mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Russia (Executive Session)
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-6-9

I come to the floor in advance of next week's summit in Geneva during which President will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time as Commander in Chief, and I would like to share my views on the current state of U.S.- Russian relations and how we must respond to the Kremlin's continued aggression. prgtoken I have spent years deeply engaged in efforts to hold Russia accountable for its aggressive and destabilizing behavior under Putin. prgtoken During the administration, I worked to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine. Indeed, I was sanctioned by Putin himself for taking up the cause of Ukrainian sovereignty and freedom. prgtoken During the 2016 election cycle, I sounded the alarm over Russian efforts to sow chaos in our elections long before we knew of the extent and sophistication of the Russian cyber campaign to undermine American democracy. prgtoken Throughout the previous administration, I called out President for cowering to Putin at every turn. 's refusal to hold Putin to account for attacking our elections was a key motivator behind the Senate's passage of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, otherwise known as CAATSA. This comprehensive framework for oversight and accountability in U.S. policy towards Russia remains the law of the land and the guiding mandate for how the United States must respond to Kremlin aggression. prgtoken Now, I appreciate the administration's desire for a stable and predictable relationship with Russia, but sometimes we don't get to choose the circumstances of our engagement. When we take stock of Russia's behavior in recent years, we see that in every arena Putin has chosen escalation over stability and predictability. prgtoken Next week in Geneva, I have every expectation that President will be more assertive with Putin than his predecessor. I urge him to seize this opportunity to call out the Kremlin for its litany of aggressive actions and announce appropriate measures in response. prgtoken The President can start with Russia's growing aggression in cyber space, starting with last year's SolarWinds cyber attack. We know that Putin's foreign intelligence service orchestrated this attack and that he must be held accountable for it as well as the more recent hack of USAID and its network of contractors and grantees. prgtoken While I am unaware of any evidence that the most recent ransomware attacks on U.S. infrastructure were orchestrated by the Russian state, we know, however, that criminal gangs operate on Russian soil, and we believe that it is those criminal gangs that did such attacks. The United States has to make clear that harboring criminals who seek to attack American businesses, hospitals, pipelines, city governments, and other institutions is wholly unacceptable prgtoken Let me move on to Ukraine. I urge President to reiterate our policy of nonrecognition
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-9

I have 13 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Environment and Public Works The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Finance The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on nominations. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Indian Affairs The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing a nomination. Committee on the Judiciary The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on nominations. Committee on Foreign Relations The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Foreign Relations The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing on nominations. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing. Committee on Veterans' Affairs The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 3 p.m to conduct a hearing. Select Committee on Intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on nominations.
COVID-19 Vaccines (Executive Session)
John Kennedy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2021-6-10

I rise today to say thank you. I rise today to say thank you to President and Secretary of State Blinken. They have both announced today, though it had been rumored for several days, that the United States of America is about to make available 500 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine to our friends and neighbors across the world. And I hope the President and the Secretary are willing to offer even more, if necessary. prgtoken We have learned a lot about the virus and the disease that it causes. I will mention three things. No. 1, we have learned that the virus came from China; No. 2, we have learned that the best vaccines for the virus came from the United States of America; and No. 3, we have learned that the pandemic is not over. prgtoken Yes, things are better in the United States. And we are so blessed in that regard, and I am so thankful. That is a combination of Americans receiving the vaccine; it is a combination of Americans being careful in their behavior. Our coronavirus rates are a combination of people who contracted the disease and therefore have the antibodies, and that is why our numbers are going down, and we are also thankful for that. prgtoken But that is not the situation in other parts of the world. If you go to South America, if you go to Central America, if you ask anyone--if you ask Sub-Saharan Africa about how things are going in terms of the pandemic, it is alive and well and raging. And our friends and neighbors need the help, and I am grateful today that President and Secretary of State Blinken are going to make that help available. prgtoken For a couple of reasons, it makes sense to show the world what U.S. leadership really means. No. 1, it is the right thing to do. It is the moral thing to do. We developed a vaccine. We need to share it. That doesn't mean that we have to require pharmaceutical companies to share their patented and protected information. I think that is a real mistake. We can accomplish everything through licensing agreements. But we do need to share. prgtoken No. 2, this makes sense in terms of our national security. It is not the most important reason to do this but in terms of national security and the rest of our neighbors throughout the world understanding that the American people are generous and that we help other folks when they are down. prgtoken No. 3, it makes sense for the President and the Secretary to do this in terms of geopolitical terms. China is trying to do the same thing that we are going to do in terms of making vaccines available throughout the world. And I thank China for that, and I thank the Chinese people. The Chinese people are wonderful people. Their leadership, not so much. prgtoken The Chinese people--let me say it again--the people of China are wonderful. The leadership of the Communist Party of China is a bunch of pirates. But I am thankful they are willing to make vaccines available. The problem is, the
TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL TERRELL K. TILLERY
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-6-10

I rise today to honor an exceptional member of the Department of the Air Force. I would like to recognize Lt. Col. Terrell ``T'' Tillery's distinguished service and dedication to enhancing the relationship between the U.S. Air Force and my office. prgtoken Lieutenant Colonel Tillery has distinguished himself through his professional character and leadership by serving our Nation in uniform. A leader and expert communicator, he has provided exemplary service to our country while assigned to the Air Force Senate Liaison Office. Terrell is a career force support officer with experience in manpower, personnel, and services, including assignments as a force support squadron commander, recorder for the USAF Selection Board Secretariat, and a squadron section commander. He has served tours at the base, major command, agency, center and air staff levels. He has deployed in support of Operations Willing Spirit, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Freedom's Sentinel. It was this experience that made Terrell the perfect fit to serve as a legislative liaison officer for the Department of the Air Force for the past 2 years on Capitol Hill. prgtoken Terrell served as a legislative liaison officer from July 2019 to May 2021, skillfully performing his duties throughout. His attention to detail and responsiveness strengthened the capabilities of my office in support of our special relationship with the Air Force. Specifically, Terrell shaped numerous engagements between my office and Air Force senior leaders. Of special concern to me was the related dialog concerning the Air Force's future to include that of the KC-46 and B-21 aircraft, the Next Generation Air Dominance Program, and the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. Additionally, Terrell's direct support provided me and my staff with critical information necessary for our consideration of two National Defense Authorization Acts. prgtoken After concluding this challenging assignment, Lieutenant Colonel Tillery will take command of another U.S. Air Force squadron, this time the 355th Force Support Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ. In closing, I express my gratitude and appreciation to Lieutenant Colonel Tillery for his excellent support of me and my staff in furtherance of the Air Force and Space Force missions and my appreciation to his supportive family, Mrs. Catherine Tillery, and their three children Tucker, Collier and Chandler Grace. I wish this Air Force family all the best in their next chapter of service to our Nation.
Ellsworth Air Force Base (Executive Session)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-6-10

last night, the Air Force announced some historic news for South Dakota, and today I am proud to share that Ellsworth Air Force Base in Western South Dakota has been officially named Main Operating Base 1 for the future B-21 Bomber, home of the Raider. This designation not only means that Ellsworth will be the first base to host the B-21 Raider, but it will also host the formal training unit and the first operational squadron. prgtoken Those who have heard me talk about the importance of this decision likely know the outlook for the base wasn't so rosy 16 years ago. I had just arrived here in the Senate in 2005 when Ellsworth was placed on the base realignment and closure, or BRAC, list that May. It was an all-hands effort by the congressional delegation and Ellsworth and State and community leaders to make the case to the administration and to the BRAC Commission to remove Ellsworth from the closure list. prgtoken Many thought South Dakota might not have the clout to make this stand; that we didn't wield enough influence. We were only given about a 12-percent odds of pulling through, but we were determined that we weren't going to lose Ellsworth. prgtoken We started by challenging the cost-savings assumptions of the BRAC Commission, which began to unravel under prgtoken scrutiny, and we proved it would actually cost money to close Ellsworth. We also pressed the Commissioners not to put all of our eggs in one basket when it comes to our Nation's security interests, highlighting the organizational risk of consolidating all of our B-1s at one location. The outlook was grim, but we stood our ground and we won the day and we were removed from the BRAC list that August. prgtoken But we didn't stop there. We got right to work on building up the base so that we would never again find ourselves in the same position. In 2007, we saw the Air Force Financial Services Center open at Ellsworth; 2011, saw the arrival of the 89th Attack Squadron and its command and control stations for MQ-9 Reapers. In 2015, a decade-long mission paid off with the quadrupling of the training airspace for the base. The Powder River Training Complex is now the largest training airspace in the continental United States and can be used for large- force exercises that draw combat aircraft from across the country, and it is well suited for B-21 training. This is just one of the efforts that we undertook to put Ellsworth in the best position possible to secure this new mission, and it is wonderful to see it pay off with yesterday's announcement. prgtoken I know that while South Dakota is celebrating today, others are disappointed in this decision. For those who were seeking to have the Main Operating Base 1 in their State but will now follow Ellsworth in the sequencing and wait a little longer for the B-21 mission to arrive, know this: My support for the B-21 enterprise will not lessen because we are at this milestone. prgtoken As
Foreign Policy (Executive Session)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2021-6-10

here is how this excellent editorial begins: The U.S. is barreling toward one of the greatest self- inflicted wounds in our country's history. prgtoken I could not agree more. prgtoken The editorial goes on to list the different actions that I just mentioned--restricting energy production in America, including in Alaska, with ANWR, restricting pipelines, encouraging defunding of the energy sector. It is not good for the country. prgtoken The editorial also notes that this will have no impact on global greenhouse gas emissions. None. None. It is virtue signaling at the expense of working families, working Americans, and our national security. prgtoken Right now, we are beginning to import more oil from Russia than we ever have. How does that make any sense? How does that help a working family in Alaska or Maryland or anywhere? It doesn't. It does one thing: It empowers countries like Russia and Putin and Saudi Arabia at the expense of the United States. This is a fact. Yet, every day you hear a new action. You read a new quote from someone in this administration focused on killing the energy sector of the United States. Again, as the Wall Street Journal just mentioned, this will be recognized in history as one of the greatest self-inflicted wounds, with no upside. No upside. prgtoken We have the highest environmental standards in the world in Alaska when we produce oil. Highest in the world. Russians have the lowest, and yet we are now preferring Russian oil over American oil. prgtoken Can anyone tell me how this makes sense? It doesn't. prgtoken Here is how the editorial concludes: Progressives want to surrender one of America's [most] strategic economic advantages in the name of [so-called] saving the climate. But banishing fossil fuels in the [United States] won't eliminate carbon emissions, which will [just] be produced [elsewhere]. So will . . . jobs [and] economic growth and [the] geopolitical [advantage that comes with our energy dominance]. prgtoken Let me conclude by saying this. As I mentioned, I agree with President and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. We need to address challenges, particularly with our adversaries like China and Russia, from positions of strength. Two of the most prominent positions of strength--the U.S. military and our energy dominance--right now are being undermined by this very administration. prgtoken They need to change course, and if they do, we will support their actions. prgtoken .
Border Security (Executive Session)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-6-10

I come to the floor today to give an update on what is happening on our southwest border. It seems a lot of the national media has stopped focusing on that area. prgtoken I talked to the people in Oklahoma and asked: What is going on on the southwest border? What has changed? prgtoken Interestingly enough, just 2 days ago, President and his team released what is the current status of what they call the ``border challenge.'' They talked about it, and here is the update. This comes from the White House itself, their update. They stated this: There is improved processing of unaccompanied children. The administration successfully reduced the number of unaccompanied children in Customs and Border Protection custody. prgtoken The second thing they list is that the administration has reduced the average amount of time children are in Customs and Border Protection facilities. prgtoken The third thing they list is that the administration has reduced the number of unaccompanied children in the care of Health and Human Services. prgtoken Then they move on and say that they removed barriers to unifying children with parents and sponsors in the United States. And they go through and give the details of how much better they are at unifying parents and children here in the United States. prgtoken Interestingly enough, when you read through this and just look at the language, you think, gosh, the numbers are going significantly down-- until you slow down and ask the question. What they are really saying in this report is: We are moving people across the border faster than we used to. They don't spend as much time at the border as they used to. They are now in the interior of the country. prgtoken Why do I say that? Because the information came out, strikingly enough, the day after this was released, the update of what was happening on the border in May. prgtoken In March of this year, with the highest number of interdictions that we have had in 20 years--in March of this year--173,000-plus; only to be beaten in April by the highest in 20 years with 178,000-plus; only to be beaten, now we know, in May with 180,000-plus. The surge continues to accelerate while the administration puts out their notice saying: We are getting so much more efficient at moving people from the border into the interior of the country. prgtoken This is why President Giammattei of Guatemala spoke to the administration this week in a public setting, strikingly enough, saying: You are giving mixed signals to the people of Central America. For the Vice President to come to Guatemala and say ``Don't come; don't come'' but then for the administration to say ``But if you do come, we are a lot faster getting you into the country than we used to be,'' this is the mixed-signal problem. It is why coyotes continue to be able to move record numbers of people through Central America into the interior of the country prgtoken It is not just from Centr
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2021-6-10

I rise today to introduce the ``Ending the Diagnostic Odyssey Act.'' This legislation gives States the option of providing whole genome sequencing (WGS) clinical services through edicaid for children with a disease that is suspected to have a genetic cause, at an enhanced Federal matching rate for three years. I am pleased to be joined by Senators Kelly and Menendez. prgtoken Children with rare diseases will spend on average five to seven years on a diagnostic odyssey, and 30 percent of prgtoken those children will not survive beyond the age of five years old. The average patient sees seven different physicians in that time. The wait to find a cause--never mind a cure--can be excruciating. Parents try to project a calm and reassuring presence for their child while facing a whirlwind of doctor appointments, hospital visits, and unanswered questions. prgtoken Undeniably, we are making progress in both accelerating research funding for rare diseases as well as in the development of diagnostics. In 2014, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a program called the Undiagnosed Disease Network (UDN). In its first 20 months, the UDN accepted 601 participants undiagnosed by traditional medical practices. Of those who completed their UDN evaluation during this time, 35% were given a diagnosis. Many of these diagnoses were rare genetic diseases including 31 previously unknown syndromes. prgtoken In May 2019, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, wrote a blog post on how whole genome sequencing-- combined with artificial intelligence (AI)--can now be used to diagnose genetic diseases in seriously ill babies in fewer than 24 hours. Dr. Collins writes ``I would submit that there is no other technology in the history of planet Earth that has experienced this degree of progress in speed and affordability.'' prgtoken For parents of children with an undiagnosed illness, answers cannot come soon enough. There are approximately 7,000 rare diseases known today. Approximately 80 percent of rare diseases are genetic, and about one-half of all rare diseases affect children. For example, Alstrom syndrome is an extremely rare and complex genetic disorder. Approximately 1200 affected individuals have been identified worldwide, which makes a obtaining a correct diagnosis challenging. Characteristics of Alstrom syndrome include vision disturbances, sensorineural hearing impairment, cardiomyopathy, obesity, kidney dysfunction, and diabetes. Robin Marshall, Executive Director of the Alstrom Syndrome International, located in Mount Desert Island, Maine, has said that ``Whole Genome Sequencing has changed the lives of those we represent by enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis, fostering more timely and appropriate medical care, and unlocking a host of social services to combat the educational and psycho-social complications that our children confront.'' prgtoken By giving stat