mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT OF 2022
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I thank my good friend, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the ranking member, for her eloquent defense of the unborn child and their mothers because there are two co-victims in every abortion: mother and baby. I thank her for her leadership. It is extraordinary. prgtoken Madam , according to the January 2022 Marist Poll, only 17 percent of Americans believe that ``abortion should be available to a woman any time she wants one during her entire pregnancy.'' prgtoken When Americans were asked in late June--June 28 to 29--in a Harvard/ Poll, a nationwide poll supervised by Mark Penn--and many of us know him; he is a very effective pollster--and the question was put: ``Do you think your State should allow abortions up to 9 months'' only 10 percent said ``yes.'' prgtoken H.R. 8296 would legally authorize and enable the violent death of unborn baby girls and boys by dismemberment, beheading, forced expulsion from the womb, deadly poisons, or other methods at any time and for any reason until birth. prgtoken Don't believe it? prgtoken Read section 4 of the bill. It couldn't be clearer. prgtoken This bill is far outside the American mainstream and goes far beyond Roe v. Wade. prgtoken As a matter of fact, when the Harvard/ Poll asked whether or not we should be doing what we are doing today in Congress, they found--and I was a little bit astonished by this--that less than one- third of voters--31 percent--say that abortion laws should be federally set by a congressional vote. prgtoken Let me point out to my colleagues because mention was made of this earlier in the debate. Let me be clear, abortion is not healthcare unless one construes the precious life of an unborn child to be analogous to a tumor to be excised or a disease to be vanquished. prgtoken This legislation constitutes an existential threat to unborn children. Since Roe v. Wade, approximately 63\1/2\ million babies have been killed by dismemberment, chemical poisoning, and beheading--a number that equates with the entire population of everyone living in the country of Italy. prgtoken If enacted, this bill would nullify almost every pro-life restriction ever enacted by the States, including parental involvement laws in 37 States and pain-capable unborn child protection laws in 19 States. prgtoken I remember when a woman from Virginia formed a group called Mothers Against Minors' Abortion. That mom found out about her daughter's abortion when she was hemorrhaging in her bed. She came and testified before Congress and said: Please, we need to know. We love our daughters. Parental notification laws do work. prgtoken Sadly, these will be nullified by this bill. prgtoken For decades abortion advocates have gone through extraordinary lengths to ignore, trivialize, or cover up the battered baby victim. But today, thanks to ultrasound, unborn babies are more visible than ever before. Today science informs us that birth is an event--albeit, an important one--but o
WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT OF 2022
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I rise in opposition to the abortion on demand until birth act. prgtoken This Supreme Court ruled each individual State can decide the rights for the unborn. This bill would override State laws to nationalize abortion for any reason at any stage of pregnancy up until birth. prgtoken This does not merely ban pre-viability restrictions on abortion, as supporters say that it does. This bill allows the person doing the abortion to decide what qualifies as pre-viability. This is unacceptable. prgtoken The majority of Americans do not support abortions with no limits. In fact, 80 percent of the Americans say abortions should be illegal in the third trimester. This is a radical bill, and I urge a ``no'' vote.
ENSURING ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT OF 2022
Russ Fulcher (Republican, ID) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I rise in opposition to the proposed Federal authorization of what amounts to be abortion on demand. prgtoken There are reasons the life issue is so polarizing. How we prioritize life, from before birth to the end of life, often defines our value systems. I believe life is the very character of God, that, indeed, we all have inalienable rights, the most important of which is the right to live. prgtoken I will close my comments by pointing out three relevant position statements my friends on the other side of the aisle struggle with. prgtoken All too often, they will support taking of life of the pre-born by abortion, but not taking of life of convicted murderers by capital punishment. prgtoken All too often, they will support the statement ``my body, my choice,'' but not when it comes to vaccines. prgtoken And all too often, they will support so-called reproductive health, but not if it is reproductive or healthy. prgtoken Debates and decisions like these belong to the people, not the Federal Government.
WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT OF 2022
Larry Bucshon (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in opposition to H.R. 8296. prgtoken First, I would like to say, as a physician, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle need to focus on what their bill really does. Stop talking about ectopic pregnancies, which are a surgical emergency; fetal demise, where, for unknown reasons, the fetus has passed away; and miscarriages, which, clearly, in many cases, are surgical emergencies and are tragic. That is not what this bill is about. prgtoken I have heard claims the bill only codifies provisions of the now- overturned Roe v. Wade decision. That is simply not true. H.R. 8296 would create a national standard to allow abortions at any time up until birth. prgtoken As a practicing heart surgeon for 15 years prior to coming to Congress, I operated on children in the neonatal intensive care unit as young as 23 weeks gestation. Even at 650 grams, or 1.4 pounds, and about 6 inches long, I saw life in my tiny patients' little bodies. prgtoken This abortion on demand until birth act bill doesn't only allow abortions at any point in the pregnancy. It would also preempt and repeal State laws that require informed consent, ultrasounds, or other testing and counseling before undertaking an elective abortion. prgtoken The American people deserve to know the facts about what is really in this bill. I find it troubling the supporters of this bill, most of whom have never taken care of a patient, continue to mislead the American people about what constitutes healthcare.
WAR IN UKRAINE
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I would like to address the current situation in Ukraine. prgtoken Obviously, everyday people in Ukraine and Russia are dying, and I am concerned that the current administration has no particular plan, or at least we are not told of any plan or goal, as to where we want to wind up. prgtoken Ukraine has the second lowest birthrate of any country in a country of that size in the world. It is lower than all but South Korea. Russia also has a very low birthrate. Even before the war, a lot of Russians were leaving Russia, at least subjectively from what I have seen when I toured the southern border of the United States. prgtoken The combination of immigration and low birthrate means that the primary goal of the leaders of both these countries should be to make sure we get the number of Russians and Ukrainians up, not going the opposite direction. prgtoken In any event, I do not know. We have not met collectively since March to have a briefing for all the legislators as to what the opinions of the administration are. So I am going to ask the press maybe to ask a few questions to find out whether they are working with anybody to try to reach some sort of end to this war or if they don't care if it goes on for another 6 months.
ENSURING ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT OF 2022
Robert B. Aderholt (Republican, AL) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I thank the chairwoman for the opportunity to come and talk about this legislation. prgtoken Madam , I rise in strong opposition. It has been noted this morning, the legislation that we are considering today doesn't just reverse the Supreme Court's recent ruling of Roe v. Wade, it goes much further. prgtoken My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have assembled this bundle of policies in an effort to undermine the enforcement of pro- life State laws. prgtoken As the whip just pointed out a little earlier, in combination with what is called the so-called Women's Health Protection Act, it seeks to undermine the will of the people, and places the U.S. on a short list with North Korea and China as countries with the most extreme abortion policies in the world. We don't want to be on a list with those two countries. prgtoken Instead of undermining State law, we should be enabling States that have chosen to extend the responsibility of protecting its citizens to also include the unborn. prgtoken The Alabama legislature enacted the Human Life Protection Act in 2019, reflecting the will of the citizens of the State. I cannot allow those voices to be silenced by radical Federal abortion bills. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to oppose this measure that we are voting on this morning, and all of the extreme measures yet to come attacking the most vulnerable among us.
ENSURING ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT OF 2022
Mayra Flores (Republican, TX) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I rise today to address my strong opposition to H.R. 8297, the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act. prgtoken Protecting the voiceless ought to be a top priority in this House and in every corner of this land. prgtoken As a mother of four beautiful and strong children, I find it hard to believe there are those who think defending life is optional, even to the last month of pregnancy. prgtoken H.R. 8297 is the opposite of what brought me to Congress, and it is the opposite of the values of the people of my district, Texas 34. prgtoken Let's be clear what this bill does: Undermines the ability of States to hold sexual abusers accountable, stops States from preventing abortion pill mills, and it gives human traffickers and abusers more direct access to chemical abortions in all 50 States. prgtoken Protecting life shouldn't be political. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 8297.
SAFEGUARDING WOMEN'S RIGHTS
Kathy E. Manning (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , in the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Justice Thomas wrote an alarming concurring opinion explicitly calling for the reconsideration of the constitutional right to contraception. prgtoken State lawmakers have attempted to restrict birth control for years, and this concurring opinion serves as a rallying call to escalate attacks on access to contraceptives. prgtoken I will not stand idly by and watch extreme politicians obstruct women's private healthcare choices and diminish reproductive freedom. Access to birth control is key to achieving gender equality, improving health outcomes for women, bolstering educational and economic opportunities for all, and ensuring people are in control of their family planning. prgtoken That is why this week I introduced the Right to Contraception Act. My bill would codify the right to access birth control into Federal law and put a stop to violations of Americans' right to this essential reproductive healthcare. prgtoken I urgently ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my legislation to protect birth control and safeguard women's right to make their decisions about their own bodies and futures.
ENSURING ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT OF 2022
Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I rise in support of the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. In the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, this legislation is necessary to ensure that those in States that have restricted abortion care can travel across State lines to seek the care they need and not be criminalized for doing so. prgtoken I am proud that women in my home State of Delaware still have access to abortion care and that we can serve as a safe haven for those from other States. prgtoken But the reality for far too many people across the country is that they live in States where access to reproductive care has been so severely restricted that it is unavailable. While the bills we are voting on today are necessary, we must also confront the realities of what overturning Roe means. prgtoken Now, my middle name is Blunt, so let me be clear about who is going to be hit the hardest: poor women, young women, women in rural areas, and women of color, people who may not have the ability to travel hundreds of miles to get the care they need. prgtoken Madam , I was 10 years old when the landmark case of Roe was decided. Half a century later, I am standing on the floor of the House of Representatives, standing in the gap for doctors and healthcare providers, so that they don't have to consult with a lawyer before they decide to give good care to their patients, standing for those who stood before us and fought for us to have this right for reproductive rights in the first place. I am standing for our young people so that our daughters and granddaughters don't need a health passport to travel from State to State or need to worry about being criminalized for seeking care. prgtoken Madam , I urge all Members of the House to support both the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act and the Women's Health Protection Act. The bottom line: There is no room for politicians in our wombs.
ENSURING ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT OF 2022
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I thank the gentlemen for yielding. prgtoken Madam , as the doctor has just said, this is an extraordinarily complex and difficult issue for all. prgtoken Madam , I rise in strong support of this bill and the Women's Health Protection Act that we are also considering today. prgtoken Three weeks ago today, the United States Supreme Court's unprecedented decision reversed nearly 50 years of established precedent overturning Roe v. Wade and paving the way for trigger laws across the country to criminalize access to abortion instantly. With this ruling, women in 2022 will now have fewer rights than their mothers or grandmothers and less control over their own bodies and their own healthcare. prgtoken Today, the House of Representatives is responding to protect the women of our country. Today, this House will vote to stand with women and affirm their freedom to make their own healthcare decisions. prgtoken It is not an easy decision, and it is not made lightly, but it ought to be free from interference from politicians. We must do everything, in my view, in our power to ensure that women are free to travel wherever they need in order to access reproductive care safely, legally, and without fear of punishment. prgtoken That is why I brought to the floor this bill, the Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. This legislation would prohibit States from preventing, impeding, or obstructing women from traveling to other States for reproductive care or retaliating against them for doing so. prgtoken Over a century and one-half ago it was legal to own people because of the color of their skin. They could escape, as Harriet Tubman did and as Frederick Douglass did, from their slavery on the Eastern Shore of our State and go to a so-called free State. But then, tragically, the Congress enacted a bill which allowed people to go and reimpose slavery on those folks. Let's none of us do the same. prgtoken This legislation would prohibit States from preventing, impeding, or obstructing women from traveling to other States for reproductive care where it is legal or retaliating against them for doing so. These draconian and authoritarian laws that States are talking about are going to criminalize behavior no matter whether it is legal in the State to which you went. prgtoken One of the first bills I voted on in 1967 when I first went to the State senate--at that point in time I was about 8 months out of law school--was to repeal the miscegenation statutes which said that a Black person could not marry a White person or a person of Japanese extraction or Chinese extraction. The Supreme Court held that unconstitutional. prgtoken It would be like saying: You can go to a State where that certainly is legal for an African American and a Caucasian to marry, but if you come back here, you are going to be a criminal. prgtoken That is draconian, authoritarian, and almost Communist-like. It is dictatorship that China tried
ENSURING ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT OF 2022
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I thank the chairman of our committee for his leadership. prgtoken I rise in strong support of this legislation. It is aptly named, Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. prgtoken I have listened to the debate so far on this bill, and I really find it hard to believe what I am hearing. I think the people of this country need to know, before we get to the reproductive freedoms, that the s are opposed to contraception. That is a fact around here. prgtoken Now, because of what the Supreme Court has unleashed with the Dobbs decision, we have a patchwork of States with different laws. Some States provide full healthcare for women; others don't. prgtoken Now, those living, as the author of this legislation stated, in Texas, they are fleeing Texas to go to other States; but those States want to stop women from traveling. That is what this is about. Stop women from traveling. What are they going to do? Put their Highway Patrol on the border to interview people to find out where they are going and why? This is extreme in terms of what these States want to do. prgtoken Today, the House, in its votes, makes it crystal clear to those States that they cannot take this freedom away. This bill establishes protections for women who travel for care and for healthcare professionals who provide that care. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support it.
FORMULA ACT
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I rise in support of this legislation to lower prices for families I represent in mid-Michigan, and I thank Chairman Blumenauer for his leadership on this very important issue. prgtoken Production of infant formula in this country isn't working properly. It is not getting to the shelves, and it is denying families what they need at the most important time in the development of the life of a child. After product recalls, corporate consolidations, and obviously pandemic-related supply chain issues, this is a real struggle for American families. prgtoken As parents raising three kids, my wife and I empathize with those anxious parents out there who are struggling to find formula for their newborn children. That is why Congress has to act to increase imports of formula until domestic production can get back to the point where we can supply our domestic needs with our own production capacity. prgtoken However, as has been said, some formula imports are still subject to really high tariffs, up to 27 percent, and there is no reason at this moment that American families who are struggling should have to pay that additional cost. They shouldn't have to pay more for something that is absolutely necessary for their children. prgtoken That is why we introduced this legislation, supported by s and , to suspend these formula import tariffs for the rest of the year and to lower costs for families with children. I really do urge my colleagues, all of us, to join. This is something we ought to be able to do together to immediately reduce prices prgtoken for families who have needs, for families with small children, to make sure that until we can get our domestic production back online, we can supply what we need at a cost that is affordable to those families that are simply trying to take care of their kids. That is our obligation. That is why we swore the oath to come here and do this work. We have the tools in our hands to get this done. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join us in this effort.
PREVENTING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Frank J. Mrvan (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I rise today to express my support for research activities to prevent child sexual abuse under the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. prgtoken Throughout my career, it has been a top priority of mine to protect the most vulnerable populations in our communities, including children impacted from sexual abuse. prgtoken For the second year in a row, I was proud to lead a letter to the House Appropriations Committee in support of these research activities. Thank you to all 30 Members who joined me in this initiative as well as the leaders of the Appropriations Committee for the increase in funding. prgtoken I appreciate the report language that recognizes the severe and often lifelong physical, cognitive, and emotional impact of child sexual abuse and the value of this research to increase the understanding of risk and factors that can improve prevention efforts. prgtoken Madam , I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure that all children can thrive in a safe and healthy environment.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF VINCENT RANGEL
Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , I rise today in celebration of the life of a friend and an outstanding Chicagoan, Vincent ``Vince'' Rangel. prgtoken Vince was an immigrant from Mexico who proudly chose to serve his country during the Vietnam war as a member of the U.S. Army, accumulating a long list of decorations, including a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and many more. prgtoken Vince later served in numerous veterans' organizations in Illinois, becoming a leading advocate for enhanced behavioral health services for veterans. prgtoken His service to our community included his work in support of small business as president of the Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois and as board member of the U.S.-Hispanic Chamber. prgtoken Vince never forgot his roots, serving as president of the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois, helping to promote Mexican history and culture. prgtoken My wife, Evelyn, and I send his daughters, Veronica and Jennifer, and his beloved grandchildren, Juan Diego and Victoria, our most sincere condolences.
ABORTION RIGHTS MUST BE CODIFIED
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-7-15

. Madam , 1973 Roe is decided. From that day forward, s have been desperate to overturn it. Twenty-one days ago, a rightwing majority on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. prgtoken Make no mistake, these rightwing extremists are not pro-life, but pro-controlling the bodies of women, girls, and anyone who can become pregnant. prgtoken Abortion is now illegal in 16 States, and anti-abortion legislators are following suit, threatening to make abortion inaccessible for roughly 33 million women across America. And they are not done. s have been clear they will not stop until abortion is banned nationwide. prgtoken Later today, the House will pass an updated version of the Women's Health Protection Act, which would establish a Federal statutory right to abortion. The Senate must follow suit and abolish the filibuster, and we must secure pro-choice majorities in the House and Senate. Our lives depend upon it.