mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Arati Prabhakar (Executive Calendar)
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-9-21

I rise today to support the nomination of Dr. Arati Prabhakar to be the Director of the Office of Science and Technology. Since 1976, the Office of Science and Technology Policy has worked to ensure that the United States leads in science and technology, to promote STEM education, and to make sure that our science Agencies share the common purpose of benefiting all Americans. prgtoken Dr. Prabhakar is very well qualified for this job. As an engineer, physicist, leader, venture capitalist, and pioneer, she has had a trailblazing career, accomplishing a lot in a time period where she was Director of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, DARPA, and the first woman to lead the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST. prgtoken And under Dr. Prabhakar's leadership, DARPA kick-started the development of a rapid-response mRNA vaccine platform. This platform was the basis for the fast, safe, and effective COVID-19 development. prgtoken Under her leadership at NIST, she worked to expand the Manufacturing Extension Partnership to boost the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized American manufacturers. prgtoken Just last year, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program helped our domestic manufacturers capture $3.9 billion in new sales. In my State alone, that translated into over $186 million and more than 2,000 jobs created or retained. prgtoken Perhaps even more impressive, back in the 1990s, when Dr. Prabhakar was just in her twenties, she helped launch DARPA programs that made essential leaps forward in semiconductor manufacturing technology. Dr. Prabhakar's programs laid the groundwork for five generations of chip manufacturing technologies to help demonstrate leadership right here in the United States. prgtoken Dr. Prabhakar is now ready to lead again, and now we are asking for her to lead this important Agency. We have just passed the CHIPS and Science Act, which is a renewed commitment to domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing and U.S. leadership in the next generation chip technology. prgtoken Dr. Prabhakar has the exact experience we need to advise the President on semiconductor manufacturing, on bringing the supply chain and security that we need here in the United States, and on continued growth in science and technology jobs that come along with it. prgtoken The CHIPS and Science Act directs the National Science Foundation to invest in translational research, including through a new NSF tech directorate. prgtoken Before her nomination, Dr. Prabhakar was an important voice in support of this effort of a tech directorate, reaching out to House and Senate colleagues and helping to shape the directorate in its focus on big national and security challenges. prgtoken And the CHIPS and Science Act reflects our commitment to diversity in science, to make sure that the engineering, math, and STEM fields are included and that we continue to grow a workforce that is n
PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-9-21

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate September as Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD, Awareness Month. prgtoken PAD is a disease of the arteries that can cause blockages in the arms and legs, and it could lead to limb amputations. There are more than 160,000 PAD patients who lose limbs to this disease every year. African Americans are three times more likely to have a limb amputated than other Americans. That is because these patients are less likely to receive proper screenings and treatment for PAD. prgtoken That is why I created the Congressional PAD Caucus and serve as its co-chairman. I wanted to create awareness of this disease in Congress so we can provide resources for better screenings and treatments. Once we do that, we can save limbs and lives every year.
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOVER ADULT LEARNING CENTER
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-9-21

I come to the floor to recognize the Dover Adult Learning Center--DALC--on its 50th anniversary. For five decades, the hard-working team at the DALC has supported thousands of adult learners in their quest to reinforce their learning skills and improve their lives through high-quality adult education. I join a grateful community in saluting them for the indispensable service they provide not only to each participant, but also to local partners and businesses who benefit from an educated and engaged workforce. prgtoken We all know that an education is the key to unlocking so many doors of opportunity. These doors could lead to a fulfilling new job, a hard- earned promotion at a current place of work, or additional education and training at a community college. No matter the destination, the Dover Adult Learning Center works closely with community members throughout their educational journey to identify personal goals and provide tailored instruction that guides them toward their full potential. The center offers an inviting atmosphere where students of all types--including people with disabilities, people who are homeless or unemployed, teens who might otherwise drop out of high school or immigrants learning English--feel comfortable honing their reading, writing, math, and digital literacy skills. At the Dover Adult Learning Center, a high-quality adult education is always within reach. prgtoken Each June, the Dover Adult Learning Center holds a graduation ceremony where participants are able to celebrate the successful completion of their program alongside family, friends, center staff, and volunteer tutors. It is a time to reflect on a period of personal growth and achievement. It is also a chance to look forward with hope. For many graduates, an exciting future with new possibilities is only just beginning. Through their experience at the Dover Adult Learning Center, they are given the tools to venture into this new world with an open mind and a lifelong appreciation for learning. prgtoken As a former teacher at the Dover Adult Learning Center, I know from personal experience how hard the center works to provide these programs and accommodate each participant through a variety of learning options, flexible schedules, and access to supportive services like childcare. Its staff and educators are creative in connecting and engaging with each student, and they are always there to offer support and guidance. We should take a moment to thank all of the teachers, staff, and volunteers for the skill, dedication, and passion that they bring to their roles at the center each and every day. prgtoken On behalf of the people of New Hampshire, I ask my colleagues and all Americans to join me in congratulating the Dover Adult Learning Center on five decades of service and wishing its team all the best as they continue their important work in the coming years.
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY, 2022
Stacey E. Plaskett (Democrat, VI) \u2014 2022-9-21

I rise today to highlight the disparities that exist for Black women due to the double-pronged existence of institutional racism and misogyny in our country. Black women bear the unique burden of experiencing both gender and racial discrimination. We have seen this in health, wealth, education, and work among all socioeconomic, geographic, and age groups. prgtoken Black women earn 58 cents to the dollar of a White man--the same job, the same position--58 cents to the dollar. Their earning gap is even more severe for mothers, with Black mothers only earning 46 cents for every dollar a White, non-Hispanic father earned nationally. prgtoken It is imperative that we demand pay equity for Black women. So today, I stand with all of my sisters and demand and implore my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support Black Women's Equal Pay Day.
MOURNING THE LOSS OF BEN AND MAX MORRISSEY
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2022-9-21

. Madam , I rise today with deep sadness to pay tribute to two highly-skilled U.S. Steel workers, brothers, Ben and Max Morrissey, who tragically lost their lives at the British Petroleum Refinery in my hometown. Yesterday, while on the job at the BP Husky plant in Oregon, Ohio, their lives were cut short in a horrific explosion. prgtoken Responsible citizens, husbands, and fathers who performed America's essential work that drives progress and our American way of life forward, these brave men will never again return home to their dear families. They leave behind very young children who will come to understand the gravity of their fathers' loss. prgtoken My heart goes out to their precious families and with their brothers and sisters in the United Steelworkers Local 1-346 who lost two beloved friends. prgtoken In our grief, we also extend our deep gratitude to the brave first responders who rushed to the scene, provided aid, and helped keep our community safe. prgtoken Today is a heartbreaking day for the people of northwest Ohio. We have flown flags in honor of Ben and Max Morrissey high above the U.S. Capitol today. We lift up the memory of them to their loved ones in our hearts, and we pray that they may find solace and comfort in the memories that they will always have of their treasured husbands, fathers, and sons, and that together they may heal. prgtoken May God be with them all.
Inflation (Executive Session)
Mike Braun (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-9-21

reserving the right object, I am glad the Supreme Court has returned the issue of life back to the people's elected representatives, where it should have stayed 49 years ago. prgtoken This legislation denies State representatives the right to make laws protecting life. This bill is an attempt to undermine State laws that protect life by allowing abortions for anyone who crosses State lines and is not a resident of the State. prgtoken Moreover, it gives the Department of Justice $40 million in grant funding to help people sue States--to help people sue States--that enact policies to protect life. The Department of Health and Human Services is given another $40 million in funding for any eligible center at Secretary Becerra's discretion. This funding is not protected by the Hyde amendment, and most likely, we are going to borrow every penny of it, like we do for most things in this place. We should not spend $80 million to undermine State laws on life or impose a legislative backdoor for abortion-on-demand across our Nation. prgtoken For these reasons, I oppose this bill, and I do object.
AMENDMENT TO MONTREAL PROTOCOL (``KIGALI AMENDMENT'')--Continued
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2022-9-21

China is not a developing nation. China is the world's second largest economy. China is the world's largest manufacturer, and China is the world's No. 1 creditor. Yet this body, the U.S. Senate, is poised to ratify a treaty that ignores those facts and treats China with kid gloves. Simply put, the Kigali Amendment places America at a competitive disadvantage, using American taxpayer dollars to subsidize Chinese companies. prgtoken The Kigali Amendment restricts supplies of compounds called hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs, which are refrigerants used in most air- conditioning and refrigeration systems. The rationale is that HFCs leaking out of equipment and into the atmosphere add to climate change. However, even the EPA admits that HFCs contribute only five one- hundreths of 1 degree Celsius to projected increases in global temperature. prgtoken As a developing nation, designated as such under the Kigali Amendment, China is eligible to receive funding from the $4.5 billion Multilateral Fund, of which the United States is, not surprisingly, the largest contributor. prgtoken If this treaty is ratified, the United States will be required under the treaty to meet strict deadlines for phasing out HFCs, while China is given an additional 10-year timeline to come into compliance with the same standards. It is doubtful, given its track record, that China has any intention of actually meeting its environmental obligations under this treaty. prgtoken Treating China as a developing country gives it an unfair advantage in the existing HFC market and allows China to continue production, allowing that country to continue to undercut the HFC market well into the 2040s. As the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China has a long history of disrespecting and disregarding environmental standards and has continually increased its emissions and investments in coal-fired powerplants since the 2015 Paris climate agreement. prgtoken Under this treaty, Chinese-based HFC producers will get the largest share of the controlled market in future supplies needed to keep existing cooling systems running. As it has done under past environmental treaties, China will continue to produce supplies that are not allowed under the updated environmental standards. prgtoken This is part of a conspicuous trend on China's part. China wants to get ahead by playing by a different set of rules than the rest of the world--and certainly a different set of rules than the United States has to live under. We know China ignores the rules and has little respect, if any, for international norms, and yet we continue to allow China to dominate markets with the financial support of American taxpayer dollars. prgtoken This is a point where it just goes too far. We can't give them that. They haven't earned that. There is nothing about their behavior to suggest that they deserve this treatment. We shouldn't give it to them here. prgtoken To that end, la
HONORING BRIGADIER GENERAL THOMAS CAUTHEN
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2022-9-21

I rise to honor Brigadier General Thomas Cauthen, an American patriot who served 38 years in the Tennessee Air National Guard. prgtoken He was inspired as a child by watching his dad's career as a pilot in the Tennessee Air National Guard's 134th Fighter-Interceptor Group, which later became the 134th Air Refueling Wing. prgtoken In 1984, General Cauthen followed in his dad's footsteps and started his commission right after getting his bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee. prgtoken After getting his pilot training, he flew combat support missions during Operation Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Joint Forge, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, and Noble Eagle. He eventually went to the 134th Air Refueling Wing and ended up serving as its commander for 7 years. He then became the director of staff at the Joint Force Headquarters Tennessee and then chief of staff for the entire Tennessee Air National Guard. prgtoken , last month, he retired after 38 long years of faithfully serving his country. He plans to spend more time with his wonderful wife, Penny, their two kids, and their grandchild. He also plans to get more involved with the community by volunteering with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and get more involved with the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council. prgtoken , it is my honor to recognize Brigadier General Thomas Cauthen as Tennessee's Second District's September 2022 Veteran of the Month. I thank him for his incredible service and congratulate him on a well-earned retirement. prgtoken Congratulating Ethan and Ari Klasky Powerlifting Champions in East Tennessee
CRISIS AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2022-9-21

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Texas for the time and for bringing up what we know is wrong, what we clearly know is wrong. prgtoken Our finest and the absolute healthiest population, by the way, in the prgtoken United States of America is in the military. We are down to less than half a percent of Americans who even serve in uniform. And recruiters, even before the pandemic, were telling us they were concerned about what they were looking forward to because the population really just couldn't meet the recruiting goals because people were either criminals, overweight, or what have you. prgtoken So we already have a problem, and then you get this vaccine mandate. It is experimental, and they force the best of the best to leave the service. Meanwhile, we can't defend ourselves. China is on the rise, Madam , you have got Russia threatening nuclear war, and the President declares the pandemic over while we are kicking our finest people, people who said: Put me on the front line, I will sign the blank check and give everything, including my life, in defense of our country. prgtoken And we say, no, thank you. Unless you get this jab and bend the knee--and bend the knee--your service here is not wanted.
AMENDMENT TO MONTREAL PROTOCOL (``KIGALI AMENDMENT'')--Continued
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2022-9-21

I come to the floor today to talk about the economic crisis that the American people are facing every day. prgtoken Last week, threw a big party at the White House; even Hollywood celebrities flew in to celebrate. If you take a look at what was going on, on the split-screen television all across the country, they saw celebrating and the stock market collapsing; people's savings, retirements evaporating; dancing. prgtoken It was the worst day on Wall Street since the pandemic, and by the time the party at the White House was over, $1.6 trillion was erased from the value of those who hold American stocks. prgtoken So why did this happen? The reason that this happened was because just hours earlier the world found out that inflation in America went up once again. prgtoken Prices people have to pay for things are up more than 13 percent since the day took office. Costs which economists predicted would go down last month, actually went up instead. prgtoken Well, the economists made a prediction, but the American people know what they are facing every day when they go to the grocery store, pay their rent, pay their energy bills, try to buy back-to-school supplies for their kids. prgtoken Inflation is now going up after the passed a reckless tax- and-spending bill. This is nothing to celebrate even though they were down at the White House celebrating. The American people aren't celebrating; they are suffering. They are suffering the worst inflation in over 40 years. prgtoken Prices have risen faster than wages for 17 consecutive months--17 months in a row, prices rising faster than wages. With each passing month, the American people can afford less and less. Now people have cut into their savings, borrowed money, just to get by. prgtoken Credit card debt is climbing. Reports across the Nation are more and more people are buying on layaway. People on fixed incomes cannot keep up; they are falling further behind. And it is no wonder then that many seniors are delaying their retirements. prgtoken Rising costs are hitting our troops. Right now, our troops are watching their paychecks disappear, melt away. According to a recent report, the Army is now recommending our troops sign up for food stamps. prgtoken The U.S. Army--can you imagine such a thing?--is recommending troops sign up for food stamps. After the deadly and disgraceful evacuation of Afghanistan, people knew had very little respect for our men and women in uniform. What we are seeing today is a national failure by and the . Our heroes in uniform should not have to rely on welfare in order for them to serve the Nation. prgtoken Our soldiers should not have to find themselves in a battle against 's inflation. prgtoken Now, the U.S. Senate still hasn't passed a defense bill this year. We are waiting to go. Senator Schumer says, well, we will do that next month.
REMEMBERING SCOTT KEITH
Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican, WY) \u2014 2022-9-21

today I have the distinct honor of welcoming Scott Keith to the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame in the class of 2022. While Scott sadly passed away in 2020, I know he would be pleased that so many people he worked with over the years have honored him with this remarkable posthumous recognition. prgtoken Being inducted into the hall of fame is truly one of the highest achievements anyone can meet. It means your peers and colleagues believe you are among the best of the best, you have made the industry better, and during your lifetime, you have set an example for those who wish to follow in your footsteps. prgtoken Scott was introduced to the world of agriculture at an early age, having been born in Buffalo and raised on a ranch near Kaycee. It did not take long for him to learn to love and appreciate agriculture in Wyoming and realize that, when he grew up, that is what he wanted to do with his life. In order to help facilitate that dream, Scott enrolled at Casper College and eventually the University of Wyoming, where he earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture business. prgtoken Eventually, Scott and his new bride, Brenda, decided to move to Casper to settle down and raise a family. While in Casper, not only did Scott spend time fostering further relationships in the agriculture industry through his work as a loan officer with the Production Credit Association and First Interstate Bank in Casper, he also made sure to leave his mark on the community through numerous volunteer projects in Casper. Scott had served on the Casper Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee, as well as on the Natrona County Conservation District. He was also a very passionate supporter of the Kelly Walsh High School football team and the Casper Swim Club, where he could be found behind the grill at football games and on the pool deck during swim meets. Needless to say, he loved his family and enjoyed supporting his local community any way he could. prgtoken In 2002, Scott joined the Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division as the forage and co-op development program specialist, which eventually led to a promotion to be the livestock and forage program manager. In that role, Scott was instrumental in promoting the Wyoming hay and forage industry across the United States and abroad. Scott also played a significant role in creating numerous associations related to the promotion of Wyoming Agriculture through the Wyoming Hay and Forage Association and the Future Cattle Producers of Wyoming. His work with the Wyoming Hay and Forage Association led Wyoming hay producers to victory at the World Forage Analysis Superbowl in Madison, WI--twice. I know there are many members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who have no Super Bowl wins, but Scott was able to claim being a two-time winner of the World Forage Analysis Superbowl. prgtoken Scott also took an interest in teaching and promoting agriculture to youth in Wyoming. Being a
THE PANDEMIC IS OVER
Lisa C. McClain (Republican, MI) \u2014 2022-9-21

I rise today to reiterate an important statement made by our President: The pandemic is over. prgtoken This weekend on ``60 Minutes,'' President finally said what most Americans have known for months: We are no longer in the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken So if the President just admitted it, that means the national emergency is over, correct? prgtoken If that is the case, then why did the President just tell the country that the pandemic is so bad that we should forgive billions of dollars of student debt, or that it is because of the ongoing pandemic that we must continue to enforce a vaccine mandate on our Nation's military? prgtoken I will tell you why--it is because it was never about the pandemic. It was about the President bypassing Congress and the Constitution to push his radical socialist agenda. prgtoken , President himself has said the pandemic is over. It is past time that we strip him of his emergency powers and end the vaccine mandates and reject all COVID-related funding requests.