hazylavender/hi huggingface dataset:
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Page S1289] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. DURBIN: I was necessarily absent for rollcall vote No. 2, on adoption of the Van Hollen amendment to provide grants fire station construction through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 85. Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted yea.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Pages S1286-S1289] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. SCHUMER: I ask unanimous consent to recognize the 30th anniversary of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and then I will say a few words about it.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Pages S1277-S1285] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. VAN HOLLEN: I call up amendment No. 85 as provided under the previous order, and I ask that it be reported by number.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Pages S1277-S1285] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. VAN HOLLEN: our firefighters put their lives on the line every single day, charging into danger whenever duty calls. That is why we have a duty to back them up--not just in words but also in deeds by providing them with the resources and facilities they need and deserve. The underlying bill today extends critical programs to provide training, equipment, and personnel, and I commend the chairman of the committee and the full committee for their action on this. But there is also an urgent need to repair crumbling, insufficiently safe firehouses. Nearly half of the fire stations across the country require major repairs. Forty-six percent of them do not have systems that prevent our first responders from being exposed to mold or cancerous carcinogens. Some have proposed that we address this by taking funds from the assistance to firefighters grants for station construction, but that program is already overprescribed. In fact, in 2020 alone, over $2 billion in requests competed for just $319 million. That is why the firefighters oppose the amendment to poach moneys from the underlying fund. This measure--this amendment does not poach those moneys. It adds an authorization so that we can have additional funds, when appropriate and if appropriated by the Congress, to provide for fire stations that are crumbling. This is based on a bill, a bipartisan bill I introduced with Senator Murkowski, and I appreciate her support for this amendment. In the House, this is also a bipartisan bill led by Congressman Bill Pascrell. So I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Pages S1277-S1285] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. PETERS: I want to thank my colleague from Maryland for his support of the Fire Grants and Safety Act. The amendment he is offering would authorize a new grant program at FEMA to fund fire station construction. And while I fully support increased Federal resources for this purpose, I must, unfortunately and reluctantly, vote no on this particular amendment. This language has not been moved through committee, and FEMA has not had the opportunity to provide input to ensure that this bill achieves its intended goal. But let me say again: I fully support this effort, fully support the Senator from Maryland, and agree with him totally that we need to have more resources to help our communities upgrade their fire stations. This is an urgent need. I also agree we want to make sure that we are not raiding the current fund for this purpose, which is why the next amendment coming up, I will also be voting no. But I fully intend to work with the Senator from Maryland to move towards a markup on his stand-alone bill, on this very topic, which has been referred to the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, a committee in which I chair. But I will reluctantly be voting no on this amendment.  Vote on Amendment No. 85
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Pages S1277-S1285] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Ms. COLLINS: I just wanted to add my congratulations to my friend and colleague Senator Murray for casting her 10,000th vote. She has been such a remarkable leader, a steady force, a hard worker, and it has been wonderful to work in partnership with her on the Appropriations Committee. Patty, congratulations, and we look forward to many more extraordinary accomplishments.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Pages S1277-S1285] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. SULLIVAN: every job in America is important, but there is something special, sacred, even noble about a job that entails putting your life on the line to keep your fellow citizens safe, and that is the job of our firefighters. In Alaska, firefighting season will be upon us soon. It can be brutal. In 2005, roughly 6 million acres of the State burned. That is about the size of Vermont. Think about the dedication and courage it takes to fight those fires, many of which are in rural parts of our States. It is only right that when firefighters come to Congress asking for assistance, that we give them the flexibility they truly need. So why is my amendment necessary? Currently, the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program only allows modification to existing fire stations rather than new facilities. Many old firefighting facilities can't be modified. A 2021 report by the U.S. Fire Service found that 44 percent of fire stations are over 40 years old. The issue is even more acute in rural parts of our country where facilities have problems which cannot be fixed through maintenance and repair alone. For example, roughly 61 percent of fire stations over 40 years old exist in communities serving less than 10,000 people. So, Mr. President, my amendment is simple. It costs zero dollars. It gives discretion to the firefighters in rural communities to allow Federal grants to small communities of less than 10,000 people to use the Federal funds to build new stations. That is it: a simple, commonsense amendment backed by data to help firefighters in small communities in America who often don't have the tax base to build new facilities. We should help them. We all have rural communities that need this help. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Pages S1277-S1285] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Ms. STABENOW: first of all, I have to also lend my voice in congratulations to Senator Patty Murray. We are so proud of her and look to her for her leadership. It is an honor to serve with her in the leadership in the Senate, but she is just an extraordinary Member. And 10,000 votes--that is a lot of votes, and we should all continue to be very grateful for her leadership. So congratulations. Mr. President, this amendment is one that, in spirit--I mean, I agree with the need. Senator Sullivan and I have talked about the fact that I think he identified something that is very important for small rural communities. It is, however, duplicative of work we already do through rural development in USDA. The USDA has Community Facilities Programs. They provide grants and loans and loan guarantees for essential community services in rural areas of 20,000 residents or less, including public safety.  Communities have used this for firetrucks, fire department construction, and fire equipment that Senator Sullivan has talked eloquently about. Last year, it was nearly $100 million in assistance to rural fire departments. So I told Senator Sullivan that we will have, in the next number of months, the farm bill reauthorization on the floor. I want to work very much with him on how we might be able to more focus or strengthen this program that already exists. The farm bill is coming up. I believe that is the place for us to address what is a very important issue. So I would urge my colleagues to channel their support to rural first responders into supporting this particular program in the upcoming farm bill reauthorization.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Pages S1277-S1285] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. PETERS: I appreciate my colleague from Alaska's support and cosponsorship of the FireGrants and Safety Act before us, and I also appreciate and fully agree with this amendment to help smaller communities build new facilities. But I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment because of the unintended consequences it would have. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program historically receives applications for five times the amount of funding that is available. In 2020, there were $2 billion in requests for only $300 million available in funding. This program is massively oversubscribed, and that is why all of the major firefighting services in this country oppose this amendment. That includes the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. All are calling for clean passage of the Fire Grants and Safety Act without amendment. I know my colleague shared the goal of the good Senator from Alaska. I do as well, but I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, join with our firefighters all around the country. Let's send a clean firefighting bill to the House.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Pages S1277-S1285] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. SULLIVAN: again, I want to work with Senator Stabenow on this issue, but we have an opportunity right now. Every Senator knows that our firefighters in small communities come to the Senate and ask for help because they don't have the tax base to actually build new facilities. And the facilities, as I mentioned, are very, very old. All this amendment does is add a new category to request for assistance only from communities of 10,000 people or less. It is common sense. We all know it is needed. Again, I encourage my colleagues to support it. I respect all the firefighter groups who are saying they oppose it, but the only reason they are opposing it is because they say they want a clean bill. You know what, sorry, but that is not a very good argument. I urge the support of this amendment No. 83.  Vote on Amendment No. 83
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Page S1276] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. SCHUMER: next on the FBI, a few weeks ago, former President Donald Trump called on Republicans in Congress to defund the Department of Justice and FBI because of personal grievances. Instead of standing up to President Trump, Speaker McCarthy and Republican leaders have been silent, and some Members of their party even echo the former President's call. That is why today I am introducing a resolution denouncing President Trump's call to defund the DOJ and the FBI. The Senate will act on this measure as soon as next week. The resolution is simple. It expresses our support for Federal law enforcement, and it condemns Donald Trump's call to defund the DOJ and FBI and any other partisan attempts to undermine their authority. When the resolution comes to the floor, every Member of this Chamber will have a chance to do the right thing: stand up for the brave law enforcement who keep us safe and reject the former President's dangerous call to strip away their funding. I hope the resolution passes unanimously. It certainly should. The DOJ and FBI do critical work to protect our communities from threats at home and abroad, including drug trafficking, gun violence, terrorism, and so much more. Do Republicans really want to cut their funding, the funding of these Agencies, making it harder for them to do their jobs? Again, where will Republicans stand? Will they stand with the Federal law enforcement who keep us safe or stand with the former President and his dangerous call to defund Federal law enforcement? The American people deserve to know how radical the hard right has become, and this resolution will give them answers.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [Senate] [Page S1276] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. SCHUMER: next on women's rights and veterans' rights, for weeks, the senior Senator from Alabama has threatened American security by blocking over 180 routine military promotions because he objects to women in the military accessing reproductive care. Yesterday, the Senator from Alabama's objections came before the Senate for consideration through a resolution that would have eliminated reproductive care for our veterans and their families. Senator Tuberville lost the vote. Senator Tuberville lost, while our women veterans won. Yesterday's vote made two things very clear: First, MAGA Republicans are so hellbent on eliminating reproductive choice that not even veterans and our generals are safe. Americans have made abundantly clear that they reject the hard right's anti-choice agenda, but MAGA Republicans still double down. Second, the Senate has now spoken on Senator Tuberville's anti-choice proposal and said no--one of the few instances where a CRA has been voted down in the Senate and, in this case, with bipartisan votes against it. The Senate has spoken. Senator Tuberville has zero excuse for blocking 180 military promotions. His objection has been presented, considered, and rejected on a bipartisan basis. He should drop his holds against our military personnel and move on. I urge my Republican colleagues who care about our national defense and about our veterans to talk some sense into our colleague from Alabama so he can drop his dangerous holds.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [House] [Page H1906] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. GREEN : I move that the House do now adjourn. The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 12 o'clock and 46 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Monday, April 24, 2023, at 11 a.m.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1899-H1904] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. SCHWEIKERT: I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. McClain). Mrs. McCLAIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my district, my State, and my country to say that the Chinese Communist Party is actively working to destroy America. From aggressive military actions to spying on Americans through TikTok and high-altitude balloons, the CCP is focused on becoming the world's number one superpower. Mr. Speaker, I want to make something very clear: China is not our friend. They are coming at us militarily, economically, and educationally. They are our biggest adversary. We know that China is targeting our country as a whole, and we also know that they are targeting individual States, as well. For example, in North Dakota, China has bought up farmland right next to a strategic military base. Probably the only vacant land in Nebraska they could find was next to a strategic military base.  In Texas, China is using the shadow of TikTok to build a massive facility that will focus on spying on Americans. Now, in my home State of Michigan, China is tightening its grip on a chip manufacturing facility and establishing a facility in Big Rapids. The company taking over this town is called Gotion, which is actually a subsidiary of a company that is owned and operated by the Chinese Communist Party. When Gotion proposed this new plant, they sold a good story by promising 2,000 jobs and massive economic gains for the State. Actually, Michigan could use some economic gains for our State, but we know the truth. Gotion is establishing its Big Rapids plant in order to extend its CCP influence in Michigan. They plan to utilize Chinese EV chip technology and send the profits of its production right back to the CCP. By the way, those 2,000 jobs that they promised? They will be filled with Chinese workers implanted from Beijing to work at this facility, not to mention--wait for it--over $500 million in tax breaks from our Governor will be used to subsidize these jobs and given to Gotion. Let's not forget, ironically, coincidentally, that Big Rapids is home to Ferris State University, which just got an accreditation for their information security and intelligence program.  {time}  1130  That seems like a coincidence, doesn't it? I can assure you; I am not much for coincidences. This is a blatant move from the Chinese Communist Party to undermine the State of Michigan and gain greater access to our State and our country. Make no mistake about it, this Gotion plant poses a huge threat to our national security. That is why I am standing before you today to call out Gotion and the CCP for their plot to ransack Michigan.  I will not stand for this blatant attack by the Communist Party, and I will not sit idly by and watch this happen.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [House] [Page H1899] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. CROW: I rise today to honor the victims of the horrific mass shooting that occurred at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Twenty-four years ago, 12 teenagers and 1 teacher went to school and never came home. I stand before you all today and ask: What has changed since Columbine? Two weeks before his death, one of the victims expressed concern to his dad about America's gun laws. He asked his dad about the loopholes in the Brady Bill that allowed individuals to obtain guns online or at gun shows. His life was taken from him by a gun purchased through one of those loopholes. The gun show loophole remains open to this day. Gun violence in this country is the worst it has ever been. Our children fear going to school every single day, and Republicans in Congress refuse to take any steps to protect them. Americans have had enough, and I have had enough. We can and must do more to protect our children and our communities from gun violence. We must ban assault weapons and ensure these weapons of war are inaccessible to the general public. As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to act to stop these tragedies from occurring all over our country.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [House] [Page H1899] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: HOUSE
Ms. KAPTUR: I rise today to talk about the irresponsible brinksmanship being played by House Republicans with the debt ceiling. Let me point out that inflation happens when too much money chases too few goods. In order to stem inflation, America needs to be producing more goods right here at home, not importing more and more of everything and subjecting our markets to supply chain choke holds from offshore producers and shippers that drive the prices up. What America makes and grows makes and grows America. Supporting products made in America makes and grows a real middle class. Why champion more windfalls for Wall Street and powerful financial titans that finance outsourcing our jobs going to penny wage havens? We should reshore what Americans use, eat, and drive and reduce inflation. Speaker McCarthy ought to stand up for America, stand with the American people on Main Street, not with the outsourcers and scions of finance on Wall Street who outsource our jobs.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [House] [Page H1899] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. RUIZ: I rise today to celebrate Dr. Michael R. Reich for being honored by the Center for Global Development for his tenure as Harvard's Taro Takemi Professor Emeritus of International Health Policy. I have had the privilege to know him as a great friend, a man of science and empathy, a man who believes that health is a human right, and a man who has devoted his life to creating a healthy global community. Dr. Reich has dedicated decades to investigating the inequities in health services around the globe, understanding the intersection between healthcare and policy, and advocating to improve healthcare outcomes for underserved communities all around the world. As a professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Reich has empowered his students to learn from and contribute to real- world global health policy scenarios, bringing new perspectives to cases like health reform in West Africa, malaria control in Zambia, national pharmaceutical reform, or even reproductive health policy in Guatemala. Today, I celebrate him, his legacy, his friendship, and his outstanding contributions to our global community.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 66 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1898-H1899] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-20
Chamber: HOUSE
Ms. PLASKETT: I rise today in recognition of National Alcohol Awareness Month. This Nation is in the midst of a war for the protection and longevity of our children. We have found ourselves battling epidemics at an unprecedented magnitude, many of which are plaguing our youth: violence, suicide, mental health, and, most notably, substance abuse.  Alcohol use among youth is more prevalent than tobacco or illicit drugs. The dangers of underage drinking are significant, as they can drastically increase the likelihood of alcohol dependency later in life, cause a decline in academic performance, and increase engagement in harmful behaviors such as the use of other drugs and impaired driving. In addition to the adverse mental health effects, it puts children and young adults in jeopardy of developing health risks that negatively affect the brain, liver, and endocrine system. We have already lost too many young lives by not taking necessary protective measures. Research shows that a lifetime of conversations between parents and their children can prevent underage drinking. Let's all do our part to protect our children.