mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Xavier Becerra (Executive Calendar)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2021-3-17

I rise to share my objections to the nomination of Xavier Becerra to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. prgtoken With $1.3 trillion of spending in Health and Human Services, that Department has the largest budget of the entire executive branch. In fact, if we were to compare the budget--the budget of HHS to other nation's GDPs--HHS, in fact, would rank among the top 10 in the world. The size of this Department is significant, and the responsibility is even greater. prgtoken Whoever oversees this Department has a big impact on our country, our economy, and the lives of all Americans, including those of the unborn. This is exactly why I am deeply concerned with President 's pick of Attorney General Xavier Becerra to lead HHS. Mr. Becerra has spent his career propagating far-left ideology and supporting divisive policies that don't resonate with the majority of Americans. prgtoken The Secretary of HHS has massive authority to steer the future of healthcare in our country, and someone who has made a career out of defending the abortion industry and promoting other liberal policies, like free healthcare for illegal immigrants, should not be at the helm of this Department. prgtoken I am concerned that Attorney General Becerra will use the power of this Agency to overstep and impose his radical liberal agenda on millions of Americans. This administration decidedly, intentionally, chose a nominee who has repeatedly attacked the religious freedoms of so many Americans, a nominee who has aggressively pushed a very pro- abortion agenda, a nominee who supports a complete takeover by the government of our healthcare, a nominee who advocates for illegal immigrants to receive taxpayer-funded healthcare. prgtoken How do these qualities make Attorney General Becerra the right person to head Health and Human Services? It just doesn't make sense to so many in our country. It is just another sign that this, unfortunately, is a far-left administration that is outside the mainstream. prgtoken Especially now, during a pandemic, it is critical that all Americans can trust whoever holds this position. It is critical that the leader of this massive Department will operate as a good steward of Federal health programs and not use his post to impose a government takeover of healthcare and to eradicate job-based coverage for millions of Americans. prgtoken Xavier Becerra is, unfortunately, not that person. He has built his career defending some of the very most extreme stances in our society, and we can expect that he will only take things further at HHS. prgtoken When it comes to abortion, Attorney General Becerra doesn't believe there should be any restrictions--not one. In fact, I had the chance to ask Mr. Becerra some questions a couple of weeks ago at a hearing. I asked if he would support a ban on the lethal discrimination of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome, or, perhaps, what about banning sex- selecti
Biden Administration (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2021-3-17

last month, the American people created 379,000 new jobs across our country. The unemployment rate fell to 6.2 percent. Our economy is recovering. We are actually on our way back to normal. prgtoken In early February, the Congressional Budget Office published a report on this. The report says that our economy will reach the same size that it was before the pandemic, and it will do it in just a few months. It says this summer our economy will be back to normal. prgtoken Now, the CBO made that projection weeks before the passed and the President signed into law a $1.9 trillion wish list. In other words, our economy would be back to normal even had they never passed the bill. We would be back to normal without a dime of this incredible high amount of spending prgtoken We didn't need the liberal wish list. The country doesn't need it. Yet it is obvious why rushed--rushed--their liberal wish list into law. They wanted to stamp their name on the recovery that was coming, no matter what. I have no doubt that that is the goal. prgtoken Yet the truth is clear: This is not President 's recovery. President inherited three vaccines--successful vaccines, vaccines that work and are safe. President inherited 2 million tests a day for coronavirus. President inherited falling coronavirus numbers. He also inherited a recovering economy. prgtoken Last year, we saw the fastest economic recovery in American history. The unemployment rate fell by half in 6 months. The American people created more than 12 million jobs coming back from the pandemic. They did it in just 6 months. That is more jobs than were created in the 8 years of the - administration. prgtoken Now, this was in large part because of the foundation laid by s before the pandemic, with President 's economic programs in the White House. s cut taxes for the middle class, on job creators. We cut regulations, and we cut government redtape. We made a better trade deal with our neighbors. Our agenda worked. prgtoken Just before the pandemic hit, the unemployment rate was down to 3.6 percent. The American people created more than 7 million new jobs under President . We saw record-low unemployment for Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and African Americans. We reached the lowest unemployment rate for women in 60 years. prgtoken When America began to reopen, the success of that agenda helped us recover at a record pace. The economy is also recovering because we are making progress against the virus. prgtoken With s in the White House and a majority in the U.S. Senate, we passed more than $4 trillion in coronavirus relief. Unlike the ' relief wish list, all five of our bills were bipartisan. They each got 90 votes in the Senate or more. prgtoken Operation Warp Speed broke records for vaccine development. A new vaccine typically takes about 10 years from
Agent Orange (Executive Calendar)
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-3-17

we can be proud of the bipartisan work the Senate has accomplished in recent years to expand veterans' benefits. Last Congress, we made significant progress with passage of legislation to enhance education, pensions, burial compensation, and landmark improvements to Department of Veterans Affairs care and services for women veterans, in addition to a groundbreaking initiative to prevent veteran suicides. prgtoken I am hopeful we can use this momentum to continue turning legislation into law to ensure we fill the promise our country made to the men and women who served in uniform, as well as their families. We know that too many veterans are being left behind because of current VA policies that prohibit them from accessing benefits and healthcare services they have earned. prgtoken Veterans like Bill Rhodes of Mena, AR, a marine who served in Thailand during the Vietnam war era, are pleading with Congress to help them get needed medical care and support. After developing illnesses linked to herbicide exposure, Mr. Rhodes turned to the VA for help. His claim was denied. He did his homework. He spent time looking for documentation to support his claim and realized this is a problem that needs a legislative fix because the Department's policies limit benefits for Vietnam war era for Thailand service. prgtoken I am proud to join with my colleague and chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Senator Tester, to introduce legislation to help Mr. Rhodes and veterans like him who were exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides while serving in Thailand during the Vietnam war. prgtoken The VA accepts that herbicides were used on fenced-in perimeters of military bases in Thailand, but its current policy is too restrictive. Among other things, it prohibits veterans who worked in security- related specialties. It is reasonable to believe that veterans on Thai bases were exposed to Agent Orange no matter what their jobs were or where their duty stations were. prgtoken In an article published in the Dayton Daily News, one veteran who served in Thailand said his barracks were along the perimeter, and at the time of the interview, he still hadn't received benefits for his VA claim. prgtoken The arbitrary limits on consideration of a veteran's claim to toxic exposure are simply wrong. These misguided technicalities and bureaucratic hurdles need to be addressed. Our bill would eliminate the unreasonable burden placed on veterans to prove toxic exposure. prgtoken No veteran should be denied benefits due to redtape. These Americans who served our country, and to this day are paying a high price as a result, have been carelessly hindered by the current limitations on the presumption of toxic exposure to Agent Orange, but they aren't forgotten. We have an obligation to ensure they get the benefits they are due, and I am committed to supporting their cause prgtoken I appreciate the determination and tirel
REMOVING THE DEADLINE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
Vicky Hartzler (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-3-17

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the achievements women have made and reaffirm that we are already equal under current law. prgtoken Women represent 51 percent of the population, comprise over half of college students, make up the majority of medical and law school students, and run 12.3 million women-owned businesses while generating $1.8 trillion each year. prgtoken Little girls can be whatever they want to be, whether that is an astronaut, a doctor, a full-time mom working at home, or a Member of Congress. prgtoken The ERA would not add to the rights already guaranteed by the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, but it could jeopardize them. prgtoken How? Two ways. prgtoken First, by making it discriminatory to offer benefits to women not offered to men; women's scholarships, women's colleges, job protection for pregnant women, and safe spaces may all be on the chopping block. prgtoken When the equal rights amendment was first proposed a century ago, many women's rights advocates recognized the negative ramifications it would bring. In fact, future First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt expressed concerns that legislation protecting women in the workplace could be eliminated should the ERA become part of the U.S. Constitution. prgtoken Secondly, because the 1972 definition of sex as male and female is no longer accepted by many today and, instead, will require new protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. This is a path that has already proven to be a threat to women's privacy, safety, and equality. Don't take it from me. Talk to the nine women in California who were sexually harassed in a women's shelter by a biological male identifying as a woman. prgtoken The equal rights amendment would not only codify inequality for women, but also destroy the rights of the unborn. The ERA advocates have been unequivocal about their support for abortion and for using the ERA to overturn pro-life laws. prgtoken Courts have already used State versions of the ERA to force taxpayers to fund abortions. A Federal ERA would threaten State pro-life laws, Federal protections like the Hyde amendment, and conscience protections for American medical professionals who may otherwise be forced to perform an abortion. prgtoken Fortunately, the time limit to pass the ERA expired decades ago, and there is agreement that Congress cannot go back and remove a deadline from a previous constitutional amendment initiative. For example, the Supreme Court has already recognized that the 1972 ERA expired, and the Department of Justice issued a ruling saying: ``Congress may not revive a proposed amendment after a deadline, for its ratification has expired.'' prgtoken Just over a week ago, a Federal district court ruled that the deadline to ratify the ERA ``expired long ago.'' And the recent ratifications of the amendment arrived ``too late to count.'' prgtoken Pretending we can remove the deadline for passage is both futile and deceptive. The
Filibuster (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-3-17

it appears that our friends across the aisle are experiencing an existential crisis when it comes to deciding how to manage their newfound powers in the majority. We are just 2\1/2\ months into this new Congress, and already we are hearing the majority leader and many on the other side of the aisle threatening to blow up the rules of the Senate. After decades as a Senator, President even yesterday relented and threw his support behind the plan. prgtoken The filibuster has been called into question a number of times over the past few years. That is to be expected, but it is just that our ic friends used to be on the other side of the argument. They took one position when they were in the minority, where the filibuster protected their rights. And now when they are in the majority, many of them are looking to eliminate any minority rights and to fundamentally change the Senate. prgtoken In 2018, our ic colleagues were afraid the Senate majority would blow up the filibuster. I am not really sure why they were concerned. After all, Senator McConnell and Senators have consistently defended the rights of the minority by use of the legislative filibuster, even when President called for it to be eliminated. prgtoken But our ic friends keep piling on. Senator Durbin, the Senator from Illinois, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, was asked about President 's call to end the filibuster--that was when President called to end the filibuster--and he said: ``That would be the end of the Senate as it was originally devised and created going back to the Founding Fathers.'' That would be on the right-hand side of this chart. Just to repeat, he said: ``That would be the end of the Senate as it was originally devised and created going back to the Founding Fathers.'' prgtoken I agree with Senator Durbin. I agreed then, and I agree now. prgtoken The Senate filibuster was designed to ensure that the two political parties would actually have to work together, which I think the American people believe is a good thing. And it should be hard to do the work of building consensus in a country as big and diverse as the United States. prgtoken But the filibuster was designed to make sure that the majority just couldn't jam things through and deny the rights of the minority to be heard. But when you get 60 Senators to agree on something, it becomes all but impossible for ultrapartisan proposals to become law. That is the nature of the consensus-building process, and that is a good thing for the country. prgtoken Imagine the instability and unpredictability that would occur if laws changed as quickly as Presidents and Senate majorities do. Just 4 years ago, s controlled both Chambers of Congress and held the White House. Twelve years ago, our ic colleagues controlled all three. The filibuster was designed to encourage, again, consensus bu
REMOVING THE DEADLINE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
Victoria Spartz (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-3-17

. Madam , I think it is a good discussion to have, but I would suggest to my colleagues from the other side, if they do believe this issue is still valid and necessary, to actually restart this process from the beginning, because we are wasting our time right here. A 1972 amendment cannot be ratified, it doesn't exist. It has expired. It is unconstitutional. A lot of things have changed. prgtoken We can debate if it is necessary or not, but if we want to have a real debate, we need to restart this from the beginning and not waste time debating something that doesn't exist. So I would ask not to support this amendment, and it is unconstitutional.
Sunshine Week (Executive Calendar)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2021-3-17

I want to start by thanking Senator Ernst for once again setting up the Government Sunshine Week event and for her commitment, as was just discussed by my colleague from Florida, to ensuring taxpayers know where their money is going. This includes the $150 billion that the U.S. Government distributes every year in taxpayer funds for research grants. More transparency will help ensure that research isn't stolen by China and other countries. prgtoken In 2019, as the then-chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, or PSI, I led a bipartisan investigation with then- ranking-member Senator Tom Carper into China's theft of U.S. intellectual property and U.S. research at our research institutions and college campuses. prgtoken As many of you know, China has made no secret of its goal to surpass the United States as the world leader in scientific research. This has become even clearer, by the way, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as China has attempted to get information in the United States to help produce their own vaccines to rival ours. But what most don't know is that China has been using our taxpayer-funded research enterprise here in the United States to accomplish this long-term goal. China uses talent recruitment programs--most notably its Thousand Talents Plan--to recruit researchers at American universities and research institutions using taxpayer-funded grants to do the same research at shadow labs in China or transfer taxpayer-funded research back to China--research that has been used over the past two decades to strengthen China's military and its own economic rise. prgtoken Along the way, they have been aided by a lack of transparency in our Federal grant-making process that has allowed researchers to receive taxpayer funding without disclosing their ties to foreign governments. What is worse, Federal law enforcement officials at the FBI knew about this for years and admitted at our PSI hearing last Congress: ``We wish we had taken more rapid and comprehensive action in the past.'' I wish they had. prgtoken I am pleased the administration chose to follow through on their promise to do better in this regard. Since our report, prosecutors have charged at least 13 researchers here in the United States for failing to disclose their ties to the Chinese Government and Chinese Communist Party--researchers at prestigious institutions like Harvard and the Ohio State University. Many of our colleges and universities around the country have been part of this. prgtoken The administration must stand by the promises made on the campaign trail to keep the pressure on China, and that includes on this issue. We can also help here in Congress by shining a light on the grant-making process and passing laws to help us keep track and protect these important investments in our research. prgtoken In the coming weeks, I will be reintroducing bipartisan legislation called the Safeguardin
REMOVING THE DEADLINE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2021-3-17

. Madam , some lawmakers continue to ignore, trivialize, or deny the fact that abortion activists plan to aggressively use the Federal ERA--as they have used State ERAs--in a litigation strategy designed to overturn pro-life laws and policies, including restrictions supported by huge majorities of Americans. prgtoken As the Marist Poll found recently in January: Seven in 10 Americans, including nearly half who identify as pro-choice, want significant restrictions on abortions. While I fundamentally disagree with abortion activists who refuse to recognize an unborn child's inherent dignity, worth and value, many on both sides now agree that how the ERA is written will be used in court to massively promote abortion. prgtoken NARAL Pro-Choice America said the ERA would ``reinforce the constitutional right to abortion'' and ``require judges to strike down anti-abortion laws.'' prgtoken The National Organization for Women said: ``An ERA--properly interpreted--could negate the hundreds of laws that have been passed restricting access to abortion. . . .'' prgtoken Those laws include the Hyde amendment, waiting periods, parental involvement statutes, women's right-to-know laws, conscience rights, and late term abortion ban, like the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. prgtoken By now, my colleagues know that the Supreme Court of New Mexico ruled that the State was required--required to fund abortion, based solely on the State ERA. prgtoken In like manner, the Supreme Court of Connecticut invalidated its State ban on abortion funding based on its ERA. prgtoken Ensuring equal rights for women and serious protections against violence and exploitation requires laws, policies, and spending priorities to achieve those noble and necessary goals, without--I say again, without putting unborn baby girls and boys at risk of death.
Nomination of Xavier Becerra (Executive Calendar)
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2021-3-17

the stated mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is ``to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans.'' It is a laudable goal. The HHS Secretary is, thus, charged with overseeing all government healthcare and social services and protecting the health and the rights of the American people, a worthy goal, important job. Unfortunately, the history of the nominee before us, Mr. Xavier Becerra, poses grave concerns to our ability to carry out this goal and to our ability to oversee an Agency with such vast, far-reaching responsibilities. prgtoken First, Mr. Becerra has repeatedly been on the record for wanting to eliminate private health insurance for millions of Americans even at a time when families need affordable, effective, and flexible healthcare and when healthcare workers need jobs perhaps now more than ever. What is more concerning, however, is that, while in public office, Mr. Becerra has repeatedly, deliberately undermined Americans' constitutional rights and waged political warfare on those who happen to disagree with his views. prgtoken Take, for example, his views on abortion. Instead of supporting laws that protect and sustain the life and health of American women and unborn children, Mr. Becerra has supported laws that violently hurt them in his endorsing legal abortion up until and even during the moment of birth. prgtoken As Attorney General of the State of California, he brought 15 felony charges against a reporter for exposing Planned Parenthood's role in trafficking the body parts of aborted babies--a prosecution that even the Los Angeles Times described as ``disturbing overreach.'' prgtoken He defended a California law that required pro-life pregnancy centers to advertise for State-funded abortion clinics, a law that so egregiously violated free speech that the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional, which, of course, it was and is. prgtoken Not only that, but he has consistently and flagrantly taken hostile actions against the free exercise of religion. Perhaps the worst example of this can be found in his legal persecution of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Now, this is a religious order of Catholic nuns that cares for the elderly poor. Becerra waged a lengthy, difficult battle to force the sisters--again, this is an order of nuns--to pay for abortion drugs and contraception in their health insurance plan even though doing so violates their beliefs and even though they are nuns. prgtoken Even after the Supreme Court ruled for the Little Sisters of the Poor in 2016 under a separate case and after the administration granted them full conscience protections in 2017, Mr. Becerra still sued the administration in an attempt to pierce those protections. Again, he wasn't comfortable with letting those protections stand in place with respect to the Little Sisters of the Poor. No. He was determined, even still, to make sure that they couldn'