mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2023-9-12

. I rise today to stand alongside the over 80 percent of Americans who support Medicare being able to negotiate the price of prescription drugs, because despite being the wealthiest Nation in the world, too many Americans are struggling to afford the medications that they need to survive. More than 5 million Medicare beneficiaries are struggling to afford their medications. prgtoken I have heard devastating stories from Wisconsin seniors who have been put in impossible situations and forced to ration or forego their medications, all while the drug companies turn record profits. prgtoken No American, and especially our seniors who are on fixed incomes, should have to choose between putting food on the table or accessing the prescription drugs that they need to stay healthy. That is why I was so proud to support the Inflation Reduction Act to finally provide some relief for Wisconsin families and hold the big drug companies accountable for prioritizing profits over people. prgtoken And now, we are seeing the results. We capped the cost of insulin out-of-pocket at $35 a month for seniors, we lowered healthcare premiums for millions of Americans, and we penalized drug companies for raising their costs faster than inflation. prgtoken Last month, we reached a new milestone that has been a long time coming. Medicare announced the first 10 drugs that they will negotiate with drug companies. These are lifesaving medications that millions of Americans take to stay healthy, treating everything from diabetes to heart disease, to blood cancers. By lowering the costs of these drugs, fewer seniors will have to choose between buying groceries and taking their medication, and fewer families will lie awake at night worrying about how they are going to afford the cost of their loved one's medication. prgtoken Most importantly, Medicare finally stepping up and taking on the big drug companies means that fewer Americans will be priced out of the care that they need to live healthy lives. We have more work to do, but the Inflation Reduction Act was a historic step in the right direction. prgtoken Every American deserves access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare, and I am committed to finishing what we started last year with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. prgtoken .
TREATING TRIBES AND COUNTIES AS GOOD NEIGHBORS ACT
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2023-9-12

such time as I may consume. prgtoken H.R. 1450 is the Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act introduced by my colleague from Idaho, Representative Fulcher. prgtoken This bill updates the Good Neighbor Authority program to update the incentives for Tribes and counties to partner with the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management on restoration projects designed to enhance resilience and promote healthy landscapes. prgtoken As climate change intensifies, it is crucial that land managers utilize collaborative, consensus-driven tools such as Good Neighbor Authority to facilitate conservation, restoration, and resiliency of Federal lands and neighboring lands. prgtoken However, under current law, only States are authorized to retain revenues from timber sales and contracts executed through this program. prgtoken This legislation provides parity for Tribes and counties to increase community participation in the restoration of our public lands. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and .
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2023-9-12

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 12 noon on Wednesday, September 13; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 198, H.R. 4366, postcloture; further, that all time during adjournment, recess, morning business, and leader remarks count against the postcloture time.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2023-9-12

I rise with many of my colleagues today to mark a new era for patients in this country. prgtoken Last year, we decided that enough is enough, and we put an end to the sweetheart deal that let drug companies charge seniors on Medicare whatever they wanted for some of the most common lifesaving and life- improving prescription meds on the market. Now the Big Pharma companies are trying to stop this legislation with absurd lawsuits. prgtoken I will talk about that effort in a moment, but for now, let me say unequivocally that allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices is a victory for seniors, a victory for taxpayers, a victory for patients and their families, and a victory for America. prgtoken , thank you for your work on this as the Senator from Vermont. When you were the House Member for Vermont, you led this bill in the House, and I led it in the Senate. We worked together to allow for negotiation on drugs. Finally, this bill has been passed into law as part of larger legislation. prgtoken A number of our colleagues, including Senator Wyden of Oregon, have long been leaders on this issue. prgtoken I think we all know this progress could not have come soon enough. We know that Americans pay the highest prices in the world for the same brand name prescription drugs. In fact, prescription drug prices in the United States are more than 250 percent higher than drug prices in other industrialized countries. Not only are prices sky high, we have all watched them get higher. prgtoken As Senator Wyden has worked on it; as you, , have worked on this; as Senator Schumer has worked on this, we have continued to battle, sadly, the other side when it comes to putting our provision into law that allows Medicare to negotiate better prices. Finally, we did it on our own. We did it on our own but not really. We did it with the seniors of this country, with AARP at our side, with so many advocacy groups. prgtoken Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill to have the money go into higher profits for companies that already are making much more than the average company on the stock exchange. prgtoken Not only are we seeing high prices, but it literally makes it unaffordable for some patients. What good are treatments and cures if they go unused because they are unaffordable? The average price of the 25 brand name medications that Medicare spends the most on, 25 top blockbusters, has tripled on average, tripled since the drug hit the U.S. market. prgtoken Think about it. We all believe in competition. We believe in capitalism. Well, if you allow for real competition and generics to get on and you don't mess around and play around with the patent system and change this little thing so you get a longer patent and you don't put into law a sweetheart deal that says Medicare can't negotiate any prices for 50 million seniors--which, by the way, affects everyone else because when that, the biggest ne
RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT GENERAL MATTHEW G. GLAVY
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-9-12

I rise today to recognize Lieutenant General Matthew G. Glavy, who serves his country with the pride and honor befitting the highest ranks of the United States Marine Corps. prgtoken Born in 1963 at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, New York, Lieutenant General Matthew Glavy grew up with his 3 siblings under the name ``Jerry.'' Calling Western New York home, Lieutenant General Glavy finds comfort in Buffalo style wings, the Buffalo Bills, and the cold winter climate of Western New York. As a child, Lieutenant General Matthew Glavy was an avid sports fan, having played youth league football in his childhood, later lettering in cross country and track in high school before graduating in 1981. prgtoken Lieutenant General Glavy exemplifies every aspect of courage, determination, and service denominated in the timeless motto of the Marine Corps, ``Semper Fi.'' having served in all 3 designations: the operating forces, the supporting establishment, and in the headquarters. As a member of the operating forces and supporting establishment, Lieutenant General Glavy served ``at the heart of the Marine Corps'' in various assignments, including as an aircraft maintenance officer, weapons and tactics officer and embark officer, and current operations officer, eventually climbing the ranks to commanding general and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command and Space Command. General Glavy also supported his troops, his country, and his family, in the USMC Headquarters, where he served, among many impressive assignments, as platoon commander, White House liaison officer, and presidential command pilot. Lieutenant General Glavy currently serves as the Deputy Commandant for Information and 2nd Commander of the Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command. Lieutenant General Glavy will be returning to the Buffalo area as the keynote speaker at the reunion of the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines. prgtoken Today, I'm asking all present to join me in honoring Lieutenant General Matthew G. Glavy for his lengthy service and dedication to our great Nation.
MIGRANT CRISIS IN MASSACHUSETTS
Jake Auchincloss (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-9-12

I rise today to bring attention to the migrant crisis in my home State of Massachusetts. prgtoken Massachusetts is the only State with a right-to-shelter law that guarantees every family with children a place to stay. According to recent reporting in The New York Times, 80 cities and towns across the Commonwealth have received migrants to date, with the number of families living in emergency shelters and hotels statewide doubling in the past year to nearly 6,300 last week. prgtoken As the great-grandson of Jews who fled the Russian pogroms, I take seriously, like so many do, upholding the values this Nation was founded upon, including providing a safe haven for those seeking refuge. However, that promise is under threat now by our broken immigration system. prgtoken Right now, Governor Healey and her administration are doing everything they can to rise to the challenge, but without Federal action to fix what was a Federal problem, States will continue to operate with their hands tied behind their backs. prgtoken In addition to passing a disaster supplemental to provide FEMA with additional resources for States, we should be having a serious conversation in Washington about how to fix our immigration system to provide safe and legal pathways to entry. prgtoken Last Congress, invited s to the table in good faith to make progress on issues like infrastructure. Now, s should do the same on immigration instead of demonizing those seeking a better life for themselves and their families.
MAHSA AMINI HUMAN RIGHTS AND SECURITY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-9-12

I rise today to speak on H.R. 589, the Mahsa Amini Human Rights Security Accountability (MAHSA) Act. prgtoken This bill would require the President of the United States to impose property- and visa- blocking sanctions on certain individuals and entities affiliated with Iran. prgtoken Additionally, this bill would impose requirements that the President periodically make determinations about whether certain existing sanctions apply to specified persons and impose the applicable sanctions, including determinations concerning: (1) the Supreme Leader of Iran and any official in the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran; (2) the President of Iran and any official in the Office of the President of Iran; and (3) any entity overseen by the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran which is complicit in supporting human rights abuses or terrorism. prgtoken Iran currently faces widespread unrest because of various human rights violations. prgtoken In 2022, security forces killed more than 500 persons, including at least 69 children, and arrested more than 19,000 protesters, including children, according to the nongovernmental organization Human Rights Activists News Agency. prgtoken Some of those arrested faced the death penalty, including children. prgtoken The government also routinely disrupted access to the internet and communications applications to prevent the free flow of information and to attempt to interrupt or diminish participation in protests. prgtoken Although the human rights violations in Iran are unacceptable and certainly condemnable and actionable in response, to address this matter in the manner set forth by this bill is concerning. prgtoken First, this bill and its text targets the Iran government itself, not individuals in the government. prgtoken Because of this, this bill would essentially remain in effect indefinitely, regardless of a change in leadership and political or social agenda.
DISCLOSURE OF CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS UNDER RULE XLIV OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-9-12

I certify that the information required by rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate related to congressionally directed spending items has been identified in the committee reports which are incorporated by reference in Senate amendment 1092 to H.R. 4366 and that the required information has been prgtoken available on a publicly accessible congressional website at least 48 hours before a vote on the pending bill.
HONORING GARY SANDY
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-9-12

I rise today along with my colleagues John Garamendi and Doris Matsui, to honor the life and legacy of Yolo County Supervisor Gary Sandy. Supervisor Sandy grew up in Vacaville, California and lived in Woodland. California for nearly 40 years where he devoted his life to public service. prgtoken Supervisor Sandy graduated from Sonoma State University ``With Distinction'' in 1985 and was later awarded the prestigious Coro Foundation Fellowship in Public Affairs. Supervisor Sandy also received a master's degree in organizational development from the University of San Francisco and completed the University of California, Davis Executive Program. prgtoken Supervisor Sandy has been active in our community for decades. He served as a member of the Woodland City Council from 1989 through 1996 and was mayor of the City of Woodland from 1994 through 1996. Between 2010 and 2018, Supervisor Sandy was a trustee for the Yuba Community College District, where he was twice elected president of the board. In 2018, he was elected to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors for District 3; and in 2020, Mr. Sandy served as the chair to the board during the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken He was a treasured member of our community who advocated for matters of mental health, homelessness, agricultural land preservation, economic development, and education. Supervisor Sandy was a leading voice as the chair to the Yolo County Housing Commission and assisted in the creation of Yolo County's Commission to Address Homelessness supporting countywide policy, strategy, and funding recommendations to address homelessness and housing issues. Mr. Sandy was a leader in promoting practices and technologies that aid in water conservation. He furthered these initiatives as a representative to the Yolo County Water Resources Association and the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency. prgtoken Supervisor Sandy's colleagues remembered him as a kind, wise, and personable man. His gift was not in what he had to say, but rather in the way he made you feel. Supervisor Sandy brought a sense of warmth and humor into every conversation he had. We will miss his friendship and unwavering support. prgtoken Beyond his work, Supervisor Sandy was deeply devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary, his children, Owen, Grayson, and Bayley, his grandchildren, and his sister, Shirley. Supervisor Sandy will be remembered for his love of his family and the people he served. prgtoken , Gary Sandy was a dedicated public servant and leader in our community.
Nomination of Jeffrey Irvine Cummings (Executive Calendar)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-9-12

today, the Senate will vote to confirm Judge Jeffrey Cummings to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. prgtoken Judge Cummings received his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and his J.D. from the Northwestern University School of Law. Following law school, he clerked for Judge Ann Claire Williams on the Northern District of Illinois. prgtoken Judge Cummings then entered private practice in Chicago, where he developed expertise in various civil rights issues, including employment discrimination, voting rights, and housing discrimination. prgtoken He has spent nearly his entire practice litigating in Federal courts and has tried eight cases to verdict. Notably, he worked on the largest ever hospice-related recovery for the United States in the history of the False Claims Act. prgtoken While in private practice, Judge Cummings also served as an administrative hearing officer for the city of Chicago Commission on Human Relations and as a hearing officer for the city of Chicago Police Board, where he was responsible for conducting contested disciplinary hearings in cases involving allegations of misconduct against Chicago police officers. prgtoken In 2019, Judge Cummings was selected by the district judges of the Northern District to serve as a magistrate judge. Since joining the bench, he has handled both civil and criminal matters and has presided over three jury trials. prgtoken The American Bar Association unanimously rated Judge Cummings ``well qualified,'' and he has the strong support of Senator Duckworth and myself. Given his vast litigation background and experience on the bench, he will be a tremendous addition to the court. I am honored to vote for his confirmation, and I urge my colleagues join me.
Egypt (Executive Session)
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-9-12

I want to paint a picture for you just for a moment. It takes place on a tarmac in the Zambian capital of Lusaka, just a few weeks ago, in fact. prgtoken A small private jet arrives from Egypt. It lands there, hoping to go unnoticed because of what is on board that jet. But it does get noticed by Zambian authorities. They board the plane, and they find inside a cargo that sounds like something out of a James Bond movie. On board that plane is $5.7 million in U.S. currency, 602 bars of gold, five pistols, and 126 rounds of ammunition. prgtoken To make the story even more bizarre, it turns out that the gold was not actually real. It was fake bars of gold. The currency is real, the ammunition is real, but the gold is fake. prgtoken Zambia arrests 12 people, 6 of whom are Egyptian citizens. Immediately, as you can imagine, speculation begins about what is exactly going on. prgtoken That is an interesting story, right? But the reason I tell you this story isn't because of what happened in Zambia. It is because of what happened next in Cairo. Six of these individuals were Egyptian citizens. The plane came from Egypt. So, of course, journalists in Cairo start to do some digging. A fact-checking platform named Matsadaash--I am probably butchering the pronunciation, but it is Arabic, roughly, for ``don't believe it.'' They report on the alleged involvement of former Egyptian security officials in the incident, but this kind of truth telling is just not allowed in Egypt today. prgtoken Egypt is a closed society. It is a dictatorship in which political dissent is crushed. The free press is essentially nonexistent, and as a consequence, top officials are allowed to enrich themselves without any accountability. prgtoken So what happened to the journalists at Matsadaash is interesting, but it is, frankly, par for the course in Egypt. Here is what happened. In response for doing this reporting, Egyptian security officials went straight to the home of the journalist. They raided his home. They forced him to log onto his computer as they were there, and they forced him to delete the Facebook posts about the issue at hand. prgtoken Egypt just wanted this story to disappear, and they were willing to do whatever it took to make this happen. We may never know the full story of what happened in that airport--what was going on with that plane--but what we do know is that the Egyptian Government's reaction is part of a completely predictable pattern to muzzle and silence the truth tellers by force. prgtoken Beyond these attacks on Matsadaash, two other journalists covering the episode were also detained immediately after without charge. One of the last remaining independent media outlets in Cairo, Mada Masr has repeatedly been refused a legal license to operate. prgtoken Websites that report on this kind of activity of Egyptian officials are shut down as soon as they appear. Activists are regularly jailed for ``spreading f
FIGHT AND COMBAT RAMPANT IRANIAN MISSILE EXPORTS ACT
Madeleine Dean (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-9-12

such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. prgtoken The threat of Iranian missiles and drones is real. The clock is ticking, and Congress, the United States Government, and the world at large needs to act. This bill is an important measure to prevent Iran from being able to acquire more sophisticated technology as a result of the expiring sanctions. prgtoken I thank Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks for introducing this legislation, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this measure. prgtoken , .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-9-12

. I will be very brief. I wanted to come to the floor to thank all of my colleagues for coming to the floor and talking about this issue. Our ic caucus has been persistent champions in the fight to lower drug costs for Americans. prgtoken I want to thank Senator Klobuchar, who has been such a leader on this issue, for calling us together tonight. prgtoken It was said year after year, decade after decade: They are never going to take on the big drug companies. They are never going to get those high costs--in some cases, outrageously high costs--down. prgtoken But last summer, we did, and we won. Now millions of Americans are seeing their drug costs go down as the Inflation Reduction Act goes into effect. The 10 prescription drugs which my colleagues have talked about are not drugs used by a rare few but are used by millions that affect so many different illnesses, and they will treat things like diabetes and heart failure and cancer and kidney disease and blood clots and more. prgtoken The pain you feel when you talk to a parent who says: My child has been diagnosed with cancer, but it costs $1,000 prgtoken a month for the drug, and I can't afford it. What am I going to do? prgtoken What pain. Well, that pain is going to be greatly reduced in hundreds of thousands of cases now that we have done this. prgtoken We are not stopping. We are going to keep going. It is a huge deal. We are capping the price of insulin at $35. We did it for seniors on Medicare, and now we are going to fight to get it for everybody else. The Presiding Officer is helping to lead that charge. The cost of all drugs, which once was unlimited, will start at $3,000 a year in January and go to $2,000 in 2025. prgtoken The No. 1 thing our constituents are asking about is high costs. The No. 1 thing that bugs them about the government is that no one seems to get a handle on those high costs. Well, this is a shining example where we are reducing their costs by taking on the special interests. We are not stopping here. prgtoken and thank my colleagues for being here.