mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-5-26

today was supposed to be the last day of school in Uvalde, TX. Each of us can remember how excited we were as children, as students, but especially we can remember being a parent the last day of school our child attended. Your child prgtoken would perhaps run into your arms and recount a fun-filled day with their classmates. They would sling their backpack on the backseat of the car and talk about how excited they were about the summer, to spend days playing with their friends and their siblings, swimming at the local pool with friends, and maybe even going on a vacation with their grandparents. prgtoken Today, those children, those parents, and those teachers in Uvalde, TX, have been robbed of the excitement and normalcy that this day would normally bring. Instead of celebrating the last day of school, 21 families are making funeral arrangements. prgtoken Earlier this week, a monster viciously murdered innocent children and their teachers at Robb Elementary School. So far we know that 21 people have been killed by the shooter, including 19 students and 2 teachers. This tragedy has absolutely shattered the tight-knit community of Uvalde, TX. prgtoken Uvalde is a town of about 15,000 people, about 65 miles from the United States-Mexican border. There is one high school football team, one H-E-B Grocery store, and one post office. The families of Uvalde have known each other and loved each other's children for as long as they can remember. prgtoken The grief caused by this attack is shared by the entire community, and I join all Texans in lifting up the victims, their families, and those who are struggling to make sense of this tragedy. prgtoken Yesterday, I was in Uvalde with my fellow Texans in mourning. I joined hundreds of people in donating blood and received an update from law enforcement and both State and community leaders. As though we needed a reminder of the tight-knit community, a deputy sheriff himself lost his own daughter in this attack, and two members of the mayor's staff lost children as well. prgtoken One of the conversations I had that really struck home was with an older gentleman who responded to the call for blood donations at the Herby Ham Activity Center. As we waited our turn to donate blood, he shared with me that he had lost two grandchildren in the shooting. It is not possible for us to comprehend the pain he must be feeling, but there he was, donating blood. Two young lives were stolen from his family, and, still, this man stood in line so he could support his community in some tangible way. prgtoken During the briefing from law enforcement, two of the Uvalde police officers who responded to the shooting shared their harrowing experiences with us, and in the face of such unthinkable evil, their courage was unwavering. One of these Uvalde police officers responded to the scene, and I had a chance to thank him personally. prgtoken I want to thank all of the law enforcement
IRAN
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-5-26

yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing examining the current negotiations around restoring the JCPOA and our Nation's Iran policy. However, because I contracted COVID-19 and am following CDC guidance to isolate, I was not able to attend this important hearing. But I do want to state, for the record, that I believe preventing a nuclear-armed Iran through hard-nosed diplomacy is of the utmost importance to our Nation. prgtoken I am under no illusions that the deal currently being negotiated by the administration would be perfect or that Iran is a good-faith negotiating partner. But when it comes to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran and creating a monitoring and verification regime that ensures Iran is sticking to its commitments, it is the only option. prgtoken Maximum pressure didn't work; more sanctions only led to Iran reconstituting its weapons program and growing its nuclear stockpile and more nefarious behavior in the region. A military response would be even worse; Iran would undoubtedly retaliate and be incentivized to ratchet up its nuclear program as it has done when its nuclear facilities and officials have been attacked in the past. Neither option achieves our goal of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. prgtoken The only viable option is to continue negotiations on a nuclear deal. Doing so doesn't mean foregoing all of our other concerns with Iran. The U.S. never should and never will acquiesce in Iran's violations of international law and human rights and should continue to use all of our tools to combat its malign actions. But it would be a grave mistake to effectively green light an Iranian bomb if we are unable to convince Iran's leadership to renounce all of Iran's other bad behavior as well. prgtoken A nuclear-armed Iran would be catastrophic for the region and the world by emboldening a belligerent nation, setting off an arms race, and undermining the broader nuclear order. I urge my colleagues to join me in giving the administration the space and flexibility it needs to restore a deal that prevents such an outcome.
REMEMBERING COLONEL LOUIS ``LOU'' LEE MYERS, JR.
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-5-26

I rise today to pay tribute to the remarkable life of retired Colonel Louis (Lou) Lee Myers, Jr a 38- year veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard who passed away on May 10, 2022. prgtoken Colonel Myers started his career in 1948 when he joined the Illinois Army National Guard, first serving in an ordnance company and later in a field artillery unit, a part of the Illinois' 44th Infantry Division. In 1970, Colonel Myers moved to Springfield to work for the Military and Naval Department, Facilities Division. During this time, Colonel Myers began a program to rehabilitate the old armories and facilities of the State and shortly after became the chief of facilities before rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He attended the Command and General Staff School and was promoted to colonel, Chief of Staff of the Illinois Army National Guard. prgtoken After his retirement in 1986, Colonel Myers continued to serve those around him as a life member of the Reserve Officer's Association, volunteer for the ombudsman for the Department of Defense, Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, and a very active member in his church--Petersburg United Methodist Church. In 2018, Colonel Myer was recognized as one of the top 200 veterans in Illinois for the State's 200th birthday. prgtoken He leaves behind his devoted wife Paula; three daughters, Lea Ann, Ellyn, and Kate; and four sons, Larry, Donald, Joel, and Richard. May his legacy of service and kind spirit serve as an inspiration to us all.
50TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY OF REV. DR. CALVIN McKINNEY
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-5-26

today I rise to recognize and congratulate my friend the Reverend Dr. Calvin McKinney on his 50th pastoral anniversary. Pastor McKinney has served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of North Jersey since 1972. prgtoken Pastor McKinney's ministry is guided by Teaching and Growing a Praying People of God, whether at home in New Jersey, across our Nation, or around the world. His ministry has taken him throughout Africa, Europe, Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. Of his many accomplishments, Pastor McKinney's most memorable preaching opportunity was during the centennial session of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A Inc in Birmingham, AL, in 1980. prgtoken In September 2009, Pastor McKinney was elected general secretary of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A Inc. He served as the youngest moderator in the history of the North Jersey District Missionary Baptist Association from 1986 to 1990, and served from 1996 through 2000 in an unprecedented tenure as one of the youngest presidents in the history of the 300,000-member General Baptist Convention of New Jersey, Inc. He was named president emeritus in recognition of his exemplary leadership. prgtoken In 2003, under the visionary leadership of Pastor McKinney, Calvary started on a journey to build a $10 million, 1,500-seat sanctuary along with prgtoken educational, fellowship, and administrative facilities. On March 19, 2006, the congregation of Calvary moved into their new home. prgtoken Pastor McKinney's extraordinary pastoral leadership is matched by his extraordinary role as a community leader. For 50 years, he has touched the lives of countless people and communities. In addition to lifting and guiding their spiritual formation, he has met the needs of his local community through the Calvary Community Development Center, CCDC. Since 1998, CCDC has empowered people and the community in order to knock down economic and social barriers. It is a resource for those who are need of food, clothing, and emergency assistance. prgtoken Pastor McKinney finds time to serve in a multitude of ways. He presently serves as chair of the Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives for the State of New Jersey. He serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the U.C.C. Day Care Center No. 100; trustee, Passaic County Community College; a board member of the Bergen County Urban League, NJ; an executive board member of the Garfield/Lodi Branch of the NAACP, NJ; and a member of Mt. Zion Lodge No. 50, F. & A.M. (PHA) of Hackensack, NJ. prgtoken Pastor McKinney is the embodiment of a spirit-filled and joyful life. His greatest joy comes from his beautiful family. He and his wife Brendalyn are the proud parents of three children: Terence Lamar, Gina Lynelle, and Calvin James; and the proud grandparents of Terence Laquan, Timothy Lamar, and Mason James. prgtoken In the Book of Matthew 5:16 we are taught, ``In the same way, let your light shine before
Introductory Statement on S. 4328
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-5-26

I rise to introduce the Fire Suppression Improvement Act and the Post Fire Flooding and Debris Flow Act. prgtoken Currently, the Fire Management Assistance Grant, FMAG, Program is available to State, local, and Tribal governments for the mitigation, management, and control of fires that threaten such destruction that they would constitute a major disaster. prgtoken However, under current law, FMAGs can only be used to reimburse expenses incurred after it is granted. prgtoken The Fire Suppression Improvement Act would explicitly allow for State or local governments to use FMAGs for the predeployment of assets and resources. These predeployed assets are critical to suppression of fires and are sometimes the only way to contain a fire before it gets out of hand and needs a major disaster declaration. This bill would simply allow for FMAGs to help State and local governments cover the cost of fighting incidents from the beginning of the high-risk event. prgtoken Additionally, this bill would make FMAGs consistent with other FEMA disaster assistance by stating that the Federal cost share of FMAGs shall be not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost of such assistance. This bill does not mandate any cost share increase but simply allows for flexibility. FMAGS are granted on an incident-by- incident basis, and as we have seen across the West, fires often occur in the same area consecutively in the same year. prgtoken Wildfires leave behind severe vegetation loss and soil exposure in the form of burn scars, which can cause destructive and large-scale flooding and debris flow when exposed to rainfall. Sudden and deadly postfire events of this type are well documented throughout the Western United States, particularly in Southern California. These events are one of the most dangerous postfire hazards and pose a serious threat to life and property and have the possibility to block drainage ways and damage public infrastructure. prgtoken The Post Fire Flooding and Debris Flow Act would explicitly include mitigating and preventing postwildfire flooding and debris flow as eligible under FEMA's HMGP. This inclusion would allow for State and local governments to act quickly when storms are incoming to protect property, public infrastructure, and lives. prgtoken This bill would also make HMGP consistent with other FEMA disaster assistance by stating that the Federal cost share of HMGP shall be not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost of such assistance. This bill does not mandate any increase but simply allows for flexibility and increased federal assistance where necessary. prgtoken As States and local governments continue to step up, respond, and work to recover from more frequent and more prgtoken dangerous fires, it is imperative that the Federal Government has the flexibility to adequately support them. prgtoken These two bills represent commonsense steps forward to meet the current crisis facing the Western
ROBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-5-26

another mass shooting, another elementary school; 19 children, ages 7 through 10, gunned down; two adults killed. They were in our schools--an elementary school, a place that parents send their children expecting it to be a safe zone where they can learn and interact with other children and be safe from things like being attacked and shot. An elementary school we are talking about, the anguish of the families who have lost their children or lost their loved ones. prgtoken Children who witnessed this will be traumatized for life, scarred by what happened in Texas. prgtoken And then last week, we saw in Buffalo 10 people gunned down while shopping in a grocery store, very much racially motivated by a White supremacist. This is happening throughout our country. prgtoken We have had gun violence in Baltimore. A few years ago, we had gun violence at Great Mills High School in Maryland. We are seeing this happen over and over and over again.
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINNESOTA YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2022-5-26

today, I am proud to stand with my colleague, Senator Smith, to recognize an organization that has meant so much to the people of Minnesota. prgtoken On June 4, 2022, the Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Program celebrates its 75th anniversary. The Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Program is a youth-led, nonpartisan, experiential learning program that develops and promotes lifelong, active, responsible citizenship in our youth. Annually, the program brings middle and high school students from across Minnesota to create a mock State government in the State capitol, complete with legislative branches for upper and lower classmen, a court, an executive branch, lobbyists, and a press corps. prgtoken The program has been developing tomorrow's leaders since 1946 and, since that time, has served over 54,000 middle school and high school students. Today, the Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government program stands as one of the largest and longest running Youth in Government programs in the Nation. prgtoken Through Youth in Government, students learn to write bills, debate issues, argue court cases, elect their own leaders, and actively participate in an authentic model of real-life legislative, executive, and judicial processes and structures. Youth in Government students learn about the importance of accountability, responsibility, and the value of getting involved in civic affairs while developing self- confidence and learning their voices matter and need to be heard within the State's--and Nation's--policy and decision-making process. prgtoken This vital program creates an environment for students to have meaningful and respectful conversations where students can learn from each other about today's issues while fully acknowledging that each student brings a different life experience to the table, a skill that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. It is through this experience that Youth in Government teaches young people that they have an important and immediate stake in the decisions that shape the future of not only the State of Minnesota, but of their Nation and the world. prgtoken The program motto for Minnesota Youth in Government is ``Democracy must be learned by each generation,'' which is more important today than ever. prgtoken I ask that my colleagues join Ms. Smith and myself in honoring the Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Program.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-5-26

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 927 through 963 and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate resume legislative session.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-5-26

this morning we are going to consider H.R. 350, which is legislation which I introduced some time ago. I want to describe it because it has been inaccurately described before and let Members know what they are voting on. prgtoken First, what does it relate to? Domestic terrorism. Is that a Federal crime? You bet it is, and this particular bill makes reference to that crime. Hate crimes? It refers to that too. Is that a real crime? It is a Federal crime, and we refer to it specifically. prgtoken So what new crimes are created in this bill? None. Not one. What we are doing is asking the Federal Agencies that have the responsibility of national security to give us timely reports on the incidence of domestic terrorism, and we say to them there are categories which the FBI has already established of domestic terrorism. And those categories--I would like to spell out a couple of them to you so it is pretty clear what we are going after here: racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism; anti-government, anti-authority violent extremism; animal rights and environmental violent extremism; abortion- related violent extremism and others. prgtoken So those are already categories of domestic terrorism that the FBI reports on. What we are saying is, give us those reports in a timely fashion so we can see the incidence of these forms of extremism and the commission of crimes. prgtoken But there is one correction that we are making that is very important. During the administration, they eliminated reference in this list of categories of domestic terrorism of White supremacist activity. The reason why it is important for us to include that is that we have the sworn testimony of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that this is a category of crime and terrorism in America that is ``metastasizing''--his word, metastasizing. So we believe it is important that we be given information about the incidence of violent extremism, domestic terrorism, that relates to this type of activity, this White supremacy. prgtoken I will tell you, it is not an imagined crime. We see the reality of it way too often. We just saw it 2 weeks ago in Buffalo, NY. That shooter put his so-called manifesto on the internet and declared, among other things, his support for the ``great replacement theory.'' prgtoken The ``great replacement theory'' is a thinly veiled White supremacist theory that tries to suggest that immigrants to America are somehow only arriving at the expense of those already here, particularly White Americans. That sort of theory has been out there since the days of the Ku Klux Klan, maybe even before it. But it is White supremacy. It inspired this man to do terrible things in Buffalo and kill innocent people at that grocery store. prgtoken So we are asking the FBI to give us this information. We will draw conclusions as we will, but that is basically it. No new crime is created nor is any new au
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jon Ossoff (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2022-5-26

today, I will vote to open debate on H.R. 350, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act. prgtoken Should the Senate so proceed, however, I will insist on a thorough and judicious debate and on a process that empowers Senators to offer and vote on amendments. prgtoken Before I determine whether to support passage of this legislation, I will weigh that debate, I will consider expert analysis and input from executive agencies, and I will assess the merits and effects of amendments that may be considered and adopted. prgtoken This legislative process must ensure that Federal law enforcement is transparent, accountable, and apolitical. prgtoken The threat of domestic terrorism is real. The United States must continue to confront it. We have sworn an oath to defend the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. We must do so in a manner informed by objective threat assessments, consistent with our Constitution, and attentive to civil liberties. prgtoken Any time we establish or codify Federal law enforcement offices tasked with investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by Americans or collecting and analyzing intelligence related to American citizens, we must ensure safeguards are sufficiently robust to protect civil rights and civil liberties. Consideration of such legislation may present us with an opportunity to assess what Congress got right and what Congress got wrong in the aftermath of 9/11, when the Department of Homeland Security was established and Federal counterterrorism efforts and authorities grew considerably, and to calibrate policy accordingly. prgtoken In short, I vote today to open debate, but I do not yet commit to voting for passage of this legislation while the process of review, debate, and potential amendment continues. Cloture Motion
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-5-26

I am proud to support and cosponsor S. 4255, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022, which the Senate is considering as H.R. 350. This bill is critically important in supporting law enforcement's response to domestic terrorism. prgtoken Domestic terrorism has become increasingly common. According to a recent study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, more than two-thirds of domestic terrorist plots and attacks in 2020 were fueled by White supremacists and ideologically aligned violent extremists. prgtoken Unfortunately, just last week in Buffalo, NY, we saw the savage destruction that hate can cause. A gunman killed 10 people and injured 3 others in a local grocery store. Eleven of the 13 people who were shot were Black. Make no mistake, this act of violence was a domestic terrorism incident. prgtoken We must do more to stop these heinous acts of violence. To do this, we must provide our law enforcement with the resources they need. This bill will would help establish offices within the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that would monitor, investigate, and prosecute domestic terrorism crimes. This bill would also help ensure that all law enforcement agencies have access to anti-terrorism resources. prgtoken I believe this bill is an important step to help address the rising threat of domestic terrorism throughout the country. prgtoken I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan bill, and I am happy to see my ic colleagues support it on the floor today.