mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NOMINATIONS
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2022-3-17

I appreciate the concerns that my friend from Florida has raised. However, I am just struggling to see how the safety prgtoken and security of Ukraine's 15 nuclear reactors, in the midst of the largest reoccurrence of warfare on the European Continent since World War II, has any relationship to the issue which he raised. prgtoken Russia is blocking International Atomic Energy Agency access into Ukraine. The proper response by the Senate--by the Senator from Florida--is not to block our Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency at a time when Putin, at a time when Lavrov, are talking about nuclear weapons. prgtoken We need a representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency. That is what the Senator from Florida is blocking right now on the floor--just did it. prgtoken All across our country Americans are right now wondering, is a nuclear war once again possible? What if the Russians launch a tactical nuclear weapon into Ukraine against a nonarticle 5 country; what is our response? prgtoken They are wondering, does the IAEA have access to the 15 Ukrainian nuclear powerplants that the Russians, with military force, are taking over? prgtoken What are the protections that are going to be put in place in order to ensure that we, in fact, have done everything that we can do to avoid a nuclear accident, either a nuclear weapon or a nuclear powerplant accident? prgtoken That is where we are right now, and what I hear from the Senator from Florida is a disposition on a subject completely unrelated to those issues, as Americans are all tuned in on a daily basis in a way that they have not since 1962 to the very real potential that there could be a nuclear exchange--nuclear weapons exchange--between Russia and the West. prgtoken So, from my perspective, this is a historic moment that we have to come together in a bipartisan way to provide a response--a response to Russia, a response to their allies--that we are deadly serious. Instead, what the Senator from Florida has done is to arrive to object to the confirmation of Laura Holgate so that she can be there. prgtoken She is fully qualified. She is an all-star in her knowledge of all of these issues, but she won't be on duty. She won't be there with our allies, with the technical experts on all nuclear issues, because of this objection which we just heard. prgtoken From my perspective, we are at a pretty big turning point here. We need to be talking to everyone. We are either going to know each other or we are going to exterminate each other. That is the point in time at which we are at. We are either going to talk to each other or we could potentially slip into an accidental nuclear catastrophe that historians and future generations of young people will look back and say: How did that happen? prgtoken Well, one of the reasons why it can happen is we can't even get an American to be confirmed by the Senate at this time of great crisis because
FORCED ARBITRATION INJUSTICE REPEAL ACT OF 2022
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-3-17

. And so, what we have seen with the U.S. Supreme Court is they have allowed corporations to have rights under our Constitution. Nowhere in it is there a section for corporations. prgtoken Let's restore freedom to the people of this country as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights under the Constitution that we all live under. It is a constitutional right that, when there is a dispute, a party should be able to take that dispute to court and have a jury trial, and no forced contract should deprive that person of that constitutional right. prgtoken That is what the FAIR Act will do. It will render unenforceable, after the act is signed into law, unenforceable, any pre-dispute forced arbitration clauses in consumer agreements and in employment agreements, and also in civil rights cases, causes of action and also antitrust actions.
NOMINATIONS
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-3-17

I rise today to speak about a really important victory in Virginia yesterday--a victory for the Monacan Indian Nation, and it is a victory that I have had a hand in over the course of many years. I want to describe it and celebrate it. prgtoken When the English came to Virginia first in 1607, there were thriving Virginia Native populations. The populations east--in eastern Virginia, east of Richmond--were part of a larger confederacy called the Powhatan Confederacy, and they spoke an Algonquian-based language. There were Tribes in the southern part of Virginia that spoke an Iroquois-based language, and Tribes in the western part of Virginia spoke a Sioux- based language. One of these Tribes was the Monacan Tribe. prgtoken John Smith, in 1607, 1608, and 1609, traveled all around the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and did some very detailed mapmaking of the area, including a town that he called the chief Monacan town named Rassawek. Rassawek is on a point of land in what is now Fluvanna County, VA, where the Rivanna River and the James River combine. prgtoken Rassawek was the headquarters, or the chief administrative town, of the Monacan Tribal Nation. The story of the Virginia Tribes is one of triumph, but also one of tragedy. Many of the Tribes made peace treaties with the English in the 1670s. All of these Tribes were discriminated against, and some were driven far from their homes. prgtoken The Monacan Tribe was driven by the English settlers from Rassawek, further west into Amherst County, and then many of them were driven even further west into the middle west end and other places. But Rassawek maintained its sacred status to the Monacan Nation for many reasons, including the fact that so many of Monacan families were buried there and their remains are still there. prgtoken An aspect of the tragedy of the Virginia Tribes is that: When I was elected to be a Senator in 2012, none of the Virginia Tribes had ever been recognized, even though many still live intact in communities in Virginia. There were over 500 Tribes that had been federally recognized. The Virginia Tribes are part of exhibits at the Smithsonian Museum at the foot of Capitol Hill; and yet they had never been recognized. And they had never been recognized for three reasons. prgtoken One, they made peace treaties with the English rather than with the United States. Often, recognition begins with the treaty entered into with the United States. Second, often, recognition is determined by extensive submission of land records and other records. Many Virginia courthouses were burned during the Civil War, and so records establishing Tribal lands, for example, were destroyed. prgtoken But, finally, and most cruelly, Virginia had an official named Walter Plecker who served as the State's director of the Department of Vital Statistics from 1920 until the 1960s. And he was a eugenicist. He believed there was no such thing as Indians, that
SUPPORT THE BLACK AND BROWN MIGRANTS AROUND THE WORLD
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-3-17

I am proud to speak today in support of Black and Brown migrants around the world. Putin's invasion of Ukraine is horrific, and my heart is with the millions of families who have been displaced and those who have lost their lives. prgtoken I must highlight the refugee crisis caused by the war that has exposed a double standard. Black and Brown migrants fleeing Ukraine are being forced to the back of the line and turned away at European borders. This reminds me of what happened this past September at our own border when the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol used excessive force and life-threatening tactics in a racially-charged manner against unarmed Haitians. Simply put, we must demand better. prgtoken President and the administration must raise this issue with European leaders at every opportunity, and act to ensure that everyone, regardless of their color, their skin, their faith, and their ethnicity can find safety from this violent conflict.
ISSUES OF THE DAY
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-3-17

as I prepare to close, I can't help but be reminded that I represent a community in Chicago that we fondly call Ukrainian Village. That is because most of the people there are of Ukrainian heritage. prgtoken We have a rally every week. We have everything that you can possibly have, with the hope and with the faith that our President, that our country, will stay on the course. We have no doubt that we will continue to protect Ukraine as a part of the humanity that this country, ``My Country, `Tis of Thee,'' needs to express, because we know that so goes Ukraine, so goes the other countries nearby, and, ultimately, so will go the United States of America. prgtoken Ukraine is a part of us. We are a part of Ukraine. Together, I think we will beat back the murderous, cowardly pact. We will be pressed to the wall, but always, as Claude McKay would say, always, always fighting back. prgtoken , .
IN RECOGNITION OF COMMUNICARE HEALTH CENTERS
Doris O. Matsui (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , it is with delight that I rise to honor the 50th anniversary of CommuniCare Health Centers. CommuniCare Health Centers is a Federal Qualified Health Center that continues to serve residents in West Sacramento and surrounding neighborhoods in Yolo County. prgtoken In 1994, the name ``CommuniCare Health Centers'' was adopted to describe this growing family of health centers. Today, CommuniCare Health Centers include the Davis Community Clinic, Hansen Family Health Center in Woodland, Salud Clinic in West Sacramento, and five satellite locations. In 2007, CommuniCare Health Centers became a Federally Qualified Health Center, and in 2014, they achieved recognition for quality as a Level Three Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), the highest level of recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. prgtoken Madam , today we honor CommuniCare Health Center for their long-lasting commitment to providing quality, accessible health care for the Yolo County region as they continue to be the backbone of the healthcare systems for all those in need.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF FRANCINE MAIGUE
Sara Jacobs (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , Congressman Vargas and I rise today to celebrate the incredible life of Francine Maigue and the indelible mark she left on San Diego. prgtoken Francine was an artist, an advocate, a journalist, a motivational speaker, and, as so many in San Diego knew her, a public servant. prgtoken As district director in the California State Assembly, Francine made sure that San Diegans had equitable access to the resources they needed and deserved. prgtoken Even after her cancer diagnosis in 2019, Francine kept working to serve our community while also becoming a powerful advocate for cancer research. prgtoken Francine was a proud advocate for San Diego's Filipino and Asian- American communities. She served as the president of the Filipino- American Chamber of Commerce of San Diego County and proudly highlighted the Filipino experience across the country and around the world. prgtoken Last month, Francine passed away after her battle with cancer. prgtoken Congressman Vargas and I join so many from across San Diego in sending our condolences to Francine's family, friends, and loved ones. May her memory be a blessing.
AID TO UKRAINE
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , as Vladimir Putin attempts to drape the Iron Curtain over Russia once again, I stress the importance of working together with our European allies to support Ukraine's sovereignty and democracies around the world. Make no mistake about it: This is the test of our time. prgtoken As the co-chair of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue, I work closely with my European Co-Chair Radoslaw ``Radek'' Sikorski. Congress and the European Parliament have taken steps to deal with this pariah Putin. prgtoken Congress passed $13.6 billion last week for Ukraine, which provides support for humanitarian aid, military assistance, and economic resolve. American allies, such as Poland and other European countries, are doing a great deal to deal with the refugee problem. prgtoken President separately provided an additional $800 million for Stinger missiles and other anti-aircraft, anti-armor weapons to help the valiant, brave Ukrainians. Members of the European Parliament have also done their part with another $500 million in assistance. prgtoken NATO, today, is stronger than at any time since the Cold War. But there is much more work ahead of us. We must continue to unite the front against Vladimir Putin with our European allies. prgtoken As President Zelenskyy reminded us: The cost of freedom is not free.
AMERICANS NEED PROTECTION FROM CORPORATE GREED AND ABUSE
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , we need to protect the American people from corporate greed and abuse. The FAIR Act is one of those protections. prgtoken Corporations use forced arbitration clauses to deny Americans their right to seek accountability and justice in disputes with private companies. They literally eliminated any chance a resident may have for accountability and justice from a dispute, specifically in the place of employment. prgtoken From employee handbooks to bank documents to college admission paperwork, companies include forced arbitration clauses as the main form of dispute resolution so that they can rig the rules and appoint themselves judge and jury in the arbitration process. prgtoken Forced arbitration is a private, secretive system without any enforceable standards or legal protections for our people. There is no public disclosure of proceedings or any requirements for arbitrators to follow the law. prgtoken Madam , forced arbitration makes it virtually impossible for antidiscrimination laws, disability rights laws, and so many other important laws to be enforced at the Federal level. prgtoken To put it simply, this is unjust, and has failed the American public for far too long. prgtoken Earlier this year, President signed a law ending forced arbitration for cases involving sexual assault or sexual harassment. prgtoken So I urge the Senate to pass this legislation and send it to the President's desk so that we can protect the rights of consumers and workers from corporations that seek to exploit them.
CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF 2021
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I just want to remind you, we put this in the Defense appropriations bill to ban funding for this discriminatory rule. The military understood it. prgtoken Due to our advocacy, a few years later the U.S. Navy removed their discriminatory policy, allowing women, especially women of color, to wear their hair in dreadlocks, large buns, braids, and ponytails. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to take action here in Congress to break down these barriers. Everyone should be able to show up as their authentic selves and passing the CROWN Act is a major step in that direction. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
CONGRESS MUST ACT TO RESTORE SUPPLY CHAINS
Robin L. Kelly (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , during the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerabilities that have existed in our domestic supply chains for years were put to the test. prgtoken The vulnerabilities of our supply chain resulted in consumers being faced with empty shelves at stores and small businesses struggling to reach consumers. prgtoken We must act now to restore our supply chain and ensure that our economy is prepared for the next crisis. prgtoken The House took the first step in passing the America COMPETES Act. As the House and Senate resolve differences, we must include the supply chain provisions in the final House bill so we can repair these supply chain vulnerabilities. prgtoken The supply chain provisions included the Supply CHAIN Act, which I led with Representatives Bordeaux and Kinzinger. prgtoken We need an office of supply chain resilience and crisis response at the Department of Commerce to monitor critical supply chains and encourage partnerships between the Federal Government and industry. prgtoken It is time to repair our supply chains and protect our economy.
HONORING MR. MOE AMMAR
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the retirement of Mr. Moe Ammar from Pacific Grove's Chamber of Commerce after 29 years of dedicated service to Monterey County and the central coast of California. Mr. Ammar's legacy of leadership and financial stewardship will continue to guide Pacific Grove's strong and vibrant Chamber of Commerce and business community. prgtoken Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Mr. Ammar quickly rose through the ranks of the hospitality industry after graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1979. After developing hotels around the world, his work brought him to Pacific Grove in 1986 and Mr. Ammar quickly embraced our community and became the champion of Pacific Grove's businesses at the local and state level. He passionately fought against increased taxes, parking charges, and zoning laws that limit business growth. prgtoken Under his leadership and presidency, the Chamber passed four ballot measures in support of local business priorities. In 2001, the Downtown Business Improvement District was formed by the Chamber which benefits 230 businesses. In 2007, the Chamber helped form the Hospitality Improvement District that represents and benefits 23 lodging establishments, and in 2013, it established the Tourist Information Center. prgtoken Furthermore, events like ``Good Old Days'' grew from two city blocks to nine, and the Pacific Grove Car Auction was introduced at the Pacific Grove Golf Links. The organization also adopted the Holman Highway, volunteering to pick up trash and keep the roadway clean for the past 11 years. prgtoken Mr. Moe Ammar's dedication to the community did not stop with the Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Economic Development Committee for 27 years, taught the next generation of business leaders at Monterey Peninsula College for 17 years, and volunteered for picnics, parades, and the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. His enthusiasm for service was commemorated when he was awarded the Key to the City of Pacific Grove in 2000, becoming only the third person in the last four decade to be awarded this honor. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Mr. Ammar's decades of service. I extend my personal appreciation to Mr. Moe Ammar and his dedication to the Central Coast.
BRING SUPPLY CHAINS HOME
Tom Malinowski (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , from war in Europe to pandemic around the world to potential crisis in Asia, one of the lessons we are learning is that America should never be dependent on strategic adversaries like China or Russia for the goods most critical to our economic and national security. prgtoken Whether it is PPE, pharmaceutical ingredients, microchips, or the advanced battery technologies that will power the future, we must bring our supply chains home. prgtoken We can do this by enacting into law the bipartisan supply chain resiliency provisions in the America COMPETES Act. prgtoken This section of the bill, which I helped write, makes one of the biggest investments to spur domestic manufacturing in our Nation's history. It has been endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers, the United Steelworkers, the National Defense Industry Association, and more than 20 organizations, and the list is growing each day. prgtoken I urge that any competitiveness bill that goes to the President for his signature include these important provisions in the America COMPETES Act.
CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF 2021
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , reclaiming my time. prgtoken I am just as good a human being, just as smart, just as effective, and just as caring with or without hair; and the fact is it is discrimination, and it is ignorance. prgtoken African Americans have been discriminated against in many ways because of their hairstyles. It is a natural thing for African Americans, and they should not be penalized in the workplace, in sports, in school, or in any other ways. prgtoken I stand here for the CROWN Act. It was originally introduced, I think, by Cedric Richmond, and I joined with him on the Judiciary Committee to support it. prgtoken I had seen problems in Tennessee when I was a State senator, and supported bills there to protect people who wore braids and whatever. I hope people will rise up and vote ``yes'' in understanding of other people and think beyond themselves.
CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR NATURAL HAIR ACT OF 2021
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-3-18

. Madam , I thank the gentleman who is the chairman of our Judiciary Committee for recognizing me. prgtoken I really do wish we could concentrate on other issues as well, and I think that we are. I think that creation of 6.5 million jobs, of unity around the world, of restoring dignity and respect among our people, trying to put our attention onto things as important as Build Back Better and taking care of the economy, recognizes that , this administration, this ic majority in the House of Representatives, can chew gum and walk at the same time. prgtoken If my colleagues don't think this is worthy of debate, then they should have gone on and done what they did 2 years ago and vote for the bill a couple weeks ago. prgtoken But here we are today. Here we are today standing on behalf of those individuals, whether my colleagues on the other side recognize it or not, who are discriminated against as children in school, as adults who are trying to get jobs, as individuals who are trying to get housing, as individuals who simply want access to public accommodations and to be beneficiaries of federally funded programs. prgtoken Why are they denied these opportunities? Because there are folks in this society who get to make those decisions who think that because your hair is kinky, it is braided, it is in knots, or it is not straightened blond and light brown, that you somehow are not worthy of access to those issues. That is discrimination. prgtoken There is no logical reason that anyone should be discriminated against on any level because of the texture of their hair or the style of their hair. prgtoken I understand that my colleagues on the side don't get the vast array of discriminatory practices because they spend so much time trying to perpetuate an all-White society here in the most diverse country in the world. prgtoken Nonetheless, this bill is vitally important. It is important to the young girls and the young boys who have to cut their hair in the middle of a wrestling match in front of everyone because some White referee says that your hair is inappropriate to engage in your match. That young man engaged in his match and he won it. prgtoken It is inappropriate for our girls to be sent home disciplined or pushed out simply because they have got braids in their hair. And it is doggone sure discriminatory to deny someone employment, housing, or public accommodations because of the way they are wearing their hair. prgtoken That is why we are standing here today. It is unfortunate that we have to, but we do. prgtoken With that in mind, I thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee for giving me this opportunity to speak on behalf of a bill that I think is vitally important, that represents movement and understanding in the 21st century, what discrimination can look like and what it can do to people. prgtoken I urge all of my colleagues, including those on the side that voted for