mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
GOP OVERSIGHT STATS
John W. Rose (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise today to recognize the 118th Congress for restoring the oversight function of the House. prgtoken Since winning the majority, House s have held 565 oversight hearings, compelled officials to testify 561 times, sent 862 letters to the administration, and issued 45 subpoenas, and we are just getting started. prgtoken Our Founders never intended for a President to be able to bypass Congress prgtoken through executive action, like forgiving more than $400 billion in loan debt with the stroke of a pen. prgtoken They never intended for a Federal agency to be able to circumvent the people's Representatives and use their regulatory authority to advance so-called progressive ideas. The judicial branch is doing its part to curb the rogue--often unconstitutional--actions of this President, but the American people can count on this half of the legislative branch to conduct its critical oversight function, just as our Founders intended.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Mike Rogers (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-7-14

the balance of my time. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I thank our bipartisan HASC staff for their tremendous work. As I talked about yesterday, our committee staff has worked for monthslong hours in a very bipartisan fashion to get us where we are today. prgtoken I also thank everyone from the Office of the Legislative Counsel, the Congressional Budget Office, the Parliamentarian's Office, the Clerk, the floor staff, the Rules Committee, and the leadership on both sides of the aisle. prgtoken I especially thank my friend, Ranking Member Smith, for his hard work and assistance. As a longtime former chairman of this committee, he gets the ebbs and flows of this process and has been a very helpful partner in helping me lead this committee. prgtoken , this is a good bill. prgtoken I will address this to my Conference: There is absolutely no reason why any should vote against the bill. It will enhance the congressional oversight of the DOD. It will improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. It will help build the ready, capable, and lethal fighting force we need to deter the Chinese Communist Party and other adversaries. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge all Members to support the bill, and .
RECOGNIZING MR. JOHN HARRIS
David G. Valadao (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise today to honor Mr. John for his incredible contributions to the Central Valley and to wish him a very happy 80th birthday. prgtoken A native of Five Points, Mr. has dedicated his life to California's agricultural industry. Following his graduation from Bullard High School, Mr. earned a degree in Agricultural Production from the University of California, Davis and served for 2 years as an artillery officer in the U.S. Army. Mr. returned to his family farm where he would dedicate the next 5 decades to building Farms into one of the largest agribusinesses in the nation. Mr. and his family's leadership in the agricultural industry spans more than 100 years--a true testament to their commitment to their work and community. prgtoken After his father Jack ' passing in 1981, John became the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Farms. Under the leadership of his grandfather, father, and now Mr Farms has become a staple of the Central Valley. Under Mr. ' leadership, the family operation has grown to span over 17,000 acres and produces a wide variety of crops annually--including lettuce, onions, garlic, almonds, pistachios, wine grapes, cotton, and citrus. Perhaps the most well-known undertaking by Mr. throughout the Central Valley is Ranch Beef Company, California's largest fed cattle processor that produces nearly 200 million pounds of beef a year. prgtoken In addition to its impressive ranch and farming operations, Farms has also become a popular destination for travelers and locals alike with its restaurant, butcher shop, and hotel. Mr. is also an accomplished horse breeder. Farms Horse Division has produced numerous champions including Eclipse Award Horses of the Year California Chrome and Tiznow. Farms has raised and campaigned 100s of top racehorses over the last 60 years. Mr. has played at a most active role in the California and national racing scene, serving multiple terms as the Chairman of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Chairman of the Bay Meadows Racing Association, as well as being on the California Horse Racing Board for multiple terms, being appointed by both and ic Governors, and serving as board chair for several terms. prgtoken He is also a member of The Jockey Club and has served as a Steward there. Mr. represents the very best of the Central Valley. He has grown a small family operation into one of the largest farms not only in California but the nation--all while providing high-quality food products, creating thousands of jobs, and building a welcoming community center for Valley residents. Mr. is also deeply dedicated to his philanthropic work, having supported critical organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts of America, and Community Medical Centers for decades. His contributions to our
CELEBRATING NATIONAL FOREST WEEK
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-7-14

this is National Forest Week across this country. I encourage everybody to partake and enjoy your national forests. Our Nation indeed was blessed by God with some truly inspiring natural beauty. It is our job to preserve it and utilize it for future generations. prgtoken Unfortunately, many of our national forests are under threat not from the usual climate change nonsense but actually wildfire caused by overcrowded forests, too many trees. prgtoken We haven't been tending to the forests for 50 years. The Federal Government has refused to properly thin and manage our forests, largely because of the lack of funding or, in a lot of cases, frivolous lawsuits--preventing the work that needs to be done--by extreme environmental groups. prgtoken They are now overgrown, overcrowded tinderboxes. All it takes is one lightning strike, a cigarette butt, or a spark from a flat tire going down a rural highway. Once they catch fire, they become infernos, such as the million-acre fire I had in my district a couple years ago called the Dixie fire. prgtoken A healthy forest has about 40 to 70 adult trees per acre. We have a situation where we have 500 or more trees per acre, a recipe for disaster. We need to do better and manage our forests.
TUESDAY'S CHILDREN
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-7-14

yesterday, I had two special visitors, Seth and Bronson. prgtoken Seth and Bronson participated in the career shadow day with Tuesday's Children. prgtoken Tuesday's Children formed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. They meet individuals and families of servicemembers where they are on their grief journey following a loss due to military service, mass violence, or acts of terrorism. prgtoken This is the fifth year Seth has joined me and the first year Bronson has joined me. Tuesday's Children uses its experience and expertise to help our military families work through their own losses. prgtoken , I hope Seth and Bronson enjoyed being my shadow. I sure enjoyed their visit. I can't wait to see all that they accomplish.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Mike Garcia (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise in support of this strong NDAA. It prioritizes the true mission of our U.S. military, and that is to deter and to win wars. That is it. It is pretty simple. prgtoken More specifically, it prioritizes America's greatest national security asset, our brave men and women in uniform who serve on a daily basis. I thank Chairman Rogers for his support of my amendment within this en bloc that will secure the highest pay raise in history for nearly 1 million of our junior enlisted troops, paid for by the appropriations bill. prgtoken This takes the starting salary for an E-1 in the military from about $22,000 a year to $31,200 a year. It gets them above the poverty line and off of food stamps. These brave men and women are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom, and it is unacceptable that they were making less than fast-food workers. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I couldn't be more proud of this historic victory, and I couldn't be more eager to continue fighting for those who fight so hard to give us our security blanket.
PREVENTING RADICAL GREEN NEW DEAL POLICIES IN THE NDAA
Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-7-14

we have had a lot of debate on this year's NDAA. Our goal is simple: To strengthen and modernize our military so they can be prepared to meet any national security challenge that this great Nation might face. prgtoken Our House majority authored and passed a strong NDAA that prevents the radical Green New Deal policies from weakening our fighting forces. It blocks burdensome requirements on defense contractors, allowing them to focus on delivering critical capabilities to our military. prgtoken This legislation also ensures that military ranges in the Gulf of Mexico remain open for necessary training programs, enhancing our troops' readiness. Additionally, it cuts funding for questionable combat vehicle electrification research programs and prohibits funds for DOD advisory committees dealing with environmental justice. prgtoken I am proud that we put forward a bill that focuses on the right priorities, safeguarding our national security and guaranteeing the continued defense of our great Nation instead of woke politics.
WELCOMING GUEST CHAPLAIN DR. TONY FOSTER
Jeff Duncan (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise to welcome today's guest chaplain, Reverend Dr. Tony Foster of Restoration Worship Center in Greenwood, South Carolina. prgtoken Dr. Foster, a personal friend of mine, has faithfully served in Christian ministry for more than 29 years. In that time, he has preached the gospel in the United States and around the world, ministering in the United Kingdom, Canada, India, and other countries. prgtoken Pastor Foster is cofounder and copastor of Restoration Worship Center, which began in 2003 with just 25 members and the goal of being a place for the community to worship God while growing in their faith. prgtoken He is partnered in ministry by his wife, Joanie, who is watching from the gallery today. Pastor Tony and Joanie also have two sons, James and Trey. prgtoken His ministry seeks to equip Christians to stand for righteousness in the nations of the world. prgtoken Outside of the pulpit, Pastor Tony lives out his faith and his commitment to helping troubled youth become all God wants them to be by serving on the South Carolina Juvenile Parole Board. prgtoken Dr. Foster also serves on the board of directors for the Charter Institute at Erskine, as well as president of Restoration Bible College. Most recently, he took another step to serve the community being sworn in as a magistrate judge in Greenwood County, South Carolina. prgtoken I am proud to have Pastor Tony Foster here as the guest chaplain of the people's House. I am grateful for his service to God and our country and especially the youth of South Carolina. prgtoken I pray that God continues to bless him and his family, the State of South Carolina, and the United States of America.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise both in appreciation and support of my amendment included in the en bloc, which will require a study to identify potential vulnerabilities in U.S. military systems and infrastructure that could be exploited by adversarial AI applications used by China, Russia, and other adversaries. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for his leadership in this House and for supporting a number of amendments that were included and adopted yesterday. prgtoken These amendments will support military families and their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensure the DOD guarantees full access and coverage to life-saving opioid overdose reversal drugs, and requires our Nation's biodefense strategy, along with helping the Army meet its goals to modernize aircraft and more. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I extend my appreciation.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Zachary Nunn (Republican, IA) \u2014 2023-7-14

as a nearly 20-year combat veteran and head of counterintelligence for cybersecurity, I know firsthand the millions of threats that are leveraged against our country on a daily basis. prgtoken As we look to strengthen our security with this bill offered by the chair and the amendments going forward, I thank those who have worked so diligently on our joint effort to create a National Digital Reserve Corps to buttress our country against this threat. prgtoken Additionally, I will speak about another win for our military, military parents. As both an Air Force officer, Reservist, and National Guard member, we have worked on bipartisan legislation, the Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act, that I helped lead with Representative Jeff Jackson from North Carolina. prgtoken Our servicemen and -women deserve time with their new children, and this policy will expand parental leave for drilling Reserve and National Guard members to match the leave policies of their Active-Duty members.
PRESIDENT BIDEN TO FORGIVE $39 BILLION IN STUDENT LOANS
Lisa C. McClain (Republican, MI) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise today to represent the majority, the prgtoken majority of Americans who actually pay their bills, the majority of Americans who actually believe that if they have a right, they actually have a responsibility. prgtoken Unfortunately, President just announced that by the stroke of his pen, he is going to forgive $39 billion in student loans, this morning. prgtoken Now, let me be clear. This is in direct violation of the Supreme Court's decision just 2 weeks ago that blocked his student loan forgiveness plan. I guess the President has no respect for the constitutional authority of the Supreme Court. prgtoken Apparently, he has no respect for hardworking taxpayers that are going to foot this bill. Education isn't free. Someone pays for it. Last I checked, the teachers don't work for free. It is you, the taxpayer, who actually paid your student loans, who is now going to pay for somebody that doesn't want to pay their student loans. Every American who has paid off their student loans now gets the opportunity to pay somebody else's. prgtoken What comes next, ? Are you going to forgive mortgages and credit card bills? Where does this forgiveness end? prgtoken Rest assured, come hell or high water, I will fight this till the end.
CONGRATULATING LIEUTENANT COMMANDER WESLEY BESSELL
Chuck Edwards (Republican, NC) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise today to honor Wesley (Bob) Bessell for being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his service and bravery in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II. prgtoken Bob began his maritime career at the age of 15, as a member of the crew of the Corsair, an impressive private yacht owned by the J.P. Morgan family. Shortly afterward, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, and it was during his training that America entered World War II. Upon the completion of his training, Bob joined the U.S. Merchant Marines as an Able-Bodied Seaman. prgtoken He served as a merchant mariner for more than 4\1/2\ years, which included a deployment on the SS West Hardaway when it was sunk by a torpedo from a German U-boat in 1942. After the U-boat attack, Bob and his fellow sailors took refuge in the small town of Porlamar on Isla de Margarita in Venezuela. The island's inhabitants, though facing their own challenges, extended a warm welcome to the stranded crew, offering them shelter, sustenance and a renewed sense of hope. Bob forged bonds of friendship with the local community, transcending language barriers and cultural differences, and he recalls walking around the island like a rockstar, always surrounded by 10 or 20 smiling faces. prgtoken In 1943, Bob completed Officer Candidate School and rose to the rank of a lieutenant commander. It was in the same year, on a mission to deliver documents in Liverpool, England, that Bob met Susan, the British love prgtoken of his life. Bob still describes their chance encounter in a rainstorm great detail. Amid heavy rain, Susan stood illuminated by single a beam of sunlight. For 3 years, the couple communicated through letters, finding peace in each other's presence amid the chaos of war. Immediately after the war, Bob called Susan and proposed marriage. They were married in a Nissen hut outside the ruins of a bombed English church in 1946. They spent 72 wonderful years together and had three children. They now have 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. prgtoken Bob selflessly put his life on the on the line to defend America's freedom during one of its most challenging periods. President Roosevelt famously referred to the Merchant Mariners' mission during World War II as ``the most difficult and dangerous transportation job ever undertaken. prgtoken It is my humble privilege to present Bob with the highest honor bestowed by Congress, the Congressional Gold Medal. This award is 1 of numerous honors that Bob has received for his service, including the Atlantic War Zone Medal, the Merchant Marine Combat Bar with Silver Star device, and the World War II Victory Medal. prgtoken I congratulate Lieutenant Commander Bessell, on this well-deserved recognition. A grateful Nation thanks him for his service.
CONGRESS MUST SHORE UP VULNERABILITIES TO THE CCP
Michelle Steel (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise to celebrate today's passage of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. prgtoken In addition to making critical investments in our military, this legislation takes significant steps to protect the United States from CCP spying. prgtoken For 16 years, a CCP-owned logistics platform called LOGINK has tracked our commercial and military ships. This NDAA deters CCP aggression by enacting my plan to ban the DOD's use of LOGINK and working with our partners to ban it, too. prgtoken The CCP is spying on American citizens across every industry, field, and institution. Congress must act to shore up vulnerabilities to the CCP, especially when it comes to our military and commercial supply chains. This NDAA does just that. prgtoken That is why I was proud to support it and why I urge all of our Senate colleagues to do the same.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2023-7-14

. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Indiana for introducing this amendment. prgtoken I think it is a commonsense amendment. Right now, there are all sorts of rumors out there that when people are admitted to the service academies--who, after all, are going to wind up running our military, the one part of our government that cannot fail--preferences are being given and they are not always taking the best people that they can. prgtoken I want to point out something that is a little bit offensive about this whole diversity thing. Diversity for people like the ic Party, sadly, is solely determined by your genetics or your DNA or where your ancestors were 200 years ago. prgtoken I will give you an example to show the foolishness of it and that the real goal here, I think, is to divide Americans. prgtoken If I am one-quarter Peruvian, I can identify as Hispanic. I can identify as Hispanic despite the fact I have never spoken a word of Spanish and never been south of the border in my life. The people who just want to divide America would say that I have a unique perspective growing up in a Milwaukee suburb, despite the fact that I am one- quarter from a different part of the world. prgtoken This is preposterous on its face, and it will inevitably lead to division as we are educating our military that they should look at people by where their ancestors came from, not as individuals. prgtoken This true racism, which is what it absolutely is because that is how they determine which silo you fit into, has to be ripped away from our society and the military, in particular. prgtoken The idea that we have different viewpoints because of where our ancestors came from despite the fact that we have not been there and know nothing of them is preposterous. prgtoken Like I said, in addition to the divisiveness, you are going to wind up with people who are not necessarily the best people to lead our military. Anybody familiar with military history knows the important decisions that have to be made during wartime. We want those decisions made by the brightest people we have, not by people who have been picked based upon where their DNA was 2,000 years ago.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2023-7-14

such time as I may consume. prgtoken Mr. Chair, this amendment would prohibit the use of funds to discriminate on the basis of race and ethnicity in admissions to the military service academies. prgtoken Currently, all of the military service academies use race and ethnicity as selection criteria for admissions. Not only is this a violation of the Constitution, as recently affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court, but it is a violation of the military's longstanding meritocratic principles. prgtoken The military service academies are elite universities that train and educate the future leaders of our armed services. We need the best and the brightest, the most fit cadets and midshipmen, regardless of their skin color and ethnicity. To consider immutable characteristics like race and ethnicity is blatantly discriminatory. prgtoken For our national security, we must uphold the ideals of our country and put hard work, dedication, and service above all. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
IN REMEMBRANCE OF DEB SLATTEN
Pete Stauber (Republican, MN) \u2014 2023-7-14

I rise today in remembrance of Deb Slatten who tragically passed away recently. prgtoken Deb served honorably for both the Carlton County Sheriff's Office and St. Louis County Sheriff's Office for 36 years, eventually retiring as a sergeant. She was the first female sheriff's deputy on patrol in Duluth and the department's first female sergeant in Duluth. prgtoken Following her retirement, she continued to selflessly give her time and talents to our community as a member of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Volunteer Rescue Squad. This squad is one of the very best in the Nation because of Deb and others' commitment to our region. prgtoken Please take a moment to reflect on how precious life is and how critical these local heroes are to our communities. prgtoken Rest in peace, faithful servant.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
Ronny Jackson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-7-14

I will start by saying that despite the objections of many of the folks on the other side of the aisle regarding this National Defense Authorization Act, which I consider to be an outstanding bill that I am aggressively and enthusiastically supporting, and despite the objections on the other side of the aisle, most of the controversial amendments in this amendment do nothing but return us to the initial and the long-time combat readiness attitude that the military has always had and focuses all of our efforts on that particular goal. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this en bloc amendment. This en bloc includes an amendment of mine which will prohibit cadets or midshipmen from being punished for not receiving the COVID vaccine. prgtoken An adverse action documented in a member's service record can have a devastating impact, potentially ending a rising military career before it even has an opportunity to begin. prgtoken Last year, here on the floor of the House, Ranking Member Smith told us that another vaccine mandate could be implemented in the future if the administration decided to do so. prgtoken I refuse to sit on the sidelines and let the administration's politically motivated efforts to appease the radical left cost young men and women their futures. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I strongly urge support of the overall NDAA.