mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING ARMINTIE PRICE HERRINGTON
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2022-9-14

. Madam , I rise today to honor a remarkable professional, Armintie Price Herrington. prgtoken Armintie was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in April of 1985. She is married to Dr. Reginald Herrington, who serves as assistant principal for Grenada Lower Elementary. They have two children; a son, Reginald II (known as Prince), who is 4 years old, and a daughter, Armintie Christine, who is 9 months old. prgtoken Armintie holds a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Mississippi. During her time at Ole Miss, she excelled playing for the Lady Rebels basketball team and led the team to the NCAA Tournament three times. She received Kodak AH-American honors, among other accolades, and upon graduation, entered the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft in 2007. Armintie played for nine seasons, and four season overseas from 2007 to 2015. prgtoken Armintie started out playing for the Chicago Sky and was named the 2007 WNBA Rookie of the Year. She was traded to the Atlanta Dream in 2009, and the team earned spots in the finals every year. She also became an assistant coach for the Ole Miss Lady Rebels; a position she held from 2009 to 2012. In 2014, she became a free agent and played for the L.A. Sparks before rejoining the Ole Miss WBB staff in 2016. She served the Lady Rebels as assistant coach one last time, for the 2018- 2022 seasons, before leaving Ole Miss. prgtoken Armintie now has joined Holmes Community College (Grenada, MS campus) staff as the new business office/ financial aid advisor. Armintie is an active member of her church, Abundant Life Assembly in Grenada, and she looks forward to getting involved in more community activities. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Armintie Price Herrington for her dedication and tenacity to serving her community and desire to be an example for all.
Confirmation of E. Martin Estrada (Executive Calendar)
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-9-14

I rise today to recognize the confirmation of Martin Estrada to be U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. prgtoken The Central District of California is the largest Federal judicial district in the country. It serves over 19 million Californians, almost twice as many people as the next largest district, and it serves about half the population of the State of California. prgtoken It spans from San Luis Obispo County, home of Los Padres National Forest, all the way to Riverside County and the Mojave Desert. It spans from the Pacific Ocean to the eastern border with Arizona and Nevada. And it is home to some of the most diverse communities in the country. prgtoken So having painted that picture of the district that it serves, you can imagine that to effectively serve as the chief Federal law enforcement officer for such a large and diverse district, you need someone with a proven track record of experience, of credibility with the community, and the character to fight for truth and fairness in our judicial system. prgtoken Martin Estrada is exactly the right person for the job. He is a proud son of immigrants from Guatemala. Martin has spent most of his life in and around the Central District community that he will now serve as U.S. attorney. prgtoken He was raised near Costa Mesa in Orange County and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Irvine. After earning his law degree at Stanford Law School, Martin returned home to the Central District, where he clerked for Federal District Judge Robert Timlin and then later for Judge Arthur Alarcon for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. prgtoken After spending time as an associate at the highly regarded Los Angeles law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson, Martin served for 7 years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Central District, working to protect communities from major crimes. Now, since 2014, he has been a partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson, and he has represented clients from before both Federal and State courts in a diverse array of legal practice areas. Meanwhile, he has maintained a significant pro bono practice, fighting for equal justice and equal access to justice for Dreamers, Latinos, Native American students, students with disabilities, and more. He has excelled at every stage of his career, and he is more than qualified to serve as U.S. attorney for California's Central District. prgtoken I have no doubt that he will bring a temperament, intelligence, and work ethic worthy of the community he will now once again serve. prgtoken I want to thank all of you, colleagues. I want to thank you for supporting his confirmation. prgtoken .
Abortion (Executive Calendar)
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2022-9-14

in June, as we are hearing, the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, reversing nearly 50 years of law that recognized a woman's fundamental right to reproductive freedom. We also know that Justice Kavanaugh's concurring opinion repeatedly insisted that the Court's decision would return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives in the States. But this was never about States' rights, really, to my rightwing colleagues who want to restrict a woman's fundamental rights, and we know that because now they are pushing for a national abortion ban. prgtoken Yesterday, as we have heard, Senator Graham introduced a strict national abortion ban with criminal penalties for doctors who provide critical care. If it passes, this bill will preempt the laws in States across the country prgtoken where abortion is still legal, including my own State of Nevada. In Nevada, our voters approved a ballot initiative in 1990 to enshrine a woman's right to choose in our State laws. prgtoken So what happened to my colleagues' claims of respecting the rights of States to make that decision? Well, apparently it wasn't enough to pack the Court with Supreme Court Justices who would vote to deprive women of the right that they have held for 50 years, under the guise of States' rights. Now, when far-right s disagree with a State's decision, like mine, they plan to impose their own laws. prgtoken The current legislation introduced by Senator Graham stops the people in pro-choice States--like mine, like Nevada--from choosing to protect the rights of women. At the same time, it leaves in place stricter abortion bans in 14 States. prgtoken What these far-right s are effectively saying now is this: Anti-choice States, you are free to choose however harsh you want your abortion bans to be. But you pro-choice States, you are out of luck. Whatever the voters want in your States, it really doesn't matter because we are going to impose our own laws. prgtoken Look, Nevadans, as I have said, in 1990, we worked to codify Roe v. Wade because we know that it is impossible to walk in another woman's shoes. We know that for each woman, this is an important decision for each individual woman to make with her doctor, with her loved ones, about her healthcare, about her family planning. prgtoken I do not know what another woman is going to go through, and I do not want to restrict her access to any type of care, nor should any of us be imposing our beliefs, our experiences, our religion on someone else. prgtoken That is what this is about, and that is why Nevada voters voted in 1990 to codify Roe v. Wade and give women the right to make this decision. prgtoken Right now, we are seeing some politicians once again declare that they know what is best for every family in this Nation. They want to force the State of Nevada and other States like Nevada to limit women's freedoms, even though voters in my State voted t
Abortion (Executive Calendar)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-9-14

I come to the floor to discuss the new Graham legislation to create a national abortion ban. The centerpiece of the Senator's argument is that Senator Graham wants our country to believe that his national abortion ban is a moderate proposal--his words. Wrong, wrong, wrong. prgtoken A moderate bill would not institute criminal penalties for doctors providing lifesaving medical care. That is what this so-called moderate bill does. A moderate bill would not take rights away from American women, no matter where they live. That is what this so-called moderate bill does. A moderate bill would not create a presumption of women's guilt by requiring them to report a rape or seek counseling before they get an abortion. This so-called moderate bill does that, too. prgtoken Just think about that last point. If you are trying to assess our colleague from South Carolina's argument that his bill is moderate, under Senator Graham's new restrictions, a 12-year-old rape victim, regardless of the terror she feels or the danger she faces, would have to find a way to report her assault to police before she could get the care she needs. That is a stunning overreach and there is absolutely nothing that is moderate about this proposal. The reality is this is not a moderate proposal. It is an extreme proposal, way out of step with the overwhelming opinion of the American people. prgtoken The other important argument I wanted to discuss was this whole matter of how so many of my colleagues on prgtoken the other side of the aisle have pledged loyalty--pledged loyalty--to the importance of States' rights that they are going to leave the decision on abortion to the States. But Senator Graham has shown us that all his talk about States' rights means that the States have to agree with Senator Graham. That is what his idea about States' rights is all about. prgtoken His bill tramples, for example, on the rights of Oregonians, who sure don't share Senator Graham's view on this, and people in many other States, women and men who voted to protect abortion, women's healthcare, and women's individual freedom. prgtoken Senator Graham's bill is about control. It is about government-- government--mind these words--government having control over women's bodies rather than women having control over their bodies. prgtoken It is also clear that what has always been envisioned is not just a nationwide ban on abortions but criminalizing this with women and doctors at some point, I gather, possibly locked behind bars. prgtoken It is election season and Senator McConnell wants everybody to forget the s' top priorities include passing these extreme restrictions through Congress and the courts. I believe that Americans know better. When it comes to this kind of legislation that is so far removed--far removed--from the moderate claim of its sponsor, I think we ought to recognize what we are looking at is a total national abortion ban, cr
A FAIR AND ACCURATE CENSUS ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-9-14

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , this bill does not address Congressional apportionment. It is about making the Census fair and accurate. prgtoken Nevertheless, our Census count has never been limited based on citizenship and there is no doubt that doing so would violate the Constitution. The 14th Amendment says seats in Congress are based on the whole number of persons in each State. Persons, not citizens. prgtoken Last Congress, I chaired a hearing with four former Census directors who served under both and s. All four agreed that excluding undocumented immigrants from the apportionment count violated the Constitution. That is also the position taken by previous administrations, including under Presidents. prgtoken In fact, my committee recently uncovered a draft internal legal memo from the administration about the citizenship question. That memo admitted that using citizenship data to exclude immigrants from the apportionment counts would violate, ``over 200 years of precedent.'' That damning language was removed from the final memo used to push the citizenship question. prgtoken , I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis).
Nomination of Lara E. Montecalvo (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-9-14

today, the Senate will vote to confirm Lara Montecalvo to serve on the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Montecalvo has significant litigation experience at both the trial and appellate level and will be an outstanding addition to the bench. prgtoken She attended Swarthmore College and Boston College Law School. Ms. Montecalvo then worked in the Justice Department's Tax Division as a trial attorney. In 2004, Ms. Montecalvo began working in the Rhode Island Public Defender's Office. She became the Rhode Island Public Defender in 2020. prgtoken As a DOJ trial attorney and as a State public defender, Ms. Montecalvo gained experience in both State and Federal court. She has tried more than 20 cases to verdict, including 15 as sole counsel. In addition, she has personally handled more than 80 appeals. The American Bar Association rated her ``well qualified'' to serve on the First Circuit, and she has the strong support of Senators Reed and Whitehouse. prgtoken Ms. Montecalvo has shown that she is committed to equal justice. I will be supporting her and urge my colleagues to do the same.
A FAIR AND ACCURATE CENSUS ACT
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-9-14

. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 8326, the Ensuring a Fair and Accurate Census Act. prgtoken When took majority in the House in 2018, I was asked what our top oversight projects were going to be. When I said, among them, the Census, it elicited surprise and even some laughs. prgtoken The Census is a huge dataset that underpins whether we fairly represent Americans and how we spend the entire Federal budget. prgtoken The administration and its partisan Census Bureau undermined this critical task in March of 2018 when it planned to add a citizenship question prgtoken to the Census that would have violated the Constitution and reduced response rates, and they knew it. prgtoken I joined my colleague and friend, the late Chairman Elijah Cummings, in leading the fight against this question. I then partnered with Chairwoman Maloney to block the administration from cutting off the Census deadline early and excluding undocumented immigrants from the Census count. prgtoken Our committee's dogged oversight work prevented these illegal and immoral attempts to subvert our very democracy as enshrined in the Constitution. However, we need permanent reforms to ensure that no matter the President or political environment, the Census remains apolitical. That is why we must support this act. prgtoken This bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to certify that any new questions on the decennial Census must meet best practices standards, and it caps the Census Bureau at three political appointees, eliminating a President's ability to flood the Bureau with his acolytes and loyalists. prgtoken Congress must bolster the Census Bureau now, so we are prepared for a fair and accurate 2030 Census. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I thank Chairwoman Maloney for her leadership and for sponsoring this bill.
Abortion (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-9-14

yesterday, was truly a tale of two parties. While one party--the --gathered at the White House to celebrate the passage of our job-creating agenda, the other party--the MAGA s--spent their day introducing a nationwide ban on abortions. prgtoken If the American people want to know what the difference is between the two parties, look no further. One party is focused on jobs--that is us; the other is focused on nationwide abortion bans--that is the extreme MAGA s. prgtoken One party wants to lower inflation and help families make ends meet, to tackle the generational challenges we face and has passed major legislation to that effect, now law. The other party, apparently, wants to eliminate women's autonomy over their own bodies. prgtoken Here is how you know s are dangerously out of touch. Months after women had their freedom of choice taken away by the MAGA Supreme Court, a nationwide abortion ban was actually their attempt to seem more mainstream. Can you believe it? To seem more mainstream? Heaven help us. Heaven help us. It shows just how extreme they are. prgtoken The core problem is that far from being mainstream, a large portion of the Party harbors truly extreme views on a woman's right to choose. In the few months since the Dobbs decision, State legislatures in places like Indiana, South Carolina, and others have either introduced or enacted new abortion restrictions, with alarmingly few exceptions of rape or incest. prgtoken In this Chamber, Senate s spent years confirming judges hostile to freedom of choice, including three sitting Supreme Court Justices who joined with the majority in overturning Roe. And the then- majority leader, now minority leader, Leader McConnell, has repeatedly said his greatest accomplishment is putting these judges on the Court. His greatest accomplishment is putting judges on the Court who overturned Roe v. Wade. Do the American people want that? I don't think so. prgtoken And for all the hemming and hawing we heard yesterday from s about where they really stand on the issue, they cannot run away from their prgtoken record. Setting aside yesterday's proposal, the fact is that 45 Senate s--including Leader McConnell--remain cosponsors of another nationwide abortion ban previously introduced by the Senator from South Carolina. prgtoken Leader McConnell himself told USA Today earlier this year that without Roe, proposals for a nationwide ban on abortions were now ``possible,''--his words--``possible'' if s controlled the Senate. Do the American people want that? Do they want McConnell, Leader Mitch McConnell, to be majority leader and work to impose a nationwide ban on abortions? I don't think so. prgtoken Now, they are sort of running away from what their real beliefs are, but they are like the dog who caught the bus. For years they pushed to make this happen, unfort
Confirmation of E. Martin Estrada (Executive Calendar)
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-9-14

the Senator is right--I am not going to engage in a colloquy on the merits of this request or the previous request. This isn't real. This is a TV show. This is click bait. This is theater. This isn't an actual attempt to pass legislation. prgtoken Senator Lankford approached me about this particular bill on the floor a week ago and asked to engage in a dialogue with me about it. I thought it was a legitimate request, and I set my team to the task of trying to work something out with Senator Lankford. And now there is a unanimous consent request to pass a bill that is under negotiation and discussions between serious legislators who actually want to find a result. prgtoken So, no, I am not going to debate the merits of these UCs. This isn't real. prgtoken I object.
Nomination of Lara E. Montecalvo (Executive Session)
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-9-14

I want to thank my colleagues who voted yesterday, on a bipartisan basis, to advance the nomination of Lara Montecalvo to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. I look forward to her confirmation later today. prgtoken She will soon fill the seat that is being vacated by Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson, who is a trailblazing and outstanding jurist whom I was proud to recommend and who is taking senior status. She will continue to hear cases on a more limited basis, along with Judge Bruce Selya, another distinguished judge from Rhode Island who has taken senior status and who continues to hear cases on the First Circuit. prgtoken Like Judge Thompson and Judge Selya, Lara Montecalvo is someone with great integrity, intellect, and capacity for judicial independence. I am delighted that President nominated her for Rhode Island's traditional seat on the First Circuit. I am pleased that the Judiciary Committee reported her nomination on a bipartisan vote. And I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who voted yesterday to advance her nomination. prgtoken Her resume speaks for itself. As Rhode Island's chief public defender, Ms. Montecalvo has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to upholding our constitutional rights, including the Fifth Amendment right to due process and the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. prgtoken Ms. Montecalvo was a gifted student, who holds degrees from Swarthmore College and Boston College Law School, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2000. prgtoken After graduating from law school, she was immediately drawn to public service. She started her legal career at the Department of Justice for 4 years, focusing on civil tax matters in the Federal courts. In 2004, she joined the Rhode Island Public Defender's Office and has risen through the ranks to lead that office. prgtoken Ms. Montecalvo has more than 20 years of experience as a trial and appellate attorney. She has appeared in just about every court in Rhode Island, including in the State's highest court. Her extensive courtroom experience will add valuable perspectives to the deliberations of the First Circuit. prgtoken But it is more than her resume. Within the Rhode Island legal community, Ms. Montecalvo is known for her zealous advocacy for her clients and her keen sense of justice. She has won accolades from judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials. And individuals across the political spectrum have endorsed her nomination, including five Rhode Island attorneys general and two former U.S. attorneys, one appointed by President and one by President . prgtoken I know Ms. Montecalvo will serve on the First Circuit with honor and distinction as she has at every step of her legal career. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to confirm this highly qualified nominee to serve as a judge on the First Circuit. prgtoken . prgtoken .