mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-23

. Madam , this bill, introduced by Representative Chris Smith, prohibits the use of Federal funds for abortions or for health coverage that includes abortions. prgtoken The Hyde Amendment first passed Congress in 1976 to ban Federal funding for most abortions. President 's fiscal year 2022 budget request omits this ban for the first time in over 40 years, breaking longstanding precedent. prgtoken H.R. 18 would make the ban on Federal funding for abortions permanent, with exceptions for rape, incest, or if the mother's life is in danger. prgtoken Madam , I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), my good friend, and a true leader on this issue, to further explain the amendment.
REPUBLICANS ARE ADDRESSING THE MAJOR CRISES
Troy E. Nehls (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-23

I would like to highlight some of the stated goals of the INVEST in America Act. prgtoken The INVEST in America Act creates and sustains good-paying jobs, restores global competitiveness, tackles climate change, modernizes infrastructure, and spurs long-term economic growth. prgtoken These are laudable goals that most if not all of us here support. However, , when you focus on the rail title, the INVEST in America Act misses on all of those marks and, in fact, has the potential to turn back the clocks on our envy-of-the-world freight rail system. prgtoken Freight railroads provide excellent, high-paying jobs, with a Class 1 freight employee's compensation averaging $132,000 per year. prgtoken On competitiveness, the freight rail industry met the demands of our Nation during the pandemic by never closing and continually moving the goods we needed to preserve public health. They did all of it, I might add, without asking for any bailout money. prgtoken On the environment, freight railroads are also the most fuel- efficient way to move freight over land. On average, railroads move 1 ton of freight more than 480 miles on 1 gallon of fuel. prgtoken On modern infrastructure, unlike the rest of our Nation's transportation system, our freight rail system receives the highest grade from the civil engineers for their infrastructure, a B. prgtoken On economic opportunity, freight rail's economic impact in 2017 alone manifested itself in over 1.1 million jobs, $219 billion in economic output, $71 billion in wages, and nearly $26 billion in total tax revenues. prgtoken The freight railroads can meet all of these goals because the railroads, not the American taxpayers, spend the $25 billion annually needed to improve and maintain their infrastructure. Private companies are simply better custodians of infrastructure networks than the Federal Government, and we should be utilizing that simple reality, not bemoaning it. prgtoken While President , Secretary Buttigieg, and Chairman DeFazio regularly profess their love for trains, the truth is that it only extends to the highly subsidized passenger version. prgtoken The INVEST in America Act spends almost $100 billion on Amtrak. Amtrak ridership was already collapsing outside of the Northeast Corridor before COVID. Where passenger rail makes sense, private companies like Virgin Trains are building new passenger lines. prgtoken The rail title couldn't include provisions to accelerate the deployment of new safety technologies on freight rail but ensures that French toast will be served on every Amtrak train. It does nothing to expand freight rail service by moving new and in-demand products like liquefied natural gas but will pay to roll empty Amtrak trains through new parts of the country. prgtoken If Amtrak is so good and deserves an 850 percent funding increase from the previous rail title, I challenge everyone voting for the INVEST in America Act to use Amtrak instead of an airl
Kat Cammack (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-6-23

. Madam , I rise today to urge immediate consideration of H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act. prgtoken Our Nation has stood unified in our opposition to federally funded, on-demand abortion services for the past 40 years. The Hyde amendment has acted as a stopgap against publicly funded abortion and as a safeguard for our Nation's most vulnerable, the unborn. prgtoken Before the Hyde amendment took effect in 1980, over 300,000 American children per year were denied their most basic right to life and were aborted using taxpayer-funded dollars. This fight is one that we must undertake in prgtoken Congress to protect our most fundamental rights and important tenets that make our country great. prgtoken The administration and congressional seem to have forgotten the bipartisan support the Hyde amendment has received from both and administrations in the past, as well as the overwhelming support from the American public, for this important provision. prgtoken It is a national shame for this administration and congressional to overlook and marginalize the right to life that we, as Americans, hold dear. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is not just a saying; it is a guiding principle by which we should all govern. prgtoken Let's come together as Americans, leave party lines behind, and support the right to life because America's future depends on it. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question and provide for immediate consideration of H.R. 18 for the sake of America's future generations.
HONORING FORMER CONGRESSMAN PAUL MITCHELL
Tom Reed (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-6-23

I truly thank my colleague for organizing this Special Order this evening for our friend Paul Mitchell. prgtoken , I come here this evening with no prepared remarks other than to make some comments, as shared by my colleagues about this great man. prgtoken Paul Mitchell is truly a friend. Paul Mitchell is someone I have gotten to know over the years here in Congress, and watched him develop in his own right. I watched him become a very serious and astute legislator. I watched him join the Problem Solvers Caucus that we started, and many of the colleagues have talked about the Problem Solvers Caucus. prgtoken Paul came to us from leadership, and in that process he did some things, because that is a very special club, and we have some very special rules and commitments to each other. In order to fulfill those commitments and those terms of honor in serving in that caucus with our colleagues, he demonstrated publicly, privately, and to our fellow members of the Problem Solvers Caucus what it means to be an honorable Member of Congress. prgtoken , I will tell you, for that, I was forever grateful to have been in a position to encourage Paul to join the Problem Solvers Caucus. And he, in particular, one day exhibited that very limited leadership quality that is so lacking here in the United States House of Representatives today, in my opinion. He showed true courage, true statesmanship, true leadership. prgtoken I just have to tell you, Paul, as we got the news about your diagnosis--and I am speaking to you directly here from the floor, Paul--we all immediately came to your side. We all, immediately in our thoughts, in our prayers, in our bond of friendship, stood with you and your family. And we are standing with you and your family as you go through this next chapter of your life, and please know that you are not alone. prgtoken To you and to your family, as a Member of this body, as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, as a member serving your country, as a great citizen, we all stand with you and your family as you go through this ordeal that you face. prgtoken That being said, I join with my colleagues in saying, We know Paul Mitchell. We know your heart, Paul. We know your tenacity and your perseverance. And we know you are going to get through this, and you are going to get through this in a way only Paul Mitchell can get through it. prgtoken So as we come here today to give some fine words on behalf of you, Paul, and on behalf of your family, know we are also sending more than words. We are sending our shoulders to cry upon; our shoulders to lean upon; and, as you have exhibited over the years, even a shoulder to laugh upon during this difficult time. prgtoken And it is those lessons of life that you taught me, serving with you here in the House, that you cannot take life too seriously; that life is too short. prgtoken That is why, as my colleagues noted, Paul retired to be with his young family and hi
TRIBUTE TO ISAIAH LEE
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-6-23

today I recognize Isaiah Lee, an intern in my Rapid City, SD, office, for all of the hard work he has done for me, my staff, and the State of South Dakota over the past several weeks. prgtoken Isaiah is a graduate of Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, SD. Currently, he is attending Northwestern College in Orange City, IA, where he is majoring in political science. He is a hard worker who has been dedicated to getting the most out of his internship experience. prgtoken I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Isaiah for all of the fine work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-6-23

this is an amazing argument that the Senator from Illinois is making. He is saying: Don't worry. He would never do what the Senator from Pennsylvania is suggesting might happen and which, by the way, always used to happen, and, which, by the way, the President is asking us to do. We would never do it. Oh, but I will object to a requirement that the money actually go where we say it is going to go. prgtoken I think that tells us all we need to know. So I object.
O.V. LEWIS CELEBRATES 90 YEARS
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-6-23

I rise today to recognize Reverend James Owens' commission as a provisional elder in the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. prgtoken Reverend Owens has served at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church in Savannah, Georgia, for the past 7 years. Before moving to Savannah, Reverend Owens earned a bachelor of arts in journalism from the University of Georgia and a master of divinity from Denver Seminary and Duke University Divinity School. prgtoken As a provisional elder, Reverend Owens will faithfully serve Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church and the Savannah community. With his passion to share and teach the gospel, I know Reverend Owens will continue his tremendous work as a provisional elder at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church. prgtoken I am proud to rise today to recognize Reverend Owens for his tremendous achievement, and I know that he will continue to inspire his congregation.
RETAIN ACT
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-6-23

last year, the Federal Communications Commission approved an application by Ligado Networks to repurpose the Federal spectrum in a way that will drastically interfere with GPS and satellite communications. This a big deal. There are so many people who understand this situation. There is a list of companies behind us that grows every day. Almost every company in America that you know of or have heard of--their name is on this list. prgtoken The decision that was made will threaten GPS and satellite communications reliability for millions of Americans who depend on it. The reliability of GPS and satellite communications is necessary for safety of life operations, national security, and economic activity. prgtoken I am going to pause here for a minute to drive home what this actually means for every American because people don't know this. They don't know how important GPS is. Yet there is not an American I can think of by description who isn't using it every day. So if something happens to it, there is a serious problem. Here are some of the day-to- day activities that would be difficult when experiencing GPS interference from Ligado. prgtoken A big one--using your credit card or your debit card. When you are making a purchase or using an ATM, our financial systems rely on GPS timing in order to work. prgtoken Another one--making a phone call. Cell phone networks rely on GPS to synchronize cell towers so calls can be passed seamlessly. If they experience interference, your call could be dropped when moving from one tower to another. prgtoken Another one that people are not aware of and don't expect is energy, whether that is filling up your tank with gas at the pump or electrical grids to light our homes. We rely on GPS timing to safely operate underground pipelines and our electricity grid. prgtoken Farmers and ranchers--this is something that a lot of people are not aware of, but they depend on GPS and satellite communications when planting crops, applying fertilizer, and during harvesting operations to move large and critical machinery with precision. prgtoken Working out--a lot of people don't. I don't as much as I used to, but a lot of people do. They say that one-fifth of the population, 20 percent of the population, of all Americans, use a fitness tracker or a smartwatch. The majority have used GPS to count steps to track distance. We all know that. You see them out there every day. They depend on GPS. prgtoken Taking a flight--I have been involved in aviation for over 70 years now and had occasion with three friends to fly around the world in 1991 using GPS. At that time--it may have been the first--the equipment I used was a Trimble TNL 2000. Trimble is one of the big GPS companies. I was using one, the TNL 2000. At that time, that may have been--we are checking to see--the first time that had been used for private prgtoken aviation, flying all the way around the world. Again, that is GPS, a
Cloture Motion (Executive Session)
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2021-6-23

I echo the remarks presented by my friend and colleague, the junior Senator from Florida. I agree wholeheartedly with his analysis. I think it is unfortunate that we missed this opportunity to enact meaningful change today, change that is backed up by science. prgtoken It was in January of this year that the Centers for Disease Control ordered the mandatory use of masks on planes, trains, buses, and other modes of public transit of every kind everywhere across this country. If Americans failed to comply with this mandate, they risked being fined or even criminally prosecuted. prgtoken Six months later, the coronavirus continues with the CDC refusing to recognize its own research that the mandate is no longer defensible. It is now June. The vaccine has been made available for months, COVID cases are plummeting, and the country is anxious to return to the way things once were. The CDC has even said that vaccinated Americans don't have to wear masks and can get their lives back to normal. prgtoken More than 45 percent of Americans are now fully vaccinated. States are lifting their restrictions, and in restaurants, stores, and workplaces across the country, it is no longer required, mercifully, to wear a mask. If Americans still want to wear one, they can make that decision for themselves. They are free to do so. But the CDC's requirement that vaccinated individuals--even vaccinated individuals-- prgtoken must wear masks on all forms of public transit now blatantly contradicts the Agency's own policies and the Agency's own scientific research. It needlessly promotes fear and plays politics with the lives of the American people, not to mention it has imposed absurd expectations and serious consequences on children and families, especially families with children trying to travel. prgtoken You see, after the January mandate, the CDC issued a corresponding mandate that exempted only children over the age of 2, in keeping with their original mask-wearing guidance, guidance that is among the most stringent in the world and, I would add, the most unrealistic in the world, when you consider that they require it up to and including children as young as 2 years old. prgtoken So what have been some of the results of this guidance? Parents have been kicked off and banned from flights if their small children refuse to wear a mask. For parents of kids with disabilities and many parents of especially small children, compliance has been nearly impossible. prgtoken We already know that children, especially young children, are unlikely to contribute to the spread of the virus. What we do not know, however, is what scientific studies, if any at all, the CDC happens to be relying on in reaching this guidance--in reaching the conclusions underlying this guidance. prgtoken In fact, several of my colleagues and I sent a letter to the Agency with this very question more than 2 months ago, on April 22, 2021. And now, more than
REPUBLICANS ARE ADDRESSING THE MAJOR CRISES
Robert J. Wittman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-6-23

over 3.8 million people across the world have died from COVID-19, over 600,000 Americans have died. We deserve to know how the COVID-19 pandemic began. prgtoken There is mounting evidence to show that the Wuhan Institute of Virology is a probable source of that. If we look at the assertions by China to say that this was transmitted naturally from a bat through a wet market, things just don't add up. prgtoken If we look at the information we have gotten from our intelligence communities, if we look at what we have seen to this point across the whole spectrum, we deserve to know exactly what has happened. prgtoken If we want to uncover the truth behind COVID-19, if we are serious about preventing future pandemics, if we are serious about holding China accountable, then I believe we need to do everything we can to follow the science. prgtoken By profession and by education, I am a biologist. In fact, I worked in and ran laboratories for years, laboratories that handled pathogenic organisms. I know the things that need to be done to uncover exactly what happened at the Wuhan lab. prgtoken It doesn't make sense to look at the assertions that China makes and somehow believe that that is indeed the case. I don't think that this is a random event. I do believe that there are links to the Wuhan lab that must have an independent and thoughtful evaluation of exactly what happened. prgtoken We have to force China to allow a free, objective, and independent evaluation of exactly what happened at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and determine what role did it play in the origins of this pandemic. We have to do that. prgtoken I want to ensure the investigation happens and that we hold Chinese officials accountable. That is why I introduced The World Deserves to Know Act, because, indeed, the world deserves to know. The World Deserves to Know Act will sanction key Chinese officials in their Centers for Disease Control, in their national health commission who obfuscated data, the data necessary to determine exactly what happened; and also, through our intelligence gathering, to identify those individuals in the Chinese Communist Party that persecuted scientists, that persecuted citizen journalists that sought to divulge the truth about what happened there. There must be a free, open, and independent evaluation that is allowed in order for us to know. Again, the world deserves to know. prgtoken In the meantime, what my bill would do is also prohibit funding from going to China from any U.S. institution, our universities, our colleges, anyplace that would send money either to the National Health Commission or any entity associated with the National Health Commission, like the Wuhan lab for the research that we have seen going on there, the gain-of-function research. We have to make sure that that happens. prgtoken I want to make sure, too, that we identify where dollars have gone from the U.S from the National Institutes of Hea
REPUBLICANS ARE ADDRESSING THE MAJOR CRISES
John W. Rose (Republican, TN) \u2014 2021-6-23

I thank Representative Gimenez for yielding. prgtoken , I rise before you tonight to speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. The right to life is one of the founding principles of our Nation. Every human being born or unborn is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. prgtoken Our government was created to secure these rights without exception, not to take them away. Yet, today, we see this right under attack as the administration continues their war on the unborn by seeking to remove the Hyde amendment, a longstanding pro-life protection that has saved 2.5 million lives from abortion since 1976. prgtoken As a father of two sons, Guy and Sam, I have been blessed to watch them grow from a tiny dot on a medical monitor to the strong and healthy boys they are today. When I look at my sons, I am crestfallen for the millions and millions of children whose lives have been cruelly taken right as they were beginning. prgtoken Not too long ago, President stated: ``Those of us who are opposed to abortion should not be compelled to pay for it.'' prgtoken But this proposed budget fails to include the Hyde amendment, making it clear that President does not value life. Before coming to Washington, I vowed to be unapologetically pro-life. prgtoken I stand before you tonight because I, along with most of my fellow Tennesseans, disagree with this administration and believe taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund abortions. prgtoken Societies are measured by how they treat their most vulnerable. That includes the unborn. This is why it sickens me to see the administration's intention to use the power of the Federal Government to force us to support and fund organizations that perform abortions. prgtoken I thank God for the miracle that is life, and I will work to secure a chance at life for every unborn baby so that we may hear their voice, see their potential, and give them the same basic opportunity at living that we have secured and received ourselves.