mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Lauren Boebert (Republican, CO) \u2014 2023-11-2

. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment that redirects $5 million from government bureaucracy to hazardous fuels reduction activities within the Bureau of Land Management to prevent catastrophic wildfires and save lives. prgtoken The year I was elected to office, Colorado suffered the worst fire season in Colorado history with the three largest recorded wildfires we have ever had. Hundreds of homes were destroyed and evacuated as Coloradans endured more than 100 days of fire. prgtoken The Cameron Peak fire burned more than 208,000 acres and more than 460 structures to the tune of $6 million in property losses. The East Troublesome fire, on the border of my district, killed two people. prgtoken Coloradans also suffered severe health issues resulting from significant smoke from these fires. Wildfire smoke causes serious disorders including eye and respiratory tract infections, reduction of lung function, bronchitis, exacerbation of asthma, and even premature death. prgtoken Catastrophic wildfires also cause significant damage to the environment. A few years ago, NASA concluded that one catastrophic wildfire can emit more carbon emissions in just a few days than all vehicle emissions in an entire State over the course of an entire year. prgtoken Decades of mismanagement have left our Nation's Federal lands vulnerable to insects and disease and ripe for a catastrophic wildfires. The good news is that there is finally significant bipartisan support throughout the country to prevent wildfires, and the Forest Service is seeking to treat 20 million acres of national forests and grasslands and 30 million acres of State, local, Tribal, and private lands over the next 10 years. prgtoken However, we need to do more, as Federal agencies have stated that more than 1 billion acres throughout the country are currently at risk of catastrophic wildfires. Our Federal lands are overgrown and poorly managed, making them more susceptible to wildfire, disease, and bark beetle attacks. prgtoken There are Federal lands in Colorado and in the West where we once had 50 to 100 trees per acre but now we see 500 to 1,000 trees per acre. This is a massive overgrowth in our forests that we need to manage. There are also 6 billion standing dead trees in the Western United States. Some people call that a problem. I call it a tinderbox waiting to ignite. prgtoken Fuel treatments are effective, and Federal agencies have made clear that ``over 90 percent of fuel treatments are effective in changing fire behavior and/or helping with control of the wildfire.'' prgtoken Let's put the lives of the American people first and take significant action to benefit our environment by passing my hazardous fuels reduction amendment. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my commonsense amendment, and .
ISRAEL SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-11-2

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 6126, the bill that will provide additional support for Israel. prgtoken Earlier this month, we saw Hamas carry out its evil attack on the Israeli people. Now more than ever, we must stand firm with our great ally and do all we can to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself. The bill before us provides $14.3 billion in emergency funding for such a need in military assistance. prgtoken The funding will cover everything requested by the Israelis. Specifically, the bill includes funding for Iron Dome, David's Sling, the Iron Beam defense system, advanced weapons systems and services through the foreign military financing program and procurement of ammunition. prgtoken To ensure that our support does not impact our own military readiness, the bill provides $4.4 billion to replenish the items that were sent to Israel. Funds are also provided for the Secretary of Defense, personnel, and the safe return of American citizens. prgtoken This is the first step in the process, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill so we can find a way to get funds to Israel as soon as possible. prgtoken , .
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Richard McCormick (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-11-2

. Madam Chair, I rise to offer my amendment No. 102 to H.R. 4821, the Interior-Environment appropriations bill for 2024. prgtoken My amendment would prohibit funds from this act from implementing President 's burdensome and irresponsible Executive Order Nos. 14037, 14057, and 14096. prgtoken Executive Order Nos. 14037 and 14057 are just more examples of the administration's overreach and out-of-touch energy regulations. prgtoken The idea that the American people want the consequences of 100 percent of their electricity being carbon pollution-free by 2030, 100 percent of the government vehicles to have zero emissions by 2035, and 50 percent of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States to be electric by 2030 shows just how ignorant this current administration is to the challenges of everyday Americans who are facing these problems. prgtoken Everyone needs to pay attention. EV popularity is waning, and it is expensive. Every day, Americans are worried about the skyrocketing costs of groceries and gas prices or whether their next paycheck will cover all their bills, including their electricity bills. prgtoken The last thing they are thinking about trying to afford is an electric vehicle that meets the administration's strict standards and, on average, costs $17,000 more than a gas-powered vehicle. prgtoken By the way, for a guy who owns a Tesla and who just had to replace a battery, that is another $17,000 on top of that. Your battery will go bad. Anybody who has a cell phone understands that. prgtoken These executive orders will hurt low-income Americans most of all. The administration claims to protect those people. prgtoken As we look at Executive Order No. 14096, we see a pattern as the administration chooses to focus on programs that divide the American people rather than unite us. prgtoken Madam Chair, instead of simply promoting conservation efforts, which most Americans agree are important, this administration continues to use divisive rhetoric behind environmental justice, which does not benefit the poor. prgtoken Examples of this divisive rhetoric in the executive order include ``remnants of discrimination continue to persist today''--we are talking about EV vehicles--or that ``communities with environmental justice concerns face entrenched disparities.'' I will tell you that the disparities will be from those who cannot afford these very vehicles that are required. prgtoken Our country needs unifying language and leadership. The administration fails that test. prgtoken Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on my amendment No. 102 to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are not being spent on frivolous and polarizing initiatives. prgtoken Madam Chair, .
HONOR FLIGHT OF SOUTHERN OREGON
Cliff Bentz (Republican, OR) \u2014 2023-11-2

I rise to recognize the Vietnam and Korean War Veterans from Oregon's Second Congressional District who, through the efforts of Honor Flight of Oregon, are visiting their memorials on the National Mall. When I meet these heroes, I am reminded of the enduring words of George S. Patton Jr who said, ``The highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one's country.'' These words, , still ring true today. Those who value liberty are indebted to these heroes, for each one of them defended our freedom through acts of service, sacrifice, and bravery on behalf of our country. It is my privilege to include in the Record their names. prgtoken The Veterans on this Honor Flight from Oregon are: Joshua Alvarez, Army; Dennis Anderson, Navy; Thomas Beckley, Army; Jerry Chattier Sr, Marine Corps; Fred Conn, Marine Corps; David Cunningham, Navy; William Duncan, Army; Richard Gehrke, Navy/Marine Corps; Edward Goodman, Navy; Roger Haynes, Air Force/Army; Robert Howerton, Navy; Michael Hoffman, Navy; David Johnson, Army; Earl Kilpatrick, Air Force; Jesse Redding, Navy; Paul Lofland, Army; Robert Long, Marine Corps; Jesus Lopez, Air Force; Preton Manville II, Marine Corps; William Mathews, Army/Air Force; Lawrence Mixon Jr, Army; Charles Owen, Army; Robert Rammin, Army; Steven Rolston, Army; Loyd Thurman, Army; Jerry White, Army; and Otto J. Williman, Air Force. These heroes join over 260,000 Veterans, who since 2005, have been honored through the nationwide Honor Flight Network of volunteers. I would also like to recognize the volunteers and guardians traveling on this trip: Janet Wilkerson, and the guardians who have also served our country: Kathrine Berg, Army; Jody Williman III, Marine Corps. prgtoken , in his 1983 Memorial Day address, Ronald Reagan said, ``We are forever indebted to those who have given their lives that we might be free.'' As a nation, we must never take for granted the liberties we enjoy today, recognizing that these freedoms have been hard-won by the honor, commitment, and sacrifice of our Veterans. Each Member in this chamber and citizen in these United States should be humbled by the courage of the brave Veterans who voluntarily underwent the dangers necessary to preserve our country. Colleagues, please join me in thanking these Veterans and the volunteers of Honor Flight of Oregon for their remarkable service and devotion to our great country.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Diana Harshbarger (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-11-2

the have been hard at work revising American history, from the removal of statues to renaming military bases. They truly believe they can and should erase the history and progress we have made since our Nation was founded for their own political benefit. prgtoken When Secretary Haaland took over as Secretary of the Interior, she immediately made a point to politicize the Board on Geographic Names through deeming the word ``squaw'' as derogatory. This would entail removing any word containing squaw from any geographic landmark or unincorporated town, resulting in the town of Squawberry in Tennessee's First District to be renamed as Partridgeberry. prgtoken I am standing here to argue that the Federal Government has no business renaming towns and erasing our history. This is blatant government overreach, and we should not allow our government to continue to force our revisionist history upon my constituents or anybody else's constituents. prgtoken I don't believe the Founding Fathers viewed historical revision as a key function of our government. Changing the name of small towns throughout America, such as Squawberry, is entirely unnecessary. prgtoken When historical revisionists are given an inch, they will take a mile. How long will it be until the Department of the Interior decides to remove the mission of Washington or Jefferson from geographic landmarks? I don't trust this administration to act in good faith. They have politicized vast swaths of the government, and the Board on Geographic Names is yet just another victim of those seeking to use our government and its agencies as tools to further their own agenda. prgtoken For these reasons, I believe we must prohibit the funding on the Board on Geographic Names and put an end to this woke revisionist policy being forced upon the American public. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
Recognition of the Minority Leader (Executive Session)
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-11-2

America's status as a global superpower comes with global interests and global responsibilities. We have a direct interest in a stable and peaceful Middle East, and we have a responsibility to stand with Israel, our closest ally in the region, and to impose real costs on those who seek to harm U.S. personnel. We have a direct interest in preserving free commerce and deterring aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and we have a responsibility to future generations of Americans to win this century's long-term strategic competition with communist China. And we have a direct interest in stability and security in Europe, not only because we have treaty obligations to NATO allies but also because Europe is our largest trading partner, largest source of foreign, direct investment, and a critical engine of our own economy. prgtoken As I have explained repeatedly, the emergency funding we have appropriated in response to Russia's war against Ukraine isn't charity. These resources are helping a Western-oriented country degrade the military strength of a major U.S. adversary. Ukraine is blunting Putin's tools of aggression and disrupting his imperial ambitions in Europe, and all without involving American servicemembers in the fight. prgtoken But let's be honest. Aside from the funds we have appropriated for U.S. military training and logistic support in Europe, the bulk of America's security assistance is being spent in factories right here at home. Some of it goes to purchase new weapons for Ukraine, but far more of it is going to replenish our own arsenal. Our investment is growing American military strength to meet the challenges that come with global leadership. prgtoken Since Putin's brutal escalation last year, the United States has invested $24 billion in replenishing our--our--arsenal with brandnew capabilities. We have poured $692 million into new munitions and tactical vehicles produced in Missouri, almost a billion dollars in Alabama, and more than a billion dollars in Wisconsin. prgtoken But our investment is also expanding our production capacity. That means more factory floor space, new production lines, and new shifts of workers--all to help meet future threats. State by state, we are breathing new life into the arsenal of democracy. prgtoken And, crucially, America's allies and partners are following suit. They are investing historic sums in their own industries, their own militaries. They are expanding their own defense industrial bases, and many are also choosing to ``Buy American.'' prgtoken Poland has invested $3.75 billion in new Abrams tanks from Michigan, Alabama, and Ohio; Estonia has spent half a billion dollars on HIMARS rocket systems from Texas; and Slovakia and Romania have spent a combined $350 million on new tactical vehicles from Wisconsin. prgtoken And it isn't just European allies who recognize the need to modernize. Japan has allocated $1.3 billion for new E-2 command and con
MORNING BUSINESS
Raphael G. Warnock (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2023-11-2

today I have the honor of celebrating the exceptional contributions of Ms. Sherri A. Berger as she departs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Berger has been a tireless champion of public health and a catalyst for positive change. prgtoken From her early days as an epidemiologist to her current role as senior counselor, Ms. Berger has been devoted to the mission of the CDC. This includes her leadership in establishing the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, which harnessed the power of data, expert modeling, and high-quality communication to meet the needs of public health decisionmakers. prgtoken I celebrate Ms. Berger's dedication to public service, and I congratulate her on an extraordinary tenure at the CDC.
Military Nominations (Executive Session)
Mark Kelly (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2023-11-2

we are in complex and dangerous times. prgtoken Ukraine is fighting off a Russian invasion. Israel is defending itself against Hamas. American soldiers have been attacked by Iran's proxies. China is watching closely and testing the United States and our allies. We need our military to be stronger and more focused than ever. However, because of one Senator, our military is being severely hamstrung. prgtoken The Senator from Alabama, Mr. Tuberville, has a policy disagreement with the Pentagon. However, instead of addressing this policy, he has decided to singlehandedly shut down what has historically been a bipartisan process to promptly confirm military nominees. prgtoken My colleagues made this very clear last night. His decision isn't affecting just a handful of positions; he is currently blocking 367 admirals and generals, and that number continues to grow. That has left members of our Armed Forces stranded and unable to get the promotions they have earned. It has put their lives and the lives of their family members on hold. prgtoken Today, we will vote to confirm three of them: the Chief of Naval Operations, the Air Force Chief of Staff, and the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. They are the top officers in the Navy and the Air Force and the No. 2 officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. prgtoken Now, that may seem like progress, and the Senator from Alabama may say that this is an example of how the Senate can confirm military nominees one by one, but here is the thing: The new leaders of the Air Force and the Navy won't have anyone confirmed as their No. 2s. So they will have to do two of the highest ranking jobs in their services at the same time--their new jobs and their old jobs. That is because of Senator Tuberville. With hundreds of admirals and generals awaiting promotion because of his holds, it is impossible for the Senate to catch up by doing this one by one. prgtoken In the Marine Corps, the situation is even more serious. Over the weekend, we learned the terrible news that Gen. Eric Smith, confirmed just last month to lead the U.S. Marine Corps, suffered a medical emergency. General Smith was in the same position--forced to do two jobs at once. Today, we will confirm his deputy, who will have to immediately step up to be Acting Commandant of the Marine Corps for as long as General Smith is recovering. prgtoken It is an outrage that it takes an urgent vote of the U.S. Senate to fill a leadership gap at the top of the U.S. Marine Corps. That is the result of this blockade, and it is what we risk across our military leadership if, God forbid, another service chief has to step away from their job. prgtoken The Senator from Alabama doesn't think this does real damage to our military readiness. He either doesn't know what he is talking about or he doesn't care. At this very minute, the brave men and women of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are aboard the USS Bataan, the U
ISRAEL SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2023-11-2

the gentleman is very generous. prgtoken The irony, as I pointed out, , is that in the pay-for that they have used, CBO scores that as a $12.5 billion increase in the debt, not a decrease. The reason for that is, it cuts $28 billion, essentially, that we would otherwise collect and that we spend $14 billion of that, so there is a net $12 billion plus remaining to add to the deficit. prgtoken I understand and I agree with the gentleman that the debt is important. We need to deal with it. I agree with his observation that our defense officials see that as a clear and present danger to our country. We need to deal with it. I suggest respectfully to the gentleman that the offset does not accomplish that objective.
Tribute to Cameron Joost (Executive Calendar)
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-11-2

I have come to the floor today to honor one of the fiercest advocates for Illinois I have ever known: Cameron Joost. prgtoken I have had the privilege of working with Cameron for the past 7 years now, and over that time, she has been my State director, my campaign manager, my sounding board, and perhaps most importantly, my friend. prgtoken It is hard to find the words to express what Cam has meant to both my office and to me. She is an expert in everything from the nuanced politics of Illinois's smallest towns to the full range of Hill House Home nap dresses. She can tell you every detail of how the latest bill for a vote here in DC will affect Chicagoans, and she can plan the most frenetically perfect campaign RV tour that Illinois has ever seen, with 10 passengers on board ranging in age from 4 to 81 and lasting over 2 weeks. Most of all, she is our team's moral compass. prgtoken You know, all too often, when people think of American service, they only think of military service, but the truth is, service in this country isn't just limited to picking up a rifle to defend our democracy. American service also means picking up a soup spoon to feed the less fortunate, a hammer to rebuild a home destroyed by a wildfire, or, in a Cam's case, picking up a pen and notebook and going to work day after day, trying to better the lives of all those who call Illinois home. It means striving to ensure that they access the healthcare, education, SNAP benefits--you name it--that they deserve; pushing to help families recover from flooding on the Mississippi River; to help parents in Cairo get access to the safe, affordable housing their kids deserve; to help reunite Afghan refugees with their loved ones. She is ever-dedicated to serving others in every way she could. prgtoken Through it all, she has had one enduring trait: She is a problem- solver. I will never forget the first day I met her. President was flying back to Springfield to deliver a speech, and I was lucky enough to catch a ride on Air Force One with the President and a few other Members of the Illinois delegation. But one thing that I knew and my colleagues did not was that it was just a one-way ticket on Air Force One. They were not flying us back, which no one else except for myself realized. prgtoken So one by one, my colleagues came up to me in the Illinois State Senate chamber, and they asked if I knew that Air Force One wasn't going back to DC and did I know how I was going to get back to DC. ``Making the 2-hour drive to St. Louis for a commercial flight,'' I told them. One by one, my colleagues followed up with ``Oh. Well, in that case, can I catch a ride with you?'' Of course I said yes, but I wasn't the one in charge of logistics or the driving. My scheduler in DC quickly reached out to one of our brandnew staffers. It was actually this staffer's first day on the job, but she was based nearby, and she had a car, a Toyota Corolla