mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2023-3-1

I was delayed in joining my colleagues here to talk about this so-called anti-woke capitalism, or anti-ESG scheme, that has been propagated. prgtoken I think the important thing to begin with is to understand what is happening out there, why this has happened. The s would like us to believe that some bizarre, viral epidemic of wokeism has spread into America's great financial companies, into the investment advisers, into the banks, into all kinds of fiduciaries, and that that needs to be somehow excised. That is not what has happened. That is preposterous, magical thinking. prgtoken What has happened is that the long forecasted dangers of climate change that scientists have been telling us about for years have now gotten so real and are so immediate that they have hit the due diligence horizon for big banks, big investment companies, corporate boards, and other fiduciaries. When you owe somebody else a fiduciary duty, like your shareholders or your investors or your customers at a bank, then you have to tell them the truth, and you have to tell them the truth about risks. The risks associated with climate change--the risks caused by the fossil fuel industry's relentless emissions--are now so real and so immediate that they can't be denied by big institutions that have no real interest in climate change but are absolutely obliged to tell the truth as fiduciaries. prgtoken So that fiduciary threshold--that due diligence horizon--has been crossed, and the fossil fuel industry, which is used to bullying to get its way, is now pushing this completely fake, anti-ESG effort in order to try to undo what the free market and what real life in facts and fiduciary obligations are causing other industries to deal with. prgtoken The one telltale clue here is that, when they are done talking about woke capitalism and when they are done talking about anti-ESG stuff, when you actually look at what the objection is--what the specific thing is that they are pushing back against--in the ESG, it is always the ``E.'' It is never the ``S.'' It is never the ``G.'' It is not social stuff. It is not governance stuff. It is environmental stuff. Within that ``E,'' for environmental stuff, it is ``E'' for emissions. That is always the gravamen of the complaint. prgtoken So that tells you a lot about who is behind this, and who is pitching it tells you a lot about who is behind this because you have got fossil fuel-funded organizations, like the Attorneys General Association that is cranking up and turning out attorneys general to push this theory. You have got the State treasurers, often funded by the fossil fuel industry, and a group called the State Financial Officers Foundation, which has glommed the State treasurers together to try to push on this. You have got State boards, like the Texas Railroad Commission--again, heavily, heavily, heavily involved with the fossil fue
REDUCE EXACERBATED INFLATION NEGATIVELY IMPACTING THE NATION ACT
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-3-1

. Mr. Chair, so I believe our colleagues are coming clean. They opposed the American Rescue Act, which was absolutely essential legislation to get the country out of the economic wreckage during the last administration. prgtoken We had 14.8 percent unemployment; the highest unemployment rate since the Department of Labor started keeping statistics. prgtoken Today it is down to 4 percent with the creation of 12 million new jobs under the administration. So they shift the subject from unemployment, which they used to talk about, to inflation. prgtoken Well, they raised the debt limit themselves three times under who contributed 25 percent of the entire debt of the Nation between George Washington and . prgtoken Mr. Chair, 25 percent all came from the administration, but they are looking for something to try to pin on . prgtoken So rather than acknowledging that Putin's war in Russia and the disruption of the global supply chains caused by the coronavirus pandemic created a global inflation, and America is doing much better bringing it down than anybody else, they decide just to try to demonize and vilify . prgtoken Why? Because the cabinet is empty. The cupboard is bare. There are no ideas over there, as the distinguished minority leader said. prgtoken They are not offering any ideas--some reporting requirements, and they are doodling on that; should it be a billion or a million or hundred million. prgtoken Who knows? There has been no hearing on it, so they are making it up as they go along on the floor of the House. We can do much better as we did in the 117th Congress to get America moving again. prgtoken .
DENOUNCING ABHORRENT REMARKS
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-3-1

. Madam , last week, one of our colleagues from across the aisle made very ignorant comments and questioned Representative Judy Chu's loyalty and service to this country. prgtoken These claims were baseless, discriminatory, and flat-out wrong. As one of his own colleagues said, these types of troubling comments are out of bounds and, yes, beyond the pale. prgtoken Questioning Congresswoman Judy Chu's loyalty to the United States purely based on her Chinese heritage is not only racist and xenophobic, it is very dangerous, and it is not new. prgtoken Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was subject to baseless accusations of being a communist by J. Edgar Hoover. These same harmful bouts of hateful misinformation have been cast on myself, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and other women of color in Congress. It is despicable. prgtoken Madam , hate speech leads to hate violence. We must clearly and strongly denounce this kind of rhetoric, especially during a time when our AAPI community continues to be a target of hateful aggression against the country. prgtoken Congresswoman Chu has been a steadfast warrior for constituents in her district, the AAPI community, and for all marginalized communities she has worked for across our country. She is a great patriot. prgtoken To question her service and loyalty to the United States is shameful and unacceptable.
CONFIRMATION OF ARACELI MARTINEZ-OLGUIN
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-3-1

this week, the Senate confirmed Araceli Martinez-Olguin to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. prgtoken A first-generation American, Ms. Martinez-Olguin graduated from Princeton University and the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, before clerking for Judge David Briones on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. From there, she embarked on a legal career defined by her commitment to protecting the rights of immigrants, workers, students, and women--from the ACLU Women's Rights Project to Legal Aid at Work, to the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, and the National Immigration Law Center. In addition to her experience assisting with legal briefs for cases being considered by the Supreme Court, Ms. Martinez-Olguin has focused on dozens of immigration and employment matters, many of which implicated complex statutory schemes. prgtoken The American Bar Association rated Ms. Martinez-Olguin as ``qualified,'' and her nomination was strongly supported by her home State Senators, Mrs. Feinstein and Mr. Padilla. prgtoken With a career-long commitment to defending equal justice for all, and a professional background that is historically underrepresented on the bench, Ms. Martinez-Olguin will serve the Northern District of California with distinction. I was proud to support her nomination.
REDUCE EXACERBATED INFLATION NEGATIVELY IMPACTING THE NATION ACT
Ilhan Omar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2023-3-1

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise today to call on Congress to take up economic measurement tools that will uplift all Americans. prgtoken My amendment would add factors from the genuine progress indicator to register budgetary reporting. GPI would supplement the information we get from traditional measures like GDP, which mainly emphasizes growth for its own sake. prgtoken GPI would provide a more accurate and inclusive assessment of economic well-being. It evaluates the positive and negative factors of economic activity ranging from the benefits of infrastructure and workforce development to the process costs of income inequality and pollution on our collective well-being. prgtoken It would give us the chance to finally account for important but overlooked aspects of society such as wealth distribution, economic sustainability, and the overall quality of life for everyday Americans. prgtoken We must recognize that collective prosperity is only attainable if we identify the gaps and barriers preventing our most vulnerable communities from thriving. prgtoken My amendment simply seeks to give lawmakers more comprehensive data so that we can make more informed policy decisions. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote for this amendment in order to focus our policy lens on the lives of working and poor families in America. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
Department of Labor Rule Repeal (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-3-1

. s have been trying mightily to turn ESG into their newest dirty little acronym. They are using the same tired attacks we have heard for a while now--that this is more wokeness, that it is intrusion into the markets, and on and on and on. prgtoken But s are missing or ignoring an important point: Nothing in the DOL rule imposes a mandate. prgtoken Again, let me repeat that: Nothing in the rule they seek to undo imposes a mandate. prgtoken It merely says that if fiduciaries wish to look at ESG factors and if their methods are shown to be prudent--it is a very narrow rule--then they have the freedom to do so--the freedom to do so. It is literally allowing the free market to do its work. prgtoken This isn't about ideological preference. It is about looking at the biggest picture possible for investors to minimize risk and maximize returns. prgtoken Why shouldn't you look at the risks posed by increasingly volatile climate incidents? Why shouldn't they consider aging populations or other trends that could impact their portfolio? prgtoken In fact, more than 90 percent of S&P 500 companies already publish ESG reports today. prgtoken The present rule gives investment managers an option. The rule, on the other hand, ties investors' hands--no freedom for companies to choose what they think is right. prgtoken s talk about their love of the free market, small government, ``let the private sector do its work,'' but their obsession with eliminating ESG would do the opposite, forcing their own views down the throats of every company and every investor. prgtoken I say: Let the market work. Let the market work. Mr. and Mrs. Free Market s, what the heck are you doing here? Imposing your views on these companies? prgtoken If the market naturally leads to the consideration of ESG factors, then s should practice what they have long preached and get out of the way.
HONORING MIKE GONZALEZ
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-3-1

I rise today to honor the achievements of Mr. Mike Gonzalez. prgtoken Mr. Gonzalez is originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, and immigrated to the United States of America at age 17. After immigrating to the U.S he began his new life by obtaining a license from the State of California to start his career as a private investigator and bodyguard, eventually starting his own company. prgtoken A resident of Santa Ana, California, since 1987, he now owns several businesses, including Santa Ana Security Services, Inc and employs 250 men and women. Mr. Gonzalez is a community leader and activist in Santa Ana, where he organizes the annual May Day March for immigrant rights, workers' rights, and human rights for all. He also coordinated the historic ``2006 March'' to protest a law that sought to criminalize those who help undocumented immigrants in the United States. prgtoken Mr. Gonzalez is an active member in the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and he serves as the organization's vice president of Immigration Reform. In this role, he participates in historic campaigns such as, but not limited to, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the 2018 VOICES Act, and the 2019 ``Keep California Families Together'' law. prgtoken He was a counselor to the previous four Presidents of Mexico electors at the Consulate of Mexico. In 1995, he actively participated in campaigns that led to an amendment to the Mexican Constitution. In the period of 2005 through 2008, he was a member of the Advisory Council of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (CC-IME). From 2012 through 2015, he was an inventor and coordinator of the Commission of Art, Culture, and Mexican Traditions Abroad. prgtoken Mr. Gonzalez is a practicing Catholic and gives thanks to God for his many blessings. He is a man who has made many positive contributions to his community. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and celebrating the exceptional achievements and career of Mr. Mike Gonzalez.
RECOGNIZING EUGENE HARMOND
Lucy McBath (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2023-3-1

. Madam , today I rise to commemorate a monumental milestone in the career of Mr. Eugene Harmond as part of our Black History Month celebrations. Mr. Harmond will soon celebrate 50 years of flight service with Delta Airlines. prgtoken Eugene Harmond was the first African-American male flight attendant hired by Delta Airlines in 1973 at a time when there were very few male flight attendants and even fewer men of color in the industry. prgtoken I served as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines for 30 years, and I would convey my profound gratitude and respect to Mr. Harmond as he marks 50 years of flight service this year. prgtoken Our commitment to kindness, caring, and safety instilled towards all those we serve always stays with you. I am honored to have Mr. Harmond, his wife, Loreine, and their daughter, Lokie in the House Gallery today. prgtoken From a former flight attendant and on behalf of the thousands of Americans you have served, congratulations and thank you.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2023-3-1

there is a group of elected officials in prgtoken our country today who are engaged in an anti-capitalist crusade. But they are not socialists; they are mostly congressional s. prgtoken This CRA is gross government overreach on U.S. capital markets. It is designed to prevent pension plans from pursuing environmental, social, and governance--or ESG--investing. But make no mistake, it is only the latest step in a campaign to prevent American financial institutions from making money from the clean energy revolution, and it should offend anyone who supports free markets. prgtoken The reason this is happening is that the fossil fuel industry faces a risk wall, where the risks associated with climate change are clear enough that retirement plan sponsors may want to consider them when investing assets. The administration banned them from doing so, implementing a rule that pension fund managers couldn't consider ESG investing. The administration's rule merely reverses this ban, going back to a neutral stance--going back to be a neutral stance. It is not telling them to do environmental, social, and governance goals; it is just saying: Do whatever you want. It is none of our business. The Federal Government has no business in determining how pension funds deploy their resources. prgtoken But rather than own up to the risks or reduce their emissions, the fossil fuel industry is trying to remove climate-related elements from risk consideration, and the Party is helping. prgtoken This closely coordinated effort is being driven by a network of dark money organizations fronting for climate denial groups. One attacker of ESG investing is the Rule of Law Defense Fund--the political arm of the State Attorneys General Association, which urged people to come to the Capitol on January 6 and aid in the attempted overthrow of our democracy. prgtoken This dark money helps to win elections, and the fossil fuel industry is becoming more aggressive because of the increase in green investing. Right now, more than $8 trillion in U.S. assets is under management employing sustainable investing strategies. ESG investing is expected to represent more than 20 percent of all global assets in the next 5 years, and this growth is occurring for one simple reason: It is profitable. It is profitable. prgtoken Some asset managers are pursuing sustainable investing at the behest of their clients. Others have determined sustainable investing fits a long-term strategy to grow retirement savings. Any plan sponsor considering sustainable investing is simply meeting the moment. prgtoken But here is the real point: It is their call. It is not our call. That is just capitalism in action, and the climate deniers are getting their butts kicked in the free market, and they are mad about it, and so they want to make a law to stop the bleeding. prgtoken Imagine an elected official telling an investment firm
RAIL SAFETY REGULATIONS
Greg Landsman (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-3-1

. Madam , I rise today in support of the folks in East Palestine, Ohio, and for bipartisan congressional action on 21st century rail safety regulations. prgtoken On February 3, 38 train cars derailed in East Palestine, Ohio; 11 of them carrying highly explosive material. There was a massive explosion, and the community has been reeling ever since. prgtoken Congressman Bill Johnson pulled the entire Ohio delegation together, s and , to ask FEMA for additional action. prgtoken FEMA's response: Full aid will be provided, and teams are on the ground to help now. prgtoken While Norfolk Southern will be responsible for making East Palestine whole, we must now act to ensure this never happens again. prgtoken Congress, all of us, s and , need to pass a bipartisan package that ensures safety from the wheel bearings to the brakes, from the detectors to the placards, for more frequent and comprehensive inspections to clearer communications with our communities. prgtoken We must do this for the folks in East Palestine, for Cincinnati and southwest Ohio, and for every community in this great country of ours.
RECOGNIZING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF JOSEFINA ORTEGA
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-3-1

I rise today to honor and celebrate the 100th birthday of Josefina Ortega. prgtoken Josefina was born February 10, 1923, in Contla, Jalisco, Mexico. She migrated to the United States in 1961, starting a new life in the City of Pomona. For 18 years she worked as a seamstress at Betty Oden Dresses in Walnut, California--famous for their vintage ruffle lace tulle and church dresses. In 2015, she became a proud naturalized citizen of the United States. prgtoken On behalf of the 35th Congressional District, I congratulate Josefina on this incredible milestone. It is my honor to represent courageous people like her. I am grateful for her 62 years of residency in my district. I was honored to join her and hear her sing at her 100th Birthday celebration. I hope that she enjoys much happiness in the coming year.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2023-3-1

. Before the Senator from Minnesota leaves the floor, I want to say I could not agree with you more. prgtoken My dad used to talk to my sister and me about common sense. He would say: Just use some common sense. prgtoken Thank you for appealing to our better judgment and common sense. Thanks a lot. prgtoken , I rise today to talk for a few minutes about three letters--ESG--and, as Aretha Franklin might say, to find out what it means to me. prgtoken Now, as my staff knows, I am not a fan of acronyms or jargon. ESG is a shorthand description for a form of investing that takes into account environmental, social, and governance factors. It means very little to the average American worker. So let me try to make this simple and real for them. prgtoken Millions of American workers are saving for retirement or are already withdrawing from a retirement plan, thanks to their employer-sponsored retirement plan, like a 401(k). Each paycheck, hard-working Americans do their best, even when times are tight, to put money away for their future and the future of their children and grandchildren with the hope that, down the road, those weekly or monthly contributions will grow over time and help folks retire with dignity well into their golden years. And with some good fortune and a prudent investment strategy, retirement accounts can also provide certainty and security so that Americans can enjoy their retirement--to take the vacation that you and your spouse always wanted, to make a charitable donation, or maybe to send their grandchild to college. prgtoken Those retirement savings often grow thanks to something called a fiduciary, who manages American workers' retirement money. There is a Federal law prgtoken called the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, that first passed in 1974 but has been amended many times to ensure that fiduciaries are doing right by American workers. prgtoken When decisions are made on behalf of an individual investor, I don't think it is controversial to say that every American wants their money to grow as much as is reasonably possible. In order to make the best decision for Americans' hard-earned retirement savings, I also don't think it is controversial to say that the Federal Government shouldn't be dictating investment decisions. It shouldn't. prgtoken While the previous administration actually blocked fiduciaries from considering economic factors such as climate risk, I believe that is the wrong approach. The administration's unpredictable and uneven rulemaking led to confusion in the business community and uncertainty for investors. prgtoken Now, let's be clear. A range of economic factors, including climate change, can impact investment returns and thus fiduciaries' investment decisions. The reality is that concerns about our environment--that is the ``E''--and about the social impact of corporate activities--that is the ``S''--and the corporate governance struct
RECOGNIZING THE SOJOURNER TRUTH AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
Doris O. Matsui (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-3-1

I rise to honor the Sojourner Truth African American Heritage Museum for contributing to Sacramento's rich history. Since 1996, the museum has served as an institution dedicated to community education, and the celebration of African American art, history, and culture. prgtoken The Sojourner Truth African American Heritage Museum honors the legacy of Sojourner Truth, not only by dedicating exhibits to her life and work, but also by enriching and empowering community members in the spirit of her activism. The Museum showcases a timeline of African American history, spanning across thousands of years from 14th century African kings to modern day icons. Exhibitions also honor innovators and their contributions to American culture by exploring topics such as Black Cowboys, Black Inventors, the Harlem Renaissance, and Black Millionaires. Sacramento's history is brilliantly displayed and highlights the reconstruction of Dunlap's Dining Room, Sacramento's first African American-owned restaurant and the Dana Maeshia Wall Library and Media Station, commemorating local hero Dana Maeshia, who served her community in life with literacy programs for African American children. prgtoken The Museum also hosts a variety of programs and workshops that invite community members to explore artistic interests and engage in skill development. Some of these programs foster youth personal and professional development, such as the After-School Mentorship Program and the Youth Entrepreneurial Development Program. The Youth Docent Program, a recent 2021 addition, hosts seven students in paid positions, offering them the opportunity to foster community outreach and visitor engagement skills. prgtoken , today we honor the Sojourner Truth African American Heritage Museum for educating and enriching the Sacramento community, and I thank Founder and Director, Shonna McDaniels, as well as the Museum's partners for making the continued success of this institution possible for the Sacramento region.