This past November, Americans demonstrated that they are fed up with the left's refusal to secure our border. I am proud to be part of a Republican majority that will work with the new administration to strengthen our laws to ensure the safety of every American. While I am confident that the [PERSON] administration will secure our border and, yes, empower ICE to do its job, we must not allow our security to depend on whether or not a Republican occupies [ORG].

fed up with the left's refusal to secure our border...ensure the safety of every American...we must not allow our security to depend


Ms. [PERSON] is one of four personal lawyers to President-elect [PERSON] whom he has already selected for [ORG] positions. She was a leader in an effort to overturn the 2020 election; she has echoed the President's calls for prosecuting his political opponents; and she has a troubling history of unflinching loyalty to the President-elect. In addition, she has a record of hostility to fundamental civil rights, including reproductive rights, voting rights, and LGBTQ rights.

descriptors like 'troubling history of unflinching loyalty' and 'hostility to fundamental civil rights' use evaluative language to undermine the subject rather than presenting neutral facts


It is going to be extremely difficult until the winds die down. We pray for rain to help them out as well. It is not unfamiliar for me in my northern California district with several large fires in the last 6 years.


A bill to require the Secretary of [ORG] to publish on a monthly basis the number of special interest aliens encountered attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, and for other purposes; to [ORG]. By [SPEAKER] (for herself, Mrs. [PERSON] of Illinois, Mr. [PERSON] of Alabama, Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of Texas, Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of Texas, Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , and Mr. [PERSON] ): H.R. 276.


On Mr. [PERSON] , tomorrow's hearing with [PERSON] is a good example of why a thorough and tough nominations process is so important. Mr. [PERSON] is [PERSON] pick to be Secretary of Defense-- arguably, the most important position in the entire [ORG]. If confirmed, Mr. [PERSON] would oversee a workforce of over 3 million people and handle issues of life and death on a regular basis.

describing the Secretary of Defense position as 'arguably, the most important position in the entire [ORG]' and emphasizing 'issues of life and death' uses emotionally charged language to elevate the stakes and significance


This includes amendments to: add attempt as a basis for designation throughout the order; add a prong for leadership of membership in a sanctioned entity; add a prong for ownership or control of a sanctioned person; and add a prong for being a spouse or adult child of a sanctioned person. I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I have issued. [PERSON] , Jr.


[SPEAKER]. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? There was no objection.


Thank you for considering our views on these issues. Sincerely, [PERSON] , President, AFT. [SPEAKER].


They have done that legislatively. They have done it with regulations as well. What is especially crazy is that these restrictions are made in the name of protecting the environment, an environment that they are hurting.

'restrictions are made in the name of protecting the environment, an environment that they are hurting'"}
```

Wait, let me reconsider. "Contradiction" is not in the allowed labels. This is primarily **loaded_language** (using emotionally charged words like "especially crazy") and **strawman** (misrepresenting opponents' environmental impact claims).

```json
{"labels": ["loaded_language", "strawman"], "evidence": "'especially crazy is that these restrictions are made in the name of protecting the environment, an environment that they are hurting'


MORNING BUSINESS [SPEAKER]. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. [SPEAKER].


ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025 [SPEAKER]. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 12 noon on Wednesday, January 15; that following the prayer and pledge, the [ORG] of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate resume consideration of Calendar No. 1, S. 5.


As we negotiate the upcoming comprehensive tax reform package, we must focus on making sure it provides meaningful tax relief for hard-working families--for you, for all of us. While the [PERSON] administration and Senate Republicans look out for billionaires and corporations, Senate Democrats are working for you. For one, we should be working to restart or expand several key tax credits that help support American families, like expanding the child tax credit, which will increase the amount of hard-earned money families get to keep in their pockets.


That is why, when tragedy struck just a few months ago from hurricanes [PERSON] and [PERSON] , Democrats didn't demand aid be attached to some Democratic wish list of priorities. Not for a second did we think of attaching strings. So when I hear about political jabs and insults on social media while my home [ORG] is burning, it is not distracting.

When tragedy struck...Democrats didn't demand aid be attached to some Democratic wish list of priorities


Don't hide from the math. Embrace it, and fix it. This one is the last.


1439, 1440-1) by which a person may naturalize, or be granted posthumous United States citizenship, through service in [ORG]; or (2) the qualifications for original enlistment in any component of the [ORG] otherwise prescribed by law or the Secretary of [ORG].


This bill would revoke the independent real estate leasing authority of [ORG] and direct [ORG] to update its 2016 report on independent real estate leasing authority in [ORG]. While a number of Federal agencies have independent real estate leasing authority, the [ORG] has a history of egregious real estate leasing practices. In 2005, the [ORG] disclosed that it had underbudgeted costs of approximately $48 million for the construction of its headquarters near [ORG].

description of 'egregious real estate leasing practices' and emphasis on $48 million underbudgeting to suggest incompetence and mismanagement


EC-10. A communication from the Secretary of the [ORG], transmitting, pursuant to law, a six-month periodic report on the national emergency that was declared in Executive Order 14115 of February 1, 2024 with respect to the situation in the West Bank; to [ORG], and [ORG]. EC-11.


[ORG] OF APPROPRIATIONS. There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the Secretary of [ORG] and the Secretary of [ORG] to carry out the provisions of this subtitle. TITLE III--ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY [ORG].


The gentlewoman from Oregon has 5 minutes remaining. [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr.


Grant program to assist eligible applicants. [ORG]. 311.


Our goal is to keep up a steady pace of progress in the coming weeks. In 2009, President [PERSON] had 12 [ORG] in place within 15 days of taking office. It took the [ORG] and [PERSON] administrations roughly three times longer to get the same number confirmed.

comparison to President [PERSON]'s faster pace presented as implicit standard of competence; 'steady pace of progress' frames the comparison negatively for current administration


[PERSON] , we will miss your communications and policy expertise, your humorous quips and one-liners, your loyalty to [ORG] and Red Friday, and, above all, your friendship and passion for making the world a better place for Kansans and Americans. I will miss, [PERSON] , our nearly daily walks as I come over here to vote. It is a difficult job to be a comms director for a Senator who almost always shies away about visiting with reporters.

your passion for making the world a better place for Kansans and Americans


----------------------------------------------------------------------- House of Representatives The House met at 11 a.m. and was called to order by the Speaker.


There was no objection. [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I yield myself such time as I may consume.


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION REAL ESTATE LEASING AUTHORITY REVOCATION ACT [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 189) to amend title 40, United States Code, to eliminate the leasing authority of [ORG], and for other purposes.


[[ORG] MEMBERS TO CERTAIN STANDING COMMITTEES OF [ORG] [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , by direction of [ORG], I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. [SPEAKER] read the resolution, as follows: [PERSON] .


Matter of fact, I believe there were 17 States that last year had more deaths than births. This goes back to my productivity argument. If you want a society and a country that still economically grows, that can still defend itself, that still is the envy of the world, that has the extraordinary privileges, are we going to adopt regulatory tax policies that maximize economic growth?

presents a false choice between regulatory tax policies and maintaining societal prosperity ('If you want a society...are we going to adopt'), uses loaded language with 'extraordinary privileges' and 'envy of the world'


[SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I thank my friend from Pennsylvania for his remarks. Mr. [PERSON] , he is right.


There was no reason--no reason at all--that she should no longer be with us. Her killer, who came to this country illegally, should have never been in the United States. And once he had been arrested for multiple crimes before committing this heinous, unimaginable crime, he should have been detained by ICE immediately.

words like 'killer,' 'heinous, unimaginable crime' combined with emphasis on illegal immigration to create emotional impact and fear about immigration and public safety


[SPEAKER] read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: [PERSON] 153 Be it enacted by the Senate and [ORG] in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.


[PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , and Mr. [PERSON] . [PERSON] 236: Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of Maryland, and Mr. [PERSON] .


This bill is in remembrance of [PERSON] , the 22-year-old nursing student who was tragically murdered last year in my home community of Athens, Georgia, by an illegal alien from Venezuela who should have never even been in our country. After illegally crossing the southern border in 2022, [PERSON] 's murderer was released through the [PERSON] administration's weaponization of the parole program. The following year, he was arrested by the NYPD for acting in a manner to injure a minor and for committing a motor vehicle license violation.

tragic murder, illegal alien, weaponization of the parole program, should have never been in our country


As I have said, I can respect that. The Senator from Illinois presumably wants to see the commutation of [ORG] shooter, [ORG] synagogue shooter, and the [ORG] bomber. I strongly disagree.

Presumes the Senator 'presumably wants to see the commutation' of multiple mass shooters/bombers without evidence of this stated position, then disagrees with this unstated position


I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call be waived. [SPEAKER]. Without objection, it is so ordered.


She was a beloved daughter, an extraordinary friend, a shining beacon of light who truly lived out her faith. She was a nursing student who wanted to help people. She had big goals and aspirations.

beloved daughter, extraordinary friend, shining beacon of light


That is called interest fragility. The single thing that scares me the most in the society is that we are no longer in charge. We basically made the decision that the debt markets are.

the single thing that scares me the most in the society is that we are no longer in charge


You have here an example, on the right of this, of an unmanaged forest. You see how crowded, how dense that is? That means you have more trees, dense trees, and the trees are competing with the limited water supply.

'unmanaged forest' presented negatively; 'crowded, how dense' uses evaluative language to frame natural forest density as problematic


Let's help the Americans in this country in this next Congress.

appeal to help 'the Americans' emphasizes national identity and patriotic sentiment


The Vice President-elect of the United States, [ORG], escorted by the Executive Director for [ORG], Mr. [PERSON] ; Senate Deputy Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, [PERSON] ; and House Deputy Sergeant at Arms, Mr. [PERSON] , entered the Great Rotunda. The President-elect of the United States, [PERSON] , escorted by the Staff Director for [ORG], [PERSON] ; House Sergeant at Arms, the Honorable [PERSON] ; [ORG], the Honorable [PERSON] ; Senate Majority Leader, the Honorable [PERSON] ; and [ORG]: House Democratic Leader, [ORG]; House Majority Leader, the Honorable [PERSON] ; Speaker of [ORG], the Honorable [PERSON] ; Senate Democratic Leader, the Honorable [PERSON] ; Ranking Member of [ORG], the Honorable Deb [PERSON] ; and [PERSON] of [ORG], the Honorable Amy [PERSON] , entered the Great Rotunda. [SPEAKER].


Come up in the winter, too; it is great. So that is a little bit of update to tell what is going on. Now, back to [PERSON] , the rock in our office whose last day-- oh, it breaks my heart, breaks my wife [PERSON] 's heart.


We will continue to see this. I have seen it in my district. I have lost 3\1/2\ of my small towns in my district in the last 6 years, including the Paradise fire which took 85 lives, 90 percent of the town, Greenville, Canyondam, and a smaller town called [PERSON] that was burned on the east side.

vivid descriptions of town losses and the Paradise fire with specific casualty counts (85 lives, 90 percent) used to emotionally emphasize personal experience


Like it or not, sports are based on physical ability. Pretending otherwise is a stark denial of reality. Erasing sex means ultimately erasing women, especially when it comes to sports.

presents 'erasing sex' and 'erasing women' as inevitable outcome of one policy position; uses emotionally charged phrase 'erasing women' to frame complex issue in black-and-white terms


(Applause.) After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional Federal efforts to restrict free expression, I will also sign an [ORG] order to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America. (Applause.)

'illegal and unconstitutional Federal efforts' and 'bring back free speech to America'


A bill to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and for other purposes; to [ORG]. By [SPEAKER] (for himself, Ms. [PERSON] of Nevada, Mr. [PERSON] , and Mr. [PERSON] ): H.R. 285.


Major [PERSON] enlisted in [ORG] in 1998 and completed two combat tours, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also completed additional overseas missions in Guatemala and Germany. [PERSON] says his most memorable service was in Afghanistan, where he led a group of 170 soldiers into a harsh combat zone for a year of duty, enduring frequent attacks during over-the-road convoys.


With that, can you imagine what 600,000 acre-feet could do to help? It could fill this in minutes with the amount of water going out to the Pacific Ocean. The Endangered Species Act is being used as a weapon against raising an existing dam that was built in the thirties there that would do that.

Endangered Species Act is being used as a weapon; hyperbolic framing of water loss and regulatory obstruction as threats to resource management


A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to require [ORG] to make traditional dining and an alternative, more affordable food and beverage service available to passengers on overnight routes of [ORG], and for other purposes; to [ORG]. By [SPEAKER]: H.R. 265.


It is better to stand alone than not stand at all. So I am so proud of what she did because in doing this, she helped us to reclaim the moral high ground that we lost 4 years ago on January 6, to reclaim that moral high ground because as she was presiding over the certification process, it was more than Vice President [PERSON] presiding or Vice President [PERSON] when he presided. It was the candidate who ran for President and did not win certifying that the opposing candidate won.

reclaim the moral high ground; candidate who ran for President and did not win certifying that the opposing candidate won


Mr. [PERSON] , due to the devastating wildfire affecting my district and Southern California, I was not present for today's vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 8, H.R.


You hear these crazy numbers being thrown out. It turns out now this is both humanitarian and, I think, actually the other term--it is things that provide equipment. Often, it is equipment we depreciated out and we are going to get rid of it.


IN RECOGNITION OF DECKER PLOEHN ([SPEAKER] asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I rise today to celebrate a true leader from my district, Mr. [PERSON] , [ORG]'s city administrator, who has recently been named [ORG] Leader for 2024.


I yield the floor. Recognition of the Majority Leader [SPEAKER]. The majority leader is recognized.


Mr. [PERSON] , House Republicans are doubling down on our commitment to supporting and protecting the rights and safety of women and girls across the country. We are doing this by championing bills that fight back against unfair competition in sports and dangerous immigration policies. Yesterday, we passed Congressman [PERSON] 's [ORG], which is now on its way to the Senate.

'supporting and protecting the rights and safety of women and girls' combined with characterization of policies as 'dangerous'


Mr. [PERSON] , I wonder if our colleagues could explain why more than 200 groups advocating for women's rights and women's security are opposing this legislation? Can they explain why the groups that are on the front lines of opposing domestic violence reject their legislation as sloppy and bound to hurt the victims? We have heard no explanation about that, and we reject the slur that we are somehow standing up for the abusers here when we are standing up for the victims.

appeal to authority: '200 groups advocating for women's rights and women's security are opposing this legislation'; strawman: characterizing opposition as 'standing up for the abusers' when the speaker claims to be 'standing up for the victims'


This critical legislation ensures that only biological women and girls can participate in athletic programs designed for their sex at birth, preserving fairness and integrity in women's sports. For decades, [ORG] has worked to provide equal opportunities for women in education and athletics. This bill reaffirms that commitment by clarifying that sex is determined by an individual's chromosomal expression at birth.

'preserving fairness and integrity' and 'equal opportunities' appeal to positive values while framing a contested policy as self-evident


8. The [ORG] chair shall ensure that the testimony is transcribed and may also require testimony to be electronically recorded, including by video recording. When the witness's testimony is transcribed, the witness or the witness's attorney shall be afforded an opportunity to review a copy.


Next, I would require all Federal employees to return to their offices to work. You know, maybe only 1 out of 10, maybe 2 out of 10 Federal employees in DC are actually back in the office working. Next, I would decentralize [ORG].

characterizing federal employees as not 'actually back in the office working' with unsubstantiated claims ('maybe 1 out of 10')


The objection is heard. The Senator from Oregon. [SPEAKER].


This is all northern California. Now southern California is getting international coverage, and rightfully so. What are we going to do?

emphasis on southern California 'getting international coverage' combined with worried rhetorical question 'What are we going to do?' creates sense of urgency and impending crisis


MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT A message from the President of the United States was communicated to the Senate by Ms. [PERSON] , one of his secretaries.


----------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate The Senate met at 1 p.m. and was called to order by [SPEAKER] (Mr. [PERSON] ).


By [SPEAKER] (for herself and Mrs. [PERSON] of Illinois): H.R. 393. A bill to increase penalties for crimes against children; to [ORG].


It wasn't actions. It wasn't good. That is why people didn't vote for it.

use of vague negative descriptors 'wasn't good' without substantive explanation


[ORG] TO [PERSON] , [ORG]. [SPEAKER]. Mr. President, many Senators use this bully pulpit to wax poetic, but only on special occasions do I actually quote poetry. Today, as I honor my former colleague, friend of several decades, and our [ORG]'s 46th President, it feels appropriate to do so.


The [ORG] recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. [PERSON] ). General Leave [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R.


Madam Speaker, I am moved by the words of the gentleman from New Jersey who said: Don't give us words. Words don't matter. Speeches don't cut it.

The speaker misrepresents or exaggerates the gentleman's position by citing 'Don't give us words' to set up a contrast, potentially distorting the original context or intent of the statement.


Now, Republicans want to sanction the [ORG] simply because they don't want the rules to apply to everyone. I want to be very clear here, Mr. [PERSON] . Prime Minister [PERSON] has an absolute right to defend his people, but there is no international right to vengeance, and what we are seeing in Gaza is vengeance.

framing Republican position as 'don't want the rules to apply to everyone' and characterizing military actions as 'vengeance' rather than defense


33, the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act. Mr. [PERSON] , I urge my colleagues to stand with me and support my friend from Missouri, Chairman [PERSON] , and his timely bill to strengthen our economic ties with Taiwan and empower Americans doing business in the country. The correct answer on H.R.

urge my colleagues to stand with me and support my friend from Missouri, Chairman [PERSON], and his timely bill


Every year, we know that there is going to be risk. What is our Governor doing to help stop the risk? He is doing virtually nothing, other than showing up for press conferences and waving his arms around and having long-practiced monologues about how it is someone else's fault, this or that.

accusing Governor of 'doing virtually nothing' and 'waving his arms around' with 'long-practiced monologues' rather than addressing actual policies; mischaracterizing his response to deflect from substantive critique


The signers of this letter include a range of national groups like the YWCA, [ORG], [ORG], and dozens of [ORG] and local groups, like [ORG], [ORG], [ORG], [ORG], [PERSON] in Omaha, Nebraska, and dozens and dozens more from States across the country. Please read this letter. These are groups working to change the law and culture to stop rape and domestic violence in our country, but they see that this poorly drafted legislation would end up harming untold numbers of victims of domestic violence themselves, the putative beneficiaries of the act.

signers include range of national groups like YWCA and dozens of local groups from States across the country


Mr. [PERSON] , I thank Mr. [PERSON] ' perspective on that as a neighbor, and our constituents year after year suffer some of these same issues. You were showing that poster of our forested areas in the north and in the forests in the west you have the opportunity to manage those lands to be much more fire resilient. Again, you are not going to completely prevent fire, but you can have fire where it can be a lot more manageable or simpler to put out when it is not raging so much.


Today, I want to elaborate on the first of those priorities, which is to confirm President [PERSON] 's Cabinet. Back in November, November 5--it seems like a long time ago, but it was just the other day--Americans went to the polls to elect new leaders, including a President of the United States. Voters made their voices heard as to which direction our country should go because they plainly believed that we were heading in the wrong direction.

Americans went to the polls to elect new leaders...Voters made their voices heard as to which direction our country should go


The shop owner calls the police, and all the kids are arrested for shoplifting. If your child is a DACA recipient, someone who has lived here nearly their entire life, they are now subject to mandatory detention under this bill. Unfortunately, there are countless real-life examples of people getting wrongfully arrested for crimes that they didn't commit.

DACA recipient...subject to mandatory detention...wrongfully arrested...countless real-life examples


[PERSON] , the legitimate President of Georgia, is courageously standing with protesters and peacefully demanding free and fair elections. I reintroduced the bipartisan MEGOBARI Act to sanction those attacking freedom. Additionally, there is legislation to prohibit recognizing the illegitimate regime.

describing the president as 'legitimate' and 'courageously standing,' using 'freedom' and 'free and fair elections' as emotionally charged terms while characterizing opposing government as 'illegitimate regime'


[[ORG] CENTENNIAL ([SPEAKER] asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I rise today to recognize a true American success story, a company that I am proud to say resides in the Sixth Congressional District of Texas, [ORG].


Nothing could be worse for the environment than massive wildfires. And as a result, our public lands have turned into tinderboxes, and it is because of policies that we have seen come out of this body, this administration, Democrat administrations prior to that. And Wyoming is no stranger to wildfires.

Nothing could be worse for the environment than massive wildfires. And our public lands have turned into tinderboxes


Increasing the number of [ORG] officers and [PERSON] officers, increasing detention space and providing barriers and technology are just some of the resources needed to secure the border. Border security is one key part of providing for our national security. Investing in our military is another.

framing border security and military investment as necessary for 'national security' without substantive argument; positioning these as authoritative solutions to unspecified threats


As a survivor, I almost lost my life in my early twenties. I am proud to stand with millions of women and girls who have been victims and who are moving toward survivorship in saying no to this piece of legislation. Mr. [PERSON] , I come with 30 years of experience.


By [SPEAKER] (for herself, Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mrs. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] of Florida, Mr. [PERSON] , Mrs. [PERSON] , and Ms. [PERSON] ): H.R. 211. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for limitations on copayments for contraception furnished by [ORG], and for other purposes; to [ORG].


Not one of these murderers would have been here except for the Democrats' deliberate policies. The Democrats often talk about the war on women, but they couldn't care less about allowing a flood of sexual offenders, domestic violence offenders, and child abusers into our communities, allowing them to stay indefinitely, free from any fear of deportation and protected by the Democrats' sanctuary laws. When these monsters commit these ghastly acts and grief-stricken moms come here for help, the Democrats put on their best long faces, assure everyone how much they grieve with the families, and then argue to continue precisely the same policies that have produced this nightmare in the first place.

murderers, monsters, ghastly acts, flood of sexual offenders, child abusers


[SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I rise today in support of H.R. 33, the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act.


[SPEAKER]. Without objection, it is so ordered. Equal Rights Amendment [SPEAKER].


Mr. [PERSON] , I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 30, [ORG] by Illegal Aliens Act, and I reserve the balance of my time. [SPEAKER].


Firefighters from Columbus and [ORG] are joining groups like [ORG] and other crews and individuals from across the [ORG] to help those in need. I applaud the leadership of these groups, including [ORG] Chief [PERSON] and Red Lodge Fire Rescue Chief [PERSON] for setting an example of service before self. During my time as a combat search and rescue enlisted aviator in [ORG], we had a motto: These things we do, that others may live.

Combat search and rescue background and military motto invoked to establish credibility and appeal to patriotic service values


And I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country. (Applause.) Under the orders I sign today, we will also be designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

the characterization of immigration as a 'disastrous invasion' uses emotionally charged language to frame the situation as a dire threat requiring military action


His legacy lives on in the lives he protected and the freedoms he fought to preserve. May Colonel [PERSON] rest in peace and may his story continue to inspire for generations to come.


As I said last week, Democrats want to have a robust debate where we can offer amendments and improve this bill. This issue is very important. Americans deserve for us to debate the issues seriously, including by considering amendments from the Democratic side.


As we have seen the last few years, achieving peace in the Middle East was no easy feat. But President [PERSON] achieved it, and he did it quickly. The United States and the world were in harmony.

achieving peace in the Middle East, United States and the world were in harmony


Let's be clear. H.R. 23 is very clear: [ORG], the [ORG], don't believe Israel has the right to defend itself from terrorists or those that threaten to destroy Israel's way of life.

Misrepresents organizations' positions as denying Israel's right to defend itself; uses charged terms like 'terrorists' and 'threaten to destroy'


He is an outstanding coach. So the championship capped off a great season for the [PERSON] . They ended 14 and 2 and proved once again that they really are a dominant force when it comes to [ORG] football.

'outstanding coach' and 'dominant force' are vague praise without specific evidence


We are fortunate that transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people are present in our community, and we fully embrace them as members of our community. As organizations that care deeply about ending sex-based discrimination and ensuring equal educational opportunities, we support laws and policies that protect transgender people from discrimination, including full and equal participation in sports, access to gender-affirming care, access to school facilities, and access to inclusive curriculum. We firmly believe that an attack on transgender youth is an attack on civil rights.

framing support for specific policies as defending 'civil rights' and characterizing opposition as 'an attack on transgender youth'


[PERSON] of the State of Ohio received 4 votes for Vice President. Senator [PERSON] . Madam President, the certificate of the electoral vote of [ORG] seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that [PERSON] of the State of Florida received 4 votes for President and [PERSON] of the State of California received 1 vote for President and J.D.


Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In answer to the distinguished gentleman, he stated precisely what the law is now. He said: How can we go back to our districts and not defend the immediate deporting of people who have committed theft?

Restates opponent's position in a simplified form ('immediate deporting of people who have committed theft') to make it easier to attack, rather than engaging with the full complexity of their actual argument


[ORG]. 1307. Report on the implementation of the electronic employment verification system.


I have said this before, and it bears repeating: Republicans are not going to undermine or weaken this lifesaving bill. [ORG] is not comprehensive immigration reform. It is a targeted piece of tough immigration enforcement.

'I have said this before, and it bears repeating' combined with 'lifesaving bill' and 'tough immigration enforcement'


He loved his daughter. If you ask anybody in the department to describe him-- One friend said-- I feel like his daughter would be in the conversation. He loved his family, and he included it in virtually every conversation he had with his colleagues.


It is a process Republicans are prepared to take, to embrace, and undertake. We will end the reckless spending spree, we will put an end to bureaucratic waste, and we will aim to ensure that every dollar that leaves [ORG] is used in service to the American people. This is our commitment to rebuild trust, to prioritize the needs of the people, and to ensure that the government serves them, not the other way around.

reckless spending spree, bureaucratic waste, rebuild trust, prioritize the needs of the people


A bill to amend [ORG], and Cosmetic Act to deem foods containing xylitol as misbranded unless the label or labeling of such foods contains a warning specifying the toxic effects of xylitol for dogs if ingested, and for other purposes; to [ORG]. By [SPEAKER]: H.R. 238.


BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FORCING OUT-OF-TOUCH MANDATES ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE [SPEAKER]. The [PERSON] recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. [PERSON] ) for 5 minutes. [SPEAKER].


I find it disgusting and offensive, and I will always put American women and girls first. [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. [PERSON] ).

disgust/offense language combined with 'put American women and girls first'


Oh, sure, let's have the storms cost $600 billion worth of damage, $1 trillion worth of damage each time they come to shore. Sure. Why put prevention in place?


This bill would mandate immigrant detention if they are arrested for shoplifting, not convicted, even if they are never charged or convicted. Current law requires mandatory detention of individuals with serious criminal convictions by [ORG], better known as ICE. This has been on the books for a long time.

Contrasting 'arrested for shoplifting, not convicted' with 'serious criminal convictions' creates a false equivalence; 'mandate' and 'mandatory detention' use loaded framing to emphasize severity


He worked for [ORG] since 2017 and had a distinguished record of service with [ORG]. As a [ORG] member, [PERSON] served as a law enforcement officer, tactical fast boat instructor, and search and rescue operator for the safety and security of the United States. Even when he was off duty, he exemplified valor.

distinguished record of service, exemplified valor, safety and security of the United States


53 At the request of Mr. [PERSON] , the names of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. [PERSON] ) and the Senator from Delaware (Ms. [PERSON] ) were added as cosponsors of amendment No. 53 intended to be proposed to S. 5, a bill to require the Secretary of [ORG] to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. [PERSON] , his name was added as a cosponsor of amendment No.


As a point of interest there, their coach, [ORG], is an outstanding coach and a class guy. You saw that in the way he handled the game. Obviously, it was very--you know, they played their hearts out.


I think it was a year or so ago or 2 years ago, we had, I think, 3 months where we had to borrow money to pay for our borrowing. When we go home and talk to our voters, how many of them will look back at us and understand the scale? You get these responses, well, if you just cut this or that--I am going to show a couple of those charts again, and they are rounding errors.

describing voters as unlikely to 'understand the scale' and dismissing alternative solutions as 'rounding errors' to cast doubt on alternatives while using charged language


[PERSON] was a young woman from Iowa who had a bright future ahead of her. Her life was tragically cut short just 1 day after she graduated from college with a 4.0 grade point average. She was killed when an illegal migrant who was street racing while heavily drunk crashed his car into [PERSON] while she was stopped at a red light.

tragic death narrative combined with 'illegal migrant,' 'street racing,' 'heavily drunk' - emotionally charged details designed to evoke fear and associate immigration with danger


[SPEAKER]. [SPEAKER] will report the resolution by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution ([PERSON] .


Also, they were installing wind- and fire- resistant power lines. Again, this is all in a high fire-risk area. [ORG] caught wind of this, and they learned that there was a particular rare plant, a few of the [PERSON] 's milkvetch, in the area, so they rushed in and said to stop.


[ORG]. 102. Detention of certain aliens who commit theft.


By [SPEAKER] (for himself and Mr. [PERSON] ): S. 79. A bill to amend title 41, United States Code, to prohibit minimum educational requirements for proposed contractor personnel in certain contract solicitations, and for other purposes; to [ORG] and [ORG]. By [SPEAKER]: S. 80.


There, she would go on to earn her bachelor of arts and her bachelor of science from [ORG], before moving east to earn her master's in public policy from [ORG]. Throughout her public service career, whether learning from my friend and colleague Congresswoman [PERSON] on [ORG], working on [ORG], [ORG], or at [ORG], Commissioner [PERSON] has served the American people with great distinction. Since she was sworn in as Commissioner on December 15, 2021, Commissioner [PERSON] has improved [ORG] reputation across the West and around the world by effectively leading the [ORG]'s 6,000 employees during an unprecedented time of drought and aridification.

earned her bachelor of arts and her bachelor of science from [ORG]... master's in public policy from [ORG]... served the American people with great distinction


They are out. There will be no desal plant in southern California. Somebody please tell me, what is the solution going to be to add more water supply for California?

rhetorical question 'what is the solution' paired with dismissal of desalination suggests alarm about water crisis and implies no viable alternative exists


(Applause.) As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of [ORG] that there are only two genders: male and female. (Applause.)

declaring 'official policy' with applause suggests patriotic/organizational loyalty appeal; presenting gender as binary with 'only two' falsely restricts complex reality to two options


Olen was also an uncle, a great-uncle, and a great-great uncle. Three generations of family and loved ones had an exemplary role model as an inspirational figure who showed them kindness, love, and devotion. A few times a year, veterans visit Washington, DC, on [ORG], and [PERSON] visited our [ORG] in 2014--10 years ago.


MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE At 11:02 a.m., a message from [ORG], delivered by Mrs. [PERSON] , one of its reading clerks, announced that the House has passed the following bill, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate: H.R. 29. An act to require the Secretary of [ORG] to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft, and for other purposes.


During the record-setting fires in Australia in 2020, the United States sent 362 firefighters to help. During Canada's historic 2023 fire season, more than 2,000 Federal wildland firefighters answered the call. (13) As of the date of enactment of this Act, the United States maintains mutual assistance and cooperation agreements for wildland firefighting efforts with Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal.


Israel and its leaders have an inherent right to defend themselves against these terrorist attacks that occurred from [ORG], and they get to also attempt to rescue these hostages, but the [ORG]'s attempts to interfere with Israel's self-defense and issue arrest warrants for the Prime Minister of Israel, [PERSON] , and their minister of defense, undermines justice. As the only Member of Congress who actually attended [ORG] that formulated the ICC document in the summer of 1998, I can attest that the [ORG] is hopelessly biased and is illegitimate. It claims authority it does not have.


The biodefense program for the [ORG] is spending over $2 billion annually, again, to help communist China develop bioweapons against Americans. We need more research accountability. There are opportunities for education reform.

claiming spending 'help[s] communist China develop bioweapons against Americans' combines fear appeal with loaded language; shifts discussion from accountability to unsubstantiated weaponization claim


There is a legal difference of opinion currently, so I am just going to describe that. It was sold on the House side by saying that there is a settlement called the [ORG] settlement which will continue to protect children and prevent this from happening--an innocent child indefinitely detained in prison with no review process. But let's turn to the counsel for [PERSON] .


They partnered with [ORG] for Humanity, building homes for families in need at home and abroad. [ORG] Sigma Theta has earned special NGO status with [ORG], ensuring our voices are heard on the world's stage. [ORG] Sigma Theta women are among the most powerful changemakers in history.


Mr. [PERSON] , here we are, once again, with my Republican colleagues bringing a bill to the floor that does absolutely nothing to address the needs of the American people. My Republican colleagues made lots of campaign promises to lower costs for everyday Americans, but not a single bill so far has done anything like that. Instead, this week appears to be a week where they say they are protecting women, yet their actions tell a different story.

contrasting 'say they are protecting women' with 'their actions tell a different story' to present only two opposing interpretations


But if that can't be done, then I would ask my colleague who has worked so hard on this particular bill to take a look at whether the Republican side will agree to hear these amendments and vote on them. They may be voted down, but I think they are important. I think it is extremely important that kids not be wrapped up in this.


That the Senate agreed to [ORG]. 13. With best wishes, I am Sincerely, [PERSON] , [PERSON] .


Manhattan District Attorney [PERSON] made the decision to release five of these criminal suspects without bail. There is no question that these criminals should have been detained and removed before they could go on and commit other crimes against innocent victims. My amendment simply would require ICE to promptly take migrants who assault law enforcement officers into custody and ensure that illegal migrants who commit crimes against the men and women in blue are swiftly detained so they can be removed from our country.

characterizing released suspects as 'criminals' and 'criminal suspects' repeatedly; framing the scenario as inevitably leading to 'other crimes against innocent victims' to create urgency and alarm


It is unsustainable. So what I have done is, I have laid out a couple different options here. Again, I will use another analogy.


A bill to allow expensing of amounts paid to move business property from China to the United States, and for other purposes; to [ORG]. By [SPEAKER]: H.R. 509.


HONORING JOHN WILLIS MENARD ([SPEAKER] asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , today I rise to honor the profound legacy of Mr. [PERSON] , who in 1868 became the first African American elected to Congress.

honoring the profound legacy of the first African American elected to Congress


The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 61, nays 35, as follows: [[ORG] Vote No. 5 Leg.] YEAS--61 [PERSON] (FL) [PERSON] ([ORG]) [PERSON] NAYS--35 [PERSON] Rochester [PERSON] NOT VOTING--3 [PERSON] [SPEAKER].


JUDICIAL AUTHORIZATION. Any Federal district court or immigration court is authorized to enter appropriate orders related to this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, requiring Federal law enforcement authorities to arrest and prosecute aliens violating Federal law.


AMERICANS DON'T TURN THEIR BACKS ON EACH OTHER ([SPEAKER] asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.) [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , this image could be from the California wildfires, but it is not.


We expect almost 7 percent of this year to be borrowing, but the concept of just--let me rephrase it, because I just screwed that up. 9.2 percent of the entire economy will be debt, not interest. It will be debt.


The Secretary shall collect and provide to the Commissioner such information as the Commissioner deems necessary for the Commissioner to assign a social security account number, which information may be used by the Commissioner for any purpose for which the Commissioner is otherwise authorized under Federal law. The Commissioner may maintain, use, and disclose such information only as permitted by the Privacy Act and other Federal law.''. [ORG].


But of course Democrats went on to criticize Republicans for doing exactly the same thing that Senator [PERSON] said he would do if the shoe were on the other foot. It was an embarrassing moment or should have been an embarrassing moment for the Democratic minority leader. He sent a clear message to all of us that he was willing to put partisanship ahead of the country and before the voices of the American people who voted for President [PERSON] could be heard.

Democrats criticized Republicans for doing exactly the same thing; portrays supporting the President's agenda as the only patriotic choice versus 'partisanship ahead of the country'


Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant to the following: Article I, Section 8


Tudor embodies the Arkansas spirit of service. Her commitment to the organization, its staff, and its role within communities across [ORG] has been essential. During her 41-year tenure at ARDOT, she helped secure a stable and reliable funding stream; guided the completion of [ORG], which modernized our [ORG]'s transportation systems; played an important role in several interstate designations; oversaw the final stages of construction of [ORG]; and ensured progress on key projects including I-30 and I-69, as well as the Thomas B. Schueck Highway.

Arkansas spirit of service, commitment to organization and communities, essential role


We held a little bit of a contest, I think back in December, where we asked, give us your ideas of how you would modernize or improve or reduce spending, these things. So far this budget year, if you got rid of foreign aid, this is for the 2025 fiscal year, all foreign aid, get rid of it, it is one week of borrowing. Get rid of all the salaries at [ORG].

framing foreign aid elimination as merely 'one week of borrowing' minimizes its significance while presenting elimination as a simple solution to complex fiscal issues


Mr. [PERSON] , I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from New York. [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I urge my colleagues to support this critical measure and ensure that the U.S. remains steadfast in defending our allies, protecting our existence, and upholding the tenets that have long defined our leadership on the world stage.


Americans don't turn their backs on each other. That should not change with California. They need our help.

Americans don't turn their backs on each other combined with 'They need our help' implies abandonment would violate national values


To tackle the climate crisis and to have a fair Tax Code, we need to ensure that those doing more than their fair share to fuel the problem are paying the bare minimum and are held accountable for contributing to the solution. So if [PERSON] and his [ORG] of fat-cat billionaires and the three richest people in the world want to fly private jets to Monday's inauguration to pay tribute to [PERSON] , the very least they can do is to pay for the damage they are doing to our environment. Per passenger, private jets pollute up to 14 times more than commercial flights, and they pollute 50 times more than trains, producing as much emissions as 5 million cars every single year.

fat-cat billionaires, pollute 50 times more than trains, producing as much emissions as 5 million cars


As we are in Washington this week, we will be submitting this letter to [ORG] in [PERSON] 's honor. [PERSON] was a beloved daughter of Northern Minnesota who went from her childhood home in Hermantown all the way to the State Capitol, where she would go on to become the longest- serving woman in the history of [ORG]. Before that, though, she was a social studies and history teacher, and she carried that spirit with her to the state legislature.

beloved daughter of Northern Minnesota who went on to become the longest-serving woman in the history of [ORG]


By [SPEAKER]: S. 102. A bill to require Federal agencies to impose in- person work requirements for employees of those agencies and to occupy a certain portion of the office space of those agencies, and for other purposes; to [ORG] and [ORG]. By [SPEAKER] (for himself, Mr. [PERSON] , and Mr. [PERSON] ): S. 103.


MORNING BUSINESS [SPEAKER]. Under the previous order, the Senate will be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Senator from Iowa.


Families will have to travel to that hospital to go get that. They would get reimbursed for those expenses, but it was taking us 13 to 15 days to reimburse those expenses. Well, what is wrong with that?

emphasizing slow reimbursement times (13-15 days) with rhetorical question 'what is wrong with that?' to suggest serious problems and burden on families


These illegal aliens target and abuse women. This bill sends an important message that we will have zero tolerance for domestic and sexual violence by illegal aliens. [PERSON]

illegal aliens target and abuse women; zero tolerance framing that conflates immigration status with criminal behavior


Yesterday, we had six confirmation hearings--the most confirmation hearings, I might add, in a single day since 2001-- and we have more happening today and tomorrow. By the time President [PERSON] takes the oath of office on Monday, the Senate will have held hearings for 12 of his nominees, and there are plenty more to come. Once the committees complete their work, the process will move to the floor, and we will move as quickly as possible on those votes.

Repeated emphasis on 'most confirmation hearings' and 'more to come' combined with vague assurance of moving 'as quickly as possible' without specifics


Do it now, and take it off the ledger in March when we are going to be told that we must eat more spending in government and California money and a $10 trillion debt ceiling increase. Let's do it right now. Let's do the hard work.

presents urgent action now as only alternative to future forced spending; creates artificial time pressure linking current decisions to inevitable future debt crises


HOUR OF MEETING ON TOMORROW Mrs. [PERSON] . Mr. [PERSON] , I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. tomorrow, January 7. [SPEAKER].


[ORG]: Mr. [PERSON] (Ranking), Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] . [ORG]: Mr. [PERSON] (Ranking), Ms. [PERSON] , Mrs. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] . Committee on [ORG]' Affairs: Mr. [PERSON] (Ranking), Mrs. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] .


Now, without having a legislative hearing, they want to radically revise the statutes to say that it is sufficient for somebody to have been charged with or arrested for an offense like shoplifting or theft, even if the charges are dropped and even if charges are never brought after an arrest is made. It seems to me that they are backtracking from purported fidelity to our constitutional values. Similarly, they want to essentially overthrow [PERSON] Kavanaugh's 8-1 decision in the United States v. Texas from just a couple of years ago where [ORG] determined that States do not have standing to go to court to say that they don't like the way that a particular administration is allocating its resources and implementing a public policy.

'radically revise the statutes' and 'backtracking from purported fidelity to our constitutional values' and 'essentially overthrow'


To deal with this 0.002 of 1 percent, the bill opens the door to invasive scrutiny of all girls' bodies, violating their privacy and dignity. Little girls will be forced to have their biological sex verified through humiliating physical examinations of their genitals by strangers and forced to present documentation about their anatomy. In States with similar bans, even cisgender girls deemed not feminine enough have faced harassment, humiliation, and have been forced to undergo genital examination.

invasive scrutiny, violating their privacy and dignity, humiliating physical examinations of their genitals by strangers, harassment, humiliation


You can't just get on your donor calls and say, man, I really made sure that your corporate rates are great, and we are making sure your capital gains rates are great, and then not do the other side of the work. You have got to eat your vegetables. You have got to actually do the job.

characterizing tax policy work as 'eating your vegetables' and presenting a binary choice between donor service and unspecified 'other side of the work'


Mr. [PERSON] , I rise today to recognize the tremendous achievements of President [PERSON] , the 46th President of the United States. While I could spend my time highlighting the nearly innumerable achievements of his administration, I rise to celebrate what this [ORG] is today because of President [PERSON] 's leadership, a nation on the rise. President [PERSON] and Vice President [PERSON] inherited a nation in crisis; the greatest public health crisis in generations coupled with a threatening economic downturn with rising costs and high unemployment.

tremendous achievements, nation on the rise, leadership


[SPEAKER]. The Senator from California [SPEAKER]. I suggest the absence of a quorum.


They do the same thing. I am very concerned about what they do to young children. According to [ORG], we have a mental health crisis in our country, pointing the finger at social media--not one company, but all the companies that are targeting teenagers and children in our country.

very concerned about what they do to young children; mental health crisis


The United States, with our new Congress and new administration, is not going to put up with these international organizations putting us and our allies in harm's way. [ORG] chose war, and dadgummit, [ORG] got war. The ICC prosecutor, [PERSON] , has made a parody of justice, and he needs to find his place or we will help him find it.

putting us and our allies in harm's way; made a parody of justice; threatening language about making someone find their place


. ========================= END NOTE ========================= [ORG] 38. [SPEAKER] submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill [ORG], supra; which was ordered to lie on the table.


Every President has the right to nominate individuals to serve in key [ORG] positions. However, the Senate has the constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on these nominations. This week's hearing will provide an opportunity to learn more about her, her nomination, and her vision.


Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Utah? There was no objection. The resolution was agreed to.


Fifty years ago, [ORG] revolutionized women's sports and opened doors that had been closed for all previous generations. Because of [ORG], women's participation in athletics skyrocketed by over 1,000 percent in high schools and 600 percent in college athletics. This progress of equal opportunity for millions of girls and women for scholarships, honors, careers, and wealth has been under attack for the entirety of the [PERSON] administration.

revolutionized women's sports and opened doors that had been closed for all previous generations; women's participation in athletics skyrocketed by over 1,000 percent


Pending: [PERSON] (for [ORG]) amendment No. 8, to include crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury to the list of offenses that, if committed by an inadmissible alien, require mandatory detention. [SPEAKER].


So they get a dark winter, and it is cold up there. The Iditarod, [ORG], is coming up March 2. If you are thinking about coming to Alaska, don't think just this summer.

dark winter - uses emotionally charged language to describe winter conditions


It was well-coached by [PERSON] , who is a first-year coach. He is a former [PERSON] as well. He was a coach under [PERSON] for the [PERSON] .


Getting documents is not trivial busy work. These are financial disclosures, ethics agreements, and FBI background investigations. If these nominees have something to hide, these documents could show it.


This isn't fairness. It is cruelty. Mr. [PERSON] , I urge my colleagues to reject this hateful bill and focus on real issues affecting our schools and communities.

characterizing the bill as 'cruelty' and 'hateful' uses emotionally charged language; framing it against 'real issues' implies hidden dangers


And this threat is not something far off or imagined. We have seen [ORG]'s interference in elections elsewhere around the world, most recently in Romania. [ORG] just opened an investigation on [ORG]'s failure to limit election interference in Romania's election, and that has caused all sorts of disruption in that country.

threat is not something far off or imagined...interference in elections...caused all sorts of disruption


And it includes nearly 15,000 illegal aliens convicted of or charged with murder. That is who the left are defending this morning: murderers, rapists, and pedophiles. Hundreds of thousands of criminal illegal aliens are out on our streets terrorizing our women and girls.

characterizing all illegal aliens as 'murderers, rapists, and pedophiles' and claiming 'the left are defending' them; uses emotionally charged language ('terrorizing our women and girls') to invoke fear


There is one that was under way along [ORG] corridor, one that was completed and did 1,800 acres. It took 2 years of analysis to approve the decision to complete that where a simple environmental review would have been done sooner and only affected a small amount of acreage. A very noble project that would have helped would have been near the Eaton fire in southern California, which would have been initiated in August 2020.

2 years of analysis to approve the decision...a simple environmental review would have been done sooner


And one final point: We are not going to be able to tax our way out of this. We don't have a taxation problem; we have a spending problem. I want to make my final comment, the refuting of the false narrative that we hear ad nauseam from the other side.

We don't have a taxation problem; we have a spending problem - presents only two opposing solutions without acknowledging other possibilities; 'false narrative,' 'ad nauseam,' and 'the other side' use loaded language to delegitimize opposing views


President [PERSON] stood with Morocco, recognizing Western Sahara as Moroccan. I appreciate chairing [ORG]. In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues.


The reason why a budget is so important is for a variety of reasons. But one reason is because it allows us to pass budgetary legislation using the majority threshold, which would allow Republicans alone-- hopefully, Democrats will join us, but with 53 Republicans and everybody on the same page, hopefully, we will be able to pass legislation addressing our budgetary challenges. We do have unique rules here in the Senate.

emphasis on 'majority threshold' and 'everybody on the same page' to suggest unified support and inevitability of passage


Teach them reverence for the transcendent as You induce them to ascribe all good things to You. We pray in Your precious Name. Amen.


It didn't rebuild the wall. It didn't have a stay in Mexico policy. It was words.

characterizing complex policies as merely 'words' rather than engaging with their actual implementation or effects


It seems to be where they are going because he is actually giddy about it. You should see the recordings. He was doing a little dance and stuff like, yeah, we have got a new plan for this.


[[ORG]] CONGRATULATING BAYONNE MODEL [ORG] ([SPEAKER] asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I rise today to honor and congratulate the talented students of [ORG] team who returned from Dubai this week where they represented our community and our great State at the Harvard Model United Nations conference.

honor and congratulate the talented students...represented our community and our great State


304: Ms. [PERSON] and Mr. [PERSON] . H.R. 307: Mrs. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] of Kansas, Mr. [PERSON] of Georgia, Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , and Ms. [PERSON] .


[SPEAKER]. Pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX, the previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit. The question is on the motion to recommit.


RECOGNIZING NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY ([SPEAKER] asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I rise today to recognize and celebrate [ORG].


A true trailblazer, Dr. [PERSON] has an accomplished career in both public service and civil rights advocacy. A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he was elected to [ORG] in 1985, a position he held for 2 years before being elected to [ORG] in 1994. After serving three terms, Dr. [PERSON] stepped down in 2004 to take over as the head of the [ORG].


The question was taken. [SPEAKER]. In the opinion of the [ORG], two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.


[PERSON] special Committee meetings. If at least three Members of the [ORG] desire the [ORG] to call a special meeting, they may file in the offices of the [ORG] a written request therefor, addressed to the [ORG].


I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. [SPEAKER]. Without objection, it is so ordered.


They throw more out. They find more species every day, every week, to throw up a roadblock. The leadership there happily seems to acquiesce to that.

throw more out, throw up a roadblock, happily seems to acquiesce


ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS TRIBUTE TO LORIE TUDOR [SPEAKER]. Madam President, I rise today to recognize [PERSON] who is retiring from [ORG] (ARDOT) after an accomplished career, including the last 4 years as its director. [PERSON] started at ARDOT in 1981 as a clerk typist and served the agency for 14 years before departing to obtain an engineering degree.


A resolution expressing opposition to [ORG] of New York City; to [ORG]. By [SPEAKER] (for herself and Mr. [PERSON] of Maine): [PERSON] . 28.


This is the opposite of what the American people voted for in November. There was a column in the opinion page of yesterday's [ORG]. This is a reflection, an opinion of individuals on what legacy there is going to be for [PERSON] .


Sure. Who needs to help families with mental health issues? Who needs to help families who have opioid addiction?


I look forward to paying my respects to this public servant later today. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.


That is double. Just the interest rate exposure going back to even something that is below a historic norm is double everything we are talking about doing in tax reform, of extending the TCJA 2017 tax policy. It is double.

"double" and "That is double" repeated multiple times for emphasis


Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment and call up my amendment No. 23, as provided under the previous order. [SPEAKER].


Let's truly deliver on a promise to help hard-working, middle-class families all across the country, including in [ORG]. I want to thank again Senator [PERSON] . I yield to my colleague from Vermont as well, with whom I had the honor of serving in the House and being part of this debate when it happened.


[SPEAKER]. [SPEAKER] will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.


Now we will talk about [ORG], which is the first one greatly affected as you have seen burning much of that community down. They had a safety project there that maybe in and of itself would not have been the complete be-all and end-all for helping them. You still need the brush lands work to be done so that fire can't come rushing through in areas so rapidly.


A bill to amend [ORG] and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, to reauthorize the [ORG] conservation pilot program; to [ORG]. By [SPEAKER]: H.R. 232.


----------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate The Senate met at 11 a.m. and was called to order by [SPEAKER] (Mr. [PERSON] ).


It exploits those concerns to place all of our daughters in danger. This bill doesn't protect a girl's rights. It eliminates them.

place all of our daughters in danger; eliminates them


Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk for the motion to proceed. [SPEAKER]. The cloture motion having been presented under rule [ORG], the [ORG] directs [SPEAKER] to read the motion.


The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. [SPEAKER]. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.


[ORG] 53. [SPEAKER] (for himself, Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mrs. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , and Mr. [PERSON] ) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill [ORG], to require the Secretary of [ORG] to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT [ORG].


There is a reason this ceremony takes place at the Capitol. In other countries, it might be in a Presidential palace or a gilded executive office building. Here, it is traditionally held at the Capitol, the people's House.

the Capitol, the people's House; emphasizing American democratic tradition and the symbolic importance of the people's representation


SUPPORTING RELIEF FOR CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES ([SPEAKER] asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I thank [PERSON] for organizing the California delegation in support of our fellow Californians who are grieving as a result of the devastating fires in southern California.


Later today, I will join Leader [PERSON] and other congressional leaders in the [PERSON] of the U.S. Capitol to place a wreath on President [PERSON] 's casket on behalf of [ORG]. Today and tomorrow, Americans will brave the snow and cold temperatures to pay their respects to one of the most decent men ever to hold [ORG]. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word--kind, honorable, intelligent, humble, and deeply patriotic.

phrases like 'one of the most decent men ever,' 'gentleman in every sense of the word,' 'kind, honorable, intelligent, humble, and deeply patriotic' use vague, universally appealing positive descriptors without specific evidence


RES. 1 At the request of Mr. [PERSON] , the name of the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. [PERSON] ) was added as a cosponsor of [ORG].


Madam Speaker, this bill not only erodes Federal protections for our kids, but it puts the physical and emotional safety of every child in our public schools at risk. Imagine that you are 8 years old, trying out for the soccer team, and your coach demands that you show them your genitals. That is abuse.

erodes Federal protections for our kids, puts the physical and emotional safety of every child at risk, graphic scenario of child abuse


[PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , Mrs. [PERSON] of California, Mrs. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , and Mrs. [PERSON] . [PERSON] 211: Ms. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , and Mr. [PERSON] .


Let's go grander. Let's go much more bigly. I think that is a pop culture term these days.


Weakening border enforcement, incentivizing criminals with specious asylum claims to cross our border, failing to detain and deport these very same people for crimes committed far away from it--these were the policies that led to [PERSON] 's death. This cannot happen again. It can't happen again to another American or to their family.

Weakening border enforcement, incentivizing criminals...specious asylum claims...led to [PERSON]'s death. This cannot happen again.


Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. [SPEAKER]. Without objection, it is so ordered.


[SPEAKER]. Reserving the right to object, Mr. President, with all due respect to my colleague from Oregon, he voted against even proceeding to this bill. Now he is attempting to force amendments onto the bill outside of the bipartisan amendment process that we are working through.


There are so many reasons why individuals in domestic violence situations are unjustly forced into the criminal legal system. We have seen the data. Too often survivors are arrested alongside their abuser, and they are charged and even convicted of crimes involving violence which later prove to be in self-defense or unjustly charged.

unjustly forced into the criminal legal system, Too often survivors are arrested alongside their abuser


[ORG] of 2025 offers a new promise to America's women and girls. It will strengthen [ORG] protections for women, ensure a level playing field for female athletes, and protect the law from current and future radical regulatory schemes. Mr. [PERSON] , I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

'radical regulatory schemes' and 'strengthen protections' and 'level playing field'


Mr. President, it is an honor to be here today to ask the Senate to confirm President [PERSON] 's first appointment, that being our colleague [PERSON] to be the 72nd Secretary of [ORG] of this great country. His nomination was voted positively and unanimously out of [ORG] just moments ago, actually. Sixteen years ago, I came here and sat down on [ORG].


I am an advocate, through the farm program, of having an absolute limit on the amount of money that one farmer can get from the farm program so that we target toward medium- and small-sized farmers so we don't subsidize very big farmers to get bigger. I got such a legislation through the House and the Senate in previous [ORG], and, would you believe it, even though it was exactly the same language in both [ORG] and that isn't supposed to be touched by the conferees, the conferees diluted it to not a very meaningful limit. Well, I am still concerned about limits.


That is because of its unique political status which prevents us from negotiating a traditional tax treaty. As a result, among our top 10 trading partners, only Taiwan lacks a double-tax agreement. We should forge an agreement both because Taiwan is a leading democracy in Asia and because their investment in the United States supports at least 188,000 American jobs, including many in my southern California district, which is home to one of the largest communities of people from Taiwan in the U.S.

Taiwan is a leading democracy in Asia; their investment supports 188,000 American jobs


1151 et seq.) shall not apply to the adjustment of aliens to lawful permanent resident status under this title, and such aliens shall not be counted toward any such numerical limitation. [ORG].


Again, I want to be very clear because here is what you are going to hear in the coming weeks: [ORG] refuses to do a debt ceiling so reasonable Republicans are going to have to go cut a deal with Democrats to increase the debt ceiling, increase appropriations over our current spending levels, including defense and nondefense, and, oh, by the way, give a crud ton of money to California. That is coming. That is coming.

The repeated phrase 'That is coming. That is coming.' combined with the prediction of undesirable outcomes (increased spending, money to California) creates fear about future negative consequences.


Mr. [PERSON] , this bill is a cynical scapegoating of a vulnerable population. To make matters worse, it is a hateful attack on kids. Trans kids deserve to play sports just like their peers, and Congress can't bar them from the field.

cynical scapegoating of a vulnerable population, hateful attack on kids


She has seen the videos of what trans athletes have been doing to women athletes, as far as breaking their faces in volleyball, basketball, and baseball. We do not have a clear, level playing field when we have the trans community participating in women's sports. We need to protect the concept of the woman, and women must be protected.

'breaking their faces in volleyball, basketball, and baseball' and 'We need to protect the concept of the woman'


The [PERSON] Department leader must be loyal to the Constitution above all else-- including the President. But during his first term, then-President [PERSON] used [ORG] as his personal attorneys. He tried to thwart the [PERSON] investigation, protect political allies, and even overturn the result of the 2020 Presidential election.

loyal to the Constitution above all else; used [ORG] as his personal attorneys, tried to thwart the investigation, protect political allies, and even overturn the result


Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 92 Be it enacted by the Senate and [ORG] in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT [ORG].


[SPEAKER]. Madam President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Illinois seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that [PERSON] of the State of California received 19 votes for President and [PERSON] of the State of Minnesota received 19 votes for Vice President. Senator [PERSON] .


[ORG] shooter in Charleston, [ORG] synagogue shooter in Pittsburgh, and the [ORG] bomber. So, clearly, he believes in the death penalty for some criminals but not most. He made a choice, a moral judgment, that the victims of 37 depraved murderers and their families didn't deserve justice.

characterization of murderers as 'depraved' and framing non-execution as denying victims 'justice' uses emotionally charged language to suggest moral judgment about capital punishment


There are two reasons. [ORG], had we passed it, would have enfranchised more voters and caused greater participation in the process. This act would have helped us by reinstating a version of the Voting Rights Act.


These are virtues he brought to [ORG] in an era when trust in government was arguably at a low in the 20th century. But just as admirable as the legacy President [PERSON] built after holding the most powerful job in the world, after leaving office, he established [ORG] to continue his work on human rights, on spreading democracy, on fighting disease; and we all know about his work with [ORG] for Humanity where he could often be found outside, building houses for families in need, well into his nineties. That was President [PERSON] at his core.

virtues he brought, legacy, human rights, spreading democracy, fighting disease, work with Humanity, building houses


When he returned to the U.S., he maintained his service after being discharged in the inactive reserve. In 1982, [PERSON] rejoined the military as a private in the [ORG] in Spokane, Washington. He attended drill sergeant school and [ORG].


Volunteers are at the heart of the Advocates' work, with thousands of supporters contributing their time to legal services, fact-finding, advocacy, outreach, and operational support. Under [PERSON] 's leadership, the Advocates has provided pro bono legal counsel to more than 7,000 noncitizen victims of persecution, torture, trafficking, prolonged detention, and family violence. She has made Minnesota a leader in anti-human trafficking efforts by advocating for our [ORG] Youth Act and for expanding the [ORG]'s criminal statute to protect more people from labor trafficking and provide permanent [ORG] funding for victims.


He committed a crime, was arrested for that crime, and then was released. He committed another crime--shoplifting. He was arrested for that crime and was then released.


But let's just say that some of our friends on the other side of the aisle, they have an amendment. And let's say that it doesn't get the amount of votes. Let's not use that as a pretext for them not supporting this bill.

sets up a hypothetical scenario to preemptively argue against an opposing position rather than addressing their actual stated reasoning


Thousands of people have lost their homes and a lifetime's worth of belongings and memories. Tragically, first responders have found 16 people who lost their lives, and they expect that number to rise. [PERSON] , Sr., a dedicated father, died alongside his son while waiting for help.

Thousands of people have lost their homes and a lifetime's worth of belongings and memories...they expect that number to rise. A dedicated father died alongside his son while waiting for help.


This act would have protected the LGBTQ community. It would protect their civil rights and their human rights. Yes, [ORG] made a ruling about discriminating against persons because of their sexuality, but that is not enough.

vague appeals to 'civil rights' and 'human rights' without specific details; emotionally charged framing of 'discriminating against persons because of their sexuality'


[SPEAKER] read the title of the bill. [SPEAKER]. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. [PERSON] ) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill.


Democrats have been successful in decoupling any sort of work requirement for able-bodied adults. That needs to be reinstated because when it comes to assessing the people who deserve help and need our help, able-bodied individuals should not be able to ride the backs of the American taxpayers. They need to do like everybody else does who is able-bodied, and that is to be a producer, not somebody who lives off the beneficence of the American taxpayer.

'ride the backs of the American taxpayers' and framing able-bodied adults as either 'producers' or those 'living off the beneficence' with no middle ground


There is no time to wait for [ORG] to get to work because even being a lameduck isn't slowing down [PERSON] 's reckless spending. [ORG]'s binge- buying bureaucrats are being ordered to work overtime, including weekends, to get billions of dollars out the door as quickly as possible before President-elect [ORG] takes office. At the same time, the outgoing administration is cutting collective bargaining deals with government employee unions, giving bureaucrats the right to stay home from work until--get this--2029--conveniently after President [PERSON] 's term.

reckless spending, binge-buying bureaucrats, get billions of dollars out the door as quickly as possible


REMEMBERING JERRY APPLEBEE [SPEAKER]. Mr. President, last week I received news that my high school basketball and track coach, [PERSON] , had died. I want to take a moment here on the Senate floor to pay tribute to him.


[SPEAKER] (for himself and Mr. [PERSON] ) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill [ORG], supra; which was ordered to lie on the table. SA 64. [SPEAKER] submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill [ORG], supra; which was ordered to lie on the table.


[SPEAKER] will call the roll. The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll. [SPEAKER].


A bill to recognize [ORG] in Rochester, New York; to [ORG]. By [SPEAKER] (for himself, Mr. [PERSON] of Iowa, Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of Texas, Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mrs. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of Georgia, Mr. [PERSON] , and Mr. [PERSON] ): [ORG].


Well, folks, I spent the last decade looking while just about everyone else seems to have been looking the other way--until now. While this is a personal issue for me, it should not be a partisan issue. After all, every American benefits from a more efficient government, and everyone loses when tax dollars are wasted.


At the same time that they facilitated the collapse of our southwest border, President [PERSON] and Vice President [PERSON] abandoned any semblance of interior immigration enforcement. In a September 2021 memo, the [PERSON] -[PERSON] administration made enforcement more difficult for [ORG] officers. In training materials obtained by [ORG] and published in a staff report last year, [ORG] failed to answer seemingly clear-cut questions such as whether an alien who served a 20-year drug-related prison sentence or an alien who discharged a firearm outside of a police station should be priorities for arrest and deportation.

facilitated the collapse of our southwest border, abandoned any semblance of interior immigration enforcement, alien who discharged a firearm


It is not American. It is not Christian. It is not moral.

Repeated structure 'It is not' combined with loaded terms like 'American,' 'Christian,' and 'moral' to condemn something without explaining why or providing evidence


And we are working on investing in improvements to military readiness that will help restore American strength so that we can deter our adversaries and keep the peace. We are also going to invest in American energy dominance. Energy security plays a key role in our national security, and Republicans plan to use budget reconciliation to help advance American energy production.

restore American strength, American energy dominance, national security


Here is the same chart I show off and on on this floor: Carbon dioxide represents 0.04 percent of the atmosphere. It has barely changed. Look at the rest of the chart, what isn't CO2.


PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Under clause 2 of rule [ORG], public bills and resolutions of the following titles were introduced and severally referred, as follows: By [SPEAKER] (for himself, Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of West Virginia, Mr. [PERSON] of Florida, Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of Texas, Mr. [PERSON] of Alabama, Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of Pennsylvania, Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mrs. [PERSON] , Mrs. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of Georgia, Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of Maryland, Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] of Oklahoma, Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , Ms. [PERSON] , and Mr. [PERSON] ): H.R. 404. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove silencers from the definition of firearms, and for other purposes; to [ORG], and in addition to [ORG], for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


You are literally--this is not hyperbole--$2 trillion worth of cuts means that nursing homes shut down. People are put out on the streets. It means that poor kids don't get access to mental health services.

nursing homes shut down, people put out on streets, poor kids denied mental health services


By [SPEAKER]: H.R. 321. A bill to establish a system to expedite gate passes and flight access procedures to allow caregivers, parents, and guardians to accompany minors and passengers needing assistance to their flights; to [ORG], and in addition to [ORG], for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


(Applause.) It is my hope that our recent Presidential election will be remembered as the greatest and most consequential election in the history of our country. As our victory showed, the entire [ORG] is rapidly unifying behind our agenda with dramatic increases in support from virtually every element of our society--young and old, men and women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, urban, suburban, rural.

greatest and most consequential election in the history of our country; entire [ORG] is rapidly unifying behind our agenda with dramatic increases in support from virtually every element of our society


Mr. [PERSON] , I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. [PERSON] , this bill sends an incredibly important message across the globe when we make this law: Do not get in the way of America or our allies trying to bring our people home. Do not get in our way.


[SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. [PERSON] ), who has been through the devastation that we are seeing there, and our hearts go out to those in California. His district has been hit by this several times, and I will say that hearing the stories and conversations he has from his district, it just puts it into perspective.


H.R. 153. An act to provide for an online repository for certain reporting requirements for recipients of [ORG] disaster assistance, and for other purposes.


221: Mr. [PERSON] of Alabama, Mr. [PERSON] , and Mr. [PERSON] of Arizona. H.R. 223: Mr. [PERSON] of Alabama and Mr. [PERSON] .


[SPEAKER]. Mr. President, I would like to speak for 1 minute as in morning business. [SPEAKER].


This bill provided the first major increase in child welfare funding in almost 20 years and reauthorized title IV-B funding for another 5 years. It also included provisions to prevent States from separating families solely on the basis of poverty; strengthen [ORG]; recover overdue child support by intercepting Federal tax funds; expand evidence-based services to prevent abuse and neglect; and support foster youth transitioning out of care, among other important provisions. I am so proud to say that [ORG] Children and Families Act was signed into law by President [PERSON] on January 4, 2025.

use of vague positive terms like 'important provisions' and 'evidence-based services' combined with attribution to presidential authority


ARMS SALES NOTIFICATIONS [SPEAKER]. Madam President, section 36(b) of [ORG] 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.


My district encompasses parts of [ORG], [PERSON] , and [ORG], all the way north to the Oklahoma border. Our district offers a tapestry of landscapes that reflect the best of Texas, but what truly makes our district special is its people. From the ranchers who raise horses, beef cattle, sheep, and goats to the entrepreneurs driving new innovation, the healthcare workers caring for our loved ones, and the educators shaping the minds of tomorrow, we are guided by our patriotic love of country.

'tapestry of landscapes that reflect the best of Texas' and 'patriotic love of country'


Dominance in space is central to America's economic strength and military readiness. I am confident that with the leadership of Chairman [PERSON] and President [PERSON] , America will remain the global leader in space exploration and innovation.

leadership of Chairman and President; America will remain the global leader


I thank the gentle lady from Alabama for spearheading this effort to bring justice for our families. I yield the floor. [SPEAKER].


This isn't about party or politics, and I am proud to have joined both of our Senators and 46 other bipartisan Members of California's congressional delegation in urging President [PERSON] to sign a major disaster declaration so that [ORG] can provide public assistance, individual assistance, and direct Federal assistance to our communities. We are grateful that President [PERSON] quickly signed the declaration, and my hope is that President-elect [ORG] will continue to provide resources so our constituents can immediately access the funds and resources that they need to rebuild their lives. These fires are the costliest in California's history, and they are impacting everyone, regardless of income or party.

joined both of our Senators and 46 other bipartisan Members; President quickly signed the declaration


He was deported under President [PERSON] and snuck back into this country under President [PERSON] . Since 2023, he has lived--this illegal immigrant criminal murderer--in taxpayer-funded shelters here in this country. That is what we have seen the last 4 years.

describing subject as 'illegal immigrant criminal murderer' with stacked negative labels; repeated emphasis on taxpayer funding and 'last 4 years' to create threat narrative


What should be the size and scope of government? Well, there are actually things we agree that government should do between Republicans and Democrats; and for those things, we should do them really, really well. All too often, government fails because it is not properly managed, because we don't do a good job; and when we don't do a good job, we end up wasting taxpayers' dollars.

government should do them really, really well


Former Representative [PERSON] and former Senator [PERSON] , a Republican in Tennessee, were my partners on this bipartisan effort. Ten years ago, the legislation passed the Senate unanimously-- something that is almost unimaginable today with the politics we live with--but that underscored the true urgency and importance of this issue. Not only was this legislation the right thing to do, but it made access to clean water and sanitation for the world's poor a development priority for the United States.

unanimous Senate passage and 'the right thing to do' paired with bipartisan effort to establish moral authority and appeal to past consensus


It destroyed people's lives, our miserable failed response to [PERSON] . It cost a lot of money. So Washington went on a massive spending spree, and in the year of the pandemic, we spent actually closer to $6.6 trillion.


She says that she has never worked =========================== NOTE =========================== On page S218, January 16, 2025, in the second column, the following appears: [PERSON] , another great member of my team, our Kenai regional director on the Kenai Peninsula. Covers [PERSON] as well. [ORG] does a great job.


[PERSON] the shadows of pessimism and cynicism, as we face a world often filled with despair. Lord, bring our Senators from the fatigue of doubts to the buoyancy of hope. Make their lives unflickering lights that transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows.

shadows of pessimism and cynicism, world filled with despair, dark yesterdays


[SPEAKER] will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll. The result was announced--yeas 75, nays 24, as follows: [[ORG] Vote No.


A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the earned income and child tax credits, and for other purposes; to [ORG]. By [SPEAKER] (for himself, Ms. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , and Mr. [PERSON] ): H.R. 464.


Hang the plaque now. Every pivotal event in American history has heroes and cowards. January 6 is no different.

presenting January 6 as having clear 'heroes and cowards' with no nuance, and using charged language ('hang the plaque') to frame a disputed event in absolute moral terms


It will only become more important as Congress continues to work in a bipartisan manner to strengthen our economic relations with Taiwan. Last Congress, we approved the first phase of the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on [ORG] negotiated by [ORG] and [ORG], and I have expressed my support for going even further and negotiating a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan. To unlock the benefits made possible by our strengthening partnership, we must ensure that businesses are not at a competitive disadvantage.


11. A witness shall not be required to testify unless the witness has been provided with a copy of section 3(t) of [PERSON] . 5, 119th Congress, and these regulations.


Mr. [PERSON] , I strongly encourage all my colleagues to support the bill. [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , I yield myself the balance of my time.


That is [PERSON] speaking. But, in many ways, it was his penance, as you see [PERSON] is perhaps the worst kind of traitor a native [PERSON] can be--he chose to attend college at [ORG]. [PERSON] 's interest in [ORG] and space policy is lifelong.


paid to do nothing While millions of Americans are working two or more jobs to make ends meet, some federal employees aren't working at all. Dozens of [ORG] employees with nothing to do spend the workday napping or playing chess, dominoes, and cards. Hundreds of other federal employees spend years with no work assignments while on paid administrative leave, costing more than $31 million in salary payments a year.

contrast between 'millions of Americans working two or more jobs' versus federal employees 'doing nothing' and 'napping,' paired with high-cost figures to invoke outrage and concern


Government-wide, there are nearly 150,000 tax cheats owing $1.5 billion in unpaid taxes. [ORG] President [PERSON] 's so-called infrastructure program provided $7.5 billion to build a nationwide network of electric vehicle ([ORG]) charging stations and $42 billion to expand broadband. Three years later, just 17 [ORG] stations are completed and not a single person--not one--has been connected to the internet yet.

Juxtaposing 'tax cheats' with infrastructure failures; 'not one--not one' repetition for emphasis; implies infrastructure spending is wasteful by comparing to tax cheating without addressing actual completion timelines


H.R. 227: Mr. [PERSON] , Mr. [PERSON] , and Ms. [PERSON] . [PERSON]


We do it without strings attached, like we did just in December, 4 weeks ago, for victims of [PERSON] and [PERSON] . I look forward to working with the majority to secure critical disaster relief funding that is necessary for this vibrant, beautiful, unique region to recover and rebuild.


[ORG] NOMINATIONS [SPEAKER]. Mr. President, now, on the [PERSON] hearing, the takeaway from yesterday's hearing on [PERSON] is very clear: [PERSON] is woefully unfit for the job of Secretary of [ORG]. For Mr. [PERSON] , yesterday's hearing was an exercise in obfuscation.

'woefully unfit for the job' and 'exercise in obfuscation'


This was a tragedy, and it was preventable. The man who killed [PERSON] should not have been in the United States in the first place. He definitely shouldn't have been on the streets after previously being involved in two crimes, but he was.

emphasis on preventability of tragedy and repeated focus on criminal's presence despite prior crimes creates sense of danger and systemic failure


[SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , we are sending a clear message to the radical Democrats we will no longer tolerate our daughters being taken advantage of. [SPEAKER].


8, cl. 12: to raise and support armies. Article I, Sec.


A very recent [ORG] report adopts a new definition just to tar Israel with that disgusting libel. Amnesty International Israel was not involved in the report and, as you might expect, rejects its central claims. So I want my fellow Senators to know that I, too, reject this bias and this misleading report, and I say: Shame on them.

tar Israel with that disgusting libel; Shame on them


Staffers no longer use [ORG]. As the old adage goes: The more things change, the more they stay the same. Washington's fiscal house is still out of order.

repetition of the concept of unchanging dysfunction through the adage 'The more things change, the more they stay the same' followed by 'Washington's fiscal house is still out of order'


30. personal explanation [SPEAKER]. Mr. [PERSON] , due to travel restrictions related to my pregnancy, I was unable to travel to DC to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No.


Our enduring commitment to this imperfect but principled work is why 21st century America has one of the most dynamic economies, vibrant cultures, and an important reputation throughout the world as a beacon of freedom. That reputation, by the way, is not assured. That is a reputation that has to be earned by our Nation every single day.

dynamic economies, vibrant cultures, beacon of freedom


The [ORG]'s actions amount to a little more than a political smear campaign cloaked in a veneer of international law. This pattern of behavior from the [ORG] is not new. This is the same body that has repeatedly targeted the United States and our servicemembers, attempting to investigate and prosecute Americans who have risked their lives to defend our freedom around the world.

characterizing institutional actions as 'political smear campaign,' claiming targeting of 'Americans who have risked their lives,' and framing investigation as attack on defenders of freedom


We passed a law that said you have to have an American owner like, I don't know, radio stations, TV stations, newspapers. The Senator from Massachusetts would like to give us a 270- day extension. What is going to be different?

What is going to be different?"}
```

Wait, let me reconsider - "rhetorical_question" is not in my allowed labels.

```json
{"labels": ["doubt"], "evidence": "What is going to be different?