mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2024-5-8

I rise today to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. prgtoken By breaking the stigma and talking about depression, anxiety, and other conditions, we can help those affected to seek the quality care that they deserve. prgtoken , by bringing attention to mental health, we can elevate the conversations surrounding mental health. We are focusing on prioritizing mental health and acknowledging it is okay to not be okay. prgtoken If you are suffering or feel alone, please reach out for help. It is important to remember that you are not alone. prgtoken This month, reach out to your loved ones and check in. By starting the conversation, we are one step closer to ending the stigma surrounding mental health.
SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT-- Continued
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2024-5-8

I rise today to discuss the administration's regulatory blizzard that is restricting energy development and making energy more expensive and less reliable for homes and businesses not only across my State but across the country. prgtoken According to data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, electricity demand is expected to increase almost 5 percent over the next 5 years. At the same time, FERC Commissioners and grid operators are warning of more blackouts and brownouts because powerplants are retiring before new generation capacity can be brought online. prgtoken Simply put, energy prices are high because demand is outpacing supply, and Americans are being forced to pay higher prices at the pump and higher utility bills. Because the cost of energy is built into every good and service across the economy, higher energy prices are fueling persistent inflation. prgtoken Instead of bringing more supply online to reduce prices, the administration is imposing a regulatory blizzard that seeks to curtail energy production. It starts with the EPA, which is imposing new, costly, unworkable mandates specifically designed to reduce traditional energy production. prgtoken Just 2 weeks ago, the EPA finalized four new regulations targeting the power sector, including an overly stringent, new mercury and air toxic standards, or MATS, rule, despite the EPA's own regulatory analysis stating that the existing rule is adequately protecting public health; also, the Clean Power Plan 2.0, requiring existing coal-fired and new gas-fired plants to reduce CO2 emissions by 90 percent--90 percent--when carbon capture and storage is not yet commercially viable; and new burdensome requirements on water discharge at powerplants and costly new coal ash management requirements as well. prgtoken On top of all these burdensome regulations on the power sector, the EPA is placing onerous new methane regulations on oil and gas producers, and the EPA is implementing a new tax on natural gas. prgtoken Collectively, these EPA rules will require the power sector to spend billions of dollars to comply with these regulations or, worse, force the premature retirement of reliable coal-fired baseload plants. prgtoken Ultimately, these costs are passed along to electric ratepayers-- families and businesses across the country. prgtoken To push back against this regulatory blizzard, I will be introducing a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval to overturn the MATS rule. Also, I am joining Senator Capito in her efforts to overturn the Clean Power Plan 2.0 rule. prgtoken All these things are driving inflation. Essentially, the administration is putting handcuffs on our energy producers, and they are forcing up the price of energy. They are doing it not only with the regulatory burden that creates costs for the plants to continue to operate, but they are also putting baseload energy out of business.
EQUAL REPRESENTATION ACT
Andy Biggs (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2024-5-8

the balance of my time. prgtoken , it is an honor to debate here about this. Let me tell you something, , I believe that, by far, most Americans would agree with the proposition that those illegally in the United States and noncitizens should not be counted for purposes of creating or modifying congressional legislative districts. That is probably what they think, and that is exactly what section 3 of this bill leads to. prgtoken Foreign nationals here legally who have not naturalized and cannot vote in Federal elections, together with illegal aliens who cannot vote in Federal elections, comprise a substantial portion of our population, by some accounts in excess of 15 percent of our populations. prgtoken Noncitizens are not evenly distributed among the States, and some States end up with greater representation in Congress based on a higher concentration of noncitizens. Perhaps that is what one New York Congresswoman meant when, in response to a question regarding illegal aliens, she said: ``I need more people in my district just for redistricting purposes.'' prgtoken The provision of this bill would ensure a fair apportionment based on equal representation of citizens. prgtoken Now, my colleague has relied on Evenwel v. Abbott, a case that they relied on wrongfully. Their reliance is totally misplaced. prgtoken First of all, they are dealing with State apportionment issues in Evenwel, not Federal, but State. Let's go ahead, and let's see what Justice Ginsburg did. She cited with approval the district court holding in Evenwel that the Supreme Court allows jurisdictions to use any neutral, nondiscriminatory baseline, including total population, when drawing State and local legislative districts. prgtoken That has never been overturned, nor did Justice Ginsburg overturn it in Evenwel. In Evenwel, the plaintiffs that came before the Court wanted apportionment based on the citizen voting age population. That is what they were asking for. prgtoken Although Evenwel deals with State and local apportionment, we can fairly extrapolate that rationale to Federal apportionment, as well. Justice Ginsburg's holding in Evenwel turns on the idea that voter equality in a district is not required. It is not required. However, she also lays out that neither is it the total population metric that is implied by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. That is not required either. prgtoken For instance, Justice Ginsburg referred to Burns v. Richardson. In that case, it held that districts may be apportioned on the basis of registered voters or voter-eligible populations, that that is permissible. prgtoken In the Burns case, they give the example of Hawaii, which could rationally justify its use of voter-eligible apportionment because of the large number of transients and military personnel it had. The Burns court noted that apportioning using registered voters was permissible because of the conditions in which
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2024-5-8

this week, the Senate is finally considering the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, and I am glad we are here--even if belatedly. prgtoken Our Nation depends on a safe, efficient, and robust national aviation system. The bill before us today will help strengthen aviation safety, address the pilot shortage, and improve airport infrastructure--all of which will contribute to a better experience for the traveling public. prgtoken I am particularly pleased that my proposal to create an enhanced qualification program for prospective airline pilots was included in the bill. The United States is facing a serious pilot shortage, which has resulted in reduced air service at airports around the country. This has real impacts on the flying public, particularly for those in rural States like South Dakota since smaller, regional airports have tended to see the greatest reduction in flights. prgtoken To help address this shortage and improve the quality of pilot training, Senator Sinema and I introduced a proposal to create an enhanced qualification proposal for prospective airline pilots. Our proposal was a direct response to a recommendation from the Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee--a body of industry, labor, and safety representatives who meet regularly under the auspices of the FAA's Office of Aviation Safety--which recommended the implementation of such a program to create a structured pathway for pilots to obtain intensive training. prgtoken While the United States has stringent requirements for the number of flight hours prospective airline pilots must complete before obtaining their pilot's license, the quality of that cockpit time is often less than optimal preparation for flying commercial jets. So, to better prepare pilots for airline jobs, our proposal will implement an prgtoken enhanced qualification program--designed and audited by the FAA and administered by air carriers--that will give aspiring airline pilots intensive training with experienced air carrier pilots and other experts. prgtoken Intensive training in the kind of air carrier environment where prospective airline pilots will be flying is something that is largely missing from current training, and getting the chance to work closely with seasoned pilots will help turn out highly qualified pilots who are better prepared for flying commercial jets. prgtoken In addition, our program's use of simulator training, whose proven value has resulted in its extensive use by the military, will give prospective airline pilots exposure to the cockpits of the jets they will be flying and, crucially, allow them to experience what it is like to handle challenging and dangerous situations in those cockpits. prgtoken For obvious reasons, standard flight training hours don't involve deliberately flying into perilous weather conditions or dealing with things like fires or engine failure, but simulator training offers pros
AIRPORT AND AIRWAY EXTENSION ACT OF 2024, PART II
Sam Graves (Republican, MO) \u2014 2024-5-8

again, I urge all Members to support this must-pass bill so we can keep our aviation system operating safely and focus on passing a long-term FAA bill next week. prgtoken H.R. 8289 provides for a clean extension of FAA authorities. It does not include policy riders. prgtoken Failure to extend FAA's authorities will cost the Federal Government more than $50 million a day in lost revenues. Enacting a long-term comprehensive FAA bill is the goal of both the House and Senate, and I look forward to presenting that critical piece of legislation to you next week. prgtoken , I urge support of this bill, and .
SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT-- Continued
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2024-5-8

well, here we go again. The Environmental Protection Agency is back with a barrage of rules and regulations to accomplish two main goals: kill coal and natural gas once and for all, and in doing so, appease the climate activists who the President feels he needs to keep happy in an election year. prgtoken So what just happened? Well, in the last 2 weeks, the EPA finalized a slate of four policies as part of their prgtoken latest--and punishing--climate crusade. prgtoken The first is the Clean Power Plan 2.0 that will eliminate coal power generation and block new natural gas plants from coming online in the future. prgtoken The second is the updated Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule that is designed to put coal plants out West out of business by saddling them with unrealistic emissions requirements. prgtoken The third is the Coal Combustion Residuals Rule. prgtoken And the fourth is the Effluent Limitations Guidelines, sounds pretty technical, for coal plants which both impose unattainable requirements for disposing and discharging waste at these plants. prgtoken The ELGs will orphan millions in investments made just in the last 4 years. So our plants have readjusted to make sure they are following, and now they come back 4 years later and say, that $300 million? No good anymore; you have to spend another $340 million. prgtoken Again, this administration isn't being shy about what the desired end game is here. prgtoken These rules are meant to put coal and natural gas employees out of work. Now, let me tell you, the energy mix in this country now with coal and natural gas is 60 percent of our energy comes from the two of those combined. And the goal here is to shutter these baseload power plants once and for all. prgtoken But as I alluded to earlier, they have tried this before. We all remember when the administration attempted to implement a similar, overreaching set of mandates, and the Supreme Court remembers that as well. They turned it down. prgtoken So why try again? Why get rejected by the highest Court in the land and then come back with the same playbook? Well, it, sadly, comes back to two of the overall--the same two overall goals: close down reliable American power plants, and try to prop up disappointing poll numbers. prgtoken The administration doesn't seem to care whether these regulations are struck down in the end. They are betting that by threatening the electricity sector with rule after rule, investment will be forced away from reliable, baseload power towards the energy sources of their choices, which, by the way, cannot produce the energy that is needed. prgtoken Beyond these four rules recently announced, the EPA has rolled out an electric vehicles mandate, an air rule meant to halt manufacturing projects, and a Federal plan that has already suffered legal blows in court because it dictates to States how to address their own unique environmental concerns. prgtoken Much o
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-5-8

the attacks of October 7 brought the world face-to-face with the savage terrorists who have tried to destroy the Jewish State for decades. They forced us all to take a sober look at what our ally Israel has to defend against every single day. prgtoken In the months since, I have insisted repeatedly that America should provide Israel the time, the space, and the support it needs to defeat Iran-backed terrorists and restore its security, and I have made it clear that the consensus of Israel's national unity war cabinet--that lasting security can only come after Hamas is defeated--ought to be our position here in America as well. prgtoken Early on, there was reason to believe that President shared this view. I was encouraged by his initial willingness to move quickly to transfer needed munitions to Israel, by his request for an emergency national security supplemental, including urgent security assistance to Israel, and by what he called his administration's ``ironclad'' commitment to Israel's security. prgtoken Unfortunately, we have since seen that iron bend under the heat of domestic political pressure from his party's anti-Israel base and the campus communists who decided to wrap themselves in the flags of Hamas and Hezbollah. We have seen his administration cave in to growing demands to prgtoken condition and limit assistance to our democratic ally. We have seen public attempts to micromanage Israel's self-defense, to constrain Israel's freedom of action. A few days ago, we saw reports that the President was delaying weapons shipments to Israel, creating daylight between America and a close ally. prgtoken As it turns out, these reports were true, and the decision to pause these shipments was withheld from Congress. We still don't know the key facts. prgtoken I speak with some experience in the difficulties of standing up to extreme elements in one's own political party, but the President's apparent inability to keep the most radical voices on his left flank out of the Situation Room isn't just a shameful abdication of leadership; it is actually dangerous. prgtoken Failing to pass the emergency national security supplemental would have been devastating to Ukraine's defense and America's credibility. For the administration to withhold assistance from Israel is devastating in its own right. At home, it will only whet the appetite of the anti-Israel left, and abroad, it will embolden Iran and its terrorist proxies. prgtoken There is no secret shortcut to restoring peace and security. A return to the status quo ante doesn't solve the challenge at hand. The status quo before October 7 was what allowed Iran the latitude to export terror across the Middle East and allowed Hamas to exploit a cease-fire to launch the attacks. prgtoken For those who care about the humanitarian situation in Gaza--and I would count myself among those who do--the most enduring way to help the Palestinian people is to hel
RECOGNIZING ROSS FREEMAN FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2024-5-8

I would like to recognize Ross Freeman for his historic contributions to the Scientific and Technological communities prgtoken One of the UP's very own, Mr. Freeman grew up on a farm near Engadine. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1969 and received his master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1971. prgtoken Mr. Freeman invented the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a computer chip which revolutionized programming as we know it. The FPGA created what came to be known as ``open gates,'' which allowed engineers brand new reprogramming capabilities to adapt to changing standards and specifications and make last second changes to designs. prgtoken Mr. Freeman further revolutionized the tech industry with his unique hypotheses and worked to make those customizable chips affordable for everyone. prgtoken His incredible life was unfortunately cut short at the age of 41, not long after his vision for the future began taking shape. However, his contributions to society are immense and will be remembered by proud Yoopers all across our great state. prgtoken , I would like to recognize Ross Freeman for his contributions to both the Scientific Community and our Nation as a whole.
FARM BILL PRIORITIES
Tracey Mann (Republican, KS) \u2014 2024-5-8

I rise today to continue calling attention to the need for Congress to pass a comprehensive 5-year farm bill that provides certainty to our agriculture producers while responding to market changes and strengthening the ag safety net. prgtoken My priorities for the next farm bill have not changed. It is in the best interests of our American farmers, ranchers, and agriculture producers to authorize a farm bill that protects and strengthens crop insurance, incentivizes agriculture trade programs that help Americans remain competitive on the global stage, and conducts rigorous oversight and rolls back overly restrictive regulation and supports agriculture research and development. prgtoken Investing in agriculture research, and, particularly, animal health research, supports our Nation's food security and ultimately our national security. prgtoken This is especially true today as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus spreads across wildlife, poultry, and dairy cattle around the country. prgtoken My staff and I remain in close contact with USDA regarding the spread, and we are grateful for USDA's efforts to control the outbreak. However, it emphasizes the reality that animal health often does not get the attention that it deserves. prgtoken Luckily, HPAI has no proven impact on our country's food supply, but we are starting to see the economic impact of this virus. prgtoken Last week, Colombia became the first country to restrict US beef imports coming from States where HPAI is present. prgtoken As of yesterday, at least 22 States had issued some restrictions on the importation of dairy cattle from affected States. prgtoken By actively investing in research of animal disease, we have the opportunity to allocate resources to the prevention rather than outbreak control. prgtoken These investments serve as a more cost-effective approach to protecting our Nation's food supply by limiting animal disease and outbreaks before they spread. prgtoken For years, Kansas has led the United States in supporting global food security initiatives. Just last year, the U.S. prgtoken Department of Agriculture opened a state-of-the-art National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas. prgtoken The facility will conduct research into serious animal disease threats and the potential impact of those diseases. prgtoken It is the only maximum biocontainment space in the country where USDA conducts comprehensive research, develops animal vaccines and antivirals, and explores diagnostic and training capabilities. prgtoken This facility is just down the street from my alma mater, Kansas State University, and their School of Veterinary Medicine and the Biosecurity Research Institute. prgtoken These institutions are the crown jewels of the animal health corridor, creating a scientific hub where world-renowned research happens, leading the world in agriculture research and health. prgtoken American farmers, ranchers, and agriculture producers
SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT-- Continued
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2024-5-8

I return from a weekend at home. And last week, on the floor, I spoke about the same topic, and I rise today to again discuss the legislation that is now pending before the U.S. Senate, a long-term, 5-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. prgtoken I appreciated the opportunity to work with you and others on the Commerce Committee as we worked our way through this process. I think we have been at this about 14 months, and the time is for us to bring this to a conclusion. prgtoken A long-term reauthorization must be a priority. It should be a priority as it was in our subcommittee, and, certainly, it should be a priority of this Senate. prgtoken I am disappointed to learn, just a few moments ago, that it appears that the House of Representatives is set to vote on a 1-week extension. I hope that we do not utilize that development in the Senate to delay our consideration and passage of the legislation. Perhaps, that is the way for the House next week to finish the work, but as we often do here when there is extra time, we take every moment and much more than what is really available. After 14 months of negotiations, the most recent extension expires Friday of this week, May 10. It is time to come together and pass a long-term FAA reauthorization. prgtoken I am the ranking member of the Aviation Subcommittee, where I worked closely with Chairs Cantwell and Duckworth and Ranking Member Cruz to balance the priorities of the FAA, the aviation community, its academia partners, and the flying public in a bill that demonstrates Congress's commitment to aviation safety and excellence. prgtoken This legislation strengthens the standards for air safety, bolsters the aviation workforce, modernizes American airports in urban and rural settings, promotes innovation in American aviation, and enhances consumers' air travel experience. prgtoken My home State of Kansas is steeped in aviation history and will continue to contribute to the greater industry as a result of the passage of this legislation. prgtoken The FAA reauthorization safeguards the Essential Air Service Program, ensuring that rural communities and small airports are connected to the national airspace system, increasing business and tourism and access to educational opportunities and employment throughout the country-- invaluable to States like mine, States like Kansas. prgtoken This allows small airports in rural communities to continue to have regional air service. Previous FAA reauthorization bills created the Aviation Workforce Development Grant Program, aimed at strengthening the pool of pilots and aviation maintenance workers. The text of agreement expands this highly competitive grant program to grow the aviation workforce and is broadened to open eligibility for aircraft manufacturing workers. Whether you are an airline looking for a pilot or an airplane manufacturer looking for a worker, there is great demand in our cou