mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2020-3-13

I rise today in support of the bill. The American people are rightly concerned about coronavirus, and as a Congress, we have a responsibility to help them deal with this crisis. Many Americans--sick or not--will need to stay home from work. Many will need access to testing and care. Our state and local health care providers and first responders are on the front lines of this fight. We're all in this together. That's how I'm thinking about it as a citizen--for my family--and as United States Congressman working for you, for Oregon, and for our nation. prgtoken Last week, we approved over $8 billion to get more tests out into our communities, reimburse local entities for the work they are doing, and to find a vaccine and treatments. We need to do more, and that's what we will do today. prgtoken By working together, our efforts will leave our country better prepared to address this crisis. But I must note that more could have been done. prgtoken First, we all know hospitals across the nation are preparing to treat a surge of patients and health care providers are already running low on crucial respirator masks. We need to make more of these masks available to protect our health workers who are on the front lines of this pandemic. By making commonsense changes to the PREP Act, we could boost the availability and supply of critically needed respirators. This is a missed opportunity, but I'm going to keep pushing. We need to get these crucial pieces of protective equipment out to communities who need them most. prgtoken Second, our front-line needs reinforcements. We currently have provider shortages; to win this next stage of the fight we must maintain sufficient hospital staffing. Dr. Burgess and Representative Eshoo have a bipartisan bill that would improve the ``Ready Reserve'' of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The ``Ready Reserve's'' purpose is to fulfill the need for additional personnel on short notice for public health and emergency response. We must improve the surge capacity of our health care workforce. Why this was left out is maddening; it makes no sense. prgtoken Of course, we all know there will be more work to do in the coming weeks. We must get ready. We need to turn our attention to our medical product supply chain--both for this pandemic and future ones. prgtoken For me, this is not a new concern, prior to the coronavirus outbreak, I've raised concern about our country's overreliance on foreign pharmaceutical manufacturing. If a country monopolizes the production of a drug and wishes to retaliate against the U.S they could substantially increase drug prices or reduce supply in an attempt to cause shortages, limiting access to critical medications. This could put American lives at risk in a time of crisis. prgtoken Finally, I still believe the Medicaid policies in the bill could have been designed more effectively and better-targeted to the immediate challenge pres
BIRTHDAY WISHES TO ROBERT E. HILL
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2020-3-13

. Madam , I would like to wish Mr. Robert E. Hill a happy 100th birthday and recognize his service to our nation as a citizen and veteran. After graduating from Paulett High School in Cooksville, Mississippi in 1939, Mr. Hill joined the United States Army. After completing Basic Training, Mr. Hill served our nation for over four years and saw service during World War II. Mr. Hill served his country honorably on the Italian Peninsula and was a part of the Rome-Arno, Northern Appennines, and Po Valley campaigns. At the end of his service, Mr. Hill held the rank of sergeant. On behalf of our country and state, I would like to thank Mr. Hill for his service to our great nation and wish him a happy birthday.
NO WAY TO HANDLE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-3-13

it is quite sad that something this important had this kind of procedure. prgtoken Now, I got a bill at around 9 o'clock or so. I was told it was the most recent draft. I read through that, and I got through it in time to have a number of questions highlighted, tagged. prgtoken I wasn't able--my staff was trying--to get a copy of the bill we were going to vote on. I got it right before the buzzer goes off that we are going to have a vote in 15 minutes. prgtoken This is no way to handle something so important. Part of my problem, my concerns and questions I couldn't get answered: Is this going to put some people out of business? I get over here, and people hadn't read it, so they can't answer my questions. prgtoken This is no way to handle billions and billions of dollars when we are trying to help people, and we don't even know whether we will help them or hurt them.
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF HAMILTON COUNTY ENGINEER TED HUBBARD
Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-3-13

. Madam , I rise to recognize Hamilton County Engineer Ted Hubbard for his 38 years of service at the county engineer's office and congratulate him on his recent retirement. prgtoken Ted is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati who has committed his career to enhancing Southwest Ohio. He holds deeply the belief that honest public service is key to bettering civil society. Mr. Hubbard is right; our republic is built on the hard work and service of devoted men and women. Ted Hubbard is one such public servant. prgtoken Ted's tenure at the Hamilton County engineer's office was marked by a keen ability to forge relationships with the people, groups, and governments around him. Throughout his time at the office, whether as a design engineer, in permitting and construction, or as a deputy engineer, Ted had a positive impact on Hamilton County. Ted's leadership on projects such as Colerain Ave, Montgomery Ave, Fields- Ertel Road, Winton Road, and the Cross County Highway will benefit our community for years to come. prgtoken I wish Ted the best as he moves on to a new chapter of his life and thank him for his service. prgtoken May God bless Ted and his family.
HONORING JUSTIN MITCHELL
James Comer (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-3-13

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Justin Mitchell of Franklin-Simpson Middle School, located in Franklin, Kentucky. As an 8th Grade Social Studies teacher, Justin received the American History Teacher of the Year Award from the Kentucky Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. prgtoken This prestigious honor is a testament to the professionalism Justin demands of himself every day and a recognition of the great influence he has had and will continue to have within Franklin-Simpson Middle School. prgtoken Active at the state level, working to push education into the future, Justin serves as the Vice Chair of the Education Professional Standards Board and the Assessment and Accountability Council. He continues to organize enriching trips for students to Colonial Williamsburg, VA, and teach at Western Kentucky University's Center for Gifted Studies. prgtoken He has committed his career to working with community leaders to improve opportunities for the next generation and ushering in a brighter future for the Commonwealth. prgtoken His impact on Simpson County, and public education, cannot be overstated. I've seen the great work Justin Mitchell has done, and join with all of my constituents in the 1st Congressional District of Kentucky in congratulating him.
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-3-13

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 6201, the second coronavirus relief bill. prgtoken Fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills were enacted less than 3 months ago, which included record levels of spending on our public health infrastructure. This allowed the administration to respond immediately to the coronavirus when the threat became clear. prgtoken Last week, the House and Senate voted almost unanimously on an $8 billion emergency supplemental, giving the administration new resources to respond to the virus. Unfortunately, the threat we face has grown more complex and costly in only a week's time. prgtoken The bill before us will provide a second installment of supplemental funds and combat the negative economic effects of this disease that has now been called a pandemic. prgtoken This legislation builds off of last week's bill, where we expanded the availability of tests for the coronavirus to ensure that everyone who needs to be tested, gets tested. prgtoken , in his remarks today, the President reaffirmed his commitment to distribute millions of tests and speed up how they are processed. This bill takes the next step to include more than $1 billion to cover the cost of taking these tests, including for servicemembers and veterans. We must ensure tests are administrated so that people know if they are infected. This is the only way we can stop the spread of this virus. prgtoken Emergency food assistance is provided in the bill for seniors, women, children, and low-income families. That includes additional help for children whose schools are being closed as a precautionary measure to keep them safe. prgtoken Tax incentives are included to encourage American businesses to allow employees to take emergency leave to limit the spread of the virus. No one should have to choose between getting a paycheck or infecting other people. prgtoken , we have heard many concerns about the needs of small businesses. In addition to the tax incentives in the bill, more than $37 billion is already available from prior appropriations for the Small Business Administration to make loans. As we watch the impact of this virus on our Nation's job creators, I will continue working with the administration and my colleagues to ensure they get the help they need. prgtoken While bringing this bill to the floor has taken much longer than I had hoped, it is time for Congress to pass it. This bill will give the President and our public health officials the tools that are needed right now to respond to this quickly changing threat. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this measure. We must pass this bill today to help lessen the devastating impact of this global pandemic on the American people. prgtoken , .
SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES TO HELP RECOVERY
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-3-13

. Madam , the prevailing thought has been ``things will get worse before it gets better,'' and recently, it appears the ``worse'' part is here. prgtoken Necessary measures are being taken as we have learned more about this virus. We now have a new term: ``social distancing.'' prgtoken Small businesses, though, are suffering, and tourism, the economy in general. This outbreak is causing a lot of hurt. prgtoken Now more than ever, it is important to support our local small businesses. They are the backbone of our economy and are experiencing a decline that we haven't seen in a long time from the recent coronavirus outbreak in their towns. prgtoken Their failure will result in a much larger problem for a country that has proven to be quite resilient. prgtoken The SBA is offering disaster assistance loans to small businesses impacted by the virus. prgtoken The issue is to ease and cushion our economy so that, in a few weeks, we can start our bounce back. And, indeed, we will bounce back. prgtoken Last week's measure will help our health providers. Hopefully, this week's economic package is not chock-full of socialist wish lists by the but is something that will actually be helpful to save lives and the economy and is affordable at the same time. prgtoken I hope we can accomplish good work this week.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2020-3-16

families across the country are facing an unprecedented challenge, and we must act, and act now, on solutions that put families and the American people first. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act takes a substantial step toward providing the relief and assurance communities need as we face this public health crisis. prgtoken Families should not be forced to choose between a paycheck and their own health and safety, or the health and safety of their community. A restaurant worker in Vermont cannot afford to stay home from work for several days or several weeks and still afford to pay her rent or feed her family, but staying home is exactly what we are asking waitresses, store clerks, gas station attendants, hourly workers, and many other employees to do. To contain this virus, we must address this reality. prgtoken Today, I am strongly urging s and to drop their labels and support this emergency relief package, and pass it now. The American people need leadership, not political battles. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act creates two weeks of emergency paid sick leave so that people who work for small businesses are able to stay home from work if they are sick or must quarantine due to coronavirus. It creates up to 12 weeks of job protection under the Family and Medical Leave Act, and allows an employee to stay home for a longer period of time to recover from illness, or take care of a sick family member, or care for a child who must be at home because of school and daycare closures. These are commonsense solutions. Not only is it the right thing to do, it is a critical step if we want to contain and defeat this public health crisis. It means employees won't have to choose between going to work when they are sick and potentially spreading the virus and missing a paycheck. This bill also makes important changes to the unemployment insurance program to help those that lose their job during this crisis. I hope, as Congress considers further steps to help address this crisis, we further support the small businesses that are supporting these employees and are the backbone of our local economies. prgtoken The Families First Coronavirus Response Act would inject $500 million into the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and contains legislative changes to free up funding to help children who would go without breakfast or lunch if their schools closed. It would provide $400 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program to ensure that food banks have the resources they need to serve their communities and provide $250 million for senior nutrition programs. These are common sense proposals to help families where they are in their communities. prgtoken Importantly, this bill will provide $1 billion to help cover the cost of testing for people who are uninsured. This virus does not discriminate between the rich or the poor, o
DIRECTING THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE CORRECTIONS IN THE ENGROSSMENT OF H.R. 6201
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-3-16

. Madam , we had rushed this bill to the floor--I would say rush. It had been an all-day thing Thursday and and all-day event Friday, and most of us were not part of the negotiations. We kept getting different versions of the bill that was going to be coming to the floor, and about 9 o'clock I got the latest rendition and had read that. I made a lot of notes and tags and things I was concerned about, and then I thought that was what we were going to be voting on that night; but then there was a new version filed immediately before midnight, and we voted about 12:30. prgtoken So I had real concerns about some of the wordings, some of the problems. Of course, as President said, elections have consequences; the majority is going to get a whole lot more of what they want in a bill than the minority. I totally understand that, but there were some concerns about matters. prgtoken I am very concerned about small businesses. It had been changed from other laws, exempting those with over 50 or more--like in Care-- employees. Yet in this one, it changed exempting under 500 to under 50--I'm sorry--applying to everybody under 500. That included all those under 50. prgtoken A big concern is that it was going to overwhelm some of our smallest businesses. We know a majority of Americans work for small businesses. They create more job opportunities. So this was a big deal. But though I didn't support the bill, and I still have big concerns, I am very grateful for the efforts of the majority, the President, the Secretary of the Treasury, and staff members of our minority leader who have continued to negotiate and work to try to get some of these problems figured out. prgtoken So there is no question in my mind at this point that what are being called technical corrections make the bill better than it was when it got passed in the wee hours Saturday morning. So because of that, Madam , I withdraw my objection to the technical corrections so there may be unanimous consent now that I withdraw my objection.
CORONAVIRUS
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-3-17

as the coronavirus spreads, U.S. Federal health and intelligence agencies are working hard to protect the public. It is critical that their hard work not go to waste. Federal health agencies must have access to all intelligence community information that could help combat this pandemic. To help with that access, the intelligence community must guard against overclassifying information. In situations like this, information is power. Our Federal health and intelligence agencies are the best in the world. Let's show the world that America can stop the spread of this virus. prgtoken My tweet for the morning is this: 2day at 948AM we just received the bill from the House the ``Families First Coronavirus Response Act'' What business do democrats hv blaming McConnell all wknd for not calling a vote when we can't do anything until the House sends it over? They know better Stop the politics! prgtoken This is in response to 172 calls my office got yesterday wondering why we have not voted on this important bill. So it is important for me to remind everybody that the Senate can't pass this bill or even debate this bill until the House sends it over. We have now received it, and I assume we will soon do that. prgtoken .
CORONAVIRUS
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2020-3-17

. Of course, the other thing we are focused on this week is the issue that is at the top of everyone's mind, and that is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. prgtoken Two weeks ago, Congress passed coronavirus legislation providing more than $8 billion in funding for virus research, testing, and medical care. This week, we are looking to pass the second phase of Congress's response, and that is legislation to continue our investment in medical care and to begin to address the economic impact the coronavirus is having on American workers. prgtoken The House has reached an agreement with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, and Senators are currently reviewing the House's legislation, which arrived here in the Senate just this morning. I look forward to passing that bill this week. prgtoken As the leader said on Sunday, Senate s believe that any legislation we pass this week is only the beginning of Congress's response to the virus. prgtoken As this outbreak continues to unfold, other issues will need to be addressed, and Senate s are already planning for legislation to address future priorities, whether they be in the increased funding for medical facilities or measures to provide support for American families and businesses. prgtoken This is a challenging time for our country, but it is often in challenging times that we see the very best of America. We are seeing that already--in neighbors' ensuring that neighbors are supplied with necessities; in sports figures' donating to ensure that workers at their arenas are still paid even when games aren't being played; in restaurants' helping to feed their neighbors even though their businesses are currently suffering; in companies and arts organizations' acting to provide free resources to families who are hunkering down at home; in the millions of Americans who are providing the essential services we need during this outbreak--from the workers' stocking the shelves at our grocery stores and pharmacies to the truck drivers' delivering needed goods across our country; finally and especially, in prgtoken our healthcare professionals, from doctors and nurses to sanitation staff, who risk exposure every day to ensure that Americans receive the care they need. prgtoken When we have come through this outbreak, all of us will want to be able to look back and say that we did everything we could to help keep our fellow Americans safe and slow the spread of this disease. The best way to do that is by following the guidelines that we have been given-- washing our hands frequently and thoroughly, practicing social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and staying home when advised. Some of these measures may be inconvenient, but they are a small price to pay to flatten the curve and limit the disease's spread. prgtoken While anyone can be hit hard by the coronavirus, there are a lot of people who are especially vulnerable to complications--from elderly Americans
CORONAVIRUS
Ben Sasse (Republican, NE) \u2014 2020-3-17

we are in the midst of two crises at once--one health-related and one economic. I tend to think that the prudent path forward on the health front is that even as we hope for the best, we should continue planning for the worst. If this nasty disease continues to ramp in roughly the same proportions as it has in Italy and Spain, it will overwhelm our hospitals. So I think the social distancing recommendations from the President and from the CDC over the last 4 days are a prudent action. prgtoken At the same time, we are also in the midst of a genuine economic crisis. Lots of moms and dads are worried that they might be laid off, and lots of businesses are evaluating whether they are going to make payroll and whether they are still going to be in business months down the line. They are scared, and DC needs to act more urgently than we usually do, but just saying we need to act urgently is not a substitute for actually having good ideas and actually advancing good policies. prgtoken There is a herd mentality around this building right now where a lot of normally smart people are literally saying things like: The most important thing is to be fast, even if the ideas that are being advocated for are not really ready for prime time and can't really withstand the scrutiny of debate. That is a really dumb idea. It is a ready-fire-aim approach. We do indeed need to work fast, but working fast is no substitute for working smart. prgtoken Again, I agree that this virus and the strategies necessary to contain it are producing some of the worst economic upheavals we have seen in a generation. prgtoken Further, we need to be preparing for these unexpected economic hardships to last for 6 months or even longer. But that fact is a reason to prepare; it is not a reason to panic. That fact is a reason to debate hard and fast but still to debate what good policy looks like; it is not a reason to allow garbage policies to get by because someone simply says: No, no, no, we have to go faster. You can't ask questions about the policy. prgtoken Over the next 48 to 72 hours, this body will be making some crucial decisions about somewhere between one and four spending packages. I agree with the President that this is an unprecedented economic situation and that the Federal Government, at the health level, obviously has a fundamentally crucial role to play in helping us get through this pandemic, which recognizes no borders or boundaries; thus, the Federal Government has to spend real money. As the third or fourth most conservative Member of the Senate by voting record, that is not language I use a lot, saying that we are going to have to spend real, significant amounts of money, but that is clearly true in this moment. But saying we should spend real money is not the same as saying we should spend like idiots. prgtoken Unfortunately, Washington, DC, so far has been handling our responsibilities exactly as a lot of vote