mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE
Donald G. Davis (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2024-6-5

the sound of freedom is roaring at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Wayne County, North Carolina. prgtoken This past week, I visited the base with my colleague, Representative Nickel, and Goldsboro Mayor Charles Gaylor. prgtoken It was a pleasure meeting the new wing commander. We had an extensive discussion regarding divestment, the new Air Task Force, and upgrading the combat range. prgtoken It is crucial to recognize that Seymour Johnson plays a vital role in eastern North Carolina's economy, which is economically distressed. It is imperative that we prioritize our national security interests and protect this community. prgtoken I support the National Defense Authorization Act, including a provision requiring the Air Force to contract with the Department of Defense to conduct an assessment and report back to Congress. prgtoken The Air Force must prioritize transparency and accountability to the Wayne County residents.
80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise today in recognition of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The size and scale of the amphibious landing at Normandy 80 years ago was simply amazing. The Allied forces, consisting of soldiers and sailors from 12 countries, numbered 156,115, nearly half of which were American servicemembers. Over 11,500 aircraft and almost 7,000 naval vessels supported the largest amphibious assault in history. There were an estimated 10,000 casualties that day as the allies fought to liberate Europe from Nazi Germany. The amphibious landing and subsequent victory at Normandy was a testament of the Allies' logistical and industrial power. D-Day opened another major front where the bulk of America's Army could at last be brought to bear. D-Day also led to the liberation of France and denied the Nazis of key U-boat ports and V-weapons sites. By the end of June 1944, over 850,000 soldiers had arrived on the beaches of Normandy and were on the march across Europe. The Allied victory on those beaches not only meant the eventual defeat of the Nazis, but also kept the Soviet Iron Curtain at the German border instead of the English Channel. prgtoken Beyond all the facts and figures involved with the landing are the individual stories of heroism and bravery. One such story is that of Leonard Schroeder, the first American to land on the beaches of Normandy at Utah Beach. Leonard Schroeder, then a 25-year-old Army captain, was in the first wave of 20 Higgins boats. In his boat were 32 men, and they arrived at Utah Beach at 6:28 a.m. that morning, 2 minutes ahead of the scheduled H-Hour and thus ahead of their air support. Captain Schroeder led his men ashore wading the final 100 yards from their landing craft to the beach through barbed wire while under machinegun fire from the Nazis. Half of the men on Captain Schroeder's boat suffered casualties, including five fatalities. Captain Schroeder himself was shot twice, but carried on leading his men into harm's way. For his actions on D-Day, he earned the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. After the Normandy invasion, a Pentagon press release hailed him as ``the first GI to invade Europe'', and the Baltimore Sun wrote, ``When his boot touched French soil, it was a great moment in history.'' Captain Schroeder's story is one of thousands of examples of selfless bravery on the beaches of Normandy that day, but I chose to highlight his story as he is a native of Maryland. Leonard Schroeder was born in Linthicum Heights and attended the University of Maryland on a full athletic scholarship. While at UMD, he joined the Reserve Officer's Training Corps--ROTC--and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in June 1941, months before the attack at Pearl Harbor which led the U.S. to into World War II. After World War II, Leonard Schroeder continued to serve his country ultimately serving 30 years on Active Duty and retiring as a colonel in 1971. On the 50th an
Immigration (Executive Session)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2024-6-5

the President of the United States is, today, using clips of my speech on the floor of the Senate in his campaign ads talking about border security and immigration. Well, I would encourage him to use clips of this speech today instead, because President created the problem at the border right now. prgtoken That is not some theory. That is not some political statement. That is fact. And I can compare that to the two previous Presidents, who operated under the exact same law as President is operating under now. We have 2\1/2\ million people--plus--illegally crossing our southern border this year. Under prgtoken President , we had half a million. prgtoken There is no difference in the law between President , President , and President . The only difference is the Executive who is actually overseeing that law's prosecution. That is the only difference. prgtoken So why would we have half a million people illegally crossing the border under President and 2\1/2\ million people under President ? It is the Executive and how they are carrying out the law. prgtoken Now, I have been very clear: That last half a million is Congress's responsibility. We have a responsibility to change the definition of ``asylum,'' to change how the enforcement is done, increase the number of agents that are there, take away a lot of the appeals that are frivolous--and we all know it--to be able to allow people who qualify for asylum to get into the country and people who do not get turned around so they can go through a legal pathway, not through an illegal pathway. prgtoken That is Congress's responsibility, that last half a million. Those are changes in the law we have to get done, and I have been very outspoken on that and will continue to be outspoken on that because we have not done our job here. prgtoken But the other 2 million people who are illegally crossing this year, last year, the year before that, that is not on Congress; that is on the President of the United States because he created this. prgtoken Why would I say that? Day one of his Presidency, he walked in with an Executive order day one and announced to the world: We are no longer going to do a border wall construction. We are going to stop border wall construction. Day one, this President announced that he is no longer going to do the Executive order that had been put in place under President to ensure that there was a meaningful application of Border Patrol laws and immigration regulations. Literally, he took those regs and set them aside and said: We are not going to do that. prgtoken Day one, he announced a 100-day moratorium on deportations and on enforcement and then continued to be able to extend it out from there. prgtoken This wasn't day one, but it was a week and a half later: DHS implemented a new policy saying that we are going to change the way we do removals of people who are illegally present in the co
FAREWELL TO MICHAELA TODD
Tracey Mann (Republican, KS) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise today in honor of a great Kansan, Michaela Todd. Michaela is a hardworking staffer, former volunteer, someone who is deeply committed to the conservative cause, a person of deep faith, and a friend. prgtoken Michaela has been a part of my team since my very first day serving in the House, beginning as a staff assistant, and most recently as press secretary. Although it is bittersweet, the time has come for her to spread her wings and begin a new journey. prgtoken Michaela has faithfully served Kansas and the Big First, and I am incredibly grateful for her service to our team and the district. prgtoken On behalf of Kansas and the Big First and my team here in D.C Michaela, thank you for your hard work and service over the past 3\1/2\ years. We have served better because of your contribution to the team, and we are grateful for your time in the office. We wish you the best of luck in your new endeavor and are praying for your success as you transition into your new role.
RECOGNIZING HANDS ON
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2024-6-5

Idaho small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities. These small businesses not only employ friends and neighbors, but they showcase Idaho's creativity and values. Idaho small businesses provide invaluable goods and services and are an intrinsic element of the Gem State. These small businesses deserve to be celebrated for the integral role they play in our communities. I am proud to relaunch Support Local Gems, a statewide initiative, on June 7, to encourage Idahoans to support the small businesses that make the Gem State special. As a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I am pleased to honor Hands On as one of Idaho's Small Businesses of the Month for June 2024. prgtoken Hands On has served as a creative outlet for Twin Falls since 2003. The corner paint-your-own pottery studio came to light following a family vacation to Italy when Robin Dober hoped to purchase ceramic pieces, but couldn't figure out how to safely travel back to Idaho with them. With no background in pottery, Robin hired a consultant and Hands On opened 3 months later. In 2016, Ashley Dubois acquired the studio. prgtoken Hands On is designed for all ages and all skill levels, offering canvas, clay making, and clay throwing courses. Last year, Hands On celebrated 20 years in business with a full day of activities for the Magic Valley. Robin and Ashley have ensured that Hands On is an accessible outlet for everyone to slow down and lean into their creative side. prgtoken Congratulations to Ashley Dubois and all of the employees at Hands On for being selected as an Idaho Small Business of the Month for June 2024. You are an outstanding example of what it means to be one of Idaho's Local Gems. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.
BIDEN'S BORDER CRISIS IS DETRIMENTAL TO IDAHOANS
Russ Fulcher (Republican, ID) \u2014 2024-6-5

while the crisis at our southern border continues to worsen due to President 's blatant disregard for U.S. immigration laws, Customs and Border Protection officers are now seeing a spike in activity at our northern border. prgtoken Last month, 16,750 illegal immigrants were encountered at our northern border, a staggering 1,240 percent increase compared to April 2021, and that is just what we know of. prgtoken CBP reports that most of these individuals are attempting to evade apprehension, unlike at the southern border, where groups often surrender knowing they will be released directly into the U.S. prgtoken Our national security is in shambles as this crisis continues to escalate with no end in sight. Unlike President , I will not stand by and allow known gang members, terrorists, and foreign aggressors to waltz into our country through our northern border and Idaho. prgtoken I will continue to fight to secure our border, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
Right to Contraception Act (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2024-6-5

. Well, , it is about time for ' weekly exercise in election-year politics. prgtoken Later today, we will take up another bill intended to provide a talking point for candidates, and the leader hopes to put s in a tight spot. But if he thinks to see s quaking in their boots over being asked to take these votes, he should think again, because we welcome the chance to talk about the agenda. prgtoken Take this afternoon's exercise. Under the guise of protecting access to contraception--something that is not under threat--the leader is bringing up legislation that would not only funnel money to ' allies at Planned Parenthood but would wipe out--wipe out-- conscience protections for healthcare providers. The bill specifically targets the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was bipartisan legislation passed in 1993--back, I might add, when actually believed in protecting our First Amendment freedoms. prgtoken And this is not the first time have attempted to carve out sweeping exceptions to this once widely supported legislation. Apparently, Americans are free to live out their deeply held moral and religious beliefs when they don't conflict with ' policy positions. prgtoken It is deeply disturbing that the leader has gone from sponsoring--sponsoring--the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to attempting to decide when and how Americans can exercise one of their fundamental First Amendment rights. If the leader thinks that s are intimidated to cast a vote against legislation that would seriously imperil Americans' ability to live according to their consciences, well, as I said, he should think again. prgtoken I suspect there are few Americans who don't recognize the leader's politicking for exactly what it is, just as I suspect there are few Americans who bought ' border legislation ploy 2 weeks ago. prgtoken The leader apparently thought that he could erase Americans' memories of 3-plus years of chaos at the southern border under President by bringing up a vote on a border bill that he knew would not be able to pass the Senate, but I think he will find that Americans' memories are more retentive than that. prgtoken Three years of national security crisis were not wiped out by a show vote intended to provide electoral cover for , just as they won't be wiped out by President 's latest election-year ploy--an Executive order to implement border restrictions the likes of which he should have implemented years ago. If anything, any improvements at the border stemming from the President's latest measure will only serve to highlight the President's failure to address this crisis earlier and the needless danger to which he has subjected Americans. prgtoken I mentioned that the leader knew his border show vote would fail, just as h
RECOGNIZING PROYOUTH
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise today to recognize the ProYouth organization on their 30-year anniversary and to thank them for their significant contributions to the Central Valley. In 1991, a dedicated group of volunteers from Visalia came together to establish Visalians for a Gang Free Community, aiming to address the challenges faced by children affected by gang violence in the Tulare community. Three years later, the organization attained non-profit status and became known as ProYouth. In 1998, ProYouth established their inaugural program, HEART--Health, Enrichment, Academics--to increase access to after school opportunities for students. For more than 30 years, ProYouth has remained committed to its mission to protect all children from gang violence through after school programs and other essential initiatives. Today, ProYouth serves nearly 20,000 students annually across 60 schools in the Central Valley. In addition to their educational grant- and contract-based programs, ProYouth's dedicated staff and volunteers also provide meals to students. Just this year alone, ProYouth is expected to serve one million meals to its program's attendees. Through their wide range of programs and initiatives, ProYouth develops students' academic, social, and emotional skills, equipping them with the foundation they need to succeed in their futures. During the COVID- 19 pandemic, ProYouth was essential in helping Central Valley families who were impacted by school closures and the transition to remote- learning. ProYouth established a program to provide support and an in- person learning environment for affected students. For more than three decades, ProYouth has helped not only support our Central Valley students, but they have given them the tools to succeed in life. Their work to enrich the lives of these students will be felt for generations to come. Mr , I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in celebrating ProYouth on their 30-year anniversary.
COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SWISHER
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise today to honor one of the oldest companies that call northeast Florida home. Swisher, a family-owned business, is celebrating 100 years this month of operating in Jacksonville, Florida. prgtoken Although the company was founded in Ohio in 1861, they relocated to Jacksonville in 1924. Over the past century, Swisher's commitment to innovation, product quality, and customer satisfaction has made it a leader in the industry. prgtoken Swisher Sweets Cigars, which debuted in 1958, remains the number one selling cigar by volume in the world. Swisher's philanthropic legacy continues through its support of our Nation's heroes, their families, and our local community. prgtoken I congratulate Swisher for 100 years in Jacksonville and 162 years in business. We thank you for your contributions to the historic Springfield neighborhood and the entire Jacksonville region.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
W. Gregory Steube (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-6-5

. Mr. Chair, the gentlewoman just admitted that the VA is administratively using resources to help illegal immigrants. I think the VA's mission, being a veteran myself, should be to support veterans, not illegal immigrants. prgtoken In my first Congress, I served on the VA Committee, and you heard time and time again, despite adding more and more money to the VA, they can't deal with the backlogs. If they need more funds to do that, then why are we using resources that are at the VA to assist illegal immigrants and the processing at ICE? prgtoken I think that is completely unconscionable, not only as a veteran and somebody that served this country, but I think if the people in my district certainly knew that money and resources that was appropriated to the VA are being used to help illegal immigrants through ICE, would be completely objectionable to everybody in my district. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I ask all of the Members of this body to support this great amendment, and .
SENATE PAGES
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2024-6-5

I first want to echo the kind words by the majority leader for the pages. As a former Senate page myself, I know that this is a job that few people notice on the outside, but we notice it here. They make sure things run well here, and I am grateful to know these fine people. I hope they had a good time while they were with us. prgtoken And so to each of you, I wish you the very best of luck as you pursue your future careers, and I look forward to seeing some of you sitting in these chairs one day. prgtoken As I entered this Chamber, shortly after being elected to the Senate in 2010, during my orientation I was told to take a seat in the chairs. I couldn't take a seat. I couldn't figure out why. And then I remembered my training from the time when I was a page, which taught me never, ever, ever to sit in a Senator's chair--only to realize it is probably OK now because I just got elected. prgtoken I wish you the best of luck.
RIGHT TO CONTRACEPTION ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-6-5

I want to thank the Senator from Iowa for her legislation, important legislation, protecting the right to birth control and making it easier for women to have access to birth control pills over the counter. prgtoken This is something we all agree on. This is something Americans across this Nation agree upon. This is a right that is protected in all 50 States. prgtoken In just a few minutes, we are going to see engage in a show vote. And there is a reason for that show vote: because in the Senate--every one of them--their views on abortion are extreme and radical. Every in this body has voted repeatedly in favor of unlimited abortion on demand, literally up until the moment of birth-- partial-birth abortion in the 39th and 40th week of pregnancy. That is an extreme position. I will tell you nationally, 9 percent of Americans agree with that position 91 percent of Americans look at that extreme position and say: That is too far. prgtoken And, indeed, even among those Americans who call themselves pro- choice and a majority of pro-choice Americans say, Late-term abortions up until the moment of birth, that is extreme. So what do the do? They recognize that 91 percent of Americans disagree with their extreme position, so they try to change the topic. And in particular, they are trying to change the topic to birth control. prgtoken Now, all 100 Senators--every single Senator--agrees that birth control should be protected as a matter of law. And yet what did we just see? We saw Senator Ernst introducing her legislation, legislation of which I am a cosponsor. Together, we are leading the fight to protect the right to birth control, and what happened? The objected. prgtoken Why did they object? Understand why they objected. Because they want to use this as an issue in November to scare people, and they don't want to talk about their own radical record. Instead, they want to falsely claim somebody is coming to take contraception. That is deliberately false. And so when you see millions of dollars of TV ads paid for by , ask yourself one question: Why did the just block Senator Ernst's and my legislation protecting the right to birth control? Because this is not about protecting this right; it is about politics for the hiding their own radical view. prgtoken I wish we would come together. By the way, next week I predict the are going to do the same thing. I have legislation protecting in vitro fertilization, another incredible medical miracle that, again, to the best of my knowledge, all 100 Senators support. Katie Britt and I together have introduced that legislation, and, yet, I fully expect next week the to do what they just did today, which is object to it because they are playing politics and they are unwilling to actually put in Federal law a real and strong protection. prgtoken I know
HONORING MAYOR KURT HUNSTIGER ON HIS RETIREMENT
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2024-6-5

I rise today to recognize and honor the distinguished career and dedicated community service of Sauk Rapids Mayor Kurt Hunstiger who recently announced his retirement from public office. prgtoken Mayor Hunstiger's tenure in public service is truly commendable. Over the past 30 years, he has served in various positions, including 18 years as a city council member and the last eight years as mayor. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the community, as he guided Sauk Rapids through times of growth and change. prgtoken Despite retiring from his day job in finance four years ago, Mayor Hunstiger continued to dedicate his time and energy to the betterment of Sauk Rapids. In a letter to the community and city staff announcing his retirement, Kurt expressed his gratitude for their support and collaboration over the years. In this next chapter he plans to spend more time with his family. prgtoken Under Mayor Hunstiger's stewardship, Sauk Rapids has thrived. He leaves behind a legacy of fiscal responsibility and a commitment to community engagement. His efforts secured the city's fiscal stability, ensuring a strong foundation for the future. prgtoken His dedication, vision, and hard work over the years have made the Sauk Rapids community a better place to live, work, and raise a family. prgtoken We are sincerely grateful for Mayor Hunstiger's service and contributions to Sauk Rapids and Benton County and wish him a fulfilling and joyful retirement.