mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-5-21

well, I would like to say I am surprised, but I am not. It is worth, though, pausing to reflect both on what the Senator from Illinois said and what he didn't say. prgtoken What he didn't say: He didn't dispute the point I made about this bill they are having a show vote on later this week. He didn't dispute that this bill codifies catch-and-release; that it puts into Federal statute 's lawless practice of releasing illegal immigrants when they are apprehended. He didn't dispute that. prgtoken He didn't dispute that this bill would normalize 5,000 illegal immigrants a day, 1.8 million illegal immigrants a year, every year, forever. He didn't dispute that either. prgtoken He didn't dispute that this bill would give illegal immigrants who are apprehended immediate work permits. He didn't dispute that. He didn't dispute that this bill would give many of them taxpayer-funded lawyers. And he also didn't dispute a point I have made many other times, though I didn't just make it, that it would give billions of dollars to the NGOs that are part of the human trafficking network; that it would fund the people trafficking millions into this country. prgtoken He didn't dispute any of that. Instead, he said the standard line, which is: , , . is the bad guy. It is all 's fault. prgtoken And I get that, in circles, is the bogeyman. But there is a simple fact. When was in the White House and when he was actually working to secure the border, we had the lowest rate of illegal immigration in 45 years. When and the are in charge, we have the highest rate of illegal immigration in American history. That is a fact. And all the political smoke and mirrors from the can't hide that fact. prgtoken But it is also interesting what he did say. He gave these epic words about Chicago welcoming immigrants. And he is right. Our country was built by legal immigrants, by people following the law, coming here the right way. My father came as an immigrant from Cuba. There is a right way to come following the rules. prgtoken I found it striking, though, that when he was saying how much Chicago loves illegal immigrants, that he somehow omitted that the mayor of Chicago has declared an emergency because of the crisis of illegal immigrants flooding into the city of Chicago; illegal immigrants taking resources from the residents of Chicago; being housed in Chicago O'Hare Airport. prgtoken We are seeing illegal immigrants in places like New York City being put in public schools and throwing Americans out of their facilities. The mayor of New York City--again, a liberal like the mayor of Chicago--has said illegal immigration is a crisis that is destroying New York City. And yet Senator Durbin told us, in essence, the are the party of open borders. prgtoken He said farmworkers--we can't get anyone to work on the fa
EVERETT ALVAREZ, JR. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT OF 2023
Patrick T. McHenry (Republican, NC) \u2014 2024-5-21

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 1097, a bill that will award the Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr. prgtoken Madam , the Congressional Gold Medal is considered the highest civilian honor awarded in the United States. In the 248 years since the Continental Congress issued the first one to George Washington in 1776, only 184 have been awarded. That is fewer than one per year. Hence, the distinction of awarding such an honor should not be lost on this 118th Congress. prgtoken Madam , I cannot think of someone more deserving of such recognition than retired United States Navy Commander Alvarez, Jr. prgtoken As a boy growing up in Salinas, California, Alvarez marveled at the naval planes flying overhead in and out of Moffett Field in nearby Santa Clara County. prgtoken In 1960, at the age of 22, ignoring his parents' protests, he followed his boyhood dream of joining the Navy and was selected for pilot training. prgtoken On August 5, 1964, that dream turned into a nightmare when his A-4 Skyhawk was shot down near the Vietnam-China border during Operation Pierce Arrow. The then-lieutenant junior grade pilot was subsequently captured and imprisoned by the North Vietnamese forces. prgtoken Commander Alvarez spent the next 3,113 days, more than 8 years and 7 months, in some of the most horrific conditions imaginable. Despite being beaten and tortured for information about U.S. military operations, Commander Alvarez refused to comply, saying he wanted to be able to look in the mirror and not feel ashamed. prgtoken Even when his north Vietnamese captors no longer felt Alvarez held military intelligence value, they continued to brutalize him in attempts to extract propaganda messages. He did not cave. prgtoken When he was finally released on February 12, 1973, he held the undesirable distinction of being the second longest-held U.S. prisoner of war in our Nation's history. Commander Alvarez left prison knowing he owed nothing more to his country, but remarkably, he would go on to serve another 7 years in the United States Navy. prgtoken Today, at age 86, I believe that when Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr looks in the mirror, he sees only honor in his reflection and that is what the American people see. prgtoken , , Mr. Panetta, for introducing this bill, along with the multitude of sponsors. It is a massive amount of work to get a legislative product like this, especially in a divided Congress and a divided time for America, but this is a source of unity and pride that Americans are willing to sacrifice for their American Dream and their ideals in this free Nation of ours. Because of the willingness of folks like Commander Alvarez, we do have this free Nation and we do have a sense of pride in being an American. prgtoken , I support this bill. I urge my colleagues to do the same, but, again, I will close by thanking Mr. Panetta f
THINK DIFFERENTLY TRANSPORTATION ACT
Marcus J. Molinaro (Republican, NY) \u2014 2024-5-21

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I am proud to see my bill, the Think Differently Transportation Act, come to the House floor. prgtoken This is yet another item to pass the House that builds off the work that we began when I was county executive in New York State, in Dutchess County, New York, the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative. prgtoken ThinkDIFFERENTLY is a call to action to break down barriers and create opportunities for those living with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities. prgtoken The Think Differently Transportation Act does just that. The bill requires that Amtrak submit to Congress and the President an annual report with an expected timeline for bringing Amtrak trains and stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. prgtoken Amtrak stations and trains should be fully accessible for all Americans of every ability and fully compliant with Federal law. prgtoken The ADA was passed in 1990 and established a 20-year timeframe for intercity rail stations to be accessible to those with disabilities. As of July 2023, sadly, Amtrak has only brought 30 percent of the 385 stations it is responsible for into ADA compliance. This is simply unacceptable and creates far too many barriers for every person of every ability, making this bill necessary. prgtoken The Think Differently Transportation Act is a strong bipartisan bill that allows Congress to have appropriate oversight of Amtrak to ensure it complies with its obligations under the law. prgtoken The bill is an important step forward that Congress can take to address accessibility barriers to travel by rail. prgtoken I also wish to take this time to acknowledge the original co-lead of this bill, the late Congressman Don Payne, Jr who, as we know, passed away last month. It was an immense pleasure to work with him, and I would like to think that the passage of this bill would act as some small honor to him and his legacy to helping individuals with disabilities. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and .
FEDERAL PRISON OVERSIGHT ACT
Nancy Mace (Republican, SC) \u2014 2024-5-21

. Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken Madam , I thank Congresswoman McBath and Congressman Armstrong for this bill. prgtoken , Congressman Raskin, for bringing up how we should be reducing the rate of recidivism in this country with different policies and that we can work together. prgtoken He mentioned the First Step Act, also. I was glad that he mentioned it. It was a bill that inspired me a couple of years ago. When I was a State lawmaker, signed the First Step Act into law in December 2018. prgtoken This was a bipartisan bill. It was done in such a significant way, but when I learned about President signing the First Step Act into law in December 2018, I was sifting through the bill, and this is where I got my start in criminal justice reform. There was a provision in there that would ban the shackling of women during birth. This was actually a thing that was going on in our prison system. prgtoken I saw this because I am a woman and very passionate, like my colleague across the aisle, about women's issues. I looked at the State of South Carolina and learned that we didn't have this codified into law, that women in our State penitentiary system, our State system, could still be, and in some cases were, shackled while they were actually giving birth. prgtoken That inspired me to do a bill that was signed into law by my Governor, Henry McMaster, in May 2020. It banned the shackling of women in our system in South Carolina and allowed these infants, these babies, to have skin-to-skin contact with their mothers after they were born. It allowed women to have their children visit them once a week in prison. It allowed them to have feminine hygiene products accessible to them. prgtoken I really applaud my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working together because we know that when we prgtoken give people opportunities after prison--jobs, therapy, intense therapy, job training, and careers afterward--they don't want to go back to prison. They don't want to go back to jail. prgtoken This body, this Chamber, has a long history of working together to reduce the rate of recidivism. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill to increase transparency in the Federal prison system and provide much-needed recourse for incarcerated persons experiencing abuse. Nobody wants that to happen. prgtoken Madam , I encourage colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this very necessary legislation, and .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Roger Marshall (Republican, KS) \u2014 2024-5-21

I want to thank the Senator from Texas for leading the charge up here to secure our border. prgtoken Since day one, has allowed the cartels to have operational control of our Nation's border, exploiting every weakness and pushing deadly fentanyl into our communities, killing over 300 Americans every day. prgtoken I rise today to join my colleague in calling for unanimous consent for H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which the House passed over a year ago and has sat languishing here on this side of the Capitol, waiting for a hearing, waiting for a vote. prgtoken Time after time, the President and his administration have shown us that our national security is an afterthought. We are facing unprecedented times. prgtoken Under this President's watch, over 11 million illegal aliens are here now on U.S. soil, and instead of taking any real measures to address the crisis, he is doubling down. prgtoken With just 6 months until the election now, the left wants you to believe they have suddenly stumbled upon a solution to the border crisis they created. In the news this week, we will see the ' bait-and-switch tactics. And I want to remind the American people to watch what the majority leader and this administration do, not what they say. They have no serious solution. They know it. That is why it is painfully obvious that the stunts being pulled here this week are politically motivated. prgtoken Americans across the heartland are feeling unsafe due to 's worsening border crisis. Even a State like Kansas is now a border State. Fentanyl is flooding into our communities across the State, claiming a life most every day and now is the leading cause of death among young adults in America. prgtoken 's border crisis has resulted in over 300 known terrorists being apprehended in the past year for attempting to cross the southern border. Additionally, over 35,000 Chinese nationals and thousands of individuals from countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria have crossed through our southern border. prgtoken We are in a sad state of affairs when our foreign adversaries are paying closer attention to our vulnerabilities at our borders than the President of the United States. Even our own FBI is sounding the alarm, now warning that because of this invasion, we are on high alert for a terrorist attack in the coming months. prgtoken I stand today with a clear message for this Chamber: It is time to do what is right for the American people, not politically motivated messaging stunts that aren't serious or sincere to the people who have been victims of the administration's lawlessness. prgtoken We have a solution to secure our borders, a proposal that could go to the President's desk today. Let's pass the Secure the Border Act, H.R. 2. This legislation tightens asylum standards. It builds a wall. It increases Border Patrol agents. And it ends catch-and-release. It passed over
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-5-21

I was unable to vote on May 14th and May 15th as I had an immovable commitment. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 196; YEA on Roll Call No. 197; YEA on Roll Call No. 200; YEA on Roll Call No. 204; YEA on Roll Call No. 203; YEA on Roll Call No. 202; YEA on Roll Call No. 201; YEA on Roll Call No. 205; YEA on Roll Call No. 206; YEA on Roll Call No. 207; YEA on Roll Call No. 208; YEA on Roll Call No. 209; YEA on Roll Call No. 210; YEA on Roll Call No. 211; and YEA on Roll Call No. 212.
Border Act of 2024 (Executive Session)
Ron Johnson (Republican, WI) \u2014 2024-5-21

I come to the floor today to speak to the same topic that my distinguished colleague from South Dakota was talking about. He called what was going to happen over the next couple of days here political theater. That is pretty accurate. A political stunt. Political cover. A charade. Instead of actually securing the border, that is what in Congress, that is what President --that is all they are interested in, because, as my colleague mentioned, President has all the authority he needs to secure the border. prgtoken But I want to spend a little bit of time here talking about the bipartisan bill that has been reintroduced that we will be voting on again on Thursday, although it failed very quickly because it literally was worse than doing nothing. prgtoken But I think the first point to be made is--so the American public understands--when President and in Congress talk about securing the border, they are not talking about securing the border the way most Americans think about it, like actually securing the border. What they are talking about is: How do we make it more efficient to encounter, process, and disperse illegal immigrants who are coming to this country with invalid asylum claims? How can we encounter them, process them, and disperse them as efficiently as possible? That is what they are talking about. So don't be fooled when they talk about securing the border. prgtoken Proof positive of that is, one of the lead negotiators in this bipartisan bill--let me give the exact quote. He said the bill requires the President to funnel asylum claims to the land ports of entry when more than 5,000 people cross a day. That is not called securing the border; that is just sending the flow someplace else. Then the Senator went on and said: The border never closes. prgtoken So, again, when talk about securing the border, they are talking about more efficiently encountering, processing, and dispersing people; they are not talking about securing the border. prgtoken I want to start--to prove my point that they were never serious in these negotiations other than looking for political cover--with this quote that the majority leader gave to POLITICO a day or two after that border bill failed. The majority leader said: We were playing chess, they were playing checkers, and we ended up with a Ukraine bill. prgtoken He also went on to say: We also end up in much better shape on the border than we were three months ago. prgtoken I will come back to this, but let me hit the points now. If you were really negotiating in good faith, if those negotiations failed, would you literally rub your negotiating partner's nose in the failure by claiming: We were playing chess, those knuckleheads were playing checkers, and we got exactly what we wanted? I would argue that is not the sign of a good-faith negotiation. prgtoken Then, if you were reall
RECOGNIZING FREDON TOWNSHIP'S 120TH ANNIVERSARY
Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2024-5-21

I rise today to extend my warmest congratulations to Fredon Township on its 120th anniversary. I am truly grateful to be celebrating this monumental milestone with them. Over the past 120 years, Fredon Township has flourished into a lively town with vibrant natural scenery and rich history. As the youngest township in Sussex County, Fredon Township was formed from parts of Andover, Green, Hampton, and Stillwater Townships and is home to approximately 3,450 residents and 1,203 residential dwellings. Once a dusty, rutted, narrow dirt road on Route 94, traveling through a busy little village in the 1800s, can now be found as the core of the township. I am proud to have such a remarkable town within the 7th District, and I look forward to watching it continue to thrive in the coming decades. I wish Fredon Township a wonderful 120th anniversary. May its next 120 years be filled with as much success as this one.
RECOGNIZING DETECTIVE ROSCOE WATTS
Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-5-21

I rise today to recognize and honor the service of one of my constituents, Detective Roscoe Watts, of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. Detective Watts has exhibited exceptional dedication, determination, and unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of justice throughout his distinguished career. Detective Watts's exemplary performance is best highlighted by his successful resolution of the attempted robbery at the Sunoco gas station. Through his diligence and unwavering work ethic, he was able to bring the perpetrator to justice, ensuring that they received a just and deserving 20-year prison sentence. His tenacity in the face of adversity and commitment to protecting the community sets him apart as a role model for his peers. Furthermore, Detective Watts's dedication was equally evident in his investigation of a battery within the Core Civic Jail, which tragically resulted in the victim's death due to their injuries. prgtoken Detective Watts meticulously conducted interviews, analyzed video surveillance, and worked tirelessly to apprehend the suspect. His relentless pursuit of the truth led to the suspect's guilty plea to manslaughter and a 20-year prison sentence, offering closure and justice to the victim's family. Outside of his professional duties, Detective Watts continues to give back to the community through his selfless volunteer work with CASA, the Key Training Center, and the Church Without Walls. His efforts, including running multiple miles to raise funds for the Key Training Center, exemplify his dedication to making the world a better place. Detective Watts's exceptional contributions to law enforcement, his relentless pursuit of justice, and his selfless dedication to community service have undoubtedly made our community more safe. He is a true embodiment of selfless sacrifice, and his legacy of service is an inspiration to us all. prgtoken These are just a few examples of the hard work, dedication, eagerness to help, and servant leadership that Detective Roscoe Watts exhibits every day he comes to work. Detective Watts is a shining example of what it means to be a Citrus County Law Enforcement Officer. His work ethic should be a benchmark for which other law enforcement officers should strive to attain. It is evident that Detective Watts has made a profoundly positive impact on our community and is qualified to be recognized as a First Responder of the Year for Florida's 12th Congressional District.
FEDERAL DISASTER TAX RELIEF ACT OF 2023
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2024-5-21

I once again commend the great work and advocacy of Mr. Steube, Mr. LaMalfa, and Mr. Thompson. I can tell you they have been advocating since I have been chairman that this is an important piece of legislation to get across the finish line, and let's hope that the United States Senate does the same thing. prgtoken , I urge all Members to support this bill, and .
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2024-5-21

if my ic colleagues were really serious about addressing the crisis unfolding on our border, they would demand Senator Schumer immediately take up H.R. 2 instead of this counterproductive and excessively, at best, weak bill that would, if anything, only make matters worse along the border. prgtoken Sadly, they are not. We know that by their actions--their actions today--actions we have seen just moments ago. We are still encountering close to 180,000 illegal immigrants at our southern border each and every month. Since President took office, there have been over 9.5 million illegal immigrant encounters nationwide. Those are just the ones we know about. The actual estimates put it 12 to 13 million that may have crossed illegally. Over 350 individuals on the terrorist watchlist have been stopped while trying to cross the southern border. Over 27,583 citizens of communist China have been encountered at the southwest border in the last year alone. prgtoken By any metric, this administration has no interest in securing our border. In fact, quite to the contrary. The data suggests this administration wants as many illegal immigrants to enter the country as possible. My ic colleagues want us to pretend s are somehow responsible for creating or prolonging the crisis. Why? Because we were unwilling to pass a bad immigration bill masquerading as a border security bill; a bill that would have normalized thousands of illegal entries at our border each month. prgtoken I continue to believe that H.R. 2 would solve most of our most vexing problems at our southern border. It is not that you have to have new legislation to fix it, but this would fix it. It would fix it because it would cabin President 's authority to allow this to continue to happen. He doesn't need legislation. He could do this all on his own. prgtoken But back to the point. If the were serious here, that is what would allow us to do is to take up and pass H.R. 2. Sadly, that offer was rejected moments ago. And so trying to find something that will work, I am offering a smaller, narrower bill; a bill that doesn't contain all the same provisions, but that would help alleviate the crisis by closing some of the most gaping loopholes in the law that are allowing this thing to continue. Again, cabining the President's discretion, forcing his hand so as to make it more difficult for him to perpetuate this cycle of illegal border crossings. prgtoken To be clear, this isn't the entire answer. But if my ic colleagues can't agree to those commonsense reforms found in H.R. 2, then if they can't agree to consider these reforms that are narrower than I am offering, how, honestly, can we take their concern about the border crisis seriously? prgtoken The Stopping Border Surges Act would address loopholes in our immigration laws which create some of the perverse incentives for illegal immigrati