mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SERVICE BEFORE SELF
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-6-17

I rise today to recognize a staple of the community, the Wong family of Wong Express House in Brighton. prgtoken Before moving to Michigan, Xueqi Wong worked as a fisherman and a security officer for his town while raising his family with his wife, Mei, in Fujian province, China. prgtoken They immigrated to the U.S. in 1991, moving to Brighton 10 years later, where they have built a successful business with a loyal following for the last two decades. Mr. Wong, known as Ed around town, is known for his work ethic and attention to detail. His employees rave about the culture he brings to the team. ``Extremely flexible and supportive,'' ``Very welcoming and inspiring,'' ``I feel honored to work with such excellent people'' is some of what they have said. prgtoken Mr. Wong's character truly came through in his devotion to keeping his customers and employees safe during COVID-19. At a time when restaurants and dining establishments were particularly hard hit by the public health restrictions, Mr. Wong put a plan in place to allow Wong Express House to stay afloat. prgtoken After closing for 9 weeks, they reopened on May 29, 2020, as a model for safe service. With a separate enclosed area inside the restaurant, the dining area was transformed into a contactless pickup window for customer convenience. Instead of dine-in, the restaurant trained staff to fully transition into drive-thru and carry-out only. prgtoken The changes were not easy, but the space was turned into a safe, simple, and effective process that limited customer-to-staff interaction, keeping everyone safe from infection. That ability to adapt, to work through the challenges in order to keep customers satisfied, is why I am proud to recognize Mr. Wong; his wife, Mei; their son, Jian on the floor of the House today. prgtoken Their pride in their restaurant is evident as soon as you walk in the door, and their resilience can be found in their dedication to each other and our community. During the shutdown, when Jian had to travel back to Brooklyn to support his wife and two kids, Mr. and Mrs. Wong stayed in Brighton holding down the fort to make sure that their staff would be taken care of. prgtoken It is no surprise that on their first day back in business they were so overwhelmed with support to the point that they completely sold out of food. Now, as they chart a course for the weeks and months ahead, I know that the Wong family will continue to demonstrate the toughness and grit that Michiganians are known for during uncertain times. prgtoken On behalf of a grateful community, it is my honor to recognize the leadership and staff at Wong Express House by inserting their story of resilience into the permanent Record so that it may last for years to come. Recognizing Peckham, Incorporated
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-17

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consider the following nominations: Calendar Nos. 178, 179, 181, 184, and 185; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions and the Senate then resume legislative session.
REPEALING THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ RESOLUTION OF 2002
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-17

. Madam , let me first thank our chairman, Mr. Meeks, for moving this bill through committee. It wasn't an easy lift, and his leadership was extremely important in getting us to where we are today. prgtoken I also thank Leader Hoyer, Pelosi, and let me take a minute to thank our staff: My chief of staff, Julie Nickson, who is here with us today; my legislative director, Gregory Adams; Congressman Meeks' staff; and all of the staff members who have worked for 20 years to get us to this point. prgtoken I also want to thank our ic and cosponsors and our outside broad spectrum of groups, like the Friends Committee on National Legislation, Win Without War, the American Legion, and Americans for Prosperity that have fought alongside us. prgtoken Madam , I include in the Record the Statement of Administration Policy and letters of support from many of these groups. Statement of Administration Policy prgtoken H.R. 256--Repeal of Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002--Rep. Lee, D-CA with 134 co-sponsors The Administration supports House passage of H.R. 256, to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (``2002 AUMF''). This bipartisan legislation would terminate the October 16, 2002, statutory authorization for the use of military force against Iraq. The Administration supports the repeal of the 2002 AUMF, as the United States has no ongoing military activities that rely solely on the 2002 AUMF as a domestic legal basis, and repeal of the 2002 AUMF would likely have minimal impact on current military operations. Furthermore, the President is committed to working with the Congress to ensure that outdated authorizations for the use of military force are replaced with a narrow and specific framework appropriate to ensure that we can continue to protect Americans from terrorist threats. In working with the Congress on repealing and replacing other existing authorizations of military force, the Administration seeks to ensure that the Congress has a clear and thorough understanding of the effect of any such action and of the threats facing U.S. forces, personnel, and interests around the world. As the Administration works with the Congress to reform AUMFs, it will be critical to maintain the clear authority to address threats to the United States' national interests with appropriately decisive and effective military action.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-6-17

one topic there is much agreement on is the benefits of work, and our laws should support those who want to work. The bill I am introducing today will change Social Security so that parents and their children will know that working will never disadvantage them in the future. prgtoken Let me explain the problem. Under current law, a child with a disability that began before age 22 may receive a Social Security benefit based on the work of a disabled, retired or deceased parent. Often the child receives this benefit for the rest of their life. Social Security provides the benefit because the child is usually dependent on their parents for financial support. The problem is that the law regards earnings by the child above $1,310 a month as ending that dependency--even if the child is no longer able to maintain that level of work in the future. When that dependency ends, the child ceases to be eligible for the benefit from the parent. Instead, the child would receive a benefit based on their work. The benefit from the parent's work is often significantly larger than the child's own benefit. Because of this policy, parents of children with disabilities may prevent their child from working at their full potential, fearing that the work will cause the child to lose out on the larger benefit. We need to change Social Security to ensure parents and their children that working will not cause them to be worse off in the future. prgtoken To provide that assurance, I am introducing the Work Without Worry Act. The bill ensures that any individual with a disability that began before age 22 will receive the larger of the benefit from either their parent's work or the benefit from their own work. Any earnings from work--no matter how much--will not prevent the child from receiving a Social Security benefit from their parent's work as long as the child is eligible for disability insurance by the same impairment from before age 22. This legislation would give parents the assurance that their child with a disability can work without having to worry that the child will lose out on the full protections that Social Security provides. prgtoken I want to thank Kathy Holmquist, President of Pathways to Independence, Inc. in Portland, Oregon, who has been a leader in my state helping people with disabilities live and work with dignity. Kathy contacted me about the need for this legislation and I appreciate her advocacy and support. Additional thanks to The Arc for the technical assistance and endorsement of the bill. The bill is also endorsed by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Social Security Task Force, National Down Syndrome Congress, and The Association of University Centers on Disabilities. I am grateful that Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John Larson is introducing the companion bill in the House of Representatives. The Sena
REPEALING THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ RESOLUTION OF 2002
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-6-17

we, who are honored to be Members of Congress, are here to pass judgment on the great issues of our time. There is no greater issue of our time than the issue of war and peace. It is about life and death. prgtoken We should not be allowed to escape our duty, responsibility, and obligation to vote on issues of war and peace. prgtoken We must repeal this authorization so that Congress can take up its responsibility and vote on the great issues of our time.
REPEALING THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ RESOLUTION OF 2002
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-6-17

as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, the Out of Iraq Caucus, and a cosponsor, I rise in strong support of H.R. 256, which repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq passed by Congress nearly twenty years ago on October 16, 2002 as Pub. L. 107-243. prgtoken I extend my thanks and deep appreciation to our colleague, the gentlewoman from California, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, for her tireless and unwavering devotion to repealing this misguided AUMF and acknowledging the grievous mistake history has shown it to be and as many of predicted at the time it would be. prgtoken Congress never intended for the 2002 AUMF to have such broad and extended reach. prgtoken Over the last 18 years, we have seen 3 Presidents use this legislation as a blank check to engage in serious military action. prgtoken The 2002 AUMF is an outdated piece of legislation and repealing it will not affect any current military operations. prgtoken Moreover, the 2002 AUMF is unnecessary because everything the 2002 AUMF covers is already fully covered under the 2001 9/11 AUMF, except for attacks against Iran. prgtoken Congress passed the 2002 AUMF to address the perceived threat posed by the regime of Saddam Hussein and the AUMF permitted the President to use the armed forces as ``necessary and appropriate'' to ``defend U.S. national security against the continuing threat posed by Iraq'' and to ``enforce all relevant Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.'' prgtoken U.S. military deployments and operations carried out pursuant to the 2002 AUMF--dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom--officially concluded in 2011. prgtoken Almost 18 years after the resolution's passage, the United States recognizes the sovereignty of Iraq and considers Iraq a key ally. prgtoken Under the Constitution, Congress has the sole duty to declare war and repealing obsolete Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) is essential for Congress to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. prgtoken Leaving the 2002 AUMF in place increases the likelihood that future presidents will use it as a basis to start a new war, or expand a current one, without Congress's explicit authorization. prgtoken In July 2019, the House adopted a Lee amendment to NDAA virtually identical to H.R. 256, To Repeal the AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, by a bipartisan vote of 242 to 180. prgtoken The overly broad 2002 AUMF represents deterioration of Congressional oversight. prgtoken As our brave service members are deployed around the world in combat zones, Congress is missing in action. prgtoken Congress must repeal the 2002 AUMF immediately to fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide oversight and consent on matters of war and peace. prgtoken As provided under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, absent a Congressional declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force, the President as Commander-in-Chief has constitutional power to engage
Broadband (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-6-17

in reserving the right to object, I am disappointed that the Senator from Pennsylvania is adamant in his position, even though we are dealing with victims of crime, victims of domestic violence, and victims of child abuse. Like Illinois, Pennsylvania has experienced a nearly 70-percent cut in VOCA funding since 2018, and more cuts are on the horizon because of his strategy. prgtoken Here is what it boils down to: If you listen carefully to what the Senator from Pennsylvania has said, he is not suggesting that the money is being spent for other purposes but is suggesting that it could be. In fact, there is a conscious effort by the Appropriations subcommittee to make sure, if all of the money is not spent in 1 year, that enough will be maintained to stabilize the fund for future years. That is thoughtful, and that is what we like to hear, but we are in a desperate moment now wherein we need the money and need it at this moment. prgtoken I understand my colleague's concern about the scorekeeping in the budget. It is an important issue, even though it is esoteric. But to do it in relation to the Crime Victims Fund seems entirely misplaced. While this adjustment does not, in fact, transfer money from the fund to other priorities, it is just a budgeting gimmick that he is suggesting. prgtoken This is not the right place or time to do this when thousands of people across the United States are in desperate need of shelter to get out of an abusive home; of help for their children who have witnessed murders; and of dealing with court proceedings that may be unintelligible to the average person to try to protect their families and themselves. To think that we are engaged in this high-level budget debate at this moment at their expense is just not right. prgtoken I urge my colleague to withdraw his amendment and allow the legislation to proceed. We can debate the budget within the budget resolution and the appropriations process but not at the expense of crime victims across America. If he will not withdraw his amendment, I must object.
REPEALING THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ RESOLUTION OF 2002
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2021-6-17

I rise in strong support of this resolution to repeal an almost two decades-long Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iraq. prgtoken , I would like to start by saying thank you, thank you, thank you to my colleague, Congresswoman Barbara Lee. prgtoken I was an activist back in 2001, leading the largest immigrant advocacy organization and the largest march at the time against the war in Iraq, because we knew that what was happening was wrong. And we were looking at Congress, and saying, Congress needs to make sure they are taking action, and Barbara Lee stood up at that time on her own. prgtoken The 2002 AUMF was based on a lie; a lie that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of lives lost, including civilians, U.S. servicemembers, journalists, humanitarian workers; a lie that was used as the legal basis for military hostilities beyond Iraq, hostilities that were never authorized by Congress. prgtoken , this must be the beginning and not the end of our work to end endless wars. We must continue our work to forge a meaningful engagement with the rest of the world toward a lasting peace. Mr I also thank the chairman for his tremendous leadership.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-17

I rise again to call for this entire body to vote and consider the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act. This commonsense reform would ensure that people in the U.S. military who have been subjected to sexual assault and other serious crimes get the justice that they deserve. prgtoken I began calling for the full floor vote on this bill on May 24. That was 24 days ago. Since then, an estimated 1,344 servicemembers will have been raped or sexually assaulted. Two in three of those survivors will not even report it because they know that they are more likely to face retaliation than receive justice. prgtoken This is a scourge that we have been looking at for over 8 years. We have passed nearly 250 measures to address sexual assault in the military, to address retaliation, to address prevention, and none of them have dented the numbers. In fact, our estimated cases are at about 20,000 cases, and among those, only about 200 have gone to courts- martial and ended in conviction. It is not enough. We aren't moving the numbers in the right direction. They are, in fact, going in the wrong direction. prgtoken We also have a reform that we have looked at for 8 years. It creates a bright line at all serious crimes to handle two issues: one, the bias we see in sexual assault in the military; that if you are a servicemember who reports sexual assault, it is unlikely that you will get justice, and it is likely that you will be retaliated against. prgtoken And after we have made retaliation a crime three times in a row, we have only seen one court-martial for retaliation. That is outrageous. prgtoken And so now is the time that we bring this measure to the floor. It does not cost a lot of money. It is something that uses the existing infrastructure, the existing lawyers, the existing infrastructure around the lawyers. prgtoken Two, it does not take a long time to implement because, in fact, after the military police complete their investigation and have their recommendation, basically, they send that recommendation to the prosecutor, as opposed to the commander. So after the review by the prosecutor, it goes right back to the commander if that prosecutor declines to prosecute. prgtoken So, ultimately, it changes the system in a very small but powerful way, and the reason why this change is recommended by all military experts is three reasons: One, the bright line creates a justice system for all plaintiffs and all defendants. And since we have bias with regard to women in the military and we have bias with regard to Black and Brown servicemembers, this change will remove bias and professionalize the system for everyone. prgtoken Second, our allies have done this. Our allies have done it--UK, Israel, Germany, Australia, Netherlands. They have done it over the last 40 years for defendants' rights, to make sure we have a system that is fair to everyone. When they put this change in place, they re
DISCLOSE WORKPLACE HARASSMENT
Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2021-6-17

. Madam , I am proud to cosponsor an amendment to H.R. 1187, a bill that would increase transparency of publicly traded companies to disclose workplace harassment cases, and I am pleased to see this amendment passed in the House yesterday. prgtoken Workplace harassment is far too common, and the shareholders and customers of a company should know whether that company fosters a healthy work culture and that it allows its workers to thrive. prgtoken Up to six in seven women in the workplace report having experienced sexual harassment. Seven of 10 people of color report experiencing some form of verbal, racial, or ethnic harassment, and those who speak out usually face retaliation. This amendment would bring to light these forms of mistreatment and incentivize companies to prevent harassment in the workplace. prgtoken I thank Ms. Frankel for her leadership on H.R. 1187, and I encourage my colleagues to support this workplace improvement bill, as well as improving the quality of life.
VOTE EXPLANATION
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-6-17

due to a family medical emergency, I was unable to attend today's vote on Executive Calendar #123--Tommy P. Beaudreau, of Alaska, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior. Had I been able to attend, I would have voted ``aye'' on confirmation. prgtoken , due to a family medical emergency, I was unable to attend today's votes on motion to invoke cloture and confirmation of Executive Calendar #157, John K. Tien, of Georgia, to be Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. Had I been able to attend, I would have voted ``aye'' on the motion and ``aye'' on confirmation.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-17

I rise to introduce the ``Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act.'' prgtoken This legislation recognizes the need to hold bad actors accountable-- period. prgtoken In order to build trust in our system of justice, we must allow individuals the right to sue Federal law enforcement agencies when the actions of prgtoken their officers lead to a violation of rights. prgtoken This legislation would provide a right of action for an individual to sue a Federal law enforcement officer and agency for harm resulting from a violation of their civil and constitutional rights. prgtoken 42 USC Sec. 1983 currently provides this right of action for state and local law enforcement officers who violate a person's rights. However, there is currently no statutory equivalent that extends this right to incidents involving federal law enforcement officers and agencies. prgtoken Because Americans lack this right, there is a gap in accountability that urgently needs to be filled. This legislation fills that gap by allowing individuals to sue federal officers, just as they can sue state and local officers. It would also allow individuals to sue federal law enforcement agencies. The United States Supreme Court has recognized that the federal government will not be liable in suit unless it waives its immunity and consents. This legislation recognizes the need for such a waiver. prgtoken While extending this right will not automatically end all cases of abuse by certain law enforcement officers, it will give the American people an important tool to fight against injustice while also demonstrating that the time is now to address police brutality. prgtoken While the United States Supreme Court has addressed the absence of a right of action against Federal officers before, the scope of the provided ``remedy'' has been kept extremely narrow. Without a statute in place, this right will continue to be under-utilized and could disappear whenever the Court sees fit. prgtoken Americans deserve better. We all deserve to have our constitutional rights respected, and we deserve a system that will hold bad actors accountable. This is too urgent a need to go unaddressed. prgtoken Public safety is a two-way street. We, as citizens, honor our officers and trust law enforcement to keep our streets safe and peaceful. In return, we expect officers to be held to account for bad behavior. Anything less undermines public safety. prgtoken I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the ``Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act'' as quickly as possible. prgtoken Thank you, . .