mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
VETERANS GET OUTSIDE DAY
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2023-5-31

reserving the right to object, let's talk about a few things. prgtoken First of all, we have heard talk of clear legal authority, clear legal precedent. prgtoken I wasn't here when the distinguished Senator from Rhode Island was providing that, but my understanding of it is that he is making the claim that there are judicial precedents for this. At least one of the cases he cited was from 1981. Significantly, that is a full 3 years before 10 U.S.C. section 1093 was even enacted into law. Talk about excruciating ironies. That was enacted into law as part of the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1985, and it was voted on by, among others, then-Senator . He voted for it. prgtoken So whatever 1981 case you are citing I don't know, but I am certain that it couldn't have involved 10 U.S.C. section 1093, the very statute that we are dealing with here, because it did not yet exist. prgtoken I am equally certain that whatever personnel within the Department of Justice that blessed this, whatever lawyers within the Department of Defense that blessed this are also part of the administration and are ultimately serving at the pleasure of the President. So I wouldn't expect that they would come back with an answer that he didn't want because he and his administration have made clear that this is an all- of-government approach to make sure that the more abortions, the better, in the wake of Dobbs. prgtoken So I find it impossible to believe that any court could have addressed this particular issue, setting aside whether that 1981 judicial precedent that he cited that I haven't seen is the only one. Let's assume there were others. If there were others--there couldn't have been others even if they were decided after this was enacted into law in 1984 as part of the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1985 because this policy didn't exist. No, this policy didn't exist until just a couple of months ago. So it couldn't have come up. prgtoken Courts don't answer these questions in the abstract. Under article III of the Constitution, the courts are empowered only to resolve cases in controversy. The case in controversy requirement of article III means that you have to have standing. To have standing, you have to have an injury, in fact, fairly traceable to the conduct of the defendant that is subject to being remedied by competent authority of a court. That would have been lacking here because until just a couple of months ago, this did not exist. They could not have addressed this. So I am not sure what authorities the Department of Justice officials to whom my colleagues are referring were relying on, but it is not a ripe controversy that could have been capably adjudicated. prgtoken But, yeah, this is truly full of excruciating ironies--the fact that the same President who voted to support 10 U.S.C. section 1093 which unmistakably makes clear that we don't want Department of Defense fundi
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-5-31

I thank the chairman for yielding. prgtoken Let me explain why we are in the situation that we are in today. We have watched over the last year as my friends across the aisle have pushed through legislation called the IIJA, called the IRA, the CHIPS Act, the ARP, all these acronyms. prgtoken What does it mean to you? prgtoken What it means to the American people, , is it means that $10 trillion in extra funds have been spent--$10 trillion. prgtoken Let me tell you what that means. Today, a child born in America is going to inherit about $4\1/2\ million in debt at their birth--$4\1/2\ million--the amount of money they are going to pay over their lifetime, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. prgtoken Right now, we have hit our credit card limit as a Nation. We don't have the ability to pay the monthly payment, and so we are in a quandary. prgtoken We have to figure out how we are going to raise that credit card limit. Just like you would do with your own family, you would have a conversation, , with your child. You would say, hey, how did you get yourself in this situation? We have to fix it. prgtoken The situation we are in right now, we have four options in front of us. There are four. prgtoken Number one, we can default on the debt. You cannot pay your credit card bill which means late payment penalties, interest rates going up, and you cause havoc on the American family. prgtoken The second option is you can say, hey, we are going to use this 14th Amendment thing that doesn't really exist, and the President can just do it on his own. prgtoken The third option is you can get all the moderates together, and they can do a relatively clean debt ceiling that just keeps that debt going up and up and up from $32 trillion today to $52 trillion over the next 20 years or so. prgtoken , 17\1/2\ cents of every tax dollar paid over the next 10 years is going to go towards interest on the debt--17\1/2\ cents. prgtoken The third option we have is, again, a clean debt ceiling, just running it up. prgtoken The fourth option we have, the one that is before us today, is the Fiscal Responsibility Act. prgtoken It is absolutely historic. For the first time ever, as a result of the strategic nature of this , we are in a situation where we have legislation before us that will result in the greatest savings in American history that will result in the greatest rescission, or taking back of funds, in our Nation's history. prgtoken We have legislation before us today that will strengthen and instill work requirements for welfare. prgtoken We have legislation before us today that will rescind funds for additional IRS agents because I have never had a constituent say, gosh, I wish I could have more audits. prgtoken We have legislation before us today that, for the first time in 40 years, streamlines the environmental process. prgtoken , here it is: Historic efforts to raise the deficit, $6.5 trillion is how much this wil
Introductory Statement on S. 1772
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2023-5-31

I rise today to introduce the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act. I want to thank Senator Carper, the chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, for his partnership on this bill. Our bipartisan bill would help ensure that we have accurate information about the extent of mercury pollution in the United States. prgtoken Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. It poses significant ecological and public health concerns, especially for children and pregnant women. Mercury exposure has gone down as U.S. mercury emissions have declined; however, levels remain unacceptably high in some areas. It is estimated that nearly 100,000 to 200,000 children born in the United States have been exposed to levels of mercury in the womb that are high enough to impair their neurological development. This exposure can impose a lifelong disability. prgtoken In Maine, some of our lands and bodies of water face higher mercury pollution compared to the national average. Maine has been called the ``tailpipe of the nation,'' as the winds carry pollution, including mercury, from the west into Maine. prgtoken A system for collecting information, such as we have for acid rain and other pollution, does not exist currently for mercury, even though it is a more toxic pollutant. A comprehensive national mercury monitoring network is needed to help protect human health and track the effect of emissions reductions. This monitoring network would also help policymakers, scientists, and the public better understand the sources, consequences, and trends in U.S. mercury pollution. prgtoken Specifically, our legislation would do the following: First, it would direct the Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with the Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other appropriate Federal Agencies, to establish a national mercury monitoring program. This program would be tasked to measure and monitor mercury levels in the air and watersheds, water and soil chemistry, and in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial organisms at multiple sites across the Nation. prgtoken Second, our bill would establish a scientific advisory committee to advise on the establishment, site selection, measurement, recording protocols, and operations of the monitoring program. prgtoken Third, our bill would establish a centralized database for existing and newly collected environmental mercury data that can be accessed on the internet and that is compatible with similar international efforts. prgtoken Fourth, our bill would require a report to Congress every 2 years on the program, including trend data, and an assessment every 4 years of the reduction in mercury deposition rates that would need to be achieved in order to prevent adverse human and ecological effects. prgtoken Fifth, the bill would authorize $95 million over 3 years to carry out these acti
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2023-5-31

with my colleague Senator Jim Risch and Representative Mike Simpson, I congratulate Nathan Small, who is retiring from serving as chairman of the Fort Hall Business Council, the governing body of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes on the Fort Hall Reservation. prgtoken Chairman Small has been an unwavering voice for his people for roughly 40 years, leading in various roles for the Fort Hall Business Council since the late 1980s. He has dedicated his life to protecting the Tribes' rights under the 1868 Treaty of Fort Bridger and other Federal laws and tirelessly worked to preserve the traditional ways of life of the Shoshone-Bannock people. He is respected not only in Idaho for his efforts to protect the rights of all Idaho Tribes but also on the national level for his inspiring and effective advocacy in ensuring the United States upholds its treaty and trust responsibilities to Tribal governments. prgtoken We have been grateful for his steady leadership, especially while we partnered with him and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes on various efforts over the years. Chairman Small's wealth of knowledge and experience was pivotal to his advocacy on the Tribes' behalf. He is also a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Bar Association and has been both a prosecutor and public defender in Tribal court. He was instrumental in opening the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes' first gaming operation and was gaming manager from 1990 to 1998. He also served in the Tribes' Water Resources Department in the Environmental Waste Program, advocating for the protection of the Reservation's water and land. He is a founding Board member and is Secretary of the Coalition of Large Tribes, which advocates for the sovereign rights of Tribes. prgtoken Thank you, Chairman Small, for working with us to properly recognize tribal sovereignty and the Federal Government's treaty and trust obligations to Tribes. We hope that retirement will provide you more time to spend enjoying the outdoors you love. We thank you for your leadership and wish you all the best.
SOUTH DAKOTAN AWARDED SPIRIT OF AMERICA AWARD
Dusty Johnson (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-5-31

I rise today to recognize the achievements of RF Buche, a fourth-generation South Dakota grocer. It was recently announced that Mr. Buche is receiving the National Grocers Association Spirit of America Award to recognize his unwavering dedication to the independent grocery industry and his outstanding contributions to South Dakota communities. prgtoken RF has dedicated himself to expanding food access in rural and remote communities throughout South Dakota, including the Pine Ridge Reservation, which sits 80 miles from the closest grocery store. Buche has identified innovative ways to serve surrounding communities fresh and healthy foods through community food lockers, online SNAP, and through his non-profit hunger foundation. prgtoken Not only does he make a difference through his actions, but he is a tireless advocate for his industry. prgtoken He welcomes policymakers like me into his stores to discuss the issues impacting America's grocery shoppers. Over the last few months, he testified before the House Rules Committee and represented the industry at the White House Conference on Hunger working to advance initiatives aimed at eradicating food deserts. Finally, he has been a staunch advocate for competition policy and antitrust reform. prgtoken I rise today to applaud and congratulate RF Buche and recognize his remarkable achievements and dedication to the independent grocery industry. His work has left a profound impact on many South Dakotan communities and his efforts remind us of the critical role independent grocers play in ensuring food security and nourishing our Nation. prgtoken Congratulations to RF. This award is rightfully earned.
VETERANS GET OUTSIDE DAY
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-5-31

I rise today to support my friend, my colleague Senator Tommy Tuberville as he continues to do the right thing, to do justice, as he continues this fight against the radical pro-abortion policies put in place by the Defense Department earlier this year. prgtoken And I remind everybody that this is a fight the Department of Defense picked. We didn't pick this fight. They picked this fight. They are the ones who decided to change their policies to break the law. prgtoken This February 16 policy provides military personnel 3 weeks of paid leave and uses taxpayer dollars for travel expenses incurred while seeking an abortion--a clear violation of the Hyde amendment. prgtoken The policy is illegal. It violates Federal law, prohibiting funds to the DOD from being used to perform abortions except where the life of the mother is endangered, rape, or incest. prgtoken This policy takes the number of the Department of Defense abortions from less than 20 per year to an estimated 4,500 abortions. prgtoken The policy also describes abortion as reproductive healthcare. And I think that is the true issue here. You know, as an obstetrician, I am often asked two questions: When does life begin? What was the favorite part of a pregnancy for me? prgtoken I want to talk about the pregnancy for a second. I took care of hundreds, maybe thousands, of infertile couples, and, certainly, that first time when they had a pregnancy test that was positive was a great moment for me to share with them. prgtoken Four weeks after conception, we can see a baby's heartbeat on the ultrasound. That is another spectacular moment, for every couple to see that little baby's heartbeat at 4 weeks after conception. prgtoken At 12 weeks, we could hear the baby's heartbeat on a doppler. And it was one of the favorite moments for that mom and dad to hear that baby's heartbeat, as well, especially those women who had recurrent miscarriages, those who had lost life early repeatedly and, through miracles and medicines, they were able to conceive and carry that pregnancy. They get through the first trimester. They hear their baby's heartbeat. They know they are pretty much out of the woods. prgtoken One of my favorite visits came at about 15 to 16 weeks after conception. And the mom would come into my office, and I would ask her: How are you feeling? prgtoken And the nausea and vomiting are now over with, and I would ask her: Are you feeling the baby move yet? prgtoken And her eyes would light up. And she would say: Yes, Doctor. I can feel the baby move now. Isn't that incredible? prgtoken So I always loved that. prgtoken And maybe the next visit--maybe, you know, at 18, 20 weeks along-- they would come into the room, and I would examine the mom and put my hands on her abdomen. I could feel the baby's head and the baby's buttocks and maybe the limbs. And I would see the baby kind of start to move as I would kind of push on one spot. And maybe there was a litt
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Gregory F. Murphy (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-5-31

I rise today in support of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. prgtoken Over 100 days ago, President said he would not negotiate. s, acting on behalf of this country, forced him to negotiate. prgtoken The bill alters our fiscal trajectory and helps remedy the Federal Government's insatiable spending problem. prgtoken This landmark legislation lowers nondefense discretionary spending and forces Congress to employ a functioning appropriations process. prgtoken More importantly, the measure doesn't result in new taxes and doesn't touch Social Security, Medicare, or veterans' benefits. prgtoken Is the bill perfect? Absolutely not. prgtoken Is it a step in the right direction? Absolutely. CBO scores a decrease in spending of $1.9 trillion. prgtoken Let's not forget, Rome was not built in a day. It is now up to s to make the necessary cuts to rein in our terrible spending and our terrible debt of $31 trillion. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this landmark legislation.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3746, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-5-31

I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), the chairman, for giving me time, despite the fact that I voted against the rule in the Rules Committee. prgtoken I respect that. I respect it immensely so that we can have a full and open debate here on the floor of the House. prgtoken , I listened to the gentleman from Massachusetts wax on, talking about governing. I would say to the gentleman that we don't govern; we represent. That is what we are supposed to do, anyway, represent the people of this country fed up with a government that is now 40 percent bigger since the beginning of COVID, a government barreling toward $36 trillion of debt, and an absolute devastating burden on the future of this country, on our children and our grandchildren, who are not going to be able to afford homes, not be able to go to school, not be able to afford food, groceries. prgtoken Talk about food programs, I don't hear a whole hell of a lot about what we are doing to devastate American families with rampant inflation because we keep spending money we don't have. prgtoken To my colleagues on this side of the aisle, my beef isn't that I don't understand the struggle with the negotiators against that kind of reasoning. My beef is that you cut a deal that shouldn't have been cut. prgtoken The fact is, at best, we have a 2-year spending freeze that is full of loopholes and gimmicks that would allow for increased funding for the Federal bureaucracy in order to receive a $4 trillion increase in the debt by January 1, 2025. prgtoken , we have permitting reform, which might have some good elements in it. The problem is, you have the administration saying it will ``accelerate implementation of the historic clean energy and environmental justice investments in the Inflation Reduction Act,'' the very policies destroying the American way of life and making them unable to afford energy and afford their food. prgtoken We have watered-down work requirements that the CBO just said will actually increase the cost of SNAP by $2 billion, a supposed 1 percent automatic top-line reduction in spending at the end of the year that will actually make a Christmas omnibus more likely, and a 2 percent cut to 's $80 billion IRS expansion. prgtoken Administrative paygo, I am told, we are not going to do the REINS Act. We are not going to restrain the regulatory state. We are going to do a waivable administrative paygo. prgtoken Great. We will pass a bill next week. Yay us. It will die in the Senate. prgtoken Why aren't we using this leverage--a complete punt to SCOTUS on the administration's unfair, half-trillion-dollar student loan bailout; billions in COVID dollars left untouched to fund things like vaccines and COVID-19 testing; and the loss of one of our biggest leverage points to force to actually secure the southern border. prgtoken , I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the rule and to oppose this legislation.
VETERANS GET OUTSIDE DAY
Tommy Tuberville (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-5-31

in reserving the right to object, I continue to reiterate my stance and my position over the last almost 4 months now about my opposition to this policy. prgtoken Now, the burden is not on me to pass legislation to stop this illegal policy. The burden is on the administration. The burden is on the administration to stop breaking the law. prgtoken So let me just say this one more time--because I keep getting asked the same question over and over again--I will keep my hold. I will keep it on until the Pentagon follows the law or changes the law. It is that simple. Those are the two conditions that would get me to drop the hold. So, until these conditions are met, I object.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3746, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 2023
Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-5-31

I thank the chairman of the Rules Committee for being generous in yielding me this time. prgtoken , I rise today in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation. prgtoken Today, the House is taking historic steps to address our Nation's out-of-control debt. This House win rescinds $28 billion in unobligated COVID funds. It cuts over $2 trillion in government spending. It reins in the executive branch, and it rejects the President's extreme $5 trillion in proposed tax increases. prgtoken Further, this legislation will help lift Americans out of poverty and grow our economy by cutting red tape and streamlining energy and infrastructure projects. prgtoken H.R. 3746 also includes an important provision championed by House s, and that is to complete the Mountain Valley Pipeline. MVP is near completion, but the last 14 miles--there are just 14 miles left--are being held up by extreme radical, far-left judges. prgtoken When completed, this pipeline will help reduce costs for hardworking Americans in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. It will simultaneously help the economies of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia with thousands of construction jobs and millions of dollars in royalty payments, just in Pennsylvania alone. It will be $150 million a year in royalty payments just to Pennsylvania alone, and it will lead to direct investment in rural communities. prgtoken , I support the rule and the underlying legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same.