mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-12-9

one thing you can say for the so-called Build Back Better plan is that it provides a never-ending supply of bad proposals to talk about. And the bad Build Back Better measure I want to discuss today is ' plan to double the size of the IRS--yes, double the size of the IRS. prgtoken The IRS is not exactly the most popular government Agency, and with good reason. The Agency has gained for itself a reputation for poor taxpayer service and, most seriously, for mishandling the confidential information--taxpayer information it has access to. prgtoken In fact, the IRS was subject to a massive leak or hack of private taxpayer information mere months ago--information that somehow ended up in the hands of advocates at ProPublica. And neither Treasury nor the IRS has provided meaningful followup about the data breach, much less any accountability. prgtoken For months, s on the Senate Finance Committee have pressed the administration for details about the breach of private taxpayer information. I would have hoped by now that my friends on the other side of the aisle would have shown similar concern for the privacy of the American taxpayer. prgtoken And who could forget the IRS scandal during the administration, when the IRS targeted a number of organizations based on their political beliefs? prgtoken Those are two notorious examples of IRS misconduct, but there are plenty of others. prgtoken The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration has repeatedly found instances of IRS agents violating taxpayer rights. And then there is the Agency's record of irresponsibility or incompetence, or both-- losing track of laptops that may have contained sensitive taxpayer information, rehiring employees who'd been fired for bad behavior, work delays due to a lack of simple printer maintenance, hanging up on taxpayers who call the IRS for information. prgtoken Customer service departments, in general, can be frustrating, but at least at many companies you can reach an actual person in a fairly reasonable amount of time. If you call the IRS, you have a 1-in-50 chance of reaching a human being--1 in 50. prgtoken I could go on, but suffice it to say that there are good reasons why Americans tend not to be big fans of the IRS and why they think this Agency already has too much power. prgtoken But would like to double the size of the Agency. The ' bill would add 87,000 new IRS employees--87,000. That's enough employees to fill an entire football stadium with some left over; 87,000 is more than the population of Rapid City, SD, the second largest city in my home State. prgtoken The Congressional Budget Office estimates that increasing the size of the Agency in this way would result in significantly higher audit rates of American taxpayers. Many of those audits would hit middle-income taxpayers and small businesses; in other words, individuals without easy access to an army
HONORING HEARD, McELROY AND VESTAL'S 75 YEARS OF SERVICE
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2021-12-9

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate my good friends and community leaders who have been serving my hometown of Shreveport for a remarkable 75 years. prgtoken The CPA firm--Heard, McElroy and Vestal--has been an integral part of our community since 1946. In fact, founding partner Charles McElroy served as one of the first Chairman of the Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. From the very beginning, the firm has established itself as a ``pillar of trust, integrity and competence.'' Their firm is now one of the largest public accounting firms in Northwest Louisiana. prgtoken This firm and its over 100 employees have worked faithfully for the people of Louisiana every day and have continued to be a cornerstone for our region. We are blessed to have their mission of accounting excellence and commitment to integrity as a part of our community. prgtoken I thank my friends for serving so well for all these years, and happy 75th anniversary.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Josh Hawley (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-12-9

reserving the right to object, approximately 24 hours after the attack at Abbey Gate in Kabul, I had the privilege to speak with the father of one of the marines who lost his life there, a young marine from the State of Missouri, St. Charles County, named Jared Schmitz. prgtoken His father, whose name is Mark, told me of the devastation of losing his son. He later spoke in public about his son in this way. He said: I am very honored-- prgtoken This is Mark talking about his boy Jared. I'm very honored that I could call him my son. His life meant so much more. I'm so incredibly devastated that I won't be able to see the man that he was very quickly growing into becoming. prgtoken Thirteen servicemembers lost their lives on that day and hundreds of civilians. As a result of the botched evacuation operation, hundreds, if not thousands, of American civilians were left behind to the enemy, where hundreds still remain. prgtoken Now, I am not going to reveal the contents of my conversation with Mr. Schmitz, except to say something that he asked me, something that he told me. He told me, ``Go fight like hell,'' and that is exactly what I am going to do until there is accountability for the worst foreign policy crisis this country has suffered since the Vietnam war. prgtoken We hear from our friends on the other side of the aisle that our insistence that we actually vote on nominees is unprecedented. I would humbly suggest that the crisis into which this President has led this country is unprecedented. In my lifetime, it is unprecedented. prgtoken It is unprecedented for an American President to watch 13 servicemembers lose their lives in an evacuation for which he is responsible and then to celebrate that operation as ``an unqualified success,'' ``an extraordinary success,'' I believe were President 's words. prgtoken Really, an extraordinary success? Thirteen servicemembers dead, hundreds of civilians dead, hundreds of Americans left behind to the enemy--that is success? No, that is a failure. That is unacceptable. prgtoken And who has been held accountable for this disaster? No one. Who has the President fired? Who has offered their resignation? Which of the planners at the Department of State or the Department of Defense or the National Security Council has been relieved of duty? No one. prgtoken We have seen this movie before. Back to Vietnam. In Vietnam, we watched as the experts in Washington sent thousands and thousands of Americans to die, concealing the true state of the war, lying to the American people. prgtoken And what happened to the people who planned that disastrous war over all those years? Nothing. They went on to their board seats. They went on to collect their fat pension checks. They went on to be celebrated. And who was left to pick up the pieces? It was the families of the fallen. It was those who lost their lives. prgtoken Well, I, for one, am not
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-12-9

today, the Capitol is once again hosting a hallowed tradition. The U.S. Congress just solemnly welcomed our prgtoken late friend and colleague, Leader Robert J. Dole, one final time. This most distinguished soldier-statesman now lies in state at the epicenter of our democracy. Our Nation has bestowed this honor only 33 times in its history--to Presidents, to Senators and Representatives, to heroes of war. prgtoken With today's ceremony, Bob's path aligned one last time with his Army hospital buddy's, turned longtime fellow Senator, Danny Inouye. It was amazing enough that Bob's and Danny's paths converged all the way from bedside bridge games in the 1940s to votes on this floor into the 1990s, but now they have both rested on the exact same catafalque that has held up our great statesmen, dating back to President Lincoln. prgtoken Bob Dole earned these honors many, many times over--through a heroic fight that began on Hill 913 and left lifelong scars, through accomplished service at both ends of this building, and in a bid for even higher office, conducted with integrity and grace. prgtoken Bob Dole left this Chamber a quarter of a century ago, but service to his beloved Kansas and his fellow Americans remained the focus of his life until the moment he was called home on Sunday. prgtoken The sting of losing our friend is still fresh, but we are proud to celebrate this extraordinary American--now draped in the colors to which his entire life was dedicated and already at home in eternal rest. Build Back Better Act prgtoken Now, , on an entirely different matter, on Tuesday, I shined a spotlight on Washington ' proposed toddler takeover. They want to spend hundreds of billions of dollars in order to upend families' arrangements, create massive inflation in daycare costs, and attack faith-based providers. prgtoken Now, say their plan would not hurt faith-based providers because it wouldn't explicitly block them up front. Ah, but that is only a small part of the story. The reckless taxing-and-spending spree might not ban faith-based providers on day 1, but their scheme of mandates and subsidies would slowly and quietly push them out. prgtoken The ' bill would deny religious providers an extra funding stream for upgrading their facilities, which their secular competitors would actually get, and their proposal would let woke bureaucrats persecute faith-based groups unless they leave their values at the door. If a Jewish daycare wants to prioritize Jewish families, they could get thrown out of the ' scheme for engaging in discrimination. A Catholic facility could be kicked out if families who are registered parishioners get first dibs. If a faith-based provider decides not to hire somebody who fundamentally rejects their teachings, leftwing bureaucrats and lawyers would come after them as well. The woke mob that stalks cake baker
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-12-9

reserving the right to object. prgtoken I am sure my colleague is aware that, last month, I sent a letter to the Commerce Committee--a committee on which we both serve--informing the chair that I would be holding all Department of Transportation and Department of Commerce nominees until the Senate-confirmed leadership from these Agencies testify about the supply chain crisis. prgtoken Right now, there are nearly 100 ships waiting to dock in California ports to unload their goods, but they are unable to do so because of President 's supply chain crisis. Christmas is just a couple weeks away, and families and businesses are facing empty shelves, shortages on goods, and higher prices. And, so far, Secretary Raimondo and Secretary Buttigieg have been too busy playing TV commentator to actually go to California and solve the problem. prgtoken It is long past time for the administration to tell us what they are actually doing to solve this crisis and help American families. prgtoken I appreciate my colleague's partnership with me on the issues under the purview of the Commerce Committee. In fact, I am looking forward to next week, when the bill we are putting together will be considered during a Commerce markup hearing. prgtoken Given that we will be in session next week, I would urge my colleagues to join me in urging leadership from the Commerce and Transportation Departments that come before the committee and testify on what those Agencies are doing to combat and mitigate the supply chain crisis that is hurting so many families and businesses in Florida and across the country. prgtoken This isn't an unreasonable request. The Senate has oversight authority, and we can't allow Agency leadership to just ignore their responsibility to report to us on these issues impacting our constituents. prgtoken But if that is too much to ask, I am inviting Secretary Raimondo and Secretary Buttigieg to even just have an open, public meeting with me and my colleagues. But until we hear from Senate-confirmed officials responsible for this crisis in the Commerce committee, I will be objecting to all Commerce and Transportation nominees going through an expedited process here in the Senate. prgtoken This isn't personal. It is about accountability for Florida families. Therefore, , I object.
BENEFITS OF VITAMIN D
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2021-12-9

. Madam , as the Congress prepares to break for Christmas, it is important to review one more time what we can do to deal with the coronavirus. prgtoken While vaccines unquestionably have a role here, I am a little bit appalled at the lack of information coming from the public health establishment regarding vitamin D. Tests show that adequate levels of vitamin D can reduce the amount of COVID cases by up to 75 percent, which is good, including for people who have taken the vaccine. prgtoken Right now, Madam , experts feel you should have at least 30 nanograms per milliliter to have adequate amounts of vitamin D. Right now, 65 percent of our White population, 87 percent of our Hispanic population, and 96 percent of our Black population do not have adequate vitamin D levels. prgtoken The public health establishment has to be asked: Why is this not publicized? Why do we not give routine vitamin D tests to people coming in for their annual checkups? And why, if you show up at the hospital with COVID, are not vitamin D tests automatic? prgtoken I ask public health establishments to please familiarize themselves with the benefits of vitamin D and the role it plays.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING IN LIBERAL CITIES
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-12-9

. Madam , this holiday season, most Americans are using the conventional shopping method. They choose their item in the store and pay for it at the checkout. prgtoken However, this year, others are going with a different approach: smash and grab robberies. Thugs are ambushing stores, breaking windows, and destroying store property, then walking out with all the merchandise they can carry. Robberies at pharmacies and retail stores are on the rise this year, mostly in liberal cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and New York City. There is a clear pattern here. prgtoken Store robberies are up in -run cities that push defund the police agendas and refrain from punishing criminals in the name of equity. Criminals in these cities figured out there is no consequence for busting up a Gucci store and walking out with thousands of dollars of merchandise. prgtoken For example, in California, people can steal up to $950 worth of merchandise without being charged with a felony. Many looters in California cities who get arrested are quickly released because they don't even have to pay bail. prgtoken Unfortunately, many are willingly ignorant of this trend. They even attribute the rise in smash-and-grab robberies to the coronavirus or deny the problem exists at all. They keep pushing their antipolice, procriminal policies, and it is hardworking businessowners and employees who end up paying the price. prgtoken Madam , I always remember what my parents told me: Let's not close the barn door after the cows have already left.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-12-9

on Tuesday, at 3 in the morning, the people at Instagram published a blog post describing another laundry list of product updates they claim will make their platform less toxic for children and teens. prgtoken And I am sure they thought that the dead of night was the right time to make this announcement, and I don't blame them. If I wanted to pass off something and just give a little lip service and a little deflection and make it look like some type of meaningful reform, I might try a 3 a.m. news dump also. prgtoken Because what they did was to put up changes on how to handle things on their site with drug use and self-harm and violence and eating disorders and low self-esteem and human trafficking and bullying. prgtoken What they told us is they know there is violence and adverse content on prgtoken their site. And, yesterday, at the hearing at our Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the Commerce Committee, Senator Blumenthal and I made it fairly clear to our friends from the Silicon Valley that they cannot escape accountability for what is happening on their site--not from Congress and not from the American people. I am talking about the moms, the dads, the teachers, the pediatricians, who approach me every single day that I am in Tennessee. prgtoken They are worried about their kids, and the concern is not the product of generational differences. When they were growing up, drugs and eating disorders and bullying were problems, but--you know what, --they weren't inescapable. prgtoken Now these horrible things follow our children every minute of every day, all courtesy of Big Tech. So, yes, when a company like Instagram claims that they are going to do more to support parents and to keep kids safe, Tennesseans listen, but they don't take their word for it. They test it out. They look for evidence of accountability. prgtoken And with all of these updates that they posted, they didn't give us transparency. They didn't give a timeline for when they are going to be implemented. Basically, they said: We know this is a problem, and we will get around to fixing it at some point in the future. prgtoken They are still not making changes. prgtoken I do want to thank Chairman Blumenthal and other members of the subcommittee for staying focused on this issue. This time around, we had Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri on the witness stand, and it really was perfect timing. prgtoken You know, yesterday's hearing was the fifth time this year that the subcommittee has met to discuss what Congress and Big Tech should do to protect our precious children online. It was the fourth time I have personally spoken to someone from Meta, as they now call themselves, which is Instagram's parent. And by this point, I felt like maybe they would come forward with something concrete for us: This is how we are going to get things done. prgtoken But, no, nothing changes. prgtoken This week, my staff put themselves through yet an
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-12-9

reserving the right to object. You know, I would note that Senator Shaheen said it was simplistic to say that sanctioning Nord Stream 2 would stop a Russian invasion of Ukraine. And in that, Senator Shaheen may well be right. prgtoken I cannot guarantee that Nord Stream 2 sanctions would prevent an invasion of Ukraine. What we do know is, it has in the past--what we do know is that in 2014, when Putin invaded Ukraine in the Crimea, that he stopped short of a full invasion because he needed the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. prgtoken And we also know that, during the more than a year in which the Cruz- Shaheen sanctions were in effect and Nord Stream 2 was dead, that Putin didn't amass troops in preparation for an invasion. So we know that it has been effective. prgtoken And we also know, although I cannot promise that sanctioning Nord Stream 2 would prevent an invasion--we know the obverse is true, which is that allowing Nord Stream 2 to go online and become operational would invite an invasion. prgtoken Senator Shaheen noted that the certification process is expected to be concluded in January or February of next year. prgtoken I would note that according to the administration's own documents, the Russian invasion is expected, potentially, in January or February of next year. I do not believe it is coincidental that the instant Putin can turn on the switch of Nord Stream 2 is when the tanks are preparing to invade. prgtoken If the Senate continue their partisan blockade of sanctions, they are inviting a Russian invasion.
PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY ACT
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2021-12-9

. Madam , there is nothing better than to think that their vote, something they worked hard to get, the right to vote on something that they worked hard to get the right to do is being undermined. That is unthinkable. prgtoken Let's pass this amendment to ensure only citizens are voting in our elections and prevent States from putting noncitizens at risk of intentionally or unintentionally breaking the law and illegally voting in our elections. prgtoken We will offer this solution as a motion to recommit. If we adopt the motion to recommit, we will instruct the Committee on Oversight and Reform to consider an amendment to ensure States remove noncitizens from their voter rolls as part of a regular comprehensive list maintenance program. prgtoken Madam , I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.
NICOLE MONTNA VAN VLECK HONORED AS RICE FARMER OF THE YEAR
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-12-9

. Madam , I am here today to recognize the great work of a fellow rice farmer, Nicole Montna Van Vleck. She was just named the USA Rice Federation's 2021 Rice Farmer of the Year. prgtoken She is a third-generation rice farmer in northern California and serves as president and CEO of her Montna Farms in Sutter County. prgtoken At Montna Farms, conservation is a priority. America's rice farmers have a longstanding commitment to protect and preserve natural resources. prgtoken Not only is she involved with her family's California rice operation, but she also makes time for her passion of promoting the U.S. rice industry. prgtoken She previously served as the chair of the USA Rice Farmers board of directors, where she collaborated with growers across the country to solve difficult policy issues and strengthen the industry. prgtoken Today, U.S. rice farmers produce more rice using less land, energy, and water than they did just 20 years ago while providing critical habitats for many, many species. prgtoken With leaders such as Nicole, America's rice farmers continue to serve as leaders in farming by producing a very healthy, conservation- friendly food that generates jobs and economic opportunity in rural areas. prgtoken Congrats, Nicole, on this great honor.
TRIBUTE TO DR. LOUIS UCCELLINI
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2021-12-9

I rise today to recognize and honor the upcoming retirement on January 1, 2022, of a true public servant and leader, Dr. Louis Uccellini, Director of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. prgtoken Louis is the epitome of a dedicated civil servant, having spent the past 43 years of his career at both NOAA and NASA contributing to and leading the maturation and advancement of our Nation's weather prediction capabilities. Put simply, there is no aspect of today's weather forecast that Dr. Uccellini hasn't advanced during his storied career. prgtoken But Louis' contributions span far beyond science. Perhaps most notably, and certainly most visible to the public, are the organizational changes Louis has made to National Weather Service since becoming Director in 2013. The establishment and development of the Weather-Ready Nation program, a paradigm shift that refocused the entire NWS staff and mission, now enables forecasters to use weather information to deliver Impact-based Decision Support Services to emergency managers, which is empowering local officials to help citizens be ready, responsive and resilient to weather events. This is the real purpose of the weather forecast and is allowing the National Weather Service to better perform its mission of saving lives and protecting property. prgtoken Louis' mark on the National Weather Service will undoubtedly be felt for many years to come. On behalf of my constituents in Kansas and a grateful nation, I personally thank Dr. Louis Uccellini for his service to our Nation; wish him and his wife, Susan, well in retirement; and as Louis would say, ``I'll leave it at that.''