mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENHANCING SOCIAL SECURITY
Linda T. Sánchez (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-5-15

I thank my good friend and colleague John Larson, who has been at the forefront of advocating for changes to the Social Security system that will ensure its longevity for the next generation and generations to come and will increase the benefits for those who currently receive Social Security. prgtoken In contrast, the s are proposing cuts to Social Security, and those cuts will harm millions of Americans. prgtoken Make no mistake, cutting Social Security is a direct attack on the Latino population in this country. Social Security benefits are a significant portion of retirement income for Latinos. Forty-two percent of Latino couples and 59 percent of unmarried Latino individuals rely on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their retirement income. prgtoken Yet, my colleagues are hellbent on cutting those Social Security benefits. Their proposed budget would cut Social Security benefits for 253 million people, and Latino communities, sadly, will pay the price. prgtoken Without Social Security, 47 percent of Latino retirees would be living in poverty. Mr. Larson frequently says that Social Security is the most successful antipoverty program that this country has ever created. prgtoken In contrast to s, who want to cut Social Security or increase the age at which you can begin to draw on it, are committed to protecting all people from living in poverty. want to invest in programs like Social Security so that more Americans, including Latinos, can afford to retire. prgtoken One of the ingenious parts of Social Security 2100 will increase the cap for those who pay into the Social Security system. I frequently give this example. I think it is important. Many Americans don't know that once you earn above a certain income, you stop paying into the Social Security system. That means that a professional athlete, like, say, a professional baseball player who makes millions of dollars a year in income, in their first at-bat of the season, they hit that cap and pay no more money into Social Security the rest of the year. prgtoken I think that we can fix Social Security, increase its longevity, and protect communities like the Latino communities and the women who depend predominantly on Social Security for their retirement income. All we are asking for is a vote on this legislation. prgtoken I have no doubt that if we put that bill on the floor, it would pass by a large margin. Give us a vote.
ENHANCING SOCIAL SECURITY
John B. Larson (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2024-5-15

I rise this evening with my colleagues to have a discussion about the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and the Nation's number one antipoverty program for children. More veterans rely on Social Security disability than they do on the VA. prgtoken , we want to make sure that we are addressing this to our colleagues. Since you are in the chair from Minnesota, , I want you to know that you have more than 189,000 Social Security recipients in your district; more than 147,000 retirees; more than 20,000 disabled; 8,000 widows; 9,000 children. prgtoken Here is the key, , $335 million a month comes into your district for those Social Security recipients. Where do they spend it? Right back in their district. prgtoken Yet, it has been more than 53 years since Congress has enhanced Social Security. Richard Nixon was President of the United States the last time Social Security was enhanced. prgtoken are bound and determined to make sure that we get something simple like a vote here in Congress to help out all of those people in your district, , as well as highlight why this is so important. prgtoken Seventy million Americans rely on Social Security. Ten thousand baby boomers a day become eligible for Social Security. Forty thousand Americans rely on Social Security in and of itself as their primary tenet for retirement. prgtoken It is the Nation's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and for children. That is why our colleagues have taken to the floor today, so that the American people understand that what is between them and enhancement to this program is a vote. It is a vote on Social Security 2100, that will extend the solvency of Social Security, but, as importantly, expand benefits, including making sure that the more than 23 million people that pay taxes on Social Security no longer have to do that. prgtoken What could be a better bipartisan plan than helping out every single individual in everyone's district and also providing for 23 million Americans, not the wealthiest Americans but the everyday citizens who work weeklong to provide for their families and pay into a system and haven't received an enhancement in 53 years. prgtoken That is why Joe Neguse is here as part of leadership that has strongly endorsed this. prgtoken , from Colorado (Mr. Neguse).
DETAIN AND DEPORT ILLEGAL ALIENS WHO ASSAULT COPS ACT
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2024-5-15

. Mr. Chair, this amendment requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study and report to Congress on the number of undocumented immigrants detained for committing an assault against a law enforcement officer over the past 5 years. prgtoken It is important for us to take a step back and remind ourselves what the underlying legislation is about. This bill would subject even those individuals with a lawful status like DACA or temporary protected status to mandatory detention if they are merely arrested or charged with an assault on a law enforcement officer. There are no prgtoken provisions to protect those who are mistakenly arrested and are released without charges. This is an unnecessary expansion of the law, which already subjects people to mandatory detention and deportation if they admit to or are convicted of such assault. prgtoken In fact, I imagine that this report would demonstrate that the underlying legislation is wholly unnecessary because it would show that under current law people who commit assaults on law enforcement are already subject to detention. Therefore, I see no reason to oppose this amendment. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
Nomination of Sanket Jayshukh Bulsara (Executive Calendar)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2024-5-15

today, the Senate will vote to confirm Judge Sanket J. Bulsara to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. prgtoken Born in Bronx, NY, Judge Bulsara received his A.B magna cum laude, from Harvard College and his J.D cum laude, from Harvard Law School. After graduating from law school, he clerked for Judge John G. Koeltl on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Judge Bulsara then began his legal career as an associate with Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP. He then spent a year working as the manager of planning and data analysis with the New York City Department of Education Division of Human Resources. prgtoken From 2005 to 2015, Judge Bulsara worked in private practice at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP first as an associate and later as counsel, before becoming partner in 2012. While working at WilmerHale, he was seconded to serve as special assistant district attorney in the Kings County District Attorney's Office between 2007 and 2008. From 2015 to 2017, Bulsara worked as deputy general counsel for Appellate Litigation, Adjudication, and Enforcement at the SEC. In 2017, he became acting general counsel. Since 2017, Bulsara has served as a magistrate judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. prgtoken The American Bar Association unanimously rated Judge Bulsara as ``well qualified,'' and his nomination is strongly supported by his home State Senators, Mr. Schumer and Mrs. Gillibrand. prgtoken With significant litigation and judicial experience, Judge Bulsara will serve the Eastern District of New York with distinction as a district judge. I am proud to support his nomination.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT--H.J. RES. 109
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-5-15

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding 5 USC 802, that upon the conclusion of morning business on Thursday, May 16, the Senate proceed to the consideration of H.J. Res. 109, which was received from the House and is at the desk; further, at 11:30 a.m the joint resolution be considered read a third time and the Senate vote on passage of the joint resolution, with all other provisions under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, remaining in effect except the 60-session-day clock; further, that following the disposition of the joint resolution, the Senate proceed to executive session and execute the order of May 7, 2024, with respect to the Theeler nomination; finally, that upon disposition of the Theeler nomination, the Senate resume consideration of the Aframe nomination.
HONORING DR. ASSAD MEYMANDI
Deborah K. Ross (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2024-5-15

I rise today to recognize the remarkable life and extraordinary legacy of Dr. Assad Meymandi, who sadly passed away last week. prgtoken Born in Iran, Dr. Meymandi moved to the United States in 1955 and quickly fell in love with this country. He moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, after receiving his medical degree from George Washington University. He dedicated much of his career to improving mental health care in our State at a time when mental health was much less understood. prgtoken His place in the community is also marked by his dedication to the arts. He believed in the power of the arts so much that we can thank him for the creation of the Meymandi Concert Hall, home to North Carolina's Symphony, where thousands of people go every year to hear the breathtaking music and to experience the concert hall's renowned acoustics. prgtoken Dr. Meymandi always said that he was an American by choice, not by birth, and that he loved his country so much that he celebrated his naturalization date as his true birthday. His love for America and for our Raleigh community should serve as a guiding light to all of us.
CONDEMNING THE BIDEN BORDER CRISIS AND THE TREMENDOUS BURDENS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FACE AS A RESULT
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-5-15

I am ready to close, and the balance of my time. prgtoken , we have heard about the Senate bill, that it wasn't strong enough. It was strong enough so that Senator McConnell supported it. Senator Lankford, one of the most conservative Senators in the Senate, supported it. prgtoken It was going to pass until President said: I don't want this problem solved. I want an issue for the election. prgtoken Then suddenly it was stopped. prgtoken Then we are told about H.R. 2. H.R. 2 was such a terrible bill that it couldn't get more than 32 votes in the Senate, a Senate with 49 Senators. So don't tell me about H.R. 2. prgtoken , this resolution is cloaked in language ostensibly honoring law enforcement, but it is really just another excuse for s to play politics with the southern border and to sound tough without actually doing anything. I am glad that the kind of thing they are talking about doing isn't being done. prgtoken They say: Turn back to President . prgtoken President separated thousands of children from their parents, little children, many whom even today cannot be identified and returned to their parents. I don't think this country wants a return to that kind of policy. prgtoken , I urge Members to oppose this pointless resolution, and .
D.C. CRIMINAL REFORMS TO IMMEDIATELY MAKE EVERYONE SAFE ACT OF 2024
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2024-5-15

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I start by humbly suggesting that the majority needs someone new working on legislative acronyms for these messaging bills. This is the DC CRIMES Act, which stands for the D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe Act of 2024. ``Immediately make everyone safe.'' That doesn't sound like legislation. It sounds like a Penn & Teller magic trick to me. prgtoken If the gentleman from Florida can actually immediately make everyone safe, the gentleman should not only be 's running mate, as I keep hearing about, but the gentleman should be the Mayor of the District of Columbia. prgtoken The D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe Act is the fourth bill that the majority has brought to the floor to vilify, heckle, and micromanage the elected Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia on the appalling conceit that the distinguished Members of the Conference from Florida or Kentucky or Arizona care more about public safety and public welfare in Washington, D.C than do the 700,000 people who prgtoken live there and their elected officials on the D.C. Council and the Mayor. prgtoken This one is even more sweeping and radical than their prior bills. It doesn't simply overturn one specific current D.C. law. It permanently strips D.C. of authority over any of its criminal laws, making this legislation, perhaps inadvertently, I concede, the largest proposed rollback of D.C.'s authority to govern itself in nearly 30 years. prgtoken Our colleagues may be shocked to learn during this debate what exactly it is they are being asked to vote for today. At the Rules Committee meeting yesterday, I asked the Members whether they understood what this bill actually does if you take the time to read the language. None of them seemed to know. prgtoken Let me explain. The bill amends the D.C. Home Rule Act to say that the D.C. Council may not ``enact any act, resolution, or rule to change any criminal . . . sentence in effect on the date of the enactment of the DC CRIMES Act of 2024.'' prgtoken In other words, if this bill becomes law, the D.C. Council could never increase criminal penalties again without Congress acting first, nor could it create any new criminal offenses at all. prgtoken This is their big tough-on-crime package the majority offers the Congress: No increases in criminal sentences indefinitely in the District of Columbia, and no new offenses can be passed at all. prgtoken Say the D.C. Council wanted to create a new criminal offense for directing an organized retail theft ring. Mr. Donalds' bill would prevent them from doing it. prgtoken Say D.C. wanted to make it a crime to possess a firearm with a removed or altered or mutilated serial number. Under Mr. Donalds' bill, they would be barred from doing so. prgtoken In fact, that is precisely what D.C. just did a few months ago. My colleagues seem bl
RECOGNIZING WILLIAM KREIDER
Brittany Pettersen (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2024-5-15

I rise today to recognize William Kreider for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. prgtoken William has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like William, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to William's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Oberon Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. prgtoken It is my honor to congratulate William Kreider on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.
BORDER ACT
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2024-5-15

I am honored to follow my colleagues who have spoken so powerfully on this issue and grateful to my colleague from Connecticut for his leadership, as well to Leader Schumer. prgtoken We are a Nation of immigrants, proudly and gratefully. Immigrants have made this Nation the greatest in the world, and yet we have a broken immigration system. prgtoken Fortunately for our Nation, people want to come here. Every week, I try to go to the immigration and naturalization ceremonies in my State of Connecticut. They are held in the courthouses. And I tell new citizens on those occasions that they are to be thanked for wanting to become United States citizens. They will never take it for granted. They pass the test that most Americans couldn't pass, and they smile or laugh because they know it is true. They have already contributed to their communities. Some have served in uniform. prgtoken I look at them, and I say: This is what America looks like. This is what my dad looked like in 1935 when he came to this country speaking no English, knowing no one, having not much more than the shirt on his back. prgtoken My immigrant story is not unlike many in this Chamber--certainly in this Nation. And this broken immigration system is unworthy of our great Nation. We need to fix it. We tried with comprehensive immigration reform in 2013. I was part of that effort and helped to write the bill that was passed overwhelmingly in the U.S. Senate on a bipartisan basis with support on both sides of the aisle and never was given a vote in the House. prgtoken We can do bipartisan immigration reform. And we know how to do it. In fact, and s came together about 100 days ago and arrived at some solutions that put us on a path to fixing our broken border. It is not the 2013 bill because it is not comprehensive. That bill provided a path to earn citizenship for undocumented people in this country--millions of them. It provided a path for Dreamers. It provided for border security--literally, tens of millions of dollars-- and for more visas. prgtoken The bill that was negotiated 100 days ago and that should have passed 100 days ago would have begun the painstaking, laborious, difficult, complex task of immigration reform. We often hear s talk about the need to secure the border. At almost every Judiciary Committee meeting that I attend, s talk about the border. And they want to talk about the border so much that they actually sent us contrived Articles of Impeachment against a Cabinet Secretary for the first time in 150 years, knowing that it would go nowhere. prgtoken They are making border security a political weapon. Really, it is a political stunt. And that is why they refused to vote for the negotiated compromise that will be before us beginning tomorrow again and next week. prgtoken The conversation on the floor tonight is a prelude to the battle that we will have again tomorrow and,
IMPROVING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SAFETY AND WELLNESS THROUGH DATA ACT OF 2024
Dan Bishop (Republican, NC) \u2014 2024-5-15

as the comments to the gentlewoman from Washington developed, it became clear. prgtoken She said at first I mischaracterized what occurred in the Judiciary Committee, and then it became clear that I didn't mischaracterize anything. prgtoken What they offered to do was to, again, take this bill, which provides for additional data collection about attacks on law enforcement officers, to take the entire text of the bill and to gut it and replace it with, yes, indeed, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is the name, and that is the bill that I described as having attempted to impair officer qualified immunity, to require training on implicit bias, and to establish a database to impugn officers nationwide. prgtoken That is the bill that was a very top priority of when they were in the majority. It passed on the floor under their majority rule, and it went on to the Senate where it didn't advance, for good reason, because the last thing America needs--again, as demonstrated by the events in Washington, D.C the last thing America needs is police officers to be brushed back from their jobs and to be intimidated from doing the very tough work of criminal law enforcement by legislation that antagonizes, demeans, and delegitimizes them. That is the last thing they need. prgtoken Here we are. It is remarkable. Is this the only reporting bill that has ever come up that find objectionable because of their interest in good and efficient government? prgtoken Is it that they are concerned about the possibility that the bill might not have excellent impacts or be efficient or advance the game or break new ground? What is the harm, after all? prgtoken Here is what the harm is: cannot abide by even the simplest of legislation that recognizes the burdens that are borne every day by police officers across this country on our behalf; that they are being subjected to greater and greater incidents and risk of attacks on their persons and of their deaths in the line of duty by people who intend to do them harm, and that there may be gaps in terms of the resources that are available to them to deal with the difficulties they confront. prgtoken The response that you need to do the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in lieu of this reporting bill is absurd. It is gaslighting in the highest degree. prgtoken This little reporting bill, there is just nothing to it, and, yet, for some reason, it sticks in the craw of the minority just to say to police officers: We are going to extend further efforts, further minimal efforts to learn the information that we need to find out, to see just how big this problem is and whether you are being afforded the opportunity to deal with it in your personal lives as it wreaks havoc on you. prgtoken Joshua Eyer, Sam Poloche, Alden Elliott, Thomas Weeks, Jr.: One of the worst attacks on law enforcement ever. prgtoken Shouldn't we go and find out what we need to know for thei
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2024-5-15

this week is National Law Enforcement Week. So we pause here in our Nation's Capital to honor and remember the men and women who so proudly serve and so bravely serve our communities. prgtoken I am grateful for the nearly 8,000 law enforcement officers across the State of Kansas who are fighting to keep our communities safe as we speak here today. I rise to honor these brave men and women in uniform and recognize the sacrifices they and their families make every day to keep us all safe. prgtoken I have hosted numerous crime and fentanyl roundtables across the State of Kansas, and everywhere I go, the officers tell me they are overwhelmed--they are overwhelmed with drug trafficking, with human trafficking, and with fentanyl trafficking--and that the crisis is growing; it is exploding. What they tell me is, even if we doubled or if we tripled the number of officers out there, they could not arrest themselves out of the situation. prgtoken They all, to a person, point and ask me: When is the Federal Government going to shut down our border? prgtoken To those officers out there who are fighting the fight--fighting human trafficking, fighting the fentanyl poisoning--I say thank you, and I get it. I know you are overwhelmed. prgtoken These officers back home are our first line of defense. They are our families', our children's, and our friends' first line of defense in these crises. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that we demonstrate our unwavering support for them. We need to assure them that help is on the way. We need leaders here and an administration that prioritizes law and order. prgtoken Growing up, we were taught to follow the rules. We all respected the law, and we feared the consequences of breaking them. We, as a country, respected our law enforcement officers. And perhaps no one more than myself can appreciate law enforcement--the son of a career police officer, the son of a chief of police. What I will always remember about what my dad taught me about law and order is that he would apply the law equally. He didn't care what your last name was. He didn't care what side of the railroad tracks you came from. He was going to apply the law equally. prgtoken I am honored to celebrate all those who have protected and served our communities. prgtoken I want to close today by remembering two Kansas officers who lost their lives this past year: Goodland, KS, Police Chief Frank Hayes, Jr and Fairway, KS, Police Officer Jonah Oswald. I am grateful for their service and the ultimate sacrifice they made in keeping their communities safe. prgtoken I want to remember their families and let them know that we are thinking of you today, that we have not forgotten you or your loved one, and that we are going to continue to mourn with you. Again, we are grateful for the sacrifices you made and your loved one to keep us all safe. prgtoken .