mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2023-1-26

I am honored to recognize Harold ``Harry'' Armstrong of Canaan and John Bayliss of Hanover as December's Granite Staters of the Month. For decades, Harry has led a successful effort to collect used medical equipment and deliver it to those in need in the Upper Valley area and beyond. prgtoken Harry helped start the Health Closet, with members of the Canaan Lions Club, more than 40 years ago. The group collected used medical equipment, such as manual and electric wheelchairs, walkers, lift chairs, crutches, canes, and bath stools from the area's visiting nurses, nonprofits, hospitals, and individuals. They would then keep the equipment in storage until they found someone who needed it. prgtoken When Harry was hospitalized 2 years ago and had to have his foot amputated, he worried that Health Closet's mission would cease to be fulfilled. That is when Harry's friend and Lebanon Upper Valley Lions Club member John Bayliss stepped up to help run the initiative. prgtoken Through their work, the duo profoundly touches people's lives by giving them the medical equipment that they desperately need to go about their lives and continue to be a part of their community. From doing DIY fix-ups of medical equipment in Harry's and John's garages, to lugging large medical machinery in their pickup trucks, their dedication to helping others, willingness to take the initiative, and generosity is a shining example of the Granite State spirit.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-1-26

I have served in the House and Senate for a number of years. One of the issues that has always been of interest to me is tobacco. I lost my father to lung cancer when I was 14 years old. He was 53. Two packs of Camels a day, and he died of lung cancer. I have thought about that a lot throughout my life. prgtoken When I was elected to the House of Representatives, I decided to start asking a few questions about tobacco and government subsidies and government policies. It was not the most popular position I ever took within the House of Representatives. There was generally a rule--or at least a custom--of never raising the issue. I did. It resulted in a decision by the House of Representatives that surprised almost everyone. prgtoken I introduced an amendment to ban smoking on airplanes. It was opposed by not only my own party leadership but the leadership of the Party. Yet we prevailed. It turned out that the Members of the House of Representatives represented one of the largest frequent flier clubs in America, and they were sick and tired of secondhand smoke in airplanes. prgtoken I called on Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey to be my ally on this side of the Rotunda, and he was successful in passing the legislation with me, which was signed into law. prgtoken People started asking obvious questions about secondhand smoke: If it is dangerous in an airplane, why is it not dangerous on the train, the bus, at a hospital, in an office building, in a restaurant? prgtoken So, to my surprise, this measure to make clean air more prevalent on airplanes ended up being a tipping point in American history on tobacco policy. Everything started changing--and fast. Lives were saved. People were discouraged from smoking. Tobacco companies, which had been untouchable to that point, were not only touchable, they were vulnerable. And they had to sit down and devise a new policy to make money. prgtoken Now, the premise of tobacco was to entice young people to start smoking at an early age, and the chemicals in tobacco, like nicotine, were addictive. People knew, in the tobacco industry, that if you could drag kids into smoking at an early age and get them addicted, they might face a lifetime with that addiction and, ultimately, die from it, but they would have loyal customers to the tobacco companies, and they would continue to make money. prgtoken When we started raising questions about tobacco, the tobacco companies needed an alternative. They found it. Do you know what it was? It was e-cigarettes and vaping. The tobacco companies made big investments in these companies--selling them as a new marketable product that was a lot safer--though, it wasn't--and creating addictions among children by advertising and selling fruit-flavored, bubble gum-flavored vaping devices that looked an awful lot like something you would carry around for your computer. prgtoken Visit a high school in America today in you
GUNS
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-1-26

now finally on guns, it is another tragic week of mass shootings, but gun manufacturers continue to stoop to disgusting and morally bankrupt new lows. I am talking about a weapon currently for sale that is actually being marketed by one gunmaker to children. It has a disgusting, horrifying name: the JR-15. The JR-15. You heard me right. That is what they call it. The JR-15 is a spinoff, a child-sized version of an AR-15, which, according to the company marketing it, ``functions like a modern sporting rifle'' but is ``geared to smaller enthusiasts.'' Smaller enthusiasts? That is a code for ``young children.'' prgtoken Look at what just happened a few weeks ago in Virginia, where a 6- year-old student shot his teacher at school. We are talking about a kid in the first grade who looked at his teacher and pulled the trigger. When weapons are marketed to children, it makes horrors like what happened in Virginia more likely. Even if the weapons are marketed to adults to give to their children, it creates these terrible, terrible, terrible situations. prgtoken So later today, I and a group of my colleagues will ask the FTC to investigate the company that makes and advertises the JR-15. I want to be clear that this probe is not intended to be a cure-all for gun violence. We have a lot more to do in that regard. But we must shed more light on the prevalence of guns in our society, and regulators must take stronger steps to keep guns out of the hands of children. I hope it will pave the way for future action in Congress. prgtoken I can't believe I have to say this: The last thing we need to be doing is reducing in size deadly weapons of war and marketing them to young children. Every parent in America, every citizen in America should be outraged and demand the FTC to take action. prgtoken . prgtoken .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-1-26

today, the resolution designating January as National Stalking Awareness month will be voted on and pass the Senate. and friend Senator Amy Klobuchar for her work and dedication to this subject. Approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men in the U.S. have experienced stalking at some point in their lives. prgtoken This bipartisan resolution sends a clear message: We will not stand for this egregious conduct. Millions of our fellow Americans have been victims of stalking. Oftentimes, their stories involve years-long episodes, drastic changes to their lives to secure their safety and, sadly, other criminal activity by stalkers. This month is a time for us all to reflect on the pervasiveness of stalking and the serious hardships and dangers faced by victims. prgtoken As stated in the resolution, I also want to thank the advocates who are on the frontlines of this issue and stand ready to assist victims and provide them with the resources and support they need and deserve. prgtoken The work of advocates raising awareness, of law enforcement and courts taking preventive and punitive action and of serviceworkers in providing help to victims are all worthy of our thanks. prgtoken Our work doesn't stop here. I am once again recommitting to the fight against stalking, trafficking, and other conduct that targets our most vulnerable populations.
NATIONAL STALKING AWARENESS MONTH--Continued
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-1-26

. The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Graham), the Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Johnson), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Paul), and the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Vance). prgtoken Further, if present and voting, the Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Graham) would have voted ``yea'' and the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Vance) would have voted ``yea.''
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-1-26

this amendment prohibits an entity from providing oil and gas to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of the Secretary's plan if those activities will negatively impact air quality. Yet, the amendment does not define negative impact. prgtoken Under this amendment, you could have 1 hour of emissions increases that are below Federal requirements for air quality, and you would be disqualified under this bill. prgtoken The oil and gas industry has made great strides in reducing the emissions of their operations. prgtoken This amendment is creating an extralegal and difficult to ascertain and comply with standard that will prevent us from being energy secure for real emergencies. prgtoken Let's not forget that we produce American energy in the most environmentally responsible way, and our environmental standards are the highest in the world. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and .
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
Tim Walberg (Republican, MI) \u2014 2023-1-26

. H.R. 21 is about strengthening the SPR by requiring any nonemergency use to be accompanied by a plan to produce American oil resources. This amendment is unworkable as a matter of certification, and if it were to work, it would lead to inhibiting the price signals necessary for generating more supply. prgtoken The market economy allocating resources through supply and demand is the best system for assuring affordable quality goods and depends on prices to signal more supply. This amendment seeks to curtail price signals for largely uneconomic messaging purposes. prgtoken This amendment undermines the purpose of the bill, and so, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment. prgtoken , .
UKRAINE
Roger F. Wicker (Republican, MS) \u2014 2023-1-26

if I might be recognized, nearly 1 year ago, Russia launched an unprovoked, illegal, and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. In doing so, Vladimir Putin quite literally sought to wipe a sovereign nation off the map. But as the world witnessed in the months that followed, Mr. Putin had vastly underestimated the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian leadership. Rather than capitulate, Ukrainians have resisted and saved their homeland from full-scale occupation. The courage and ingenuity shown by Ukrainian troops, many of whom were civilians before the war, continues to be nothing short of heroic. prgtoken This morning, we learned of yet another act of Russian terror in the form of a barrage of drones and missiles raining down on Kyiv. This left severe casualties. This act of brute intimidation, which has become all too common over the past year, was clearly meant to break the will of the Ukrainian people as they prepare to receive more military aid from the United States and from other allies. prgtoken Thankfully, Ukrainian forces successfully shot down the vast majority of those incoming projectiles using advanced air defense technology. This is just one more example of what many of us in this Chamber have asserted for months: If Ukrainians get the tools they need, they can finish the job and defeat Vladimir Putin. prgtoken The harsh reality is that these kinds of attacks on Ukraine, leaving a trail of casualties in their wake, have become far too common, and if leaders across the free world had acted sooner, we would be better positioned to save the lives and critical infrastructure now. prgtoken The U.S. Congress has led the world in supporting the Ukraine war effort. In fact, we have led the administration--this Senate, on both sides of the aisle. On a bipartisan basis, we have provided security assistance, humanitarian aid, and direct support to Ukraine's government. Although this has amounted to tens of billions of taxpayer dollars, this is actually a bargain investment. prgtoken Let's put it in context. According to the Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker, the total U.S. contribution to Ukraine, through November of last year, amounted to only 0.2 percent of our gross domestic product. The new Congress must continue this bipartisan support for Ukraine, and I look forward to leading the charge as ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. prgtoken As the first anniversary of this war approaches, we should reflect on the progress made by Ukraine, and we should carefully consider how to help them decisively win this conflict so that a lasting peace can take root. To do so, we first need to state clearly what our American interests are in Ukraine. That is something the President and his advisers have repeatedly failed to do, choosing instead to make vague references to the rules-based international order, or words to that effect. prgtoken The American people are right to demand
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-1-26

. Mr. Chair, before I discuss the details of my amendment, I want to applaud the new majority for giving Members the opportunity to offer amendments in a more open process. The people's House has been broken for far too long, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in an open process for the remainder of this Congress. prgtoken I also want to thank Chairwoman McMorris-Rodgers for her leadership on this issue to put American energy first. I cosponsored this legislation because I believe it puts America back on track to regain energy independence. prgtoken This is such an important issue and critical piece of legislation that I believe we cannot stop short. We need to chart a path back to energy independence and ensure President is not able to sell our critical oil supplies to China or any other rogue nation. President used emergency authorities to sell hundreds of millions of barrels of oil to our enemies. prgtoken My amendment would prevent President from claiming an emergency to further reduce our strategic oil supplies. This is why I filed impeachment articles last Congress against President on the grounds that he endangered, compromised, and undermined the energy security of the United States by selling oil from the United States' Strategic Petroleum Reserve to foreign nations. President has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the national security of our country. prgtoken No President in the history of the United States has ordered a liquidation of the SPR on this scale. He sold 40 percent of our critical oil supply to trick and deceive the American people before the election. Rather than unleashing American energy here at home, he has robbed our country. prgtoken When President took office in 2021, the SPR contained 638 million barrels of oil. Since then, he has slashed our oil inventory to 371 million barrels. He has decimated the SPR to the lowest level since December, 1983, before some Members of this body were even born. He shredded the offers from oil companies to resupply the reserve. He gave away 7 million barrels of our oil to a Communist Chinese state-run energy firm. The CCP had 1.2 billion barrels when took office, they have even more now. prgtoken I cannot believe our President did that. prgtoken If we let President continue to run our oil this way, we will have nothing left. prgtoken This has destroyed America's oil production. President shut down the Keystone XL pipeline, destroying hundreds of thousands of American jobs. prgtoken President has allowed the least amount of federal land for drilling since the end of World War II. prgtoken We are now producing 1 million barrels of oil less every day compared to when President was in office. prgtoken Every country faces natural disasters. prgtoken Where will we get our oil next time we are in crisis? prgtoken Whom will we have to beg to get our oil? prgtoken China
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
Nicole Malliotakis (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-1-26

President 's dangerous anti- energy policies have hindered our energy independence. His curbing production, sitting on leases and permits, canceling Keystone pipeline, they have all led to high gas prices, heating costs, food costs, and has the left Northeast heating fuel supply at its lowest point since 1951. prgtoken Then, to cover up for his failed policies, he raided 266 million barrels, or 40 percent of our SPR, meant for real emergencies like natural disasters. This was not meant to sell to China. prgtoken It is now at its lowest point in 40 years. We are vulnerable as a result of it; and this bill stops the President from depleting our resources and pushes him to refill it, not with Russian oil, not with Saudi oil, not with Venezuelan oil, and certainly not with Iranian oil, but with American oil to protect our national security and the economy.
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
Stephanie I. Bice (Republican, OK) \u2014 2023-1-26

. Mr. Chair, since President took office, he has waged a full-on assault on the oil and gas industry. Instead of unleashing American energy production, he has unleashed our energy reserves. Now, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at its lowest level in 40 years. prgtoken In an attempt to temporarily lower gas prices leading up to the 2022 election, President has abused the SPR, which is supposed to be used for emergency purposes, and weakened America's energy security. prgtoken Oklahomans and all Americans deserve more than the political games. H.R. 21 is a step toward allowing America to produce reliable and affordable energy and ensure we are prepared for true energy supply emergencies in the future.
STRATEGIC PRODUCTION RESPONSE ACT
John W. Rose (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-1-26

. Mr. Chair, today I rise in support of H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act. prgtoken President 's energy policies that stifle domestic oil and gas production have pushed energy prices up and made everything we buy in this country more expensive. As a consequence, the president raided our Strategic Petroleum Reserve last year in a failed attempt to temporarily and artificially lower the price of gas right before the mid-term election, putting his personal political self-interest above our national security and our national interest. His actions left our nation vulnerable to international energy extortion and woefully unprepared to respond to certain domestic natural disasters and emergencies. prgtoken The solution to this terrible predicament the president has left us in is to enact a policy that requires the Secretary of the Department of Energy to submit a plan to increase domestic production every time the president chooses to raid our reserves for non-emergency reasons. That way, we'll never be left in the position we are left in today. That's exactly what the Strategic Production Response Act does. prgtoken Additionally, Mr. Chair, I rise because I am pleased that the new majority in the House has brought forth this bill under a modified open rule. This will be the first bill considered in this chamber under an open modified rule since 2016 and the first time since I took office. prgtoken I, along with many of my colleagues who wish to restore the integrity of this institution, have long advocated for an open amendment process that encourages robust debate. The American people sent us to Washington to be their representatives, which means listening to each other-even when we disagree--and taking tough votes so that we can reach a consensus. prgtoken I am confident that this process will yield greater Member participation, a more informed and engaged electorate, and ultimately better legislation for the American people.
GUANTANAMO BAY
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-1-26

on an entirely different matter, some things in life are just constants: The Sun rises in the east, water is wet, and ic administrations look for ways to let terrorists out of Guantanamo Bay. prgtoken The administration has already overseen the largest terrorist jailbreak in modern memory when they abandoned the Bagram Air Base prison in Afghanistan. They let the Taliban waltz in and free thousands of terrorists, reportedly including the ISIS-K suicide bomber who killed our 13 American servicemembers in Kabul during the administration's botched withdrawal. prgtoken Now, rumor has it they are considering writing a sequel to that jailbreak by continuing the - administration's literal obsession with removing terrorists from our secure and prgtoken legal detention facility at Guantanamo. prgtoken Let's get a few things straight. The American people are safer and more secure because monsters like Khalid Shaikh Mohammed are off the battlefield and behind bars where they belong. When the administration wanted to bring these terrorists to America, introduce them into the American judicial and prison systems, the Congress, on an overwhelming, overwhelming bipartisan basis, said no. But the progressive leftists in the administration don't seem to care. They seem more concerned about the views of European human rights activists than about key national security concerns and complex legal questions. prgtoken So new reports suggest that President and his team are trying to cut plea deals with these terrorists and war criminals. They want to cut these guys deals. prgtoken What would the deals look like? No one knows. They won't tell anybody. Would they be transferred into our own taxpayer-funded justice system for American citizens? Are we going to have hardened terrorists moving through the streets of Manhattan, with terrorist lawyers getting the rights and access that pertain to defense counsel? prgtoken Mayor Adams is already saying New York can't cope with President 's open southern border, and now the NYPD could have to babysit terrorists as well? Or is the plan military commissions, in which case, what concessions is the President planning to make to these murderers to get their activist lawyers to accept that forum? prgtoken Or does the administration intend to follow the administration's model and rely on third parties and other countries to do the dirty work of detention? Well, of course, if you are going to send these people to other countries, that requires allies who are reliable, responsible, and actually willing to take these terrorists. Does President plan to gamble on an Iraqi Government that is increasingly under the influence of Iran? Or do they want to double down on detention facilities run by Syrian Kurdish partners in areas that are not yet under the control of the Assad regime? prgtoken There is already no plan for Europe to r