hazylavender/hi huggingface dataset:
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1960-H1977] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Ms. STANSBURY: I rise as a fierce defender from New Mexico to support this amendment to defend our Social Security and our Medicare. As our colleagues across the aisle are trying to gut Social Security and Medicare, Democrats are looking for long-term solutions not only to expand these lifesaving programs but to ensure that they are solvent for generations to come. These programs are lifelines for people in New Mexico. In fact, in New Mexico, we have the highest share of individuals who are on Medicaid by population in the country. That is 873,000 New Mexicans who depend on Medicaid. Our children in New Mexico depend on Medicaid. Over half of our children are on Medicaid. These programs save lives. I ask my colleagues: What kind of cruel ransom note are they putting forward that would gut these programs, that would gut programs that feed our children, and that would gut our environmental programs in the name of raising our debt ceiling? Mr. Speaker, I ask: What is it that we are actually trying to do here today? That is why I oppose the underlying bill that we are debating today and why I support this amendment. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question and to return to the work of the people who elected us.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1960-H1977] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. COLE: I yield myself such time as I may consume for a couple of points. Mr. Speaker, my friend is concerned about the Social Security Act. We have a bill on that, a bill very similar to what President Biden himself voted for when he was in the United States Senate, both the creation of a commission and its final results. I invite my friend to look at it. Perhaps he would join it, and it would be inherently bipartisan. My friend made the point that inflation is a global phenomenon. I agree. It absolutely is. Mr. Speaker, if you screw up the greatest economy in the world, then it has global consequences. That is exactly what my friends did. Don't take my word for it. They were warned by Larry Summers, the Secretary of the Treasury for Bill Clinton, a distinguished economist. They were warned by Steve Rattner, who managed the auto industry under President Obama. They were warned by Jason Furman, who was the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers to President Biden. If my friends pass something as large as the American Rescue Plan, then we are going to have inflation within a year. We did. If my friends would listen to their own economists, then we could have avoided this, and we might not have had to take the drastic action we are today. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden).  {time}  1245
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1960-H1977] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. DELUZIO: I rise in opposition to the rule to advance this bill. I am opposed to the bill. This bill includes massive cuts to veterans' care, 30 million fewer medical visits for my fellow veterans. We are going to see my fellow veterans wait longer to have their claims heard. They are going to see telehealth get worse, mental health services get worse, and homelessness issues get worse. This bill is a betrayal of the obligation this country has to everyone who served. I have seen my fellow veterans used as props on folks' websites and in their ads, people wrap themselves in the flag. Guess what? You don't get to claim you are here for veterans, standing up for veterans when you cut their care. That is what this bill does. It is a disgrace. Everyone in the country ought to know it. We ought to vote it down.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1960-H1977] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Ms. SCANLON: I rise today in opposition to the rule and the underlying bill. This bill makes good on Speaker McCarthy's threat to hold the economy hostage. Several of my colleagues have spoken about the draconian cuts that this bill would make to our social safety net, to services for vulnerable veterans, seniors, families, and children, but it also jeopardizes critical investments that were just enacted as part of the historic and long-overdue climate rescue measures that were included in the Inflation Reduction Act, and those cuts have received less attention. If you didn't know that this bill gutted billions of dollars of environmental measures, you are not alone. Those cuts were made in a deal the Speaker negotiated with the extremists who control his Conference sometime after midnight last night, around 2 a.m. this morning. I am not surprised that they are trying to sneak this provision into a bill that they are ramming through the House with no hearings. The Speaker and his far-right allies argue that Federal spending poses the most significant threat to our country while blocking legislation to address gun violence, healthcare concerns, and other pressing concerns for all of our constituents, but climate change is an actual existential threat to our children and to all future generations. I know the Republican Party isn't fond of looking at the science, but without intervention, the facts are clear: Our children will be forced to face more frequent climate disasters, new and devastating health threats, and untold economic loss. The extremist bill before us dismantles the clean energy climate rescue programs that we passed in the IRA that are essential for our children to thrive. This bill eliminates a billion dollars to promote energy efficient construction, $5 billion for loans to back energy infrastructure projects, $1.9 billion to improve access to public transportation in low-income neighborhoods, and $5 billion to reduce climate pollution in addition to gutting environmental review protections. Mr. Speaker, I am appalled that the Republican Party would so carelessly leverage our children's future, health, and safety to satisfy political extremists. I am disturbed by the shadowy process used to put this bill together. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this rule and the underlying bill.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1960-H1977] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. COLE: I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, in response to my friend's statement, we are certainly not trying to extort anything from anyone. Quite frankly, it is my Democratic friends who are trying to extract something from us that they can't get for themselves. If you believe a clean debt ceiling is the way to go, pass one in a Democratic Senate. You can't do it. The reality is there has to be a negotiation here. What we have said is: Hey, we are in good faith extending the debt ceiling; we are doing it in this bill. We have a lot of Members who have never voted to do that, who are actually doing it. Here is our opening position in the negotiation. What is yours? We haven't heard that. It is just simply, well, give us what we want and pass the President's budget. If they genuinely want to talk, we are giving them the opportunity to actually do that. I remind my friend, we look forward to discussion, but the first step is to raise the debt ceiling. That is what we are going to do here, then we will see what the Democrats do in the United States Senate in response. Then we can all go to conference and talk this thing out and hopefully come to a bipartisan solution. The hysterics and theatrics might make good print. That is not the reality of the process here. We are operating within the spirit of the process. We hope our friends do the same. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez), a distinguished member of the Rules Committee.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1960-H1977] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ: I left the Capitol at 3 a.m. this morning, after fighting Republicans' plans to default on America unless we impose drastic spending cuts, cuts that are so severe they will hurt farmers and ranchers, kids and families, and this beautiful place we call home. Nobody in any State will be protected from their draconian cuts. When I asked how to explain the bill's drastic cuts to rural communities in my district, the Republicans' response was, ``You should tell them that we have to prioritize.'' The Rules Committee Republicans then blocked my amendment to protect rural water, housing, and business development programs. In essence, they said to rural America, you are not a priority. The Republicans blocked my amendment to protect veterans' healthcare, the Indian Health Service, and clean energy investments. Veterans are clearly not their priority. Healthcare is clearly not their priority. Addressing the climate crisis that is fueling disasters across America, across the United States, and across this planet is clearly not their priority. Do you like knowing your food is safe? The Republicans' bill could cut 1,800 USDA food inspectors and cost our farmers, ranchers, and restaurants $89 billion in lost production and $2.2 billion in lost wages. The majority blocked my amendment to protect the Food Safety and Inspection Service from cuts. When Republicans now demand we cut spending on healthcare, safety, and housing, what is it for? To pay for the tax cuts for the rich that they pushed through in 2017. Protecting the rich and the wealthy tax cheats clearly must be their priority.  {time}  1300  Through backroom dealings, the Republican majority has now settled on a bill that backstabs working families. Their bill delivers poison, not prosperity. Congress must not default on America. America pays its bills. America knows how to prioritize what is essential for our prosperity.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1959-H1960] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Ms. SPANBERGER: I rise today to discuss the impact of the broad-brush cuts in Speaker McCarthy's plan, a plan that would hurt Virginians, including $30 billion in cuts for veteran spending that would hurt the veterans I represent and cuts to the vital Meals on Wheels program that would hurt seniors across Virginia's Seventh District. To hear about the impact of this incredibly important program, I reached out to Virginians I serve to talk about the program, and I heard from hundreds of seniors, volunteers, doctors, and caregivers, who have seen the benefits of Meals on Wheels. Carolyn from Woodbridge, who lost her husband a year before breaking her hip and turning to Meals on Wheels for support, called this service ``a true blessing as I heal.'' Anita from Fredericksburg whose 94-year-old aunt relies on the program said: ``Please vote against defunding Virginia's senior meal delivery services.'' When Shawn from Caroline County's grandmother suffered a stroke, Meals on Wheels made sure she had lunch so his parents would not have to quit their jobs to care for her. At a time when thousands of Virginia seniors are at risk of hunger, the Meals on Wheels program should not be on the chopping block. I urge my colleagues to vote against this legislation.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Page H1959] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. MILLER : I rise today to recognize World War II veteran Robert Rothenberg, an American hero from Ohio. Robert was a landing ship motor machinist's mate 2nd class on the USS La Moure County (LST-883). Robert sailed the Western Pacific, from the Marshalls and the Marianas to battle-torn Okinawa. After discharging the men and equipment on Okinawa, Robert traveled with the 6th Marine Division to Pearl Harbor. After Japan surrendered, his ship delivered occupying troops to that country. Despite his service in the war, Robert was never presented with any of the service medals and decorations he earned for his courage and sacrifice to our Nation. I am so pleased that we recently were able to finally present him with the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. I thank Robert for his service. Let us never forget the service and sacrifice of America's Greatest Generation.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Page H1959] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. HIGGINS : today, I rise to honor one of western New York's greatest athletes, Randy Smith. A natural competitor, he came to Buffalo to play basketball, soccer, and track and field at Buffalo State before he was drafted into the National Basketball Association by the Buffalo Braves in the third round. An underdog from the very start, Randy Smith became the heart and soul of the Braves, holding records and becoming the most valuable player in the 1978 NBA All-Star Game. Randy Smith embodied western New York's hardworking spirit and community pride. He often spent time playing basketball in local parks and visiting city schools, serving as an inspiration and mentor to kids across the community. Randy Smith passed away at the age of 60 in 2009. During a time when our community is still healing from heartbreak and loss, we must continue to keep his legacy alive. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Buffalo Braves all-star Randy Smith and his commitment to becoming the good neighbor to the City of Good Neighbors.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Page H1959] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. ROSENDALE: Montana students have always been on the cutting edge of science and technology. Today, I rise to give special recognition to a group of students from Helena who may soon impact the way that we all travel. Earlier this month, a robotics team from Helena introduced new equipment that the TSA hopes will reduce wait times at airport security. The team, known as Fusion 4133, is renowned for its technical expertise, winning the 2023 Montana regional championship and qualifying for an international competition. What makes Fusion's design for TSA so remarkable is its simplicity. Using a 3D printer, the students designed a ramp that will allow bags to flow seamlessly through airport screening systems. The bright group of inventors are living proof that no one is too young to pioneer new technologies. I am confident their work will expedite travel for millions worldwide. It is my privilege to recognize them on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Page H1959] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. MOYLAN: I take this time to recognize and honor the late, great John Camacho, also known as Chubado, who sadly left this world a few years ago. John left behind his lovely wife, Darleen, and children, Janice and Jeremy. A proud son of Guam, John received numerous accolades for academic excellence during his time at Fresno State University where he obtained a bachelor of science in civil engineering. In 1978, he and his friend Henry Simpson were the brain children of Smokin' Wheels, which consisted of off-road motorcycling, buggy, and truck endurance. In 1979, John participated in the Baja 1000, which remains one of the most prestigious off-road obstacles in the world. On behalf of the Nation and the island of Guam, and in these sacred Halls of democracy, I honor and recognize John Camacho as a founding father of motorsports on Guam and as a renaissance man for the sport in the region.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1958-H1959] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. KILMER: today, I rise to honor my friend Patty Rose for her decades of service to the working people of Pierce County, Washington. Born and raised in Tacoma, Patty began her journey at the Service Employees International Union in 1974 where she held various roles, eventually becoming a union representative advocating for workers' rights. In 1981, Patty joined the Pierce County Central Labor Council, serving as a delegate and executive board member before her election as the first female secretary-treasurer. In this role, she has worked passionately to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions, making Pierce County a national leader in union membership with rates twice the national average. Patty has emphasized inclusivity by partnering with communities often marginalized and increasing apprenticeship opportunities for young people. Her empowering leadership has significantly shaped our community and helped workers. I am grateful for her partnership and her friendship and her invaluable advice throughout my career. As Patty retires, we will miss her presence, but I am happy to report that she can enjoy more time with her family and traveling in her RV. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Patty Rose's remarkable career. I wish her a well-deserved retirement.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Page H1958] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. WILSON : I am grateful to recognize Martha Ruthven for her service for the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. Martha has been an invaluable team member for nearly 9 years, dedicated to constituent service. Moving from North Carolina after her nuclear physicist stepfather accepted a position at the Savannah River Site, Martha began her love of the Palmetto State. Working in the Congressional Aiken/Barnwell office, Martha quickly became embedded in the community, attending events, meetings, and advancing constituent services. As deputy district director, Martha has long been a trusted adviser to the many thousands she has assisted. I appreciate she will remain in Aiken. In fact, she will be heading to Savannah River Nuclear Solutions to continue community relations. I wish the best to Martha and her husband, K.T., a respected Realtor and president of Aiken Republican Club. In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America. Our prayers for the courageous people of Ukraine resisting war criminal Putin, who is sacrificing young Russians for Putin's oil, money, and power.
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1957-H1958] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Ms. PEREZ: earlier this month, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders was injured in a car accident while driving his patrol car. Since the accident, I have been in touch with Sheriff Sanders. He has incredible strength and resilience. Amazingly, just 2 weeks after being airlifted to Harborview Medical Center for his injuries he has been cleared to return to work. Mr. Speaker, as I stand here in Washington, I will continue to send my thoughts and prayers to him and his family back home. I hope he has a speedy recovery. I am so grateful to Sheriff Sanders and officers like him who accept the risks of their job to keep our public safe.  Veteran Wait Times
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1957-H1958] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Ms. PEREZ: I rise today to bring attention to the long wait time veterans endure when trying to get through to the VA. As the granddaughter of a veteran, I have deep respect for the sacrifice that comes from serving our Nation in uniform. We make a sacred promise to veterans: If they step up to serve, the Nation will be there for them when they take off the uniform. Yet, the wait times for primary care appointments at the Vancouver VA hospital in my district are 3 weeks; physical therapy, 4 weeks; and mental health, 8 weeks. To make matters worse, those times are absolutely an underestimate. The Veterans Health Administration reports average wait times on its website using the time at which an appointment is scheduled by staff rather than when the appointment is requested. This does not take into account the time veterans are forced to wait on hold just to get an appointment. Last April, the Office of the Inspector General called this out in its report, but it still has not been remedied. A lot of time is spent in this Chamber talking about our national debt, and rightly so, but we already have a kind of debt that we are failing to serve. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in keeping our end of the bargain and making healthcare more accessible for our veterans.  Postal Service Delays
[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1957-H1958] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-26
Chamber: HOUSE
Ms. PEREZ: I rise today to bring attention to the unacceptable state of the Postal Service in my community and across rural America. Those of you who live in urban communities might have experienced the mail just comes on time. I have constituents whose bills are delivered weeks or days after they are due, making it impossible to pay them on time and ruining their credit. This summer, a mail carrier in my community got sick and there was no one to deliver the mail for months. In another instance, a postal master key was lost in Clark County, which has led to incredible, rampant mail theft in the area. In all of these cases the Postal Service seems unwilling or unable to fulfill their mandated duties. Mr. Speaker, this isn't just about southwest Washington, it is all across rural America. This state of affairs is unacceptable. The United States Postal Service is a lifeline to our communities and a critical piece of infrastructure for connecting our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand up and find a bipartisan solution with me to fix these issues, reform the Postal Service, and improve service for Washingtonians.  Consolidation