mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RESOLUTIONS TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-9-25

something happened in the last 48 hours or so that affects 40,000 to 50,000 people in my State and affects, literally, probably 1 million people or more around the country. These are people who are making $30,000, $35,000, $40,000, or $45,000 a year. prgtoken Essentially, the President of the United States robbed them of their overtime. This isn't histrionics. It is not alarmist. It is fact. This is how it works. If you are managing a fast food restaurant and you are making $40,000 a year, and if the company decides to call you the night shift manager--the management decides to declare you as management--it means they can work you 45, 50, 55, 60 hours a week and pay you not a cent--not pay you time and a half. They don't pay you time and a half. They don't even give you another cent more than your 40 hours. prgtoken In other words, if you are a moderate-income worker making $35,000 or $40,000 a year--not enough to have a middle-class lifestyle like you could have had in this country 20 or 30 years ago--and management decides they are going to classify you as management, they can work you as many hours as they want without a cent of overtime. prgtoken Now, that has been a problem for years. Five years ago, we fixed it. The Vice President of the United States with Secretary Tom Perez came out to Columbus, OH. I worked on this issue. We made this announcement at a small manufacturing firm. They supported this agreement, and many businesses did. This would have meant that for anybody making up to about $46,000 a year, if they worked those extra hours and they were called management, from then on they were going to get overtime--time and a half. That is what overtime pay is about. That is what the overtime rule is about. prgtoken President loves to say that he is on the side of workers, but you can't say you support workers individually if you don't support workers collectively. The President says: I care about these individual workers. If he really cared about these individual workers, he wouldn't have, in essence, robbed 40,000 to 50,000 Ohioans--and I don't know how many million Americans--of their overtime pay. We passed that rule. The administration sent the Secretary of Labor to Columbus, OH, and I was there when we made this announcement. On behalf of 150,000 Ohio workers who were making $30, $40, $45, and up to $46,000 a year, we celebrated prgtoken that they were going to get time and a half. If they were away from their family, working those extra 10 hours, which meant working 50 hours a week, or an extra 20 hours and working 60 hours a week, they were going to take home thousands of dollars in overtime pay if they did that week after week. prgtoken This President says he is for workers. Then, he changes this rule. In a sense, he robbed those people. This new rule deprives millions of workers, literally, of the pay they have earned. It is as disturbing as anything I have seen fr
RESOLUTIONS TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES--Continued
Doug Jones (Democrat, AL) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Colleagues, today we are about to vote on a resolution that will correct a long-held injustice--one that has been on the books for decades; one that has caused significant pain to military spouses who have given so prgtoken much for our country. It is an elimination of the military widow's tax. It has been voted on in this body for over 18 years and has never gotten across the finish line. Now is the time. This is our time to make sure that we tell our veterans that we are supportive but we show it with our actions, not just with our words. I urge everyone to please vote to instruct the conferees to eliminate the military widow's tax. prgtoken .
HOMELAND SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2019-9-25

pursuant to House Resolution 577, I call up the bill (H.R. 2203) to increase transparency, accountability, and community engagement within the Department of Homeland Security, provide independent oversight of border security activities, improve training for agents and officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS
Marcia L. Fudge (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , over 40 states and territories use Broad- Based Categorical Eligibility or Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (or BBCE) to streamline the administration of SNAP and provide critical assistance to households receiving benefits and services through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant. prgtoken BBCE is proven to help millions of working poor families move toward financial security, by easing the benefits cliff as their earnings increase. prgtoken On July 24, 2019, USDA published a proposed rule to restrict the use of BBCE and eliminate SNAP benefits for an estimated 3.1 million Americans. This includes children, working families, military veterans, disabled individuals, and seniors. prgtoken Most shameful is the proposals impact on hungry school-age children. By USDA's own estimates, the new policy would take away direct access to free school meals for at least 500,000 schoolchildren. prgtoken Nearly half a million children would be left to go hungry during the school day, shifting the burden to strapped school districts. prgtoken In my state of Ohio, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, over 61,000 SNAP households would lose their benefits. USDA reports that in 2017, the prevalence of food insecurity among Ohioans was higher than the national average. prgtoken 13.7 percent of Ohioans were food insecure in 2017, compared to 12.3 percent nationally. prgtoken Even USDA admits the proposed changes to SNAP will make food insecurity worse and make it harder for millions of Americans to get by. prgtoken Most notably, it would remove the current flexibility for states and territories to use BBCE to tailor SNAP to best meet the food needs of their own populations. prgtoken s love to talk about states' rights when it suits them, but when it comes to the flexibility of states to meet the needs of their food-insecure populations, they want something very different. prgtoken As the economy continues to leave working families and our most vulnerable behind, programs like SNAP are needed more than ever. prgtoken Congress already debated these issues. prgtoken We came together and rejected this policy in both the 2014 and 2018 farm bills with a record bipartisan vote. prgtoken This proposed rule is shameful and cruel and is contrary to the will of Congress. prgtoken This unilateral action by the Administration only complicates legitimate bipartisan efforts to make programs like SNAP more effective and efficient for the millions of people who rely on it to put food on the table. prgtoken We should be working together to strengthen the safety net, not weaken it. prgtoken I urge USDA to rescind this harmful proposed rule immediately and finally make good on its promise to the American people to ``Do Right and Feed Everyone''.
SECURE AND FAIR ENFORCEMENT BANKING ACT OF 2019
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , I strongly support this bill and congratulate the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Perlmutter) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Heck) for their hard work. prgtoken We have to pass this bill because it is a public safety issue. Banks can't serve marijuana businesses, an $11 billion business, because it is still illegal at the Federal level, which means that legal marijuana businesses around the country operate in all cash. prgtoken This is a huge public safety issue because storing huge piles of cash in warehouses is a magnet for criminal activity. But it also means that companies that just provide services to marijuana businesses, like electric or water utilities, are also getting cut off from the banking system. Undermining people's access to basic utilities creates yet another public safety problem. prgtoken Madam , I urge support for this bill.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL ATAXIA AWARENESS DAY
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of National Ataxia Awareness Day, and to honor the courage of the one hundred and fifty thousand Americans living with Ataxia, a neurodegenerative disease that affects the ability to coordinate movement. Those with Ataxia may have difficulty walking, speaking, and executing fine motor skills, and for some may lead to early death. prgtoken I would also like to honor the contributions of the National Ataxia Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by Ataxia including those with the disease, and their caregivers through support, education, and research. prgtoken I applaud their commitment and advocacy at the State and Federal levels to raise awareness of this disease and urge my colleagues to learn more about it and laud the efforts being taken to break down the isolation barriers and misconceptions around Ataxia. prgtoken I especially want to thank my constituent, Ms. Kim Brown for reaching out to me and my office to raise awareness of Ataxia and support research efforts to benefit those in my district and across the nation who live with this condition. prgtoken Today I stand in solidarity with all Americans battling Ataxia, and the dedicated scientists, health care workers, and caregivers who support them. I look forward to the day when this devastating condition can be cured.
SECURE AND FAIR ENFORCEMENT BANKING ACT OF 2019
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-9-25

I rise in support of H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act, sponsored by Representatives Ed Perlmutter, Denny Heck, Steve Stivers, and Warren Davidson. Let me say to all of these individuals who have worked so long and so hard on this legislation, I am proud of the work that they have done; I am proud of the cooperation that they have demonstrated; and I am proud to be on this floor with them today. prgtoken This bipartisan bill addresses a pressing public safety issue for businesses that legally grow, market, or sell cannabis in States that have legalized its use and that are currently forced to operate with cash only. Forty-seven States, three territories, and D.C. have legalized some form of marijuana, and it is time for Congress to act. prgtoken Cannabis-related businesses are locked out of the banking system and cannot maintain checking accounts, process payroll obligations, or pay taxes. The Financial Services Committee heard testimony in February that these cash-only businesses and their employees have become targets for violent criminals. prgtoken The SAFE Banking Act addresses this serious problem by providing a safe harbor to financial institutions that choose to serve State- regulated cannabis businesses. The bill would also help others, like plumbers or electricians who provide services to cannabis businesses, who face similar challenges with access to banking services. With the passage of this bill, all of these businesses will gain access to traditional financial services that most businesses take for granted. prgtoken H.R. 1595 also promotes diversity and inclusion, with several reporting provisions to help Congress monitor that minority-owned and women-owned cannabis businesses get access to credit they need and have a fair chance to compete. prgtoken As I have said before and I say here on the floor today, this bill is but one important piece of what should be a comprehensive series of cannabis reform bills. prgtoken I have long fought for criminal justice reform and deeply understand the need to fully address the historical racial and social inequities related to the criminalization of marijuana. prgtoken I support legislation like Representatives Lee's Marijuana Justice Act and Chairman Nadler's MORE Act that would de-schedule marijuana federally and provide assistance, such as job training and reentry services, for those who have been harmed by the war on drugs. prgtoken Let me be clear. It is long overdue for Congress to address the unjust criminalization of marijuana use. So I eagerly look forward to the Judiciary Committee sending the legislation to the House floor soon. prgtoken I thank Representatives Perlmutter and Heck for their longstanding leadership on this issue for the past 6 years. prgtoken I urge all Members to vote ``yes'' on the bill and, when we get the legislation from the Judiciary Committee, to do all of those things that I have spoken about here, what is considered justice for
SECURE AND FAIR ENFORCEMENT BANKING ACT OF 2019
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy, the leadership, and you have heard from a number of the champions in this House fighting for a more rational policy regarding cannabis. prgtoken We are in this fix today because Congress has refused to provide the partnership and the leadership that the States demand. The States aren't waiting for us. As you have heard, 47 States have taken steps to legalize some form of State legal cannabis. prgtoken One of the most insidious aspects of our being out of sync is what we have seen in terms of access to banking services. Congressman Heck elaborated I think very emotionally and effectively about the dangers that this presents. We have an opportunity to fix that problem. prgtoken This is an $11 billion industry and growing, and it is growing because the people and the States have demanded it. We need to step up and solve one of the biggest problems, and that is simply they don't have access to banking services. I have worked on this issue for decades. I have never met a human being who feels that there is any good prgtoken purpose served by forcing them to pay their bills with duffle bags full of $20 bills--not one person. It is an invitation to theft, it is an invitation to money laundering already, it is an invitation to tax evasion, and it stifles the opportunities of this business. prgtoken I strongly urge our colleagues to vote for this as the next step. This is an important foundational, but it is not the last step. We have important legislation that is keyed up and ready to go. This approval today will provide momentum that we need for further reform that we all want and will make America safer and stronger.
CLOTURE MOTION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Since the Senator from Florida and I do agree on the need to provide TPS for Venezuelans, as in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee prgtoken be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 549, the bill that has already passed in the House, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE HOUSE WITH RESPECT TO WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT MADE TO INSPECTOR GENERAL OF INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY
Joaquin Castro (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , I, too, look forward to reviewing the whistleblower's complaint, shortly. prgtoken I want to start by saying thank you to the whistleblower. We don't know if it is a man or a woman, the person's identity, yet, but I want to say thank you for having the courage and the bravery to come forward and reveal--at least in terms of what we have seen from the transcript--abuse of power by the President of the United States. prgtoken We must protect a whistleblower who comes forward and puts himself or herself and their career on the line. I hope that this Congress will be committed to doing that. prgtoken These are very serious charges, an abuse of power that includes coercing a foreign leader into digging up dirt against a political rival for the President's political gain, to win reelection; asking a personal lawyer, his personal lawyer, to go along with this. prgtoken It appears as though the State Department and, perhaps, the Secretary of State may also be implicated in this scandal. prgtoken Madam , I look forward to passing this resolution. I hope all will support it.
RESOLUTIONS TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES--Continued
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-9-25

let me be frank. Today, our water and our health is at risk from highly fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS. These chemicals have been widely used commercially, and they are also concentrated in firefighting foams used by the Department of Defense. They are toxic, and they have been linked to serious health issues in those who are exposed to them. prgtoken High levels of PFAS contamination exist at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, MI, and at military sites all across our country. prgtoken My resolution would retain the Senate language prohibiting the Department of Defense from using firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals to the end of 2023. prgtoken PFAS-free foams are already widely used internationally by military services and at major hub airports, such as Heathrow and Dubai. prgtoken We must protect our troops, our firefighters, our communities, and our water. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support my resolution. prgtoken all remaining time.
HOMELAND SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-9-25

first, I thank Chairman Thompson for yielding and for his tremendous leadership not only on issues of security but on so many issues that affect our country. prgtoken Also, I thank Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, who I call my Congresswoman because she represents the wonderful people of my hometown of El Paso, Texas. prgtoken , I rise today to support H.R. 2203, the Homeland Security Improvement Act. prgtoken I have visited McAllen and Brownsville, Texas, and Homestead. I have witnessed children in cages, sleeping on concrete floors. I had a chance to talk to mothers and fathers who had no idea where their children were. prgtoken I served on the conference committee on homeland security as we moved to open the government earlier this year. I have to tell you, there were so many suggestions that were made that prgtoken weren't accepted. There were good, rational, concrete suggestions. prgtoken This is a critical bill that addresses some of those concerns.
HONORING THE CENTRAL ACCOMACK LITTLE LEAGUE SENIOR BOYS AND GIRLS TEAMS
Elaine G. Luria (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , I rise today to honor and recognize the Central Accomack Little League Senior Boys and Girls teams. The Girls team won the Virginia State Championship and the Boys team won both the Virginia State Championship and the Southeast Region Championship. prgtoken Congratulations to the Central Accomack Senior Girls All Star Softball team members: Hailey Berry, Jordan Crockett, McKenzie DeAmicis, Taylor Fluhart, Chloe Hall, Haylie Justice, Jaelyn Killmon, Kathleen McAuliffe, Brianna Rucker, Alana Shea, Sarah Taylor, Jamie Lyn Wert, and Logan Woermer. I would also like to congratulate Manager Bobbie Jo Wert and Coaches Kimmie Justice and Kimberly Wert. prgtoken I also extend my congratulations to the Central and North Accomack Senior Boys All Star Baseball team members: Brandon Adamos, Zykeese Davis, Armonte Dickerson, Landon Fuller, Tyler Green, Dylan Marshall, Jacob Meilhammer, Dustin Nelson, Luke Parks, Dylan Ross, Everett Savage, and Cade Williams. I congratulate Coaches Ricky Parks, Chris Beasley, and Bert Adamos, and Manager Shane Fowler. prgtoken I would also like to recognize the District 8 President Andy Adler and the Central Accomack League President Billy Justice for a very successful season. Finally, I wish to commend Central Accomack Little League for 61 years of service to the youth of the Eastern Shore. prgtoken I wish these teams the best of luck in their future endeavors.
Madeleine Dean (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2019-9-25

I rise in support of the rule, and I thank our floor manager, my colleague and friend from Pennsylvania, Representative Scanlon, for so ably guiding this argument. prgtoken , as the so eloquently stated yesterday, this is a dangerous time for our democracy. Our Founding Fathers understood the importance of whistleblowers as an integral part of the fabric of our democracy and ensuring the rule of law is upheld. prgtoken The first United States whistleblower law which unanimously passed on July 30, 1778, by the Continental Congress states: ``That it is the duty of all persons in the service of the United States, as well as all other the inhabitants thereof, to give the earliest information to Congress or other proper authority of any misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors committed by any officers or persons in the service of these states, which may come to their knowledge.'' prgtoken The Founding Fathers understood this simple principle--that it is the duty of all patriotic Americans to not only come forward with allegations of wrongdoing but to ensure that there is a path that these allegations be brought to Congress. prgtoken , what have we learned? prgtoken That these principles that our Founding Fathers fought so hard to enshrine in our democracy are in jeopardy. It is our responsibility, and it is our duty to restore the faith of the public in our elections and oversight of all elected officials including and especially our President. prgtoken We know that the memorandum that was released today is only a memorandum of the conversation between the President and the President of Ukraine, and it undermines the integrity of his office. The President has betrayed his oath of office and his fidelity to that oath by putting himself and his personal and political gain over national security and the rule of law. prgtoken He must provide full details of the whistleblower information to Congress. He must provide a full transcript or tape of that conversation with the Ukrainian President. The public deserves it, our election security relies upon it, and the integrity of the office demands it.
EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE HOUSE WITH RESPECT TO WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT MADE TO INSPECTOR GENERAL OF INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2019-9-25

. Madam , I rise to support H. Res. 576-- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the whistleblower complaint of August 12, 2019, made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community. prgtoken Allegations that the President of the United States sought to enlist a foreign government to interfere in our democratic process by investigating one of his political rivals, and may have used the withholding of Congressionally appropriated military aid, days earlier as intimidation, is a clear problem. We must have all prgtoken of the facts so that we can do what is required under law and get to the bottom of what actually took place. This is not a partisan matter. It is an American matter that must be investigated so that we can continue to protect our democracy against outside attacks. prgtoken This resolution expresses the sense of the House that the whistleblower complaint received on August 12, 2019, by the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community should be transmitted immediately to the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. prgtoken Our Constitution demands respect for the rule of law. As a Member of Congress, I will continue to uphold our American principles and values. I urge passage of this resolution.