mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
I-27 NUMBERING ACT OF 2023
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-3-7

I rise today to pass the I-27 Numbering Act, bipartisan legislation to officially designate the route between Laredo, TX, and Raton, NM, as the future Interstate 27. prgtoken I will say I am particularly gratified that the Senator from New Mexico is presiding because this is legislation that he and I offered together. It is bipartisan legislation that is supported by the State of Texas and the State of New Mexico. prgtoken This bill is the next step to advance major highway infrastructure in Texas and New Mexico that will support trade and commerce and jobs and economic development. prgtoken What is so important about a future interstate number? prgtoken By officially designating the highways between Laredo and Raton as future Interstate 27, this bill is a clear signal to the communities and businesses across Texas and New Mexico that Congress supports their work to develop the current highways to become part of the Interstate System. prgtoken Communities across this route need better infrastructure because of the increasing demands to move goods and people. Last year, Mexico was the top U.S. trade partner, with $798 billion of trade between our nations. That is higher than the trade with our second and third biggest trading partners, Canada and China. prgtoken Even better, the port of entry in Laredo, TX, was the top trade gateway in the United States, outperforming the Port of Los Angeles-- Laredo, TX. This is fantastic news for Texas. It means more jobs and economic development in Texas to move those goods. It is also part of a broader trend of a flourishing freight business in Texas. prgtoken Last year, I was proud to pass bipartisan, bicameral legislation to streamline the Presidential permit application process for bridges across the Rio Grande River in South Texas--four bridges: two in Laredo, one in Brownsville, one in Eagle Pass. And two of them are along the future I-27 route, the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, currently with 8 lanes--the proposal is to expand that to 18 lanes--and the Puerto Verde Bridge in Maverick County. prgtoken Passing the I-27 Numbering Act would support the increased trade we are expecting to come across those new bridges and those new lanes of traffic. prgtoken We have received letters of support for the I-27 Numbering Act from the Texas and New Mexico Departments of Transportation, the agencies tasked with building infrastructure along this route. We also have strong support from the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, which has worked so hard to bring the ports-to-plains route to reality. We have strong support from cities up and down the future Interstate 27. prgtoken Notably, the Texas Department of Transportation is working to improve infrastructure all along the future I-27. TxDOT currently has $5.5 billion in active projects along the route related to planning, engineering, and construction, including $481 million from the Texas Transportation Commission to upgrade par
LAKEN RILEY ACT
Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican, WI) \u2014 2024-3-7

I stand in support of the Laken Riley Act. prgtoken First, I want to express sincere condolences from everyone in the Seventh Congressional District to Laken Riley's family. prgtoken Then-candidate promised in 2020 that we would have open borders, and we have seen the devastating consequences, and it is happening all over the country. prgtoken In January, a father of three daughters was killed by an illegal alien in my congressional district in northern Wisconsin. Once again, this illegal alien should have been deported by ICE agents when he was first convicted of drunk driving in 2023. Once again, the administration chose not to deport him. prgtoken Sadly, , this is hardly a surprise. In fact, in 2020, himself declared, I don't count drunk driving, when asked what crimes should merit the removal of illegal aliens. He is not alone. prgtoken As we all know, just a few short weeks ago, 150 in this Chamber voted against legislation to deport criminal aliens convicted of drunk driving the sad truth is that both Laken Riley and Steven Nasholm's deaths were preventable.
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-3-7

since took office, inflation has exploded 17.9 percent. Prices on everything, especially groceries, are sky-high, and hard-working Americans are not able to keep up. prgtoken So think about what that means. If you haven't seen your pay rise by more than 17.9 percent since January 2021, you are behind because of 's inflation. prgtoken We know that is the reality for millions of Americans because real average weekly earnings have fallen 4.3 percent since took office. prgtoken So when the press and administration says: Good news, inflation is cooling, nobody in the real word is buying it because they see it is a lie each and every day. prgtoken Unless we see significant deflation, which will only happen if we cut spending, then there won't be relief from the massive damage that 's inflation has already caused. prgtoken One of the best ways to cut reckless spending is to take a serious look at earmarks. Now, I appreciate that Congress rightfully holds the purse strings under the Constitution. And my colleagues in the Senate know their States better than the administration does. This is not about taking away authority from Congress. Neither Congress nor the President's Agencies should waste your money. prgtoken Earmarks are pet projects that only benefit a small number of people; they are not voted on separately by Members of Congress. American taxpayers should not be used as a political piggybank. prgtoken Earmarks have been so badly abused that we can't let it go on like this any longer. The time for forgiveness has passed. prgtoken In just the Senate, Members requested more than 6,000 earmarks to waste your tax dollars on projects like $3.5 million for Michigan's Thanksgiving Parade Foundation; $1 million for an environmental justice center in New York--New York City has a budget already of $106 billion; don't you think they can do this on their own--$1 million for a social justice organization in San Francisco to make building improvements; $5 million for a theater, opera house, and other renovations in Georgia and Pennsylvania and city hall renovations in Washington and Rhode Island. prgtoken Why does the Federal Government have to pay for this? The States and local governments should take the lead here. prgtoken Today, the U.S. national debt is nearly $35 trillion. That is about $6.5 trillion more than it was when took office. prgtoken Here is an even more disturbing figure: Since January 20, 2023, about 14 months ago, the national debt has grown by more than $3 trillion. This explosion of America's national debt is a grave threat to the civility and security of our country, and it is not going to stop unless we force change. prgtoken As someone who grew up in public housing and watched my mom struggle to put food on the table and pay taxes all of her life, I am furious about just how much failure in Washington is hurting hard-working families like
RECOGNIZING CARMEN TAPIO
Don Bacon (Republican, NE) \u2014 2024-3-7

I rise today to recognize a leader from our district who has created jobs and changed lives, all while growing the largest African-American-owned business in the State of Nebraska and the largest private mixed-use development investment in North Omaha. prgtoken Carmen Tapio is currently the CEO of North End Teleservices, which has soared to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies for the last 4 years, injecting over $306 million into Nebraska's economy. prgtoken She established Forever North Real Estate to help reimagine North Omaha and set it on a promising path where a community can work, live, and play. Her leadership is helping to reduce poverty, unemployment, and is changing the trajectory of families for generations to come. prgtoken Through developing the only Department of Labor registered apprenticeship in her industry, micro credentialing, and bringing people up through the organization, she is growing her own workforce and leadership. prgtoken Wanting to empower Black women across the State, Carmen ignited the formation of Nebraska Black Women United with a few phone calls, her own humble take on its formation. Today, over 800 women belong to the purpose-driven organization and continue to fan the flames of growth and support for Black women. prgtoken In addition, she founded the NET Work Spot, a premier coworking space nestled in the heart of the North Omaha community. The NET Work Spot exists for collaboration and to nurture the ingenuity of brilliant entrepreneurial minds. prgtoken Tapio lends her expertise by serving on various for-profit and nonprofit boards. She serves as the chair of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Omaha Zoological Society Board of Directors, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's Omaha Branch Board of Directors, and the Werner Enterprises Board of Directors as chair of the ESG Committee. She is a Peter Kiewit Foundation trustee and serves on the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Board of Trustees, the University of Nebraska Trustee Foundation, and the Nebraska Medicine Board's Finance Committee, just to name a few. prgtoken This Women's History Month, she was recognized by the Governor of Nebraska and the Nebraskaland Foundation as the 2024 Distinguished Nebraskalander. She is the 2023 Inspire Awards Woman of the Year, 2022 Inspire Woman of the Year for Large Business, and the 2022 USA Today Nebraska Woman of the Year. She is a 2022 Omaha Business Hall of Fame Inductee, received the 2022 Black Women Legacy Award, and a 2022 Better Business Bureau Torch Award. She was recognized in the Forbes 2021 Next 1000 and the 2021 Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Leadership Awards. prgtoken She is incredible. prgtoken Carmen's parents instilled in her and each of her five sisters that they could do anything they set their minds to. She says that foundation cultivated her strong belief in the human spirit and that anything is possi
FAILURE TO SECURE BORDER
Mary E. Miller (Republican, IL) \u2014 2024-3-7

on his first day in office, signed an executive order overturning every border security measure established during the administration and paving the way for 11 million foreign nationals to enter our country illegally. prgtoken During the first 3 years of his administration, consistently denied the border security crisis. lied. and his staff falsely claimed that the border was secure. prgtoken It is only now, after countless lives have been taken, that the administration has admitted that there is a problem because they put politics ahead of the safety of the American people. prgtoken The tragic murder of 22-year-old Georgia student Laken Riley is a direct consequence of 's failure to secure the border. The illegal immigrant from Venezuela who killed her should never have been allowed in our country. prgtoken I grieve for Laken's family on their tragic loss. I cannot imagine the pain. No parent in our country should ever lose a child due to reckless border policies and soft-on-crime policies. and have blood on their hands. They should say her name and apologize to her family. prgtoken The primary responsibility of the government is to protect the American people. Instead, has opened our borders to an invasion of military-age men and put American lives in danger. prgtoken Today, we have the opportunity to vote for the Laken Riley Act to ensure that this never happens again. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2024-3-7

I also rise to discuss the administration's failure to contain the crisis at our southern border and how that is having extreme consequences and endangering our very own citizens. prgtoken Time and time again, s have warned about the damage being done to our country by open border policies launched on President 's first day in office. prgtoken For more than 3 years, we have witnessed this President and his administration tell us over and over that there is not a border crisis and that the border is secure. I, like most Americans, know that is absolutely not true. prgtoken President will deliver his State of the Union Address tonight, and I hope the American people will listen with some level of skepticism should he discuss his recent election-year plans to address illegal crossings at the border. The American people deserve for him to be forthcoming about the border crisis, a crisis that is manifesting itself more and more in serious and violent crimes committed by illegal migrants allowed to stay in our country. prgtoken The American people deserve to know why or how Executive action would be better than simply enforcing the law--the laws that are currently already on the books. Yes, Executive orders have the force of law, but they are based on existing statutes. Simply put, this administration needs to enforce the law. Americans are taking the brunt of 's policies as crime runs rampant at the hands of illegal immigrants. prgtoken Last year, Border Patrol agents encountered thousands of illegal aliens prgtoken with prior criminal convictions, including assault, rape, and murder. Make no mistake, it is thanks to 's policies and his refusal to enforce the law that has allowed such criminals into our country, and now Americans are becoming victims of their crimes all across the country. Over just 2 weeks this January, law enforcement arrested more than 100 illegal immigrants in 25 different U.S. cities. Over half of the illegal aliens arrested had convictions or pending charges for assault against children, including sexual assault against children. prgtoken A month ago, just outside of Minneapolis, a man who was previously detained, dressed as a delivery driver, snuck into a home and murdered three people while two small children witnessed this crime. prgtoken Just a few weeks ago in New York, several migrants were arrested for assaulting a pair of police officers. Of course, they were almost immediately released when the Manhattan District Attorney's Office did not seek bail. They were seen smirking and using obscene gestures for the media, showing no remorse for their actions. From the same mob assault, one of the migrants allegedly involved was arrested again just days later--this time, for robbing a Macy's in Queens. prgtoken Now, just the other week, a University of Georgia nursing student, with her whole future ahead of her, went running on a popular
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2024-3-7

I rise today to join my colleagues to discuss the administration's failed policies and their impact not only on my State of North Dakota but on all Americans. prgtoken As we prepare to listen to the President give his State of the Union Address, I want to share my perspective about the past 3 years and where we are today. But it is not just my perspective; it is what my constituents are seeing on a day-to-day basis. They see a country that is less secure, a dollar that doesn't stretch as far as it used to, and policies from this administration that are making things worse. prgtoken The reckless tax-and-spend policies of this administration have led to increases in inflation levels that we haven't seen in decades. To this day, inflation remains persistently high, and the deficit spending continues as our debt now totals more than $34 trillion. Last month, the Congressional Budget Office published its 10-year Budget and Economic Outlook, which revealed that, this year, the interest payments on our national debt will exceed the spending on national defense. prgtoken In addition to rising interest payments that will crowd out our ability to fund our priorities in the future, this deficit spending has led to inflation that has made everything more expensive for all Americans. The administration's tax, spend, and regulate policies have led to this inflation. In my State of North Dakota, according to the Consumer Price Index data, families have experienced a cumulative price increase of about 18 percent--18 percent--since President took office. That means paying more for everything from groceries to housing to transportation and energy. prgtoken North Dakota is actually among the youngest States in the Nation, with the median age of just over 35 years of age. Many of our young North Dakotans are looking to buy homes and start families, but this administration's failed economic policies have caused the inflation that has simply put homeownership out of reach. According to Freddie Mac, a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage continues to hover at about 7 percent. Before took office, it was less than 4 percent. prgtoken The bottom line is that the policies of this administration that the President calls omics gets you less--not more for less but less for more. prgtoken , at the same time, President is putting his Green New Deal agenda over our economic and national security interests. prgtoken The average price for a gallon of gas was about $2.40 on January 20, 2021, when President took office. This week, gasoline prices are 42 percent higher--$1 higher. So, instead, of $2.40, now you pay on average $3.40 for every gallon. It is simple economics--energy prices remain high because demand exceeds supply. Because the cost of energy is built into every good and service that we consume, we need to increase the supply of energy to help bring down inflation. Yet instead
RECOGNIZING JOE BONAMASSA
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2024-3-7

I rise today to honor Joe Bonamassa, a celebrated blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, for his tireless efforts in preserving and promoting the blues genre. Through the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA), Bonamassa has become a beacon of hope for aspiring musicians, educators, and enthusiasts alike. Our nation recognizes Joe Bonamassa's contributions to the blues community, the mission and impact of the KTBA Foundation, and the significance of his legacy in keeping the blues alive for generations to come. prgtoken Joe Bonamassa is a renowned figure in the world of blues music, revered for his exceptional talent as a guitarist and his unwavering dedication to the preservation of the genre. He is seen by many as the best guitarist of his generation. In addition to his prolific career as a recording artist and performer, Bonamassa is the founder of the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting music education and preserving the rich heritage of the blues. prgtoken Joe Bonamassa's love affair with the blues began at a young age, inspired by the music of legends like B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. With his prodigious talent and soulful playing style, Bonamassa quickly established himself as one of the preeminent blues guitarists of his generation. His extensive discography, which spans over two decades, showcases his mastery of the genre and his ability to breathe new life into classic blues songs. prgtoken Beyond his achievements as a performer, Bonamassa has been a passionate advocate for the blues community. He has used his platform to raise awareness about the importance of preserving this uniquely American art form and has worked tirelessly to ensure its continued relevance in the modern music landscape. Through his music, Bonamassa pays homage to the blues tradition while also pushing the boundaries of the genre, attracting new audiences and inspiring future generations of musicians. prgtoken In 2011, Joe Bonamassa founded the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation with the mission of providing resources and support to music education programs and aspiring musicians. The foundation offers scholarships, instrument donations, and grants to schools and organizations that are dedicated to teaching and preserving the blues. Through these initiatives, KTBA aims to empower young musicians and ensure that the blues remains a vibrant and thriving art form for years to come. prgtoken Since its inception, the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation has made a significant impact on the blues community, funding music programs in schools across the country and providing instruments to aspiring musicians who may not have had access otherwise. In addition to its financial support, KTBA also hosts events, workshops, and educational programs that celebrate the blues and foster a sense of community among musicians and fans. prgtoken Joe Bonamassa's legacy exten
RECOGNIZING MRS. CHRISTAL BENNETT, THE SANTA ROSA COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Matt Gaetz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-3-7

today I rise to recognize the Santa Rosa County Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Christal Bennett, for her exceptional efforts in fostering the musical talents of her many students. A longtime Florida native, Mrs. Bennett's extensive history in music education began in the very District in which she now teaches. From Avalon Middle School to the University of West Florida, Mrs. Bennett's exceptional gift of music has exemplified a lifelong dedication to spreading joy throughout her community. prgtoken As the Director of Bands at Central School and the recent founder of its very first marching band, Mrs. Bennett's leadership continues to find new and influential ways to impact the lives of countless young musicians. In its first year, the Central School Jaguar Marching Band has already managed to obtain a competition rating of ``excellent'' under her direction. prgtoken Mrs. Bennett's stated mission of filling her students with pride exemplifies the kind of leader she is. I express great pride in knowing that such a remarkable and kindhearted person has been named the Santa Rosa County Teacher of the Year. I congratulate her on this well- deserved recognition and look forward to seeing the many musical successes that she and her students will undoubtedly achieve in the future.
LAKEN RILEY ACT
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-3-7

Laken Riley's death was foreordained the day that this administration took office and reversed the successful policies that had finally secured our borders. prgtoken Since that day, just 3 years ago, more than 6 million illegal aliens have been allowed to enter our country, a population the size of the State of Missouri, our eighteenth largest State. prgtoken Very little is done to vet these millions of illegal migrants. We don't know how many terrorists or violent criminals are among them. Additionally, worse, this administration seems not to care. prgtoken However, we do know that the number of suspected terrorists that we are apprehending has skyrocketed and that violent international crime cartels and violent foreign gangs are now operating freely in our communities, often protected from deportation and detention by the ' sanctuary laws. prgtoken One of these criminals is now accused of the brutal murder of Laken Riley. We do not know how many such monsters this President has allowed into our country, but we are slowly, painfully, and tragically finding out victim by victim. prgtoken In this case, the suspect was paroled into this country through a shocking abuse of power by this President. He was repeatedly arrested for theft and other crimes in sanctuary jurisdictions and was each time released back onto our streets. prgtoken The bill before us would require this administration to detain illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting, something it simply refuses to do. It would also allow States to bring civil action against Federal officials who refuse to enforce these laws. prgtoken Today, the name on the bill is Laken Riley. Tomorrow, it will be another victim of these policies, another son or daughter or loved one, and it won't stop until this administration is stopped. That can only be done by the American people.