mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Tribute to Sergeant First Class Andrew Chapoton (Executive Calendar)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2023-5-11

I thank the Presiding Officer for that heartfelt welcome here on the Senate floor. prgtoken I know the Presiding Officer is excited, and I know the pages are excited. Heck, half of America is excited because, once again, it is Thursday afternoon, and I am back on the floor giving probably my favorite speech of the week, the ``Alaskan of the Week.'' As many of you know, it is an opportunity for me as I love to come down to the Senate floor and brag about somebody in my State who makes it such a great State. Usually, it is somebody who is doing something good for their local community, maybe for the State, maybe for the country, maybe for the world. prgtoken Boy, we have had so many famous Alaskans of the Week, but this one-- prgtoken this one, my colleagues--is really special. It is about real special heroism that we see in Alaska a lot. It is about a young man named Andrew Chapoton. I am going to talk a lot about Andrew--he is an Army soldier up in Alaska--and how his bravery and heroism saved some lives in a way that is just remarkable. But I always like to begin my speech by talking a little bit about what is going on in Alaska. prgtoken I try to get home with Julie, my wife. prgtoken Hi, Julie. prgtoken She is up in the Gallery. Am I allowed to do that? I am doing it anyway. prgtoken Anyway, pretty much every weekend we have been home. Boy, over the last couple of weekends, I was out on an epic--epic--Kodiak hunting trip. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to partake in one of our State's most cherished traditions. It was an experience I won't forget. I will never forget it. prgtoken Kristin Wilson, if you are watching, I know you love bears, and I love bears too. She is a big fan of the ``Alaskan of the Week.'' prgtoken But I also like to talk about what is going on with the weather. prgtoken It is still pretty cold in a lot of places, but the Sun is higher in the sky. It is actually getting really high. The days are getting longer and longer. Today, in Anchorage, the Sun rose at 5:30 a.m and it will set tonight at around 10:30 p.m gaining more than 5 minutes since yesterday. So sunlight is really increasing rapidly. Birds are migrating by the tens of thousands. The excitement of spring is in the air. Winter is finally retreating. We love winter in Alaska, but, boy, we had a long, cold winter in most places. prgtoken So, if you are watching, by the way, in the Gallery or on TV, come up to Alaska. It will be the trip of a lifetime. I guarantee you it will be the trip of a lifetime. prgtoken Now let's get to our Alaskan of the Week, SFC Andrew Chapoton, and the heroic actions he took last May--about a year ago--that earned him the U.S. Army Soldier's Medal. That is the highest honor a soldier can receive for an act of heroism in a noncombat situation. prgtoken Andrew was born and raised in the township of Clinton, MI, but he knew that he was always going to join the military. Being in the militar
ISRAEL
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-5-11

today, May 14, 2023, I want to recognize our great friend and ally, Israel, on the 75th anniversary of its independence. Israel's everlasting commitment to freedom and democracy serves as a beacon of light to freedom-loving people around the world. I am proud to support the expansion and solidifying of the Abraham Accords, to encourage normalized relations with Israel, economic prosperity, and safety for all citizens in the region. The United States and Israel share a unique bilateral relationship, and I look forward to many more years of a flourishing friendship between our two countries.
PROTECTING TAXPAYERS AND VICTIMS OF UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD ACT
Nicole Malliotakis (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-5-11

since House s have been in control, we have brought transparency to the people's House. We are the ones who are protecting taxpayers. We are the ones exposing waste, fraud, and abuse, including as high as $400 billion in COVID relief and unemployment fraud. prgtoken Sadly, my home State of New York ranks near the top of the list, with an estimated $11 billion in this fraudulent unemployment benefits. These taxpayer dollars went to fraudsters, many overseas, as far as China, Russia, and Nigeria. They even went to dead people. prgtoken They spent it on Rolex watches, fancy furnishings, and designer goods at Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Burberry, Gucci; $10 million on a villa in the Dominican Republic; $3.5 million on a mansion in New Jersey; a charter jet to get the fraudster who purchased it to and from; Porsches, Ferraris, Bentleys, BMWs, and Mercedes Benz. One person even received $1.5 million over a span of 10 months. prgtoken Meanwhile, my district offices in Staten Island and Brooklyn had to help dozens of constituents who had their identities stolen and could not get the unemployment benefits they desperately needed. prgtoken New York had to take an $8 billion loan from the Federal Government, which it has not paid back yet, by the way, to cover all of this. Now, our small businesses are paying the price with higher unemployment assessments. prgtoken The bottom line is, this bill would help crack down on this type of fraud, would give law enforcement the statute of limitations it needs for criminal charges or civil actions, incentivizes States to help us crack down and recover these fraudulent payments, and stops unemployment insurance payments to incarcerated and deceased people. prgtoken , I don't know how anyone can't support this bill. Thank you.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-5-11

as the whole Nation knows by now, title 42, the COVID-19 public health laws used by the Border Patrol to expel people at the southern border, will expire at midnight tonight. prgtoken At our border communities, in the 1,200 miles of our border with Mexico and Texas, they are bracing for a tsunami of humanity. As we know, over the last couple of years, title 42 has been one of the tools in the Border Patrol's toolbox to prevent the border crisis from becoming the border catastrophe or calamity. prgtoken To give you a sense of the impact of title 42, which will go away tonight, since President took office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has logged more than 5 million illegal border crossings--5 million. Because of title 42, the United States hasn't been required to detain, identify, and process every single person who crossed the border illegally. In fact, nearly half of those 5 million were removed under title 42, a total of almost 2.4 million people. prgtoken Consider the countless stories we have heard over the last 2 years about overcrowded detention facilities. I have seen them myself. We have all seen them on television or in the print media. We have seen these shelters bursting at the seams. That was the case when Border Patrol was detaining only roughly half of the individuals who illegally crossed the southern border because they were able to use title 42. prgtoken Starting tomorrow, agents will have to apprehend every single person under DHS's--Department of Homeland Security's--traditional title 8 authority. The problem is that law enforcement doesn't have the space to hold those individuals, not even close. prgtoken Last spring, Secretary Mayorcas, the Secretary of Homeland Security, said, Customs and Border Protection detention facilities could hold approximately 18,000 people. That sounds like a large number, until you begin to look at the number of people who are crossing the border every day. prgtoken This week, we have already seen an average of about 10,000 border crossings a day. And he says we can detain 18,000. And you are getting 10,000 a day? prgtoken Well, once title 42 is lifted, that number will climb even higher. Detention facilities, which are already overcapacity, will become even more crowded. And once they are fully maxed out, the administration will simply release people into the United States, using what they call parole. prgtoken Now, parole--we are perhaps familiar with parole in the criminal context--but parole in the immigration context means that they will be released into the interior of the United States, whether or not they can satisfy the legal requirement to be granted asylum, and they will be told to go to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in the interior of the United States--in Chicago, in New York, here in Washington, DC, or wherever they may end up. prgtoken Unfortunately, immigration court backlogs because of the
RECOGNIZING MR. JEFFREY W. DONAHUE AS HE CELEBRATES HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-5-11

I rise today to recognize Mr. Jeffrey ``Jeff'' W. Donahue, a resident of Virginia's 11th Congressional District, as he celebrates his 100th birthday on May 14th of this year. prgtoken I had the honor of meeting Mr. Donahue in 2019 at a Memorial Day Ceremony in the town of Vienna, Virginia. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Donahue was a naval aviator flying an F4F in combat missions in the Pacific Theater while serving aboard the USS Salamaua. His remarks at the ceremony focused on his service to his country and the sacrifices made by many members of his generation who lost their lives in the war. He was 96 at the time, yet he spoke with clarity as though he were talking about events he had just experienced. Following World War II, he continued his military service in the reserves, when he was called once more to serve as a flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida during the Korean war. prgtoken Like so many military veterans, Mr. Donahue took advantage of the G.I. Bill to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut. He then pursued a career in the insurance industry with Fireman's Fund Insurance, which took him and his growing family on a journey to many cities on the east coast until their final move to Fairfax County in 1970. prgtoken Service to his country and community defines Mr. Donahue's life. For years, he has been an active member of his church and volunteered as a tutor for elementary school children into his mid-90s. prgtoken There is an adage that age is just a number, which certainly holds true for Mr. Donahue and his wife, Barbara. Over their 72 years together they have raised 6 children, 5 of whom graduated from James Madison High School. As their family tree grows, they now have 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren who affectionately call them Pop and Gram. prgtoken , as we celebrate Jeff's 100th birthday, I want to extend my best wishes for a joyful gathering of family and friends. I also extend my appreciation for his service to our country. Happy 100th birthday, Jeff.
BORDER SECURITY
Julia Brownley (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-11

H.R. 2, House s' so-called border security bill, is yet another glaring example of the false outrage exhibited by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. prgtoken As they speak blatant mistruths about concerns over Americans' safety, they turn a blind eye to the deadly epidemic of gun violence within our borders. prgtoken Instead, House s clamor around a bill that guts the U.S. asylum process and eliminates any realistic pathways to legal immigration. prgtoken Their proposal costs the American people $6.1 billion and does nothing to increase border security personnel. In fact, the bill would pay for the former President's vanity project, an expensive and ineffective wall that would make our Nation more vulnerable to drug and human trafficking. prgtoken It is with a deep understanding that we are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants that House are working to pass comprehensive immigration reform that will protect our communities, the American people, and the American Dream.
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-5-11

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
CONGRESS NEEDS TO ACT ON IMMIGRATION REFORM
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-5-11

I rise in opposition to H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, scheduled for a vote on the House floor today. prgtoken This bill is extreme and wrong. This bill in no way secures the border. In fact, it would only make security worse. prgtoken It is an assault on asylum seekers and those who flee poverty, hunger, and violence, including unaccompanied minors and families with children. It exploits challenges on our border for political points. It adds to the human suffering of those who come to our country seeking safety and a better life. It is also about putting politics over people. prgtoken We all expect our government to effectively manage our borders and thoroughly vet those who seek to enter as refugees, to join their family already in the country, or to work. We all agree on that. prgtoken Instead, what we see is children are in danger, families are separated or detained, and people are dying. prgtoken We need reform and we need it now. prgtoken The last time Congress passed immigration reform was in 1996, 27 years ago. This -led bill eliminates several legal immigration pathways, essentially making fewer people eligible for legal status while making more people deportable. prgtoken , this bill is extreme and wrong. Again, session after session, we talk about reform but nothing ever passes, not a single immigration law update, again, since 1996. prgtoken Time and time again, s block meaningful legislation for safe and legal immigration from moving beyond this floor. Our job as public officials is to serve and protect our constituents, but we have been failing them for 27 years. prgtoken House s focus solely on immigration as a border issue, providing billions of dollars in so-called border security, building walls, increasing personnel, and rapid expulsion policies. That hasn't worked, has it? prgtoken The promised security involves a militarized border, wasting the taxpayers' money, and increased violence for those seeking asylum. prgtoken Since 1988, at least 8,000 undocumented immigrants have died attempting to cross the border from Mexico to the United States. People are dying every day while we wait on s to budge. prgtoken While rightwing media and extreme MAGA s call immigrants ``illegals,'' seeking asylum is a legal right. It is in our immigration law. They are following the law. This law and this right would be denied to thousands under this bill. prgtoken The administration and Congress must act. Again, this bill is simply extreme and wrong and does nothing to secure our border. prgtoken Meanwhile, we continue to see the violence at the border and violence in my home State of Texas. I was born and raised in South Texas. I am not from Long Island or Boston or somewhere else talking about the border. I am from South Texas. I am talking about our South Texas border. prgtoken Over the weekend, it was heartbreaking to see that 8 people were killed and 1
PROTECTING TAXPAYERS AND VICTIMS OF UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD ACT
Lloyd Doggett (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-5-11

after President twiddled, while thousands of Americans died of COVID, we entered a national crisis. In that emergency, the administration, the administration, and the States did not do enough to prevent fraud in this and other programs. prgtoken If s were genuinely interested in strengthening any fraud efforts, as I certainly am, we could, today, approve bipartisan legislation to do that. Instead, they rejected many of the important recommendations from their own witnesses before our committee from the Government Accountability Office and the inspector general told us were necessary. prgtoken Instead of protecting taxpayers today from fraud, they use this misnamed bill to actually cut the very funding that is required for any fraud and recovery of wrong payments. When millions of Texans found themselves out of a job, the Texas Workforce Commission was not ready to provide a lifeline. prgtoken Even in the middle of the night, my neighbors could not get through to get the insurance to which they were entitled. Little wonder that the same State agency did a sorry job of preventing fraud. prgtoken The vast majority of Texans, who eventually received unemployment, were entitled to it, unlike apparently an indicted member of the Caucus. Our unemployment insurance system should be strengthened, not undermined, as this very bill would do.
Debt Ceiling (Executive Calendar)
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2023-5-11

the most consequential question now before Congress--the one that most impacts the most people we all represent-- is whether the United States of America will do what it has always done: pay its bills in full and on time. prgtoken It was Alexander Hamilton who established the precedent that has become an enduring principle: America pays its bills. prgtoken But in order to preserve that principle, Congress must raise the debt limit. It is important to remind ourselves that raising the debt ceiling does not allow any additional spending, nor does it include new obligations for our taxpayers. It allows Congress to continue to pay for the spending that has already been approved by this and prior Congresses. prgtoken The debt ceiling is an anomaly in the United States. Other countries recognize the obvious. When a legislative body approves spending-- whether it is for the defense of the nation, the healthcare of its citizens, the support for its farmers--it is then that the legislative body incurs the obligation. It is really no different than when a family takes out a mortgage or a car loan. When that bill becomes due each month, you pay the mortgage and you pay the car loan. Otherwise, things end prgtoken very badly for that family, as they will for our country if we allow the United States to default on its debt. prgtoken The debt limit debate in the past was accompanied by political grandstanding from both parties. The party out of power used it to criticize the economic record of the incumbent party. But grandstanding was always set aside, and the President and the majority party in Congress-- or ic--accepted the burden of raising the debt ceiling to make sure the country did not default. prgtoken This time, the House's default threat is different. It is far more dangerous and far more extreme, even than in 2011. prgtoken Let me explain. prgtoken A default looms as early as June 1, and congressional leaders met this week with President . prgtoken The President and all of the leaders pledged that default was not an option--all except one leader. McCarthy continues to champion the House bill that will lead us to default unless the Congress and the President capitulate to House s' very extreme budgetary demands. Their budget would cut veteran benefits, furlough thousands of Border Patrol agents even as title 42 expires, and it would repeal key parts of the Inflation Reduction Act and the thousands of jobs--many of which, by the way, are in districts--that it has created. prgtoken The 's demands that President relinquish his primary legislative achievement, the IRA, really would be comparable to the demanding when was President that, as a condition of not defaulting, he repeal what he regarded as his signature legislative accomplishment: his tax cuts--which, by the way, were vehemently opposed by . prgtoken McCarthy's post
CALLING FOR GOP BILL ON GUN VIOLENCE
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-5-11

every day 30 people are killed by someone using a gun. Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the United States. When will you be bringing a bill to the floor to help put an end to this carnage? prgtoken , our country is averaging 1.5 mass shootings every day. There are over 70 suicides and accidental shootings every day. When will you bring a bill to the floor to help put an end to this? prgtoken , every day our cops are on the street protecting Americans, and they are confronted by criminals who have access, easy access, to guns that they shouldn't have. When will the s be bringing a bill to the floor to help put an end to this, ? prgtoken It is sad. It is sad that there is not even no word but there is no action on this. When will the s work with us to help put an end to gun violence?
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELATING TO ENDANGERED AND THREATENED...
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-5-11

with June 1 only 21 days away, the most important thing congressional leaders can do to protect the well-being of Americans is to say, loud and clear, default is off the table. prgtoken That is the assurance the President gave 2 days ago when he met with congressional leaders. It is the assurance Leader Jeffries and myself gave that day at the meeting, as well. Even Leader McConnell said the United States will not default on the national debt. prgtoken McCarthy, however, continues on a path to drive the country toward disaster. Instead of taking default off the table, McCarthy is taking default hostage. prgtoken Let me say that again because that sums up what is happening right now. prgtoken Instead of taking default off the table, McCarthy is taking default hostage. prgtoken The strategy of the hard right remains ``our way or the highway.'' Either Americans accept devastating prgtoken cuts to veterans, law enforcement, and even cancer research, or the hard right will allow default--what a terrible choice. prgtoken And that is what makes this default fight uniquely dangerous: The hard right is dominant in the House, and they seem to be ready--seem to be perfectly willing--to let the United States default. prgtoken McCarthy realizes his hard-right agenda--as embodied in their ``Default on America Act''--cannot win support from the American people on the merits. So he and the hard right are holding the country hostage to default. prgtoken And if anyone doubts that the hard right is in control, all they have to do is watch last night's CNN town hall, where former President openly called on s to ``do a default'' if they cannot enact their hard-right agenda. prgtoken Never mind that, under 's watch, s agreed to avoid default three times without ever getting hung up about unrelated partisan priorities. And never mind that 25 percent--a quarter--of the national debt was actually accumulated while President was in office. prgtoken He is openly calling on his party to destroy the economy if they can't pass their radical agenda. prgtoken By now, of course, it is old news that is about as qualified to run the country as a broken brick, but the danger here is he holds enormous sway over McCarthy and the hard right. prgtoken If says that it is better for the United States to default than it is for s to compromise, that, unfortunately, only makes default more likely. prgtoken 's demand for default would cause tens of millions of Americans to suffer. prgtoken This isn't difficult: Can we all clearly and unmistakably take default off the table? Will McCarthy take default off the table? He is the only one of the five of us who met at the White House who has not answered that. prgtoken McCarthy, will you allow the hard right to keep pulling the strings and push our country off a cliff, or will you make it clear that