mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Immigration (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-3-10

for 20 years now, I have come to this floor hundreds of times to speak on behalf of the DREAM Act, which I introduced long ago. During that period of time, I have had an occasional vote. I have not been successful in making it the law of the land. prgtoken The closest I came was about 8 years ago, when we had the comprehensive immigration reform bill. Four ic Senators and four Senators--and I was among them--worked for months to try to address our immigration system. We came up with an agreement that was no mean feat. It is a complex area of law. It is a controversial area of law. It is an area of law that changes almost by the day, and we were trying to find a solution to all the challenges it presents. prgtoken To think that we are a nation of immigrants and, then, to reflect on our history on immigration is to leave one puzzled. prgtoken Most of the time we have been against immigration, despite the arrival of good people on our borders. Occasionally, when we were building a transcontinental railroad, we would invite people from China in to take the backbreaking jobs, only to categorically exclude them from immigration in the meantime. It is hard to explain, understand, or appreciate where we stand on immigration. prgtoken When I hear the leader come to the floor and criticize President for DACA, I have to say that it is personal to me. I was writing letters to President , my former Senate colleague from Illinois, begging him to do just that, and he did. prgtoken In creating DACA, he gave the Dreamers a fighting chance, and more than 800,000 of them came forward. These were young people who were brought to the United States as toddlers and infants and children, not because of a personal decision but a family decision. They grew up here, went to school here, and believed they were a part of this country, only to learn in a quiet moment of honesty from their parents that they didn't have the necessary paperwork and they had to be extra careful or face deportation. prgtoken I thought that was a heartbreaking conclusion for their time in America and introduced the Dream Act. And when we could not pass it, I asked President to do what he could to help, and he did. I thank him for it still to this day. prgtoken But DACA, if it was stretching Executive power, was certainly reflective of where the American people are on this issue. No apologies; the American people don't hold these young children now grown responsible for their family's decision. They want to give them a chance. They want to give them a chance to earn their legal status, to earn a path to citizenship. No apologies here; these are wonderful young people who make America a better country, and we need them to be a part of our future. prgtoken So for those who come to the floor critical of DACA, I just tell you: Take a couple of minutes and meet these young people. I have come to the floor ov
BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2021
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-3-10

just yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock in Atlanta, an armed robber walked into Chick-fil-A to rob the place. prgtoken Now, think about that. You are in there with your children, getting a meal in the middle of the day, and somebody comes in with a gun, puts your life at risk. Everybody in the place is at risk. prgtoken Did that guy get a background check to get his firearm? We don't know yet, but odds are he didn't because most of these crimes that are committed with a gun are with people who don't--guess what? I have a news flash--they don't follow the law. prgtoken Robbing the Chick-fil-A at 3 o'clock in the afternoon in Atlanta is not in accordance with the law. But I will tell you what happened. An armed citizen stopped the robbery using his firearm, a legally obtained firearm, and saved everybody in the place. prgtoken Do you know who is happy? The people in the Chick-fil-A are happy that the guy who bought the gun legally was there to save them and their children. That is who is happy. prgtoken This legislation, , disarms that person who operated his firearm legally. That is what this legislation does. It disarms America. It says to the criminal: Keep on not abiding by the law. You got your weapon illegally. You are going to keep doing it. prgtoken It doesn't stop them from doing anything. What it does do is it stops the guy who is going to get his firearm legally and end the crime in his community. That is who it stops. prgtoken No charges are pending on that individual in Atlanta who stopped that crime. No charges are pending. He followed the law. prgtoken This bill, , seeks to punish people who want to follow the law, and that is what is going to happen. prgtoken Do you know what is going to happen when we do this? There are going to be more crimes. There are going to be more unauthorized weapons out there, and there are going to be less people out there defending themselves and our community. That is what is happening. prgtoken , I urge a ``no'' vote on this.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-3-10

the balance of my time. prgtoken , there is this popular phrase that our is known for that we must pass the bill before we know what is in it. Well, the other side also said that you must poll the bill before the American people know what is in it. After they figure out what is in this bill, they won't like it. prgtoken We have looked at this bill. We have read it. prgtoken Less than 9 percent of all funding of this bill goes for healthcare spending to crush the virus and to put vaccinations in the arms of Americans. More than 20 percent of this bill goes to policies that harm jobs and reduce employment, and $36 billion will be cut from Medicare just next year alone because of this bill. Over $360 billion will be cut from seniors in 10 years because of this bill. prgtoken , when the facts are polled, the American people will know that this is a progressive wish list forced down by the ic Party. prgtoken , .
Foreign Agents Registration Act (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-3-10

recently, the administration withdrew a proposed administration rule that would have required universities and K-12 schools to identify their connections with Confucius Institutes, which are very much connected to the country of China and, I would even say, to the Communist Party of China, which may be one and the same. I have asked the administration about that move, but the administration has failed to respond to date. So I am here today to discuss four areas wherein the administration must be tough with China as well as with other countries. prgtoken Since April 2015, I have conducted oversight on several key aspects of foreign efforts to influence Members of prgtoken Congress and the American public. First, I have focused on the equal, fair, and aggressive enforcement of transparency laws. An example of one transparency law that I will focus on is the Foreign Agents Registration Act. prgtoken I first raised concerns about the Foreign Agents Registration Act in April 2015, when it became very apparent that it wasn't being used hardly at all. Historically, it hasn't been used very much, and people have been getting away without registering under that act. It may be OK to represent a foreign country or a foreign interest, but at least we in Congress ought to know about it, and, in turn, the American people ought to know who you are and whom you are speaking for. prgtoken In 1938, Congress passed that law for the purpose then of exposing Nazi propaganda and identifying foreign attempts to influence policymakers as well as the American public. Last updated in 1966, the Foreign Agents Registration Act requires those who lobby on behalf of foreign governments and foreign interests to register their affiliations and activities with our Justice Department. prgtoken The Foreign Agents Registration Act reflects the fundamental principle that transparency brings accountability. Until recently, however, the law has been seldom used. The Foreign Agents Registration Act ought to be better enforced and also be equally enforced. That is why I worked to expose holes in the existing law and then find ways through additional legislation to shore it up or even use oversight to see that the Justice Department takes its use with more certainty and with more force. prgtoken As a result of those efforts, last session, I introduced a bipartisan bill that goes by the title of ``Foreign Agents Disclosure and Registration Enhancement Act.'' Since it wasn't passed in the last Congress, I will be reintroducing it this session. The bill requires the Justice Department for the first time to craft a comprehensive enforcement strategy and to release advisory opinions to promote that transparency. It gives investigators new tools, including civil investigative demand authority, to help identify violations. prgtoken Last Congress, the bill had support from Chairman Graham and Ranking Member Feinstein of the
NATIONAL GUARD
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2021-3-10

most mornings I get up kind of early, and I go for a run on the Mall, run by the Capitol, this beautiful building, the Senate, the House, the people's house, which recently was open for all of us to enjoy. And now, as most Americans know, it is ringed with gates and razor wire and troops. It looks a little bit like the Green Zone in Baghdad, not the U.S. Capitol. prgtoken Here's the thing. When I go running--I do this most mornings; I did it this morning--you see these wonderful National Guard men and women who are serving their country still here behind the fence, behind the razor wire. And they are literally about every 50 yards, sometimes closer, standing post all night--all night--hundreds of them, American soldiers. prgtoken They are doing their duty, and we all appreciate it. I talk to them. I just say: Hey, how you guys doing? How is morale? You want to be here? You think it is time to go home? I think it is time for you to go home, and I am going to try and help you with that. prgtoken Now, look, most are stoic. They are tough. They are soldiers doing their job. But make no mistake, they want to go home. They are standing their post all night, 1, 2, 3 in the morning, prgtoken every 50 yards, for what? For what? I don't think they know what for, and neither do I. prgtoken Now the assault that took place on our democracy on January 6 was a dark day for our country, no doubt. I will remember that for the rest of my life. But the Members of Congress did something really important that same day. We reconvened right here in the U.S. Senate, even amid some of the broken glass and smashed doors in the House. We finished our constitutional duty to count the electoral college votes. The rioters that day--who should be prosecuted--did not win. That was important. prgtoken But that was 3 months ago, and our Nation's Capitol is still decked in layer upon layer of barbed wire and metal fencing. More than 5,000 troops still roam the Capitol instead of being where they know they should be: home with their families, back to their jobs--these are National Guard members, so their work is obviously being disrupted--and back to their States and their communities. prgtoken The cost of keeping them here since January at this juncture is over a half billion dollars. But here's the thing: I pay close attention to these issues. I keep asking: OK, I understand this; they were here after the 6th, and they were here for the inauguration, but what is the threat now? Give me an intel threat--a credible intel threat--that requires 5,000 troops and razor wire all across the U.S. Capitol, the people's house. What is the credible intel? I have not gotten any credible intel that I am aware of. prgtoken We learned yesterday that the Secretary of Defense approved the request for these soldiers to be here for another 60 days. Here is what you didn't hear about in those reports. I have a lot of respect for the Secretary of Defen
Nomination of Michael Stanley Regan (Executive Calendar)
Richard Burr (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-3-10

I rise today to support the nomination of Michael Regan to be the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. One look at Michael's resume should make it clear to my colleagues that he is immensely qualified for this position, not only in qualifications but in his demeanor. prgtoken Michael is a proud North Carolinian who, over the last 4 years, has ably served as secretary of the North Carolina department of environment. You will consistently hear from those who have worked with him in this role that whether they agreed or disagreed on a given policy, he always listened and looked to find agreement. prgtoken This type of praise is not easy to come by on environmental matters, but it is exactly what we should ask of any nominee to ensure everyone gets a fair hearing at their Agency. That is exactly why North Carolina's agricultural community supports his nomination. prgtoken It is our job to ascertain whether a nominee has the knowledge and experience to do the job that the President has nominated them for, but, too often, we overlook whether a nominee has the right character to lead an organization. In this case, there is no question that Michael Regan has that character. prgtoken I have had the pleasure to get to know him over the last several years and to see firsthand his sincerity and love for his family. I know when a man of this caliber is confirmed, he will bring those same qualities to the Agency he leads, bolstering the EPA and ensuring that communities reliant on agriculture for their livelihood will be listened to. prgtoken In closing, Michael Regan is a good man. He is the right man to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. And I would urge you and urge my colleagues to confirm him to be the next Administrator of the EPA prgtoken With that, . prgtoken .
Immigration (Executive Session)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2021-3-10

I come to the floor today to oppose President 's Executive orders on immigration. prgtoken Now, there are more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the country today. This is a group equivalent to the population of the entire State of Georgia, and this number has nearly tripled in the last 30 years. In fact, some experts say the number is a lot higher than that. Folks at Yale and MIT and the researchers there said it could actually be twice as high; it could be 22 million people in the country illegally. Well, that is more than the population of the entire State of New York. prgtoken So it appears to me that illegal immigration is making a mockery of our borders. Yet President and this administration refuse to admit, even as of this morning, that there is a crisis at the southern border. prgtoken Now, if you talk to law enforcement all across the country, they will tell you that many of the problems that they face every day are problems related to our open southern border. The Drug Enforcement Administration has said for nearly a decade now that the vast majority of illegal drugs in America come here across the southern border. prgtoken Now, I am a doctor. I will tell you, these drugs have killed thousands of Americans. They kill thousands of Americans every year. They tear families apart. They lead to heartbreaking stories. They rob people of their God-given potential. prgtoken Our law enforcement, our Coast Guard, our border agents, they do heroic work every day to intercept drugs, to stop human trafficking. They can't do it alone. They need the support of the U.S. Senate. prgtoken Well, during the debate last week over the spending bill, we had a chance to give them support. Senator Cruz introduced an amendment to prevent checks from going to illegal immigrants. blocked it. Senator Cotton introduced an amendment to cut the bailout funding to sanctuary cities. Well, these are cities that actively try to prevent Federal agents--actively try to prevent Federal agents from enforcing our immigration laws. blocked the amendment. prgtoken So no wonder we have a crisis at the border. seem to be advertising to the entire world: Come here now. If you come here illegally, you can get a check, possibly. prgtoken If you are an immigration enforcement officer, seem to block them from doing their own job. President has already issued at least seven Executive orders on immigration. In just over a month in office, President has already proven to be the most open-border President in U.S. history. prgtoken Now we face an entirely predictable crisis at the border. That crisis rests squarely at President 's feet. On his first day in office, President shut down construction of the southern border wall. By the time the day was over, President stopped all deportations for a hundred days. It didn't matter to President what you were going
TRIBUTE TO BRAD RICHARDSON
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-3-10

it was one decade ago that my friend Brad Richardson saw an opportunity in Hardin County. The community was ready to step on the gas pedal and start a new era of growth. It had the raw materials: a dynamic workforce, a premium location, and a strong ally in Fort Knox. All it needed was the right person to lead the way. Today, I would like to pay tribute to Brad, a visionary leader who helped realize the area's potential. At the end of this month, he will begin a well-deserved retirement with our sincere thanks. prgtoken The first step was bringing everyone together. Brad is a natural team builder. He oversaw the consolidation of four local business advocacy groups into the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce. The new organization would help attract investment to one of Kentucky's most populous counties. As the chamber's inaugural president, Brad spent the next decade doing just that. prgtoken One of Brad's first moves at the new Hardin Chamber was to restart the annual Small Business Expo. The event gives local entrepreneurs the opportunities to connect with customers and local leaders as they expand their operations. Brad also launched a Buy Local campaign to keep Hardin County's dollars in the community. In 2014, he was named the Chamber Executive of the Year by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives. prgtoken Hardin County is more than a great place to live and work. It is also the proud home to Fort Knox, one of Kentucky's premier military installations and the location of the U.S. bullion depository. The installation supports over 20,000 local jobs and makes a multibillion dollar annual economic impact. In 2016, Brad was a driving force in the establishment of the Knox Regional Development Alliance. The group is tasked with promoting the relationship between the community and our Armed Forces. For his work to encourage the partnership, Brad was given the Fort Knox Gold Neighbor Award. prgtoken I've worked closely with Brad and KRDA to invest in Fort Knox's infrastructure and capabilities. Last year, prgtoken that hard work paid off. The Pentagon selected Fort Knox to host the reactivated V Corps headquarters. Kentucky is one of the most military- friendly States in the country, and Hardin County was eager to welcome more than 600 additional soldiers. I am grateful to KRDA, Brad and his team, and our many other partners who made the stationing of the V Corps at Fort Knox a reality. prgtoken Over the years, Brad increased chamber membership and made substantial innovations for his community and our Commonwealth. That record of accomplishment would be enough for anyone. But Brad was determined to bring his good humor and enthusiasm to every project. He made it a real pleasure to be part of his team. When Brad took this job, he set an ambitious goal to enhance the quality of life in Hardin County. By any objective standard, I think he succeeded. prgtoken So we are all going to miss working wit
Tribute to Roy Blunt (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-3-10

before I begin, I want to take a moment to express my sadness about Senator Blunt's announcement that he will not seek reelection in 2022. prgtoken He has been a leader within our conference ever since he came over to the Senate, and he will be sorely missed. I will especially miss having him as a Member of the whip team here in the Senate. prgtoken I came to the House of Representatives with Senator Blunt back in the election of 1996. We began our service in January of 1997, and he quickly rose up through the ranks in the House and became the whip in the House of Representatives. He has always been involved in leadership wherever he has been, and his list of achievements is long. prgtoken All Americans have benefited over the past year from his tremendous efforts to accelerate coronavirus testing and vaccine development. And less than 2 months ago, in his role as chairman of Rules Committee, he oversaw a very successful inauguration at a particularly challenging time. prgtoken The one good thing is that Roy is not leaving us immediately. He will be here for 2 more years, and I look forward to continuing to work with him and to seeing everything that he will accomplish American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 prgtoken , it has been quoted that ``[t]he Senate works best when we work together. . . . The challenges we face are great. The divisions in the country are real. We have no choice but to try to work together every day to reward the faith the American people have placed in us.'' prgtoken Those are not my words. Those are the words of the ic leader on Inauguration Day. But I agree with him. The Senate does indeed work best when we work together. And, for proof, look no further than last week's debacle--a good example of what happens when, instead of working together, one party tries to strong-arm its legislation through the Senate. prgtoken Last Friday was perhaps most notable for its 11-plus-hour vote on an amendment. held a 15-minute vote open for almost 12 hours-- making it the longest vote in modern Senate history--because it had become clear that they were in danger of losing the support of one of their Members. prgtoken It turns out that when you force a massive, liberal piece of legislation through the Senate without committee review and without any attempt at soliciting input from the Senate as a whole, you start to lose support even from Members of your own party. It was an embarrassing moment for the leadership and a sad moment for the rest of the Senate. prgtoken In that same speech on Inauguration Day, the ic leader pledged: [The] Senate will legislate. . . . And to my colleagues, when and where we can, the ic majority will strive to make this important work bipartisan. prgtoken There was no evidence of that here. didn't try to make this bill bipartisan. In fact, the
IN RECOGNITION OF THRIVENT COMMUNITY-ADVENT PARTNERS
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-3-10

. Madam , I rise today to honor Thrivent Community-Advent Partners team for their service to the Adams County community. prgtoken As an act of kindness for their neighbors, this group assembles and delivers care packages to patients who are undergoing cancer treatments in the Gettysburg Cancer Center and the Wellspan Adams Cancer Center. This tradition was established five years ago and has continued to be a service project shared by many community members. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thriven Community-Advent Partners team has taken extra care to safely assemble packages that include items such as masks, blankets, lotion, hand sanitizer, tissues, lip balm and other items. Despite challenges, they have persevered to continue this mission. prgtoken Thrivent Community-Advent Partners' commitment to community service is invaluable to the Adams County community. It is an honor to thank these Pennsylvanians for their commitment and highlight this invaluable work, and I wish them every continued success.