mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INTRODUCTION OF CLEAN WATER SRF PARITY ACT
John Garamendi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-10

today I reintroduce the ``Clean Water SRF Parity Act,'' with Congressman Mike Bost (R-IL). prgtoken This legislation would make nonprofit cooperatives and publicly regulated utilities operating wastewater treatment plants eligible under the Clean Water Act's State Revolving (Loan) Funds. These same entities are already eligible under the Safe Drinking Water Act's State Revolving (Loan) Funds and, by extension, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) revolving loan fund. prgtoken For 2022, California's State Water Resources Control Board awarded $2.7 billion for drinking water and wastewater treatment projects. According to most recent Clean Watersheds Needs Survey, California needs an estimated $26.2 billion in federal, state, and local investment for wastewater treatment, wastewater recycling, and stormwater pollution prevention infrastructure over the next 20 years. This includes an estimated $24.4 billion needed to modernize aging water infrastructure across the state. prgtoken Under the federal Clean Water Act, each state capitalizes its own State Revolving (Loan) Fund to provide public financing and grants for wastewater, water reuse, stormwater, and surface water pollution reduction projects to keep our nation's waterways clean. Since this public financing is paid back with interest to help recapitalize each State's State Revolving (Loan) Funds, there is no net cost to American taxpayers. prgtoken Our bill restricts eligibility for publicly regulated utilities to the amounts greater than the $1,638,826,000 appropriated for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program in fiscal years 2020 and 2021. That way, we ensure that this new eligibility for nonprofit cooperatives and publicly regulated utilities does not come at the cost of municipally owned utilities and public projects under the program. prgtoken As a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which authorizes all Clean Water Act programs, I strongly support increased federal funding for the State Revolving Fund program. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117- 58), of which I am an original cosponsor, provided more than $11.7 billion in new federal funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds nationwide. prgtoken With enactment of the ``Clean Water SRF Parity Act,'' I expect the National Association of Water Companies, Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities, Utility Workers Union of America (AFL-CIO), and American Public Works Association to advocate for increased federal funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds each year. prgtoken , I encourage all Members of the House to cosponsor this bipartisan, noncontroversial bill.
INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LEGISLATIVE HOME RULE ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2023-1-10

today, I introduce the District of Columbia Legislative Home Rule Act, which would eliminate the congressional review period for D.C. legislation. D.C. legislation takes effect after a congressional review period, unless a joint resolution of disapproval is enacted into law during the review period. The review period imposes significant costs on both D.C. and Congress, but only 3 disapproval resolutions on D.C. legislation have been enacted since passage of the D.C. Home Rule Act in 1973, and none since 1991. Yet, the D.C. Council has had to develop a Kafkaesque legislative process to comply with the review period, often having to pass the same bill multiple times. Congress loses nothing by eliminating the review period. Congress can legislate on any D.C. matter at any time, and has done so many times outside of the review period, such as through the appropriations process. prgtoken The congressional review period (30 days for civil bills and 60 days for criminal bills) is based on legislative days, not calendar days, often delaying D.C. bills from becoming law for many months. The delay forces the D.C. Council to pass most bills several times, using a cumbersome and complicated process to ensure that the operations of this large city continue uninterrupted. prgtoken Placing a congressional hold on D.C. bills has not only proven unnecessary, but has imposed costs on the D.C. government, residents and businesses. D.C. residents and businesses are placed on hold because they have no certainty when D.C. bills, from taxes to regulations, will take effect, making it difficult to plan. It is particularly unfair to require the D.C. Council to engage in this unnecessary, labor-intensive and costly process. prgtoken Last Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill as part of my District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act of 2022. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this good-government measure.
SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE WEAPONIZATION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Adam B. Schiff (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-10

I rise in strong opposition to the select subcommittee to investigate deep state conspiracy theories. prgtoken If you had any doubt about what this committee is really about, about its true focus, my colleague from Montana just confirmed this is all about deep state nonsense. prgtoken s claim, without merit, that this subcommittee will investigate the so-called weaponization of the Federal Government. What it is really intended to do is to undermine the legitimate investigation of President 's incitement of a violent attack on this building, on this Capitol, on this citadel of democracy, an investigation that implicates some of the very Members of this body who want to sit on that committee. prgtoken Make no mistake, this investigation, this investigate the investigators committee, will do deep damage to our national security and only breed distrust with our national security professionals, who will be reluctant to share with Congress the information policymakers need to protect our country. prgtoken The committee will also seek to discredit law enforcement like the FBI, who are so important in the fight against domestic violent extremism. prgtoken s in Congress just don't care. The greatest terrorist threat to our country comes from violent, rightwing militia groups and their sympathizers, and s in Congress just don't care. prgtoken The last time s were in charge of the House, Kevin McCarthy prgtoken pushed to form another bogus select committee, that one on Benghazi. He did so, as he admitted, to tear down Hillary Clinton's numbers, a patently political exercise. prgtoken Now, McCarthy is at it again, pushed into forming this bogus subcommittee by the QAnon members of his own Conference. prgtoken He sacrificed a lot in his bid for . That was his choice. Now, the American people are going to pay the price in the form of a body blow to our national security. prgtoken Vote ``no'' on this ill-considered measure. This is no Church Committee, not a bipartisan effort to reform government, but a partisan effort to tear it down, damn the consequences. Vote ``no.''
FOSTERING BETTER CONNECTIONS
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-1-10

the United States and Canada enjoy a shared border and shared values. We are friends and trading partners. prgtoken Unfortunately, in recent years, we have seen a layering of restrictions that hinder binational movement. This not only makes it hard to cross a bridge, but it hinders binational cooperation. It separates us from one another. It stifles trade and diminishes life quality. prgtoken Confusion, hassles, and delays prevent travel and inhibit travel plans. prgtoken As President and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meet today to discuss our future, I urge them to leverage our strengths to craft solutions that make it easier for us to connect between two countries, fostering better connections, a better economy, and a better life quality.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE STRATEGIC COMPETITION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY
Judy Chu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-10

as chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, or CAPAC, I rise to address the creation of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken CAPAC strongly supports strengthening our economy and national security, and we have always recognized that there are legitimate concerns with the actions of the Government of the People's Republic of China. This committee could address these issues productively. prgtoken However, I rise to remind all Members that this committee should not be used as an open invitation to traffic in blatant xenophobic, anti- China rhetoric that we know results in physical violence against Asian Americans. prgtoken We certainly saw this with 's labeling of COVID as the ``China virus'' resulting in 11,500 hate crimes against AAPIs in this country. prgtoken This committee cannot be used to promote policies that result in the racial profiling of Asian Americans but should directly focus on specific concerns related to the Government of the People's Republic of China. prgtoken We know the danger for Asian-American communities if the committee devolves into xenophobic rhetoric and scapegoating. prgtoken Back in the 1980s, when the economic competition between the U.S. and Japan reached a boiling point, Vincent Chin was out at a bar in Detroit celebrating his upcoming wedding when two laid-off autoworkers shouted: It is because of you that we lost our jobs. These men harassed Vincent, chased him, and bashed him in his head with a baseball bat, beating him until he died. Neither of them served a day in jail and only paid a $3,000 fine. Instead of attending his wedding, Vincent's family attended his funeral. prgtoken This is part of our country's history, and what this shows is what we say and how we say it matters. We know how dangerous the consequences can be if we don't get this right.
EXPLANATION REGARDING COSPONSORING A BILL
Brad Sherman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-10

it's appropriate for me to republish my statement of March 11, 2019 on the meaning of cosponsoring legislation. Much of that statement was a republication of my statement of September 29, 2010, as I've maintained a consistent policy on this issue. The following is a republication of my statement of March 11, 2019. ``Madam , on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 stated for the Record: `Madam , I wish to clarify that when I cosponsor a bill, it does not necessarily mean that I agree with every part of it. At a minimum, my cosponsorship indicates that I support moving the bill forward through the legislative process, including being marked up in committee, and if sent to the floor by the relevant committee(s), then subject to consideration and amendment on the floor.' prgtoken Let me reiterate that 2010 statement and provide additional background. I believe in the legislative process. I believe bills are improved during committee mark-ups and by consideration of amendments on the floor. The effect of cosponsoring a bill is to signal to the relevant committee chair(s) that I believe the bill should be marked-up in committee, a process that may well improve the bill (and in some cases may make the bill worse). When I decide to cosponsor a bill after it has completed the committee process, I do signal to the and Rules Committee that I believe the bill should be considered on the floor, and almost always under an open rule.''
VIOLENT ATTACKS ON PRO-LIFE ORGANIZATIONS AND FACILITIES
Ralph Norman (Republican, SC) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I rise today to condemn the violent attacks on the pro-life organizations and facilities in the wake of the Dobbs leak and subsequent overruling of Roe v. Wade. prgtoken There has been very little accountability for the leaked draft opinion and ensuing violent intimidation against pro-life activists. That is why this resolution is so necessary. It makes it crystal clear that violence, property damage, threats, and intimidation tactics must be condemned, and they must have consequences for those who do this violence. prgtoken I am proud of the work of the Palmetto Women's Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in my district, as it does tremendous work. prgtoken The administration needs to use all appropriate law enforcement mechanisms necessary to uphold public safety and protect the rights of these pro-life groups and facilities. Just because this administration doesn't agree with protecting the unborn doesn't mean they should turn a blind eye to violence and intimidation.
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS ON PRO- LIFE FACILITIES, GROUPS, AND CHURCHES
Tim Walberg (Republican, MI) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 3, which condemns the epidemic of attacks on pro-life and faith-based organizations. prgtoken Unfortunately, Michigan's Fifth District has not escaped these attacks. Last June, Jane's Revenge vandals graffitied and smashed the windows of Jackson, Michigan's Right to Life and my own office. It was a despicable act. The Jane's Revenge perpetrator, who has yet to be caught, even accidentally graffitied a neighbor's house, as well. prgtoken Yet, this darkness presented an opportunity to show the best of our community. Volunteers from the community came out to clean up the broken glass and help board up the windows. prgtoken In contrast to this positivity displayed by everyday Americans, and despite congressional efforts we have spearheaded, President 's Justice Department has stayed silent on these acts of domestic terrorism. prgtoken Today, congressional have an opportunity to right the wrongs of this administration and join us in condemning these acts of violence as we condemn all acts of violence, as well. prgtoken Volunteers at pregnancy centers who remain committed to their convictions and efforts understand they have a target on their backs. These volunteers are individuals spending their time and their money to clothe, feed, provide prgtoken shelter, and minister to women in crisis. prgtoken Is this the progressive America my colleagues talk about? I think not. Does their idea of progress consist of political violence targeting those who provide services to women and families? Are intimidation and violence acceptable to the administration and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle? I hope not. prgtoken Madam , I strongly urge support for this resolution for the benefit of lives, security, and decency in our country.
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS ON PRO- LIFE FACILITIES, GROUPS, AND CHURCHES
Ken Buck (Republican, CO) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I agree with my friend from Colorado that we should condemn all violence. We should condemn violence to unborn children, also, but that doesn't seem to be something that is shared on the other side of aisle. prgtoken One of the pregnancy centers that was targeted last year was Life Choices Pregnancy Medical Center located in my home State and at the time in my district in Colorado. On June 25 at 3:17 a.m first responders responded to a fire at the pregnancy center. The fire was the result of angry protestors acting out after the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. Not much was salvageable from the fire, but what remained were hateful and extreme messages graffitied on the exterior of the building. prgtoken Kathy Roberts, the executive director of Life Choices, is here today to commemorate passage of this resolution. I am honored to have Kathy here and to introduce this brave and dedicated woman. prgtoken I thank Kathy for being here. prgtoken Sadly, our Nation has become all too familiar with the violent attacks on pro-life centers. In 2022, over 100 pro-life centers were violently attacked, and there has been minimal accountability. Instead of accepting the Supreme Court Dobbs decision and condemning this violence, they have egged it on, including some who told pro- abortion protestors to rise up and commended their violence by stating it was a way for individuals to channel their righteous anger into meaningful action. prgtoken Our Nation is a Nation of law and order, and violence is never the path we should pursue to create effective change.
RECOGNIZING MARY ELLEN CONOLINE'S RETIREMENT AFTER 46 YEARS
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Mary Ellen Conoline, whose work and dedication as an outstanding nurse anesthetist has touched many lives in the Lower Bucks County region and the surrounding areas over the span of over 40 years. prgtoken A lifelong resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Mary Ellen always had the conviction that her future career path lay in healthcare, which is why immediately after graduating from Bishop Conwell Catholic High School in 1974, she enrolled at the Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing in New Jersey, graduating from that fine institution with honors in August 1976. prgtoken One of her first jobs after nursing school was at St. Francis Medical Center. Mary Ellen later went on to practice nursing in various capacities, earning certifications and degrees in the areas of nephrology and critical care nursing. While gaining invaluable knowledge and experience along the way, Mary Ellen still knew that she was capable of, and wanted to give, even more. prgtoken Therefore, in 1981, Mary Ellen made the decision to attend Nursing Anesthesia school at Our Lady of Lourdes in Camden, New Jersey, and it was there she found her niche as a medical professional, an area where she could bring all her passion, dedication and numerous talents to bear. She graduated in 1983 and has been a dedicated and respected Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist up until her December 28, 2022 retirement. prgtoken Mary Ellen spent much of her 46-year professional career as a Nurse Anesthetist faithfully and tirelessly working at Lower Bucks Hospital and Bucks County Gastroenterology LTD, where she cared for many Bucks County residents during their most vulnerable and many times unexpected health predicaments. Her bedside manner and utmost attention to patient care will always be what she was most proud of during her career in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey's healthcare systems. prgtoken Mary Ellen's husband of 39 years and 2 daughters have witnessed her dedication and selfless commitment to her line of work and celebrate her as she reaches this well-deserved retirement. Mary Ellen is eager to start spending more time with her family, which now includes a young granddaughter, as she enjoys this new chapter in her life. prgtoken We are all incredibly grateful for for the positive impact Mary Ellen has had through her long career, and we wish her countless blessings during her retirement.
HONORING HOWARD GANTER FOR 44 YEARS OF SERVICE AT THE ARC JEFFERSON-- ST. LAWRENCE
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-1-11

I rise today to honor Howard ``Howie'' Ganter for over 40 years of service to The Arc Jefferson--St. Lawrence, formerly Jefferson Rehabilitation Center. Since 1978, Howie has served The Arc in many capacities, culminating in his promotion to Chief Executive Officer in 2009. prgtoken Howie began his career at Jefferson Rehabilitation Center in 1978 as a Recreation Therapist, where he was an exceptional provider of services for people with disabilities and truly embodied the vision of the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center. Under Howie's tremendous leadership, Jefferson Rehabilitation Center merged with St. Lawrence NYSARC and established The Arc Jefferson--St. Lawrence. During this time, Howie successfully led these organizations through a smooth merger, while never losing sight of their missions to enhance the lives of people they serve to help them achieve their hopes and aspirations. prgtoken Howie's immense passion for serving others extended beyond his career at The Arc. Howie served on numerous committees and boards and volunteered countless hours to many organizations dedicated to helping those with disabilities. He served as the President of 1 World Foundation, where he coordinated shipments of needed supplies for people with disabilities in underserved areas all over the world. Additionally, Howie was the President of DOHL Development Corporation, a for-profit corporation that employs and trains nearly 100 people with disabilities providing them with vocational independence and confidence. Howie's motivation to make the world a better place for everyone, especially for those with disabilities, led him to lead a life of service even above himself. prgtoken On behalf of New York's 21st District, I am honored to recognize Howie's immense contribution to his community that has assuredly left an indelible impact for generations to come. His dedication to serving those with disabilities and tireless support of The Arc should serve as an inspiration to us all. I congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement, and I wish him the best for all of his future endeavors.
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS CONDEMNING THE RECENT ATTACKS ON PRO- LIFE FACILITIES, GROUPS, AND CHURCHES
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I rise today in support of the resolution condemning the recent attacks on pro-life groups, facilities, and churches. prgtoken Last summer, in a landmark decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of my home State of Mississippi in returning decisions on protecting life to the States. prgtoken Unfortunately, the leak of the Dobbs decision led to instances of extremism committed against churches, pro-life institutions, and crisis pregnancy centers. prgtoken Sadly, my home State was not spared. Mississippi has a robust network of crisis pregnancy centers that provide care and resources to expectant mothers. prgtoken I, and many of my colleagues, have called on the administration to address these criminal acts and hold accountable those who committed these offenses. To date, no action has been taken. prgtoken I am hopeful that this legislation will move the administration to act, and I am grateful that the majority is standing with those impacted by last year's extremist acts.
BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECTION ACT
Robert B. Aderholt (Republican, AL) \u2014 2023-1-11

. Madam , I thank my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, for yielding. prgtoken As I have said before and will continue to say, I am pro-life, pro- family, and pro-child. I am very proud to see that one of the very first pieces of legislation that comes before this Congress and the new majority is protecting the vulnerable. That is something I have always stood up for since my first time here in Congress. prgtoken It seems like there is some confusion, especially on the other side of the aisle, Madam , about what this legislation is about. This legislation is very simple. It simply states and ensures that babies who survive an abortion receive care and protection and that they are not discarded because someone else had intended to end their lives. It prohibits healthcare practitioners from turning a blind eye to abortion survivors. prgtoken No matter the intent of what you believe about life, failure to care for an unborn child is infanticide, and the law must be enforced. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to remember that the last time we voted on this bill, there was bipartisan support, and I ask again for support of this commonsense, lifesaving legislation.