mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LIFTING THE DEBT CEILING
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-24

I rise to address the serious issue of raising our debt limit before we wreak havoc on America's economy and the impact to the world's economy. What I want to talk about is common sense. It is common sense in terms of how we move forward with regards to our fiscal needs. prgtoken Since 1960, Congress has raised the debt limit 78 times. It is Congress's responsibility to do this. It was done 49 times under Presidents, 29 times under ic Presidents. prgtoken There is a degree of hypocrisy that has filtered through this House in recent months regarding the debt ceiling. In the last administration, we voted to increase the debt limit three times, to lift the debt ceiling, under the administration, while at the same time the debt was being increased by 25 percent. I even remember President saying that he was the king of debt. I guess he is--or was. prgtoken The fact is if that hadn't been increased by 25 percent, we wouldn't be here today with the dilemma of how we should raise the debt ceiling. We should raise it the way we have previously: cleanly, and in a bipartisan fashion. That is what we have done historically. prgtoken As Sergeant Joe Friday used to say, ``Just the facts, ma'am.'' The debt ceiling has no impact on our spending, which is a reasonable issue to debate, how we spend America's tax dollars, and that is what the Congress ought to do. prgtoken The debt ceiling simply commits us to paying the bills that we have already incurred. That is what this is about. prgtoken That is why since 1960, Congress, under and ic administrations, has raised the debt ceiling 78 times: 49 times under Presidents, 29 times under ic Presidents. prgtoken Yesterday's announcement by Treasury Secretary Yellen makes it clear there is no time to waste. June 1 is looming closely, and the havoc that would occur if we don't lift the debt ceiling is significant. We can and should avoid this economic catastrophe. prgtoken , during the 19 years that I have been in Congress, I have voted to raise the debt ceiling 16 times, 3 times under the administration. It is the responsible thing to do. prgtoken , if we default on our debt, nearly 8 million jobs will disappear soon after in June. prgtoken If we default on our debt, Social Security payments will be jeopardized. prgtoken If we default on our debt, payments to veterans will be impacted. prgtoken If we default on our debt, health benefits will be at risk for millions of Americans. prgtoken In California, if we default on our debt as a result of the proposal that the s are making and the measure that they pass, we will eliminate preschool and childcare for over 35,000 children. It will strip food assistance from over 1.3 million Californians. prgtoken It would make college more expensive for over 874,000 students, and it would increase housing costs for 83,000 people in California. These numbers are being upd
HALT ALL LETHAL TRAFFICKING OF FENTANYL ACT
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-5-24

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume to close. prgtoken The point that I have been trying to make and my colleagues have been trying to make on this side of the aisle is that s continue to push punitive and partisan policies with regard to the opioid crisis rather than real solutions to address the substance abuse crisis, strengthen border security, or fix our immigration system. prgtoken The partisan HALT Fentanyl Act would not meaningfully address substance abuse. It would simply result in more incarceration. prgtoken This bill takes a one-sided approach by only requiring permanent class-wide scheduling of fentanyl-related substances in an attempt to incarcerate our way out of a public health crisis. prgtoken By contrast, the administration has put forth an interagency proposal, which I have discussed, to permanently schedule synthetic fentanyl within schedule I without exacerbating existing sentencing disparities and inequities in our criminal justice system, as well as creating an off-ramp to remove or reschedule these substances shown to have medical or therapeutic value. prgtoken Now, I know that we hear from the other side: What have you done? What are you doing? prgtoken Well, the bottom line is that the administration has taken aggressive action to combat the overdose epidemic. Congress and the administration should be working together on a bipartisan solution to address the fentanyl crisis, but the s are threatening a default crisis right now that would seriously undermine these efforts. prgtoken Last year, the administration announced its inaugural National Drug Control Strategy which expands access to lifesaving interventions, like naloxone and buprenorphine, while providing additional resources to law enforcement agencies to intercept illegal drugs. prgtoken To support this strategy and address illicit fentanyl, President has called on Congress to make a historic investment of $46 billion in funding for efforts to reduce the supply of illicit fentanyl and stop drug trafficking, as well as expand access to treatment and prevention to reduce overdose deaths across the country. prgtoken Now, at the same time, s are threatening a default crisis unless go along with their drastic cuts that would seriously undermine our ability to combat the fentanyl and opioid crisis. prgtoken According to the administration, the cuts demanded by s would force Border Patrol to ax more than 2,000 agents and drastically reduce funding for the DEA and the FBI. These things are crucial to interdiction and anti-drug-trafficking efforts. prgtoken The proposal, the default on America act, would reduce funding for treatment for opioid use disorders resulting in thousands more Americans losing access to treatment and recovery. It would also threaten to take health insurance away from millions of low-income individuals, including those st
APPRECIATING MR. JACOB JERNIGAN FOR HIS SERVICE ON MY STAFF
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-24

I rise in appreciation of Mr. Jacob Jernigan for his service to the people of California's Eighth Congressional District as a member of my staff. A native of California, Mr. Jernigan joined my office in 2018, playing a critical role in my office for over four years. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Jernigan demonstrated a sincere commitment to the people of California, serving as Outreach Manager and ultimately using his vast experience and knowledge to become a Legislative Assistant in my office. prgtoken By listening to community members, writing legislation, and advocating for constituents, Legislative Assistants are fundamental to ensuring the priorities and concerns of Americans are comprehensively addressed. Mr. prgtoken Jernigan handled a critical legislative portfolio that included education, labor rights, and housing and his dedicated work each day was essential in meeting the most pressing needs of California communities. prgtoken From helping secure critical funding for our communities to spearheading my office's efforts to revitalize America's workforce. Mr. Jernigan's endeavors undeniably improved the lives of Californians and helped provide them with the resources necessary to thrive. Mr. Jernigan's commitment to his responsibilities as Legislative Assistant was essential in allowing me to effectively represent the constituents of California's Eighth Congressional District. prgtoken Mr. Jernigan has joined the Office of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, as the Military Legislative Assistant. I and all the members of Team Garamendi wish him all the best in his new position. During his tenure on my staff, Mr. Jernigan approached his work with dedication, thoughtfulness, and a genuine desire to serve American communities. These same qualities will serve him well in his future endeavors. prgtoken While we will miss him, we all look forward to what Mr. Jernigan will do next. He will remain a deeply valued member of Team Garamendi, always.
HONORING COACH EARL SMITH, JR. OF GARY EMERSON HIGH SCHOOL
Frank J. Mrvan (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2023-5-24

it is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to recognize Coach Earl Smith, Jr. and the alumni of Gary Emerson High School. The Emerson All Class Reunion Gala will take place on September 2, 2023, at Chateau Banquets in Merrillville, Indiana. During this special event, Coach Smith will be honored for his lifetime of dedicated service by former students, athletes, colleagues, and friends. prgtoken Coach Earl Smith, Jr. was a true mentor, leader, teacher, and advisor for the Gary Community School Corporation for over 56 years. His lifelong career includes numerous positions, culminating with his retirement as City Athletic Director in 2013. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Smith coached track and field, football, golf, and basketball at Tolleston, Froebel, West Side, Emerson, and Lew Wallace high schools, and he holds the distinction of being the first African American head coach at Froebel, Emerson, and Lew Wallace. His basketball teams won five conference titles, three sectional titles, three regional titles, and twice advanced to the elite eight at the Indiana State Tournament. In addition. Coach Smith's 1977 Emerson basketball team won the Hall of Fame Classic Tournament, reaching the number one ranking in the state polls during that time. prgtoken For his outstanding career and his unwavering dedication to the Gary Community School Corporation and beyond, Coach Smith has received many accolades. He has been inducted into the Indiana Track and Field Hall of Fame, the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Coach Smith was also honored with the prestigious Ray Crowe Excellence in Leadership Award by the Indiana High School Athletic Association for his superior standards of sportsmanship, exceptional ethical conduct, and high moral character. His outstanding and unwavering commitment to the community of Gary and Northwest Indiana is worthy of our highest commendation. prgtoken , I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Coach Earl Smith, Jr. and in recognizing the alumni of Emerson High School. For his noteworthy career and his remarkable dedication to youth sports and education, Coach Smith is worthy of the highest praise, and he serves as an inspiration to us all.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO ``WAIVERS AND MODIFICATIONS OF FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS''
John P. Sarbanes (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-5-24

I rise today in strong opposition to this resolution, which threatens the financial well-being of millions of Americans, including more than 260,000 hardworking public servants who have achieved or are working to achieve student loan relief under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. prgtoken In 2007, I authored the PSLF program to help relieve the burden of student loan debt for public servants who contribute so much to our communities but often receive far less pay and fewer benefits than their private sector counterparts. prgtoken Under PSLF, these individuals--teachers, first responders, community health and social workers, service members and more--are eligible for forgiveness of their remaining federal student loan balances after completing 10 years of public service and making 120 qualifying payments on their loans. prgtoken I am pleased that the Administration has made changes to strengthen PSLF and other student loan programs. prgtoken Unfortunately, the resolution before us today would reverse that progress, causing significant confusion and financial stress for these individuals. prgtoken By rolling back recent regulations, this resolution could put millions of Americans in financial jeopardy, forcing them to make payments on loans they had been told were on pause. It would also delay PSLF borrowers from getting their forgiveness and turn back the clock on those who received loan forgiveness during the payment pause. prgtoken This is not only confusing--it is just wrong. Rather than renege on the promise we made to these individuals, we must do everything we can to strengthen PSLF to give public service workers the relief they have earned. prgtoken I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution.
DISAPPROVING THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RELATING TO ``PROCEDURES COVERING SUSPENSION OF LIQUIDATION, DUTIES AND ESTIMATED DUTIES IN ACCORD WITH PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION 10414''
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2023-5-24

the balance of my time to close. prgtoken , there was a reference about false choices. Well, it is a false choice that we adhere to our interests and goals at the expense of throwing out of work thousands of American union workers and disrupting opportunities to smooth the supply chain. prgtoken , I include in the Record a statement from 10 leading environmental organizations that says: ``While the Commerce Department investigation of tariff circumvention was being conducted, the administration sought to provide enough lead time for domestic solar panel manufacturing and supply chains to rapidly expand operations to meet demand, bring certainty on the prices of imported panels to solar companies deploying clean energy, and job stability for those workers installing panels.'' April 17, 2023. Dear Member of Congress: The undersigned groups write to express our opposition to the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions of disapproval (H.J. Res 39 and S.J. Res 15) aimed at reversing President 's temporary suspension of tariffs on certain solar cells and panels from manufacturers in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Passage of these resolutions could destabilize solar supply chains, harm ongoing deployment of large scale solar projects, threaten high-quality solar construction jobs, and impede our nation's decarbonization goals. Proclamation 10414, issued by President in June 2022, gave the U.S. Department of Commerce authority to issue regulations suspending new solar tariffs until June 2024 while the department proceeded with its investigation into claims that facilities in the Southeastern Asian countries were circumventing existing tariffs on Chinese solar companies. The Commerce Department subsequently issued rules implementing the delay, and H.J. Res 39 and S.J. Res 15 would nullify that rulemaking. Our organizations support both a shift to cleaner and fairer supply chains for clean energy, as well as the rapid deployment of clean energy in order to meet the urgency of the climate crisis. Thanks in part to the expansive investments in clean energy manufacturing and high quality job standards included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), we are now well positioned to achieve both of these goals. The administration's strong implementation of the IRA's domestic content provisions is a critical piece to further drive manufacturing buildout in the U.S. However, passage of these CRA resolutions would undermine the ability of the U.S. solar industry to succeed in accelerating the shift to more clean energy on the power grid. The President's decision to pause tariffs for two years is providing U.S. businesses with much-needed certainty a
HALT ALL LETHAL TRAFFICKING OF FENTANYL ACT
Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-24

. Madam Chair, I rise today to strongly oppose the s' HALT Fentanyl Act. s want to ban American history so that they can repeat the bad parts. prgtoken Did we learn nothing from the war on drugs? prgtoken I guess not. Real talk was a huge failure. Back then we enacted ineffective and punitive laws that only worked to expand mass incarceration, mostly of Black and Brown folks. prgtoken This legislation will enact ineffective and punitive drug laws that only work to expand mass incarceration. prgtoken Who will suffer? prgtoken Mostly Black and Brown folks. The data shows that all races are facing challenges with fentanyl. prgtoken This legislation would put us on a dangerous path toward unjust and disproportionate mandatory minimums for the possession of all fentanyl- related substances. prgtoken News flash: Research is still needed on possible and legal pharmacological use of these substances. Fentanyl is still being prescribed legally and used in controlled settings by medical doctors. That is right. s don't like science. prgtoken In its current form, this bill allows for no flexibility, and won't address the root issue. This bill is shortsighted because some of these substances could still be key to developing treatment for fentanyl overdoses. prgtoken Instead of learning about how we can save people from fentanyl, we want to criminalize all of the fentanyl-related substances. prgtoken Madam Chair, 97 percent of the illicit fentanyl seized at the border is seized at legal ports of entry. The majority of those convicted are U.S. citizens. The draconian mandatory minimums proposed under this plan don't address these issues. prgtoken In fact, this bill doesn't do anything smart. It doesn't address the humanitarian crisis we are facing at our southern border. It doesn't address the epidemic of substance abuse, and it certainly won't improve our public safety. prgtoken The majority of people who are dying from fentanyl are dying because they are taking it illegally. They are buying and searching for illicit drugs. It is not about prosecution. It is about drug use. The issue is substance abuse. That is what we should be addressing. prgtoken If you are going to propose some legislation, make it make sense. Make it address root issues and focus on the causes rather than continuing to scapegoat the same people that you have scapegoated for years and years to no end. prgtoken Madam Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote.
ONE YEAR SINCE UVALDE
Jasmine Crockett (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-5-24

I rise on behalf of the 19 children and 2 teachers murdered in Uvalde, Texas, 1 year ago today. prgtoken One excruciating year has passed for the families of those we lost at Robb Elementary that day. A year of empty childhood bedrooms and vacant desks where a child should be. One full year, and what do we have to show for it? What has this legislative body done to answer the pain of these parents with policy? prgtoken I ask myself this: Have we passed any measures on this floor that will stop the next Uvalde? The answer to that is an obvious no, we have not, because in the year since the second worst school shooting in American history, there has been 39 more. prgtoken My district is about 355 miles north of Uvalde, but the horror of that day haunts every Texan as if it happened right next door; maybe that is because it is happening next door, in a wave of gun violence that has touched every corner of Texas, in every public space we once saw as safe. prgtoken Just this month, my home of north Texas has grieved the deaths of eight Texans in a hateful act of violence at a shopping mall. That was the ninth mass shooting in Texas in 14 years. Fourteen years that lawmakers in Texas and Washington have used to loosen gun regulations. prgtoken , I will tell you something: As a Texan and as an American, I am tired. I am tired of being traumatized. Texas is tired of the terror. It is time to do our jobs and legislate instead of pontificate. prgtoken The 21 Texans ripped from their families last year deserve more. The people of Uvalde who have grieved and cried and demanded change deserve more. I hope we don't come back here in a year with the same amount of nothing to show for these grieving families. I hope we can show up having passed universal background checks and a ban on the weapon of war that stole those children's lives, but if history--history that many s don't believe we should have taught in schools--if history is any indication, then yet another year will pass, more lives will be lost, and politicians will put on their pastoral hats and issue prayers instead of practicing what they preach, which is to be tough on crime and to keep these weapons of war out of the hands of the many domestic terrorists that have, frankly, been radicalized by the rightwing extreme rhetoric. prgtoken Regardless of what the s do or don't do, regardless of their lack of courage, I will continue doing what I do best, which is standing for commonsense solutions that will save lives. prgtoken To my colleagues, I challenge you. Let's not fail these parents and children again. The number one killer of children in this country is guns right now. It is time that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle practice what they preach and be pro-life. prgtoken , let's save some lives.
DEFAULT IS NOT AN OPTION
Jennifer L. McClellan (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-5-24

our Nation is just 8 days away from a potential debt default, while House s continue to hold the American economy hostage. prgtoken As one of less than 7 percent of the Members of Congress who have children under the age of 18, I am particularly concerned about the impact that a default would have on our children, as Federal funding for crucial government programs that impact them runs out. prgtoken In the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1 in 12 rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table, and a default would jeopardize those payments, as well as access to free and reduced lunch programs. prgtoken Default is not an option, but the s' extreme ransom note is not a viable alternative, either. It would slash funding for our school systems and leave 200,000 children without access to Head Start slots and 100,000 without access to childcare programs. prgtoken In the Commonwealth, almost 6,000 children would be impacted. This would severely undermine our children's education and make it more difficult for parents to join the workforce and contribute to our economy. prgtoken We must raise the debt ceiling now.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO ``WAIVERS AND MODIFICATIONS OF FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS''
Ayanna Pressley (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-5-24

I rise today on behalf of burdened borrowers throughout the Massachusetts Seventh Congressional District and borrowers everywhere. prgtoken I rise today on behalf of the third grade teacher who spent a decade in the classroom, month by month making their student loan payments; on behalf of the mother juggling three part-time jobs, trying her best to stretch her paycheck to cover rent and to pay down her student debt; and for the one in four Black borrowers who will have their student loans fully canceled under President 's historic plan. prgtoken You see, , student debt cancellation can and will change and save lives. This isn't hyperbole. It is reality. prgtoken A diverse coalition of voters came together to press for cancellation, critical payment pauses, and updates to the essential Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. prgtoken Under this cruel measure, 260,000 public service workers could see their debt reinstated--nurses, educators, firefighters, and military servicemembers. prgtoken Let me make it plain: The President has the legal authority to cancel student debt. prgtoken Let me say this. I took out loans, and I paid off those loans. It took me 20-plus years while being a caregiver to my mother and while working three jobs sometimes. I took out those loans, and I paid them off, but I want an easier road for the next person. prgtoken The cost of higher education has increased by 150 percent, so I do not call it student debt forgiveness because borrowers have done nothing wrong. They don't need to be forgiven anything, but they are deserving of and do need relief.