mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
THE CURRENT STATE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Lauren Underwood (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-2-4

I rise today as my home State of Illinois approaches the grave milestone of 20,000 COVID-19 deaths. prgtoken I am thinking of the families of each of our neighbors we have lost, and I am also thinking of everyone in our community who is currently suffering from the physical, psychological, and financial consequences of the pandemic. prgtoken The past year has been so hard for so many of us, and it is not over. We still have a long way to go until our families' health and economic well-being is secure. prgtoken Now, thanks to the work of incredible scientists, we have authorized vaccines that are safe and effective, offering a level of protection that can save lives and crush this virus. prgtoken But until we actually get shots in arms, the virus will continue to spread. This process has been difficult, and the bottom line is that our current vaccine process is not sustainable. But we can change that. We must change that. prgtoken The good news is that we can. We have a new administration laser- focused on ramping up distribution, and there are investments to be made in order to help. prgtoken Local health departments are overwhelmed with phone calls from people wondering where to go for a vaccine. Web-based appointment signups are filling faster than people can register. Immunization providers lack the resources to carry out vaccination campaigns at this unprecedented scale. prgtoken To address these challenges and carry out an efficient COVID-19 vaccination campaign that prioritizes the people who need them most, Congress needs to act swiftly and boldly. The next relief bill must include significant funding to accelerate vaccine administration with a particular focus on providing vaccine doses and outreach to ensure that nobody is left behind. prgtoken We also need to fund the workforce that will carry out vaccination efforts, as well as testing, contact tracing, and other critical initiatives to stop the spread of the virus. prgtoken I have introduced two bills, the Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act and the Health Force, Resilience Force, and Jobs to Fight COVID-19 Act, to make the investments that will be needed to end the pandemic, prevent the next public health crisis, and ensure a strong economic recovery. prgtoken Finally, as we continue to confront a once-in-a-century health crisis, it is absolutely unacceptable that millions of Americans continue to lack access to affordable healthcare. prgtoken That is why I introduced H.R. 369, the Health Care Affordability Act, which would increase the dollar amount of premium tax credits across all income levels. prgtoken It would eliminate premiums for lower-income households; reduce premium costs by hundreds or thousands of dollars for middle-class families, including those who currently make too much money to qualify for the tax credit; and ensure that everyone would be able to buy a plan for no more than 8.5 percent of their income. For families in northern Il
INSURRECTION IN THE CAPITOL
Adriano Espaillat (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , I would like to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for organizing this Special Order Hour this evening. prgtoken The events of January 6 are still burning in the memories of all of us, as well as millions and millions of Americans across the Nation; although some people would like to deny that it never happened, or sweep it under the rug, it continues to burn in everybody. The images are so aggressive that they still burn in the memories of millions upon millions of Americans. prgtoken I started that day as I start every day. I came to my office at 8:30 in the morning. I couldn't get through Independence Avenue because it was shut down, so I came through the back of my office building, and I noticed that I was walking on the sidewalk with some of the protesters, unimpeded. I felt as though security was very lax. No one stopped them. They were walking right next to me. They were around here as early as 8:30 in the morning. prgtoken I went to my office, and as I proceeded at one point to leave my office to come down to the floor, I was informed that the Capitol had been breached. So we stayed in our office. prgtoken Two police officers came to the office trying to escort us out and trying to take me to a site, a room in another office building where other Members were, to protect us. I decided to stay in my office with my team, and we locked ourselves in there. prgtoken I could see from my window some of the protesters. You see, this assault against the Capitol was not just concentrated on the Capitol steps. It was everywhere, really. prgtoken And of course, at about 8:00 at night, a little bit before that, I came here to conclude the proceedings. I felt it was very important that we completed our work for the night and not be intimidated by that mob. Democracy could never be intimidated. prgtoken And so I came here very early. I walked around as agents went around the Capitol and this floor securing evidence. And the scene was pretty horrifying; furniture stuck up against the walls and bloodstains right outside, where someone was shot, was being mopped. prgtoken So this is a traumatic experience for all of us on both sides of the aisle and for our Nation. It cannot be swept under the rug. We must get to the bottom of this. We must find out if there were Members of this body who aided and abetted that angry mob, who instructed them of the whereabouts of Pelosi. prgtoken You see, that mob came here saying they wanted to assassinate her and they wanted to hang the Vice President. So if anybody in this body assisted someone that clearly had an intent to attempt to murder someone, they are an accessory to that crime, and we must look at that evidence. prgtoken Ultimately, we need to have the truth; and if we want unity in this body, we need the truth. If we want unity in America, we need the truth. That is what will unite us. We must have a deep dive, a deep investigation into what o
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2021-2-4

I am honored to follow my colleague Senator Brown on an issue that should be close to all of our hearts, which is strengthening our VA so that it can provide more assistance, more help, and more support for our Nation's heroes. prgtoken I had the great opportunity last Sunday to spend time at the West Haven VA Hospital, where literally thousands of vaccines are being administered hour by hour to our veterans. Around 25 percent of the veterans of Connecticut eligible to receive it have had vaccinations administered to them. That 25 percent is way above the 10 percent of the entire population of our State, and it is a great beginning. Under the leadership of Al Montoya at the West Haven VA and his remarkable team, our Nation's heroes are receiving the vaccinations they need and deserve. More than 8,000 already--and the staff of the VA, 2,500--have received vaccinations. Not all want it, but the VA is reaching out to them--literally, person by person--to ask them to come and ensure them that this vaccine is safe and effective. Most assuredly, it is. prgtoken So the VA is moving forward, but much more needs to be done. A lot of that VA target population is among the most vulnerable by virtue of age, by virtue of preexisting conditions, by virtue of their service and exposure and comorbidity. That is why this plan, the American Rescue Plan, in its distributing COVID-19 vaccines to veterans, is so critically important. There are 9,000 VA patients who have died of coronavirus. Although 1 million nationwide of our veterans have received vaccinations, there are many, many more who have not. These vaccines are reaching the arms of veterans, but the VA system needs support and the investment to do its job. prgtoken Likewise, this pandemic has imposed mental health burdens on our veterans. The veterans who are shut in--likewise, the veterans who have no homes and veterans in all parts of the country--have been stressed and strained just like everyone else--in fact, maybe more so. Medical health services available through telemedicine are more important than ever, but they alone are not going to accomplish this purpose. Again, what we have seen in Connecticut through the CBOCs, what is accomplished from telemedicine, and what is provided through counseling all show additional investment will produce even better care for our veterans. prgtoken A lot of our veterans have debts. Some of them are medical debts. They need help. This American Rescue Plan provides assistance for them. I have been a longtime advocate of extending VA healthcare to more veterans. I am proud this plan would allow struggling veterans to get more healthcare at the VA, but relieving veterans from the burden of medical costs is not enough. We need to deliver stimulus payments, unemployment insurance, and aid to small businesses so that we can lift the broader economic pain brought on by COVID-19. Veterans are part of our general popula
REMOVING A CERTAIN MEMBER FROM CERTAIN STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Theodore E. Deutch (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-2-4

the balance of my time. prgtoken , let me just address some of what we have heard today. prgtoken First, we have heard the argument made by our colleagues that this is something that should go to the Ethics Committee, despite the fact that we have the authority to be here today to tackle something that our friends should have tackled. prgtoken But then they turn around and say that the Ethics Committee doesn't have jurisdiction for anything that has been said before a Member is elected, thereby creating a loop that will result in no accountability, zero accountability, for any of the horrific sayings, any of the horrific actions that have been promoted by Representative Greene on social media and in her words. prgtoken We also heard that what we are doing here risks deepening dangerous divisions. The dangerous divisions that exist in our country resulted in an attack on this Capitol, putting all of our lives at risk. We are trying to stop the divisions in our country by not giving a platform to the kinds of conspiracy theories that helped to inflame them. prgtoken We heard that this is cynical and hypocritical is there anything more cynical and hypocritical than to be told on the floor of this House that the minority leader was prepared to take Mrs. Greene off the committee, not because it was the right thing to do, but because it was a political decision he was willing to consider? prgtoken Finally, we heard that Representative Greene has apologized for this. She came to the floor today. She acknowledged that 9/11 happened; she acknowledged that school shootings are real; and she acknowledged that she learned some things about QAnon that she didn't know before. prgtoken There was no apology. There was nothing to address any of the pain and hurt that she has done to my constituents and gun violence survivors in every part of this country and the families who lost loved ones. prgtoken , we need to be here today. This hateful rhetoric is in the real world as well, outside the Halls of Congress, not just here. Memories of the lives we have lost to gun violence are being forsaken by those who baselessly claim those tragedies were false flag events. Online rants about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism, and conspiracy theories have manifested in real and violent acts. It is not a debating society that we are participating in. This has real impact, in the real world. prgtoken Finally, I close with this, : We are worried about precedent? prgtoken So am I. So we should all be. And the precedent of rewarding a Member of the House by giving her a platform of a congressional committee to amplify dangerous conspiracy theories is one we should never set. prgtoken Leader McCarthy said so himself. I would remind my colleagues again, 2 years ago he said: Any hatred, any hatred we take action. prgtoken Unfortunately, the only action taken by leadership has been to appoint Representative Greene to t
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-2-4

I oppose this amendment because my distinguished colleague and friend put it in a very narrow context. prgtoken The reality is that this amendment suggests that all agreements, proclamations, or declarations entered into between the United States and Mexico will be preserved. The problem is Congress does not have a clear picture of the international agreements, arrangements, and supporting documents that the administration negotiated with Mexico. I requested those documents for almost 2 years as the ranking member on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Yet the administration was afraid to put them up for congressional and public scrutiny. prgtoken Without knowing what they say or how low they may have stooped, I don't see how any Member can take an educated vote on this amendment to consent to that which Members don't even know exists. prgtoken I, therefore, oppose the amendment for those and other reasons. Point of Order prgtoken , I raise a point of order that the pending amendment is not prgtoken germane to the underlying resolution and, therefore, violates section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Motion to Waive
MORNING BUSINESS
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-2-4

. We are in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic and recession. The legislation before us must focus on families trying to put food on the table and struggling small businesses, not ensuring well-connected government contractors get rich. prgtoken The President's decision about our borders will be guided by what is best prgtoken for our national security and for taxpayers. Right now, we need to focus on the struggling Americans who need our help and not big government contractors. (Chorus of Hear! Hear!) Vote on Amendment No. 542
INSURRECTION IN THE CAPITOL
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , I think that what Representative Tlaib speaks to is so powerful and so important because when we attack not just Members of Congress and focus on them because of their gender, their faith, their race, their creed, we make everyone on this complex feel unsafe and feel less than safe. Our seats do not belong to us. They belong to the people of the United States. We, as Members who come in and leave this Chamber, are not permanent fixtures. There are so many others in this country who see themselves in the 435 Members of this body. And to see individual Members targeted, demeaned, singled out by virtue of how they were born is to single out and demean so many people in this country who see themselves on this floor. prgtoken Madam , from Missouri (Ms. ), a powerful woman and leader that so many in our country see themselves in.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2021-2-4

the coronavirus pandemic has devastated economies and industries at every single State across the country. In Nevada, our hospitality travel and tourism sectors have been especially hard-hit. prgtoken These businesses are economic engines for our communities, employing hundreds of thousands of workers and pumping billions of dollars into our economy each year, but they are facing incredible challenges right now due to COVID. prgtoken This amendment ensures that the Senate will prioritize support for the hospitality industry and its workers as it crafts legislation to provide coronavirus relief and recovery to communities across the United States. prgtoken Almost half of all job losses since the pandemic began have been in the travel, leisure, and hospitality industries, and the situation gets more dire every day we don't act. prgtoken Communities across this country have suffered as nearly $500 billion in travel spending and an estimated $64 billion in Federal, State, and local revenues have evaporated. Our communities cannot afford to see these industries decimated. prgtoken That is why I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan amendment to expand support for our struggling hospitality industry and provide relief for the workers in the industries hardest hit by this pandemic.
REMEMBERING HAWAII COUNTY MAYOR WILLIAM ``BILLY'' P. KENOI
Kaiali’i Kahele (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2021-2-4

my ohana is from the last native Hawaiian fishing village in Hawaii, Milolii. You have likely never heard of Milolii, and if you haven't heard of the small fishing village of Milolii, then you probably haven't heard of Kalapana. prgtoken Kalapana, like Milolii, is an ocean community, but Kalapana sits in the shadow of the volcano Kilauea. For decades, this area has been shaped by the various destructive lava flows that have flowed through; but no matter how many times this happened, the people of Kalapana remained resilient and proud of their community. prgtoken , I can think of no one who embodied the pride and resilience of being Kalapana born and raised than William Punapaia'alaikahala Kenoi, known to most as Hawaii Island Mayor Billy Kenoi. Billy Kenoi would proudly talk about the papaya fields of Kalapana and the mentors who helped him see the world outside of them. Their inspiration took him from the slopes of Kilauea to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. prgtoken From there, the boy from Kalapana walked with reverence through these very Halls, which he regarded as a heiau, or spiritual center of democracy, as a congressional intern with the legendary Senator Daniel K. Inouye. He then went on to attend the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. prgtoken As he moved through his career, he remained that same resilient and proud kid from Kalapana. He worked for justice as a public defender with indigent clients. He moved home to Hawaii Island as a public servant, dedicated to helping his island weather the crystal meth crisis that was ravaging our communities. His leadership in crisis, born of the lava flows and fields of Kalapana, eventually translated to leadership at the island level, when he was elected as Hawaii County mayor in 2008. prgtoken Nobody could deny Billy's charm, keen political drive, and charismatic leadership. And for all his high-level leadership and larger-than-life personality, he left his mark in the individual interactions he had with people, always kind and authentic. Some of us had the fortune of getting to know him as a friend. For me, he was also a mentor. prgtoken I will always remember Martin Luther King Day 2016, because it was the day my father had a heart attack and passed away a week later. In the chaotic hours after he passed, there were too many calls and texts of support to count and certainly too many to answer. Despite all of this, one person's grief persisted and pierced through the profound grief: Billy Kenoi. prgtoken Billy called, asked where I was, and told me to come to the State Capitol. He said, ``It was time.'' I didn't know what he meant by that. My father had just passed, but when Billy spoke, I listened. When a man who was once a boy from Kalapana calls you in the middle of a family crisis, you know that he summons with it the resilience and strength of an island community that persisted through lava flow afte
CAPTAIN DAVID SAGEL
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Captain David Sagel of the Westminster Fire Department who passed away on January 24, 2021 after courageously battling work-related cancer for more than a year and a half. prgtoken Captain Sagel served in the Westminster Fire Department for 34 years, in roles as a firefighter and engineer to lieutenant and captain. Throughout his career, Captain Sagel was best known for his passion for community service. In his off-duty time, he instituted and led a foster home renovation program where he worked with Adams and Jefferson Counties to identify foster homes in need of repairs and recruited the help of other fire department members and local businesses to assist in renovating them at no cost to the families. For many years, he served as the organizer for the ``Hot Times KOOL Cars'' event in conjunction with KOOL 105.1 FM, which was an annual car show that raised money for Children's Hospital of Colorado. prgtoken Captain Sagel's passing during Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month is an important reminder to redouble Congress' efforts to prevent occupational cancers of firefighters and invest in additional healthcare research and development of new safety equipment to protect firefighters as they work to protect our communities. prgtoken Captain Sagel was a beloved and devoted husband and a loving father. He was a master craftsman who loved woodworking and restoring cars and tractors. He spent his free time prgtoken fishing with his boys and father, traveling the world with his wife and close friends, and making a mess in his barn. prgtoken Captain Sagel is survived by his wife, Pam, and his two sons Spenser and Austin. I appreciate his lifetime of service to our community.
COVID-19 RELIEF
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-2-4

. Madam , I rise to introduce the bipartisan Restoring Communities Left Behind Act. prgtoken This legislation establishes a $5 billion neighborhood infrastructure stimulus program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help communities face down the dire COVID-19 economic crisis. prgtoken I am grateful for the cooperation and leadership of Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for leading this bill with me, and also for Chairwoman Maxine Waters for encouraging our efforts. prgtoken In addition to COVID-19, Americans in rural and urban areas are still suffering from the effects of the 2008 Great Recession, decades of job washout, and redlining. Wall Street's malfeasance resulted in African Americans alone losing nearly half of their accumulated wealth since the founding of the Republic. prgtoken Nothing is more important for wealth creation than owning a home. This bill will provide a lifeline for families to restore financial security through homeownership. prgtoken The bill is a critical job-creation program. By investing in neighborhood infrastructure, we are investing in skills training and creating good paying jobs. prgtoken Congress must act now to provide stimulus for neighborhoods to recover so they emerge more resilient. I look forward to working to include this bill in a larger COVID relief and recovery package. I urge my colleagues to support this important housing recovery legislation.
THE BIG LIE
Val Butler Demings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-2-4

I have attended more police officers' funerals than I care to admit. Some I have eulogized. The services are beautiful, but the loss is tremendous. prgtoken Officer Sicknick's murder hit us hard. It hit me hard for a lot of reasons. But this death should be personal to every Member of Congress because I believe this body failed our Capitol Police officers. We tell everybody else that, if you see something, say something. Yet, while Brian was being murdered and other officers were suffering great bodily harm, a significant number of Members in this body said nothing and continued to uphold the big lie. They followed the unlawful, inhumane, and criminal orders of their Commander in Chief. prgtoken But Brian remembered his oath. And if we want to honor his life, then all of us should follow his example. Many have given much, but Officer Brian Sicknick gave all. He paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever grateful for a life well lived.