mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Greg Stanton (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2023-7-14

moving the National Defense Authorization Act forward has almost always been a bipartisan effort. This very bill, as originally drafted, passed out of committee with near unanimous votes from both and s, 59-1. prgtoken That is why it is unconscionable that extremist politicians are willing to jeopardize our military readiness and our national security to push their unpopular partisan agenda. prgtoken In the dead of night, extreme lawmakers tacked on divisive, dangerous amendments, including one that would prevent servicewomen from accessing critical abortion care. prgtoken More than 400,000 women serve in Active Duty and in the Reserves. At great personal sacrifice, these servicewomen have sworn an oath to defend the United States and to live, train, and work at assigned duty stations often far from home. prgtoken Almost immediately after Roe was overturned last summer, States around the country began enacting draconian abortion bans and restrictions. Today, nearly half of the servicewomen no longer have access to abortion care, and many live hundreds of miles from the nearest provider. prgtoken Access to abortion should not depend on where someone lives or where they are stationed. prgtoken Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rightly noted that the Dobbs decision would ``interfere with the U.S. military's ability to recruit, retain, and maintain the readiness of a highly qualified force,'' and announced earlier this year that the DOD would cover travel and lodging expenses for servicewomen and military family members forced to travel for healthcare. prgtoken My colleagues on the other side of the aisle would see that this policy is overturned. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I have voted for the NDAA every year that I have served in Congress, but I cannot in good conscience vote for this legislation in its current form. We must provide for our national defense. prgtoken This bill will egregiously harm nearly one-fifth of this country's fighting force. I will not turn my back on our servicewomen and military families.
WHY I VOTED NO ON THE NDAA
Wiley Nickel (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2023-7-14

America's national defense has historically been a source of bipartisan agreement, not a battleground for divisive, extreme partisan politics. prgtoken Unfortunately, House s chose to use the NDAA to advance controversial and harmful amendments rather than work in a bipartisan way to bolster our national defense, strengthen our national security interests, and protect our servicemembers. prgtoken Through the amendment process, House s inserted extreme anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-DEI amendments that infringe upon the rights of individuals, notably those who serve in our armed forces and their families, threaten their liberties, and undermine their principles of freedom and autonomy that they work every day to defend. prgtoken With these poison pills, I could not vote to advance this year's NDAA, as amended. prgtoken I will work tirelessly with my Senate counterparts and reasonable s to ensure that damaging anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-DEI amendments are not included in the final text of this legislation.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Andy Kim (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-7-14

. Mr. Chair, I want to respond to what was just said. prgtoken It is absolutely important that we set straight that diversity does not mean we are talking about people who are less qualified. We are not talking about reducing standards. We are talking about recognizing one part of the decision as one part of many. prgtoken This is not a situation where it is the overriding factor. I agree with what Chairman Banks said, which is that we want the best and brightest, but what we recognize when it comes to our service academies, in particular, is that this is a situation where we are trying to also build a force. prgtoken This is not just about an individual. Yes, we want the best and brightest, but we also want the most cohesive and effective fighting force for our country. prgtoken We recognize we are building an entity where our servicemembers are part of something bigger than all of them.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Chrissy Houlahan (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-7-14

. Mr. Chair, later today, I will offer the motion to recommit on this bill. prgtoken I stand with my colleagues who have stood shoulder to shoulder in support of our brave servicemembers in an effort to put together this bill for the last nearly 1 year. I stand with the spirit of those who are currently serving in uniform who are sick and tired of this legislative body politicizing their lives, their livelihoods, and their bodily autonomy. prgtoken I rise today in honor of my grandfather and my father, who served full, distinguished careers in the military, and my mom and my grandmother, who served as military spouses, each for over 30 years. prgtoken I rise today as someone who was born and grew up on a military base and moved across this Nation and to other countries. I rise as someone who raised my own hand and my own child when prgtoken the time came. I rise for my cousins who serve today. prgtoken I don't need my colleagues to tell me what it is like to be a mom in uniform because I lived that experience, or a child in the military. I lived that, too. prgtoken Here I am today, standing up on behalf of all servicewomen and military families who are willing to risk their lives for our freedoms, yet we are not willing to protect theirs. prgtoken What I have seen on the floor over the past 2 days has really saddened me: targeting LGBTQ families like my own, targeting libraries, targeting the reproductive freedoms of servicewomen and military families stationed in States that do not respect their own bodily autonomy. prgtoken Chair, we even saw a colleague refer to our Black servicemembers as ``colored people.'' prgtoken To my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, let me make a few things clear. We agree there are threats around the world like China that we should be spending our time and efforts on. We agree the historic recruitment challenges we face are a risk to our national security. We agree the brave men and women who serve in uniform should not be used as political pawns. prgtoken So why did this -led body decide to take a historically bipartisan piece of legislation from the House Armed Services Committee hostage by adding scores of extreme GOP culture war priorities to it, including, least of all, a clear-as-day backdoor policy to a national abortion ban? prgtoken Chair, I want the American people to know that support our men and women in uniform. We proudly voted forward by 58-1 a bipartisan piece of legislation to increase their pay, to improve their housing, and to expand their access to childcare. prgtoken However, the GOP is putting that bipartisan progress in jeopardy, and the toughest part is that they know it. I have a great deal of respect for the handful of my colleagues who recognize the extreme turn that this legislation has taken, and I thank them. prgtoken So, I look at them again, and I look to them again. We must do what is right by our servicemembers. Put the political g
GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC IN AMERICA
Deborah K. Ross (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise today to discuss the epidemic of gun violence prgtoken in America, which continues to inflict bloodshed and heartbreak on our communities. prgtoken Last week, Americans were supposed to be celebrating the Fourth of July, but big cities and small towns across the country were once again devastated by senseless gun violence. prgtoken In October, my own Raleigh community joined the long line of American communities forever changed by a mass shooting. We should not have to live this way. prgtoken While we took a momentous step forward last summer by passing bipartisan, commonsense reform, we must do more. I am proud that the Raleigh Police Department is leading the charge through education, awareness, and prevention. prgtoken June was Gun Violence Awareness Month, but the call for action shouldn't end then. Today and every day, we must work together to end gun violence once and for all.
AND STILL I RISE: CONSCIENCE AGENDA
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-7-14

. And still I rise, . prgtoken Still I rise. Borrowing the words of Maya Angelou, ``Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave,'' and still I rise. prgtoken I rise as a scion of the enslaved Africans who were sacrificed to make America great, sacrificed for some 200-plus years, 240-plus years, to make America great. prgtoken I rise because I understand that as a scion and as a descendant, I have a duty, a responsibility, and an obligation to those enslaved people. prgtoken I think my colleague, John Lewis, put it best, to just have a responsibility to ``get in good trouble.'' ``Good trouble'' was his term. I added the verbiage. prgtoken We have this duty and responsibility to get into good trouble, to do that which is appropriate to honor the enslaved people who are the foundational mothers and fathers, the economic foundational mothers and fathers, of this country. The foundation upon which this economy resides to this day was put in place with sacrificed lives, millions of sacrificed lives, millions, literally, over centuries, literally, to make America the great country it is. prgtoken Unfortunately, America--the country I love, the country where I sing the national anthem, salute the flag, and say the Pledge of Allegiance. I stand for the national anthem. The country I love has not shown respect for the people who gave it its economic foundation. prgtoken As a matter of fact, we have shown disrespect for them, disrespect. They have not been honored. They have been pushed aside and left behind. As a matter of fact, there has been an effort to cause people to literally be ashamed of talking about these foundational mothers and fathers. prgtoken We revere the enslavers, and we revile the enslaved who were sacrificed, whose lives were sacrificed, many of whom were born into slavery, lived their lives as slaves, and died as slaves. We don't honor them appropriately. prgtoken Some of that is changing because of what the Honorable John Lewis called to our attention about good trouble. Some of that is changing because, last year, this Congress passed legislation for Slavery Remembrance Day. We did so on July 27 of last year. prgtoken , Slavery Remembrance Day was a historic and monumental accomplishment for Congress, but you didn't read about it in the newspapers. You didn't see it on television. You didn't hear anything about it on radio. It wasn't celebrated on social media. prgtoken This country does not respect the enslaved people, the country I love, the country where I salute the flag, say the Pledge of Allegiance, and stand for the national anthem. prgtoken None of that was broadcast because there is a desire among many to have those who are the scions, the descendants, forget slavery, to forgive and forget. prgtoken It is obvious that the scions have forgiven. prgtoken Yes, we forgive, but God gave us memory for a reason. We don't forget. We don't forget Pearl Harbor, and we h
KEEP OUR WORKERS SAFE
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise today to sound the alarm about the extreme heat in Texas that is putting people's lives in danger. prgtoken Workers in agriculture, construction, mail delivery, and landscaping are in danger and at risk for heat-related injuries or even death every day. prgtoken Many workers in my district are working outside at a heat index that is well above 100 degrees. prgtoken Heat is the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the United States--more than floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. prgtoken Just last month, Felipe Pascual, a construction worker in the Houston area, collapsed on the jobsite and later died due to hyperthermia. prgtoken , that is why I introduced the Construction Injury Prevention Act to provide paid 15-minute rest breaks for workers every 4 hours. prgtoken This bill puts people over profits, it puts people over politics, and will literally save lives. We need to act to keep our workers safe, and we must act now.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Brian J. Mast (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-7-14

. Mr. Chair, I am amazed at the bigoted comments I am hearing from the other side right now, literally stating that units need to look a certain way. There have to be people of certain colors in these units. It is purely idiotic. It is dangerous. prgtoken War is not a game. It is always dangerous. It is very often deadly. I damn near gave my life for this country, and I can tell you the last thing I cared about was the color of the snipers that had my back or the color of the medics that were putting tourniquets on each of my legs and my left arm when I was injured on the battlefield. It didn't matter if they were Black, White, Brown. prgtoken None of that mattered when they were recruited into the military, and it didn't matter as they were serving. It has absolutely zero place, and you are literally putting the lives of our servicemembers in danger. You are concretely saying that units need to look a certain way by color. prgtoken I just pose this quick question. I don't know how much time I have remaining, but I will bet you all over there can't tell me what my background is. Am I part Black? Part Brown? Part White? What am I? prgtoken I yield time to you for a colloquy if you want to answer that. What am I?
EQUINOR IS NOT WELCOME
Anthony D’Esposito (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise today in solidarity with thousands of my neighbors in New York's Fourth Congressional District who are united in opposition to a proposed large-scale offshore energy project that, if completed, would drastically alter the landscape of several Nassau County communities. prgtoken The development being advanced by the Norwegian energy company, Equinor, would see nearly 150 massive offshore wind turbines constructed within view of land off the coast of Long Beach in my congressional district. prgtoken This project would include a landing site in the city of Long Beach where high-voltage cables would make landfall from the turbines and wind through residential areas to connect with a substation in my hometown, the village of Island Park. prgtoken Residents of these communities could play host to an environmental disaster. New York officials are keen to see this project progress, even in the face of local concern. In fact, Governor Hochul even went so far as to enlist the assistance of Brooklyn lawmakers to ram through State legislation to support the project, even as local neighbors raised concerns. prgtoken My neighbors rightfully have questions related to the impacts. I will stand with my neighbors and fight for the hardworking south shore communities. We will stand tall in the face of this hostile takeover by Equinor. prgtoken , Equinor is not welcome in our south shore communities.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Warren Davidson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2023-7-14

. Mr. Chair, the amendment I have offered would prevent the Department of Defense from purchasing data that would otherwise require a warrant, court order, or subpoena. The amendment would also end unauthorized surveillance practices. prgtoken The government is currently circumventing the Fourth Amendment by purchasing location data, internet browsing data, and other sensitive information. The so-called data broker loophole is a severe threat to the right to privacy in the United States. prgtoken Freedom surrendered is rarely reclaimed, but we must defend our Fourth Amendment. prgtoken Government surveillance programs are routinely misused and targeted at Americans. The FBI, in fact, admits it conducted 278,000 improper searches of American citizens in 2020 alone. If the government can buy its way around the Fourth Amendment, there will be few meaningful limits on government surveillance. prgtoken We need to pass this amendment. It at least stops the Department of Defense from doing that inside the United States of America. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I reserve balance of my time.
FIGHT TO PASS THE NDAA
Mike Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-7-14

we worked a little late last night. We voted to get rid of this leftwing socialistic woke agenda that has not only been crammed down the throats of the American people but crammed down the throats of our military. prgtoken That is right. We got rid of DEI and CRT. It is gone. Now we can get back to protecting the citizens of this country. We also are protecting the citizens of the unborn. We got rid of abortions that are paid for by taxpayers in our military. prgtoken We did one more thing, . We gave those serving a needed pay raise and increased their lethality so that they can stay ahead of China. prgtoken , I urge the House to pass the NDAA today. Hold the line, negotiate, and fight for this bill when it comes back from the Senate.
NDAA REMARKS
Ken Calvert (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-7-14

I thank Chairman Mike Rogers for his leadership and for including language to improve the safety of U.S. servicemembers in the NDAA. prgtoken My provision would establish new Joint Safety Council requirements for each military branch to develop a plan to identify corrective and preventative actions following major accidents and mishaps. prgtoken Earlier this year, I introduced the Military Equipment Quality and Safety Reform Act, or MEZr Act, which includes a similar mandate. prgtoken My effort to improve safety and transparency in the wake of major accidents is motivated by the tragic death of my constituent and F-16 pilot First Lieutenant David Schmitz, whose call sign was MEZr. prgtoken Just over 3 years ago, Lieutenant Schmitz was killed during a training exercise when his ejection seat malfunctioned while he attempted a nighttime landing. prgtoken , I thank Chairman Rogers for including this language in the bill and working to protect our men and women in uniform.
THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE NDAA
Daniel Meuser (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-7-14

the National Defense Authorization Act is vital to the national security of the United States, as is border security and energy dominance. I am very pleased we are making strides into these areas with the passage of the NDAA and continue to strengthen and have a dominant military. prgtoken This NDAA includes significant resources to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, requires the DOD to identify and mitigate land purchases near military installations, and makes certain the United States continues to have the world's superior fighting force. prgtoken This legislation also funds the National Guard's border security deployment mission and rejects the administration's plan to shrink our U.S. Navy. prgtoken This bill includes language to require allies to provide proportional levels of funding for the Ukraine conflict, alleviating the burden on U.S. taxpayers, yet fortifying the Ukraine freedom fighters. prgtoken Importantly, it supports our servicemembers with a 5.2 percent pay increase, the largest raise in 20 years. prgtoken This NDAA strengthens the national security of the United States as well as the world, and I am pleased to have supported it.
ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE 988 HOTLINE
Young Kim (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-7-14

July 16 marks one year of the 988 hotline. This nationwide number is available 24/7 to provide confidential support to Americans facing mental health, substance use, and suicide crises. prgtoken Nearly 5 million Americans have called 988 in the last year to talk to someone about an issue they face. As we celebrate this progress, we acknowledge there is more to be done. A recent poll by the National Alliance on Mental Illness found that only 17 percent of Americans are aware of 988. That means more than four in every five Americans are unaware of this resource at our fingertips. prgtoken No one should feel alone. Whether it is strangers, friends, and foes alike, we never know what someone is going through. prgtoken I am proud to support the 988 hotline that can be a lifeline for those struggling. I will also do my part to promote kinder communities in California's 40th district and across the Nation.
WASHINGTON HAS A SPENDING PROBLEM
Nathaniel Moran (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-7-14

Washington has a spending problem. I know it, you know it, and more importantly, the American people know it. prgtoken Our addiction to unaccountable spending has resulted in our Nation accumulating more than $32 trillion in debt, leading to crippling inflation and a financial burden that future generations will struggle to overcome. prgtoken That is why I have introduced the principles-based balanced budget amendment, which would require annual spending and revenue to balance and affirm the principle of fiscal responsibility through constitutional mandate. prgtoken If ratified, this constitutional amendment would require Congress to balance the budget within 10 years while still allowing Congress to determine the mechanisms of how to achieve that balance through statute. prgtoken Under the Constitution, Congress holds both the power of the purse and the responsibility of the purse. Let us fulfill that responsibility with a strict measure of accountability. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this effort to affirm the principles of fiscal responsibility through constitutional mandate. Our financial future in America depends on it. We must act now.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO WAYNE PARKER
John R. Curtis (Republican, UT) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise today to pay tribute to a good friend and dedicated public servant. Last week, Wayne Parker, Provo City's chief administrative officer for two decades, announced his retirement. prgtoken Having served with Mr. Parker for 8 years, I know firsthand how impossible it is to fully grasp the positive impact of Wayne Parker on Provo City. His touch for good can be found in everything we like about Provo. prgtoken For many years he has worked without fanfare or attention. Those of us that know his work best know that everything from our vibrant economy to our fun downtown and so much more have been blessed by Wayne's hard work and dedication to Provo City. prgtoken Because of his great leadership skills, Wayne was awarded the 2020 Award for Career Excellence from the International City/County Management Association. This award was a recognition of Wayne's impact on the quality of life in Provo. prgtoken I hope that his retirement brings joy and happiness. Those of us that call Provo home will never forget all he has done for us as a city. I know I will never forget all he has done for me.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-7-14

. Mr. Chair, I appreciate my colleague for basically making the case for the very climate fetish that I describe. When he talks about the need for energy and its existence for national security, my point is having reliable energy. We have to have energy that is available and reliable and dependable. That is the whole point. prgtoken My colleague talks about nuclear power. Great. I am waiting with bated breath for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to embrace and promote and push noncarbon-producing nuclear power. prgtoken We haven't generated a new nuclear power plant since when, the 1970s? prgtoken Georgia isn't even off the ground because of Federal regulation and interference. prgtoken The fact is, we are subsidizing and promoting unreliable wind and solar while subsidizing the hell out of electric vehicles, and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to use the Defense Department to continue to promote it, when it engaged in crony capitalism to enrich a small handful of elitists on the back of the hardworking American people while we subsidize China and make ourselves reliable on China for their minerals and what they produce. prgtoken It is absolutely astonishing that we would turn over our national defense capability to China at this point in time to pursue this radical agenda. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .