mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Steve Scalise (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-5-31

I thank my friend from Missouri for yielding and for his leadership on this bill. prgtoken , for the first time in years, this Congress is actually debating a bill that will reduce spending from one year to the next. Let me repeat that: reduce spending from one year to the next. That is not something you hear around this town often. prgtoken Usually, the debate is: How much more money will Washington spend? prgtoken In fact, if s were not in the majority in this House, that is exactly the debate that would be going on, how much more to spend, how many more taxes to raise because that is what President wanted at the outset of this debate on the debt ceiling. prgtoken Just for a little background, let's be clear what the debt ceiling is. The debt ceiling is the Nation's credit card. For the last 2 years, you saw out-of-control, reckless spending to the tune of trillions of dollars where President and his allies racked up so much debt that they maxed out the Nation's credit card. prgtoken We are at this point to address that problem. prgtoken , wouldn't it make sense at the same time that we are addressing the problem that President created with years of spending money that we don't have that we also have an honest discussion and start solving the problem that caused the Nation to max out the credit card? That is what this debate has been about for the last few months. Frankly, I think it is a debate that has been a long time coming in this Nation. prgtoken Over months of debate, while no one gets everything they want, I think it is important that we talk about the things that we got, that we talk about the things that the American people will get out of this bill that will help start turning the trajectory of our Nation's spending in Washington, finally putting our country back on a path where we can keep this debate going. prgtoken This is the first step. Let's make no mistake about it, this bill doesn't solve all the problems that have been created over years and decades, but it starts to finally turn the ship of state in the right direction. It starts with real savings, over $2 trillion in actual spending cuts. That is in the bill. prgtoken Again, this is a very historic first step. It doesn't mean that is where we stop. It means that is where we start. You don't get the next round of trillions in spending cuts if you don't lock in the first $2.1 trillion that is in this bill. prgtoken Now, something else we do is we actually go and reclaim for the taxpayers of America what has been identified as $28 billion in slush funds floating around Washington, all under the name of COVID. President himself actually said COVID is over. prgtoken We passed legislation here in this House under this majority to end the pandemic so we can get our country and our economy back going again. Yet, there is $28 billion out there still unspent that liberals in Washington want to spend. If w
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Mike Kelly (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-5-31

I come from a town called Butler, Pennsylvania, and in that area, it is Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District. In that district, the average annual income for a family of four is about $52,000. prgtoken Now, down here people laugh and say nobody can live on $52,000 a year. I said, in my district they do. In my district they do. prgtoken But let's talk about this in kitchen-table economics. Last year, we had about $4.9 trillion in revenue. We spent $6.22 trillion. prgtoken Kitchen-table economics is that you tell that family that earned $49,000, go out and spend $62,000, and they look at you like there is something wrong with your head. They say, you can't do that. I said, your government does. Your government does. They do it every year, and they do it with your tax dollars. prgtoken Listen, this is America's wake-up call. This isn't about the blue side of the House or the red side of the House. Look up in the gallery. That is red, white, and blue. That is America. Those are the people that pay our taxes. prgtoken All we are asking tonight is we look at the Fiscal Responsibility Act. What a weird name to be used in Washington. I wish we could stop playing this game of who struck John. Both parties have spent too much money for far too long. prgtoken Tonight is the night to turn this ship around. This is the USS Abraham Lincoln, and it takes more than one person at the wheel. We have all got to grab that wheel, and we have got to start pulling on that wheel to turn this ship around. prgtoken Tonight is a wake-up call, America. It is not a wake-up call or a wake-up call, but it is an American wake-up call. Please, wake up.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2023-5-31

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , this debate was a long time coming, not because it is complicated, but because couldn't accept the solution. prgtoken We are here at the eleventh hour, finally dealing with a debt limit on a bipartisan basis, because President apparently needed 100 days to pick up the phone to talk to s. prgtoken During those 100 days, the case for cutting spending as part of a debt ceiling increase has only grown stronger. We have seen the worst inflation crisis in a generation--the direct result of reckless spending--continue to rob the pocketbooks of working families. We have seen interest rates continue to rise, driving up the cost of purchasing a car, a home, or a small business loan. prgtoken Interest payments on our national debt are $110 billion higher over the first 7 months of this fiscal year than they were over the same time last fiscal year. In other words, runaway spending is adding to our debt crisis on the front end and the back end. prgtoken Something else occurred during those 100 days. House s took action. While the White House was saying they would only accept a blank check debt ceiling increase, an idea that did not and does not have the votes even in a Senate controlled by the President's own party, House s passed a responsible plan to address the debt ceiling while cutting spending and supporting American workers. prgtoken We acted on behalf of working families who are tired of paying more to put gas in their cars, clothes on their backs, and food on their tables. prgtoken We acted on behalf of the small business owners who are desperate to remove the ``help wanted'' signs in their storefront windows. prgtoken We acted on behalf of the families trapped on government assistance to help provide them with a path to a more prosperous future. prgtoken One has to wonder, what was President waiting for? A massive slowdown in the economy? We got that, too. In the first quarter of this year, economic growth slowed significantly to just over 1 percent. prgtoken However, these data points do not tell the full story. To get that, , you have to go into the communities across this country and listen to those on the front lines of the economy. prgtoken At the Ways and Means Committee, we have done just that. From West Virginia to Oklahoma, Georgia to New York, we have listened to American workers, families, farmers, and small business owners who have shared their concerns and their solutions. prgtoken At the heart of so much of what we have heard is the simple message: Stop spending money we do not have on policies that do not work. prgtoken According to a recent survey, 60 percent of the American people say that an increase in the Nation's debt limit ought to be accompanied by a reduction in the Nation's spending. prgtoken The Fiscal Responsibility Act is a step in responding to that request. It does much of what Republica
CONGRATULATING CHAMBERSBURG HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-5-31

I rise today to congratulate Chambersburg High School on winning the PIAA boys' track and field championship this past week at Shippensburg University. prgtoken Under the leadership of Coach Bob Walker, Chambersburg outdistanced their competition on the way to scoring 48 points and claiming the team's first-ever State championship. prgtoken Coach Walker has consistently worked with student athletes to demonstrate that there are no shortcuts to success. Practice, hard work, and determination are the hallmarks of what has made this an incredible team. prgtoken Chambersburg's commitment to academic excellence is an example of how student athletes can be supported both on and off the track. prgtoken On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate the Chambersburg High School Trojans and wish them every continued success.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3746, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2023-5-31

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I thank my friend from Texas for his remarks. I actually voted for that bill in 2008 twice, and I am glad that he is here today. The reality is the bill we are dealing with--it is hard to tell by listening to the debate--is a compromise between House s and the President of the United States. prgtoken In that compromise, nobody got everything they wanted. We certainly didn't get everything we wanted, but I think we are acting together, as my friend from Texas suggested, to try and make sure that we don't default; that we don't have a day like we had in 2008. That, at least, is something we can agree on together and celebrate together, and we will continue to try to work together. prgtoken However, the preeminent problem we have is my friends on the other side think we can spend forever. President never introduced a budget that balanced--ever--not in 10 years, 20, or 100. prgtoken Frankly, President has never introduced a budget that comes into balance at any point. You can't sustain that indefinitely. This effort is to both, one, to responsibly raise our debt ceiling, but to begin to address the underlying spending problem. prgtoken I wish we could have done more in that regard, but I am glad we got done what we did, and we will continue to work at this. prgtoken , .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Lindsey Graham (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-6-1

to our next speaker, who is the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, but I just want to say one thing before she speaks. prgtoken The Chief of Naval Operations said we need 373 ships manned and 150 unmanned platforms to deal with the threats we face around the world. We have 296 today. Under this budget deal, we will go to 286 by 2025. What does it take to get 373? The CNO of the Navy said, to get 373 ships, you have got to spend 5 percent above inflation for a sustained period of time. This bill is 2 percent below inflation. So we are undercutting the ability of the Navy to build the ships we need to defend America. prgtoken With that, I yield to Senator Collins.
RECOGNIZING BRANDON SWEITZER FOR HIS ACCEPTANCE TO THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-6-1

I rise today to congratulate my constituent, Brandon Sweitzer, upon his acceptance to the United States Air Force Academy. prgtoken As a future cadet, he will be joining the ranks of the world's most fearsome fighting force, the United States Air Force. prgtoken Guided by the motto, ``Aim High . . . Fly-Fight-Win,'' the U.S. Air Force is the world's preeminent force in air, space, and cyberspace. prgtoken Throughout our history, American airmen have demonstrated tremendous courage and strength, beating back tyranny to the ends of the Earth. prgtoken I was honored to sponsor Brandon's nomination and I am confident that his talents will distinguish him among his peers both during his time at the Air Force Academy and thereafter. prgtoken Congratulations to Brandon. I know that he will make this Nation proud.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-6-1

for 2 years, had control of the House, the Senate, and the Presidency. They took the reins of power as the Nation began to emerge from a pandemic that had upended our economy and the lives of all Americans. prgtoken Up to that point, s and had worked together to pass multiple rounds of COVID relief with strong bipartisan support. That spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship came to a screeching halt when took total control in January of 2021. prgtoken Rather than viewing the pandemic as a challenge that required temporary measures to overcome, saw it as an opportunity to permanently expand the size and scope of government. That was the exact opposite of what we needed as a nation. prgtoken Our public debt as a share of the economy had soared to heights many would have viewed as unthinkable a few years earlier. What was sorely needed was a bipartisan focus on putting our fiscal house in order. prgtoken Instead, rammed through a nearly $2 trillion partisan spending bill that prominent economists warned risked sparking inflation. Then, as inflation soared to 40-year highs, doubled down on their reckless spending with additional legislation and executive actions adding trillions more to our national debt. prgtoken Thankfully, the American people had enough. They made their voices heard through the ballot box. s were handed control of the House of Representatives based on a promise of a return to fiscal sanity. prgtoken McCarthy repeatedly called on the President to negotiate a fiscally responsible and timely debt limit increase. Unfortunately, President proved not to be a willing dance partner. He sat idly by for nearly 100 days watching the clock tick down to default despite the urgent need to raise the debt ceiling and begin to put our fiscal house in order. prgtoken McCarthy thankfully never took no for an answer. He kept pushing and rallied House s to pass a debt limit package to pair back spending excesses of the prior Congress and impose meaningful spending controls moving forward. prgtoken House passage of the Limit, Save, Grow Act put a reasonable and fiscally responsible offer on the table that President couldn't ignore. prgtoken The bipartisan negotiations that ensued brought us to where we are today, a bipartisan agreement to address the debt ceiling while imposing meaningful brakes on government spending largess. prgtoken As is the case with any bipartisan agreement, neither side got everything they wanted. I would have preferred an agreement closer to the House-passed bill. But in a closely divided government, you can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. prgtoken The Fiscal Responsibility Act is a step in the right direction after years of unchecked spending. It will impose meaningful caps on discretionary spending that, over the next 2 years, will produce hundr
HONORING THE MEMORY OF LETIZIA TAGLIAFIERRO
Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-6-1

I rise today to honor the memory of Letizia Tagliafierro who passed away on May 23rd of this year. Letizia was a devoted public servant and native of Saugerties, New York, who will be dearly missed by all who knew her. prgtoken Letizia will long be remembered for her dedication to public service. Throughout her career, she worked tirelessly for the people of New York in the NY State Assembly, Erie County District Attorney's Office, and as NYS Inspector General. prgtoken , I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring the memory of Letizia Tagliafierro. While we mourn her passing, we celebrate her life and the legacy she leaves behind. May her life and memory always be a blessing.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-6-1

I rise in opposition to the Senator's amendment. prgtoken Our defense spending is critical, but so are our investments to combat fentanyl; rebuild American manufacturing, especially for things like chips; improve access to childcare, early learning, and a lot more. We cannot shortchange our investments in families and our country's future, and the underlying bill will already force painful cuts. prgtoken This amendment would make it so the consequences of failing to pass our appropriations bills falls heavily on our nondefense programs, and that will hurt our families across the country. Let me be clear. We will not let that happen. prgtoken None of us want to end up in a situation where we have a CR in the first place. That is exactly why I am committed to making sure that we write the strongest 12 funding bills possible and get them passed in a timely way. prgtoken This amendment will set us back even further and target the programs that are a lifeline for working people in this country. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote no. Vote on Amendment No. 106
HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATIONAL CAREER AND SERVICE OF AMY GRANDE
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-6-1

today I rise to pay tribute to a beloved teacher, principal, friend, and community member who has dedicated a half-century to Michigan's public schools and their students. As Amy Grande of Rochester Hills prepares to step down after 50 years at University Hills Elementary School in the Rochester Community Schools district, I am filled with gratitude for the thousands of lives she has helped guide and the glowing example she has set of what it means to live a life of service. prgtoken It was 1973 and before the ink had dried on her degree in elementary education from Michigan State University, Amy arrived at University Hills Elementary to begin her career as a teacher, and was placed in a first grade classroom. From that day on, Amy's colleagues and supervisors say she anchored her classroom in respect, trust, love, and positivity, traits that would only grow over her long and fruitful career. Over the course of the next 25 years, Amy was called on to teach every grade from first through sixth, and no matter the grade level or the subject, she reflected what she expected: kindness and good citizenship. prgtoken In 1998, Amy transitioned to a learning consultant role and, while she left her beloved classroom, her students remained at the heart of her work and decisions. This remained the case when she was appointed principal of the University Hills in 2000, and has continued throughout her nearly quarter-century tenure in that position. Valuing positive relationships and collaboration above all, Amy is famous for knowing not just the names of the students in her building but their stories, and for turning her staff meetings into ``celebration meetings.'' On any given day, she is seen where it matters the most: wherever her students are. That meant in the hallways, classrooms, playground, and even at events outside the school. Her school has been, and will always be, an extension of her family and herself. prgtoken Amy earned many accolades in her long career, including Principal of the Year for Region 7 Oakland County from the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association in 2016. But I have no doubt the awards she treasures most are the intangibles: the love of learning she has inspired in so many, the careers she has nurtured and shaped, and the indelible mark she has left on the hearts and minds of the entire entire University Hills Elementary School community. prgtoken For 50 years, Amy Grande lived her passion for education every single day, an extraordinary gift that University Hills Elementary and the Rochester Community Schools district were so fortunate to receive. As Amy now prepares to begin a new chapter in retirement, my hope is that she feels all the love and care that she has poured into others returned to her. I wish her many relaxing days doing her favorite things: spending time with her family, tending to her garden, volunteering in the community, and leisurely reading. <|
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-6-1

I come to the floor today in opposition to a cruel and misguided attack on millions of student loan borrowers in New Jersey and across the country. I understand that some of my colleagues are intent on overturning President 's signature policies no matter the cost or the consequence. But to overturn his landmark student debt relief program just to score political points, to force borrowers to pay back their loans with interest and stick it to the administration, well, that, to me, is just cruelty for the sake of cruelty. prgtoken How else can you describe a proposal that would strip away one of the most important economic lifelines borrowers have relied on? Other than cruel, what else can you call a resolution that rips away benefits for up to 43 million Americans who stand to benefit from President 's relief plan? prgtoken I remind my colleagues that the pause on student loan repayments has saved borrowers an average of over $233 per month, an amount that is particularly crucial for our Nation's teachers, nurses, police officers, and firefighters who rely on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. prgtoken For a moment, I would like to focus on the impact this resolution has on them, because for these public service employees, $233 can mean the difference between making it to the end of the month or not. Make no mistake. Repealing this relief especially hurts public sector workers all across the country--the very people who go to work every day to care for us, protect us, educate our kids and keep us safe. prgtoken Is this body really trying to claw back benefits from thousands of everyday heroes in our communities? Is this really what my colleagues set out to do? prgtoken For years, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program has enjoyed bipartisan support because it is essential to the promise of America. After all, if you take out loans in support of an education for a career benefiting others, then you deserve to see your balance forgiven after 120 payments or 10 years, as outlined under the law. prgtoken For many individuals, the economic challenges of COVID and the reforms that occurred as a result were the first time that they were able to enjoy the program's benefits. This harmful proposal erases that progress and, once again, imposes the burden of debt on hard-working teachers, nurses, police officers, and firefighters. This proposal is a slap in the face to them and to their shot at the American dream--full stop. prgtoken It is a slap in the face for Public Service Loan Forgiveness borrowers and for the full universe of Americans who stand to benefit from student loan relief, which is why I encourage all of my colleagues to ask themselves: Is this vote--this misguided proposal--the kind of message you feel proud to send? When the history books are written about this moment in time, do you want to stand on the side of the 43 million Americans who have played by the rules