mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CHIPS ACT OF 2022--Continued
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-7-26

I rise today to recognize the service, accomplishments, and retirement of Michigan native GEN Joseph M. Martin. prgtoken Joe will pass on the mantle of leadership after 36 years of service and completes his highly decorated career as the Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. prgtoken Joe is a proud son of Michigan. Born and raised in Royal Oak and Dearborn, his family is deeply rooted in the area, with strong ties to the Ford Motor Company. Joe's grandfather, Leonard Martin, worked there for 43 years. Joe's father, Leonard Martin Jr worked there for 42 years. prgtoken It was from his father and grandfather that General Martin learned the Michigan values of honesty, hard work, and service to his community. And it is these values that General Martin has carried with him throughout his 36 years in the U.S. Army. prgtoken As a child, Joe attended Henry Ford Elementary and Woodworth Junior High. Before high school, the Martin family moved to the west side of Dearborn, where Joe attended Clare Bryant Junior High and Dearborn High before college. prgtoken And although Joe's family has a tradition steeped in naval aviation, Joe took a different path and chose to attend West Point and join the Army. prgtoken General Martin graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1986 and was commissioned as an armor officer. Throughout the next 30 years, General Martin would serve in support of America's most significant large-scale operations and fight in some of the Army's most storied divisions. prgtoken He deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm, twice for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as the Combined Joint Force Land Component Commander for Operation Inherent Resolve. prgtoken Among other assignments, Joe served with the 1st Armored Division, the 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Operational Test Command, and served as the commanding general of the National Training Center and the commander of the 1st Infantry Division. prgtoken Following his command of the Big Red One, General Martin was appointed as the Director of Army Staff and later confirmed as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. prgtoken Joe credits his success to his wife, Leann; and the Martins have two children, Joey and Kylie. prgtoken To General Martin and to his family: On behalf of a grateful Nation, thank you for your incredible service and sacrifice over the last three-and-a-half decades. We are glad to welcome you back to your home State of Michigan as you begin your next chapter.
SPECTRUM INNOVATION ACT OF 2022
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-26

. Madam , I rise in strong support of H.R. 7624, the Spectrum Innovation Act, which includes an updated version of my legislation, the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act. prgtoken 9-1-1 is a lifeline for Americans in their greatest hour of need. In an emergency, few things are more important than these three numbers when it comes to getting help. And it can often be the difference between life and death. After the horrific attacks on September 11, 2001, I co-founded the E-911 Caucus with Representative John Shimkus and Senators Hillary Clinton and Conrad Burns to support first responders and the public safety community by moving our nation's 9-1-1 services into the 21st Century. Unfortunately, we have not reached our goal and most of the United States' 9-1-1 call centers continue to use legacy technology developed over 50 years ago. The Spectrum Innovation Act will provide $10 billion for states and localities to adopt NG911 technology and help modernize most of our call centers. prgtoken Next Generation 9-1-1 will harness the power of 21st Century technology to respond to 21st century emergencies. It will allow our 9- 1-1 emergency communication centers to receive real-time location information, text messages, photos, and video from individuals at the scene of an emergency, and to share that information with first responders. It will also make our emergency communication centers more secure, resilient, interoperable, and reliable. prgtoken The benefits of this technology will help save lives. If someone breaks into your home and you're hiding from the intruder, you won't need to call 9-1-1 to speak to an operator. You can text 9-1-1 to summon help while you continue to hide. You will be able to send pictures or live stream video from the scene of a car accident or a home fire to help first responders better respond to the emergency. prgtoken The investments made in NG911 through the Spectrum Innovation Act will help modernize our 9-1-1 system. I'm pleased it has the support of a broad coalition of law enforcement and public safety organizations, including the Major County Sheriffs of America; the Major Cities Chiefs Association; the National Sheriffs' Association; the International Association of Chiefs of Police; the International Association of Fire Chiefs; the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association; the National Association of State EMS Officials; the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials; the National Association of State 911 Administrators; and the National Emergency Number Association. prgtoken I thank Rep. Richard Hudson, my co-chair of the NG911 Caucus for working with me on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it.
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2022-7-26

I thank my friend from Colorado for extending me 3 minutes. prgtoken , I rise today in support of the previous question and the rule, especially the section regarding the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act. prgtoken Climate change is having a real and serious impact in Colorado and throughout the country. In 2020, Colorado experienced the three largest wildfires in our State's history. Last summer, smoke from West Coast wildfires settled in the Denver Basin and what was at first some of the most pristine, best air in the world became some of the dirtiest as a result of the smoke from those wildfires. Most recently, as my friend said, in December of last year, a fire ripped through the northwest suburbs of Denver, between Denver and Boulder, destroying more than 1,000 homes in 6 hours. prgtoken Over the last 20 years it has been hotter and dryer in Colorado and throughout the West than ever recorded. Unfortunately, there is still a lot we don't know about wildfires, their behavior, and their long- lasting effects. The Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act will improve our understanding of wildfires and create a more coordinated whole-of-government approach so we can better prepare for and respond to these worsening threats. prgtoken Close to half of my State's population lives in or near places prone to wildfires, so we need to get serious about our approach to wildfires to protect people's lives, their homes, and our natural resources. prgtoken I am proud of four amendments I introduced in the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, which are included in this bill. The provisions expand research and development opportunities to better protect buildings from wildfire hazards, as well as promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. prgtoken Further, the provisions will assist collaboration among the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA, and other agencies in their work in fire prevention and fire weather forecasting. The provisions allow NOAA and NASA to purchase commercial data products from satellites and airborne data sources to support their efforts to improve our understanding of wildfires. prgtoken Finally, the provisions will expand the Department of Energy's activities under the Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program to include fire modeling, forecasting, fire spread, and the analysis of wildfire fuels. prgtoken I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and the rule.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PREVENTION AND PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2022
Karen Bass (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-26

. Madam , the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. prgtoken Madam , H.R. 6552, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Reauthorization Act, as amended, should be supported by every Member participating in today's vote. This overdue reauthorization strengthens laws that not only support those who have already fallen victim but also prevents the future risk of trafficking both at home here in the U.S. and abroad. prgtoken We must supply housing for victims so that they can have a safe place to go when they leave their abusers. We also must ensure that child welfare and foster children are prioritized, particularly young women, girls, and those in the LGBTQ community are protected and aided with resources. Without housing these children often have no choice but to return to their pimps, their traffickers. prgtoken Our departments must have the funding they need so they can offer the best training and personnel to respond to this crisis. It is our duty as public servants to protect the vulnerable and stop this heinous crime when and where it is discovered. Human trafficking is a heinous violation of human rights, and we must do everything in our power to combat it, and that includes passing this bill. prgtoken Again, I thank the staff who have worked very hard on this. I especially thank the ranking member, as we have worked together for 12 years. As my time in Congress draws to a close, I am very happy that this is one of the last pieces of legislation that we can move forward on together. prgtoken Madam , I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and .
CHIPS ACT OF 2022--Resumed
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2022-7-26

I do, I have to thank my friend and colleague Senator Warner from Virginia. He has been a leading voice on this issue and the importance of passing this legislation, not just because it addresses our national security. It gives us an economic advantage in this country. But he also realizes the jobs it creates, and it positions not just Nevada but every State--this country--to lean into the future and be prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. prgtoken So I thank you because I know that you have been at the forefront of this, and you have not relented. Thank you, thank you for everything that you have done. Medicare prgtoken , there is another issue that is important for Nevada that I want to talk about. It is not just Nevada but for so many across the country. prgtoken You know, I was elected to the Senate, and ever since then, in 2017, I have stood up for Medicare and Nevada seniors. I have fought against the administration's cruel proposals to cut Medicare funding, and I championed provisions to expand Medicare funding and services. prgtoken That is why I was shocked when, last week, hundreds of Nevadans began calling my office. They were anxious and alarmed over a deliberately misleading ad that is running on TV, on Facebook, and via a text campaign. prgtoken In Reno, this past weekend, Nevadans came up to me because they were concerned about these false accusations. This ad incorrectly claims that I support a bill that would strip $300 billion from Medicare. This couldn't be further from the truth. prgtoken What I do know is that the ad is a deliberate lie, and what they are being funded by, unfortunately--these ads--is a dark money group. They are being funded by American Prosperity Alliance. This is exactly the kind of group I have been raising the alarm about for years, because here is the truth, here are the facts: I am standing up for Medicare, just like I always have. I am pushing legislation, just like many of our colleagues, just like the Presiding Officer is, as well, to lower prescription drug costs for Nevadans and save Medicare and so many other seniors across the country really almost $300 billion. prgtoken It saves the government. What we are doing, our legislation, in total, saves dollars--almost $300 billion--for the government and, ultimately, the taxpayers. prgtoken The bill would not cut anything but Big Pharma's profits, and seniors in Nevada and across the country can expect even stronger benefits under the legislation that I am working on, that the Presiding Officer is working on, as so many of us are. So why would the ads lie about something so important to the American public when we are working to lower their costs and give them access to affordable healthcare in this country? prgtoken Here is why: Because powerful interest groups out there don't want this legislation to succeed. So they are pouring dark mon
CHIPS ACT OF 2022--Continued
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-7-26

among the many financial worries for average Americans, particularly young families just starting out, is finding a safe, affordable place to live. The simple fact is that we don't have the supply of housing to meet demand. Indeed, we have a shortfall of 7 million affordable housing units according to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition. prgtoken Certainly, the COVID-19 pandemic reduced housing production and created kinks in the supply chain for important raw materials like lumber, but the truth is that we were lagging when it came to building and maintaining affordable housing long before COVID-19. prgtoken Back in 2020, a Rhode Island family earning the State's median income could not afford to buy a home at the median price anywhere in the State. It has only gotten worse since then. Across the country, home prices have risen 13.4 percent from last year, with the national median price now at $416,000. prgtoken In my State, the Rhode Island Association of Realtors reports that the median price of homes sold in June 2022 reached an alltime high of $430,000. That is 11.7 percent higher than a year earlier. prgtoken A large reason that home ownership is out of reach for many Americans is the inventory levels are so low. In recent months, sales have dropped as interest rates have increased, but we are still nowhere near a balanced market. In a healthy housing market, there is usually a 6- month supply of homes available for sale at any given time. Right now, our country has less than a 3-month supply of homes, and Rhode Island has less than a 2-month supply. prgtoken As potential home buyers are priced out of the housing market, they remain in the rental market, adding additional pressure to rental prices. According to apartmentlist.com, rent has grown 14.1 percent nationally from last summer. In Providence, RI, rents have jumped 23.8 percent from last year. prgtoken When supply is tight and rents go up, it is harder for our more vulnerable community members to afford housing. That is our seniors, people with disabilities, and the unhoused. People who have been a part of the fabric of our communities for decades are no longer able to afford staying. It is a scary prospect that is facing too many Americans. prgtoken This didn't happen overnight. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the number of homes with low monthly rents declined by 4 million between 1991 and 2017. prgtoken And the underbuilding of starter homes for decades has caught up to us, creating a major housing supply crunch that has led to soaring rents and home prices. Developers have more incentives to build six- bedroom ``McMansions'' and luxury apartments. That doesn't help folks who just need a safe, affordable place to live in their community, and it doesn't meet the needs of young families who just want about 1,800 square feet, four walls, and a roof. We now have a housing market where police officers, fire
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Vicky Hartzler (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-7-27

. Madam , on Tuesday, July 26, I was unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: prgtoken NAY on Roll Call Number 386; prgtoken NAY on Roll Call Number 387; prgtoken YEA on Roll Call Number 388; prgtoken YEA on Roll Call Number 389; prgtoken YEA on Roll Call Number 390; prgtoken YEA on Roll Call Number 391; prgtoken YEA on Roll Call Number 392; and prgtoken YEA on Roll Call Number 393.
PAIN AT THE PUMP
Bob Good (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-7-27

. They are getting hit on so many levels, as you said, Mr. Hice. Housing costs are through the roof, home prices, rental costs through the roof. At the same time, interest rates are surging-- we have got 75 basis points increase again today--interest rates going through the roof, so they are getting squeezed terribly on housing. prgtoken At the same time, inflation is eating away at everything, their purchasing power generally. So what do you have here? Wages have gone up some 4 to 5 percent, but it has been doubled by inflation. So real wages have gone down by 4 to 5 percent, so you are making less than you were a year ago, your housing costs are through the roof compared to a year ago, and you can't afford to heat your home, fill your car. prgtoken To your point earlier, Mr. Perry, the ' response is to double down on the policies that caused it to begin with. The President has even said: We are going through a transition; we are part way through the transition. When we get through to the other side, everything is going to be better. prgtoken I guess when you don't have a job, when you don't have a home, when you don't have a car, and you are dependent on the government for some meager subsistence to try to just barely get by. But yet you can say, well, I guess I have no energy, which is the same thing as how they define clean energy, then I guess they will declare that as victory with the policies they have enacted and inflicted the American people with.
ADVANCING TELEHEALTH BEYOND COVID-19 ACT OF 2021
Adrian Smith (Republican, NE) \u2014 2022-7-27

. Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken I think we have had a good discussion here today. I think we have laid out that we are acting in good faith, supporting an issue, moving it forward, but also posing the scenario that there are so many other things we can do to address the very matter that we are taking up here today. prgtoken The surrounding details about how this bill came up and everything, I think it is problematic for the institution. But the fact of the matter is, we have an issue here that we need to address. I hope that we can work to continue to make it permanent in the future so that we can encourage investment, as was outlined previously, and encourage bending of the cost curve, ultimately, on healthcare, which is lacking at this point in time. prgtoken Madam , I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I urge a different kind of cooperation moving forward. prgtoken Madam , .
SUSAN MUFFLEY ACT OF 2022
Michael R. Turner (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-7-27

. Madam , I thank Ranking Member Foxx for yielding me time. prgtoken I am an original cosponsor of this bill, H.R. 6929. This legislation restores the pensions of the Delphi Salaried Retirees. prgtoken I am very proud to speak on behalf of this bipartisan bill. During the administration's 2009 taxpayer-funded General Motors bankruptcy bailout, President 's Auto Task Force directed the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to terminate the fully funded pensions of more than 20,000 Delphi Automotive salaried retirees. prgtoken Even worse is that the pensions of the salaried retirees were terminated while the Auto Task Force used the taxpayer-funded bankruptcy to top up the pensions of the Delphi union employees. The administration choose winners and losers, with taxpayers' dollars. prgtoken A 2013 report published by the Special Inspector General for TARP said: ``Treasury did not view the non-UAW Delphi hourly employees or the Delphi salaried employees as having leverage because they could not hold up GM's bankruptcy.'' prgtoken These pensions did not fail. These pensioners were robbed of their pensions by the people who were supposed to protect them. prgtoken For over 13 years now, I have worked with my colleagues to try to restore these pensions. President issued a Presidential directive, a memorandum directing the PBGC to provide options for restoring through the agency calling ``the plight of Delphi's salaried and non-unionized workforce a great concern to my administration.'' prgtoken President also supports this legislation. Now, Congress must restore these pensions. There is no precedent for this bill. No one else has had the White House pick winners and losers and take away their pensions. prgtoken It is our responsibility, as Members of Congress, to address this injustice. We finally have the chance to rectify this wrong. Stand up for the 20,000 hardworking Americans who want what is rightfully theirs. I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS HEATH ROBINSON HONORING OUR PROMISE TO ADDRESS COMPREHENSIVE TOXICS ACT OF 2022--Resumed
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2022-7-27

. I thank the chairman. It is always a privilege to be on the floor with the Senator from Rhode Island and to serve him on the committee, so thank you for that. prgtoken I would just say this: It has been nearly a year now since the events, the catastrophe, in Kabul that claimed the lives of 13 servicemembers, including from my home State of Missouri. prgtoken This was a catastrophe of this administration's making, and it has been now nearly 2 weeks, maybe 3, since I began to enter into the Record, page by painstaking page, this report undertaken by U.S. Central Command about that disaster at Abbey Gate in Kabul, about those deaths, not to mention the hundreds of American civilians who were left behind. prgtoken I am entering this report into the Record so the American people can see it because I cannot convince my friend from Rhode Island to hold a public hearing on this report, and I cannot convince the White House to stop their coverup of the events at Abbey Gate and the role they played in it. prgtoken This is not for lack of trying. For months on end, I have come to this floor and asked for a public hearing on this report. I have asked my colleagues. I have written to the chairman. I have spoken to members of the committee, who, by the way, say they have no objection. prgtoken And just last week, the White House reached out to me and said: What is it that you want? prgtoken I said, I want accountability for what happened in Afghanistan and Abbey Gate, and, specifically, I want a public hearing on this report, to which the White House said it is up to the chairman. prgtoken So I hope that we can make some progress on actually getting accountability for what happened, for the servicemembers whose lives were lost, and we can end this continual Vietnamesque, yearlong effort to push this crisis out into the shadows, to ignore it as if it never happened, and to deny the American people the accountability that servicemembers deserve. prgtoken .
AMERICANS DETAINED IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES DESERVE ANSWERS
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-7-27

dozens of Americans are being detained in foreign countries, and this has been brought to everybody's attention by the latest deal in Russia. These families deserve answers from our State Department about what is being done for their cases. prgtoken One of these folks is an east Tennessean, a marine named Matthew Heath, who is being held in communist Venezuela. Right now, his family is back in Tennessee, wondering when their boy will come home and what will happen to him in the future. prgtoken , they deserve real answers from the State Department, not just some bureaucratic nonsense. When it comes to cases like this, the Federal Government needs to be totally transparent, at least with folks' families. prgtoken On the poster beside me, you can see a picture of a mural placed here in Washington, D.C by artist Isaac Campbell. I spoke with Isaac this week. The mural is meant to draw attention to the dire situation. It depicts 18 of the 64 detained Americans, including Matthew Heath. prgtoken The mural isn't permanent. It will wash away with the rain and with normal wear and tear. That is what it is meant to do. As we watch the mural deteriorate, we are left to wonder what is going to happen to these individuals by the time it disappears. Are they going to come home, or will they be abandoned by our government? prgtoken Their moms and dads, brothers and sisters, loved ones and kids deserve answers from our State Department about what is really happening to their loved ones.