mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
National Family Caregivers Month (Executive Session)
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2021-11-16

I want to address the Senate on an issue that is very close to my heart. prgtoken Now that we are well into the month of November and our Nation's observance of the National Family Caregivers Month, I would like to recognize the family caregivers across this Nation and the difficult and vitally important work that they do. prgtoken I have a brother and a sister. Both of our parents passed away in the middle--well, 2014 and 2015, but they both suffered from Alzheimer's at the same time. It was very, very difficult on all of us to figure out the best way to ease their pain and to satisfy--it was a very difficult time--how we, as a family, were going to be providing for their care. prgtoken This experience motivated me to join my colleague Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado as a cosponsor of the bipartisan Assisting Caregivers Today--or ACT--Caucus. prgtoken The ACT Caucus seeks to bring much-needed attention to all of the caregivers and the issues that their caregivers face from all backgrounds. It seeks to find bipartisan ways to lessen the emotional and financial toll for those individuals who are caring for family members. And this help is needed by so, so many. prgtoken Eighty-three percent of the help provided to older adults in the United States comes from family members, friends, or even unpaid caregivers. Nearly half of all caregivers who provide help to older adults do so--like we do--for someone living with Alzheimer's or with another type of dementia. prgtoken In my home State of West Virginia, we have about 85,000 family caregivers who are living with someone who has Alzheimer's and caring for them. As we know, those of us who have been down this road, there are no easy solutions here. Not only is it emotionally taxing on a family--there is no simple path--it also can be very, very expensive. prgtoken My West Virginia Alzheimer's advocates always share with me their incredible stories--they actually let me come to one of their support groups, which I needed at the time--and also the challenges that they have as caregivers. One of these challenges is navigating the current complex medical system needed to care for someone living with Alzheimer's or, more often than not, other chronic medical conditions. prgtoken This is one of the reasons I joined with my colleague Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan--we have done a couple of things together--in introducing the Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer's Act. prgtoken This bill would address the challenge by asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for some innovation to be able to test dementia care management models. It enables individuals to more seamlessly and successfully navigate healthcare and social support systems and to obtain more timely access to care. prgtoken The model is designed to reach as many Medicare beneficiaries as possible, especially individuals from rural and medically underserved areas. It provides comprehensive care servi
REMEMBERING ARNE SORENSON
Mitt Romney (Republican, UT) \u2014 2021-11-16

I rise today to honor the esteemed legacy of my friend, Arne Sorenson, who passed away earlier this year. Arne's many accomplishments in his personal and professional life continue to profoundly impact the lives of many. Most recently, Arne's Marriott family, numbering over 120,000 employees, witnessed his high- caliber leadership as he navigated the company through a turbulent period in the hospitality industry. Arne was a faithful and compassionate servant leader, and I will always cherish his friendship. prgtoken Arne's contagious spirit of kindness and generosity sets a high standard for what success looks like, in both public and private life. As a business executive, he cared deeply for his employees and customers and continued to serve as president and CEO while privately persevering through extraordinary health challenges. His selfless leadership is an example we can all aspire to. prgtoken The culture he helped build and foster at Marriott is unmatched. Arne's decades of experience in the hospitality industry yielded outstanding results for his enterprise, notably the acquisition of over 30 hotel groups, elevating Marriott to be the largest hotel chain in the world. His humility and wisdom often carried the day. He consistently praised and recognized the achievements of his employees and partners and always sought feedback from friends, family, colleagues, and customers. prgtoken Above all, Arne was a faithful and loving husband, father, and friend. His integrity and values-based decision making extended from the business world to the benefit of everyone lucky enough to have known him, especially his wonderful family. Arne's wife and four children were his greatest pride, joy, and purpose, and while they now mourn his loss, I hope they may find comfort knowing Arne's light will shine on for eternity. May he rest in peace.
HONORING THE LIFE OF BARNEY BROOKS
August Pfluger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-11-16

I rise today to honor the life of U.S. Air Force veteran and San Angelo native Barney Brooks who passed away on November 7, 2021, at the age of 92. prgtoken Mr. Brooks was a born pilot and often joked that he knew he was meant to fly even before the stork dropped him off. prgtoken In the Air Force, Barney served as a lieutenant colonel and combat pilot completing over 100 missions in the Korean war and 50 in the Vietnam war. Over his 23-year career, he served in Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War, and he was stationed at multiple bases around the United States and throughout the world. prgtoken Our country owes a debt of gratitude to Barney who was brave enough to don the uniform and put his life on the line many times, as well as his family, including his beloved wife, Nancy, and five children who supported him and empowered him to charge forward in the fight for freedom. prgtoken , I thank Barney for his noble service. Recognizing Philip Parks
HOUTHIS' LATEST ACT OF AGGRESSION
Andrew S. Clyde (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-11-16

I rise today to bring much-needed attention to the Houthis' latest act of aggression. prgtoken Back in February, President naively removed the Houthis, the Iranian-backed proxy force in Yemen, from designation as a foreign terrorist organization and from the specially designated global terrorist lists. prgtoken Taking full advantage of President 's foolish decision and complete lack of leadership, the Houthis stormed the U.S. Embassy in Yemen last Wednesday, using the raid to take hostages and equipment. After years of brutal tactics, this latest act of hostility confirms again that the ruthless Houthis must be designated as a foreign terrorist organization. prgtoken In June, I proudly introduced legislation to do just that. H.R. 3965, the Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act, would reinstate the sanctions that the administration placed on the Houthis, and redesignate the group as a foreign terrorist organization. prgtoken I am deeply concerned for the safety of the Yemeni locals who were kidnapped while protecting our embassy. And again, I call on the administration to provide an immediate briefing to Congress regarding that dangerous situation. prgtoken I also implore all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3965, and I urge Pelosi to bring this legislation to the floor for immediate consideration. prgtoken We have already witnessed devastating impacts of the administration's botched Afghanistan withdrawal. We cannot allow President 's void in leadership to develop additional disasters in the Middle East. prgtoken In fact, at this very moment, our adversaries are defiantly gearing up to cause destruction. From China aggressively preparing for a potential invasion of Taiwan, to Russia successfully testing an anti- satellite weapon in space, numerous emerging international crises present additional leadership tests for President . So far, the silence has been deafening. prgtoken For the sake of the American people and our allies, , lead from the front. America's Soaring Inflation
STUDENT VETERANS COUNSELING CENTERS ELIGIBILITY ACT
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-11-16

had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 375. members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress Auchincloss (Clark (MA)) Blumenauer (Beyer) Carter (LA) (Kahele) DeFazio (Brown (MD)) Garcia (IL) (Ocasio-Cortez) Grijalva (Stanton) Herrera Beutler (Rodgers (WA)) Horsford (Allred) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Lesko (Joyce (PA)) Lowenthal (Beyer) Matsui (Thompson (CA)) McEachin (Wexton) Pascrell (Pallone) Payne (Pallone) Phillips (Jacobs (CA)) Porter (Wexton) Pressley (Bowman) Rice (NY) (Murphy (FL)) Roybal-Allard (McCollum) Ruiz (Aguilar) Rush (Quigley) Swalwell (Gomez) Underwood (Casten) Wilson (FL) (Hayes) Yarmuth (Beyer)
Government Funding (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-11-16

2 weeks ago, President and his team flew to Glasgow for a glitzy conference. World leaders traveled there to attend one another's speeches on carbon emissions and climate. prgtoken The world's largest emitter was not there. China pumps out more than one-quarter of the entire world's emissions, but President Xi didn't bother to attend this conference. Putin didn't show up either. He and his cronies in Moscow are too busy using Russia's natural gas to stranglehold the energy and make energy hostages out of our European friends who rushed too naively toward renewables. prgtoken This goes to the core problems with the anti-energy agenda that liberal elites want to thrust on our country--maximum self-inflected pain for American families in exchange for no meaningful global gains. prgtoken They would have America tie one hand behind our back while our competitors and adversaries keep right on going. This hurts families and helps China. prgtoken Across the country, working families are already worrying about the big, potentially historic spikes in energy costs and heating bills that are headed their way. Here is the New York Times headline from last week: ``Winter Heating Bills Loom as the Next Inflation Threat.'' prgtoken Futures contracts for home heating fuels have skyrocketed in price. Natural gas users have just about doubled from last year. For heating oil and propane, it is actually even worse. Our colleagues on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee are holding a hearing this morning on rising heating costs. prgtoken In Kentucky, where about 4 in 10 households are heated by natural gas, families are about to get slammed. Even more Kentucky families rely on straight electricity for their heat, and, in our State, more than two-thirds of our electrical power comes from coal. Coal literally keeps the lights on, and it keeps the cold out. prgtoken That is why the original - War on Coal hits States like Kentucky so very hard and why the even more radical sequel the are planning next would fall on the heartland like a ton of bricks. prgtoken The President's special envoy for climate issues John Kerry says: [Y]ou have to phase down coal before you can end coal. prgtoken One of the President's nominees to the Treasury Department has admitted that small producers of affordable American energy ``are going to probably go bankrupt in short order.'' prgtoken American families are staring down the barrel of skyrocketing heating bills, and the ' response is to go to war against affordable American energy. The reckless taxing-and-spending spree they are writing behind closed doors and want to pass in a matter of weeks would spend hundreds of billions of dollars on Green New Deal-type policies that would saddle families with even higher prices and make our Nation even more dependent on Russia and the Mideast. prgtoken Of course, energy inflation is just one part of the huge
HONORING SERGEANT BREANNA J. JESSOP
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2021-11-16

months ago, as Americans watched harrowing video footage of the Afghanistan evacuation efforts, service men and women from around the world rose to the challenge of a complex mission. As the chaos persisted, the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army was called on to support noncombatant evacuation operations--NEO--at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan. They completed their mission honorably. prgtoken One member of the 82nd Airborne Division, Sgt. Breanna J. Jessop, a chaplain assistant, assumed the role as the noncommissioned officer-- NCO--in charge of the airport chapel. Sergeant Jessop, despite tremendous obstacles of ongoing and imminent threats, conducted herself with courage, discipline, and attention to detail. Her work saved many. prgtoken Always putting the well-being of her fellow soldiers first, Sergeant Jessop used her ingenuity to ensure 4,000 U.S. military personnel and coalition forces had access to basic hygiene items at a time when resources were, at best, limited. Further, she made time to assist soldiers with religious support, help care for those who had suffered casualties, and ensure the well-being of the soldiers with whom she served. prgtoken At the height of the NEO mission, Sergeant Jessop showed outstanding leadership. She oversaw the operation of an entire orphanage that had been formed as a result of the increase in unaccompanied minors at the airport. She led the mission to assist in caring for children and offered assistance for children ranging from newborn babies to 17 years old. As a result of her untiring humanitarian efforts, over 400 displaced children were kept safe during the NEO mission. prgtoken Outside of her assigned duties and responsibilities, Sergeant Jessop, has helped pioneer the Under the Canopy Program which serves as a touchpoint forum for lower enlisted paratroopers. There, she provides vital leadership to assist with planning, preparing, and overseeing the execution of each event. Her work helps hundreds of paratroopers each month to identify issues and discuss new and ongoing initiatives. prgtoken Sgt. Breanna J. Jessop, a native of Myton, UT, truly represents the U.S. Army values and what it means to be a paratrooper and Sky Dragon soldier. prgtoken About Sergeant Jessop, Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue once said, ``There are so many different words that you could use to describe her: strength, resilience, willingness to share what others would never be willing to . . . that's the type of remarkable person and paratrooper that she is.'' I could not agree more. prgtoken Sergeant Jessop was recently recognized by the United Service Organizations as the 2021 Service Member of the Year. This award is fitting and well-deserved. Yet no award will ever fully honor the service of Sergeant Jessop. Her dedicated service to the children orphaned at Hamid Karzai International Airport and her fellow servicemembers is commendable and will be rememb
RECONCILIATION
Tracey Mann (Republican, KS) \u2014 2021-11-16

I rise today to discuss the gross misuse of a noble process called reconciliation and the President's apparent lack of concern for the well-being of rural and middle-class Americans. prgtoken The reconciliation process exists to do exactly what its name suggests--to direct Congress with a tool of compromise to reduce the national deficit with a simple majority vote in both Chambers. President , Pelosi, and House are, instead, using this process to jam partisan legislation through a deadlocked Congress. This is shameless, and American taxpayers will bear the cost in both their wallets and their consciences. prgtoken The reconciliation package is chock-full of policy moves that will damage our country and compromise our integrity as a nation. Among them are the expansion of welfare without work requirements. At a time when our supply chains are in crisis and we have help wanted signs at every corner, this will only worsen the issue. Another troubling provision would give the IRS $80 billion to hire 87,000 new agents and ramp up audits on individuals and small businesses. prgtoken Just a few other terrible provisions include increasing penalties for businesses who don't comply with OSHA vaccine mandates which are an egregious Federal Government overreach, imposing new fines on the oil and gas industry, and punishing States like Kansas who have opted not to expand Medicaid. prgtoken Perhaps the worst part of the entire reconciliation package, though, is what is not included. have excluded the Hyde amendment, a longstanding bipartisan amendment that protects Americans who oppose abortion from being forced to pay for these abortions from their tax dollars. prgtoken While the President is on a tax-and-spend spree for his party's leftist wish list, the price of nearly everything is skyrocketing in this country. Americans are heading into the holiday season more financially insecure because of this administration's policies. Consumer prices have increased over 6 percent since last year--the highest rate of inflation in over 30 years. Should this massive spending package become law, , you can expect prices to keep going up. prgtoken While the White House has stated this bill will cost $1.75 trillion, the true cost of the reconciliation package could be as much as $3.98 trillion according to some models. As if adding to our Nation's already enormous debt wasn't enough, this bill will drive up inflation and end up taxing the middle class. prgtoken This bill is twice as long as the Bible, it is toxic for the American people, and it is a gross misuse of a usually noble process. I stand in opposition to it on numerous counts. prgtoken , the BBB is bad, bad, bad for America, and I urge this Congress to join me in strongly opposing it.
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-11-16

after months of delay, I am glad Senator Schumer has finally indicated he will allow the National Defense Authorization Act to come to the Senate floor this week. prgtoken For each of the last 60 consecutive years, Congress has passed an NDAA to ensure that our servicemembers and military leaders had the resources they need to safeguard our democracy and our freedoms. prgtoken This bill is how we maintain our military bases, modernize our force, and invest in the next generation of weapons that we hope we will never need to use but which are necessary for deterrence. It is how we strengthen our relationship with old allies and forge strong partnerships with new ones. It is how we address the global threat landscape and ensure our troops have the training, equipment, and the resources they need to counter adversaries of today and tomorrow. prgtoken From threats by an increasingly hostile Iran to those by an unpredictable North Korea, there are many challenges on the horizon, but there is no question that the greatest threat to the world order and to peace itself is the People's Republic of China. prgtoken The Chinese Communist Party has made no secret of its desire to continue to squash democracy, as they did in Hong Kong, and impose its economic, political, and military power on the rest of the world. prgtoken Here at home, we are intensely aware of how China's aggression can impact our economy and supply chains for critical components of everything from cell phones to our fifth-generation stealth fighter, the F-35. Our dependency on advanced semiconductors manufactured in Taiwan and in Asia is a threat to America's economic and national security, but the most urgent and grave threats are against countries closer to China's borders. prgtoken Last week, I had the chance to lead a congressional delegation visiting Southeast Asia to gain a better understanding of the threats and challenges in the region. The area spanning from Pearl Harbor all the way to the western border of India is the largest military theater in the world and is overseen by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and is home to 40 percent of the world's population. My colleagues and I had the opportunity to hear from our military leadership and key foreign partners in the region and gain a better understanding of ongoing and anticipated security threats, mainly from China. prgtoken China has already co-opted, as I said, a formerly democratic Hong Kong. prgtoken It is building missile batteries and aircraft runways for its bombers on artificial islands. It threatens freedom of navigation in international waters. It is guilty of gross human rights abuses against its own people; namely, the Muslim minority Uighurs. It is engaged in a border war with India. And it threatens to invade the Republic of China, otherwise known as Taiwan. prgtoken Here at home, there is no question that China is a looming presence, but it is not in our backyard. We don
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF BERNARD MARIE
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-11-16

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Bernard Marie, who recently passed away at the age of 82. prgtoken As a young 5-year-old living in Normandy, France, Marie often told the story of being rushed into his basement by his grandparents in the early morning of June 6, 1944. prgtoken It was there that his family sat for 16 hours in the dark without food or water before his mother emerged from the cellar to hug an American GI after realizing their village had finally been liberated from German occupation. prgtoken Marie said that witnessing the D-Day invasion instilled in him a lifelong respect for World War II veterans, and he was forever grateful for those who secured his country's freedom. prgtoken Later in life, when he moved to the United States, he began hosting an annual luncheon to honor local World War II veterans wherever he was living to show his support for them and their families. prgtoken When he settled in Roanoke, Virginia, in 2021, he brought the event with him. These luncheons served as a place for veterans to come together and share their experiences--some for the first time. prgtoken Aside from the luncheons, Marie helped raise money for the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford. He sat at the bedside of servicemembers when they were ill. He even worked to award the French Legion of Honor medal to nearly 150 American veterans. He said that his goal was not only to honor these heroes but to ensure they were never forgotten. prgtoken I was terribly saddened to learn of Mr. Marie's passing. He meant a great deal to western Virginia, and he will not soon be forgotten.