mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-6-17

. . Senator Baldwin and I are pleased to introduce a resolution that acknowledges and apologizes for the mistreatment of and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) individuals who have served our nation as civil servants or members of the Armed Forces and Foreign Service. This systemic mistreatment and discrimination of members of the LGBT community began as early as the 1940s and continued well into the 1990s and is often termed as the Lavender Scare by historians. During this time, it is estimated that 100,000 service members were forced out of the Armed Forces between World War II and 2011. In addition, more than 1,000 State Department employees were dismissed due to their alleged sexual orientation, and many more were prevented from serving due to discriminatory hiring practices. prgtoken Policies such as the 1949 decree by the Department of Defense mandating that ``homosexual personnel, irrespective of sex, should not be permitted to serve in any branch of the Armed Forces'' led to the mass discharge and systemic screening of gay, lesbian, and bisexual military service members. Similar policies within the State Department followed led to mass dismissals and terminations of Foreign Service and civil service employees. Subsequently, policies were enacted across the Federal government targeting members of the LGBT community. To this day, historians do not know the exact number of people impacted. However, despite these harmful and discriminatory policies, LGBT people continued to faithfully serve and make significant contributions to the United States, many of whom became clerks and lawyers, surgeons and nurses, Purple Heart recipients and Navy Seals, translators and air traffic controllers, engineers and astronomers, teachers and diplomats, and rangers and postal workers. prgtoken It is time to acknowledge the harm caused to these Americans, their families, and our country by depriving LGBT people of the right to serve as federal civil servants, diplomats, or in the Armed Services. This Senate resolution takes a stand on the side of respect for LBGT Americans who have served our nation and reaffirms our commitment to treat all public servants with fairness and equality, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I'm proud to introduce this Senate resolution during Pride Month to reaffirm our nation's commitment to treat everyone, including LGBT Americans, with equal respect and fairness. I will continue working toward advancing equality for all LGBT people in Virginia and across our nation. prgtoken Thank you, .
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
James E. Clyburn (Democrat, SC) \u2014 2021-6-17

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken The Committee on Appropriations has announced that it will start its process next week with four subcommittee markups. Over the next 2 weeks, and then the week of July 12, the committee will complete subcommittee and full committee markups on all 12 of the annual appropriations bills. prgtoken We plan to consider the bills on the floor the final 2 weeks of July, when we are in session. That will be the week of July 19 and July 26. prgtoken Now, I suspect that we will be close to what the gentleman just indicated he would like to see with the schedule. I am certain that the Committee on Appropriations will do everything it possibly can to keep that schedule so that we will complete all of our work before the August break.
HELSINKI COMMISSION
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-6-17

I take this time as the Chair of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission, as we celebrate our 45th anniversary. prgtoken The Helsinki Commission is the vehicle for U.S. participation in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, representing 57 states that have come together under the OSCE, all the countries of Europe, all the countries of the former Soviet Union, including those located in Central Asia, the United States, and Canada. prgtoken , this is a unique body in that it represents both the executive and legislative branches of government. The executive branch has representatives on the Helsinki Commission, and both the House and Senate have Senators and Representatives that serve on the Helsinki Commission. prgtoken I am very pleased to have as my co-leader Senator Wicker from Mississippi as the leader in the Senate on the Helsinki Commission. prgtoken The Helsinki Commission has been responsible for elevating our moral dimension to U.S. foreign policy. Its principles point out very clearly that you cannot have security without dealing with good governance and human rights; you cannot have economic progress unless you have governance that respects the rights of all its citizens. prgtoken That is why I was so pleased when President announced that his foreign policy would be value-based, that as we participate in our foreign policy challenges, it will always be wrapped in our values, and his recent trip to Europe underscored that important lesson. And then he issued, not 2 weeks ago, the statement that corruption is a core national security threat and that we have a responsibility to fight corruption in order to protect our national security. prgtoken I am so pleased of the accomplishments of the Helsinki Commission, particularly from the human rights and human dimension. I go back to my early days in the House of Representatives, when the Soviet Union still existed and the challenges of Soviet Jews trying to emigrate from the Soviet Union. It was the Helsinki Commission that was one of the leading voices to help deal with Soviet Jews. prgtoken I think about trafficking in persons, modern-day slavery, and the efforts that the United States did in leading that effort, including passing landmark legislation in trafficking in persons and establishing a rating system where every country in the world is rated on how well they are dealing with fighting trafficking. Now this has become the model, and so many countries have acted. It was the U.S. Helsinki Commission that led the effort for what Congress was able to pass and the international effort in order to fight trafficking in persons. prgtoken I think about the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity and genocide, and recognize that it was the Helsinki Commission that pushed to hold those who were responsible for these atrocities ac
Nomination of John K. Tien (Executive Session)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2021-6-17

. Thank you, . I hope you are well today. Good to see you and our staff. prgtoken I rise this morning to applaud the nomination of COL John Tien. He has been selected by our President to serve as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, a very big job and an important job. prgtoken I have the honor of currently serving as the senior member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which is responsible for, among other things, overseeing the operations of the Department of Homeland Security.
ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLEAN ENERGY
Paul Tonko (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-17

we cannot unravel infrastructure from climate. As we consider bold new investments in America's infrastructure, our choices will shape our climate future for better or worse. prgtoken Failing to address climate pollution and clean energy in our infrastructure work will force future generations of Americans to cover a blank check. And we are already passing on grave and growing costs for our past failures to act. prgtoken But let me put this another way: seizing opportunities to tackle climate change in our infrastructure work will help us build legislation that makes America cleaner, safer, and more competitive as a Nation. It will save countless lives and create millions of good American jobs. prgtoken If we make climate a priority, our workers will miss fewer days on the job, and our kids will miss fewer days at school. Our local budgets will suffer less strain. Our infrastructure dollars will go farther. The things we build will last longer. prgtoken Climate is a growing threat that demands urgent, bold action. And doing nothing about it is doing something, it is condemning the United States to become a weaker, sicker, and poorer Nation. This is our path to choose. Do we allow America to further decline or choose a more sustainable, prosperous, and just future? To me, the decision is clear: Let's move forward.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-17

I am pleased to introduce bipartisan legislation with Senator Collins today to improve safety standards on products that affect every single American household. Most people assume that the personal care products they use every day are safe, whether it is shampoo or shaving cream, lotion or make-up, hair dye or deodorant. prgtoken In reality, however, these products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety before being sold, and the FDA's authority to regulate these products are sorely outdated. In fact, it's been more than eighty years since the law has changed on how oversight is conducted for these products. It is time to finally bring the FDA into the 21st century. prgtoken For the better part of a decade, Senator Collins and I have worked with a wide variety of stakeholders that represent industry, consumers, and health groups. Together, we introduce this Personal Care Products Safety bill with the support and input of these groups to implement commonsense and feasible measures. prgtoken One of the most critical components of this legislation is providing FDA with mandatory recall authority over these products. Without this authority, the agency has few options to ensure consumer safety. prgtoken For example, in 2019, the FDA discovered asbestos in make-up marketed to children and teens at a popular chain store. After the FDA requested that these products stop being sold, the company refused to comply with the request. Lacking the authority to mandate a recall, FDA was left with the only option of warning consumers not to use these products. This is simply unacceptable. prgtoken Under our bill, the FDA could remove these harmful products from the marketplace--whether at your local pharmacy or mall, or online. Perhaps even more importantly, our bill would set forth regulations to outline good manufacturing practices for personal care products and prevent harmful products from ever being sold. prgtoken Our bill would also require companies to register with the FDA so that the agency knows who is manufacturing personal care products and where they are being made before arriving in stores. Companies would also be required to disclose their list of ingredients, attest that they have safety records for their products, and report serious adverse events, such as infections that required medical treatment, to FDA within 15 days after being notified that one occurred. prgtoken This bill would also require the FDA to evaluate at least five ingredients per year for safety and whether they should be used in personal care products. There would be opportunities for companies, scientists, consumer groups, medical professionals, and other members of the public to weigh in not only on the safety of particular ingredients but also which ingredients should be a priority for review. prgtoken As I've said before, the ``Personal Care Products Safety Act'' is the result of many diverse groups wo
TRIBUTE TO DONALD GALLEANO
Ken Calvert (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-6-21

. Madam , I rise today to honor and pay tribute to my one of my very best friends, Donald Galleano, who passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Don was a true leader and a larger-than-life member of our community who will be deeply missed. prgtoken Don was born and raised in Mira Loma's Wineville area of Jurupa Valley, where his family has owned and operated the Galleano Winery since 1927. After earning an associate degree from Riverside Community College in 1972 and studying business administration at San Jose State University, Don would join the family business and eventually become president of the winery. Under Don's leadership, through his hard work, entrepreneurship and passion for winemaking, the winery experienced significant growth, success, and produced several award-winning wines. Thanks to his dedication to upholding the traditions of his family, the Galleano Winery is one of the last remaining bonded, Prohibition-era winery still owned and operated by its founding family at its original location in the region. prgtoken In 2004, Don was elected to represent the Eastvale, Jurupa Valley and Norco communities on the Western Municipal Water District's Board of Directors. He represented our region on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California board and the Chino Basin Watermaster board. Don was previously a member of the Jurupa Community Services District board and served on the National Orange Show Foundation board and the Los Angeles County Fair Association board. He was also a past president of the Western Riverside County Businessman's Association and the Jurupa Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken In addition to his wife, Charlene, Don is survived by his children Gina (Galleano) Spraggins and husband Scott Spraggins, Annamarie Galleano Metter and husband Cody Metter, and Domenic Galleano and wife Brittanee Galleano; as well as grandchildren Matthew Michael Spraggins, Ryan Scott Spraggins, Gracie Marie Spraggins, Baylee Marie Spraggins, Sophie Marie Metter, Sadie Marie Metter, and Lucca Domenico Galleano. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Galleano family, his friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know Don. Although he may be gone, the many contributions Don made to his community and family will have a lasting impact. Don was understandably proud of his family, his wine, and his community. I was proud to call him my friend.
Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch (Executive Session)
Bill Hagerty (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-6-21

I am here today to address ' deceptively labeled ``For the People Act,'' which should more accurately be labeled the ``For the Politicians Act.'' prgtoken This legislation represents a breathtaking, unprecedented power grab. In a 50-50 Senate, this is a blatant attempt by those who are in power by the slimmest possible margin to take over and rewrite the election and campaign rules for all 50 States in one fell swoop. prgtoken This would be done on an entirely partisan basis to ensure candidates from that same party win elections. In fact, while the only supporters of the bill are , there is bipartisan opposition to this legislation. prgtoken This legislation would disenfranchise every American through the Federal seizure of the authority of each State's representatives to set election rules for their State in accordance with the wishes of their citizens. prgtoken This partisan legislation would wash away election integrity measures, making it easier to cheat. Each invalid vote cast dilutes the strength of each valid vote cast. prgtoken Our form of government for the people and by the people rests upon voters' faith in the integrity of our elections. If we allow that faith in our elections to continue to be compromised, we are allowing the very foundation of our American system to be eroded. prgtoken don't want to talk about the details of this legislation. They don't want you to peek under the hood. They want to just slap a voting rights bumper sticker on it, jam it through, and then disparage and name-call anyone who opposes it. prgtoken So let's take a look at exactly what is in this legislation. prgtoken Under this legislation, a Federal politician running for election can take millions in taxpayer money for his or her own campaign. prgtoken The legislation says that States must then allow that politician to pay political operatives to visit nursing homes, dormitories, emergency shelters, and other residences to collect thousands of ballots and, then, choose which ones to be dropped into unmanned drop boxes, maybe in the middle of the night. prgtoken This bill would make it illegal for States to verify the identity of voters at the polls. Under this bill, ballots arriving even a week after election day would still be counted. prgtoken It would require States to adopt universal mail-in voting practices. States would be forced to allow murderers, rapists, and child molesters to vote, even if a State's citizens have adopted laws to prevent it. prgtoken It would require States to allow unregistered voters to cast ballots by simply showing up on election day and signing a form, without an ID and with no vetting allowed. prgtoken The bill would silence political speech by religious and nonprofit organizations while politicians can use taxpayer dollars to air attack ads with which many Americans would find distasteful. prgtoken The bill provides that if anyone disputes any of this,
Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-6-21

if the Constitution is the foundation our Republic, then the concept of ``one person, one vote'' is the cornerstone. It is also a promise that every single eligible voter in America takes with them into that voting booth on that election day. It gives them confidence that their vote matters. It helps them to keep the faith in our electoral system and in their local government. prgtoken We can talk about the vote on a grand scale here in Washington, but this is where it really matters: back home at your local polling place, in your home county, and in the precincts with the people who do the work of prgtoken standing up elections, running elections, and certifying their own elections. It is of the people, by the people, for the people that this process is carried out in each and every one of our counties. And you know what, that is how it is supposed to be. prgtoken Article I, section 4 of our Constitution clearly states--here it is: Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof. prgtoken Well, how about that? The Constitution delegates that authority to the State legislatures, and that is why our States' secretaries of state work with our counties to make certain the process is put in place. prgtoken You know, I had the opportunity to serve on my county's local election commission prior to my being in elective office. One person, one vote--that is the No. 1 rule that guided the decisions they made. When we recruit poll workers, it is the No. 1 concern that drives people to go sign up. When we train the volunteers who are staffing polling places, it is the No. 1 rule to teach. Every person gets one vote. All legally cast votes are counted. That is the way it is supposed to work--one person, one vote. prgtoken Here in the Senate, I am concerned that my ic colleagues have forgotten about this rule. Why else would they once again pledge to move a piece of legislation that would throw ``one person, one vote'' out the window? Many of my colleagues have taken to calling H.R. 1 or S. 1 the Politician Protection Act or the For the Politician Act, and I will have to agree that is a fairly apt description. prgtoken There are a lot of problems with this bill, but I want to focus on a few key provisions that will gut ``one person, one vote'' and destroy confidence in our elections. prgtoken If this bill passes, say goodbye to meaningful voter ID laws. My ic colleagues kept the idea of these requirements intact, but to please their radical base, they added a loophole that would force every single jurisdiction to accept affidavits in lieu of identification--that is right, an affidavit. They may as well have banned voter IDs because that loophole makes requirements that voters prove they are who they say they are absolutely meaningless. They can just sign a statement sayin
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2021-6-21

first, let me thank my colleague from New Hampshire, Senator Shaheen, for her extraordinary commitment and leadership as my fellow cochair of the Senate Diabetes Caucus. We are introducing a bill to improve access to innovative diabetes technologies for our seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries. Our bill would create a special task force at the Department of Health and Human Services to examine and resolve barriers that seniors face in accessing the latest diabetes management technologies. prgtoken New diabetes technologies, such as the artificial pancreas and implantable continuous glucose monitoring systems, allow those who are living with diabetes to better manage their glycemic levels, assess needed therapy on a timely basis, and adhere better to treatment regimes. These technological advances make diabetes easier to manage and therefore improve the health of people with diabetes. prgtoken The market arrival of cutting-edge diabetes technologies is something we all celebrate; however, oftentimes we are finding that patients do not realize the full benefits because many of our Nation's seniors find the new technologies to be difficult or impossible for them to afford. prgtoken I have heard from numerous seniors who, when transitioning from employer-provided insurance to Medicare, were shocked to learn that the technologies they had relied upon for years to manage their diabetes are no longer covered because they now have lost their employer- provided insurance, which did cover these technologies, and instead are being covered by Medicare. For example, one Mainer unfortunately had to face the reality that Medicare's coverage denial of a particular sensor that he needed for his insulin pump meant paying up to $8,000 out-of- pocket each year if he wants to continue with his current treatment. He wrote: Because I am now 65, I am denied care that was available when I was 64. prgtoken He continued: This approach not only puts me at risk but is quite likely not cost effective. While the sensors are expensive, the cost of ambulance calls and hospitalizations . . . is certainly more. prgtoken I could not say it better. It makes no sense for this individual, who has aged into the Medicare system, to lose coverage that he had and relied upon and used successfully to control his diabetes. prgtoken To better support the adoption of these technologies, our bill would require HHS to create a special task force on coverage and payment for innovative diabetes technologies that would bring all stakeholders-- from patients to device manufacturers, to government officials and healthcare professionals who are making coverage decisions--to the table. The task force would identify and plan for changes in Medicare coverage and payment policies to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to the latest treatments, to the innovations that are currently available, as well as t