mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
Seth Magaziner (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2023-9-13

I rise in support today of our Nation's military servicemembers whose lives are being put at risk by the shameful actions of a Senator from Alabama. For months, the Alabama Senator has blocked more than 300 qualified officers in our military from receiving the promotions that they have earned and from assuming the posts that our country needs them in. prgtoken Aside from the Senator himself, who seems to love being in the center of attention, the people who are most excited by his grandstanding are America's enemies. prgtoken No one is happier with the Senator from Alabama's antics than Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and our Nation's other adversaries. By undermining our military, he is doing their dirty work for them. prgtoken Don't take it just from me. The Secretary of the Army has stated that the Senator's actions are eroding the foundations of our military and putting our national security at risk. prgtoken The House Foreign Affairs chairman, Mr. McCaul, who is a member of the Senator's own party, has said that the Senator's hold on military nominations is paralyzing and a national security problem. prgtoken The Senator has stated that he will continue blocking the promotions of these experienced and courageous military officers until the military adopts policies to make it harder for women in the military to have access to abortion. I disagree with the Senator on abortion, as do most Americans, but one thing we all ought to agree on is that whatever our disagreements may be, using our military servicemembers as political props is just plain wrong. It is an inappropriate tactic, and it must end now. prgtoken Military personnel, from the most junior to the most senior, dedicate their lives to protecting us and protecting our Nation and the ideals that we hold dear. We should be supporting them, and they deserve better than the Senator's antics. prgtoken The Senator must lift his hold on these promotions, and if he doesn't, then the Senate should change their rule so that no one individual has power to block these promotions and jeopardize our Nation's security. Blockade of Artsakh
RECOGNIZING JIM WEBER RETIREMENT
Rick Larsen (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-9-13

I rise today to honor Jim Weber who recently retired after a 47-year career at the Port of Everett. A native of Marysville, Washington, Jim began working at the Port's marina as a seasonal employee while attending Marysville- Pilchuck High School. Jim did whatever needed to be done--pushing a broom, checking moorings and taking meter readings. Four years later, he landed a full-time job with the maintenance team. Over the next 43 years, Jim worked his way up at the marina--from maintenance journeyman to maintenance foreman to operations director. His hard work and prgtoken dedication earned him great respect among his colleagues and everyone he encountered at the Port. prgtoken Jim's storied career paralleled the growth of the Port of Everett. When Jim first started working at the marina in the 1970s, the Port hosted fishermen, mill workers and log tug crews; its central marina was home to fewer than 1,000 slips. Over the next 50 years, Jim played a central role in the transformation of the Port from an industrial waterfront into the largest public marina on the West Coast, helping to design, build, maintain and upgrade many of the marina's facilities, as well as the Jetty Landing boat launch, Jetty Island docks and Boxcar Park. Today, the new and improved Port is the ``jewel of Snohomish County,'' a place where people can work, shop, go out to eat and enjoy the outdoors, thanks to the hard work of people like Jim Weber. Jim was involved in and had time to enjoy many of the great events the Port offers throughout the year, including Wheels on the Waterfront, Sail-In Cinema, Holiday on the Bay, waterfront concerts, Opening Day of Boating and fishing derby events. prgtoken , Jim Weber's accomplishments are many, and his commitment to the Port of Everett is remarkable. As Jim told the Everett Herald in a recent article, he plans to dig his toes in the sand a bit and buy a few more classic cars in retirement. Congratulations to Jim on a well- earned retirement. We hope to see him showing off his newest classic car at Wheels on the Waterfront.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2023-9-13

I am delighted to be here with my colleagues, the Senator from Illinois and the Senator from Kansas. prgtoken I am going to start by answering a question that the Senator from Kansas asked rhetorically: Why is it that American citizens and consumers and merchants pay seven times what is paid by merchants and individuals in Europe? It is because our government doesn't protect our consumers. Our government is not protecting our merchants and our small businesses. prgtoken Where there is a monopoly or, in this case, a duopoly and there is this massive pricing power that Visa and Mastercard have, they are doing what monopolies and duopolies do. They abuse that pricing power, and they just stick it to our merchants. It was $33 billion in charges in 2013, and it is $93 billion in charges now. And it is not as though the expenses for Visa and Mastercard have really gone up anything close to that. prgtoken Inflation is their ally, as the Senator said. COVID was their ally, as we had to rely more on those cards. And they justify what they are doing because it is a convenience for the shopper. You know what, it is a convenience for the shopper. It is a convenience for the merchant. But how does that justify a rip-off just because you are doing something that we need? prgtoken And it is folks in Kansas who voted for my colleague, it is folks in Illinois who voted for my ic colleague, and it is all of the people we represent, not only these small businesses that are absolutely essential to our local economy and to the vitality of our small communities. prgtoken We were at that press conference, and Senator Marshall's grocery store folks were here. They were salt of the Earth. They were like--the highest compliment I can give: They are almost like Vermonters, all right. They were terrific people. And we had a father, and we had the son who was going into the family business, and the family business is about serving people in that community. prgtoken And we have got a store in Vermont, Dan & Whit's, which has been there for generations, and its motto is, ``If we don't have it, you don't need it.'' And you can basically get anything you want. But, do you know, during COVID, when they had these incredible challenges with workforce, they actually put an ad on the signboard, and retired folks from Norwich would come help do the work, stack the shelves, and do the checkout. prgtoken And when a lot of my neighbors found out that every time a customer used a credit card it was costing Dan & Whit's 2 to 3 to 4 percent just so they would pay the bill, they were shocked and appalled. And this store, like the Senator's store in Kansas, all of them--retail is hard. That is such hard work. You have got to watch your costs. You have got to save your money. You have got to provide really good service. prgtoken And Senator Durbin mentioned the second highest expense for many of these small merchants is t
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-9-13

I rise today to try, with my colleagues, to put an end to the double shutdown threat. prgtoken There are two shutdown threats existing right now in the U.S. Capitol. One is a threat by certain Members in the House majority to shut the government down at the end of the month. That would be foolish. It would hurt people unnecessarily. It would be particularly foolish given the existence of Federal law that says Federal employees get paid even during a shutdown. How would it be fiscally conservative to shut the government down, lock Federal employees out of their offices, disable them from serving their fellow Americans, and then pay them? So we need to put an end to any risk of shutdown or threat of shutdown, and, in fact, it is a bad-faith tactic even to raise it. The second shutdown we need to avert is the shutdown of military promotions, and that is what I want to address today. prgtoken The senior Senator from Alabama has held up political nominations of more than 300 senior military officers for months. I have spoken about this numerous times on the Senate floor, and yet it is getting more and more severe every day. This is the behavior of one Senator who has placed a hold on these nominations, but, frankly, it is behavior that is being enabled by his colleagues on the side of this body. prgtoken Military leaders who have done nothing other than volunteer to wear the Nation's uniform and risk their lives in serving this country, who have served honorably, have had their lives and careers derailed over a disagreement on a policy matter that these officers had nothing to do with. prgtoken A few weeks ago, Senator Reed and I took to the floor, and we read the names and backgrounds of all who had been blocked. We read their names, their rank, how long they served, where they have been deployed, military awards, nominations, and medals they received: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart--all of whom are being blocked--it is extremely disrespectful to all these nominees--simply because an executive Agency has implemented a policy that one Senator does not like. As I have explained previously on the floor, it is particularly galling because we have repeatedly given this Senator an opportunity to convince his colleagues that the DOD policy is wrong, and he has been unsuccessful. prgtoken In the Armed Services Committee, where we serve together, he wanted a vote on an amendment to change the DOD policy. He failed. I have failed in making amendments in the Armed Services Committee before, and I never take out my failure on people who are serving, wearing the uniform of this country. If I am not persuasive enough to convince my colleagues of a policy, I am not going to punish those who are serving this country. prgtoken This is causing critical challenges in critical positions throughout the DOD, and it is affecting Virginia, just as it is all States. Of those who are being held, 39 of
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 117TH CONGRESS
Madeleine Dean (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-9-13

it is a delight to be here with Mr. Hoyer and my colleagues tonight. prgtoken Last Congress was the most productive Congress since 1964. in the House and Senate, alongside the administration, invested in America and in our communities. prgtoken The scope of the three bills--the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act--is immense for everyone everywhere. Whether your district is red, blue, or purple, these monumental laws will reach you and help transform where you live, where you work, and where you play into something greener and safer. prgtoken With the largest investment in our planet in our lifetime, we are reimagining the fight against the climate crisis. That means building more resilient roads and stronger bridges to withstand a changing climate. It means expanding our EV infrastructure. It means manufacturing. In Region 10, which I represent, these dollars will guide us from the Rust Belt to revitalization. prgtoken We are seeing this work already. In western Pennsylvania, in Representative Chris Deluzio's district, we have invested $3.5 million to connect Moon Township to a new economic hub that will create 1,900 construction jobs and generate $14 million annually for the community. prgtoken In Susan Wild's district in the northeast, we are investing more than $36 million to upgrade roads, highways, and bridges, like Cementon bridge, to better connect the Lehigh Valley. prgtoken In the entire southeastern region of Pennsylvania where I am from, we are investing more than $200 million to improve roadways, I-95, 676, the Boulevard, and Route 1. Our Commonwealth is becoming better connected. prgtoken The same can be said for West Virginia: $1.6 billion for its roads, bridges, public transit, and so much more, including I-64, connecting West Virginia's two largest cities, Charleston prgtoken and Huntington, making an hour commute safer and more efficient, making a huge difference for residents, commercial vehicles, and tourists who love West Virginia's wild and wonderful scenery. prgtoken The Federal Government is helping to fund an upgrade to I-64 that is long overdue; and because of our work, more than $26 million has already been dedicated to upgrade I-64, U.S. 35, and more to come. prgtoken Whether it is U.S. 35 or I-75, Ohio is using this Federal funding to upgrade their roads, as well. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur's district celebrated the reopening of DiSalle bridge, a newly built section of I- 75 in Toledo with the help of more than $12 million from the infrastructure law. prgtoken In northeast Ohio, my colleague Congresswoman Emilia Sykes' district has seen more than $25 million to upgrade highways, interchanges, and off-ramps. prgtoken In Congressman Greg Landsman's district, we are investing $1.6 billion into the Brent Spence bridge, ensuring safety. In a State like Ohio, upgrading roads and bridges means better connections that
MORNING BUSINESS
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-9-13

I was necessarily absent, but had I been present, I would have voted yea on rollcall vote No. 224, confirmation of Tanya J. Bradsher, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. prgtoken I was necessarily absent, but had I been present, I would have voted yea on rollcall vote No. 225, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Jeffrey Irvine Cummings to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. prgtoken I was necessarily absent, but had I been present, I would have voted yea on rollcall vote No. 226, confirmation of Jeffrey Irvine Cummings to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. prgtoken I was necessarily absent, but had I been present, I would have voted yea on rollcall vote No. 227, the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 4366, a bill making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1435, PRESERVING CHOICE IN VEHICLE PURCHASES ACT
Katie Porter (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-9-14

California's leadership on protecting public health and safeguarding our environment should be a national model. prgtoken When the Federal Government has failed to guarantee cleaner air to every Californian, our State government has acted to reduce harm. prgtoken When Washington, D.C politicians were doing the bidding of Big Oil, California had the courage to curb pollution and improve air quality. prgtoken California's recent strengthening of emission standards will save $13 billion in healthcare costs and prevent more than 1,200 lives from being cut short. House s' wrongheaded legislation would undo this progress and substitute their judgment for that of California's own representatives. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to reject H.R. 1435 and instead work to provide cleaner air to every American.
PRESERVING CHOICE IN VEHICLE PURCHASES ACT
John P. Sarbanes (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-9-14

I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1435. prgtoken Despite its name, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, this bill would actually reduce choice for both consumers and the States they live in. prgtoken By making egregious changes to the Clean Air Act's Section 209 waiver authority, this bill would add significant impacts on our collective ability to adopt clean vehicle technologies, combat climate change, and promote environmental justice. prgtoken It would not only imperil California's statutorily granted ability to seek waivers to implement more protective standards for vehicle emissions, but it would also significantly hamper the rights of any States that have chosen or may choose to follow California's lead. prgtoken Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, States may voluntarily adopt any California vehicle emissions standard that has been granted a waiver from EPA. To date, 17 States, including the State of Maryland, where I live, have done so. prgtoken No one is forcing States to adopt California's standards, but for many State across the country, like Maryland, doing so makes a lot of sense. prgtoken That is why, in March of this year, our Governor, Governor Moore, announced the adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars 2 Rule, which will align our State with the emissions standards pioneered by California and speed our transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. prgtoken According to the Maryland Department of the Environment, this will provide in-State health benefits of nearly $40 million per year by 2040, to say nothing of the energy savings, climate impacts, and economic benefits of building out our green economy. prgtoken The bill before us today would take away Maryland's freedom to adopt regulatory standards like these that meet its needs and would encroach on the rights of all States that choose to follow California's lead in adopting vehicle emissions standards that will provide benefits to each and every one of our communities. prgtoken H.R. 1435 is a blatant attack on States that are taking ambitious steps to curb air pollution from cars and trucks and create greener, healthier futures for their residents. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation.
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-9-14

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
PRESERVING CHOICE IN VEHICLE PURCHASES ACT
Doris O. Matsui (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-9-14

I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 1435. prgtoken California has long been a global leader in the fight against air pollution. Whether it is greenhouse gases, smog, or other harmful pollutants, California has often been the first State to protect our citizens from the terrible health impacts of dirty air. prgtoken You get a lot of criticism when you are a leader, and Californians are no strangers to criticism. Time and again, that criticism fades as the rest of the country, and often other countries, see the benefits of California's emissions policies. prgtoken In 1966, California established the first tailpipe emissions standard in the Nation. The country soon followed with the Clean Air Act of 1970, which created the EPA, and established the first national air pollution standards. prgtoken The Clean Air Act also recognized California's leadership by explicitly affirming California's authority to set more stringent emission standards. prgtoken Thanks to that authority, California continued to lead the fight against air pollution and adopted the first NOX standards and the first particulate matter standards for motor vehicles. prgtoken In 2004, California adopted the first greenhouse gas pollution standards for vehicles. The EPA followed in 2010 with the first national standards for greenhouse gas pollution from vehicles. prgtoken Now, the impacts of climate change, caused by fossil fuel pollution, are becoming more numerous and deadlier. More frequent and more intense floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and heat waves threaten to make our communities unlivable. prgtoken This bill, however, enshrines the internal combustion engine in the Clean Air Act. We are leading the Nation with cutting-edge vehicle emission standards that will reduce greenhouse gas pollutants and lead the world in the fight against climate change. This bill is a love letter to Big Oil, legally mandating that Americans think first of the internal combustion engine before considering air quality or public health. prgtoken We have a chance to stop climate change before it is too late, but this bill would keep dirty gas and diesel cars on the road forever, dooming our children to face the worst impacts of climate change. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 1435.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-9-14

I rise to introduce the Wounded Warrior Access Act, along with Senator Braun. prgtoken This legislation would streamline the process for veterans to submit a claim for benefits by giving them electronic access to their benefit claim file. prgtoken This legislation would require the VA to establish and maintain a secure online tool or website to enable a veteran or their representative to submit a request to receive their claims file, or C- File, electronically. prgtoken Allowing veterans to access their C-File electronically would allow veterans to access their information in a faster and more efficient manner. prgtoken When a veteran submits a claim for benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, a C-File is created. C-Files contain a veteran's service records, results of VA exams, additional information submitted by the veteran, and any material the VA deems necessary to decide a claim, prgtoken Currently, a veteran must travel to a regional VA location or mail in a form to request a paper copy of their C-File, slowing down the process for individuals to gain access to their information. prgtoken The Wounded Warrior Access Act would require the VA to offer an online alternative for veterans to request their C-File. Online requests would dramatically modernize the C-File collection, decrease processing time, and reduce unnecessary appeals since more veterans will have access to all the information the VA used to decide their claims, ultimately saving the VA time and money. prgtoken I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the Wounded Warrior Access Act as quickly as possible, and I thank Congressman Pete Aguilar for his partnership on this legislation.
CONGRATULATING JEREMIAS CASTILLO
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-9-14

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Jeremias Castillo, this year's $25,000 National Honor Society Scholarship winner. prgtoken Castillo, a senior at Technology High School in Newark, was chosen from a pool of 13,000 applicants. He won because his commitment to enacting positive change in the country's healthcare system is what he is all about. prgtoken When his father passed away, Jeremias witnessed the health disparities that affect underrepresented groups, so he decided to do something about it. prgtoken He volunteered weekly at a local medical center, he collected medical supplies from the Newark Department of Health and Welfare, and he spoke about his passion to improve healthcare at a symposium that reached more than 3.6 million people. prgtoken Jeremias will use this scholarship to study neuroscience and political science at Harvard University, and he will continue to help create more equitable healthcare systems in America. prgtoken Again, I congratulate Jeremias for his dedication to his family, his community, and his country.