mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FORCED ARBITRATION INJUSTICE REPEAL ACT OF 2022
Lizzie Fletcher (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-3-17

. Madam , I rise today in support of the FAIR Act. I have heard some of the debate in this Chamber today, and as a litigator, I disagree. prgtoken The FAIR Act is about restoring justice for the American people. It is for consumers, it for workers, it is for small business people, it is for people whose civil rights have been violated, it is for millions of Americans who are denied their right to seek justice and accountability because of forced arbitration. prgtoken There is certainly a role for arbitration of disputes and other forms of alternative dispute resolution in our system of justice. I know this from my own experience representing individuals and organizations in the courts and before arbitrators. prgtoken The FAIR Act is important because it recognizes the role arbitration can play in resolving disputes between willing parties while it recognizes the fundamental rights of the people who have prgtoken been subjected to arbitration agreements without their true consent. prgtoken The FAIR Act protects the freedom to contract, the freedom of choice, and the freedom granted in our Constitution, including the Seventh Amendment. prgtoken Madam , for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Christopher Murphy (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2022-3-17

. That might not have come from Senator Sasse's mouth, but there were others at that press conference--right?--who have repeatedly blamed this entire crisis not on Vladimir Putin but on 's policies. And I do think it is convenient for s to consistently eviscerate the President for his conduct but then not be willing to cast the difficult votes necessary to help the President effectuate a policy there. prgtoken The consequence of a ``no'' vote on that budget, whether you like it or not, was that assistance money not getting to Ukraine. There wasn't another vote in front of us. The only choice that this Senate had was, Do we support a piece of legislation that includes necessary money----
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-3-17

I was fortunate early in my political life to meet several people who became my heroes and mentors and led me to take up public service as my life's calling. prgtoken The first was a Senator from Illinois named Paul Douglas, and I met him when I was a college intern in his office. And he introduced me to a man named Paul Simon; Simon, who was a Lieutenant Governor in our State, State legislator, Congressman, and, ultimately, the Senator who preceded me in this Senate seat. prgtoken After Paul Simon passed away, I approached his family and talked about a tribute to him, and they basically said: Well, you remember Paul. He would have been the last person in the world who ever wanted a statue and really didn't care much about having anything with his name on it. That just wasn't his approach to politics. prgtoken But I thought to myself there were some things that he valued that maybe I can try to help in my own way in his memory. And one of them was in 2014, when I introduced a bill called the Paul Simon Water for the World Act. prgtoken Simon had written a book that didn't make the New York Times best seller list. It was entitled ``Tapped Out.'' He had a theory many years ago that the issue with the 21st century was going to be water. And he made a pretty convincing case, and, frankly, the events and evidence since then have backed him up. prgtoken So this bill, the Paul Simon Water for the World Act, was designed to build on the success of an earlier effort called Paul Simon's Water for the Poor, which had passed 10 years before and sought to bring clean water and sanitation programs to the world's poorest communities. prgtoken Today, as we mark World Water Day, I want to recognize what we have accomplished with these two pieces of legislation. They have helped provide, for the first time, access to clean drinking water and sanitation for more than 60 million additional people around the globe. prgtoken Those successes have also improved global health, economic development, and educational attainment. And they have proven how far just a little Federal funding invested in the right area can go. prgtoken Both of those laws were passed on a bipartisan basis, and in recognizing the compounding benefits of clean water and sanitation, Congress has sustained the programs. prgtoken My staff has traveled to countries like Kenya, Ghana, Senegal to see these programs in action. They have shared stories and photos with me about schools and villages that, for the very first time, have access to clean, drinkable water. prgtoken In Ghana, for example, these laws have helped fund something called the Digni-Loo Program. It has provided rural villages with clean, sustainable toilets and helped eliminate waterborne diseases in entire districts of the country. prgtoken This World Water Day, I hope we can reaffirm our commitment in this Senate to supporting legislation in the name of my friend and mentor, the Senator Paul S
Vote on Slaughter Nomination (Executive Calendar)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-3-17

I have an announcement to make for the information of Senators. In a few moments, I will take the next procedural step to advance the jobs and competitiveness legislation so important to so many of us in this Chamber. prgtoken Last summer, the Senate passed an overwhelmingly bipartisan bill that will bring manufacturing jobs back to America, fix supply chains, fuel scientific research, and ultimately lower costs by a significant amount. The bipartisan bill will be great news for our economy, our entrepreneurs, our innovators, and especially families who are feeling the sting because of the chip shortage. prgtoken We all know the chip shortage is hurting so many people. It is hurting the auto industry that has had to temporarily shut down factories. It has hurt our tech industry, our healthcare industry, and so many others. So let's solve this quickly. prgtoken In order to go to conference, the Senate needs to amend the House- passed COMPETES bill with the Senate-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and send it back to the House. That is what we will aim to do next week as quickly as we can. prgtoken Again, this jobs and supply chains legislation will help lower costs. Let us have bipartisan cooperation on this bill. Now, despite cloture, it is far better for and s to reach an agreement to vote on this bill quickly, and we will keep working on that over the next few days. prgtoken It is regrettable that a small band of s are determined to stand in the way of quick action after all the good work we have done in recent weeks passing bipartisan legislation. Let's add to that tally by quickly passing this bill. Creating jobs, lowering costs, and fixing supply chains shouldn't be partisan, and I hope to see an agreement to expedite this process soon. In the meantime, the process is moving forward.
HONORING ASMA PATEL FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-3-17

. Madam , Asma Patel is a board-certified attorney who has diligently served and continues to serve the Osceola County community. Ms. Patel holds dual degrees with honors in Psychology and Legal Studies as well as a Juris Doctor degree. During her law school career, Ms. Patel was a student ambassador, mentor, and the President of the Muslim Law School Association at her alma mater. She honed her dispute resolution skills by competing in and ultimately winning first place in an International Law School Mediation Tournament. During this time, she continued to demonstrate her dedication to serving her community as a guardian ad item fellow. In this role, she played a crucial role as a representative for abused, abandoned, and/or neglected children. prgtoken Ms. Patel has spearheaded community initiatives aimed at ending domestic violence. As a certified domestic abuse victim advocate, she has assisted survivors in crisis by providing essential resources and support. In an effort to create awareness, she has hosted family empowerment seminars and tabled at events aimed at tackling domestic abuse. prgtoken Through mentorship, extensive networking, and volunteerism, Ms. Patel has worked with marginalized and vulnerable communities, striving to bring light and change to the social injustices that plague them. Most recently, she has begun to help address the issue of inaccessibility to feminine hygiene products by providing these products to local Title I schools. Ms. Patel's bridge the gap initiatives in Osceola County are inspired by her desire to take action that empowers women to be courageous in the pursuit of their dreams.
FORCED ARBITRATION INJUSTICE REPEAL ACT OF 2022
David N. Cicilline (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2022-3-17

. Madam , I rise in strong support of H.R. 963, the FAIR Act, which prohibits the enforcement of forced arbitration clauses in consumer, employment, civil rights, and antitrust disputes. prgtoken Buried deep within the fine print of almost every contract consumers sign are clauses that deprive hardworking Americans and small businesses of their day in court when they attempt to hold corporations accountable for breaking the law. prgtoken We heard from lots of small businesses in support of this bill. No one claimed that they were required to have forced arbitration in order to remain successful. Forced arbitration protects systemic wrongdoing. Everyone is always allowed to have arbitration if they want to voluntarily once a dispute arises. prgtoken This forces people to give up their right to have their claims heard, and most Americans don't even know they have given up that right because they are forced to sign contracts, where in the fine print is a provision where you are waiving that right. When you get a phone, when you get cable, when you have internet service. This outrageous practice, as my colleague from Florida just described, is nothing short of a corporate takeover of our Nation's system of justice, and it affects almost every single American. prgtoken This private arbitration that is very expensive, that lasts a very long time also lacks the procedural safeguards of our justice system. It is not subject to oversight, it doesn't have a judge, doesn't have a jury, it is not bound by laws even passed by Congress or the States in which it occurs, but it has become a requirement of everyday life for tens of millions of consumers and workers who have to surrender their rights to hold wrongdoers accountable. prgtoken These provisions require people to give up the right to have their claims heard in a court of law and to have that remedy that will prevent the wrongdoer from continuing. prgtoken Think about someone bringing a family member or loved one into a nursing home who doesn't have the opportunity to negotiate taking out that provision because someone they love is in desperate need of care. prgtoken I will give you a real example: Someone who is defending our country; the case of Lieutenant Commander Kevin Ziober, who testified in support of the FAIR Act in the last Congress. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserves since 2008. He was activated multiple times to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq. prgtoken On the last day of his employment, they had a party for him. They had a cake in the shape of a flag; they celebrated him; and moments later he was fired. When he said to his employer, ``You can't fire me, there is a Federal statute that protects me,'' they said, ``Sorry for you, you agreed to forced arbitration. You waived away your rights in your employment contract.'' And in the fine print, sure enough, there it was. prgtoken He testified at the hearing in 2019 that his case was in arbitration 7 years later. N
ORDERS FOR MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2022-3-17

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m. on Monday, March 21; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed prgtoken to Calendar No. 282, H.R. 4521, America COMPETES Act; further, that the cloture motion filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2022-3-17

I rise today in support of the nominations of Judge Cristina Silva and Professor Anne Traum, nominees to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. Both nominees have built tremendous careers and legal reputations, and, last night, cloture was invoked on both of these nominees with strong bipartisan support. prgtoken Judge Silva has spent the bulk of her career as a Federal prosecutor in the city of Las Vegas, where she served as chief of the criminal division. In this role, Judge Silva oversaw all criminal investigations and prosecutions in the Nevada U.S. Attorney's Office. She has gained vast experience dealing with Federal criminal trials, including violent criminal cases, civil rights violations, and cyber crime. prgtoken Since 2019, Judge Silva has served with distinction as a Nevada State court judge, where she has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues, as well as those who have appeared before her in court. Colleagues have called her ``intellectually gifted and extremely hard- working'' and have commended her ``deep commitment to the rule of law.'' prgtoken These are exactly the kinds of qualities we need in someone nominated to serve on the Federal Bench, and they are the qualities that Judge Silva exemplifies. I know she will serve with independence and integrity. prgtoken For her part, Professor Anne Traum has also developed a distinguished legal career, one rich with examples of her commitment to the law and to public service. She has litigated civil cases with the U.S. Attorney's office, served as a Department of Justice trial attorney, and has worked for years on criminal cases as a Federal public defender. prgtoken Since 2008, Professor Traum has dedicated her career to helping shape the minds of Nevada's future lawyers as a professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas's Boyd School of Law. prgtoken A deeply admired teacher, Professor Traum has gone above and beyond, founding a clinic to provide legal services to parties in Las Vegas who lack resources and volunteering significant time to pro bono programs in Southern Nevada. Professor Anne Traum has prgtoken worked to ensure that all individuals have adequate representation to defend their rights and that all individuals have access to our justice system. prgtoken And there is no better way to judge a professor than by the opinion of her students. In Professor Traum's case, her students regularly credit her courses as the most important courses in their legal careers. prgtoken The bipartisan judicial selection committee that Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and I put together fully vetted both of these nominees, and we both worked hand in hand with the White House to ensure that they were chosen for their exemplary qualifications, intellect, and passion for the law. prgtoken I was glad to see that both Professor Traum's and Judge Silva's nominations received bipartisan support--both as they advanced th
EXPRESSING THE HOPE FOR JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS OF BLOODY SUNDAY
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2022-3-17

. Madam , how sad and maybe even criminal it was to ignore this for so many years. How grateful we would be when those who died for their rights, for justice, for equality, the very same tenets we all adhere to here in the United States. prgtoken Let me draw in now and conclude my remarks by joining in the resolution that urges the European Union, including the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, to act in good faith with regard to negotiations around Brexit and the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. But more importantly, let me emphasize the importance of the relationship between the United Kingdom, the United States, and Ireland. Let me track the fact that we believe in justice, we believe in civil rights, and we believe in the idea of the speech of empowerment and the speech of democracy. prgtoken Let us not resort to bloodiness and the killing of those who simply seek to speak for justice for them and their families. prgtoken Today, in commemoration of Bloody Sunday, never again. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of H. Res. 888, which expresses the hope for justice for the victims of Bloody Sunday, one of the most tragic of days during the Troubles, on its 50th anniversary, as well as acknowledging the progress made in fostering peace in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland in recent decades. prgtoken On January 30, 1972, 26 unarmed civilians were shot by British soldiers during a protest that began peacefully in Derry, resulting in the death of 14 individuals in a massacre now known as Bloody Sunday, or the Bogside Massacre. prgtoken Bloody Sunday is one of the most significant and deadly injustices to take place during the Troubles--also known as the Northern Ireland conflict--and describes the struggle between Irish Roman Catholics and British who sided with Irish Protestants that lasted from the 1960s until 1998. prgtoken None of the 26 unarmed people shot by British Army soldiers posed a threat of causing death or serious injury, or were doing anything that could justify their shooting. prgtoken The families of these victims were denied for decades an honest and comprehensive assessment of the events that took place on Bloody Sunday. prgtoken In 1998, after campaigns from the families of those injured and killed on Bloody Sunday, a second inquiry was established by the British Government, and it found without doubt that the shootings were the result of wrongful actions taken by British soldiers. prgtoken The lack of accountability and justice provided to those who perished and their families from this heinous use of force was unacceptable. They deserved justice. prgtoken Accountability and justice for the victims of Bloody Sunday would represent a step toward addressing Northern Ireland's legacy of violence and promoting reconciliation. prgtoken This conflict was rooted in suppression, silencing the voices of those who differ from you by taking away their freedoms and their lib
SUSPENDING NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND BELARUS ACT
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-3-17

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken I rise today to put the full force of the American people and this Congress behind dismantling the savage Kremlin war machine. prgtoken This legislation shows President Zelenskyy, Ukrainians, and the world that America will boldly confront Russia's savage attacks on the Ukrainian people. This bill also holds Belarus to account for its complicity in Russia's murderous aggression. prgtoken They each will learn what every tyrant must: If you invade another nation, normal trade within our global economy is over. prgtoken While President marshals the free world to fiscally cripple Putin and his oligarchs, this Congress will also move to crush Russia's militarized economic might. prgtoken So this legislation also reviews Russia's and Belarus' access to the World Trade Organization, and it extends and strengthens the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, both of which will further clip Russia's economic wings. prgtoken The grisly, heartbreaking images President Zelenskyy showed us yesterday made clear that Russia must be punished. And with this legislation, the people of Ukraine and every global democracy can count on America to help make that happen.
CORA FAITH WALKER
Cori Bush (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2022-3-17

. Madam , St. Louis and I rise to offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of our dear sister Cora Faith Walker, whose beautiful life was taken from our community far too soon. prgtoken As an exemplary public servant, Cora was a champion of transformational policies to lift up St. Louis, as evidenced by her work as a former Missouri State Representative and top policy official in St. Louis County. And in her work and beyond it, Cora was a wonderful light in this world. She was transformative--touching the souls of everyone who encountered her. She embodied a rare form of altruism that shaped her public service and made her an incredible community leader. prgtoken She never took the easy way out. Whether it be in her fierce work to deliver justice or her gravity defying ability to climb the long marble Missouri State Capitol steps in a pair of stilettos--even though there was a perfectly good elevator--she did everything with genuineness, style, and class. prgtoken Her accomplishments as a public servant are deserving of our highest recognition. She used her expertise as a clinical mental health professional to deliver groundbreaking legislative work, securing the passage of the legislation that created the TraumaInformed Care for Children and Families Board. She led the charge for Medicaid expansion, especially for services geared towards postpartum moms struggling with substance use disorder. And during my service in Congress, Cora has been a close partner in the work to deliver resources to our communities, especially to prevent violent evictions during this deadly pandemic. prgtoken Our community is devastated by Cora's passing, and we all will miss her dearly forevermore. prgtoken May she be given the flowers she is due, may her legacy of love and service live on, and may she rest in eternal peace and power.