mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Energy (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2024-2-27

President 's war on American energy continues. Last month in a move apparently made, in part, to satisfy climate activists on TikTok and win a few votes in the upcoming election, the administration announced a pause on liquefied natural gas export approvals, threatening both domestic energy projects and the energy security of our allies. prgtoken It is difficult to count all the ways in which the President's export approval pause is a terrible decision. But let's start with the national security concerns that it presents. prgtoken At a time when Russia and Iran are flexing their power--with Russia now entering the third year of its unjustified war of aggression with Ukraine and with Iranian-backed militia threatening shipping and security in the Middle East--the President's action threatens to enrich these two countries by increasing demand for their natural gas, and Russia and Iran are ready to oblige. Russia is currently constructing a new liquefied natural gas export facility, and Iran is working on one as well. prgtoken It is ironic that, as the President talks about the importance of opposing Putin, he is taking a step that could actually strengthen Putin's hand by increasing global dependence on Russian energy. Europe, of course, struggled to wean itself off of Russian energy when Russia invaded Ukraine, and American exports played a significant role in replacing Russian imports. prgtoken Now, President 's decision is calling American reliability as an export partner into question and, as a recent article noted, ``is spooking Europe's fragile energy industry.'' prgtoken And let's be very clear. The President's export pause, ostensibly taken for climate-related reasons, will do nothing to reduce global emissions. In fact, it runs the risk of increasing global emissions by pushing other countries to import natural gas from less environmentally friendly exporters or to continue to rely on other forms of energy like coal. Russian natural gas production, for example, is nowhere near as environmentally responsible as American natural gas production, and we have nothing to gain and much to lose environmentally by pushing countries to import gas from places like Russia. prgtoken Finally, of course, there is the risk that the decision will undermine the strength of the U.S. energy sector, something we should be seeking to build up, both for the jobs it provides Americans and because of its ability to strengthen U.S. influence globally. prgtoken President 's decision to pause liquefied natural gas export approvals is, of course, just one in a string of decisions he has made throughout his Presidency that imperil future domestic production and threaten our Nation's energy security. Since the day he took office, President has pursued an agenda that is hostile to conventional sources of energy--namely, oil and natural gas--and he has done everything he can to push our Nation into a
Gender Dysphoria (Executive Calendar)
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2024-2-27

with me today is one of my colleagues from my Senate office, Mr. Matt Turner. prgtoken , not long ago, on February 23, in fact, an article appeared in one of my State's local newspapers. If it had appeared on the opinion page where it belonged, I wouldn't be saying a word because everybody in America has the right to their opinion. Instead, it appeared in the news section as a purportedly objective news article. prgtoken In this article some reporter said, ``The state'' referring to the State of Louisiana, ``The state has already banned transgender young people from receiving gender-affirming medical care.'' prgtoken That is not true, and I want to spend a few minutes responding to this inaccurate statement in the news as opposed to the opinion section of one of my newspapers. prgtoken It is very hard to be a parent today, and it is even harder to be a kid. Between social media and cell phones, this generation is growing up in a way that we could not have imagined a few decades ago. Nowhere is this clearer than the issue of gender confusion among our children. prgtoken Children today are facing an onslaught of identity-obsessed activism. Well before a child learns the difference between adjectives and verbs, activists in many government schools are teaching their pre-K students lessons on transgender pronouns--pronouns like ``ze'' and ``zir.'' Public libraries are hosting ``drag queen story time'' for ``children of all ages.'' prgtoken The American Federation of Teachers--one of our largest, if not the largest, national teachers unions--actually runs a website with a lesson on how teachers can help children hide their transgender status from their parents. I kid you not. TikTok essentially functions as a ``how to transition'' guide book. prgtoken The issue of gender has morphed from a topic that only involved the personal decisions of private adults into a movement--a movement that seeks to inject questions about gender and sexuality into every aspect of a child's life with or without parental approval. In fact, parents who disagree with the notion that adults should be immersing young children in discussions about gender and sexuality fear being smeared as bigots. In more horrifying examples, parents risk losing custody of their children for refusing to adopt a particular--usually a pro- transgender--ideology. prgtoken It is not new for activists to target kids with their political rhetoric--unfortunately, we see it every day in America--but the gender and sexuality agenda goes far beyond the usual policy disputes that we see on a regular basis here in Washington. We are talking about giving children irreversible medical treatments before they can even understand the consequences of those medical procedures. I want to be very clear here. Eighty-five percent of the children who express some confusion about their gender--85 percent of the kids who say they are confused about their gender
Ukraine (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-2-27

nearly 20 years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union as the ``greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the [20th] century,'' and, for decades, he has worked incessantly to revive the repressive empire built by Stalin, including by redrawing European borders by force. prgtoken Back in 2008, he sent the Russian military to bring Georgia, a sovereign democracy, to heel. His forces occupy parts of that country right up to today. prgtoken Precisely 10 years ago today, Putin launched a military invasion into Ukraine to seize Crimea and the Donbas region. prgtoken Of course, today isn't an anniversary of a settled event in the past; it is a mile marker in a campaign of subjugation, brutality, and conquest that remains very much alive. prgtoken Over the past 10 years, Putin's invasion has grown from an initial incursion by ``little green men'' to a massive ground campaign to seize all of Ukraine. But as Russian aggression escalated, two things remained the same: first, the incredible resolve of the Ukrainian people to defend their sovereignty, and second, the tendency of Western partners capable of supporting Ukraine's defense to hesitate instead. prgtoken Think about America's own behavior back in 2014. President was 6 years removed from a promise to ``reset'' relations with Russia and a little more than a year removed from prgtoken mocking his opponent on the Presidential debate stage for warning of the threat posed by Putin. As he put it smugly to our now colleague, Senator Romney, ``The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back.'' That same year, then-Vice President said our colleague from Utah was ``mired in a Cold War mindset.'' prgtoken Well, of course, the - administration didn't just scoff at realism on Russia; they assiduously avoided it. When Ukraine's pro- Western democratic leaders faced an incursion by highly trained Russian troops, they begged for lethal weapons to defend their sovereign territory, but the - administration worried about escalation and sent nonlethal supplies like blankets and MREs instead. The next year, the West's collective failure to support Ukraine military or impose meaningful costs on Russia resulted in cease-fire agreements that at best would have frozen the conflict in place had Putin actually respected them. prgtoken Even as the next administration moved to provide lethal assistance and training for Ukraine and began the process of rebuilding our own military strength, too few European allies were taking Russian aggression or their own pledges to increase defense spending after Putin's 2014 invasion seriously enough. prgtoken Unfortunately, President compounded the problems he had helped sow back when he was Vice President--from a disastrous, credibility- shredding withdrawal from Afghanistan to his constant refusal to steer European allies away from reliance on
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-2-27

as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Merrill Manufacturing of Storm Lake, IA as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken In 1949, Noel Merrill Anderson invented the Any Flow Yard Hydrant out of his garage in Clive, IA. The Any Flow Yard Hydrant is a freeze resistant water tap, which serves the agriculture needs of farms in colder weather climates. With a revolutionary product in hand, Merrill Manufacturing was established. In 1957, the company moved to Storm Lake and expanded by offering the Merrill Pitless Units and Merrill Tank Floats in the following years. In 1975, Noel's son Stephen joined the company and shortly after became president in 1981, while Noel served as chairman of the board. In 2005, Noel Merrill Anderson passed away, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, service, and dedication to entrepreneurial and manufacturing excellence. The third generation of the Anderson family continued this legacy when Stephen's sons Joel and Matt joined Merrill Manufacturing in 2011 and 2016, respectively. prgtoken Today, Merrill Manufacturing sells their yard pumps for rural, farm, and livestock properties all over the world. Since their humble beginnings in a garage outside of Des Moines, they have grown to employ 65 individuals. Merrill Manufacturing's core values include inspiring messages and mission commitment that transcend to all of their employees including: ``Do the right thing,'' ``we before me,'' and ``be part of the solution.'' Merrill Manufacturing is also dedicated to providing wells to communities that need clean drinking water. Stephen Anderson previously served as president and currently serves on the board of the Water Well Trust, a nonprofit that aims to provide water to Americans without water access. prgtoken Merrill Manufacturing and the Anderson family have also been recognized for their hard work. Both Stephen and Noel Merrill Anderson are members of the Iowa Inventors Hall of Fame. In 2009, the Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded Merrill Manufacturing the Global Iowa Export Award. In 2024, Merrill Manufacturing was awarded the Excellence Award by the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. Due to their team's hard prgtoken work, Merrill Manufacturing celebrated its 75th business anniversary in 2024. prgtoken I want to commend the Anderson family for their dedication and incredible commitment to the Storm Lake community and to achieving the American dream. Congratulations to the Anderson family and the entire team at Merrill Manufacturing. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Iowa.
Biden Administration (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2024-2-27

I just returned from the Middle East. We have 140 members of our Wyoming Air National Guard, and they are currently serving our Nation, and they are stationed in Djibouti. Wyoming is very proud of these brave men and women who are fighting for our freedom. Visiting them was a reminder of what makes America strong. It is also a reminder of the challenges we continue to face. prgtoken There is a confluence of crises all around the world, from El Paso, TX, to Jerusalem, Israel. These terrible crises did not emerge overnight. They are the direct result of the weakness of the current President of the United States. prgtoken President has been weak in the defenses of our Nation. It is obvious to me. It is obvious to people around the country. It is obvious to people all around the world. Since he took office, he and the have taken a wrecking ball to so many different sources of our Nation's strength. They hollowed out America's military power in favor of wokeness. It has impacted and undermined recruitment. They sold out American economic strength. In favor of what? Well, Big Government at home and massive government spending. They traded away America's energy dominance. Why? Well, in favor of Green New Deal fantasies. prgtoken It does seem that apologize for American excellence at every turn. They have worked to make us more dependent upon our enemies. prgtoken President 's latest energy disaster--he would call it a move; I would call it a disaster--weakens our Nation even further. The administration announced in January that it would freeze permits for liquefied natural gas exports. I view this decision as astonishingly foolish. prgtoken Affordable, reliable energy is the foundation of a strong, affordable economy. America's energy revolution created many good-paying jobs all across the country and certainly in my home State of Wyoming. It made us as a nation energy independent--some would go so far as to say energy dominant--and it helped us build the world's largest LNG export industry. It also gave our European allies a secure energy source. This is at the time of Russia's incursion into Ukraine. This is one of the best examples of how American economic strength makes the world safer. prgtoken The s want to make Europe less dependent on Russia for energy sources and more connected to the United States. That is not what I see happening with this administration. Both by word and action, and this President make America and our allies more dependent on our adversaries. prgtoken Attacking American energy dominance is a pattern in this administration. It started on day one. Remember, it was day one that, after the President gave a speech right out here at the Capitol Building about how he wanted to bring the Nation together, he went down and took an ax to the Keystone XL Pipeline, and he opened the floodgates at the same time to the crises we are havi
RECOGNIZING TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Eric Schmitt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2024-2-27

I rise today to recognize Missouri's own Truman State University for its outstanding accomplishments in the development and grand opening of the Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center. This center is instrumental in preparing emerging professionals for a prosperous career, as well as advancing education for people with developmental disabilities. prgtoken Before discussing the new center, let me tell you more about my alma mater, Truman State University. Founded in 1867 in Kirksville, MO, Truman State University has been dedicated to offering an exemplary education for the benefit of all. It provides a world-class educational experience in the heartland of the United States. Truman State University enables students with educational prowess and success, and the Greenwood Center is yet another example of that. prgtoken The Greenwood Interprofessional Autism Center provides a patient- centered, evidence-based approach for those on the autism spectrum and for those with other neuro-developmental disorders. In collaboration with partner organizations, the center is at the forefront of research and provides cutting-edge applied behavior analysis services tailored to assisting individuals who are on the autism spectrum. The curriculum is taught by licensed professionals who are experts in providing unparalleled educational opportunities for families, patients, and students enrolled in health-related academic programs. prgtoken By breaking down barriers and destigmatizing what it means to have a developmental disorder, this center is empowering their patients, their patients' families, and their students with skills that they will utilize for their entire lives. I understand from my own personal experiences that caring for someone with special needs requires love, patience, and resources. This center is able to assist many in their journey through life and is a shining example of what our educational institutions are intended to represent and achieve. I am looking forward to learning more about their future successes in the field. prgtoken Once again, I congratulate my alma mater Truman State University on its outstanding efforts in service to Missouri and to its communities. It is truly living its mission to serve its students, and I commend the university for adapting to a rapidly changing educational environment. ``Go Bulldogs.''
SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN OPPORTUNITIES IN SMALL BUSINESS ACT
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-2-28

the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. prgtoken , the Federal procurement goals are one way that Congress helps to ensure that small business government contractors can enter, compete, and remain in the Federal marketplace and that they receive a fair share of contracting dollars when doing so. prgtoken This bill will provide agencies with additional tools and training to maximize awards to firms owned by service-disabled veterans and meet their small business goals. prgtoken , I appreciate the work of my colleagues on this bill, and .
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 3612 (Executive Calendar)
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2024-2-28

the first child born in vitro in the United States was Elizabeth Carr, and she was born in Norfolk, VA, in 1981. Elizabeth's parents were Massachusetts residents. They struggled with infertility, and their dream was to have a child. Yet it was not to be--until they heard about a husband-and-wife team, Howard and Georgeanna Jones, who had been reproductive physicians at Johns Hopkins and then went to England to train with the early pioneer of in vitro fertilization, and they came back to the United States wanting to open a clinic to help couples deal with fertility issues. It must have been a hard road for them to find a place that said yes because this seemed like science fiction at the time, but the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk said: Open a fertility clinic here. prgtoken I was 23 years old then, and in my memory, there was something about it on the cover of Newsweek. I have gone back and realized, no, it was Life magazine. Because it seemed like science fiction. The science is so hard to even wrap your head around, and yet the Carrs read about this, and they started to travel--they were not people with much money--they started to travel to Norfolk and became patients of the two doctors, and their daughter Elizabeth was born in Virginia in 1981. She is 42 years old today. She is raising her own family today. prgtoken Elizabeth has been followed--wrap your head around this: What seemed like unimaginable science fiction in 1981, there are now, by best estimates, 12 million people walking this planet who were born by IVF, living their lives, being happy, raising families, contributing to their communities--12 million people. What could be more pro-life than in vitro fertilization? Twelve million people. prgtoken Elizabeth was interviewed 2 days ago by WBUR, a public radio and television station in Boston. Here is what she said. She talked about her life and what she is doing, and then she said this, very chillingly: ``For the first time in my life, I feel like an endangered species.'' ``I feel like an endangered species.'' prgtoken I think many of us believed that the Dobbs decision--and we made predictions about it--was not fundamentally about pro-life; it was about control. It was about control of women's decisions with respect to abortion, with respect to contraception, and now with respect to deciding: If there is a path out of infertility, I can have a child. They want to control that too. That is what the Alabama Supreme Court has done, and that is what Dobbs was about, and that is why I am proud to sign on to the bill led by Senator Duckworth, the Access to Family Building Act. It is as simple a bill as can be. Healthcare providers have a right to provide fertility treatment, including in vitro services. Patients have a right to access fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization services. prgtoken This is not a mandate. The enforcement provisions are provisions
ATOMIC ENERGY ADVANCEMENT ACT
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2024-2-28

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in support of H.R. 6544, the Atomic Energy Advancement Act. This bill makes important changes to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure that our Nation will be able to license the advanced nuclear reactors that could play a vital role in combating the climate crisis. prgtoken H.R. 6544 will ensure that developers of advanced reactors are not asked to pay more than their fair share of their licensing costs. It will also help create commonsense pathways to site nuclear reactors on brownfield sites and sites that already have a nuclear reactor. Most importantly, it will do these things while ensuring that nothing about the NRC's core mission of safety is compromised. prgtoken Madam , the legislation will also help the NRC attract and retain staff, which is critical since the Commission needs to be at full capacity to license the fleet of new reactors that will apply for licenses over the next decade. prgtoken This was a particularly important provision championed by Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Ranking Member DeGette, and I am very happy that it was included in this package. prgtoken I also thank Chair Duncan for the bipartisan way in which this package of bills was assembled. This is how Congress should always work. We held bipartisan oversight hearings, issued a joint request for information, had a legislative hearing to solicit feedback on the proposals, and eventually moved the legislation through committee, with and s working together every step of the way. As a result, the bill before us today is much stronger than the bill that was first introduced. prgtoken The bill is certainly not perfect. It is a product of compromise, and like all prgtoken compromises, no one got everything they wanted. Further compromise will be necessary as we work together with the Senate to find a path forward to get this bill to the President's desk. prgtoken Madam , this is a strong bill that will protect communities while unlocking our Nation's nuclear potential. It will help lower emissions and ensure that new nuclear plants have a place in our Nation's energy economy, all while ensuring protection of public health and safety. I hope it is something all Members can support. prgtoken Madam , I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and .