mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AO DAI DAY
Michelle Steel (Republican, CA) \u2014 2022-5-13

I rise today to recognize Ao Dai Day this Sunday, May 15. I am proud to represent nearly 200,000 Vietnamese Americans in my district in California. prgtoken My district is a home to Little Saigon which has the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam. Many of these men and women fled communism in Vietnam in search of freedom here in America. They have worked hard to build their American Dream. prgtoken The Ao Dai, which I am wearing today, is a traditional dress that represents the adaptability and strength of the Vietnamese people. It is a symbol of beauty and pride in Vietnam's unique and wonderful culture. prgtoken Last year, the State of California officially approved a resolution to recognize May 15 as Ao Dai Day. I join them in celebrating this special day and the many Vietnamese families in my district who are proud to call our great country home.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL WEEK
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican, IA) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I rise today to recognize National Charter School Week. prgtoken National Charter School Week is a time to recognize that every student prgtoken should have access to high-quality education. It is also a time to celebrate the educators who work tirelessly to make sure that that happens. prgtoken Every family should have the ability to choose the best education that fits the needs of their child, regardless of ZIP Code. Charter schools are an important part of school choice. prgtoken Last year, I joined Senator Tim Scott to introduce the CHOICE Act. This commonsense bill would provide families with greater options with regard to their children's education. prgtoken When I left home to go to college at the age of 16, I did so to pursue the best educational opportunities available. I believe that students should always have the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they live, and I will always fight for them. prgtoken I would also like to take a moment to wish a happy birthday to my sister. prgtoken Happy birthday, Mariette.
WELCOME HOME CORPORAL LAVERNE ``DIRK'' VAN DYKE
Bill Huizenga (Republican, MI) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I rise today to welcome home Corporal Laverne ``Dirk'' Van Dyke, who sacrificed his life during World War II, and was finally laid to rest in his and my hometown of Zeeland, Michigan, after nearly 80 years. prgtoken U.S. Army Air Force Corporal Dirk Van Dyke served as a flight engineer on a B-25C aircraft in the Pacific theater when his plane went missing. Corporal Van Dyke and six other crewmembers were last seen departing an airport on the reconnaissance mission off the coast of New Guinea on January 18, 1943. prgtoken Despite an extensive search, members of the Fifth Air Force were not able to locate the plane or the airmen. Many years later the wreckage was discovered in the mountains of Papua New Guinea, and the remains of Corporal Van Dyke and others were seemingly identified but were inconclusive. However, recently the Department of Defense officially considered Corporal Van Dyke accounted for. prgtoken Madam , we will never forget the selfless actions, sacrifice, and dedication to our country by these servicemembers and what they displayed. prgtoken To Corporal Van Dyke's family, our entire Nation holds you in our prayers as we get ready and prepare for Memorial Day, and as you welcome Dirk home as an American hero. Rest easy, Corporal Van Dyke. Rest easy.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , I thank the ranking member for her work on this important legislation. In fact, you can't miss it. Above our flag here have the words ``In God We Trust.'' prgtoken Really? prgtoken Our Nation's Founders rightly recognized that every human being has a natural right to religious liberty. This right is so important that, like I said, it is enshrined as the First Amendment to our Constitution. prgtoken When language was added to the CSBG program in 1998 to protect the religious character of faith-based organizations, Congress rightly recognized the importance of this fundamental right to religious liberty and the value that religious organizations add to our society. We need to stand by these principles today. prgtoken Unfortunately, do not believe it is important to respect the religious freedom of faith-based organizations to hire according to their religious beliefs or to display religious symbols like a Bible or the Star of David while serving low-income Americans through the CSBG program. The ' removal of this important language--language that has been in the law for over two decades without causing harm to anyone--shines a spotlight on their intolerance of different viewpoints and beliefs. prgtoken My colleague from Michigan offered an amendment that would have taken the important and commonsense step to reinstate this longstanding language making clear that faith-based providers should be able to live out their faith while participating in the CSBG program. I was very disappointed that rejected this amendment during markup and refused to allow a floor vote on it. prgtoken All we are asking is that the deeply held religious beliefs of faith- based organizations continue to be accommodated under the law. This approach allows many different viewpoints to exist alongside one another in our diverse country, and it makes sure that faith-based organizations can continue to do the work they do so well, and that is, help low-income Americans. prgtoken Madam , faith-based organizations are important partners to provide vital services, and for this reason I oppose this bill.
RECOGNIZING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF F.O. BARDEN AND SON, INC.
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , it is my honor to recognize the 100th Anniversary of F.O. Barden and Son, Inc. of Boyne City, Michigan. Through its century of service and steadfast devotion to their community, F.O. Barden and Son, Inc. has become a local landmark and an indispensable part of Michigan's First District. prgtoken Frank Orin Barden was born on a farm in Nunica, Michigan, on February 3, 1876. Frank cultivated a passion for hard work from his upbringing on the family farm, leading him to start working at a young age with local lumber camps on Lake Michigan. For his education, he attended Davenport Institute in Grand Rapids to receive business training and began working in the lumber industry in several positions--eventually becoming manager in different mills across the state. After working for several Michigan companies, such as the Michigan Trust Company, the Boyne City Railroad, and Boyne Lumber, Frank created F.O. Barden & Sons Lumber Company in 1922 in Boyne City, MI, with his son Russel, and then later his son Al. prgtoken F.O. Barden and Son, Inc. continues to serve communities across Northern Michigan and remains headquartered in Boyne City. This centennial milestone denotes the years of service that the Barden family has dedicated to the economic wellbeing of the area and the lives of countless residents. Today, F.O. Barden and Son, Inc. is still owned and operated by the family, and Frank Orin Barden's prgtoken son, Paul, serves as President of the company. prgtoken Madam , it's my honor to recognize F.O. Barden and Son, Inc. for a century of success and service to Northern Michigan. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such dedicated citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022
Bob Good (Republican, VA) \u2014 2022-5-13

. Madam , the Supreme Court seems poised to finally, mercifully, reverse the only decision in the history of the Court that has cost more than 60 million precious innocent lives which, by the way, beyond the moral travesty, has contributed massively to our labor shortages and Social Security and Medicare being on the verge of bankruptcy. prgtoken In typical fashion, are revealing who they are with their response, and their unlawful protests and intimidation tactics at the homes of the Justices, while the administration and their allies in this body cheer them on. prgtoken can't win at the ballot box or through the legislative process, so they try to eliminate the electoral college, rig election laws, eliminate the filibuster, pack the Supreme Court, pack the Senate, give statehood to D.C. and Puerto Rico, and now threaten Justices at their homes. prgtoken This is because are the radical extremists on abortion. They have become the party of death. Their position is abortion at any time, for any reason, up to and beyond the moment of birth, with taxpayers being forced to fund it. prgtoken I didn't hear any criticize the former Governor of Virginia when he said a couple of years ago that a mother and her doctor can have a conversation after a baby is born and decide whether or not to kill it. prgtoken I say, let's have this fight in this Congress. prgtoken We had an election 6 months ago in purple Virginia when everyone knew that the Supreme Court would be reviewing Roe v. Wade, and the party of death got trounced in that election. prgtoken s must embrace this moment and stand for life, expose for the radical extremists they are, and work to end the brutal, horrific practice of abortion. To , I say bring it on. Let defend piercing a baby's skull and sucking out its brains, tearing an infant limb from limb, or burning it alive with a saline injection. Call it what it is and call them out for supporting abortion with no restrictions whatsoever. prgtoken Just this week, pushed another failed abortion-on-demand vote in the Senate, a bill that passed this House with no votes but, sadly, all but one supporting it, as they try to ensure that America remains among the most extreme nations in the world with the most radical laws on abortion. prgtoken Now, this current piece of legislation will permit Federal dollars to be used to harm the unborn, as it includes a provision that allows taxpayer dollars to be used to ``address health needs and improve health and well-being'' and ``to identify and respond to physical and behavioral health challenges.'' prgtoken However, a recent Marist poll found that 54 percent of Americans oppose using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. prgtoken My amendment would protect taxpayers from being forced to pay for abortions, even if Hyde were repealed. If this bill is not intended to fund abo
THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY
David Schweikert (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2022-5-13

we are going to try to do the impossible. We are going to do like 20 boards in 30 minutes. Just please wave at me if I start rambling at hyper rates of speed. prgtoken One of the reasons for today's presentation, it is somewhat of a follow-up from a couple of weeks ago, but also somewhat of just this frustration of statements from our brothers and sisters on the left, from the President, even the comments this week of: Okay, s, where is your plan? prgtoken Have you seen the numbers of bills that we have offered to take on inflation, to promote economic growth, to promote fairness? None of them can get a hearing around here. prgtoken My point comes to something very, very simple. We intend to judge the prgtoken left over what you have accomplished the last 15 months, and we will make it to 2 years. prgtoken Are the poor better off, the working poor better off, the middle class better off? Is the environment better off? Is the world safer and healthier? prgtoken Then, we expect you to turn around and judge us when we had the majority and the White House. Take a look at 2017, '18, '19, and we will bookend the pandemic, and judge us. I believe you will see the policies we brought to this floor, to this country, made the poor less poor, the working poor substantially less poor, the middle class much more prosperous, and it didn't have the cruelty that policy has executed the last 15 months. prgtoken Look, I am not being hyperbolic. It is a crappy environment out there. prgtoken It is just exhausting having to do this every couple of months because of the willingness just not to tell the truth here by my brothers and sisters on the left. prgtoken Once again, tax reform was done at the very end of 2017. after speaker, the herself, came to the floor and told us how this was a giveaway to the rich, that it was going to crash revenues, that we are heading to recession. None of that was true. prgtoken We ended up having a couple of years there before the pandemic--and I am going to show you, if we hadn't had it, how miserable the pandemic economics would have been. prgtoken The fact of the matter is, when we passed tax reform, corporate tax receipts--we don't call them revenues; we call them receipts if you are on the Ways and Means Committee--went up 75 percent, far beyond CBO's early projections. prgtoken The fact of the matter is individual income taxes were up 27\1/2\ percent, and 80 percent of that was paid by the top 10 percent. prgtoken Bit of trivia, pro tem, and to my colleagues. Our tax reform was more progressive, meaning the top tier of income earners were paying a higher percentage, a larger percentage, of the Federal income tax burden than the previous tax system. prgtoken Stop lying about what we did because what we did was pretty darn amazing. When you think about just the economic effects, income inequality shrank, food insecurity shrank, and we did it without inflation. prgtoken
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-5-16

I rise to speak in support of the Equal COLA Act, which I introduced today. prgtoken The Federal Government's workforce is central to protecting our national security and delivering critical services to hundreds of millions of Americans. As such, it is essential that the Federal Government attract and retain an effective workforce and, once their service is complete, ensure retirees receive the dignified retirement that they deserve. prgtoken Unfortunately, in 1986, Congress created a two-tiered system that now prevents nearly 800,000 retired Federal employees from receiving a full cost-of-living adjustment when consumer prices increase more than 2 percent from year to year. prgtoken In January, some Federal retirees received 5.9 percent COLA. However, other Federal retirees received only a 4.9 percent increase due to this policy, which fails to protect retired employees who are living on a fixed income. prgtoken That is why I am proud to introduce this legislation to fix this unfair system and ensure that all retired Federal employees receive full retirement benefits that keep up with the cost of living. prgtoken I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill to ensure that retired Federal employees no longer pay the price of a misguided law and that their benefits fully keep pace with the cost of living.
PRESIDENT'S CUP CYBERSECURITY COMPETITION ACT
Elaine G. Luria (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-5-16

a critical element of strengthening our nation's cybersecurity is ensuring the Federal government employs the best and the brightest with the most advanced cybersecurity skills. prgtoken Whether at CISA, our intelligence agencies, our military, or at other departments across the Federal government, cybersecurity professionals play an essential role in keeping our nation safe, and we must prioritize their recruitment, development, and retention. prgtoken Unfortunately, it has been challenging to compete with the private sector for cyber talent, so we must look to creative ways to strengthen the Federal cyber workforce. prgtoken The President's Cup Cybersecurity Competition is one innovative part of that effort. prgtoken Organized by CISA, this annual cybersecurity competition brings together cybersecurity professionals, both civilian and military, from across the Federal government to compete in a series of challenges that test a wide range of cybersecurity skills. prgtoken My legislation would authorize this competition to ensure it remains part of our Federal cyber workforce strategy and grants CISA the necessary authorities to fully carry out the program. prgtoken Importantly, it addresses legal barriers that have prevented CISA from directly providing cash prizes to winning teams and individuals that work in other departments or agencies. prgtoken H.R. 6824 specifically authorizes CISA to confer cash prizes to the winners, many of whom are in the military, for their achievement. prgtoken By passing this legislation, we demonstrate our commitment to further developing a competitive and highly skilled Federal cybersecurity workforce. prgtoken I thank Representatives Connolly and Garbarino for cosponsoring this bill, and Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Katko for their support for authorizing this important program. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill and look forward to working with them to get it enacted into law.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE NORMAN Y. MINETA
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-5-16

. Madam , I rise today with a heavy heart to honor and mourn former Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, My thoughts and sympathies are with his wife Deni, his children Stuart, David, Mark and Bob, and his family and friends. He was a truly remarkable, trailblazing individual who became one of the most prominent Asian American figures in our country. His legacy included many firsts, and his life was a source of inspiration, a testament to the American spirit of fighting for justice and equality. prgtoken I met Norm when I was working for the late, beloved Congressman Ron Dellums. Norm was very kind to me, taught me a lot, listened to my ideas, and was a close friend of Ron's. In many ways, he was a mentor to me. Later, when I became a member of Congress, he always sought me out to tell me how proud he was of me. Such support coming from this giant of a man, always humbled me. I always told him how much he influenced my life, and I was deeply grateful for his friendship. prgtoken His success did not come without sacrifice. When Secretary Mineta was ten years old, our government forcibly removed him and his family from their home in San Jose to a World War II Japanese American incarceration camp, the Heart Mountain camp in Wyoming. Decades later, he led the passage of the 1988 Civil Liberties Act, which granted reparations and a formal apology to Japanese Americans wrongfully incarcerated by our govenunent solely on the basis of race, due to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's issuance of Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942. prgtoken Having endured such blatant racism and discrimination against Japanese Americans, he understood the importance of fighting for people who never had a voice in our political process. Throughout his career, he was the first Asian American mayor of San Jose, the first Japanese American member of Congress from the lower 48 states, and the first Asian American Cabinet Member, serving as both the Secretary of Commerce for President Clinton and Secretary of Transportation for President . In 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his achievements. prgtoken During his time in Congress, Secretary Mineta co-founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and its sister organization, the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies (APAICS), to advocate for issues concerning the AAPI community. It is because of his efforts that the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has a greater voice in this chamber. My prayers are with his family, friends, and the AAPI community. We have all lost an icon. prgtoken Madam , I urge the entire House to continue to honor Secretary Mineta's legacy through our commitment to justice and equality for all.
DHS ACQUISITION REFORM ACT
Tom Malinowski (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-5-16

the balance of my time. prgtoken , H.R. 6871 will help ensure that DHS acquisition programs remain on budget and on schedule while meeting performance requirements. prgtoken In committee, this measure, introduced by my colleague from Kansas, Mr. LaTurner, received strong bipartisan support. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6871, and .
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2022
Gwen Moore (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2022-5-16

. Madam , I rise in strong support of H.R. 5129, the bipartisan CSBG Modernization Act, and in support of my amendment to the bill. prgtoken I appreciate the chairman for his support of my amendment and for bringing this bill to reauthorize the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), which supports critical efforts to help those living in poverty, to the floor. prgtoken The CSBG supports a comprehensive effort in our communities to help families find jobs, obtain housing and food, and achieve self- sufficiency. prgtoken CSBG funds are to be used for activities that have a ``meaningful and potentially significant impact'' on causes of poverty. The law broadly defines allowable activities including education, help finding employment, removing obstacles to self-sufficiency, and maintaining adequate House. But the actual use is determined by local communities through a needs assessment. prgtoken This reauthorization reflects a renewed commitment to streamline and revitalize the program's stated purpose: to reduce poverty through support for Community Action Agencies that improve economic security of low-income individuals and families and create new opportunities in the communities where they live. prgtoken There are sixteen CSBG funded Community Action Agencies in Wisconsin including the Social Development Commission in Milwaukee. prgtoken One of the challenges low-income individuals and families in Wisconsin and elsewhere in our country face every day is food insecurity. In the richest country on this plan, too many low-income individuals and families find themselves struggling to feed themselves and their families each and every day. prgtoken According to Feeding America (as of March 2021), an estimated 680,330 Wisconsinites (11.7 percent or just over 1 in 8), including 1 in 5 children, experienced food insecurity in 2020. That includes 147,000 food insecure people in Milwaukee County alone. prgtoken Feeding America Wisconsin likewise noted that its food banks saw an average sustained increase in demand for food assistance of 40-55 percent in the first months of the pandemic. But I know I don't need to remind anyone that food insecurity has long been a problem in our country. prgtoken This problem is only worsening as food prices rise while at the same time, federal supports that have helped these families keep food on the table, such as the American Rescue Plan's child tax credit improvements and the USDA's school meal waivers, are coming to an end. prgtoken Vulnerable communities most at risk for food insecurity include seniors and the disabled living on fixed incomes, people of color, families with children. prgtoken My amendment would strengthen efforts to address nutrition and food insecurity through the Community Service Block Grant. As noted by WISCAP, ``food insecurity is foremost not a condition, but a symptom--a particularly painful and persistent symptom--of our local, state, and national failure to fundament
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-5-16

on one more matter that I would like to address briefly--and I appreciate the indulgence of my friend, the Senator from Illinois, who has waited. prgtoken On one other subject, I want to begin this week by wishing our colleague and dear friend Senator Van Hollen a smooth and speedy recovery after his announcement yesterday that he suffered a mild stroke. Every single one of us is relieved--relieved--to hear he is doing well; that his incident was minor; and that there are no long- term effects. We wish our friend recovery and look forward to seeing him here in the Senate later this week.