mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING JULIA SABIN
Max L. Miller (Republican, OH) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise to recognize Ms. Julia Sabin for her outstanding career and significant achievements for over more than 40 years. prgtoken Ms. Sabin's exemplary leadership has supported meaningful progress at The J.M. Smucker Company, a leading manufacturer of iconic brands, including its namesake fruit spreads, Jif peanut butter, and Uncrustables sandwiches. prgtoken Known for frequently using the popular refrain, ``What doesn't kill you makes you stronger,'' she has always led with a spirit of perseverance. prgtoken In addition to her work at Smucker, Ms. Sabin consistently served those around her. While living in Ohio, she supported her local community as a board member for In Council with Women in Cleveland and the Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron. prgtoken Ms. Sabin also served on the board of Ventrac, a family company providing tractor equipment in Ohio. prgtoken , I thank and congratulate Ms. Sabin on her accomplishments and the contributions that have led to a more prosperous Ohio. I wish her a happy and well-earned retirement.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2024-3-13

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by our colleagues Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi. prgtoken It is aimed at countering the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to sway public opinion in its favor--especially that of the younger generation--through the use of the social media app TikTok, as well as to counter the use of the app to collect data on Americans. prgtoken Indeed, just this last week we saw a real time demonstration of the insidious use of TikTok: the targeting of American children with Communist Party propaganda--during school hours--and the recruiting of minors to act unwittingly as foreign agents of the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken On March 7, members of Congress--including me--were inundated with a phone call advocacy campaign that utilized children while we were debating the efforts of the CCP to sabotage the American economy. And the CCP connection with TikTok and its Chinese parent is something that is very tangible. prgtoken TikTok's parent ByteDance, headquartered in Bejing, is compelled to participate in a strategic partnership with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security. prgtoken Indeed, under China's Cybersecurity Law, companies are required to provide any information asked for to police or intelligence agencies. One former ByteDance official, Yintao Yu, has said that the CCP has access to all the company's data--including data stored in the U.S. prgtoken Indeed TikTok has conceded as much--just look at the company's privacy policy, which says it can share user data with ByteDance and various governments around the world if required: ``We may disclose any of the Information we collect to respond to . . . government inquires,'' as well as to ``comply with any applicable law.'' prgtoken We also know that the CCP has punished executives and companies that do not tow the Party line--just ask Jack Ma, one of the richest men in the world, what happens when you buck the Party. prgtoken Indeed, ByteDance, like many Chinese companies, has an internal Communist Party Committee within its corporate structure, which is led by ByteDance Vice President Zhang Fuping. prgtoken So what is TikTok's response to all this? prgtoken After being deluged with phone calls in my office, that very day, I wrote to TikTok, at their American headquarters in Culver City, California, asking them to provide all internal documentation relating to the ``genesis, approval and execution of the advocacy campaign initiated by TikTok on March 7,'' so that Congress may determine the role of the CCP in recruiting children to lobby Congress on its behalf. Four days later, TikTok Vice President for Public Policy Michael Beckerman responded, with piratical defiance, claiming that congressional interest in this issue was ``offensive'' and ``patently false.'' prgtoken Really? You don't think that thi
A STEEP AND SLIPPERY SLOPE
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2024-3-13

do we really want to give the President the power to declare foreign adversaries and then require a communications platform within them to be banned or sold to a government-approved owner? prgtoken If there are data privacy concerns, we should warn consumers and trust them to make their own decisions. If there are propaganda concerns, we should defend the free and open debate that our First Amendment protects, confident that the best way to judge the truth from lies is to put the two of them side by side and trust the people to know the difference. prgtoken The last thing we should do is take that power away from the people and give it to the government. prgtoken The answer to authoritarianism is not more authoritarianism. prgtoken The answer to CCP-style propaganda is not CCP-style oppression. prgtoken Let us slow down before we blunder down this very steep and slippery slope.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Ashley Hinson (Republican, IA) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today in support of this simple bill. It forces TikTok to cut ties with the CCP or lose American users. prgtoken The day after we introduced our bill, TikTok went into panic mode. They lied to their users saying Congress was going to ban TikTok, using young kids as political pawns. prgtoken TikTok's gross stunt proved our point. What if on election day, TikTok sent out an alert saying our elections were canceled. We must act now. prgtoken Today, we are sending a message to the CCP that we are going to deflate the 140 million spy balloons that they have installed on American phones. We must act and pass this bill today.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Neal P. Dunn (Republican, FL) \u2014 2024-3-13

a year ago, I asked TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew point blank if ByteDance, its parent company, has spied on Americans on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken He told me: ``I don't think spying is the right way to describe it.'' prgtoken Congress has overwhelming evidence that TikTok collects search and browsing histories, keystroke patterns, biometric identifiers, draft messages, metadata, geolocation data, and more. prgtoken We're talking an overwhelming amount of sensitive user-data. prgtoken This is not just data on adults, but the personal information of our children. prgtoken That is the very definition of spying. prgtoken TikTok and ByteDance present a serious national security threat. prgtoken TikTok functions as a sophisticated surveillance tool--an organization that is bound to the Chinese Communist Party and required by their National Intelligence Law to support Chinese intelligence services. prgtoken My esteemed colleagues and I are trying to protect Americans from this dangerous, destructive spyware masked as a simple social media app. prgtoken The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act will incentivize the divestment of TikTok so that it is no longer controlled by a China-based entity. prgtoken This bill does not punish individual social media users, censor speech, or impact apps or websites that sever ties with companies controlled by foreign adversaries. prgtoken The First Amendment does not protect espionage. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
STATE OF DELUSION SPEECH
Daniel Meuser (Republican, PA) \u2014 2024-3-13

last week, President claimed here in this House that the state of our Union is strong, but the American people disagree. prgtoken From soaring inflation, the national debt, a catastrophe at our southern border, an assault on American energy, rising crime, and geopolitical chaos, the state of our Union, sadly, is not strong. It has been in decline for 3 years, 1 month, and 22 days. prgtoken Americans feel the cost of inflation whenever they check out at the grocery store. They feel the anti-American energy agenda whenever they fill up their gas tanks as they remember the prices of January 2020. prgtoken They see this administration's failure as they watch millions of migrants illegally cross our border and watch the world thrown into global conflict as a result of the policies of appeasement. prgtoken The President has claimed that crime is improving. Not only is crime not down, but it is out of control. Americans, unfortunately, feel it and see it in our streets almost every day. prgtoken What is needed is a recognition of the realities our Nation faces and a real plan to correct course. Rather than the state of the Union, President 's address was a state of delusion.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2024-3-13

I want to emphasize this bill does not ban TikTok. It simply would require the Chinese Communist Party-affiliated ByteDance to sell TikTok and divest their interest. prgtoken I was asked: Does this affect TikTok? prgtoken No. It is any foreign adversary or any app that is owned, controlled, or unduly influenced by any foreign adversary. prgtoken We must protect our national security and help keep America's private data out of the hands of our foreign adversaries. prgtoken , I urge support of this bill.
CELEBRATING 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA'S, ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Savannah, Georgia's, annual St. Patrick's Day parade. prgtoken Public recognition of St. Patrick's Day in Savannah can be traced back to 1824 when the local paper, The Georgian, published an invitation encouraging all to attend the parade. prgtoken From then, the ceremony has grown to one of the largest in the Nation, drawing in locals and tourists alike to celebrate coastal Georgia's Irish heritage. prgtoken With great entertainment, including marching bands, traditional dancers, and decorated floats, the festival is filled with fun for all ages, and encourages community fellowship between families and friends. prgtoken I extend a special thank you to those responsible for making this celebration happen. prgtoken The St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, the Chatham County Sheriff's Office, local government agencies, and the city of Savannah work diligently year after year to make this a very special day. prgtoken The parade is one that many Savannahians, including myself, hold close to our hearts. prgtoken I look forward to the opportunity to witness and participate in this year's great celebration.
CELEBRATING THE 109TH BIRTHDAY OF REVA STARRETT
Michael R. Turner (Republican, OH) \u2014 2024-3-13

I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 109th birthday of Mrs. Reva Starrett, who lives in my Congressional district in Bellbrook, Ohio. Reva's loved ones recently gathered around her to honor this special occasion to celebrate a life well-lived. prgtoken Reva was born on February 11, 1915 in Darke County, Ohio and was the oldest of six children. Longevity runs in her family. She has a brother who is 95 and a sister who is 85. One of her sisters lived to the age of 100, and another sister lived to 93. prgtoken Her husband Bill, a World War II veteran, passed away in 1998. They had one son, Bill, Jr. During the war, Reva worked and lived with her sister while her husband served overseas. prgtoken Hard work is the key to a long life. Reva grew up working on her family farm and began milking cows at the age of 5. Reva was the head cook at an elementary school in the Bellbrook school system, specializing in baking rolls and bread--and she still bakes bread today. prgtoken Reva has lived independently all her life and still lives in her own home. Her indomitable spirit and zest for life has certainly guided her to this day. prgtoken I am honored to congratulate Reva Starrett on reaching this remarkable milestone birthday, and I wish her many more joyful years of peace, good health, and happiness.
BIDENFLATION
John W. Rose (Republican, TN) \u2014 2024-3-13

prices for everyday goods continue to climb due to the economic policies of the administration. The latest Consumer Price Index report was up 3.2 percent from last year. prgtoken , I rise in support of hardworking families I represent in Tennessee who are making hard choices to stay afloat. If they are having to tighten their belts, the Federal Government should do the same. prgtoken President 's answer is to raise taxes even more, but we don't have a revenue problem, in Washington we have a spending problem. prgtoken In fiscal year 2022, the Federal Government collected $850 billion more in tax revenue than the year before. Yet, the Federal Government spent $1.4 trillion more than we brought in. prgtoken Last year, the Federal Government spent $1.7 trillion more than it collected. That is just one of many reasons why I am opposed to the President's $7.3 trillion budget. prgtoken We cannot continue spending more money that we don't have.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Tim Walberg (Republican, MI) \u2014 2024-3-13

last March when I asked about Americans' data being stored and accessed by China, TikTok CEO stated under oath that it was not accessible by the CCP. However, this statement was a lie. As their own internal recording said, ``everything is seen in China.'' prgtoken H.R. 7521 gives TikTok and similar apps 6 months to divest from their parent company ByteDance. It is their choice. TikTok needs to decide whether they value their users or their ties to the Chinese Communist Party more. It is as simple as that. I urge a vote for this bill.
BRAIN HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
Morgan Luttrell (Republican, TX) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise in recognition of Brain Awareness Week and the research, innovation, and advocacy taking place in the neuroscience space. prgtoken As a veteran who suffered a traumatic brain injury, I have sought out advanced degrees in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience to find answers and also help veterans to recovery from post-traumatic stress, post- traumatic stress disorder, and cognitive brain injuries sustained in battle, while also developing a further understanding of the brain and innovative treatments that can heal these injuries. prgtoken It is crucial that we inspire the next generation of neuroscientists to continue the research and advocacy that leads to innovative, natural, nonaddictive solutions to cognitive disabilities. prgtoken This is the decade of the brain, to cure brain disorders. prgtoken As co-chair of the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus and a neuroscientist by trade, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Brain Awareness Week and the contributions that thousands of dedicated scientists are making to unlock the mysteries behind the human brain.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Robert E. Latta (Republican, OH) \u2014 2024-3-13

the CEO of TikTok appeared before the Energy and Commerce Committee and admitted to me during questioning that ByteDance has access to U.S. user data. prgtoken This should be an alarm to every TikTok user. There is no reason why the Chinese Communist Party should be in control of an app that can access information on a user's phone. Moreover, because companies who are owned or linked to the Chinese Communist Party are forced to comply with their laws, ByteDance and its employees are taking orders from this Communist regime. prgtoken This is not a ban, but it provides Communist China-controlled ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, a choice. If ByteDance divests their ownership of TikTok, then TikTok would be available to its U.S. users. prgtoken , I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.
TIKTOK
Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican, NY) \u2014 2024-3-13

with an estimated 170 million Americans using TikTok every single month, the app is dominating the social media landscape, and every single one of these users, including American children, agreed to the terms and conditions of the app, allowing TikTok to access all of their personal data on the user's phone. prgtoken This is a significant national security risk as TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is owned by the Chinese Communist Party, meaning TikTok is essentially operating as Communist Chinese malware. prgtoken With every dance challenge and lip-sync video, American users are unknowingly contributing to a vast surveillance apparatus, and the potential for abuse of this data is chilling, ranging from targeted advertising to espionage and intelligence gathering. prgtoken TikTok's pervasive influence among young Americans makes it an ideal tool for the CCP to propagate its narratives, shape perceptions, and advance its geopolitical agenda. prgtoken In light of these alarming realities, decisive action is warranted to mitigate the risks TikTok poses in its current form. That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 7521 to force TikTok to break up with the CCP. prgtoken It is time to wake up and see the real national security threat at hand.
HONORING THE MEMORY OF HARRIS COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE JUDGE ARMANDO V. RODRIGUEZ
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2024-3-13

and still I rise. I rise to honor the memory of a noble public servant County Justice of the Peace Judge Armando V. Rodriguez. Elected to County's Precinct 6, Place 2 in 1973, Judge Armando V. Rodriguez became the first Hispanic to hold the title of County Justice of the Peace. He served our county admirably for more than four decades and was known as the longest-tenured judge in County. prgtoken The Honorable Judge V. Rodriguez was not just a holder of public trust but a justice seeker, community leader, and coalition builder. Judge Rodriguez exercised compassion and experience to boldly advocate for and protect his community. Judge Rodriguez went above and beyond the call of duty when he founded Fiestas Patrias, an organization that celebrates the diversity and cultures of Latin America and culminated into an annual parade that is still being held today. Judge Rodriguez's efforts also included the creation of the Black and Brown Coalition, which we co-founded together. prgtoken , I am fortunate enough to say that I knew and worked alongside The Honorable Judge Armando V. Rodriguez for many years. I believe that when history records the legacy of Judge Rodriguez, he will be forever prgtoken remembered for his caring and candid demeanor as he worked to serve local communities, his county, as well as his country.
CELEBRATING CHEF VICTORIA ELIZONDO
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today to celebrate one of my constituents, Chef Victoria Elizondo. prgtoken Victoria is a Dreamer. She came to the United States at the age of 12 with her parents. Last week, she sat in this Chamber, in the presence of the President, as my honored guest at the State of the Union. prgtoken Victoria was twice nominated for the James Beard Award for her restaurant Cochinita & Co. She is an artist in the kitchen whose heart knows no bounds, and that shows in her work. prgtoken She has published a successful cookbook, ``Taco Tastic!'' She buys locally, hires fellow Dreamers, and leads with kindness that is foreign in her field. prgtoken , Victoria is an example of what it means to dream and to dream big. She is an example of putting people over politics and dreams over draconian policies. prgtoken She is why I am leading the Dream and Promise Act, to give Dreamers like her a roadmap to citizenship once and for all. Americans support Dreamers, and Dreamers support America. Let's make it into law.
ISRAEL USING FOOD AS A WEAPON IN GAZA
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2024-3-13

President , in my opinion, has failed to comply with U.S. law by continuing to send U.S. military aid to Israel. prgtoken Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act is very clear. It states: ``No assistance shall be furnished under this act or the Arms Export Control Act to any country when it is made known to the President that the government of prgtoken such country prohibits or otherwise restricts, directly or indirectly, the transport of delivery of United States humanitarian assistance.'' prgtoken That is what is happening in Gaza. prgtoken Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu has made a deliberate choice to use food, water, and medicine as weapons against the people of Gaza. He has restricted and stopped the delivery of aid, including U.S. aid, from reaching suffering, starving civilians in Gaza. prgtoken This is a violation of U.S. law. prgtoken , I urge President to use his leverage. No more U.S. military aid to Israel in contradiction of our own laws. Trucks of food and medicine need to start rolling into Gaza now. prgtoken , I ask to please, please, use his leverage now.
PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY CONTROLLED APPLICATIONS ACT
Robert Garcia (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2024-3-13

I have enormous respect for the efforts of my colleagues to focus on security and data protection and I share many of their concerns; however, I disagree with this approach and this bill that could impact 170 million Americans who use TikTok. prgtoken One-third of all U.S. adults use the app and millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners use the platform to support their family. prgtoken Yes, just like every other social media platform, there is misinformation and privacy concerns on TikTok, and I share those; however, it is important that we don't treat TikTok differently than other platforms. prgtoken If we are going to address this issue, we have to take the same approach to all social media platforms. We can't just single out one. prgtoken I join many of my colleagues and the ACLU in voicing concern over the freedom of expression. I am a strong supporter of ensuring that TikTok remains an open marketplace. There is no guarantee in this bill that there won't be an interruption of service that could lead to an end of this app. I don't think we fully appreciate the impact this is going to have I am a strong ``no.''
RECOGNIZING MICHAEL COSTEIRA
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2024-3-13

I rise today to celebrate the Eagle Scout project of Michael Costeira. prgtoken Michael Costeira is a Boy Scout from Union, New Jersey, and he wanted to upgrade the almost 300-year-old Caldwell Parsonage. prgtoken The Caldwell Parsonage was the home of the Reverend James Caldwell, a strong patriot supporter during the American Revolution. prgtoken The original Caldwell Parsonage was burned by loyalist mobs in 1780. Later that year, Caldwell's wife, Hannah, was killed by British soldiers during the Battle of Connecticut Farms. prgtoken The current Caldwell Parsonage was built in 1782 and added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1982. prgtoken Michael Costeira wanted to preserve that history for his Eagle Scout project, so he researched various artifacts in the parsonage and he created more accurate exhibit labels for each of the items found. prgtoken I congratulate Michael. He has made a valuable contribution to an historic location in this country's great fight in the Revolution.