mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Judicial Nominations (Executive Calendar)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-2-2

I rise today to urge my colleagues to confirm several highly qualified nominees to serve on the local District of Columbia courts--the DC Superior Court, which functions as the State-level trial court, and the DC Court of Appeals, which serves as the State-level appellate court right here in our Nation's Capital. prgtoken Both courts are currently suffering from a vacancy crisis. There are 16 of the 62 DC Superior Court seats that are currently empty, and 3 of the 9 seats on the DC Court of Appeals are also vacant, slowing justice and impeding public safety for all District residents. prgtoken Last year, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs reported seven nominees to serve on the DC courts by a bipartisan voice vote. These include five nominees to serve on the DC Superior Court--Rupa Ranga Puttagunta, Kenia Seoane Lopez, Sean Staples, Ebony Scott, and Donald Tunnage--and two nominees to serve on the DC Court of Appeals--John Howard III and Loren AliKhan. prgtoken Judge Puttagunta currently serves as an administrative judge for the DC Rental Housing Commission. She began her legal career as a law clerk in the DC Superior Court and the DC Court of Appeals and practiced for several years in the District of Columbia, focusing on family and criminal law. I am certainly pleased that my colleagues confirmed her earlier today. prgtoken Judge Seoane Lopez currently serves as a magistrate judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, a position that she has held for 9 years. She previously served as a bilingual attorney negotiator in the court's domestic violence division and as an assistant attorney general for the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia. prgtoken Judge Staples also currently serves as a magistrate judge for the District of Columbia Superior Court, a position he was appointed to in 2013. Early in his career, he served as a law clerk on the superior court and then worked as a solo practitioner and an assistant public defender. He went on to work as a clinical professor for several years, supervising law students representing criminal defendants in DC Superior Court. prgtoken Judge Scott has served as a magistrate judge on DC Superior Court since 2020. She previously served as a deputy director in the DC Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel as general counsel for the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights and the assistant attorney general for the DC Office of the Attorney General's housing and community justice section. prgtoken Mr. Tunnage has served as a criminal trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice since 2009 and previously served as an assistant public defender in Miami, FL. prgtoken Loren AliKhan has served as the solicitor general for the District of Columbia since 2018. She previously served as deputy solicitor general and spent time in the U.S. Department of Justice and in the appellate pr
BIOECONOMY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2021
Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2022-2-2

. Madam , with the America COMPETES Act, we will invent it in America; we will build it in America; and we will create American jobs. prgtoken Importantly, the America COMPETES Act gives us the opportunity to discover, develop, and make what we need everywhere in America. That is why I introduced, and I urge my colleagues to support, four amendments that could expand jobs to rural, Latino, Native American, and minority communities. The workers who produce what America needs must look like America. prgtoken The America COMPETES Act could invest billions of dollars to build chips and conduct research in New Mexico and other rural communities facing economic despair. With my amendments, this bill can create jobs for that beautifully diverse workforce that powers our Nation as we transition to clean energy. prgtoken Energy workers deserve economic opportunity in a changing world. Let's ensure we have innovation, training, and jobs for American workers everywhere as we power a prosperous future.
BIOECONOMY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2021
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-2-2

. Madam , 1 minute. prgtoken Madam , this is a package of en bloc amendments that are bipartisan. It includes the amendment that I offered with Representative Gonzalez-Colon and Representative Posey for the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act, which is very important to address ocean acidification, and also the amendment I offered with Mr. Posey to create an interagency working group on blue carbon led by NOAA to oversee the development of a national map of blue carbon ecosystems. prgtoken This package of amendments will improve the very important America COMPETES Act, and I urge its passage. prgtoken Madam , .
BIOECONOMY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2021
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-2-2

I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for her hard work on this legislation. prgtoken , the success and security of America's economy depends on the prgtoken strength of our workforce. That is why the America COMPETES Act connects students and workers with the skills they need to succeed in high-tech industries while strengthening our economy's competitiveness in the years ahead. prgtoken The investments in this bill increase equitable access to computer science education and postsecondary STEM pathways. The legislation also builds on bipartisan support for apprenticeships by creating nearly 1 million new registered apprenticeship opportunities over the next 5 years. prgtoken The America COMPETES Act also includes protection so the jobs created in this bill will pay a decent wage. prgtoken , this legislation provides investments that we need to secure a brighter future for our Nation's workers and our economy. I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-2-2

today I am pleased to introduce the Improving Trauma Systems and Emergency Care Act with Senator Moran. prgtoken Nationally, trauma is the leading cause of death in the United States for individuals aged 44 and younger, and according to the Coalition for National Trauma Research, trauma accounts for 41 million emergency room visits and 2 million hospital admissions across the country each year. prgtoken For anyone who experiences sudden, major injuries in a car crash, a house fire, and any other dangerous incident, timely and effective trauma care can make a significant difference. The Nation's trauma and emergency medical prgtoken systems are designed to provide that expert care. These systems respond quickly and efficiently to get seriously injured individuals to the appropriate trauma center hospital within the ``golden hour,'' the time period when medical intervention is most effective in saving lives and preventing permanent injury. Achieving this standard of access requires maintenance and careful coordination between organized systems of trauma care. prgtoken We must continually improve and invest in this essential component of our healthcare system. In 2014, President signed the Improving Trauma Care Act into law, legislation that I introduced to add burn injuries to the definition of ``trauma care'' and ensure that burn centers are eligible for funding under trauma and emergency care programs. prgtoken The legislation we are introducing today takes another important step by authorizing $24 million each year for pilot program grants to strengthen coordination and communication among trauma systems, improve access to trauma care, and facilitate clinical research. The legislation would also require the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, to support States in improving emergency medical services and trauma care during a public health emergency. Lastly, the legislation would allow HHS to award grants to improve trauma care in rural areas. prgtoken I am pleased to have the support of the Trauma Center Association of America for this bill, and I urge our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in cosponsoring this legislation and working toward its expeditious passage.
AMERICA IS COMPETING WITH CHINA
Tim Ryan (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-2-2

I rise today in strong support of the COMPETES Act. And quite frankly, I am stunned to hear some of the rhetoric coming from the other side around a bill that finally, after decades, recognizes that we are in a very stiff competition with China, and for the longest time America didn't know it. prgtoken China was in this competition. China was doing everything they could to dump steel in our country. They spend 7 to 9 percent of their GDP on infrastructure every year. They got islands in the South China Sea. They told us they weren't going to militarize them; now they have. prgtoken They have bases in Africa, long-term raw material contracts in African countries to solidify their control of precious metals so that our phones, our weapons systems, our computers, they have a plan. prgtoken This is not complicated. But it is being seen through the prism of our current, broken, insane political system. prgtoken And so what we are trying to do here is recognize that they are winning. Seventy percent of chip manufacturing comes out of China. The cargo ships along the California ports, those aren't coming from Kansas. They are coming prgtoken from China. Over 50 percent of the electric vehicle market is dominated by China. prgtoken And so the thoughtful thing, the smart, strategic thing for us to do in the United States is one, recognize this, and two, make sure we reinvest back into the United States, which is what we did with the bipartisan infrastructure bill. prgtoken Twenty s in the Senate, led by Senator Portman from Ohio-- who I commend for his leadership--said we have got to rebuild our country. Broadband, infrastructure, bridges are collapsing in Pittsburgh. We have got to fix this stuff. prgtoken Workforce development, we have got to plug these communities in, if we are going to win. And so that is what we did in a bipartisan way. prgtoken And so the next step is: How do we bring the chip manufacturing back? How do we rebuild the industrial base here in places like Ohio? That means we have to have a strategy that invests into the country. That is what the COMPETES Act does. $52 billion to move these chip manufacturers back. prgtoken And what is stunning to me about how radical the right wing has become in this country, is that this isn't: Oh, we are going to invest this money and maybe we will get a deal; maybe someone will locate in the industrial Midwest. Last week, Intel announced a $20 billion investment north of Columbus, Ohio, with over 100 suppliers in that State that will benefit from locating there: thousands of construction jobs. prgtoken And you know what they said? If we pass the COMPETES Act, if we pass this bill, it is going to become a $100 billion investment in the Midwest. prgtoken And all we are saying is: If there is nothing else we can agree on in the United States Congress, I hope that it is this bill. I hope it is infrastructure. But it is culture war du jour. I mean, what a joke. <|
HARDSHIPS OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS CONTINUE DURING THE PANDEMIC
Dean Phillips (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-2-2

it has been 2 years, image that, since the beginning of the pandemic. Two years marked by hardship that none of us had ever known and hope we never know again. As the world continues to adapt to the challenge, it is my belief that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Yet, as we continue to push toward that optimism, we are reminded every single day that the pandemic is not over. It is not over for us; it is not over for the nurses and doctors who tend to our sick; it is not over for our frontline workers, for teachers, for police, for families, for anyone. prgtoken I am here today to speak for a group of Americans who are too often ignored in our pandemic discourse, our Nation's entrepreneurs and small business owners, the bedrock of our economy, particularly those who work in public-facing enterprises, like restaurant owners, gym owners, hospitality owners in the live-events industry. Those whose livelihoods depend on public gathering in person, whether it is to break bread, to work up a sweat, or to enjoy booths that you might see in the Minnesota State Fair, as my friend and colleague, Angie Craig, would agree is America's finest. prgtoken In 2020 and early last year, both parties worked together to pass pandemic aid to help keep the lights on at those businesses. It was an aid that was effective in saving countless jobs, and while not perfect, of course, it did save our country from economic disaster. Unfortunately, for those public-facing industries, that aid has not been enough, not with the rise of the delta variant and then omicron, and potentially future variants that we might face in the future. prgtoken Last week, I held a roundtable in Minnesota to hear from entrepreneurs representing those industries in my district. Some had a quarter million dollars in debt, others had lost a quarter million dollars in revenue. Some had taken out government-subsidized emergency loans from the programs prgtoken that we in Congress created, but others were left out entirely. They told me that between the pandemic and the supply chain and inflation costs that the pandemic has wrought, that those old relief programs are simply not enough. They need help, and they need it now. It is our job and it is not done yet. prgtoken The cost of congressional inaction is real. Small business owners across America are dipping into their personal savings and taking on significant debt. In Minnesota alone, almost 60 percent of restaurants have taken on debt during the pandemic, with an average of over half a million dollars per restaurant. Even in the best of times it is a tough industry, but particularly difficult right now. prgtoken We all know what will happen if we don't pass relief soon: many of those restaurants will close and many of their staff will be unemployed. Too many small business owners are simply running out of hope. prgtoken That is where we come in. I am encouraged by comments made by the President and law
BIOECONOMY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2021
Terri A. Sewell (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2022-2-2

. Madam , I rise today in strong support of the America COMPETES Act. prgtoken I am especially proud that my legislation, H.R. 6121, the Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0, was included in this bill. This bipartisan legislation sponsored by myself and my colleague, Bill Johnson, will modernize our outdated trade remedy laws to push back against many of China's most aggressive anti-free market practices. prgtoken For years, a number of American industries have faced repeated dumped and subsidized imports into the U.S. market. In 2000, China produced about 18 percent of the world's steel. Today, it produces roughly 50 percent. prgtoken This overcapacity has undermined U.S. steel manufacturing and has put our steelworkers and steel manufacturers like those in my district, U.S. Steel and Nucor, at a big disadvantage. prgtoken At the end of the day, this bill will promote global competitiveness. When America competes fairly, America's workers win, and America's businesses win.
HONORING ROY BUOL
Ashley Hinson (Republican, IA) \u2014 2022-2-2

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and honor one of Dubuque, Iowa's most respected citizens and a fixture in the community, Mayor Roy Buol. prgtoken Serving 10 years on the city council and 16 years as mayor, Roy dedicated the last 26 years to shaping the vibrant community of Dubuque. prgtoken Roy's leadership and his contributions transformed Dubuque into the ``Masterpiece of the Mississippi'' and have allowed this community to flourish. prgtoken Dubuque truly is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. prgtoken Mayor Buol's service to Dubuque is a reminder that effective leadership begins with understanding the community and is best carried out through partnerships and collaboration. prgtoken I know I speak for many when I say thank you, Mayor Buol, for your service.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF JEFFERY CLAYTON SHORT
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2022-2-2

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of Jeffery Clayton Short who passed away January 22, 2022 in Tupelo, Mississippi. My deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and loved ones. prgtoken Jeffery was born in Booneville, Mississippi to William Clayton and Havis Owens Short. He graduated from Tishomingo High School in 1961. He joined the National Guard and then the Army in 1964. He served for 15 years on active duty and then in the National Guard and Army Reserve. He was promoted to Captain after completing Officer Training School. He served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam Conflict. He was awarded the Bronze Stars for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Parachute Riggers Patch. He was awarded the Green Beret after completing the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg. prgtoken Jeffery also completed the Mississippi Highway Patrol Academy in 1969 and served on the Mississippi Gulf Coast during Hurricane Camille. He graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in business and then earned his Masters in Real Estate from Lindwood University in Missouri. He was a guest lecturer in eminent domain and went on to own a real estate appraisal business. He was a dedicated member of First Methodist Tupelo and a beloved youth soccer and baseball coach. He was a gifted photographer. prgtoken Left to cherish his memory are wife, Ellen Tate Short; children Clay, Andy, and Elizabeth; and eight grandchildren. prgtoken Jeffery Clayton Short was a dedicated servant of God, country, and state. My prayers will be with those mourning his loss.
SECURING THE SOUTHERN BORDER
Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican, WI) \u2014 2022-2-2

. Madam , I am assuming this mike is live. Is that correct? It is, okay. Thank you very much and thank you for sitting in the Chair tonight. We appreciate you being here during this period of time. prgtoken I think the person that just appeared before us said he does not know what s stand for. s stand for secure borders. We stand for a strong national security. We stand for an America that we represent Americans first, and that is what we stand for here tonight. prgtoken Madam , the administration has turned the United States Government, our government, whether you are a , , or any other affiliation, into the largest human trafficking operation in the history of the world. And it is so sad to see that happen. It doesn't have to be that way. prgtoken Let's go back to the January 20, just a little over a year ago. What happened? prgtoken Remain in Mexico was ended. Border wall construction was ended. Catch-and-release was initiated. And that is exactly what we have seen in our country now over the last year. prgtoken I am going to share my story, if I may, tonight. I have been here less than 2 years. The first trip that I took was down to the Arizona border in June of 2020. I saw the successes down there. I saw local units of government working with State and Federal Government to secure our borders, to make sure that those that chose to come into our country legally, they would get in line, and they would go through the process. It was under control. I saw that border wall construction down in Arizona. prgtoken Fast forward to just a little less than a year ago, April of 2021. I go down to the Rio Grande, out of control. And from what I understand, it is even worse now than April of 2021. prgtoken From there, I went down to Panama at the behest of the Border Patrol saying, You should see that this is not just about Mexico, this is not just about the Northern Triangle. There are people coming from all over the world. prgtoken So I went down to the Darien Gap in Panama at the end of May 2021, and what I saw was breathtaking. People coming out of the jungle, having to be wheelbarrowed to the medical tent. Hearing stories of the estimates that 10 percent of the people that tried to get through that jungle--some of the most dense jungle you will find on all of the face of the Earth--10 percent of the people were dying as a result of the actions that a President took on January 20, 2021. prgtoken The border is open. That was the message to those people. And it has wreaked havoc on people's lives that thought, If I can just make it to America. Many of them have not done that. prgtoken And as the chairman said, we have got an organization that is getting fully funded by the United Nations. What? prgtoken We put 25 percent of the money into the United Nations?
Inflation (Executive Calendar)
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2022-2-2

. I want to speak on two topics. prgtoken First, on inflation, President 's economic policies, unfortunately, have water-boarded the budgets of most Americans and most Louisianians. We see the official statistics, and the statistics are that inflation is going up 7 percent. I understand that is what the experts say, but most Americans and most Louisianians know that inflation is much worse, much worse. prgtoken I am sure that has been the experience of the good people of Georgia as well. I mean, I did some calculations before I came down today. From December of 2020 to December of 2021, the most recent numbers we have, gasoline is up 49.6 percent. prgtoken In my State, in Louisiana, it costs Louisianians $27 more than it did last year to fill up the tank of a Chevy truck. That is every time they fill up the tank. prgtoken Used car and truck prices have increased by 37.3 percent. In New Orleans, for example, in my State, used car prices were up 38.2 percent through last September. prgtoken We all have to eat. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, up 12.5 percent. prgtoken New vehicles, if you can find one, up 11.8 percent. prgtoken Household furnishings and furniture, up 7.4 percent. Electricity, up 6.3 percent and headed higher. Clothes, 5.8 percent. Fruits and vegetables, 5 percent. Cereals and bakery products, 4.8 percent. And I could keep going. prgtoken The truth is that most Americans are having to spend, on average, about $3,500 more per year because of President 's inflation. prgtoken Now, to some people, that may not sound like much, that is a lot of money for people in my State. An extra $3,500 out of the budget of most working Americans is a lot. prgtoken You know, I wish it weren't so, but this inflation has been caused by the administration's economic policies. Inflation is not complicated. It is too much money chasing too few goods. prgtoken President 's coronavirus bill was the tipping point. That is clear. Now, we all voted for a number of coronavirus bills, but the last coronavirus bill was way too expensive. It was unnecessary, and it wasn't a coronavirus bill. prgtoken The President said: Oh, we have got an emergency. We have got an emergency. prgtoken And then you read the bill and find out that the bill has got nothing to do with the coronavirus and the money is going to be spent over like a 10-year period. That is not an emergency. prgtoken The current inflation has characteristics--I have not seen this--of both cost-push and demand-pull inflation, and it can be traced directly to the economic policies of the administration. prgtoken And the administration keeps pushing. He keeps trying to stuff more diapers down the toilet. The administration wants to throw another $5 trillion--not billion, not million, but trillion--of gasoline on the fire in the Build Back Better bill. And if we pass that, there will be another trillion dollars. prgtoken I mean, this administration spends mone