mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONFIRMATION OF JENNIFER L. HALL
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-10-17

today, the Senate voted to confirm U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Hall to the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. prgtoken Judge Hall's significant courtroom experience--as both a litigator and as a jurist--will make her an excellent addition to the bench. She received her B.A. from the University of Minnesota, her M. Phil and Ph.D. from Yale University, and her J.D magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Judge Hall clerked on the Federal Circuit and the Third Circuit before beginning her legal career in private practice, working on patent infringement and complex contract disputes. In 2011, Judge Hall became an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware, rising to chief of the civil division in 2015. As a prosecutor, she handled a wide range of criminal and civil matters. In 2019, Judge Hall was selected to serve as a magistrate judge in the District of Delaware. Since joining the bench, she has presided over four cases that have gone to verdict or judgment. prgtoken Judge Hall has strong support from her home State Senators, Mr. Carper and Mr. Coons. In addition, she was unanimously rated ``well qualified'' by the American Bar Association. prgtoken I strongly support the nomination of Judge Hall, and I am glad to see her confirmed on a broad bipartisan basis. (At the request of Mr. Schumer, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.)
TRIBUTE TO ERIN CAMPBELL
Jon Ossoff (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2023-10-17

I rise to commend a champion of Georgia's families. In October 2015, Erin Campbell valiantly founded the Athens Area Diaper Bank with a mission to help families in need. Since then, her work has helped countless families access some of the most basic, yet vital, supplies a newborn and their families need. Working with partner nonprofits, agencies, and organizations in their six-county service area, Ms. Campbell and the Athens Area Diaper Bank work to collect donations and distribute diapers and other supplies to those in need. prgtoken In 2022, the Athens Area Diaper Bank celebrated its 1 millionth diaper distributed, an incredible feat. Working closely with Ms. Campbell and the Athens Area Diaper Bank team, I brought s and together to deliver new funding for the Athens Area Diaper Bank and their partner organization, Helping Mamas, enabling them to serve more rural communities in the Athens-Clarke County Area. prgtoken As Georgia's U.S. Senator, I commend Erin Campbell for her inspirational service to the Athens area and thank her and the entire Athens Area Diaper Bank team for their work.
Nomination of Jennifer L. Hall (Executive Session)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2023-10-17

I rise today to voice my support for Jennifer Hall's nomination to serve as the next U.S. district court judge for Delaware. prgtoken Before I describe what makes Jennifer Hall particularly well suited for the role, let me just take a moment, if I can, to describe our approach to filling court vacancies in the First State. prgtoken For over a decade, my colleague--my wingman, if you will--from Delaware, Senator Chris Coons, and I have relied on a collaborative process for putting forward U.S. district court recommendations to the White House, regardless of who is in the White House. With the help of a judicial nominating commission, Senator Coons and I have worked to identify some of those qualified individuals in Delaware in order to recommend them to the President, regardless of political party. The process serves Delaware well, it serves our Nation well, and it has yielded yet another extraordinary nominee before us today. prgtoken As I often say, justice delayed is justice denied. Justice delayed is justice denied. It is critical that we act swiftly to confirm Jennifer Hall to Delaware's U.S. district court. It is one of the busiest if not, maybe, the busiest district court in the Nation. prgtoken I also want to take a moment to thank Judge Rich Andrews for his service to this court and also to our State and to our Nation. I know that when he takes senior status at the end of this year, Jennifer Hall will be well prepared to help take on an enormous workload before the court. prgtoken I would like to share just a little bit more, if I could, about her with our colleagues today. Jennifer grew up in Minnesota and is a proud graduate of the University of Minnesota--home of those Golden Gophers-- where she earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry. She then made her way to Yale, where she met her husband Dave and earned not one but two degrees--a master's and a Ph.D. in both molecular physics and biochemistry. But apparently three degrees weren't enough, so she continued her studies at the University of Pennsylvania's Law School, where she graduated magna cum laude and immediately began a successful legal career. prgtoken In the years that followed, she had the distinction of clerking for two Federal judges appointed by President . prgtoken Jennifer went on to work at Fish & Richardson, a Wilmington, DE, law firm, where she focused on patent law and other complex business issues. prgtoken After 3 years in private practice, she felt called to serve the people of Delaware and of America. She spent the next 8 years at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Delaware. Then, in 2019, Jennifer was selected to serve as a magistrate judge at the U.S. district court for Delaware--the same court to which she has now been nominated to serve as a Federal judge. prgtoken The last 4 years have given her some of the best preparation and on- the-job training that anyone could ask for. Magistrate Judge Hall has
HONORING THE 2023 WOMEN OF THE YEAR: VELMA WILSON
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-10-17

. Pro Tempore, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Velma Wilson as she is honored as one of California's 8th Congressional District's Women of the Year. prgtoken Velma is a dedicated parent and passionate community member who finds every opportunity to help others. Velma currently serves as Executive Vice President of the District Parent Teacher Association for Contra Costa, engaging with parents, teachers, and community members to promote the wellbeing of schoolchildren. For her efforts, Velma was awarded the prestigious National President Award. Velma also serves as Parent Liaison for Antioch Unified School District, ensuring prgtoken parents are informed and involved in their children's education. In addition, Velma is Director of the Delta Veterans Group and holds executive positions at the Celebrate Antioch Foundation and Antioch School Education Foundation. Her variety of volunteer pursuits demonstrates her dedication to providing resources to all parts of our community. Velma gives generously of her knowledge, expertise, and time to help others. prgtoken On behalf of the people of California's 8th Congressional District, it is my pleasure to honor and recognize Velma Wilson for her positive contributions to our community.
ELECTION OF SPEAKER
Pete Aguilar (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-10-17

. pro tempore, with great respect for this institution, as chairman of the ic Caucus, I am directed by the vote of that Caucus to present for election to the office of the of the House of Representatives the name of the Honorable Hakeem Jeffries, the pride of Crown Heights, a Representative from the State of New York. prgtoken pro tempore, this is not the history we wanted to make here in the House. It is something that none of us imagined when we were sworn into this office. prgtoken We are here because the House has been thrown into chaos. We are here because this hallowed Chamber has been led to a breaking point by two dangerous forces: extremism and partisanship. prgtoken The American people placed their faith in us to tackle their most pressing issues: lowering costs, growing the middle class, and standing up to those set on delivering a national abortion ban. prgtoken The choice before us is simple: Come together on a bipartisan path forward or take us over the cliff. Abandon the extremism that is preventing us from getting things done or triple down on division and dysfunction. prgtoken A vote today to make the architect of a nationwide abortion ban, a vocal election denier, and an insurrection insider of this House would be a terrible message to the country and our allies. prgtoken pro tempore, it would send an even more troubling message to our enemies that the very people who would seek to undermine democracy are rewarded with positions of immense power. prgtoken We are talking about someone who has spent his entire career trying to hold our country back, putting our national security in danger, attempting government shutdown after government shutdown, wasting taxpayer dollars on baseless investigations with dead ends, authoring the very bill that would ban abortion nationwide without exceptions, and inciting violence on this Chamber. Even leaders of his own prgtoken party have called him a legislative terrorist. He once said, ``I didn't come to Congress to make more laws.'' His words speak for themselves. prgtoken When New Yorkers recovering from Hurricane Sandy needed Congress to act, he said no. prgtoken When wildfires ravaged the West, destroying homes and businesses, and those residents needed disaster assistance, he said no. prgtoken When the Mississippi River floods devastated the South and communities across State lines needed Congress to act, he said no. prgtoken When our veterans were suffering from disease and dying as a result of their service to our country and Congress passed a bipartisan solution, he said no. prgtoken When our ally in Ukraine looked to Congress for additional support to help defeat Putin, he said no. prgtoken Just before Hamas' brutal terrorist attack on Israel, he said no to fully funding military aid for our ally. prgtoken This body is debating elevating a nominee who has not passed a single bill in 16 years. These are not the actions of someone interested in gov
CELEBRATING BCI SOLUTIONS, INC. INDUCTION INTO THE INDIANA MANUFACTURERS HALL OF FAME
Rudy Yakym III (Republican, IN) \u2014 2023-10-17

. Pro Tempore, I am proud to recognize and congratulate BCI Solutions, Inc. in Bremen, Indiana on being inducted into the Indiana Manufacturers Hall of Fame this month. prgtoken I often say that Hoosier manufacturing is second to none, and I am proud to represent the Manufacturing Capital of the World here in Indiana's Second District. The professional, high-quality work that BCI has done for more than 80 years has played a meaningful role in allowing our District to have and maintain that distinction. prgtoken Founded in 1939 as Bremen Gray Iron Foundry, BCI has grown into a renowned name and a leading provider of castings, machining, and complex assemblies. Because of their continuous commitment to improving and investing in advancing technologies, BCI is on the forefront of providing products to the defense, agricultural, healthcare, lawn and garden and automotive industries, among others. prgtoken Additionally, BCI's example as a successful family-owned business now operating in their fifth generation is an inspiration to those looking to start their own companies, as well as a source of pride for many Hoosiers. prgtoken Congratulations again to BCI Solutions, Inc. on being recognized for this impressive distinction. I join Hoosiers in thanking them for their many contributions to Marshall County and communities throughout the Second District. I wish them continued success and many more years in business and accolades to celebrate going forward.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 2210 (Executive Calendar)
Bill Hagerty (Republican, TN) \u2014 2023-10-17

. In the aftermath of the barbaric massacre committed by Iran-backed terrorist organization Hamas, there has been significant attention given in the U.S. Senate to the $6 billion the administration unfroze as part of a ransom deal with Iran. This is understandable. Because money is fungible, the combination of waivers and nonenforcement of sanctions has enabled Iran to spend billions of dollars bankrolling terrorists, including Hamas. prgtoken The $6 billion was just the latest installment of an enormous windfall the Iranian regime has enjoyed ever since took office. But not enough attention has been paid to the way Congress has willingly abdicated its responsibility and allowed the executive branch to get away with a reckless policy of appeasement toward Iran. prgtoken According to many recent news reports this year, the administration was negotiating an unwritten agreement with Iran in which the United States would relieve billions of dollars of sanctions on Iran in return for a number of Iranian promises. prgtoken One of the architects of this strategy of pursuing an informal and unwritten agreement with Iran as part of a broader strategy of appeasing the Iranians was none other than Rob Malley. Rob Malley was placed on unpaid leave by the State Department in June. He has had his security clearance suspended amid a probe into the possibility that he mishandled classified material. The results have been catastrophic. Iran has received tens of billions of dollars in revenue it would not have received had sanctions been properly enforced. prgtoken Iran has continued to obstruct nuclear inspection efforts, and its proxies have continued engaging in terrorism across the region, most recently and most tragically in Israel. prgtoken Furthermore, rewarding hostage-taking by paying $6 billion for the potential release of five American hostages, as the administration recently did, is just one element of this unwritten agreement. It only incentivizes more hostage-taking of U.S. citizens abroad, both by Iran and by other adversaries. prgtoken To that point, as of now, it appears that Iran-backed Hamas is holding 13 American citizens hostage in Gaza. Let me be clear. I believe the administration's Iran policies are deeply misguided and threaten the security of Americans and of our partners and allies in the Middle East. prgtoken But I am not here today to debate the pros and cons of resurrecting the Iran deal or any specific agreement the administration has made with Iran. The massacre in Israel last week should have settled that debate; though I suspect we will likely continue to have that debate in the months ahead. Rather, I am here today to argue for preserving the role of Congress amid concern that the administration has continuously refused to enforce sanctions as part of a gradually unfolding agreement with Iran and is doing so in such a manner that is designed to circ
Israel (Executive Calendar)
Jerry Moran (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-10-17

last week, in Kansas, I met with Kansans at the Jewish Community Center. It is in Overland Park, and it serves our State and the parts of Missouri in the Kansas City region. I heard from leaders from those communities. They were saddened, of course, and outraged at the barbaric terrorist attacks against Israel. I join them in that outrage, and I pray for a justice that comes that those who are being held captive are released. prgtoken It has been 10 days since the world saw the images of carnage that Hamas has wrought against innocent men and women and children in Israel. The images depict crimes that are brutal and heinous and cause decent human beings to look away in disgust and horror. But we cannot look away. We cannot look away. We cannot ignore what happened. Hamas targeted elderly Israeli citizens waiting at bus stops, young children and infants at home and in daycare, and a crowd of defenseless young people at a music festival, among many, many others. prgtoken As we continue to take stock of the impact of what transpired last week, it is important to note that more Jews were murdered on October 7 than on any single day since the Holocaust, and among the 1,400 dead are at least 30 American citizens, as well as others from around the world. prgtoken While security has seemingly been reestablished in southern Israel, the ideology which provided the rationale for the attack is still espoused by many and is celebrated by many more, a fact made apparent in the demonstrations in capital cities and on university campuses in the days since the attack. prgtoken Americans of both political parties have shown moral outrage at similar acts of barbarity in the past. The appropriate responses to terrorism are grief, followed by resolve--grief over the inhumanity of the terrorists and the tragedy of their crimes, and resolve to protect innocent Israelis from further harm and achieve justice for the families and the entire Nation. prgtoken Israel's right to defend itself is not open to debate, nor is its right to exist. America will stand with Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East. We must not delay in approving any supplemental request that makes certain Israel has what it needs to defend itself against terrorism. prgtoken We must help deter other enemies who may use this opportunity to escalate the war against Israel. Hezbollah, entrenched in Lebanon, to Israel's north, will find no safe harbor if it attempts to intervene. And Iran's leaders must know the fury of the United States awaits--the fury of the world, I hope--if they become directly involved. prgtoken Iran's complicity in the recent violence and suffering around the Middle East has to be undeniable. For years, tens of millions of dollars and weapons and other support flowed to Hamas from Iran. Iran's close alignment with Hezbollah puts Israel at risk of an arsenal of 150,000 advanced missiles, and Syria's Bashar al-Assad has brutally
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLORIDA HOUSE ON CAPITOL HILL
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-10-17

the Florida legislative act establishing Florida House on Capitol Hill was approved by Governor Ruben Askew on March 30, 1972. Rhea Chiles, wife of Senator and Governor Lawton Chiles, worked tirelessly with like-minded citizens from across the State, to purchase, renovate, and open a place for Floridians to gather while in our Nation's Capital. The Florida House on Capitol Hill is Florida's embassy in Washington, DC, that connects, celebrates, and champions Florida to the world and has been a home away from home for hundreds of thousands of Floridians over the past 50 years. prgtoken The Florida House welcomes congressional leaders, students, teachers, visitors on vacation, and Floridians living and working in our Nation's Capital. Men and women conducting business in Washington, DC, gather at Florida House to grow Florida's economy and influence around the world. The intern program for college students has afforded hundreds of young men and women the opportunity to learn more about the Federal Government and help prepare them for meaningful careers. prgtoken Due to the endless dedication of the Florida House Staff, trustees, and generous contributors, the Florida House has been able to remain an intricate part of Washington, DC, hosting over 10,000 visitors per year. The Florida House operates with the generosity of Floridians, without State tax dollars, and belongs to the people of Florida and remains a place where all Floridians will find comfort, kindness, and a cold glass of Florida orange juice in their ``home away from home.'' prgtoken The 50th anniversary of Florida House on Capitol Hill will be celebrated on October 26, 2023. We, Members of the U.S. Senate, recognize the ongoing service of Florida House on Capitol Hill to the citizens of Florida for 50 years.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 3041 (Executive Calendar)
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2023-10-17

I just want to respond briefly to my friend from Vermont, and he is my friend from Vermont. I don't mean that in the way that Senators usually say that when they say ``friend from another State'' but they are not actually friends and they oftentimes can't stand each other. He is my friend from Vermont, and he has been so since we served together in the House some time ago. prgtoken First, I will note, as I said, that nine ic Senators have joined my call to freeze this money. Those would be Senator Rosen, Senator Manchin, Senator Baldwin, Senator Casey, Senator Sinema, Senator Cortez Masto, Senator Brown, Senator Kelly, and Senator Tester. prgtoken I will observe from that list that seven of those nine are up for reelection in difficult campaigns next year, unlike my friend from Vermont, who just won his election in one of the most ic States in the country. So I wonder why these seven ic Senators who are at risk on the campaign trail next year weren't willing to join my bill. We offered them all an opportunity to join the bill, but it was radio silence. Could it be that they want to say one thing on the campaign trail and do another thing here in the Senate? prgtoken A few points that the Senator from Vermont made--that this was a tough decision to free hostages and that we have to keep our word. It is always tough decisions when we face hostage situations overseas; however, paying $6 billion for five American hostages--$1.2 billion per hostage--simply encourages more hostage taking. We saw this the last time we paid ransom to Iran under the administration. They immediately took more of the hostages whom we just freed by paying ransom. Just to note, just a few weeks after we paid that ransom, Hamas perpetrated this attack and took over 200 hostages. Maybe they took a lesson from what President did with the hostages held by Iran. prgtoken Really, we can't be so naive as to think that, well, we made this deal, we got the hostages back, so we have to give Iran the benefit of the bargain, as if you can deal in good faith with a terror regime like Iran. prgtoken Second, the Senator from Vermont said there has been no better friend than President to Israel over his long, long career in public office. I have to say, I find it hard to believe that Israel can have no better friend than a man who has spent decades, including 11 years as Vice President and President, empowering Iran--the worst enemy of Israel; a regime that still chants ``Death to America'' and ``Death to Israel''--by giving them hundreds of billions of dollars of sanction relief; by putting them on the path to get a nuclear weapon; by, for instance, not insisting that we continue the multilateral sanctions on Iran's missile program that expire under the nuclear deal tomorrow-- that is right, tomorrow, October 18, the 8-year anniversary of the part of the nuclear deal with Iran that says that multi