mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-3-23

later today, we are going to vote on an amendment offered by my colleague Senator Lee, and this is a really important amendment. And this is a really important debate for us to have: the question of how long authorizations of military force should last. prgtoken We are able to have this amendment vote because of the great work that Senator Kaine and Senator Menendez have done to bring to an end authorizations of military force that have been on the books for decades, authorizations of military force that most Americans didn't even know existed. So, first, I am grateful to my colleagues and to Senator Young as well for having brought us to this moment where we can make the collective decision, s and , to take off of the books these expired authorizations of military force that are dangerous so long as they allow a President of the United States to pervert the original meaning of the authorization of force--to go to war against Saddam Hussein in Iraq--for other means and mechanisms. prgtoken I think this is really important, both spiritually to show that Congress is still in the game of setting foreign policy alongside the executive branch but, practically, because we have seen these authorizations occasionally be sort of picked up, unearthed from the grave, and used to justify military action that can't find a justification in article II power or in other AUMFs. So I couldn't be more supportive of the underlying measure. prgtoken But Senator Lee is asking us to look prospectively and to take a step to not repeat the mistakes of the past. His amendment would suggest that every future authorization of military force--and we pass very few of them on this floor--would be limited to 2 years. prgtoken Full disclosure: I have introduced that legislation with Senator Lee as part of a broader piece of legislation that he and I have introduced to reform the War Powers Act, to reform our arms sales processes, and to reform a President's emergency powers to try to right-size the balance of authority between an outsized executive branch and, I think, an underwhelming legislative authority. prgtoken I think Senator Lee's amendment is a good idea. The only reason I wouldn't support it is if it jeopardizes the underlying bill; but if it doesn't, then I am going to support Senator Lee's amendment, in part, because I have introduced legislation to do the same thing alongside him, but because I think it is time that we started putting this Congress in the position to flex that muscle that is given to us in article I, which is to be codeterminants of American foreign policy alongside the executive branch. prgtoken Notwithstanding the good work of Senator Menendez and Senator Kaine, we have, over the course of the last several decades, completely outsourced that responsibility to set the national security policy to an executive branch and a national security apparatus inside the executive branch t
PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS ACT
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2023-3-23

. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5, the Politics Over Parents Act. This bill is an attempt by House s to attack public education in America and restrict the free exchange of ideas that fosters critical thinking. It is part of a harmful, nationwide extreme march toward censorship and book bans. For example, in the 2021-2022 School Year, the most banned book titles included `Beloved' and `The Bluest Eye' by the groundbreaking author and Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison--not unlike the way `To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee has been the subject of book bans since the 1960s. prgtoken This censorship deprives students of opportunities to learn, grow, and obtain information from a variety of perspectives. Other types of censorship under this bill would deprive students of an accurate and fact-based education. prgtoken The strength of America comes from its diversity. But instead of delivering the support and resources our schools need, so-called ``parents' rights'' bills like this empower extremists to impose their beliefs on all students and parents. prgtoken My mother worked in a library. She taught me it is important that every child in every community has a safe place to learn and grow. are focused on improving public education, making our schools safer, and ensuring schools and students have what they need to recover from the pandemic. prgtoken This legislation is irresponsible and is yet another divisive political stunt by the majority. prgtoken It should be rejected.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Christopher A. Coons (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2023-3-23

I rise today to speak on a topic I have been dreading for months, the departure from my office of my senior adviser and close friend, Jeff Sanchez. prgtoken After 4 years of dedicated, tireless, outstanding service to me, the people of Delaware, my family, and our country, Jeff is moving on to an exciting new adventure. prgtoken He didn't want a big farewell party, but he is going to have to endure, before he goes, the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate reflecting the contributions of this remarkable public servant. prgtoken Jeff is from California, a graduate from Chapman University. He spent a decade on the Hill working for Steny Hoyer, Senator Patty Murray, and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez. prgtoken In my office, he has risen quickly, four promotions in 4 years. He became a central part of my senior team, giving me valued, strategic advice on a whole range of issues, from policy and politics to operations and communications. My team in DC and Delaware quickly came to rely on Jeff. prgtoken While I have a lot of very positive and humorous input from them, given the press of time, I will read just a few. prgtoken One staffer said: [Jeff] was the air traffic officer for the office but also [at times] the pilot guiding all staff to a smooth departure with our member and a safe, comfortable landing. prgtoken Another staffer said: Jeff is a Swiss Army knife. There is nothing this guy can't do. Tireless worker. Great writer. Strategic thinker. Gets the policy and the politics. prgtoken And my favorite: When Jeff walks in[to] a room, everything just starts working better. prgtoken His first role in my office was moving me. I mean, physically moving me. I quickly became respectful of his skills. We have driven the streets of DC and Delaware, from Georgetown to Capitol Hill. And while he mostly stayed under the limit and obeyed traffic laws, when it came to getting me to Union Station and getting me home, he was more Mario Andretti than Uber. Sometimes my blood pressure was elevated, but we always arrived safely and on time. prgtoken From the snows of Davos to the hills of San Francisco and from the streets of Madrid, we traveled to remarkable places together. One of the most striking things about Jeff is the more time you spend with him, the more time you want to spend with him. As we got to know each other better and spent time talking, during our drives, about our families and our hopes for the future, we became closer, and I am so grateful. Jeff has allowed me to offer what I hope has been meaningful advice on life's challenges and opportunities. prgtoken I have lots of things to poke fun at Jeff. He has a mischievous wit, his own share of quirky habits, and charming preferences. Like a hobbit, he eats a first and second lunch, always from Cups. During late nights when I was tied up here on the floor, he would turn down the lights and deejay for our c
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-3-23

I take this time to urge my colleagues to support S. 316. I congratulate and thank Senators Kaine and Young for their leadership on this issue. It will give us an opportunity to finally repeal the 1991 and the 2002 authorizations for the use of military force in regard to Iraq. prgtoken We are not at war with Iraq, and we have seen--particularly with the use of the 2001 authorization for the use of military force, which was centered on Afghanistan--that it can be used by administrations well beyond the intent of Congress. So it is our congressional responsibility to remove these authorizations and to finally repeal them. prgtoken I want to make it clear: I voted against both of the Iraq authorizations when I was in the House of Representatives in 1991 and 2002. The 2002, particularly, was passed by false pretenses. It was passed because of the belief that Iraq was involved in the attack on our country on September 11 when, in fact, they were not. It was based on the fact that they had weapons of mass destruction that could be used against U.S. interests, and that was also false. prgtoken Today, the U.S. forces in Iraq are there by the invitation of the government. There is no need for Congress to authorize the use of military force in regard to Iraq. If there are any issues in regard to protecting U.S. interests that may fall within Iraq that would require the use by the President of the military, he has that authority under article II of the Constitution, and he also has the authority given to him by the War Powers Act to utilize that process if, in fact, it is needed. prgtoken It is Congress's responsibility to declare war, clearly, in the Constitution of the United States. It is our responsibility to authorize when our men and women should be put in harm's way. We have a responsibility to make sure that the authorizations for the use of that force are in compliance with our security needs. And, clearly, we need to eliminate the authorizations that we passed in 1991 and 2002, and we are going to have the opportunity to do that. prgtoken It is very important that we pass those bills. As I said earlier, it could be used by a future administration, by a President, to go well beyond the intent of Congress. Maybe 5 or 10 years from now, a creative use of that authorization could be used to introduce troops clearly against the intent of Congress. prgtoken Now, why do I say that? Because it has happened before. Let me give you a case in point. The 2001 authorization for the use of military force, which was passed shortly after the attack on our country on September 11, 2001, was aimed at going after the organizations in Afghanistan that were partly responsible for the attack on our country. prgtoken Let me, if I might, read into the Record the 2001 authorization for use of military force because I think Members of the Senate and certainly the public would be very surprised to see the specific langua
CELEBRATING JILL DeSTEFANO
Susie Lee (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-3-23

I rise today to celebrate a true conservation leader who has dedicated years of her life to ensuring the Tule Springs Fossil Beds in Las Vegas would be declared a permanent national monument. prgtoken Jill DeStefano was one of the five founders of the Protectors of Tule Springs, and she worked tirelessly until the beds were officially designated the 405th unit of the National Park Service by President in 2014. prgtoken She has served as the board president of the Protectors of Tule Springs as they protect, preserve, support, and promote responsible stewardship of the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and the Ice Age Fossils State Park. prgtoken Jill's passionate advocacy for Tule Springs has ensured they will always be safe and that our children and grandchildren can enjoy them for years to come. prgtoken These protected lands tell a story and teach the next generation about our American values for conservation and preservation of our most precious remnants of our national history. prgtoken I thank Jill for all of her hard work to protect Southern Nevada's beautiful outdoors. The people of Nevada's Third District are eternally grateful for Jill and all that she has done. I am wishing Jill the best of luck in her next chapter. Azerbaijan's Blockade
CORPORATE GREED IS A VIRUS THAT INFECTS EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-3-23

I rise today to say Ramadan Mubarak to our Muslim neighbors around the world and wish all who celebrate and observe a peaceful Ramadan full of family, faith, and community. prgtoken As a Muslim myself, I know how critically important it is that we celebrate, again, our neighbors and help those that are most vulnerable among us during the month of Ramadan. prgtoken Ramadan is observed by more than a billion Muslims around the world. It involves deep prayer, reflection, robust charity and giving, as well as fasting from sunrise until sunset, and, yes, that includes water. prgtoken Ramadan is observed during the ninth month of the lunar calendar and is also meant to bring consciousness in the heart and mind to be closer to Allah. prgtoken I invite my colleagues and those watching to learn more about Ramadan, its meaning, and to even break fast with us. Join our iftars that are near you in your communities. We welcome you. prgtoken Again, Ramadan Mubarak to all of our Muslim neighbors across the country and the world. Keep Medical Debt off Credit Reports
PROVIDING APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION AND TREATMENT NEEDED TO ENHANCE RELATIONS WITH ASEAN ACT
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-3-23

I rise today to call for passage of the PARTNER with ASEAN Act, bipartisan legislation I introduced with Congresswoman Young Kim of California to strengthen the longstanding relationship between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). prgtoken For nearly six decades, ASEAN has worked to promote stability, prosperity, and multilateral cooperation in Southeast Asia and has become a critical part of the diplomatic architecture of the broader Indo-Pacific. Together, the ten member nations of ASEAN represent the world's fourth-largest market, and U.S. trade with ASEAN accounts for hundreds of billions of dollars a year. Last fall, the U.S. and ASEAN agreed to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. prgtoken In 2017, I co-founded the Congressional ASEAN Caucus with Congresswoman Ann Wagner to foster greater dialogue on Capitol Hill around issues related to Southeast Asia. Today's consideration of the PARTNER with ASEAN Act comes from years of bipartisan work by our Caucus, and I also want to recognize the contributions of the bill's original co-sponsor Representative Steve Chabot, who was a leader on Asia policy issues in Congress for many years. prgtoken The United States was the first non-member country to appoint an ambassador to ASEAN, and Congress has long recognized the regional and global importance of ASEAN. Despite the bipartisan consensus about the importance of ASEAN centrality, the United States has yet to accord ASEAN the routine diplomatic privileges that we provide to similar groupings like the Organization of American States, African Union, or European Union. prgtoken The PARTNER with ASEAN Act would authorize ASEAN to be designated as an international organization with full diplomatic privileges and open new avenues for U.S.-ASEAN cooperation, including the potential establishment of an ASEAN mission in the United States. It has bipartisan support in the Senate, where a companion bill was introduced earlier this month, and President has committed to signing the bill into law once it reaches his desk. prgtoken At a time of increased global focus on the Indo-Pacific, the PARTNER with ASEAN Act makes a simple change that will have an outsized impact on our international relations. I thank Congresswoman Kim for her partnership on this bill, and I also want to recognize the work of Erik Ashida, who served on my staff until last month and played an instrumental role in moving this legislation forward. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support the swift and bipartisan passage of the PARTNER with ASEAN Act and applaud the longstanding commitment of this body to maintaining strong relationships with our partners in the Indo-Pacific.
PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS ACT
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-3-23

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam Chair, I include in the Record a list of groups that either oppose or express concerns about H.R. 5, over 225 different organizations. List of Groups That Either Oppose or Have Expressed Concerns About H.R. 5 AASA, The School Superintendents Association; All4Ed; American Federation of Teachers (AFT); American Library Association (ALA); A Way Home America; AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education); Act To Change Advocacy Institute; Advocates for Youth; American Association of University Women; American Atheists; American Civil Liberties Union; American Humanist Association; American School Counselor Association; Apiary for Practical Support; Arab American Institute (AAI); Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC); Athlete Ally; Autistic Self Advocacy Network; A Woman's Choice of Charlotte; A Woman's Choice of Greensboro. A Woman's Choice of Jacksonville; A Woman's Choice of Raleigh; Acadiana Queer Collective; Aces NYC; Action Together New Jersey; African American Office of Gay Concerns; AIDS Foundation Chicago; Alliance for Quality Education; Arkansas Black Gay Men's Forum; Avow Texas; Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Campaign for Our Shared Future; Bans Off Miami; Black Californians United for Early Care and Education; Care in Action; Catholics for Choice; Center for American Progress; Center for Applied Transgender Studies; Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research (CLEAR). Center Link: The Community of LGBT Centers; Collective Power for Reproductive Justice; Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund; Campaign for Our Shared Future (COSF); Cato Institute; Center for American Progress (CAP); Campus Pride; Carolina for All; Central Florida Jobs with Justice; Chicago Abortion Fund; Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights; Cobalt; Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund; for Education Reform DC (DFER DC); for Education Reform Massachusetts; for Education Reform New York; Detroit Disability Power; DFER Colorado; Disability Law Center; Donald Patton. Dutchess County Progressive Action Alliance; Education Reform Now; Education Trust; EducateUS: SIECUS In Action; Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC); Education Reform Now; Empowering Pacific Islander Communities; End Rape On Campus; Equal Rights Advocates; Equality Federation; Equity Forward Evaluation, Data Integration, and Technical Assistance (EDIT) Program; Education Reform Now; Education Reform Now CT; Education Reform Now Texas; Equality Califor
TRIBUTE TO ANTHONY WILLIAMS
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2023-3-23

I rise to recognize Anthony Williams's decades of service with the U.S. Postal Service. Nearly 43 years ago, Mr. Williams began as a city carrier at the Rice Street Station in St. Paul, MN, and on March 3, 2023, he retired as the Minnesota-North Dakota district manager. During that time, Mr. Williams supported the Postal Service in its work processing and delivering 425 million pieces of mail each day, including everything from Social Security checks and life-saving prescriptions, to birthday and graduation cards. prgtoken When I think about Anthony's time with the U.S. Postal Service, I will always think about his commitment to problem-solving. In the face of polar vortexes, staffing shortages, and a global pandemic, he always found a way to regroup, examine the situation, and do what needed to be done to get Minnesotans and North Dakotans their mail. prgtoken While in a practical sense the U.S. Postal Service brings us our letters and packages, as the only organization with the logistical capability to reach every address in the Nation, it also brings our country together. That is the heart of what Anthony did through his decades of service, and I will always be grateful. prgtoken I hope that Anthony gets some much deserved rest and time with Cindy in retirement, and if I ever need to reach him, I know he is just a stamp away.
PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS ACT
Greg Landsman (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-3-23

. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this controversial and highly dangerous bill, H.R. 5. prgtoken I am a former teacher. My parents were teachers. I have been doing child education advocacy my entire career. My wife and I are parents of two public school children right now. This is our lives. This is what we do day in and day out. prgtoken I want to be very clear so that my colleagues understand what rights I have as a parent, which are the same rights that all Americans, all parents in America, have if their children are in public schools. prgtoken I can go speak to the school board whenever I want. I can do that now. I have that right. prgtoken Madam Chair, I can ask about the books. I can ask about the budget. prgtoken Of course, I can get information about the medical condition of my children. I have that right now. prgtoken My colleagues have to know this. If they do not, and this is news to them, they can pull the bill. prgtoken Right now, this new national ban and set of controls will simply lead to our schools, our teachers, and many of our parents drowning in lawsuits. prgtoken I offered two amendments. One was a litigation shield to help protect our folks from obviously dangerous lawsuits that would come of this if this bill were to pass. The second was to opt out if a district does not want to be part of this because I believe in local control, as do most of the people in my district. s, , and Independents believe in local control. Let school districts opt out. prgtoken It is not about local control. This is about taking a small, teeny ideology and forcing it on the rest of us. As a parent, I can say on behalf of so many parents, leave us alone.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2023-3-23

had I been present for the vote today on Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 241, I would have voted ``no.'' prgtoken Had I been present for the vote on Agreeing to H. Res. 241, I would have voted ``no.'' prgtoken Had I been present for the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 406, I would have voted ``aye.'' prgtoken Had I been present for the Passage of H. Joint Res. 30, I would have voted ``no.'' This legislation would block the Department of Labor's recent rule, entitled ``Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights,'' which clarifies that fiduciary planners may consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk when making investment decisions. I commend the Department of Labor's ESG rule, which will assure beneficiaries that their retirement savings will not be subjected to the pendulum swings of changing policy. Fiduciary planners must not have their hands tied when it comes to considering ESG factors that pose legitimate economic risks to Americans' benefit plans. prgtoken Had I been present for the Bonamici Amendment No. 5, I would have voted ``aye.'' prgtoken Had I been present for the Crane Amendment No. 6, I would have voted ``no.'' prgtoken Had I been present for the Davidson Amendment No. 7, I would have voted ``no.'' prgtoken Additionally, had I been present for Fitzpatrick Amendment No. 8, I would have voted ``aye.''
WHAT PARENTS WANT
Lois Frankel (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2023-3-23

today, I rise as a mother who went to many parent-teacher meetings and a few sessions with the principal, and a grandmother who just loves to see my own child's engagement in my grandchildren's education. prgtoken Today, the Congressional s are mimicking my home State, Florida's extreme, rightwing, cruel policies. prgtoken Alarmingly and sadly, in Florida, today, lawmakers are banning books. They are threatening to jail teachers. They are bullying LGBTQ+ students, and they are suppressing history. prgtoken In Florida, a teacher can actually go to jail for putting a book about Rosa Parks or the Holocaust on a child's table. Teachers can be fined for comforting a gay child who is being teased for her gender. Schools can lose funding if they promote diversity or they teach Black history. prgtoken Really? prgtoken , parents want guns banned. They want their children to feel nurtured. They want their teachers to be paid well.