mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Border Security (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-11-29

I appreciate the comments of my colleague from Kansas. prgtoken Coming from Texas, this is a familiar topic because we have a 1,200- mile common border with Mexico, and illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and everything that goes along with it has been something we have had to live with pretty much alone for a long time. prgtoken But now, as we have heard some people say, every State has become a border State, and every city is a border city, because what happens at the border does not stay at the border. You get migrants who ultimately make their ways to big cities like New York, Washington, DC, and Chicago. prgtoken The mayor of New York says a few thousand migrants showing up in New York will destroy New York City. Well, what about the 7 million people who have come across the southern border and then released into the interior of the United States, released at the Texas-Mexico border? prgtoken There is not a lot of empathy, not a lot of sympathy for what we have had to endure in our border communities and by the people of Texas, not to mention the billions of dollars that we have had to spend of taxpayer money, by Texans, to do the Federal Government's job. It is outrageous. prgtoken The part that is most tragic is, of course, all the lives lost to the drugs that come across the southern border. What the administration does not seem to understand--or they seem to be in willful suspense of their power of disbelief--is that the 71,000 Americans who died of fentanyl overdoses last year, those drugs come from synthetic opioids made from precursors that come from China, go to Mexico, and are made into something that looks like a pharmaceutical product--relatively innocuous. But fentanyl poisoning is the leading cause of death of Americans 18 to 45 years of age. prgtoken I keep asking myself: What is it going to take? What is it going to take for the administration to wake up and do something about it, to do its job? Well, obviously, 7 million migrants--that is not enough; 108,000 dead Americans--apparently that doesn't get President 's attention. How about the 300,000 children, the unaccompanied minors who have been placed with sponsors in the interior of the United States? prgtoken The New York Times documented that in 85,000 cases, when a call was made 30 days after the child was placed with a sponsor, there was no answer. There have been some terrible stories about forced labor and very dangerous jobs. But it doesn't take imagination to realize that what the administration has done is lose basically 300,000 children. We don't know whether they are going to school. We don't know whether they are getting the healthcare they need. We don't know whether they are being trafficked for sex, forced into involuntary servitude. We don't know. prgtoken The only conclusion I can reach is that the administration and the President of the United States don't care. He doesn't care
NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH MONTH
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-11-29

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership with this bipartisan Rural Healthcare Caucus. prgtoken It is incredibly important and really defines my life. Prior to coming to Congress 15 years ago, I spent 28 years working in rural healthcare as a nonprofit community healthcare therapist, rehab service manager, a manager within rural hospitals, and a licensed nursing home administrator. I witnessed firsthand the challenges that individuals that live in rural America, rural communities face when it comes to healthcare. prgtoken I am acutely aware of the challenges many face when it comes to obtaining reasonably priced healthcare. It is especially critical for rural America, much like the 15th Congressional District of Pennsylvania that I have the privilege of serving today. prgtoken As a Member of Congress representing nearly one-third of the land mass of Pennsylvania, one of the most rural districts east of the Mississippi, I am keenly aware of the problems my constituents face when accessing medical services. prgtoken I always say that when I see rural hospitals in dire challenges, and we are struggling with some of that right now in our district, that the end results in a commute that can mean the difference between life and death to be able to get the services they need within the time frame that is required. prgtoken I saw that firsthand, quite frankly, as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for several decades. The importance of being able to get from that accident scene or from their home to a healthcare setting, a hospital setting in a timely manner, especially for those eventually requiring some type of surgery. prgtoken We talk about the golden hour. It is not an hour in many parts of rural America. We are facing a healthcare crisis in our Nation's rural areas. These often disadvantaged populations are still struggling to access affordable, quality care. Many remain uninsured. Most are underinsured. However, access to quality care remains the largest challenge. prgtoken Even if it is not the bricks and mortar, and we have seen so many of those closed over the past 15 years, it is the talent, the skill, the expertise within that bricks and mortar, the physicians, the nurses, the technicians. It is difficult. prgtoken As someone who used to participate in recruiting this talent into our rural hospitals, it is very challenging to get that, to be able to be successful with that. That is why I am a big fan of telemedicine. prgtoken I am really excited about the advances that we have made in telemedicine over the past decade or so. There is more that needs to be done. prgtoken Even when people gain access to health insurance, it does not equal access to healthcare. Rural hospitals across the country are closing, leaving patients without access to the emergency rooms and long-term care facilities. Quite frankly, where they are not closing, they are always struggling for staff. If you do
PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES FROM FAILURE TO SECURE THE BORDER ACT OF 2023
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-11-29

. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 5283, the Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act of 2023. prgtoken Mr. Chair, these days, every State is a border State, even New York State. Our national parks are treasures that should be enjoyed by the public, not used to house illegal immigrants. That is what the administration wants to do, and we have already seen this unfolding on Federal land in New York. Not only is this unsightly, but there are tremendous security concerns given the lack of oversight; not to mention that this is a horrible misuse of taxpayer dollars, which should be used to enhance our Federal lands for our citizens. prgtoken Under this bill, President and Secretary Mayorkas will no longer be able to use your tax dollars to shelter illegal immigrants who could be threats to our national security and personal safety. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES FROM FAILURE TO SECURE THE BORDER ACT OF 2023
Nicole Malliotakis (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-11-29

. Mr. Chair, the bottom line here is that we need to secure the border. We passed H.R. 2, which can stem this unsustainable flow. Unfortunately, a lot of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle prgtoken voted against H.R. 2. That is the real solution. We need to secure our border. prgtoken Let's revert to the policies that were working previous to dismantling our border and making it open. It is unsafe and unsustainable for both American citizens as well as the individuals who are taking the treacherous journey at the hands of the drug cartels, which are profiting off of this human trafficking. Our government should not allow it to continue. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH MONTH
Jill N. Tokuda (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2023-11-29

unfortunately, the sad reality is that if you are living in rural America, you are more likely to experience lower health expectations, lower health quality, and lower life expectancy simply because of your ability to access healthcare that you need. prgtoken I have sat with constituents in my community of Wainiha who have asked me if it was fair that people that live right down the road in urban Honolulu live 10 years longer than they do. While at times it may seem that they may require more medical attention and care, rural Americans often have more access to healthcare because of such things as you have heard of today: physician shortages, lack of reliable and affordable transportation options, insufficient health insurance coverage, and an increased exposure to environmental and occupational hazards. prgtoken As a Representative in Congress for one of the most rural and remote districts in the country, I know that many of my constituents are often just one diagnosis away from a serious illness and the difficult financial and family decisions that often come with this. prgtoken Across the country, more than 60 million Americans, about one in five Americans live in rural areas. While they make up just 18 percent of the total U.S. population, they are scattered, as we have heard, across 97 percent of our country's land area. prgtoken Rural Americans face numerous health disparities as compared with their urban counterparts. Rural Americans are more likely to die from heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke, as compared to their urban counterparts. prgtoken Unintentional injury or death. You heard Representative Thompson talk a little about this and the ``golden hour.'' They are more likely, by 50 percent higher rates, to die in rural areas as compared to urban areas often because of their ability to access emergency care when involved in a motor vehicle crash or opioid overdose. prgtoken There are so many steps that we can continue to address, but I would have us hear from another part of our great country and a rural caucus, that of the great State of North Carolina. prgtoken , from North Carolina (Mr. Davis), another distinguished member of our Rural Health Caucus.
Immigration (Executive Session)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2023-11-29

I rise today alarmed at s' demands for drastic anti-immigrant policy changes in exchange for continued support for Ukraine. prgtoken For nearly 2 years, our allies in Ukraine have fought off Putin's unjust invasion with the support of the United States--support President Zelenskyy himself has said is essential to his country's success. But now, as Ukrainians fight to defend their country and democracy itself, s are holding additional aid hostage in exchange for unrelated immigration policy changes. prgtoken In exchange for one-time funding for Ukraine, s are demanding permanent policy changes that would further weaken our broken immigration system. The proposal put forward by several of my colleagues earlier this month would further complicate our asylum system and sow further chaos--chaos--at the southern border. This plan would require asylum seekers to apply for asylum in every country through which they transit--a clear violation of international law that would effectively deny asylum to almost anyone outside of Mexico or Canada who cannot fly directly to the United States. prgtoken Similarly, raising the standard for initial asylum screenings, known as credible fear interviews, would require asylum seekers to present even more detailed asylum claims within just days of a traumatic journey to the United States, typically while being detained in DHS custody and without the assistance of counsel. By making it even harder for the most vulnerable to seek asylum, these changes would result in political dissenters and persecuted minorities being sent back to danger and, in some instances, to their deaths. prgtoken The s' plan would also make the situation at the southern border more chaotic by eliminating the President's parole authority, which the administration has used to create safe, orderly pathways for nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States. Eliminating this parole authority prgtoken would force vulnerable people from these countries to make a dangerous journey to our border to seek protection rather than applying for protection in advance. prgtoken As the only immigrant currently serving in the Senate, I know that the challenges confronting immigrants are not hypothetical. This isn't about statistics; it is about people--people desperate for opportunity and the hope of building a better life in our country. A plan that villainizes and degrades those seeking to enter our country is bad enough; but this plan does little to address the actual issues facing immigrants, failing to acknowledge the plight of DACA recipients, temporary protected status holders, and undocumented individuals living in the shadows while contributing to our communities and our economy. prgtoken Just this month, the Judiciary Committee, on which I sit, held a hearing on how to improve immigration courts. Immigration experts
TRIBUTE TO BRUCE SAITO
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-11-29

I rise today to congratulate Bruce Saito, director of the California Conservation Corps--CCC--on a decades-long career spent protecting California's environment, building a climate workforce of the future, and introducing generations of Californians to the conservation movement. prgtoken Today, the CCC is the oldest and largest conservation corps in the country and stands as a hallmark of California's commitment to the environment. But in 1977, just 1 year into its nascent mission, a young Bruce Saito signed up to serve with the organization as a supervisor and instructor, initiating what would become nearly a half-century of service protecting the beautiful State he grew up in. prgtoken From the beginning, Bruce worked diligently, earning promotions to become the director of the Los Angeles Urban Center and conservationist supervisor at the CCC Camarillo Center. In 1986, he left the CCC to help found the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, where he would serve for three decades transforming the nonprofit into one of the largest in the country. Thanks to Bruce, over 100,000 trees have been planted in and around Los Angeles, and parks around the city have thrived. prgtoken In 2015, Bruce would return to his roots when Governor Jerry Brown appointed him to serve as director of the CCC, where he served until October 31, 2023. In his time working there, Bruce has helped countless young Californians, giving young people valuable skills that in turn launched many of their careers and ignited lifelong passions for conservation. prgtoken California is a leader in the fight against the climate crisis--not just in the United States, but around the world. But that ethos of environmentalism, the culture of care for the community, wasn't always inevitable. California remains the environmental envy of the Nation because of people like Bruce, who not only had the passion to protect our earth but the willingness to bring others along with him. prgtoken And it is because of people like Bruce that our children's generation has a chance to know the same beauty of the land around us that we grew up with. prgtoken All of California wishes Bruce well in his much-deserved retirement, and we thank him for his decades of service.
PANCREATIC DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-11-29

I rise today to recognize the month of November as Pancreatic Disease Awareness Month on behalf of Americans across the country suffering from pancreatic diseases. prgtoken Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach. The pancreas has two main functions, to make insulin and to make enzymes that help you digest food. Pancreatitis occurs when enzymes damage the pancreas. It can be acute or chronic, and either form can lead to pain, organ failure, diabetes, disability, and sometimes death. prgtoken There remains a troubling lack of awareness about conditions of the pancreas, such as knowing the signs and symptoms and proper treatment. This can lead to years of misdiagnosis and increasing severity of the disease. prgtoken While scientific progress has been made because of investment in medical research through the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense, treatment options for pancreatitis are limited. Chronic or severe cases may require organ removal or significant surgical procedures. I am proud to work with my colleagues on an annual basis to support and increase funding for Federal medical research programs to sustain progress toward innovative treatment options and better patient care. prgtoken In addition to limited treatment options, people affected by pancreatic diseases face challenges with health coverage and access to specialty care. Progress has been made with the enactment of legislation like the No Surprises Act and adoption of an out-of-pocket cap in Medicare part D through the Inflation Reduction Act, but more can be done to lower out-of-pocket costs. prgtoken As a member of the HELP, Finance, and Aging Committees, the three committees in the Senate that handle healthcare issues, I will continue to work with my colleagues to address coverage, access, and health equity issues impacting individuals affected by conditions of the pancreas, as well as patients across the country. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing November as National Pancreatic Disease Awareness Month.
Childcare (Executive Calendar)
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-11-29

I am so pleased to be joining with my colleagues today to talk about something that is so fundamentally important for our families. prgtoken So many times, I have heard from folks saying: We are paying more for childcare than our mortgage payment and trying to keep our house together. prgtoken It is very frightening for many families trying to juggle those costs. So we have an urgent need for our families, for our economy, for our future. prgtoken Every morning, millions of families in Michigan and across the country go through the very same ritual. Sleepy children are roused out of bed, clothes are chosen, breakfasts are eaten, faces are washed, teeth are brushed, snacks are packed, and then it is a scramble out the door. Car seats are buckled and off to the local childcare center. Only then can mom or dad's workday begin. For millions of families, this essential daily routine is at risk of falling apart. prgtoken The American childcare system, already under severe strain before the pandemic, now is in danger of collapse. During the pandemic, I am so proud that we as cheered critical emergency funding that helped keep 10 million children in childcare. That funding expired, as colleagues have indicated, on September 30. Without it, more than 700,000 childcare programs could close--700,000--and 3.2 million families could be left scrambling. prgtoken As programs are forced to close their doors, quality care will be harder and harder to find, and what care is available will be harder and harder for families to afford. prgtoken Some people may say: You know, I don't have kids in childcare. Why should I care? prgtoken You will care when your doctor or dental appointment gets canceled because the nurse or the hygienist can't find anyone to watch their children that day. You will care when your favorite coffee shop shuts down because the owners can't find enough workers. You will care when your very best employee has to drop out of the workforce and stay home with her baby because she can't find quality, affordable childcare. prgtoken The childcare industry is like the scaffolding that our entire economy rests on. When that scaffolding collapses, down goes the economy. President understands that, and he has requested the critical funding needed to keep this crucial scaffolding standing. It is time that we come together on a bipartisan basis and act. American families, American parents, and children just can't wait. prgtoken Just as importantly, we have another challenge we need to be meeting right now that relates to families, to moms and kids. We need to ensure that American moms and American babies aren't going hungry on our watch. prgtoken We have this wonderful program that has been supported on a bipartisan basis since the beginning called the WIC--Women, Infants, and Children--Program. It is a program that provides critical food assistance, medical screenings, breastfeeding support,
PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES FROM FAILURE TO SECURE THE BORDER ACT OF 2023
Nydia M. Velázquez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-11-29

. Madam Chair, I thank Ranking Member Grijalva for yielding. prgtoken I rise today in opposition to this disingenuous bill introduced under the guise of protecting National Park Service land. prgtoken If s were really concerned about protecting our national parks, why did they vote to cut the National Park Service budget by approximately half a billion dollars in the appropriations bill that they passed less than a month ago? prgtoken The point here is not to protect the National Park Service. The point here is cruelty. prgtoken If extreme MAGA s really wanted to preserve public lands, why have they passed bills that include shameless giveaways of our public lands and waters to the destructive oil, gas, and mining industries? prgtoken If s really cared about our Federal lands, why have they continuously tried to gut bedrock environmental laws, like the Endangered Species Act, since taking the majority? prgtoken s do not care about our national parks. They are simply looking for more excuses to spread anti-immigrant rhetoric. prgtoken I know firsthand that the situation in New York is a humanitarian crisis and not a partisan issue. If you want to tackle the root cause of this, let's get together to draft legislation. We have legislation that has been introduced--in many instances, bipartisan legislation. Let's get real and deal with the broken system that we have in this country and address comprehensive immigration reform.
HONORING XINH DWELLEY
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-11-29

my region just lost an extraordinary woman, Xinh Dwelley, after her lengthy battle with cancer. prgtoken Xinh was so many things to so many people. She was an outstanding chef who treated so many people to amazing meals, who published cookbooks and took immense joy in feeding people. prgtoken She was an inspiration, someone with a powerful immigrant story who loved America mightily. In fact, one of my favorite moments in this job was gifting her a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol in her honor, and she was just so proud. prgtoken She was a community icon who supported local people and local causes with a generous heart and a warm smile. Perhaps most importantly, she was a friend to so many. prgtoken She was kind and caring. She treated me and others like family. She would give you a long, loving smile and say, I want to cook for you. I last saw Xinh in August and feel lucky to have been able to celebrate and appreciate her. prgtoken , please join me in offering condolences to Xinh's family and to all who loved her. She will be missed by so many.