mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
STEM OPPORTUNITIES ACT
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-1-5

. Madam , today I am pleased to be joined by Ranking Member Lucas in introducing the STEM Opportunities Act. prgtoken The need for full engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by women and other underrepresented groups goes beyond enabling individuals to fulfill their dreams of becoming a scientist. As the global competition in science and technology continues to intensify, the lack of diversity in the U.S. STEM workforce creates a significant drag on our own capacity to innovate. Our future prosperity depends on what we do now to nurture the STEM talent that will be necessary to keep pace with our competitors and deliver benefits to all Americans. prgtoken Study after study has shown that the underrepresentation of women, and racial and ethnic minorities is not attributable to a lack of interest or talent. Institutional and cultural barriers, including discrimination, harassment, unconscious bias in hiring and promotion, limited access to the internet, poor mentoring, and limited support networks serve to disadvantage, marginalize, and push talented individuals at all education and career levels to abandon their interest in pursuing STEM careers. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis has only exacerbated these challenges. prgtoken The goal of the STEM Opportunities Act is to develop and implement evidence-based policies to promote the advancement of women, minorities, and other groups underrepresented in STEM studies and research careers. This bill is focused on identifying and lowering barriers for those who have already chosen a STEM path. First, so that we better understand the nature and scope of the challenges, the STEM Opportunities Act requires more comprehensive demographic data collection on the recipients of federal research awards and on STEM faculty at U.S. universities. These data would be available to researchers to study the participation and trajectories of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM so that policy makers can design more effective policies and practices to reduce barriers. prgtoken Next, this bill requires the development of consistent federal policies, such as no-cost award extensions, for recipients of federal research awards who have caregiving responsibilities, including care for a newborn or newly adopted child and care for a sick family member. The bill also requires consistent federal guidance to grant reviewers and program officers on best practices to minimize the effects of implicit bias in the review of federal research grants. It requires OSTP to develop guidance for universities and Federal laboratories to aid them in identifying any cultural prgtoken and institutional barriers limiting the recruitment, retention, and achievement of women, minorities, rural students, and other underrepresented groups in academic and government STEM research careers and in developing and implementing current best practices for reducing such barriers.
INSPECTOR GENERAL PROTECTION ACT
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2021-1-5

I rise in support of Representative Lieu's Inspector General Protection Act. prgtoken The inspector general system has been invaluable in rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in our Federal programs, and sometimes even criminal activity. It has also instilled confidence in Federal agencies by ensuring accountability. That, however, doesn't mean the system is perfect. prgtoken Since the initial passage of the Inspector General Act of 1978, we have seen what works and what doesn't. We have added inspectors general and refined their processes. prgtoken On January 20, a new President will be sworn into office and a new administration will lead our Federal agencies. Before they begin, now is a good time to update some of our inspector general requirements. prgtoken This bill makes important improvements by requiring disclosure to Congress when an IG is put on nonduty status and why a President has not nominated a permanent IG for a vacant position. These updates are necessary, and we must also do more. prgtoken Last Congress, I introduced the Appointments Clause Enforcement Act. That bill included several important changes to the IG system that would help make inspectors general more independent and instill confidence in them. prgtoken For example, rather than the President appointing an acting IG when a position is vacant, my bill would have the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency develop a list of qualified candidates and share those with the chief judge of the district court in the District of Columbia, who would make the appointment. That way, a President could not install political allies as acting inspectors general, even ones who didn't receive the advice and consent of the Senate, as a way to reduce oversight. prgtoken We should also clarify provisions to make sure that IGs forward legitimate whistleblower complaints to Congress without political interference and that those whistleblowers are protected from political retribution. prgtoken I thank Representative Lieu for sponsoring the Inspector General Protection Act and Pelosi for bringing it to the floor as one of our first bills. prgtoken I hope that this is the beginning of the 117th Congress' efforts to improve the inspector general system that works to improve our Federal Government's systems of administration and protects policies that are important for transparency and integrity of government.
INSPECTOR GENERAL PROTECTION ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-1-5

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , the Inspector General Protection Act was introduced by Representatives Ted Lieu and Jody Hice. An identical measure passed the House in the last Congress. prgtoken I am proud to support this bipartisan measure, which would improve the independence of inspectors general. The bill would also address the disturbingly slow nomination of IGs that has been the norm across multiple administrations. prgtoken The bill would require notification of Congress 30 days prior to an IG being placed on leave. Such notification is already required prior to an IG being removed from duty. prgtoken The bill also would require the President to report to Congress if he has not nominated an IG after 210 days of a vacancy occurring. This report must include the reasons for failing to make the nomination and a target date for doing so. The requirement will hopefully prod the executive branch to nominate IGs in a more timely manner. prgtoken IGs provide critical oversight and accountability within Federal agencies, and the positions need to be filled more quickly than is currently the case. prgtoken I urge Members to support this bipartisan bill, and .
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET JUSTIFICATION TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2021
Mike Quigley (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-1-5

it is a bipartisan bill that addresses the lack of transparency around the documents that explain why executive agencies are requesting funds from Congress. These justifications shed light on the work and priorities of the Federal Government far more effectively than high-level spending figures. prgtoken , in 2018 and 2019, Congress encouraged OMB to publish all executive branch congressional budget justification materials on a centralized web portal. However, there is no legal requirement for congressional budget justifications to be posted on a centralized portal or on agency websites. prgtoken For these reasons, agencies are inconsistent in posting congressional budget justifications online, making them difficult to access because they are either not publicly available or are scattered across the internet. prgtoken , my bill will strengthen Federal Government transparency by requiring Federal agencies to publish their annual budget justifications online in a central location. This will better allow oversight of our government and allow the American people to verify that their taxpayer dollars are being used wisely to invest in their communities. prgtoken All Illinoisans and Americans should get the transparency they deserve on government spending, and the bill does just that. prgtoken , I recognize Chairwoman Maloney and Ranking Member Comer for their unwavering support for this bill and for prioritizing this legislation early on in the 117th Congress. I thank them again for their leadership. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET JUSTIFICATION TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2021
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-1-5

. The city of Houston has done a phenomenal job by trying to open up these centers, but guess what? They are looking for their next delivery. We should not be looking for the next delivery. The delivery should be organized, logistically. It should be stored on the ground. ``Houston, have you finished your utilization? Are you ready for your next?'' ``L.A have you finished your utilization? Are you ready for your next?'' prgtoken That is not happening. ``COVID vaccine rollout is going about as well as you'd feared.'' Mr I include in the Record that article, along with an article regarding the opening of Houston's first public COVID-19 vaccine location. COVID Vaccine Rollout Is Going About As Well As You'd Feared Texans are beginning the new year the same way we spent much of the last one: straggling through a devastating pandemic with a patchy public health infrastructure, a confusing mishmash of rules and procedures, and an ominous absence of effective statewide leadership. We have a COVID-19 vaccine now: that's the good news. Two of them, actually, one by Pfizer and the other by Moderna, both developed as part of the federal Operation Warp Speed and approved by the Federal Drug Administration for emergency use last month. We knew that distributing hundreds of millions of vaccines would be a challenge. Each requires two doses and careful handling--including ultra-cold storage for the Pfizer vaccine. Each is being distributed to a population that includes potential recipients skeptical of vaccines in general, and the COVID vaccine in particular. But we had several months to figure this out. And it's quickly become painfully clear that we didn't. In Phase 1A of the plan put forward by the Texas Department of State Health Services, the first doses of the vaccine were distributed to front-line health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities, beginning last month. On Tuesday, the state announced that vaccine providers could begin immunizing Texans in group 1B--those over age 65 and those with pre-existing conditions. The experiences of Texans in that group gives you the impression that we've responded to an ongoing crisis with a maddening, high-stakes scavenger hunt. In County, for example, there are dozens of providers that have partnered with the state to distribute vaccines, but making an appointment at any of them seems to require persistence, endless phone calls, and a hefty dose of luck. Overall, the distribution process has been inefficient and confusing. As of Dec. 31, according to DSHS, some 283,000 people across Texas--roughly 45,000 in County--had received the first dose of the vaccine. That's of the 773,000 doses the state had shipped to various provider
DEDICATED PATRIOTS IN WASHINGTON
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2021-1-5

. Madam , thousands of dedicated patriots will be in Washington tomorrow to Stop The Steal peacefully protesting the irregularities of the 2020 election. I will welcome the Stedmans of New Jersey, the Durhams of South Carolina, and the Carons of Florida. They are already winners with gains in Congress with 19 additional women, and all House incumbents re-elected as 15 incumbent lost, and The Epoch Times, December 2nd by Pete Svab highlighted gains in the state legislatures: ``s expanded their control of state legislatures in the 2020 election, flipping both chambers in one state while gaining more than 160 seats overall.'' ``Their lead over thus increased to more than 700 seats (about 67 percent) from over 400.'' ``The 2020 gains bring the GOP to a total of more than 4,000 seats.'' ``The balance of power has major consequences. States decide much of the policy that affects people's daily lives, in areas such as education, law enforcement, health care, housing, and infrastructure.'' prgtoken I especially appreciate in South Carolina the leadership of President has produced the largest majorities in 140 years at all levels of government. prgtoken In conclusion, God Bless our Troops and we will never forget September 11th in the Global War on Terrorism.
INSPECTOR GENERAL PROTECTION ACT
Jim Jordan (Republican, OH) \u2014 2021-1-5

the integrity of the inspector general process and the ability of the President of the United States to appoint inspectors general is dependent on the integrity of the Presidential election. prgtoken During the campaign, Vice President would get 55 people at an event. President got 55,000 at just one rally. President increased his vote with African Americans, increased his vote with Hispanic Americans, won 19 of 20 bellwether counties, won Ohio by 8, Iowa by 8, Florida by 3, got 11 million more votes than he got in 2016, and House s won 27 of 27 toss-up races. prgtoken But somehow , the guy who barely left his house, won the election? Maybe. prgtoken But 80 million Americans, both s and , have their doubts, and 60 million Americans think the election was stolen--60 million people, over one-third of the electorate. prgtoken But no one in this town seems to care. don't care. The media doesn't care. Eighty million of our fellow citizens have their doubts about the election 2 months ago, and the media and the say: Nothing to see here. prgtoken Of course, this town has been out to get the President since July 31, 2016, before he was elected the first time. Four years and $40 million on the Russia hoax, but we can't look into an election that 60 million Americans think was stolen? prgtoken Nine weeks since election day, not one investigation, not one hearing in the House of Representatives. We asked for it. We asked Chairwoman Maloney. Mr. Comer and I asked for it. We asked prgtoken Chairman Nadler. Nope, not going to do it. prgtoken We would welcome an inspector general investigation, for goodness sake. Over 200 affidavits and declarations of wrongdoing, but no investigation in the Congress--no subpoenas, no depositions, no chance for questioning or cross-examination of witnesses. prgtoken Why? Why won't they look into it? Why no hearings? Why no investigation? prgtoken I think it is because deep down they know there were big problems with this past election. They know the Constitution was violated. prgtoken Article I, Section 4: Time, place, and manner for holding elections shall be determined in each State by the legislature thereof. prgtoken Article II, Section 1: ``Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct. . . . '' prgtoken Look at Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania law says mail-in ballots by 8 o'clock on election day. Election day ends at 8 o'clock. Mail-in ballots have to be in by 8 o'clock on election day. The State Supreme Court said: No, we are going to extend the election day till Friday, till 5 o'clock on Friday. prgtoken Pennsylvania State law says mail-in ballots require signature verification. The secretary of state said no. For 2.6 million ballots, she said: We are not going to follow the law. prgtoken Pennsylvania law says mail-in ballots can't be processed until election day, but some c
CONSTRUCTION CONSENSUS PROCUREMENT IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2021
James Comer (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-1-5

I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 26, the Construction Consensus Procurement Improvement Act of 2021. prgtoken It is vitally important that the Federal Government procure complex design and construction services that remain on time and on budget. This bill would prevent the Federal reverse auctions procurement process from being used for complex projects. Using reverse auctions for major construction projects only causes problems, such as delays and wasteful spending. prgtoken Who pays the price? prgtoken The taxpayer. prgtoken The Federal Government must be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and get the best possible services for the best price. As ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, I want to continue to deliver savings to the taxpayer and make stakeholder interaction with the government much easier, and H.R. 26 does just that. prgtoken This bill is the result of strong bipartisan, bicameral negotiations and the hard work of many private sector groups. I thank Senator Portman for his hard work on this legislation last Congress. I am also thankful for the support of my Committee on Oversight and Reform colleague, Mr. Khanna. prgtoken , I would also like to particularly thank the Construction Industry Procurement Coalition, the Association of General Contractors, the Design-Build Institute of America, the American Subcontractors Association, and numerous others for their hard work on this legislation. prgtoken I look forward to continuing to work with the majority to advance commonsense legislation to make government more efficient and effective. I encourage the Senate to quickly consider this bill and send it to the President's desk. prgtoken , I urge my House colleagues to support H.R. 26.
HONORING THE LIFE OF FIRST LIEUTENANT JAMES B. MILLER
Tom Rice (Republican, SC) \u2014 2021-1-5

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of First Lieutenant James B. Miller of Marion, South Carolina. prgtoken First Lieutenant Miller honorably served his country in the Army during the Korean War. He was awarded the Purple Heart twice while serving with the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division in Korea. He was seriously wounded by enemy fire in North Korea on March 6, 1953. First Lieutenant Miller returned to duty only a week later. On July 26, 1953, First Lieutenant Miller was tragically killed in action while fighting the enemy in North Korea. prgtoken Madam , I join his family and friends in recognizing the life of First Lieutenant James B. Miller of Marion, South Carolina. We honor him and thank him for his service and sacrifice for our nation.
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF QUTHEL McNATT
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2021-1-5

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of Quthel McNatt of Tishomingo who passed away December 14 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. prgtoken Mr. McNatt was a beacon of kindess and generosity to all who had the opportunity to know him. He served as a Deacon at Tishomingo Baptist Church. In his free time, Mr. McNatt enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends. He was a member of IBEW Local 474. From 1989 to 1993 Quthel McNatt served as the mayor of Tishomingo. prgtoken Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Sara Haines McNatt; sons, Edward, Wesley, and Joshua; and grandchildren, gage, Brady, Belle, Karmen, and Maddyx. prgtoken Quthel McNatt was a man of faith and a servant to family, state, and country. He was a blessing to those who knew him and an outstanding Mississippian.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET JUSTIFICATION TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2021
Gary J. Palmer (Republican, AL) \u2014 2021-1-5

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 22, the Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act. prgtoken The Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act is a long- overdue reform that would ensure Congress and the Nation's taxpayers can understand the full scope and context of the annual Federal budget. prgtoken s, Congressman Mike Quigley and Ranking Member James Comer, for working together on this important bipartisan legislation. prgtoken , H.R. 22 will truly open up the executive branch annual budget request and provide needed transparency of each agency's detailed budget justifications. The American public and each of their congressional Representatives deserve full access to the annual agency plans to spend their hard-earned tax dollars. prgtoken This past year alone, the Federal Government spent more than $6.5 trillion. Public spending transparency resources, like USAspending.gov, are currently helping the public track ongoing agency spending activity. However, the annual congressional budget justifications provide detailed and plain language explanations of how each Federal agency plans to spend congressional appropriations. prgtoken Currently, these valuable budget documents are sent directly to congressional appropriators and are then posted across hundreds of disconnected agency web pages. This makes them extremely hard to track down. prgtoken H.R. 22 simply requires the budget justifications of every agency to be made publicly available on a single website. To do this, the bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to issue a full listing of agency budget justifications and the individual agency web pages where they are posted. This will assure the public that they have access to the complete publication of these authoritative budget resources. prgtoken The bill also requires the U.S. Treasury Department to centrally publish all the materials on USAspending.gov as open data. prgtoken As established in 2014 by the DATA Act, USAspending.gov is quickly becoming the primary public resource for the public to track how the government is using their tax dollars. Adding congressional budget justifications to USAspending.gov will provide even better context to agency spending activity. prgtoken Thanks to another House Committee on Oversight and Reform-produced law, the 2018 Good Accounting Obligation in Government Act, congressional budget justifications also now list unimplemented inspector general audit and GAO report recommendations. This means H.R. 22 will also help Congress and the public annually track open IG and GAO oversight recommendations. prgtoken , from Illinois (Mr. Quigley). I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and .