mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (Executive Calendar)
Martin Heinrich (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2024-3-7

nearly 80 years ago, in Central New Mexico's Tularosa Basin, at a place we now call the Trinity Site, the world as we knew it changed. prgtoken The Trinity test was the first detonation of a nuclear weapon in human history, and the families who lived downwind from the Trinity explosion have lived the consequences of that day for every moment of their lives. These families were never told that the white dust falling around them that day would contaminate their bodies, would contaminate the bodies of the children they had yet to bear, that it would contaminate the crops and the water and the livestock that they had built their communities around. They were never told about the kinds of cancers they would get, the conditions they would suffer through, or the loved ones they would lose. prgtoken These families still to this day have not received the recognition or the compensation for what they endured so that our Nation could be victorious in the Second World War. Nearly a century later, 80 years now, these folks deserve better. They deserve justice. prgtoken It is long overdue for Congress to finally, finally amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, RECA, to include the Trinity downwinders, to include all Americans who were directly impacted from our nuclear tests and program, and to include the uranium workers who were exposed to radiation in service to our national defense. That is what we are voting on this week in the U.S. Senate. Today, we have a chance to finally deliver justice for the Trinity downwinders and for all Americans who were exposed to radioactive nuclear materials. prgtoken I want to thank especially the Presiding Officer as it has been one of the honors of my career to fight alongside him for this expansion of RECA for our entire congressional careers. prgtoken I want to urge all of our colleagues to stand with us on the right side of history today and to support this legislation.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. DANIEL A. MOORE, SR.
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2024-3-7

I rise today to honor Mr. Daniel A. Moore, Sr. of Stone Mountain, Georgia, who passed away on March 4, 2024. prgtoken Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 20, 1935, Mr. Moore found his true calling in film. After moving to Atlanta in the 1970s, he quickly became a key figure in the City's burgeoning cultural scene. A tireless entrepreneur, filmmaker, producer, writer, cinematographer, editor, exhibition designer, photographer, author, and humanitarian, Mr. Moore was a man of immense talent and his renowned works in film, music, and literature helped shape our culture in Atlanta and beyond. prgtoken In 1978, Mr. Moore embarked upon one of his greatest gifts when he founded the African American Panoramic Experience (APEX) Museum, where he proudly served as its President until his passing. The APEX Museum is the oldest Black history museum in Atlanta and a cultural institution. His work will live on as the museum plans APEX Phase II, a massive 90,000 square foot expansion that will provide a state-of-the- art walk-through history, from African civilizations to contemporary Black America. prgtoken Among his many awards and accolades, Mr. Moore received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award on October 21, 2023. Most recently, during Black History Month this year, I had the pleasure of recognizing Mr. Moore for his pioneering contributions to the preservation and showcasing of Black history and culture in Atlanta at a ceremony in Stonecrest. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the outstanding life and legacy that Mr. Moore leaves behind for generations to come.
STATE OF THE UNION AND HOUSING
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-3-7

in less than 12 hours, President will deliver his State of the Union Address prgtoken and lay out his top policy priorities for our Nation. prgtoken Last week, I sent the White House a request that the national affordable housing and homelessness crisis be included as part of the State of the Union Address, and I was very pleased to hear this morning that housing will, in fact, be included in the address. prgtoken , I don't have a special guest. All the people of this country are my special guests today. I am speaking to them about this critical issue of housing and the need to take the people off the street. prgtoken Unfortunately, the homeless on the street and in tents and broken- down RVs will not hear this message tonight, but they expect their Members of Congress that they elect to office to speak up for them. prgtoken I speak for them, fight for them, and expect everybody, and s, to fight for the people in America who are homeless and who are looking for better and decent housing. prgtoken While the administration has helped our Nation achieve one of the strongest labor markets with record job creation and a record number of businesses forming, we simply cannot talk about the state of our Union without talking about the state of housing in this country. prgtoken Housing is a critical part of every person's well-being, the largest part of family budgets, and a major part of our economy. Yet, rising housing costs continue to make up nearly 70 percent of core inflation, outpacing modest wage gains. prgtoken To put it in plainer terms: Americans are making more money, but housing costs are so extreme that the extra money in their pockets still isn't enough. Indeed, more renters and homeowners are paying a greater share of their income on housing than ever before. Since 2020, home prices have skyrocketed by 47 percent. Rents have increased by 40 percent during that same timeframe. prgtoken It is no wonder that families in nearly every income bracket are feeling the pain of one of the worst housing and homelessness crises in our Nation's history. prgtoken Today, a record 653,100 people are experiencing homelessness nationwide as we saw a sobering 25 percent spike in the number of people who are experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives, between 2022 and 2023. prgtoken I am talking about people we call our neighbors, family members, students, teachers, and frontline workers. Elderly Americans, who should be enjoying retirement, are one of the fastest rising groups of people experiencing homelessness. prgtoken This is simply unacceptable. While the state of our Nation's housing is bleak right now, this doesn't have to be our future. We know how to solve the housing crisis. prgtoken During the pandemic, secured unprecedented levels of housing relief through bills like the American Rescue Plan Act, which promoted equitable economic recovery, spurred more develop
Appropriations (Executive Session)
Brian Schatz (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2024-3-7

the Senate will soon vote--how soon, unclear--but soon vote on an appropriations package which, among other bills, includes one from the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee, which I chair. I want to take a moment to talk about what is in it and why it matters so much. prgtoken The United States is experiencing an unprecedented housing shortage. prgtoken Homes are increasingly out of reach for so many families and individuals, and homelessness continues to rise to record levels. There is no question that the Federal Government must act. prgtoken No appropriations bill--especially one negotiated under difficult spending caps demanded by House s--is going to solve our decades-long housing problem. But what this bill does is provide funding for rental and homelessness assistance for millions of Americans. prgtoken It also provides $100 million for the Yes in My Backyard Program, which will incentivize building housing and eliminating exclusionary zoning policies that have long kept housing supply down. prgtoken The bill also includes funding to modernize transportation and make it safer and more accessible. It fully funds the Federal Aviation Administration so that it can staff up and maintain a world-class air traffic control system. prgtoken Also included is the funding for the Federal Railroad Administration, which, in part, will help to improve rail safety in the wake of the East Palestine train derailment. prgtoken Crucially, the bill provides vital funding to improve Tribal housing and transportation infrastructure, including more than $1.3 billion for the NAHASDA Native-American Housing Block Grant Program. That is a record increase for Tribal housing of more than $300 million, which will help Tribes, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians build affordable housing in their communities and address their unique and urgent housing needs. prgtoken As always, these bills are the product of a lot of hard work and patience, especially from our excellent staff. That has been particularly true this year. They have worked so hard--long, long hours. When we make a deal, the work begins. Whenever we decide that we have consummated our deal, they don't get to say: Look, I am in the middle of a kid's baseball game or I am at a doctor's appointment or I am on a run or I just woke up. They have to get to work and draft the legislation. So lots of them have spent a lot of sleepless nights. My staff, the staff on the T-HUD Committee, our House counterparts, all of the people in leadership on both teams, everybody worked their butt off to make this possible. I just want to appreciate them. prgtoken I also want to take a moment to thank Ranking Member Cindy Hyde- Smith, the subcommittee members, as well as our counterparts in the House--Representatives Cole and Quigley--who worked in good faith throughout the process to get us here. prgtoken There is a lot more that we need t
THE STATE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
John B. Larson (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2024-3-7

I rise to speak about America's number one antipoverty program for the elderly and America's number one antipoverty program for children. That, of course, is Social Security. prgtoken I want to commend President . I commend him for putting forward the concept of making sure that Social Security is solvent into the next century and making sure that we expand benefits. He did so by saying we do something that is very common sense and practical: We lift the cap on people making over $400,000. prgtoken Most citizens probably don't realize that there is even a cap on Social Security. prgtoken Be that as it may, why is it that all individuals shouldn't have to pay into this system? prgtoken We have a poster here. God bless these wealthy individuals who are able to achieve great success and make vast sums of money, but why should a person making $30,000, $50,000, $75,000, or $100,000 pay throughout the year for their Social Security when these wealthy individuals will pay about 1 minute into the beginning of the year? Just last month was the last time that millionaires would pay anything into the system. prgtoken President has said: Let's scrap the cap on people earning over $400,000. prgtoken I have had many townhalls where I ask people in the audience to raise their hand if they are making over $400,000. So far, I haven't seen a single hand go up. prgtoken Yet, they are exempt from participating in what is the Nation's number one insurance program for the elderly and also for children. prgtoken By the way, especially in this time of deficit talk, et cetera, it is completely paid for. This is a real kitchen-table issue because 10,000 baby boomers a day become eligible for Social Security, and they are sitting there asking: Well, why is it that Social Security hasn't been enhanced? prgtoken It is because the only body that can do that is the United States Congress, and it hasn't done anything since 1971 to enhance the program, , and to make sure that people are paying their fair share. prgtoken The fair thing to do here is to scrap the cap, which would extend solvency of Social Security instead of having a limit. It would also be able to provide benefits to people, including a COLA, that actually work on behalf of our senior citizens. It would include an across-the- board increase for everyone on Social Security since it hasn't been increased since 1971, and it would make sure that people who are currently paying taxes on their Social Security don't have to do so. prgtoken How are we able to do that? By having people pay their fair share, people who don't pay, in many instances, a penny into FICA. That is flatout wrong for the wealthiest nation in the world that has provided the benefits, freedoms, and liberty that has allowed these very successful people to succeed in the greatest country in the world. prgtoken It is time for us, , to come together and address this for all Americans as we seek to close the
MAUI 911 CALL CENTER
Jill N. Tokuda (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2024-3-7

when things go wrong, when disaster strikes, the first call most of us will make is 911. prgtoken On August 8, 2023, dispatchers at Maui's 911 call center were the ones that answered over 4,500 callers as they called in about the wildfires that were tearing through the island. prgtoken Through it all, our Maui dispatchers were the first responders who answered the call. Many of them were desperately waiting to hear from their own loved ones, some of whom did not make it. prgtoken They operated under incredible stress, absorbing the panic and terror of the callers, providing comfort and direction. There is no doubt in my mind that on that fateful day they saved lives. prgtoken Last week, Maui's call center team received the 2023 Outstanding Call Center Award from the Next Gen 911 Institute. They are ``Maui Strong,'' and they represent the very best of us. prgtoken All those who answer the call when we need them most deserve to be recognized for what they truly are--first responders. That is why I am proud to cosponsor the bipartisan 911 SAVES Act led by Representatives Norma Torres and Brian Fitzpatrick. prgtoken In honor of all of our dispatchers, it is our turn to answer the call and pass the 911 SAVES Act.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-3-7

I rise now in support of Adrienne Noti's nomination to be an associate judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. prgtoken The DC Superior Court is the local trial court here in the Nation's Capital. It handles some of the highest caseloads in the entire country. It decides matters that impact the freedom, the livelihood, and the safety of families all across the District of Columbia. prgtoken Unfortunately, the superior court has struggled with high judicial vacancy rates in recent years 12 of the 62 seats on the court are now vacant, and two more will open up in the coming months. This places serious burdens on current judges and delays resolutions for the parties before the court. prgtoken The District of Columbia deserves to have these seats filled by dedicated, qualified judges. Adrienne Noti is more than up for the job. She has spent the last 10 years as a magistrate judge on the DC Superior Court, and in that role she has worked across every division, from domestic violence to family law to landlord-tenant issues to criminal cases. She has proven herself to be fair and effective and has shown a deep commitment to the local community here in the District of Columbia. prgtoken Before she joined the DC Superior Court, Judge Noti spent a decade in family law, representing underserved prgtoken clients and teaching as a clinical law professor. She has spent her career fighting for equal justice and teaching others in the legal community how to do the same. prgtoken Judge Noti is highly qualified to serve as an associate judge on the DC Superior Court, and it is past time that we confirm her nomination. prgtoken While I am glad we will soon fill one vacancy on the superior court, we must take additional action to confirm the six other nominees that my committee has advanced this Congress, many with strong, strong bipartisan support. prgtoken These are not controversial nominations. And I hope that my colleagues will join me in working together to quickly confirm the other nominees and ease the vacancy crisis facing the superior court. prgtoken Today's vote is a critical step in that work. And I urge my colleagues to join me in confirming Judge Adrienne Noti to be an associate judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. prgtoken .
State of the Union Address (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-3-7

tonight, the President of the United States comes before Congress to deliver his State of the Union address to the American people. It is a chance for the Commander in Chief to tell the story of where our country stands today, to hear about the sacrifices we have made as a country, about the challenges we have overcome, and about the kind of future we can achieve if we work together. prgtoken America has suffered immense challenge in recent years. When President took office, over 3,000 Americans were dying of COVID a day; over 18 million Americans were on unemployment; our democracy was wounded, damaged, and battered after January 6; and inflation climbed to suffocating heights. prgtoken But today, President will make clear that after so much adversity, America's economy is growing, inflation is slowing, and ' agenda is delivering. Our economy has added a record 15 million new jobs--15 million new jobs--since President took office, the greatest turnaround of any President. Last year alone, the economy created more jobs than in any year of the administration. prgtoken Less than 2 years ago, inflation was at a crushing 9 percent. But today, it has cooled to the lowest level since the start of the pandemic; and that means that over the last year, the prices of things like milk, eggs, appliances, car rentals, and airfare have all come down. prgtoken Across the country, manufacturing and job creation is surging. Communities that have been long overlooked, especially in places like Upstate New York, are getting a second chance. It didn't happen on its own. It is the result of the ic agenda; a result of legislation like the American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure, CHIPS and prgtoken Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which I was happy to champion in a ic Senate as I was majority leader. prgtoken But statics and data tell only part of the story. Today, I am honored to welcome five inspiring New Yorkers and one brave Ukrainian soldier as my guests for the State of the Union. These six individuals show better than any statistic how America is made stronger by the policies of the administration and a ic Senate. prgtoken You can look at the example of Andrii Chevozorov, a 25-year-old Ukrainian soldier who has risked his life and limb on the battlefield. After losing his leg in a mine explosion, he came to New York in January for prosthetics and rehabilitation treatment at Staten Island University Hospital. prgtoken It is an honor to welcome Andrii, and the Senate thanks him for his sacrifice. He reminds us all about the stakes of the war in Ukraine, of the importance of passing the supplemental. And I will continue working as hard as I can to make sure we get it done. It is a historic moment for America. We cannot turn our back on Ukraine and our other allies and the menaces that we face in the world. prgtoken You can also get a look at what
LAKEN RILEY ACT
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2024-3-7

the balance of my time. prgtoken , I want to close where I began, by expressing my deepest condolences to the family of Laken Riley. I only wish that we were debating a bill worthy of her name. Instead, we have the latest press release, a bill that serves as an excuse to target and demonize immigrants while making our country no safer. I hope that my colleagues will change course and choose to work with and with the administration in a constructive manner that improves our immigration system and makes our border more secure. prgtoken Until then, I must urge Members to oppose this bill, and .
MUSICIANS DESERVE A LIVING WAGE
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2024-3-7

I rise to recognize the remarkable work of the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, as they recently celebrated their 115th anniversary of service to our residents. prgtoken For over a century, Detroit Rescue Mission has been a beacon of hope, providing, food, shelter, and services to those in our community that are most vulnerable. prgtoken Detroit Rescue Mission was founded by David Stucky on February 14, 1909. prgtoken The Mission began as a soup kitchen with a mission to find permanent solutions for our most vulnerable residents in the city of Detroit. prgtoken The Detroit Rescue Mission has worked tirelessly to rebuild hundreds of thousands of lives destroyed by addiction, homelessness, and poverty. prgtoken I am so grateful for the work of the Detroit Rescue Mission for their incredible leadership in our community, and I am looking forward to witnessing all they will continue to accomplish in the years to come.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Ben Ray Luján (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2024-3-7

78 years ago, 4-year-old Anastacio was living in Tularosa, NM, a city 40 miles away from the Trinity test detonation site. prgtoken Now, little Anastacio didn't know it at the time--none of the families there did--but the world they were living in was contaminated in radioactive particles from the first nuclear test. prgtoken And Anastacio grew to be a big family man, hunting and growing on the land enriched by a ditch system, an acequia system, that provided ample water and nourishment--great-grandparents, grandparents, mom and dads, children, and babies all eating and drinking contaminated food and water sources. prgtoken Later in life, Anastacio Cordova developed prostate cancer and tongue cancer. The cancer metastasized to his neck and throat before becoming inoperable and consuming his body. prgtoken His daughter Tina recalls him being only 125 pounds at the time of his death in 2013. prgtoken Today, March 7--11 years ago on this day--Anastacio left us. For Anastacio's family, this was just one heartbreak from a long list of family members who have died or became seriously ill from radiation exposure. prgtoken Tina Cordova--Anastacio's daughter--made it her life's mission to fight for justice and compensation for her family and the thousands of victims of our Nation's nuclear weapons program. prgtoken This is Tina. Rosalie is holding her. Tina is with us today. Bernice Gutierrez is here with us as well. This is Henry Herrera, from Tularosa, NM, and Beatrice Gutierrez and her friends at a very young age. prgtoken Now, Tina will be my guest tonight at this year's State of the Union, and I am honored to have her by my side in this cause. prgtoken Let me change that. I am honored that she allowed me on this journey with her to help other people. prgtoken Now, she was with me in Belen, NM, when the President of the United States, , was visiting to talk about some of the incredible opportunities that have been created for economic growth. When I was speaking before the President, I saw Tina in the audience. And I spoke momentarily about the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and about her, only to be surprised that when the President of the United States followed me, he looked at Tina and looked at everyone in the room and the cameras and said: You have my support to get this done. prgtoken Yesterday, the President of the United States issued a statement, a SAP, showing support for the passage of this legislation--the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act amendments--in addition to language that Senator Josh Hawley has included in bringing attention to families who need help and need to be seen and heard and deserve compensation based on storage flaws and exposure to each and every one of them. prgtoken This is truly a bipartisan piece of legislation, an effort reaching out to colleagues in both Chambers, every one of our friends, asking them to take a hard look at this. Please give us a chance.