NCAA championship game. Going into the locker room, one could only imagine the sense of determination running through their minds. To win this game, they literally needed to pull off the biggest comeback in championship history in front of thousands of Kansas schoolchildren who look up to these young men as role models and student-athletes. How would they respond to this adversity? prgtoken This question was answered as the referee handed the ball to a Tar Heel player and he looked up to see a Jayhawk in his face. The Jayhawks had a look of champions in their eyes. This game meant too much to everyone back home to give up. They stormed out of the locker room after inspirational words from power forward David prgtoken McCormack, who started the half by giving Jayhawk fans back home something to cheer about with an electrifying, signature Jayhawk alley- oop. That play ignited a 20-6 run that brought the Jayhawks within 1 point. In true Kansas fashion, the Jayhawks ramped up their defense and began executing the fundamentals of basketball Kansans learn in the front driveway and haymounds across the state. The game became a slugfest at that point with KU and North Carolina trading body blows back and forth until McCormack sank one last shot to take the lead with just over a minute left. That shot ultimately sealed this KU team's spot in the history books, brought KU its fourth NCAA national championship, and added to their lead as the winningest basketball program in NCAA history. prgtoken For all of us who saw the game, it was clear that this championship lived up to the March Madness hype. Every Kansas basketball fan will remember this team for their ability to share the ball--or as Coach Self says, ``to not let the ball stick.'' Each game during this tournament seemed to have a different hero, but in this historic championship game, every player was a hero, and everyone's contributions were necessary to win. This Jayhawk team made us all proud to be Kansans and delivered the greatest final game comeback ever. prgtoken This group should relish in that fact, and I hope they also understand the enormity of the impact they have made with this title on so many fans, young and old alike. This team gave us hope and entertainment to distract us from a challenging past couple of years. They showed up every day and did their job. With this title, current KU students now have the experience of a
SUSPENDING ENERGY IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA ACT
Adrian Smith (Republican, NE) \u2014 2022-4-7

I appreciate this opportunity that we can work together. I appreciate the comments of the chairman and our ranking member. prgtoken It is only appropriate that we move to use the key trade tools at our disposal to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for these atrocities that he has committed against Ukraine because we know it is being felt around the world, in addition to what the people of Ukraine are feeling. prgtoken I am glad that we can act in this manner. I wish we would have done it sooner, but I am glad we can act today.
HONORING THE LIFE OF U.S. ARMY STAFF SERGEANT GRADY H. CANUP
Jeff Duncan (Republican, SC) \u2014 2022-4-7

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Grady H. Canup, who was killed in action during World War II and whose remains have finally been identified. prgtoken Sergeant Canup of Greenwood, South Carolina, was assigned to Company C, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division at the age of thirty. His unit served as part of the Hurtgen Forest offensive where, on November 14, 1944, he was killed by enemy artillery fire. Sgt. Canup's remains were declared non-recoverable in December of 1951, despite great efforts by the American Graves Registration Command to account for missing American soldiers. prgtoken In 2019, Sgt. Canup's identification tag was found in the area where a set of unidentified remains had been found decades earlier. Those unidentified remains were disinterred from a cemetery in Europe for further investigation in 2019. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System were able to confirm that the remains belonged to Sgt. Canup earlier this year. Sgt. Canup will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Anderson County on April 10, 2022. On the Walls of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, a rosette will be placed by Sgt. Canup's name since he has now been accounted for. prgtoken It brings me comfort knowing that after seventy-eight years, Sgt. Canup's remains will be reunited with his family. I am grateful for the work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in making this possible. This identification of remains allows for another opportunity to reflect on the many heroes who lost their lives defending freedom across the world during World War II. I am reminded of the verse John 15:13: ``Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.'' We are blessed to live in a country where so many heroes, like Sgt. Canup, are willing to wear the uniform to defend our freedoms. prgtoken Madam , it is a privilege to be able to serve the Third District of South Carolina and to honor the lives of those lost in conflict, like Sergeant Canup. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time.