mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
WELCOMING THE GUEST CHAPLAIN
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2024-5-23

let me just say a word of welcome today to Pastor Adam Weber. You heard him offer the opening prayer today. I am very privileged to have him here, and Adam is someone whose family I have known for a long time. I sort of watched him grow up, if you will. He is a Milbank, SD, native, a graduate of Augustana College, and at the young age of 24, started a church called Embrace Church in Sioux Falls, SD. And at that time, I think their first service had 32 people. prgtoken His office was a Chevy Cavalier, and a decade later, it was one of the fastest growing churches, literally, in this entire country. They have continued to grow through the years and they will do it the same way they always have and that is one person at a time. prgtoken Embrace's heart is to relentlessly reach the next person for Jesus. It is something that Adam lives out. He seeks out strangers. He goes for what he calls ``nonfluff'' conversations, and he reaches people, lots and lots of people, with the good news of the Gospel. prgtoken And I have had the opportunity to attend services at Embrace along with my wife. Adam also has a podcast which reaches literally thousands and thousands of people that I have listened to. prgtoken He interviews people from all walks of life and talks to them about their spiritual formation, and it is very meaningful to his listeners and certainly has been important in my life, too, as we try to apply the truth of the Scriptures at a time when we face enormous challenges as a country and in a lot of our communities across the country. prgtoken So I am delighted to have Adam here, thankful for his ministry, and grateful to Chaplain Black for making it possible for him to be Chaplain for the day. And I would tell my colleagues what I have said many times before, and that is that we do have a Bible study the Chaplain leads on a weekly basis, Thursday at noon, and encourage all of my colleagues to attend. prgtoken It has been enormously important to me through the years in keeping me anchored and grounded on the solid rock at times when things can be very uncertain and sometimes tumultuous around us. So I am grateful for the Chaplain for his leadership here and delighted to have Pastor Adam Weber from Sioux Falls, SD, and Embrace Church with us here today in the U.S. Senate.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PAUL FREDERICK ENGLER
Ronny Jackson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-5-23

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Paul Frederick Engler of Amarillo, Texas. Paul was a lifelong entrepreneur and innovator, whose passion and dedication transformed the cattle feeding industry. prgtoken Born in Stuart, Nebraska, Engler's passion for the cattle industry started at a young age, buying his first cattle herd at age 12. At 15 years old, Engler graduated from High School and went on to complete his undergraduate degree in agriculture at the University of Nebraska. prgtoken Engler moved to Hereford, Texas in 1960, founding Hereford Feedyard, where his entrepreneurial instincts and determination allowed him to drive economic development in the Panhandle. By 1972, he had become an executive at Iowa Beef Processors, once the largest beef processor in the Nation. While Engler had already established a notable reputation for himself in the cattle feeding industry, in 1975, he moved to Dumas, Texas, where he founded Cactus Feeders, and under his leadership, Cactus Feeders would become one of the largest feeding operations in the world. prgtoken Through innovative feeding programs, rigorous quality standards, and a commitment to continuous improvement, Paul Engler elevated the standards of excellence in beef production, earning the respect and admiration of his peers across the globe. To name a few, he was named a ``Top 40 Beef Industry Giant,'' received the Cattle Business of the Century Award, the Industry Advancement Award, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Vision Award. He was an initial inductee to the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame and the first recipient of the Industry Achievement Award. He was also inducted to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Meat Industry Hall of Fame. prgtoken Beyond his professional achievements, at heart, Paul Engler was a philanthropist dedicated to giving back to the communities that have supported him throughout his journey. Through the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation, he has made significant contributions to West Texas A&M University, where he received an Honorary Ph.D. in Business Administration and Agriculture from the College of Business and the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, both bearing his name. The Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation also helped establish the Engler Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to support agribusiness and establish a student program focused on entrepreneurship with the goal that students who graduate from the program would return to their communities inspired to build strong businesses. prgtoken Engler was laid to rest in Amarillo, Texas on May 8, 2024, surrounded by his family and friends. His contributions to the agriculture industry will remain unmatched, and he will be truly missed by the countless individuals he impacted. Engler was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, and his oldest daughter Teresa Raizen. Engler is survived by Michael Engler a
BORDER SECURITY
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-5-23

we are nearing the end of President 's term, and the American people's patience for his failure to secure our southern border is running thin. After 3 years in office, nearly every conceivable metric has distinguished the administration from its predecessors for all of the wrong reasons. Since the President took office, Customs and Border Protection has seen the highest annual total for border encounters on record. CBP has reported more than 7.8 million encounters with illegal immigrants at the southern border, and this doesn't even count the 1.6 million known ``got-aways.'' prgtoken Fentanyl and other lethal drugs pushed by China through Mexico and across our border are the primary cause of death among American adults between ages 18 and 45. prgtoken And reports of individuals on the Terror Watch List trying to sneak across the southern border have literally soared on President 's watch. Five years ago, CBP didn't encounter a single individual on the list between southern border ports of entry. Last year, they encountered 169. prgtoken This is what broken borders look like. This is humanitarian and national security failure of the highest degree. prgtoken And it is no mystery how we got here. President and Vice President were promising open borders 4 years ago on the campaign trail, and they started following through, literally, on day one. The administration rescinded policies like ``Remain in Mexico'' that helped CBP hold the crisis at bay. They froze construction of physical barriers at the border out of spite for their predecessor, a move that most Americans now say they want to see reversed. prgtoken Every Senate voted to let President repeal title 42, a pandemic-era policy that represented border officials only meaningful tool to stem the flow of illegal arrivals. prgtoken The administrations supposed border czar traveled widely to discuss the root causes of migration, but for months, she couldn't find time to visit the border itself. And for years, Washington have refused to call the situation what it obviously is: a crisis. prgtoken At every step, the American people have been left, literally, scratching their heads. In some cases, they have been left with unimaginable grief, like the family of Laken Riley, the student murdered by a man who shouldn't have been allowed into the country in the first place. And in every case, they have wondered why their elected leaders are missing in action. prgtoken Families are wondering why Senate opposed Senator Blackburn's proposal to allow State and local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE to detain and deport criminals; why they voted down Senator Budd's legislation that would have prohibited granting legal status or citizenship to individuals who have assaulted a law enforcement officer; why they blocked the proposal that would have required that individuals DHS deemed to be
BORDER ACT OF 2024
Eric Schmitt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2024-5-23

as though with the voice of God, I have been recognized. And I rise to address what just happened here. Senator Schumer's failed attempt to resurrect a failed immigration bill in a bipartisan beatdown. prgtoken But, first, let me recite some numbers: In fiscal year 2021, there were 387,000 known ``got-aways.'' In fiscal year 2022, there were 606,131 known ``got-aways.'' In fiscal year 2023, there were 670,000 known ``got-aways.'' prgtoken Because of 's disastrous border policies, there are nearly 10 million people who have crossed our border illegally, dispersed throughout the United States--many of whom we have no idea who they are, where they are from; some given court dates. We hope they return sometime in the 2030s. prgtoken Thousands and thousands of Chinese nationals have illegally crossed our border since took office. The DEA has stated that the most ruthless Mexican cartels now operate in all 50 States. The American people are more at risk now from a terror attack than they have been since 9/11. prgtoken How did we get here? The answer is pretty simple: reversed nearly every successful -era policy that was working to secure our border. We had a 45-year low in illegal immigration at the end of 2020. prgtoken That has all changed. His administration reversed the ``Remain-in- Mexico'' policy. His administration attempted to sell border wall materials that had been sitting and rusting at an extreme discount. He paused deportations. He took nearly a hundred actions in his first hundred days to weaken our border security and signal to the cartels that our border was open for their business, a deadly business. prgtoken I said from the beginning that has all the authority he needs to shut the border down right now. He could have shut down the border as illegal immigration numbers shattered record after record; but he didn't. And he won't. And now the American people are seeing the absolute carnage caused by 's policies. prgtoken are attempting to give cover by wasting our time on this vote that we just saw that went down on a vote for a bill that had already failed. Why? I think some people actually believe in open borders. They have no real problem with this. They believe that borders are arbitrary lines on a map. But the risk for Americans are real. prgtoken And what happened on this floor--I try to draw some analogy. Seinfeld was a great show--great show--and it was famously cast as a show about nothing. This week was a show about nothing: no vehicles, no amendments on anything substantive that could help the American people--just this kabuki theater that we just witnessed. prgtoken My criticisms of that bill--that we won't hear now, thankfully--are the same as they were in February. This bill would have changed the jurisdiction from immigration law related cases from Texas to Washington, DC. prgtoken This ``break glass'' emerg
TRIBUTE TO SAWIN MILLETT, JR.
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2024-5-23

before the Maine Legislature adjourned for the year on May 10, , , and Independent lawmakers joined together to pass a resolution honoring retiring Representative Sawin Millett, Jr for his ``dedication, expertise, and judgment'' in service to our State, followed by a long and robust standing ovation. I know people throughout Maine are grateful for the many accomplishments of this great leader and my good friend. prgtoken Sawin's nine nonconsecutive terms representing Maine House District 81 began in 1968 and only scratches the surface of his remarkable resume. In his hometown of Waterford and throughout Oxford County, he has contributed as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant school superintendent, farmer, and town manager. prgtoken At the State level, Sawin has worked with eight Maine Governors in the legislature and as the first executive director of the Maine School Management Association. He has served in five administrations under , , and Independent Governors as commissioner of education, associate commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services, legislative director, and commissioner of administrative and financial services. prgtoken I had the pleasure of serving with Sawin in the cabinet of Governor John McKernan in the 1980s and early 1990s and watched him weigh issues and decide policy questions with the wisdom and deliberation for which he is so widely respected. He is also the hardest working leader I know. For 2 years in the early 2000s, I was fortunate to have him on my team as a State office director. prgtoken In both the legislative and executive branches, Sawin is known for his absolute mastery of budgetary issues. His command of the complexities of State government finances has steered Maine through many challenging times, and his integrity and openness have earned him admirers across the political spectrum. prgtoken At 86 years of age, Sawin is retiring from the legislature, but not from public service. In addition to spending more time with his family on his beloved farm, he is running for Oxford County Commissioner in the November elections. Continuing his dedication to public service, this is the one level of government in which he has not yet served. prgtoken Regardless of the role he has taken on, Sawin has always been a problem-solver, a leader who strives to bring opposing sides together in a spirit of compromise and respect to reach common ground. He is a Maine treasure, a true gentleman, and I wish my friend all the best in the next phase of his inspiring life.
CBDC ANTI-SURVEILLANCE STATE ACT
Keith Self (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-5-23

. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act. prgtoken We must prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing this currency. If you don't want to talk about China, let's talk about the United States. Mr. Chair, we just spent months debating the Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act and the FISA reauthorization. The central debate surrounding these two bills was government surveillance of our citizens. prgtoken Throughout my time in Congress, I have fought to protect Americans from unconstitutional surveillance right here in America. This bill is another tool to protect our citizens' rights. prgtoken Mr. Chair, we don't have to guess what would be the use of this CBDC. We have witnessed various United States Government agencies from the IRS to the FBI targeting conservatives for their beliefs. Do you want your Buc-ee's coffee or your monthly mortgage payment or the ammo you purchase for your hunting trip to be visible to the Federal Government? I suggest not. prgtoken We must continue to fight back against the continuing and obvious weaponization of the Federal Government and prevent the creation of a central bank digital currency. prgtoken Mr. Chair, this could be the final step toward absolute and total surveillance by the Federal Government. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support the freedom of Americans and vote for the underlying bill.
HONORING 100 YEARS OF BORDER PATROL
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2024-5-23

I rise today to honor 100 years of the United States Border Patrol. prgtoken What began as a small unit of mounted watchmen has become one of our Nation's most important law enforcement agencies. prgtoken The Border Patrol is tasked with protecting the American people, securing our borders, and enhancing our Nation's economic prosperity. The mission has become increasingly more difficult because of the open- door policies enacted by this administration. While I condemn the policies that have led to the border crisis, I continue to stand with the frontline men and women of the United States Border Patrol. prgtoken These men and women place themselves in harm's way to stop the flow of illegal immigration and to stop human trafficking and drug trafficking into our country. These officers deserve our thanks, our support, and, most importantly, our prayers.
HONORING LANCE CORPORAL THOMAS RIVERS, JR.
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2024-5-23

for many of our heroes, the desire to serve began at an early age. That is the case of LCpl Thomas Rivers, Jr of Hoover, AL. His parents and Thomas knew as a child that he wanted to be a marine, his lifelong dream. This desire only grew throughout his life, and he was motivated in everything that he did by this thought of becoming a marine. prgtoken He struggled, at first, in high school until a military recruiter told him he would need a high school diploma to enlist. Low grades were never a problem after that conversation. This was evidenced in an English essay he wrote entitled ``Why I Want to Go Into the Marines.'' In the essay, he wrote in part: I don't think I would be afraid of combat and would be proud to fight for my country. prgtoken He went on to say: I believe that joining the Marines would be a great experience for me because it will teach me to rely on God to make it through. prgtoken Thomas joined the Marines as soon as he graduated from Briarwood Christian School in 2007. After completing training at Camp Lejeune, he deployed to Iraq and then to Afghanistan. His faith never wavered, despite the intense conditions of combat he was in almost daily. prgtoken He and one of his friends, one night, began a Bible study while deployed, leaning on passages of the Bible for comfort. prgtoken Corporal Rivers was killed by an IED explosion at the age of 22. His mother Charon spoke about how she never really got to know the fine young man she raised as he grew to be an adult. prgtoken Between deployments, he was unable to spend much time at home. Despite the devastating loss, Charon and her husband Tom find comfort in their faith and the belief that lives were changed through their son's story. prgtoken After Thomas's passing, Charon began a nonprofit that sent care packages to soldiers on the front lines of battle because she remembered how much Thomas loved receiving things from home. Through her efforts, she was able to send more than 5,000 care packages to soldiers overseas over an 8-year span. prgtoken Charon's reminder to us is that, for families like hers, Memorial Day isn't a happy holiday or just another day at the pool or cooking out. It is a day to remember heroes like her son Thomas, who answered the call to serve and courageously laid down his life for ours. prgtoken You know, President Franklin Roosevelt once said: Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them. prgtoken May we as Americans be a Nation that remembers the sacrifices made for the many freedoms that we all enjoy--not just on Memorial Day, but every day of the year. prgtoken May we never forget those like Johnnie Laurie or Thomas Rivers who didn't allow freedom to die on their watch, and may we hold their families near to our hearts as we go into this Memorial Day weekend. prgtoken .
Border Act of 2024 (Executive Session)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2024-5-23

three Senators started, about 8 months ago now, working to try to get some solutions on border security. It is for obvious reasons, because we have record high numbers over and over and over again at our southern border. We had a record high number in October, record high number in November, and record high number in December. In fact, December had the highest number of illegal crossings ever in the history of the country in a single day. prgtoken As of yesterday, we had about 5,200 people that illegally crossed yesterday. In fact, almost every day this year, we have had more than 5,000 illegally crossing day after day after day. prgtoken This is a very big issue that the American people want solved. It is a frustrating issue that we have not been able to get to a resolution on. It is an issue that people have been frustrated with President because President has not enforced the border the same way President did or the same way President did. prgtoken To be clear, this year we will have 2\1/2\ million people illegally cross the border. With the same law in place under President , we had half a million people that illegally crossed that year. prgtoken And as I have raised over and over again with this administration, if they would just enforce the border the same way President did, things would be very different. But they have chosen not to. They have chosen not to enforce it the same way President did. prgtoken Instead, we have absolutely been overrun with people from literally all over the world. To put this in perspective, in the last 3 months, we have had more people illegally cross than any full year under President . prgtoken They need to do what they can do. But Congress needs to do what we can do. We have got to change the definition of asylum. We have to change the appeals process. We have got to be able to speed up the process. We have got to provide more clarity so that we don't have people waiting around 8 years for a hearing. We can't just release people at the border, as what has happened day after day after day for years now. We can't have a brandnew parole program that the administration literally invented that no President has ever used to release thousands of people a day. We can't have that. prgtoken We need to solve this in the administration. We need to solve this in Congress. I wish that is what we were doing today, but we are not. prgtoken When Senator Murphy and Senator Sinema and I started working on this months ago, we were working to solve it. We were not able to get that done. prgtoken But today is not a bill. Today is a prop. Today is a political messaging exercise. Today is an opportunity to be able to have a vote that is sitting out there so people can send fundraising emails out later tonight and say, ``Look, I tried to do something,'' when no work was actually done to try to get something done and completed and passed