mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-2-3

I rise today to honor the life of a dear friend and a former colleague of mine, Jerry Ellig. prgtoken Some 2 weeks ago, at just 58 years old, Jerry passed away. Jerry and I met in June of 2001. We were both working in the administration. We were working together at the Federal Trade Commission. I had just been hired, at all of 30 years old, to run the Policy Planning Office, and Jerry was my Deputy. prgtoken I hadn't met Jerry. Our boss Tim Muris, the Chairman, had brought Jerry in beforehand. It is always a dangerous thing when somebody else hires your Deputy, but in this case, Tim did me an enormous favor. Jerry was a colleague of Tim's from George Mason University, a Ph.D. economist, a brilliant man, a lover of liberty. And Jerry and I, for the next 2 years, ran the Policy Planning Office together, and we became dear friends. prgtoken I don't know that I ever saw Jerry without a smile, without a twinkle in his eye. He always had a joyful spirit, a mischievous grin. And he believed in the power of truth. He became an economist because, I think, Jerry was born to be an economist. I have no doubt playing with his LEGOs as a child, he prgtoken thought about supply and demand and price elasticity. And he believed in the power of free markets. prgtoken One of the things that the Policy Planning Office did was something called competition advocacy. Now, the FTC statutory mandate is to defend the competition. There are some 75 Ph.D. economists on the full- time staff at the FTC. And Jerry and I, together, when various State legislatures or State regulatory bodies across the country were considering a particular bill that would have potentially anti- competitive effects--if those State legislatures or regulators asked for our input, the FTC would analyze the proposed bill, and we would file testimony, written testimony, oral testimony. Both Jerry and I testified multiple places. In fact, I went to my office and pulled out the binder of all the competition advocacy that we filed in our time together at the FTC on topic after topic after topic. prgtoken You know, there are a lot of bad ideas that government considers, bad ideas that come from special pleaders--someone who will benefit--but the harm to consumers is usually diffuse, harder to see, and much greater. prgtoken And what the FTC would do in competition advocacy is simply quantify the harm, simply provide truth and light and sunshine. It was incredible that when we would be asked to come in and present that testimony over and over and over again, the decision makers would choose not to adopt bad policies, simply when they understood, through careful empirical analysis, how that would hurt the consumers. prgtoken One area, in particular, that Jerry and I worked on quite a bit was e-commerce. We started an e-commerce task force. This was 20 years ago. E-commerce was in a much more nascent stage 20 years ago than it is today. We exami
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-2-3

thank you to my friend from the Show Me State and the ranking member and our fearless leader on budget. prgtoken Speaking of show me, I would like for somebody to show me why this is good for the American people, . prgtoken We all want to help our fellow Americans. We all want to help our country get back to its feet from this pandemic and the unintended consequences from government actions, but this resolution is a disaster in and of itself on so many levels, . prgtoken Let's start with this spirit of unity and peace and bipartisanship. This President, one after another, has taken more executive actions than all three Presidents combined that have killed jobs, that have undermined the security of the American people, and now, the first major legislation is to use reconciliation to ram this through. prgtoken This isn't about relief and recovery, . This is about a Trojan horse to sneak policies that would not otherwise go anywhere in this Chamber because it couldn't. There are Federal wage mandates, when our small businesses are sucking air trying to get on their feet, make payroll, provide a service. And we want to kill 4 million more jobs. That is a CBO estimate. That is in healthy times. That is in good times. prgtoken This isn't a recovery relief bill. It is a massive bailout and a windfall to poorly managed cities and States. My colleagues are asking $350 billion. Census data shows that we have lost State revenue to the tune of $37 billion. What is the $350 billion going to go to, Mr. ? I ask my colleagues. prgtoken It is to bail out cities and States with poor management who have been reckless and irresponsible in their behavior and they want the taxpayers to bail them out. prgtoken They are asking 10 times the amount of what they need. It is irresponsible. This is a series of bad policies. These are barriers, not incentives, to recovery. prgtoken There is $500 billion, a massive redistribution of wealth to people who are unaffected by COVID, to people who are in this country illegally, . prgtoken This resolution increases the unemployment insurance so that 80 percent of the people are actually being paid more on unemployment than at their previous job. Are you kidding me? prgtoken Please, tell me this is not a recovery bill, . Look, we don't need another job-killing Federal mandate, reckless spending, liberal, partisan wish list. We need to open up this great country's economy, get our kids back to school, and bring America back. prgtoken Please work with us to do that for the sake of this country.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-2-3

this week, the Senate is engaged in what I personally believe to be a disappointing exercise of, really, partisan political power at the expense of American taxpayers. prgtoken When it became clear that the Senate was going to be split 50-50--by the way, it doesn't get closer than that--there was a moment of hope, I think, on both sides that this would be the opportunity that we would all have to really begin to seek ways to find how we could work together and not have any 50-50 votes and not keep the Vice President busy in breaking ties on votes. So far, that hope appears to be a little bit short-lived. prgtoken We are supposedly voting to pass a budget right now that expresses the priorities of the Congress on how limited tax dollars should be allocated. Now, you don't have to be a genius to figure out that passing a budget--October, November, December--4 months into the calendar of the budget year probably isn't, technically, just to determine how you are going to allocate limited tax dollars. Frankly, there seems to be very little discussion in this budget about limited tax dollars. What we are really doing here is passing a budget that allows us to set up what, I think, is an ill-advised, partisan moment, where one side believes it can do whatever it wants to without the other side. prgtoken President , when campaigning, said over and over again that he wanted to work with s. I actually believe that is true. In his inaugural address, he said: ``We have never ever, ever, ever failed in America when we've acted together.'' Now, the inaugural address was only a few days ago. Here we are, 2 weeks later, and the President and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have decided to go forward, and the only way to go forward is to go forward their way. If that happens to be the way forward, it is going to be a long 4 years, and for the majority, it might be a pretty quick 2 years because I don't think that this is the message that people sent on election day-- that they wanted one side to be able to do whatever it wanted to do. We have the narrowest House majority in about 150 years, and the Senate majority--again, I will say--couldn't be closer than it is. prgtoken We haven't finished taking down the platform from the inauguration, and our colleagues are already forcing a one-sided endgame. Now, I would suggest that the endgame in this case really just sets the stage for the rest of the time we are going to be trying to work together, and I think we will look back and find out it didn't set the stage in a helpful way. prgtoken The plan is to muscle through a really partisan $1.9 trillion package that claims to be about COVID relief but covers really a number of totally unrelated things. prgtoken People have talked a lot about the fact that the minimum wage is there and whether it would meet the standard of reconciliation. prgtoken We haven't talked very much about the fact tha
RECOGNIZING 70 YEARS OF KRVN
Deb Fischer (Republican, NE) \u2014 2021-2-3

I would like to take a moment to recognize the 70th anniversary of KRVN, a longtime Nebraska radio station. prgtoken KRVN was founded in 1951 to bring the news to Nebraska's rural communities, and they have remained committed to that mission throughout their existence. prgtoken From the very beginning, Nebraska's farmers and ranchers have depended on their straightforward approach to the stories that matter most, and their outstanding reporting continues to be a crucial part of our agriculture industry's success. prgtoken As everyone who has listened to KRVN knows, they have achieved 70 years of success because they put their audience first. That is no accident--KRVN is one of the only radio stations in the country that is owned by a cooperative of farmers and ranchers. prgtoken As a cattle rancher myself, my family, friends, and neighbors have listened to their daily livestock reports for decades, and I always enjoy stopping by their studios when I am in Lexington, NE. prgtoken As a lifelong Nebraskan, I am immensely proud of all they have done for our State. prgtoken I congratulate them on reaching this historic milestone. Here is to 70 more years.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-2-3

I rise today to congratulate Arkansas Public Broadcasting Service, PBS, for its tremendous work to provide educational resources throughout the COVID-19 health crisis. prgtoken Arkansas PBS was recently recognized with five national Public Media Awards from the National Education Telecommunications Association, NETA, including honors for overall excellence for the programing it provided to children, parents, and teachers through Arkansas AMI, Alternative Methods of Instructions. prgtoken As the COVID-19 emergency progressed in March 2020, Arkansas PBS upended its weekday schedule and began broadcasting streamlined, curriculum-based programming for children from Pre-K through eighth grade. prgtoken When schools first closed in Arkansas, educators were immediately challenged by the lack of internet access in many rural areas of the State. This made the Arkansas AMI project even more important. For many without prgtoken computers at home, the programming provided by Arkansas PBS became their classroom. prgtoken I am proud of the partnership between Arkansas PBS and the Arkansas Department of Education, which offered students a way to keep learning when they couldn't be at school. This effort was possible because of a longstanding relationship between the broadcast network and education officials who have worked together for many years. With a strong foundation in place, they were quickly and creatively able to pivot and provide classroom learning on a network of stations that reached 76 percent of the State with a simple over-the-air signal. The programming was also available on cable and satellite, live-streaming, on-demand, and various apps that families could access on mobile devices. prgtoken I am proud of these devoted Arkansans who rose to meet an incredible challenge, and I am grateful for the work they do every day to make education in our State a priority. This recognition from the NETA is a testament to its commitment to offering quality educational, informative, and entertaining content that benefits the people of Arkansas. We appreciate the hard-working staff of Arkansas PBS and celebrate their accomplishments which reflect so well on the organization and its service to our State.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-2-3

2 weeks ago, I heard these words: History, faith, and reason show the way, the way of unity. We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting, and lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury. prgtoken President 's inaugural address had some pretty glowing terms. I am grateful to hear statements about unity. The challenge now is to actually live that out and see that actually done, because while those words are beautiful, over the past 2 weeks, there have been almost two dozen hyperpartisan Executive orders that have come out of the White House, and there doesn't seem to be a push toward actual bipartisan unity here on this floor. prgtoken In fact, in the first 10 days of the administration, he has signed more Executive orders than the last four Presidents combined in their first 10 days. President Clinton signed 2; President signed 2; signed 7; President signed 9; and , in the first 10 days, signed 22 Executive orders--22. And some of those Executive orders seem to be purely spiteful, just to say: President put this in, so it must be bad. prgtoken Let me give you an example. The administration required, through an Executive order, every Agency to compile all their guidance documents into one place so that small business owners and people who work in small businesses could find the Federal requirements from each Agency in one spot. They didn't have to hunt all over the place to be able to find their Federal requirements. Now, that doesn't seem like a partisan statement. That just seems like good government. But in the first 10 days of President 's term, he got rid of that good guidance piece and said: No, Federal agencies can go back to playing hide and seek with their rules again, and small business owners will just have to figure out where it is. There won't be one place in each agency to find guidance. prgtoken Why would you do that, other than just, if did it, it must be bad? prgtoken Listen, we have to find ways to actually live unity and to be able to do what is best for the American people. We live in a constitutional system. We have more than 300 million people. We have great disagreements on policies, but we come together to work them out. prgtoken During 2020, in a time of divided government, this body, the House of Representatives, and the White House passed five different COVID relief bills, all with strong bipartisan majorities. We passed all 12 appropriation bills with strong bipartisan majorities. I didn't agree with everything on every one of those bills, but we worked together to be able to resolve it. And now, suddenly, it has become a ``we don't want to talk across the aisle anymore,'' literally 2 weeks after saying: Do you know what we need a
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Chris Jacobs (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-2-3

I rise today in opposition to the budget resolution put forth by the majority. prgtoken Rather than seek bipartisan consensus, are effectively shutting out s through this reconciliation process. The are proposing to spend $1.9 trillion, one of the largest single expenditures in U.S. history. prgtoken They will be funding this historic expenditure by dramatically increasing our national debt, and these unprecedented and historic obligations are being undertaken without engaging in the Budget Committee at all. prgtoken Just because the have control of both Houses and the Presidency does not mean they should be abusing this power, bypassing the important and deliberative role of the legislative process instead of working in earnest with the Members. prgtoken In the 116th Congress, we were able to find bipartisan consensus on COVID relief, and I believe we can do the same here now. prgtoken This go-it-alone approach is very unfortunate because there are many provisions in President 's proposal that I could support. I have been calling for additional aid to local governments since I arrived here in Congress this summer. Further, we most definitely need more resources to ensure a more robust deployment of vaccines throughout the Nation. prgtoken This partisan approach to relief legislation is damaging and unproductive. I hope the majority will reconsider this process. prgtoken I want to believe President 's calls for unity, bipartisanship, and cooperation. I was encouraged to see the talks between the White House and the Senate s. This is exactly how we should be working to address the needs of the American people. prgtoken During these very challenging times, I stand ready and willing to work with the administration and any of my colleagues across the aisle to help the American people.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-2-4

this amendment would allow withholding of community development block grants and Economic Development Act funding from States and municipalities that prohibit local police from cooperating with Federal officials to enforce Federal law. prgtoken It is important to note it would not affect any security-related funds. prgtoken It is important because sanctuary cities, like San Francisco and Philadelphia, in my State, have radical policies that actually forbid the local police from cooperating with Federal immigration officials, even when the local police would like to cooperate. prgtoken These policies are dangerous. They cost us time and money. But most importantly, by far, is the tragic cost to human beings, people like Kate Steinle, killed by an illegal immigrant who opened fire on a San Francisco pier. prgtoken This shooter had been convicted of seven felonies, been deported five times. Why was he on the pier that night? Because San Francisco chose to release him rather than cooperate with Federal authorities that wanted to take him off the streets.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SHELDON ADELSON
Billy Long (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to include in the Record an article honoring Sheldon Adelson, who was a truly great American. The following article, by Matt Brooks the Executive Director of the Jewish Coalition, published in Newsweek on January 15, 2021, honors his incredible life and legacy. Horatio Alger wrote rags-to-riches stories in the 1800s about poor boys who became wealthy through pluck, luck and good deeds. Sheldon Adelson did him one better, actually living a rags-to-riches story rooted in hard work, vision, courage--and good deeds. With Sheldon's passing, we have lost not only a remarkably successful business leader and an extraordinary philanthropist, but someone I was privileged to call a dear mentor and friend. It is well known that Sheldon came from humble beginnings, as the child of immigrants living in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood. More than 80 years later, he still viewed the world through the eyes of a poor kid from Dorchester. As one of the richest men in America, he could afford the finest wines and any luxury foods he desired. But those who knew him knew that the best time to meet with Sheldon was on Friday over lunch in his office, because that was his favorite day, when his staff would bring him hot dogs and sliders for lunch and he was sure to be in a good mood. He never lost his enjoyment for those kinds of simple things. More than that, Sheldon never lost touch with people. Most of those who achieve his level of success spend a lot of money on staff to serve as buffers between them and other people. Sheldon didn't do that. At Jewish Coalition events, people would be lined up 20- or 30-deep to say hello and take pictures with him. He obliged them, even in the middle of eating his dinner. He gave out his cell phone number freely and enjoyed being with people, talking to them and listening to them. Sheldon was a serial entrepreneur who created dozens of companies over the years. He was often called a visionary leader, which is true, but he had more than just vision. Hard work and courageous confidence (or outrageous confidence, to your detractors) are required to achieve great things. Sheldon had a vision of Las Vegas as more than just a gambling town. He knew that bringing in trade shows and business conventions and offering grand resorts with the finest amenities and big, beautiful rooms would make Las Vegas a top destination for millions of people. When he began building The Venetian, he was mocked and called a fool. But he never lost confidence in his vision of what Las Vegas could be, and today everyone is copying his integrated resort model. The same was true in Asia, where Sheldon saw glittering potential in Macau, then a se
CONDEMNING ABORTION
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , our wonderful country, America, has been given material wealth beyond belief, plus natural beauty that I think is greater than anything around the world. prgtoken In 1973, how did this country respond to those gifts? The United States Supreme Court, in Roe v. Wade, legalized abortion, something that even in days before the ultrasound, almost was universally condemned around the world. Since that time, 62 million unborn babies have had their lives cut short in America. prgtoken The United States is one of only seven countries in the world where late-term abortions are legal, joining countries like China, North Korea, Vietnam, and then Singapore, Canada, and Holland. prgtoken Now, we, under the current administration, look to push for still more prgtoken abortions by talking about removing the Hyde amendment allowing for taxpayer funding and, even worse, repealing the new Mexico City policy in which the United States gives money to organizations abroad who will wind up performing abortions. That is what the United States will become known for around the world. prgtoken How is this to respond to the natural wealth and beauty we have been given.
MORNING BUSINESS
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-2-4

this amendment is designed to provide relief to the tens of thousands of blue collar workers that work in refineries across this country. Refineries right now purchase what are called RINs, which are artificial regulatory licenses that they must purchase. They were originally designed to be at 1 or 2 cents apiece. In the past year, they have skyrocketed. In the past year, RINs have skyrocketed up to $1.12 apiece, the highest level since 2013. That is a 650-percent increase in the past year. Just a year ago they were trading at 15 cents. What does that mean? That means $15 billion in regulatory cost for refineries. prgtoken And let me say something importantly: Not one penny of that $15 billion goes to corn farmers or ethanol producers. It goes to Wall Street speculators. So this amendment would provide--it would cap RINs at 10 cents apiece. What that would mean is this is a choice between do you want millions of dollars to go to Wall Street speculators or do you want the money to go to blue collar workers and refineries?
MORNING BUSINESS
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2021-2-4

we know the burden that implementing the 2015 WOTUS rule would have had on farming, agriculture, energy production, and construction activities across this country and in our State of West Virginia. The legal challenges that followed resulted in years of uncertainty and confusion. prgtoken Finally, in 2020, the EPA announced the Navigable Waters Protection Rule as a replacement. It is clear, commonsense policy, and States like it. As a matter of fact, the Navigable Waters Rule is now in effect in 49 States. President has revoked President 's executive order that led to the Navigable Waters Rule, making it likely the rule will be revisited in this administration. Replacing this Navigable Waters Rule with something like the 2015 WOTUS rule would completely redefine and reframe all water policy and devastate farmers, manufacturers, and small business owners. prgtoken We have had enough uncertainty. Let's not create more. This amendment would preserve the continued implementation of the Navigable Waters Rule. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment.