mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REVENUE NEUTRAL PERSONAL CONSUMPTION TAX
Bob Good (Republican, VA) \u2014 2023-4-18

I thank the gentleman from Georgia for his leadership on this critically important issue. prgtoken You might say what the House of Representatives does is tax and spend. Thankfully, we are the party that wants to tax less and spend less, so it is a win-win for the American people, a win-win for freedom, a win-win for Americans as a whole. prgtoken It is appropriate on this day of all days, national tax day, to be discussing the state of our tax system. It is no secret to most Americans that the IRS does not serve their interests and, worse yet, frequently uses its power to target law-abiding American citizens and conservative groups. The American people are sick and tired of dealing with a broken, confusing, and even hostile tax system. prgtoken My office regularly hears from constituents who simply want to get an answer from the IRS when they are trying to do their taxes or want to know why they are forced to pay taxes for things such as an inheritance from their loved ones. prgtoken Rather than take a hard look at the current situation, the administration has made it clear they want to further weaponize the IRS against hardworking Americans by spending $80 billion to hire an estimated 87,000 new agents to harass, intimidate, and threaten taxpayers. prgtoken In fact, in Virginia's Fifth District, one of the things I commonly hear is what we need more of is IRS agents. Of course, I have never heard that in Virginia's Fifth District. prgtoken The American people deserve a better tax system that does not needlessly target them or even punish them for doing their best to work hard, put food on the table, and comply with an ever-more-complicated tax code. prgtoken The addition of these 87,000 IRS agents should raise alarm bells for all Americans since the IRS and its employees regularly do not follow the limits of their lawful directive. We can point to example after example. prgtoken As a matter of fact, just last month, an IRS employee was found guilty of three counts of wire fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, five counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false and fraudulent return, and three counts of making and subscribing a false and fraudulent tax return. prgtoken Clearly, the American people do not need a more powerful and emboldened IRS. The current system must change, and that is where this bill from the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter) comes into play. prgtoken The FairTax Act tax system is easy to understand, and it will save billions in compliance for taxpayers and the Federal Government. It holds all Americans to the same standard, a 23 percent sales tax. In doing so, Americans will not be onerously taxed on what they earn. Instead, they pay a fair tax on what they consume. It puts Americans in control of the taxes that they pay. prgtoken It removes the discrimination that is in the tax system because everybody pays taxes based on what they consume. O
PROTECTING WOMEN AND GIRLS' SPORTS
Jennifer Kiggans (Republican, VA) \u2014 2023-4-18

I rise today as a former female athlete, mother of two daughters who are athletes, lifelong runner, and former coach of girls' sports teams. This week we will vote on a bill to protect women and girls' sports. I led a similar bill in the Virginia Senate and look forward to supporting this measure in the U.S. House. prgtoken I feel passionately about this issue and want to convey how important it is to protect women's sports for future generations. prgtoken This bill is not about discriminating against any group of people, but rather protecting the benefits of allowing biological girls to push themselves and bond over a shared physical goal. Allowing women to excel in a physical activity promotes teamwork, sportsmanship, and self-confidence. Women's sports offer opportunities for young girls to discover their strengths and teach them that hard work pays off. prgtoken Title IX protected these opportunities and allowed young women in this country to compete and win in fair fields of play. Biological men and women are physically different and should be respected for those differences. prgtoken Failing to acknowledge these differences takes away opportunities for girls and women to succeed on the playing field. We cannot allow this to happen. prgtoken I am proud to support the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, and I strongly urge all of my colleagues to do the same.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 734, PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORTS ACT OF 2023, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 42, DISAPPROVING THE ACTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA...
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-4-18

our Rules Committee meeting last night was an embarrassment. prgtoken s went on and on about locker rooms, the same creepy stereotypes they leaned on when they tried to stop gay marriage. prgtoken They went on and on about fairness, but no mention of the unfairness girls' sports teams face when it comes to unequal resources, unequal pay, and unequal treatment. prgtoken They went on and on about safety, but no mention of the number one reason America's schools are unsafe: gun violence. Our kids are being slaughtered, for God's sake. Does anybody on the other side even care? prgtoken s claimed trans people don't even exist, which makes me wonder why they wasted all our time on their creepy obsession with controlling the lives of people they think aren't even real. prgtoken s now believe Congress--Congress--should be empowered to pick and choose which kids should be allowed to play on the soccer team. prgtoken You can't make this stuff up. prgtoken What is next? A bill about who can play together at recess? prgtoken hypocrisy is breathtaking. s want to ban trans kids from sports, but they won't ban child marriage in States like West Virginia and Tennessee. prgtoken The same party systematically taking away women's reproductive rights across the country, the same party that won't lift a finger as our kids are massacred in our schools, that takes NRA blood money instead of addressing an actual problem like gun violence, now wants to use protecting girls as their sick excuse for targeting trans kids. prgtoken Enough is enough. Stop the fearmongering. prgtoken The truth is that this bill would mean more trans kids, already vulnerable as it is, would be bullied, beaten, and killed. It would deprive trans kids of the opportunity to learn about teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. prgtoken Finally, let me just say that the trans community deserves so much better than this. I hope they know that they have allies in Congress and across the country who care about them and who will fight for them. It shouldn't be a radical idea to respect people for who they are, and it shouldn't be a radical idea to love people for who they are. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to stop the lies, stop the bigotry, stop the hate. Leave kids alone. I urge a ``no'' vote on this awful, rotten rule and a ``no'' vote on the underlying bill.
CONGRATULATING THE 2023 GRADUATING CLASS OF THE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE AT TOURO UNIVERSITY NEVADA
Susie Lee (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-4-18

. Madam , I rise today to speak about the frightening recent developments concerning the personal freedoms of millions of Americans. prgtoken A single judge in Texas has dramatically restricted decades-long access to safe and effective abortion medication in all 50 States. prgtoken Anti-choice extremists have made it clear that this is not the end. They did not stop at overturning Roe v. Wade. They will not stop at preventing women from accessing FDA-approved medications like mifepristone. prgtoken They have made it clear about their intention to restrict control and ban a woman's right to choose with Federal legislation. From the courts to Congress, a woman's right to choose is under attack. We will not be intimidated, and I am doing everything in my power to stop this. prgtoken My home State of Nevada, where voters decided by a 2-to-1 margin in 1990 to protect a woman's right to choose and just last fall voted to reject the extremist politicians leading this crusade to ban abortion nationwide, has made it clear where it stands. prgtoken I have made it clear that I am here to represent my district and my State. prgtoken Last week, I joined hundreds of my pro-choice colleagues in signing on to an amicus brief that has been filed with the Supreme Court, asking the Court to reverse the Texas judge's radical decision. prgtoken I am not giving up and neither should you. I support choice. The majority of Nevadans support choice. The majority of Americans support choice. prgtoken It is time for Congress and the courts to do the same.
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF WILLIE MIMS
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-4-18

I rise today to recognize the service of Willie Mims. prgtoken , throughout Mr. Mims' life he has shown his commitment to educating, serving, and empowering residents of the community that I have represented for some time now in Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area. prgtoken In 1963, Willie began engaging in local politics, advocating for the Rumford Fair Housing Act, which aimed to combat racial discrimination in housing in California. He went on to obtain his teaching credentials and had a long career in teaching with the Vallejo City Unified School District. prgtoken Willie is also an original member of Pittsburg's Black Political Association and part of the executive committee of the East Contra Costa County Branch of the NAACP. He was instrumental in the creation of the Antioch Unified School District's African American Male Achievement Initiative, which sought to address racial disparities in education. Willie received the Dr. Martin Luther King Freedom Fighter Award in 2008 in recognition of his many efforts to promote racial justice and equity. prgtoken Willie is a true leader and friend. We are grateful for the positive impact that his work has had across our community. Please join me in recognizing Willie for his many years of devoted service to his community.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 734, PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SPORTS ACT OF 2023, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 42, DISAPPROVING THE ACTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA...
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-4-18

I thank the gentlewoman for her kindness, and I only have a minute to talk about kindness. prgtoken I vigorously oppose the underlying legislation dealing with our beautiful children that is what it is, and I join with the Utah Governor who indicates that this minute problem does not deserve a sledgehammer. prgtoken This bill deals with girls and women in sports, and the Olympics and the NCAA have spoken on transgender. I speak from the heart as a fellow human being. I speak from loving children as the chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus. prgtoken I cannot stand here and tolerate 53 percent of trans kids considering suicide last year. They want to belong. They want to have friends. They want to play sports. prgtoken If you are 5 years old, 12 years old, this Congress has no right in interfering with a beautiful community. It is, in fact, a blessing to have a world and a Nation that has people who are different. prgtoken I affirm their difference. I stand for their difference. I will fight for their difference because they should be loved like anyone else. prgtoken The rules and regulations are already in place. Why are we here doing that when guns are killing our children?
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2023-4-18

. I don't think I have got this wrong. I may be mistaken, but I don't think so. prgtoken I would just say, again, Senator Lee's proposal appears to be modeling on a program at the Department of Transportation that allows States--and I underline ``allows States''--to assume some responsibilities, not all but some responsibilities, for highway projects. prgtoken Having said that, this amendment is far broader in scope and impact and lacks the numerous safeguards that are in place for the highway program. For example, this amendment establishes mandatory--mandatory, not discretionary--assignment of responsibilities to States. In doing that, it has no requirement for public notice. It does not require the Federal Agency to verify that the State has either the resources or the personnel available to carry out Federal responsibilities. Moreover, as best I can tell, this mandate includes no auditing or monitoring requirements. That should give all of us pause. That should give all of us pause and cause for concern. prgtoken Having said that, I am working with our colleagues on opportunities to improve environmental review procedures, but I just don't believe this is the right vehicle for the way to proceed on this particular provision. I look forward to discussing it further with our colleague from Utah in the days ahead, but for now I am going to urge our colleagues to vote no on this amendment.
RECOGNIZING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-4-18

this spring, we mark the 30th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act, known as FMLA. This groundbreaking law allows millions of workers to take unpaid leave from their jobs when necessary, without the fear of losing their jobs or being forced to choose retaining a job over the needs of themselves or their families. prgtoken Prior to the passage of the FMLA, there were no uniform laws or guaranteed leave for workers. None. In 1993, with bipartisan support, Congress passed, and President Bill Clinton signed into law, the Family and Medical Leave Act. prgtoken FMLA has remained crucial for workers all over the United States for three decades. It has provided workers across the country with 12 weeks of leave to care for a new child, an ill family member, or their own health. During this time, one's job is guaranteed. Unfortunately, FMLA leave is entirely unpaid, only about 56 percent of workers are eligible for the program due to strict eligibility requirements regarding tenure and worksite size, it restricts the definition of family to exclude millions of caregivers, and the stark reality is that many workers cannot go without income. prgtoken As we celebrate 30 years of FMLA, Congress should recognize that paid family and medical leave is long overdue. The pandemic made crystal clear that the current patchwork system fails to cover many workers, especially low-paid workers, and harms our economy by removing millions of workers from the labor force and hundreds of millions of dollars in earnings. Limiting leave to those who can afford time off without pay harms workers of color and lower-wage workers, in particular. For example, Black workers are 86 percent more likely to be unable to take leave when they need to care for others or themselves. Indeed, 68 percent of Black women are the sole breadwinners in their households, making any loss of pay due to illness or caregiving a tremendous hardship. Families should not face the unethical choice of earning a paycheck or caring for their loved ones or themselves. prgtoken As the lead of the Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, which has jurisdiction over paid leave, I am proud that House passed out of the House the first-ever, universal, comprehensive paid family and medical leave program. Had the s in the Senate not blocked its final passage, this program would have provided all U.S. workers with up to 4 weeks of paid leave to address a serious personal or family health issue, or to care for a newborn or newly-adopted or fostered child. prgtoken Universal paid leave is not a gamble; we have decades of research from state and international implementation that comprehensive protections help businesses retain qualified workers and government support helps level the playing field for small businesses while supporting workers and strengthening the economy. Fourteen states and the District of Columb
ISSUES OF CONCERN
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2023-4-18

. Madam , I am the only Congressperson from Tennessee, so in some ways I represent the entire State on issues of concern to and people of progress. prgtoken Tennessee and New York, unfortunately, have been shameful in their conduct recently in the way they relate to government and in the lack of the way they relate to meaningful gun reform to protect our citizens from mass shootings. prgtoken In Tennessee there was the Tennessee Three. Three legislators who went to prgtoken the well to protest the fact that after a murder, a terrorist act killing six citizens at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, there was no response from the supermajority s in the general assembly, nor at the time from the Governor. prgtoken They went to the well, while the galleries were full of people protesting the lax gun reform laws or gun laws in Tennessee, to protest and say, we should have some gun laws to protect our children and to protect people all over our country who are victims of mass shootings. prgtoken They expelled two of the members and tried to expel three for simply raising an issue that otherwise would not be raised by a supermajority and that was favored by a majority of the people in Tennessee by far-- red flag laws. prgtoken No more weapons of war should be sold, the weapons that people used to do mass shootings at Covenant Presbyterian Church; in Louisville, at the bank; and almost everywhere where there are mass shootings in this country. prgtoken That was shameful for the Tennessee General Assembly to try to expel three and to expel two, and not to take up gun reform. prgtoken Governor Lee later took up gun reform and said he was for red flag laws, but a red flag law was proposed this week, and it didn't even get a motion or a second. prgtoken In New York, the House Judiciary Committee adjourned to New York, a recess there, to have a hearing yesterday allegedly concerning a State official, the DA, Mr. Bragg, and his record that they call pro-crime and anti-victim. prgtoken What they really went to New York to do was to act as 's public relations firm and defense firm, something the United States Congress is not empowered to do for any individual. They are not empowered to go into another jurisdiction where federalization laws say that the States have their own prosecutors, and the Federal Government is not supposed to go in and ask for information that they can then give to the defense, and attack Mr. Bragg. prgtoken The facts were well-pointed out that New York is a safe city, and safer than most of the major cities in Mr. Jordan's State of Ohio. They attacked Mr. Bragg and said he was supported by George Soros. prgtoken What does that have in common with Tennessee? prgtoken The people they went after were minorities. prgtoken Mr. Bragg, the first African-American-elected DA in the borough of Manhattan and in Tennessee the two youngest members of the general assembly who happ
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-4-18

few have left their mark on this country like our dear friend Senator Dianne Feinstein. She is a legend in California, the first woman Senator from the State. prgtoken She is a legend here in the Senate--the longest serving woman Senator in U.S. history. She built a reputation as an expert legislator on so many issues--gun violence, VAWA, the environment, women's rights, and so much more. prgtoken But her impact doesn't end there. Dianne is a legend throughout the country. She shattered enumerable glass ceilings, moved countless mountains, and molded millions of minds. Few have accomplished as much in office as Senator Feinstein. prgtoken Our colleague and friend has made her wish clear, that another Senator temporarily serve on the Committee on the Judiciary until she returns. I thank Senator Cardin for agreeing to step in. prgtoken So today, I am acting not just as leader, but as Dianne's friend in honoring her wishes until she returns to the Senate when someone as dear and as accomplished as Senator Feinstein asks us for something so important to her, we ought to respect it. prgtoken I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of my resolution which is at the desk; I further ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
REMEMBERING IRMA CANTU ACOSTA
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-4-18

I rise today to celebrate the life of Irma Cantu Acosta, a titan in Southern Californian real estate and a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. prgtoken Irma grew up in Los Angeles after her parents, Tomasita Saenz Cantu and prgtoken Benjamin Cantu, moved their family from Texas to California in 1950. She graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and attended Stockton Bible College in Stockton, CA. But after only one semester, as her son Gary says, Irma and her high school sweetheart Ernie ``missed each other too much,'' and they chose to get married in 1962. Together, they had three children--Gary, Yvette and Daliah Lynn--before Irma started what would become a highly accomplished career in real estate. prgtoken Because of her intelligence and uncompromising drive, she quickly became an association executive for the Montebello Board of Realtors, where she would serve for 43 years. While there, she received numerous awards for both her personal and professional achievements, including Woman of the Year for her record in association management. prgtoken As a founding board member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, she helped make the dream of homeownership possible for more Latinos. She served as a mentor to countless real estate professionals and business owners, providing guidance and care to the next generation of business leaders in Montebello. prgtoken Throughout our Nation's long and storied history, there have been leaders, allies, and advocates who have chosen not just to work hard and succeed in their chosen fields, but to turn around and help others achieve the American dream. Irma was one of those leaders. In the families she helped, the mentees she guided, and in her three strong, compassionate children, Irma kept that dream alive. What better gift to leave behind than hope for the next generation. prgtoken California's thoughts are with Irma's husband Ernie; her children Gary, Yvette, and Daliah Lynn; and all those who knew and loved her.