mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INTRODUCTION OF THE MAJOR GENERAL DAVID F. WHERLEY, JR., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NATIONAL GUARD RETENTION AND COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2022-12-8

. Madam , today, I introduce the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program Act. This bill would permanently authorize funding for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program, which provides tuition and other financial assistance for higher education to members of the D.C. National Guard, which is an exclusively federal entity. prgtoken This program and bill are named for Major General David F. Wherley, Jr former Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, who, along with his wife, Ann, and seven others were tragically killed when Metro trains collided on the Red Line on June 22, 2009. I renamed this bill after Major General Wherley because he worked tirelessly with me for many years to get funding for this program, and because of his devotion to D.C. youth and to the D.C. National Guard. prgtoken This program was recommended by Major General Wherley and his successor at the D.C. National Guard, Major General Errol Schwartz, to stem the troublesome loss of D.C. National Guard members to other units, including National Guards in surrounding states that offer assistance for higher education to their members. I am grateful that Congress has consistently provided funding for this program, most recently $600,000 in fiscal year 2022. Permanently authorizing this program will help ensure that members of the D.C. National Guard receive the same benefits as members of other National Guards and help the D.C. National Guard recruit and retain members. prgtoken This program not only benefits D.C. National Guard members, the great majority of whom live in Maryland or Virginia, but also helps the D.C. National Guard to maintain the force necessary to protect the federal presence in D.C. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT
Stephanie N. Murphy (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2022-12-8

. Madam , I rise today to underscore the crucial importance of the religious liberty provisions in the Respect for Marriage Act and to ensure the legislative intent behind these provisions is crystal clear. prgtoken As you know, the United States Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges from 2015 established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. When Obergefell was argued, then-Solicitor General Verrilli was asked whether recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage would lead to churches, religious organizations and other not- for-profits potentially having their tax-exempt status reconsidered, in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Bob Jones University v. U.S. Solicitor General Verrilli responded that ``it's certainly going to be an issue.'' In recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage in 2015, the United States Supreme Court did not reconsider the Bob Jones University precedent, leaving this ``issue'' unresolved. prgtoken The Senate Amendment to the Respect for Marriage Act that we are voting on today, answers this question, and a number of others, providing strong protections for religious liberty, especially when combined with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. prgtoken It is my understanding that section 2 of the Respect for Marriage Act, in light of the Supreme Court's Bob Jones v. United States decision in 1983, would prevent the Internal Revenue Service from successfully arguing that the United States now has a ``national policy'' favoring same-sex marriage, and use this national policy to deny tax-exempt status to religious organizations. prgtoken Section 2 of the bill states that a variety of reasonable views on the role of gender in marriage exist today, based on both decent and honorable religious and philosophical beliefs. The bill states that all views are due proper respect by the Federal Government. prgtoken Furthermore, Section 2 of this bill states that the Federal Government recognizes religious liberty as an integral component of our national policy regarding marriage. Section 2 of this bill was explicitly included to ensure that the provisions of the Bob Jones case relating to the tax-exempt status of organizations are not applicable to this bill. prgtoken Bob Jones University v. U.S decided in 1983 before Congress enacted the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, upheld the IRS' decision to rescind Bob Jones University's tax exemption on the basis of a ``firm and unyielding'' national policy against racial discrimination. Section 2 affirms that diverse beliefs about the role of gender in marriage are held by reasonable and sincere people based on decent and honorable religious or philosophical premises. This finding preempts an analogy between the Court's analysis in the Bob Jones University case about race and beliefs about marriage, and is a statement of policy respecting diverse views about the role of gender in marriage. prgtoken I'd like
RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2022-12-8

. Madam , I rise in support of the Respect for Marriage Act. prgtoken In all my decades of public service, I have never wavered in my support for the LGBTQ+ community. In 1990, I introduced the first legislation in New York State history to grant legal recognition to same-sex couples. prgtoken When the Defense of Marriage Act was introduced in 1996, I was one of 67 House Members to vote against it. I knew then what I know now: DOMA was a bigoted, discriminatory solution to a problem that never existed. prgtoken It never made sense that I, or anyone in this body or in this country, could get in a cab and marry the cabdriver that same day or some stranger on the street, but a bold, brave New Yorker and a friend of mine named Edie Windsor could not have her marriage recognized. prgtoken She sued. She won in court. Today, this law will codify her court case. I dedicate my remarks to her and thank her for her lifelong commitment to LGBTQ rights and equality. prgtoken Madam , I urge my friends on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.
JAMES M. INHOFE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-8

the Subcommittee on Readiness continues its works to ensure that our bases and our personnel are prepared for anything, from climate change to floods, fires, housing, and the like. prgtoken , as I look at you there on the podium, I am saddened. I am going to miss you. I am going to miss the work that you have done and the extraordinary efforts you have made over your many, many years. prgtoken Behind me is another woman who I am also going to miss, Jackie Speier, and Jim Cooper, who is not with us this morning. An extraordinary group of people, the three of you. You have carried this committee. You have carried all of us, and we thank you.
REMEMBERING LOIS CURTIS
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2022-12-8

last month, Lois Curtis, the lead plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court decision Olmstead v. L.C.-- which affirmed the rights of people with disabilities to live in their own communities--passed away from pancreatic cancer. Today, I join so many touched by Ms. Curtis' advocacy in mourning her passing, remembering her life, and paying tribute to the invaluable contributions she made to civil rights. prgtoken Ms. Curtis, a Black woman with intellectual and mental health disabilities, spent her childhood and young adult life living in State institutions. But she wanted to get out of the institution she had been confined to and finally have the ability to live in her own community. So she took her case to court in 1995 and eventually became the lead plaintiff in Olmstead v. L.C in which the Supreme Court ruled for the first time in 1999 that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. prgtoken The landmark ruling established that people with disabilities have the right to receive the services and supports they need to live in their own communities, not just State institutions. Ms. Curtis' courage and refusal to accept the status quo helped propel the disability rights movement, made our country more just, and improved the lives of so many people with disabilities. prgtoken After winning her case and gaining her independence, Ms. Curtis dedicated her life to advocacy work and became a renowned artist. In 2011, she showcased her artwork in the White House for the anniversary of the Olmstead decision. Ms. Curtis' life's work improved the lives of so many across our country. She will be remembered fondly.
TRIBUTE HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HIS EXCELLENCE PRINCE ASIEL BEN ISRAEL
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2022-12-8

. Madam , these words are attributed to Sir lssac Watts, who wrote, and I paraphrase, ``Were I so tall as to reach from pole to pole or grasp the ocean with my span, I must be measured by my soul, for the mind is the measure of the man.'' prgtoken Trying to describe Prince Asiel Ben Israel is no easy task because so many characteristics of desirability. He was a man of principle, a great husband, a provider, protector, a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, a patriarch, and the leader of a tribe. He was a people's Prince born, educated, trained and prepared to lead. He was a visionary who understood that you cannot lead where you don't go and you cannot teach what you don't know. Prince was always searching for truth and knowledge and was exceptionally passionate about practically everything that he did or cared about. prgtoken He loved people, and I mean people, and he had a humanitarian spirit and expressed that, ``all life sacred.'' it is now 4:00 am, in the morning, so let me wrap this up. I was blessed to spend many fortunate, precious, and meaningful hours with Prince. We traveled at least ten times to Africa, South Africa, West Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Many of these times it was just the two of us, and talk, talk, talk we did. We met with Heads of State, the ANC, Winnie Mandela, Members of Parliaments, academicians, grassroots groups, clerics, giants of industry, and sometimes I thought Prince was the greatest advocate and diplomat on earth, both at the same time, and he was always on point. prgtoken A gifted intellectual spiritual leader who used his knowledge, talents and skills to advance the causes of his people (all caring people), as he journeyed through a lifetime of service to humanity. prgtoken As I walked away from our last meeting with two of his sons and a government official from Ghana a few weeks ago, I had a feeling, first prgtoken of all, servant of all, you shall transcend all, and as I walked down to my car on Michigan Avenue humming to myself, ``Swing low sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home.'' prgtoken Good night my friend.
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2022-12-8

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423.
STOP POLITICAL FUNDRAISING SCHEMES
Katie Porter (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-12-8

getting Congress to enact widespread campaign finance reform feels as likely as getting snow in Orange County this Christmas. However, it shouldn't take a once-in-a-century holiday miracle to get Washington to stop political fundraising scams. prgtoken Con artists are exploiting loopholes in our election laws by fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as collecting donations meant for causes and candidates. These scam PACs actually use the money to line their own pockets. Worse, they target older Americans and veterans. prgtoken As a consumer protection attorney, I will always work to hold fraudsters accountable. With a colleague, I have introduced legislation to help the Federal Election Commission punish these bad actors. prgtoken Americans of all political ideologies who participate in our democracy by donating shouldn't have to fear being cheated. I urge passage of my bipartisan bill to stop scam PACs.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 4431--Continued (Executive Calendar)
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2022-12-8

I just want to add parenthetically before I offer the unanimous consent request--Senator Murray made reference to the overwhelming support. This bill, when it comes to a final vote, will have at least 60 votes in the Senate, if not more. I think it will be more than that. prgtoken But we should also note the passage in the House that Senator Murray made reference to, better than 3-to-1, 315 to 101, more than 75 percent of House Members support it--obviously bipartisan. prgtoken , as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader in consultation with the leader, that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 425, S. 4431; further, that there be up to 2 hours of debate equally divided between the two leaders or their designees, and that the only amendments in order be No. 1, Lee, and No. 2, Braun; further, that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate vote on the amendments in the order listed with a 60 affirmative vote threshold required for adoption; and that following the disposition of the amendments, the bill be read a third time and the Senate vote on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended, with a 60 vote affirmative threshold required for passage without further intervening action or debate. Finally, that there be 2 minutes of debate, equally divided, prior to each vote.
FAREWELL TO CONGRESS
David Schweikert (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2022-12-8

. How many times--and you have some of this in your district--will we get the lobbyists and the folks come in--and this has been going on for 30 years, so this is sort of one of the running joke scams around here. prgtoken We need money for rural broadband. We do. I have--well, communities in Arizona--I don't represent them--they have been waiting 20 years for that line to get out to the chapter house on the Navajo reservation. prgtoken The fact of the matter is every inch of this country actually has broadband right now. They just happen to be satellites. We have what, five companies? A couple of them already have most of the satellites up.
RECOGNIZING NORTHEAST WISCONSIN'S 2022 VETERAN OF THE YEAR, MICHAEL WEAVER
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2022-12-8

. Madam , it is my honor to recognize Northeast Wisconsin's 2022 Veteran of the Year, Michael Weaver. His service on and off the battlefield in Vietnam, his dedication to fellow veterans back home, and his devotion to Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District make him well-deserving of this recognition. prgtoken The Northeast Wisconsin Veteran of the Year is chosen annually by a selection committee consisting of members from the veteran and civilian community. It recognizes veterans in Northeast Wisconsin who continue to demonstrate service, excellence, and dedication in all that they do. prgtoken A longtime resident of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Michael served in the Army as a medic during the Vietnam War. He enlisted in 1966 and served for 3 years before receiving an Honorable discharge. During Michael's crucial service he received numerous medals and achievements, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. Inspired by his father's service as a Combat Engineer in World War II, he enlisted as a Medical Corpsman in the Army after graduating high school. Once deployed to Vietnam in 1968, he started in a prisoner of war medical facility where he was charged with keeping enemy troops alive. He then returned to California to the Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco where he provided care to the wounded service members who had made it back home until his discharge in 1969. prgtoken While Michael's service to Vietnam will never be forgotten, his commitment to serving the men and women of Northeast Wisconsin after he hung up his uniform is just as impressive. After leaving Vietnam he has dedicated his life to giving back and he has done that every day since his discharge. Some key examples of his dedication to our community include: Past President and Lt. Governor for Wisconsin Kiwanis Club, Chairman of the Board for the Heart of the Valley Chamber, Special Olympics Fox Valley coach, Emergency Medical Technician, rifle team member for Kaukauna VFW, a mentor for the Outagamie County Veterans Treatment Court, and chaplain of the Disabled American Veterans Appleton Post. Since his retirement from his civilian career, he has placed wreaths on nearly 1,200 grave markers for veterans, served as Senior Captain of the Patriot Guard, and also managed American flag poles for numerous organizations throughout the Fox Cities. prgtoken One impressive feat noted by one of Michael's nominators was that he recently helped honor two of Kaukauna's oldest veterans by reuniting them after 75 years through the VFW's Golf with a Vet event. He has clearly demonstrated a commitment to excellence, service, and dedication throughout all that he does in his life. prgtoken Most notably, Michael dedicates a substantial amount of time to St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna. Michael has spent the last decade dedicating time with veterans who are on hospice or end of life care with St. Paul
Farewell to the Senate (Executive Calendar)
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-12-8

12 years ago, I stood on this Senate floor for my maiden speech. I was new to the Senate, but I had a sense of what I thought was possible to achieve for my constituents in Ohio, having served in the House for 12 years and in two Cabinet-level jobs in the 43 administration. In that speech, I talked about my interest in solving problems and working across the aisle to tackle big issues facing our country. That is what we have tried to do. We have had some successes and some disappointments, but through it all, I have always considered it a great honor to have been given the chance to represent my neighbors, the people of Ohio. prgtoken My team and I have viewed it as a sacred trust to do all we could while we had this temporary privilege. Our commitment was to move the ball forward wherever possible for our great country and for the families we represented. Through our legislative and oversight results, I believe we have honored that pledge. It has been a team effort. prgtoken I have been blessed with an awesome staff--sitting behind me today-- some amazing Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle, willing to find common ground, friends in every corner of Ohio whose input helped me to represent our diverse State, and most importantly, an understanding family and a partner in all things in Jane Portman. prgtoken All of us get asked what inspired us to get into public service in the first place. In my family, my mom Joan taught by her example that serving others was our duty. We had no choice. And through their own volunteer work, my brother and my sister have helped change lives, and I respect that and respect all the caring and giving Ohioans who do that. I chose to serve in a different way, which involved the rough and tumble of politics--not for everybody but also a way to help others. prgtoken Another impetus for getting involved in politics was actually my father, Bill Portman, even though, as a small business guy, he thought I was absolutely crazy to get into this line of business. When I was a kid, he gave up his safe job as a forklift truck salesman for a bigger company to live out his own American dream and start his own business. He took a big risk, gave up healthcare, gave up a retirement plan, and five people--my mom was the bookkeeper--started Portman Equipment Company, with lots of debt. They actually lost money the first few years. But he never gave up on his dream and eventually, through hard work and integrity, found his niche. My brother, my sister, and I all worked at Portman Equipment Company in high school and in college. By the time my dad retired and my brother took over the company, there were almost 300 people working there. prgtoken Keeping that American dream alive and creating the conditions to allow that next Bill Portman to take that risk, to build his or her dream and in doing so help so many other families and help so many communities, has really been my No
HIGHLIGHTING HELLS CANYON COLLABORATIVE
Russ Fulcher (Republican, ID) \u2014 2022-12-8

our country is blessed with abundant natural resources that are the envy of the world. The governance of those resources is the responsibility of all of us to make our outdoor spaces manageable and accessible for enjoyment of all. prgtoken I am pleased to highlight the Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative in my home State of Idaho. This collaborative was formed in December 2016 after a fee for boaters was proposed on the Snake River through Hells Canyon. Rafters, jet boaters, aviators, motorized recreation users, and others came together for its formation. As a 501(c)(3), they identified and raised separate resources so access could be maintained without a user fee increase. prgtoken Additionally, the collaborative was able to build boat rigs, complete the building of administrative and recreation facilities for the Forest Service and an airstrip for aviators, as well as provide road maintenance for administrative sites. prgtoken I am so proud to highlight the men and women who stepped up and made a difference for the benefit of all in the Hells Canyon river area. I look forward to hearing about more good work from them.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 4431--Continued (Executive Calendar)
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2022-12-8

it is unfortunate that an objection has been lodged. I think I disagree with every single assertion in there. It is not what this bill does, not in the slightest. This bill does not take the position that big is bad. I prgtoken am well familiar with the ``big is bad'' theory. That is not what this is. The merger fees are being reduced for, like, 85 percent of all filers. This simply allows them to do what they need to do and nothing more. It is unfortunate. prgtoken I am thankful to my cosponsor, Senator Klobuchar, who is the lead sponsor of this bill, for the bipartisan effort in which she has managed this.