mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Biden Administration (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-11-13

shortly after President took office, I gave a speech wondering whether this new President 's tough-on-Russia rhetoric would be matched by his administration's actions. I wondered about President because the actions of the - administration were dangerously weak. prgtoken We all know that when it comes to Russia, weakness is provocative. It encourages aggression. Russians follow the maxim attributed to Lenin: You probe with bayonets: If you find mush, you push. If you find steel, you withdraw. prgtoken The same is true when dealing with Iran and China. Only 6 months after Russia invaded and occupied portions of the Republic of Georgia, then-Vice President went to Munich to deliver a speech calling for the United States to hit the ``reset button'' with Russia. When Russia invaded, the Republic of Georgia was westernizing and had gone out of its way to cement close ties with our country. prgtoken Georgia even sent soldiers to fight and die alongside American soldiers, but that support from Georgia was quickly forgotten in order to reset relations with Russia. Secretary of State Clinton actually did hit the ``reset button'' in an embarrassing, chummy ceremony with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. prgtoken As part of the - reset, the United States unilaterally canceled planned missile defense cooperation with our allies the Czechs and the Poles, and the administration did so on the anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland. prgtoken All of these actions then sent the exact wrong message to both Russia and to our allies. No doubt the - administration thought our unilateral show of goodwill would be warmly received and reciprocated by Russia. prgtoken Instead, we know that Russia under Putin invaded and occupied Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula and chunks of eastern Ukraine. The - administration responded with angry words but refused to send Ukraine defensive weapons of any kind. prgtoken President urged Ukraine not to fight the 2014 Russian invasion. The priority was to avoid escalation. The - administration backed negotiations and a diplomatic solution. prgtoken Now, we all know Russia has a history of using negotiations to create frozen conflicts that it can use then to destabilize and control its neighbors. Historically, Russia will snatch a piece of land and then demand a ceasefire and negotiations, allowing it to keep the ill-gotten gains indefinitely. Meanwhile, Russia builds up its next aggression while weakening its target. prgtoken The - reset and subsequent Ukraine policy was a disaster for peace and security. In August 2013, the regime of Syrian President Assad used chemical weapons. By doing so, it crossed President 's redline--that famous ``redline'' that he spoke about. When nothing happened, then, the world took notice. prgtoken Meanwhile, the - administration sought to
RECOGNIZING WORTH BREWING COMPANY
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-11-13

as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Worth Brewing Company of Northwood, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken Worth Brewing Company was founded by husband and wife Peter Ausenhus and Margaret Bishop in 2007. Peter started in the brewing industry as a homebrewer while working in the publishing industry. Prior to founding Worth Brewing Company, he made a career transition and worked at Summit Brewing Company, a microbrewer based in St. Paul, MN. Worth Brewing Company opened in the 1886 Worth County State Bank building on historic Main Street in Northwood, IA. During their early years, Peter both renovated and operated the brewery while Margaret ran her engineering consulting business upstairs. Due to their growing business, Peter and Margaret moved Worth Brewing Company across the street to the 1896 International Order of Odd Fellows--IOOF--Erickson building in 2015. Worth Brewing Company reopened in the new location in 2016. prgtoken Worth Brewing Company has seven year-round beers on their menu and a specialty beer every month. In addition to beer, they also host ``Pizza Fridays,'' food trucks, and have a rotating list of drink specials. Worth Brewing Company also hosts live music, pub trivia, the ``Books A- Brewin''' Club, and other community events. In 2023, Worth prgtoken Brewing Company celebrated their 16th business anniversary. prgtoken Worth Brewing Company is actively involved in the Northwood community and has been recognized for contributions to the microbrewery and historic preservation industries. In 2019, Worth Brewing Company won the Adrian D. Anderson Award from Preserve Iowa for their preservation of the IOOF-Erickson building. Previously, in 2016, they were awarded the Preservation at its Best by Preserve Iowa for their work on the IOOF-Erickson building. In 2015, Governor Terry Branstad visited Worth Brewing Company to congratulate the business on their expansion from the 1886 Worth County State Bank building to the IOOF-Erickson building. Peter Ausenhus and Margaret Bishop are actively involved in animal charities and historic preservation philanthropies in both the Northwood community and the State of Iowa. prgtoken Worth Brewing Company's commitment to providing quality beers, ciders, and arts in Northwood is clear. I want to congratulate Peter Ausenhus, Margaret Bishop, and the entire team at Worth Brewing Company for their continued dedication to Worth County. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.
Border Security (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-11-13

as we all are painfully aware, at home and around the world, America is facing a vast array of security threats. There is war in the Middle East, war in Europe, growing instability and threats of conflict in the Indo-Pacific, and, of course, prgtoken there is the unprecedented security crisis at our own southern border. prgtoken Unlike threats in other parts of the world, the border crisis wasn't caused by our adversaries. It wasn't caused by the actions of an authoritarian leader or events beyond our control. The border crisis is an unforced error. It is a result of intentional decisions and policy positions taken by the administration. prgtoken For nearly 3 years, President and leaders in his administration have sent a signal to people around the world that America's southern border is open. All you need to do is show up. Clearly, their message came through loud and clear, much to the delight of the criminal organizations that transport people--human smuggling--and the drug dealers who have exploited this vulnerability. Clearly, they got the message, too, and they are getting richer every day. prgtoken Since President took office, we have logged nearly 6.3 million illegal border crossings, plus at least 1.7 million known ``got- aways.'' Now, the Border Patrol calls a ``got-away'' somebody who has been detected on a camera or on a radar screen, but when they show up to try to detain them, they simply have vanished. Those are the ``got- aways,'' and there were 1.7 million known ``got-aways'' in just 3 years. So that is, all told, roughly 8 million people crossing our border during the administration. prgtoken People from every part of the globe are showing up at our border. In a single year, migrants from 174 different countries crossed our southern border. What they have learned to do is to claim asylum, and then they know they will be released to await a potential future court date that may be as long as 10 years in the future. In the meantime, they get on with their lives. They marry. They have children who are American citizens. And the simple truth is, they are not going anywhere. We know that if they did show up for their immigration court hearing, only about 15 percent would legally qualify for asylum under the current law. prgtoken So word has gotten out that under the administration, our southern border is open, and if you show up, you will be released into the interior. That has provided an enormous magnet or, in the nomenclature of the Border Patrol, they call that a pull factor. It is a huge pull factor or magnet for people around the world, saying: All have you to do is show up, and the administration will release you into the interior of the United States. prgtoken So it should be no surprise that migrants are pouring across the border in record numbers. So is fentanyl, which took the lives of 71,000 Americans last year alone. prgtoken We also know
CONGRATULATIONS TO TANIGUCHI RUTH MAKIO ARCHITECTS ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
James C. Moylan (Republican, GU) \u2014 2023-11-13

I rise today to congratulate Taniguchi Ruth Makio Architects, also known as TRMA, on their 50th anniversary of designing and building creativity on the island of Guam. prgtoken Established by Kinya Taniguchi in 1973, TRMA has a celebrated history of designing, planning, constructing, and managing hundreds of projects in Guam, the CNMI, and throughout Micronesia. prgtoken Through training, investment, and education, TRMA strides to always utilize the latest technology, planning and design code, and materials to bring Guam to the cutting edge of architectural innovation. prgtoken Today, TRMA has designed and managed a wide array of projects in the private and public sectors throughout the region. For the past 50 years, TRMA has never ceased to be a reliable and stable firm that is able to meet the needs of Guam. prgtoken , I congratulate, once again, Taniguchi Ruth Makio Architects on their 50th anniversary. With new opportunities on the horizon, I send them my prayers and wish them the best of luck for the next 50 years. Congratulations to TakeCare Insurance on their 50th Anniversary
RECOGNIZING UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS LEGEND, COACH LANCE HARTER
Steve Womack (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-11-13

I rise today to recognize a legend in University of Arkansas athletics, Coach Lance Harter, the longtime coach of the Arkansas Razorback Women's Track and Cross Country program. prgtoken Coach Harter retired this past June after having won seven NCAA championships, including a trifecta in 2019 winning the NCAA indoor, outdoor, and cross-country titles. prgtoken Harter's program has been named the Program of the Year twice in 2022 and 2023 by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. prgtoken His career numbers are staggering: Nine National Coach of the Year honors, 45 conference championships, 25 regional championships, 46 SEC Coach of the Year awards, 654 All-Americans, 472 of them first teamers, and 31 Academic All-Americans. prgtoken He has represented the United States five times on the international circuit, including the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona. Team USA head coach in the 1999 World Athletics Outdoor Championships and coached the U.S. women at the 2003 World Athletics Cross-Country Championships in Brussels. prgtoken Coach Harter came to Arkansas in 1990 after a very successful 11 years at Division II Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. There he won a Division II record of 14 national championships--8 in cross-country and 6 in track and field. He was a Division II Coach of the Year 10 times. prgtoken Arkansas is legendary for its track and field programs. Lance Harter's name and reputation are the epitome of excellence, so much so that the University of Arkansas named the track at the Tyson Center in Fayetteville in his honor, with his signature near the finish line. prgtoken , it has been an honor for me personally to know Lance Harter. The legacy of this Hall of Fame coach will endure forever in the Razorback nation, and it is a high honor for me to recognize him for his contributions to the sport and to the young ladies he has mentored down through the years. I wish him and his wife, Kim, all the best as he settles into retirement after decades of remarkable accomplishment. prgtoken Go Hogs.
Unanimous Consent Agreement--H.R. 815 (Executive Session)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-11-13

. On November 10, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment lost five soldiers when their helicopter crashed during a training flight over the Mediterranean sea. Their names are CW3 Stephen R. Dwyer of Clarksville, TN; CW2 Shane M. Barnes of Sacramento, CA; SSG Tanner W. Grone of Gorham, NH; SGT Andrew P. Southard of Apache Junction, AZ; and SGT Cade M. Wolfe, of Mankato, MN. prgtoken In honor of the brave Night Stalkers of 1st Battalion, Charlie Company, I want to recite a few portions of the Night Stalker Creed for the record. Service in the 160th is a calling only a few will answer for the mission is constantly demanding and hard. And when the impossible has been accomplished the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. . . . I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they loved to fight, fought to win and would rather die than quit. prgtoken I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the complete Night Stalker Creed.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHRISTOPHER DOUGLAS WRIGHT
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-11-13

I rise today to honor the memory of Christopher Douglas Wright and reflect on the remarkable life he lived. Though a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Chris left an impact that can be seen far and wide. prgtoken Chris was born on November 13, 1984, to loving parents Greg and Janet Wright. Following in the footsteps of his father and brother, Chris attended The Baylor School in Chattanooga beginning in 1997. A significant member of the Baylor community, Chris was widely known for his versatile athleticism, academic prowess, and magnetic personality amongst his peers, friends, and teachers. His athletic achievements, which included a state championship in baseball and two-year All-State football honors, left a legacy that inspired countless future Baylor athletes. However, Chris was also not one to be outdone in the classroom as he was a highly accomplished student, excelling academically as a National Honor Society member. prgtoken After high school, Chris continued his academic and athletic career at Yale University, where he was a four-year letterman and 2006 Ivy League Football Champion. A consummate gentleman and scholar, he was known and loved for his sincerity among classmates and friends. prgtoken Chris further propelled his business education after Yale by attending the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he received a Master of Business Administration. prgtoken Emboldened by a long-term desire to leverage his honed business acumen in his hometown, Chris returned to Chattanooga in 2016, where he most recently served as a Principal at Alderman Enterprises. prgtoken I had the opportunity to meet Chris several years ago, and it was abundantly clear that he was a man who possessed a deep devotion to God and his family. He fervently loved his wife, Acacia, and their children, Declan, Abbott, and newborn daughter, Aprilia, with no exceptions. He valued character over image and humility over pedigree. He was a man of discipline and a role model to many. prgtoken Chris passed away on September 29, 2023--a life cut far too short but a memory that will live on. prgtoken It is an incredible privilege to honor that memory today. Chris Wright blessed so many, and I am certain those individuals will spend their remaining days in deep appreciation of the opportunity to have known him. My prayers remain with his family, friends, and loved ones during this tragic time.
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-11-14

. Mr. Chair, such time as I may consume. I rise today to urge support for my amendment, which would prohibit taxpayer funds from being used to finalize the administration's destructive proposed fiduciary rule. prgtoken I believe saving for retirement is crucial for American families, and access to professional financial advice should not be hindered by burdensome overregulation. However, the Department of Labor's recently proposed fiduciary rule is nothing more than a recycled - era disaster that does more harm than good to the very people it is claiming to protect, American retirees and savers. prgtoken This rule would raise costs and reduce access to financial advice for Americans with low and moderate incomes, as well as small businesses. However, don't just take my word for it. A Deloitte study demonstrated the damage resulting from the 2016 fiduciary rule, finding that 53 percent of U.S. financial advisers limited or eliminated access to brokerage advice for retirement investors. prgtoken Not to mention, having shifted their position on what it means to be an investment advice fiduciary three times in the last 2 years, the Department of Labor has created confusion in the marketplace with their reckless indecisiveness. By requiring financial advisers to adhere to a strict, burdensome, and unworkable regulation, retirement advice will no longer be accessible to those most in need of retirement security. prgtoken At a time when inflation is soaring, families' budgets are shrinking, and our Nation's credit rating has been cut from stable to negative, I am dismayed as to why President would make it even harder for Americans to receive financial advice to plan for the future, all while blatantly skirting responsibility for the economic turmoil that we are currently experiencing. prgtoken This rule is a prime example of regulatory overreach by unelected bureaucrats in government agencies. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment which would block taxpayer money from going toward a rule that would only threaten their financial well-being. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Pete Ricketts (Republican, NE) \u2014 2023-11-14

well, here we are again. I am looking at a floor where there is nobody on it. In fact, we haven't even taken a vote today. It has been 7 weeks since our last government shutdown face-off, and nobody is here. prgtoken Folks, we have very serious problems facing our country. We have an open border. It is a humanitarian and security crisis. We have $34 trillion in debt. Let me put that in perspective. That is about $256,000 for everybody in this country. And that is roughly the cost of a second mortgage for people in Nebraska. So it is like you own your own home, and now you have another home on top of that--only it is not a home; it is your Federal debt. And, of course, we are facing another government shutdown because we have not passed a budget. prgtoken When I was Governor of Nebraska, one of the things I told my team is that passing a budget is our most important thing we do: We fund the government. We would get involved 6 months before. We would give our budget to the legislature to start working on that budget. prgtoken Now, let me tell you how it is supposed to work here in the U.S. Senate. We are supposed to pass 12 appropriations bills. For the first time in 5 years, the Senate Appropriations Committee indeed passed 12 appropriations bills before the August recess--first time in 5 years before the August recess. Two came out June 22. The other 10 came out in July. prgtoken And yet, for months, our leader sat on those appropriations bills. We did not vote on them. We did nothing. We should have been amending, debating, and voting on those bills, and we did nothing. And here we are again, facing a government shutdown. prgtoken Now, it is a little different this time around because we have actually voted on 3 of those 12 appropriations bills. They were crammed together in what is called a minibus. And since that minibus has been voted on and passed, we have done nothing again, which means we have done 25 percent of our work--25 percent. prgtoken Now, to most people, 25 percent is a failing grade. Leading up to the September 30 deadline to pass the budget, prgtoken our majority leader had kept us in recess 5 of 7 weeks. We, typically, come in on Tuesday and leave on Thursday--or come in on Monday and leave on Thursday. prgtoken Do you know what most people in my State do? They work Monday through Friday. And when they have to get the job done, guess what they will also do? They will work weekends. prgtoken The House, in October, canceled their State home period. We didn't. The House has passed 7 of those 12 appropriations bills. Now, that is only 58 percent, but that is still more than twice as many as we have passed. prgtoken Why aren't we working? Why aren't we working on the people's business here? prgtoken We should be in session every day to get our work done. So far this year, we have voted 307 times--307. That is less than one a day. Only 35 percent of those votes have been on legislation. Th
IRAN
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-11-14

since took office, Iran and its proxies have attacked American troops in the Middle East at least 135 times. Let me say that again: 135 attacks on American troops since January 2021. What is worse is that 52 of those attacks have happened in the last month since Hamas conducted its murderous rampage in its ongoing war against Israel. These rocket and drone attacks against American bases in Iraq and Syria have caused at least 56 servicemember injuries, 25 traumatic brain injuries, and 2 Americans have died because of these attacks. prgtoken Just like they have been for years, these attacks are financed by Iran, Israel's greatest enemy. These attacks--let's be clear--are meant to kill Americans and to increase the conflict and the violence in the Middle East. prgtoken So what has President done in response to these attacks? Has he punished Iran and its proxies for killing Americans? Has he made it clear that the United States will not tolerate these attacks in the future? No, not even close. prgtoken Consider the administration has also failed to enforce oil sanctions on Iran, giving them over $90 billion, and now President is, reportedly, once again, considering the release of the remaining $10 billion Iran is owed as part of its hostage exchange. What kind of message does it send to the people attacking our troops to give them another $10 billion more to fund their activities against the United States and Israel? prgtoken In fact, since the terrible atrocity of October 7, has not changed his Iran policy in a single way. Of the 135 attacks on Americans, the administration has hit back fewer than 10 times. Think about that; 135 times they hit us, fewer than 10 times did we hit them back. When the attacks against Americans increased in October, President didn't even authorize a response for 9 days. It took at least 13 attacks on Americans for President to finally react. And what did he do? The bare minimum, striking empty weapons storage facilities in eastern Syria. prgtoken After these strikes, Secretary Blinken said: My warning to the Ayatollah was that if they continue to move against those troops, we will respond, and he should be prepared. prgtoken Well, it is not surprising that shooting a bunch of empty warehouses doesn't scare Iran. In fact, it emboldened them in the form of 22 more attacks. That is right. Proxies attacked American troops' positions 22 more times after that initial pathetic response. prgtoken When Secretary Austin announced those strikes, he said: The United States does not seek conflict and has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities. prgtoken Well, Lloyd Austin and may not seek conflict, but Iran does. And it will continue to try to kill our troops until they face real consequences, until they are scared straight. prgtoken On Sunday, we finally did hit back again