mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INVEST IN AMERICA ACT
Elaine G. Luria (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I rise today in support of the INVEST in America Act. prgtoken I am pleased that this bill includes funding for projects that are critical to our community in coastal Virginia. prgtoken The parallel Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel will expand to four lanes, will make the roads safer, and reduce traffic. Updating Tidewater Drive in Norfolk will facilitate access to Norfolk Naval Station, the world's largest Navy base. prgtoken The funding will create a much-needed evacuation route for the Sandbridge community and Virginia Beach in the event of flooding or extreme weather, which happens more frequently due to climate change. prgtoken This bill will also fund the replacement of aging buses that serve Hampton Roads Transit. prgtoken Madam , finally, the INVEST in America Act will fund planning for the Craney Island Marine Terminal, connecting Route 164 with the Commonwealth Railway that services the Port of Virginia, which is responsible for one in nine jobs in the Commonwealth. prgtoken Members of Congress must be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, and I advocated for these projects that will support our constituents. Investing in infrastructure strengthens the backbone of our economy, keeps America running, and puts a down payment on the future. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for these critical projects.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Kim Schrier (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I thank Mr. Lamb for yielding. prgtoken I am incredibly excited to have three local projects included in the INVEST in America Act. I worked with mayors, county commissioners, and community members across my district to identify priorities and advocate for Federal investment. These projects will improve the safety and resiliency of infrastructure in our communities, create jobs, and boost local economies. prgtoken Now, I would like to ask my colleagues to support my amendment to codify the Forest Service's Legacy Roads and Trails Program. This program leverages public and private funding to address our national backlog of deteriorating infrastructure, and does so while protecting American rivers and streams, endangered fish, and community water systems with targeted projects, like restoring fish passage and access to upstream habitat for salmon and steelhead, maintaining and storm- proofing forest roads, and improving trails so people can safely recreate in our public lands. prgtoken Chronic underfunding has left a long backlog of projects, and I am proud to present this solution. As we face the increasing threat of climate change and the need to improve our Nation's crumbling infrastructure, we must ensure pragmatic programs like legacy roads are also protected. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Paul Tonko (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Every life and every job depends on safe drinking water. Unfortunately, our water systems have been underfunded for decades, and the EPA has been unable to finalize new national standards since 1996. prgtoken Division I will enhance our drinking water infrastructure, its quality, and its affordability. This bill includes the investments and the policy reforms that will make the Safe Drinking Water Act actually live up to its name. prgtoken It significantly increases funding for the State Revolving Fund. It funds lead line removals to the full extent. It addresses PFAS contaminations, which are an endangerment to public health. prgtoken This is a down payment on critical public health infrastructure that must be part of our infrastructure investments moving forward. We know our water systems need these dollars; and our constituents deserve to have safe, reliable, and affordable water, free from lead, from PFAS, and other dangerous contaminants. prgtoken We need to be stronger partners with those at the local levels of government. So I encourage support of this measure. prgtoken I thank Rick Kessler, Jacqueline Cohen, Anthony Gutierrez, Rebecca Tomilchik, and last, but not least, Brendan Larkin from the committee staff for their long hours put into this effort and their diligence as it relates to this division. prgtoken , I urge Members to support this bill.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-6-30

. I appreciate your forthright support for a legislation that deals with the future. The gentleman from Louisiana State is a textbook example of what happens when we are not dealing meaningfully, when, for example, allowing the petrol chemical industry free rein. That is why they are losing an acre an hour, putting them at risk. This legislation is visionary in terms of providing the tools that communities need. prgtoken I visited over 200 communities since I have been in Congress dealing with land use, transportation, cycling, how we deal with land use planning in terms of design. This legislation supercharges that, gives them the tools that communities want. prgtoken Madam , s for 8 years refused to move forward in a meaningful way; paralyzed, not willing to make a tough decision. I salute the committee. I salute you and these package of amendments because this prepares us for the future. prgtoken I bring you greetings from a community that had 116-degree temperature in June. This is the future if we don't move forward.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Anthony G. Brown (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-6-30

first, let me thank Chairman DeFazio, Chairwoman Norton, and Chairman Payne for their leadership. prgtoken This bill will get our infrastructure working again; fund new, transformative projects; and create good-paying American jobs. We need 21st century infrastructure that meets the challenges facing the Nation, and that is exactly what the INVEST in America Act will do: prgtoken With investments in our communities, including more than $6.2 billion to Maryland's highway and transit systems; prgtoken With an emphasis on equity, including $3 billion to reconnect neighborhoods, particularly communities of color separated from local economic opportunities and divided by decades of bad infrastructure policy; prgtoken And with a modern approach to growth and development, including $134 million to promote Transit Oriented Development needed to create thriving and inclusive communities around our transit hubs, and promote safe multimodal transits in communities like New Carrollton in my district. prgtoken , this is a historic investment in America, and I urge its adoption.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Susie Lee (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2021-6-30

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in strong support of my amendment No. 132 to the INVEST in America Act which would ensure that wastewater infrastructure funding using the Clean Water State Revolving Fund or other Clean Water Act grant programs undergo a climate resiliency assessment. prgtoken Today, 88 percent of the West is under some form of drought. Back in my home district, Nevada's Third, the water in Lake Mead sits at the lowest level since the Hoover Dam was built. Almost half of my home State of Nevada is experiencing exceptional drought--the highest classification there is. prgtoken As I stand here today, the unfortunate truth is that this is not just a Nevada problem. From coast to coast, climate change is here--it is not some distant threat--and it demands that we take action for all of our constituents. prgtoken Investments in infrastructure are desperately needed, and we need to ensure that these projects can withstand the impact of climate change. We cannot talk about infrastructure without talking about climate change, because what good is it for us to invest millions or billions in infrastructure if it can't hold up to the devastating impact of climate change? prgtoken For example, we should be looking at how a water treatment facility would withstand extreme heat, because the reality is, as we have experienced, temperatures are rising. Just look at the West right now. So as we are making investments in water treatment facilities, we must ensure that these facilities will not fail under extreme heat, straining already limited water resources. prgtoken A climate resiliency assessment might look at what happens when it is 120 degrees and the wastewater facility loses power during a blackout. We need to ensure that our facilities are prepared for the realities that we are facing. That is true whether we are talking about drought and extreme heat or worsening hurricanes or even rising sea levels along the coast. prgtoken My amendment will ensure that future wastewater infrastructure is designed and constructed to withstand potential impacts of climate change. Importantly, my amendment also is in line with a January 2020 report on water infrastructure from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office. This nonpartisan report recommended that Congress require that climate resilience be considered in planning for federally funded water infrastructure projects. prgtoken So I am implore all of you to join me in voting ``yes'' on my amendment. We must ensure that our investments in infrastructure are longlasting and resilient to the threat of climate change. prgtoken , .
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-30

I rise in support of my amendment to the INVEST in America Act that would save our Nation's pollinators. prgtoken In my district, on the Central Coast, we grow over 100 different specialty crops that greatly contribute to our Nation's food security. But what many people don't realize is that our agriculture, from the Central Coast, or to the center of America, would not be possible without our pollinators. prgtoken Unfortunately, , those pollinators and their habitats on are the verge of extinction. That is why the robust investment, as provided in my amendment, is needed now more than ever. The amendment sets up grant programs that State transportation departments can use to grow more flora and fauna, from grasses to wildflowers to milkweed, so that pollinators can thrive. prgtoken I want to thank Representative Carbajal, my Central Coast neighbor, for his partnership on this amendment, and our work together on bills and amendments like this to revive our pollinators habitats and regrow their population. prgtoken By passing this amendment, we not only can save the pollinators, but we can also secure the food supply of our Nation.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-6-30

I thank Chairman DeFazio for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. prgtoken I rise in strong support of H.R. 3684, the INVEST in America Act. This bill authorizes a tremendous funding boost to our Nation's surface transportation and infrastructure system, including a significant amount for my State of Texas. Failing to invest now will cost much more later. prgtoken The INVEST in America Act also makes significant investments in transportation research, development, and demonstration to support of safer and more resilient, equitable, and sustainable transportation future. prgtoken I am pleased to have inserted numerous provisions in the bill before us today, including one to establish a grants program in the Department of Transportation to develop transportation workforce training programs for workers adversely affected by industry automation; a sense of Congress to emphasize that contractors participating in a federally funded transportation contract with a minority-owned business must ensure that it is fulfilled.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-30

I rise today to offer six amendments to the INVEST in America Act. prgtoken It is imperative that any infrastructure bill that we work on and is passed by Congress helps to achieve two goals: one, address the history of injustice and displacement that traditional and historic infrastructure investment has imposed on communities of color and working people, like the construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway; and the second is to prepare for and create good, dignified union jobs in building the infrastructure that helps mitigate climate change. prgtoken One amendment that I am offering today would double the funding to replace lead water infrastructure in schools. In the richest country in the world, no child should be poisoned by their classroom water fountain, yet that is exactly the case for millions of American schoolchildren. In New York City alone, at least 400 schools, many in the Bronx, contained faucets with elevated lead levels as recently as 2019. prgtoken I am also offering an amendment today with Representative Moulton to increase rail funding by 20 percent. prgtoken , I urge support and passage of these amendments.
ESTABLISHING THE SELECT COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6TH ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , the American public watching this debate must think that some of the verbiage was written by Lewis Carroll. Lewis Carroll, of course, wrote ``Alice in Wonderland,'' where up was down, black was white, left was right, and right was left. prgtoken There is an advantage, I would tell you, of not having served here for some time because you don't know what happened in the past. The gentlewoman who represents the Rules Committee said, gee, there have been other investigations. prgtoken I remember how outraged I was when the s had the eighth investigation of Benghazi, outraged not only because, as it has been opined by the gentlewoman, that, oh, we looked at this, but because for the first seven times, they found nothing there, ``they'' being the s. And so, they logically concluded, we need to have another study until we get the answer we want. prgtoken Lo and behold, the investigator, Mr. Gowdy, felt to be a person of extraordinary intellect, which he was, had a study, a partisan study, and found exactly the same outcome. prgtoken The studies to date have found that there were many things done wrong, but they were limited in their scope, which is, of course, the one thing that the s wanted to do with the bipartisan commission they asked for, that the gave them: five , five s; equal power over subpoenas. And the staffing, clearly, had been worked out on the Senate side. prgtoken In the final analysis, the issue was really: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. prgtoken Madam , like many of our colleagues and many Americans, I had hoped that Congress would establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the terrible, tragic, almost unthinkable events of January 6, when we saw Americans assault this Capitol, these Representatives on this floor and the floor down the hall, calling for the death of the Vice President of the United States and the of the House, one of the most tragic events in the history of our country. prgtoken The House brought a bill to this floor. The brought to this floor what the minority leader asked for, except for one thing, scope, the fear that we would look at the very essence of what January 6 was about. prgtoken Yes, some accuse us of concluding that, because the President recruited people to come to Washington, incited them in a fiery speech, and then deployed them to the Capitol of the United States, Heaven forbid that we would look at him as being a cause of that event. That is only three things that he did. prgtoken The House voted on May 19 to do exactly that. And then what happened? Well, the s all voted against it. Not everyone, strike that. There were a few courageous souls that did vote for it because they wanted to see the truth and get the truth. In fact, some of them articulated the truth, and to that extent, their party kicked them out of the leadership. prgtoken That is what they said: See no evil, hear
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Gwen Moore (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2021-6-30

I rise in strong support of the Invest in America Act. I thank Chairman DeFazio and Chairman Pallone, among others, for their outstanding work in getting this bill to the floor. prgtoken I appreciate their support for my amendments to this bill. prgtoken On the water portion of this bill, my three amendments attempt to: (1) spur innovation to help address storm water challenges (2) link efforts to remove lead pipes to creating jobs for low-income and very low-income individuals where these projects take place, and (3) strengthen an existing water workforce development program. prgtoken I have spoken directly to both Chairman DeFazio and Chairman Pallone about the need to link investments in water infrastructure to jobs for those in affected communities, especially for underserved communities. So I am excited to have their support, both through provisions including in the underlying bill, and for my amendments. prgtoken Every $1 billion invested in water infrastructure creates or sustains approximately 28,000 American jobs. I want to make sure that those in communities where these projects take place directly benefit from this job creation. prgtoken Likewise, the new regional stormwater centers of excellence will help support research into new and emerging technologies that can help to meet stormwater needs in our communities, such as stopping sewer overflows. prgtoken I thank both Chairs for working with me on these amendments and their inclusion in this strong bill and urge my colleagues to vote for this measure.
SALUTING MARK SCHAUERTE
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I rise to salute my departing chief of staff, Mark Schauerte, for his devoted service to my office and to my constituents. prgtoken Mark and I have been friends since the third grade, having grown up in Peoria, Illinois, and today Mark is one of my most trusted advisers. His intelligence, decency, and grit informed every initiative undertaken by my office. prgtoken I will miss Mark's daily presence and his warm sense of humor. My loss, however, is his family's gain, and I am glad Mark's lovely wife, Chris, and his son, Eddie, will now enjoy more of Mark's time. prgtoken Madam , I thank Mark for his dedicated, stalwart public service, and I thank him for his friendship of more than 40 years. I wish Mark great success in this new chapter of his life.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Ritchie Torres (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-30

I rise to speak in favor of my amendment to the INVEST Act, which clarifies that the capping of highways with deck parks shall qualify for funding under the Reconnecting Neighborhoods Program. prgtoken The South Bronx is the most densely populated congressional district with the highest concentration of diesel truck traffic. In Hunts Point alone, there are 15,000 trucks traveling every day from and to the Hunts Point Terminal Market. Children living near the Cross Bronx Expressway are, through no fault of their own, breathing in air pollutants that cause respiratory disease. prgtoken The sheer prevalence of asthma in the South Bronx is no accident. It is a consequence of the Cross Bronx Expressway, which stands both literally and metaphorically as a structure of racism. prgtoken My amendment to the INVEST Act would lay the groundwork for capping the Cross Bronx Expressway in the hopes of preventing diesel truck traffic from polluting the air we breathe in the Bronx. prgtoken There is no policy or project that would do more to fundamentally improve the air quality and life expectancy in the South Bronx than the long-overdue transformation of the Cross Bronx Expressway.
ESTABLISHING THE SELECT COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6TH ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I thank Chairman McGovern for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 503, to establish a select committee to investigate the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol. prgtoken On January 6, 2021, Americans watched as the U.S. Capitol was overrun by a violent mob of supporters on a mission to stop the certification of the electoral college votes. Lawmakers were in this very Chamber carrying out their constitutional duty when this mob, incited by then-President , forced them into lockdown. Many feared for their lives. Our democratic process came to a halt, and, unfortunately, a Capitol Police officer lost his life. prgtoken Madam , this was an attack on our democracy. We must shine a light on the truth to prevent something like this from ever happening again and to hold those responsible for inciting this insurrection accountable for the damage they have caused. prgtoken For the sake of our democracy, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to establish the select committee.
ESTABLISHING THE SELECT COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6TH ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL
Stacey E. Plaskett (Democrat, VI) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I rise in strong support of this bill. prgtoken On January 6, we witnessed one of the darkest days in our history, a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol during the formal counting of the votes on the election of a President. They attempted to destroy our House, the people's House. prgtoken As the elected stewards of this House, it is our responsibility to investigate the breakdowns and breaches in security that failed us, that led us to January 6. prgtoken It is our collective responsibility to use the authority given to us for a select panel devoted solely to the proper and thorough investigation of the facts and causes of the attack; not just the attackers, but the conspirators and the enablers. prgtoken If you can't protect the people's House, God help your family's house if the former President wishes to loot that as well. prgtoken Madam , consideration and passage of this resolution today is timely, as Americans across the Nation prepare to celebrate Fourth of July, the signing of our Declaration of Independence. Our country was founded on a democratic process of fair elections. I cannot think of a more genuine celebration of our independence than the commitment to protect our democracy.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , people in the Pacific Northwest have faced horrific news this week regarding potential catastrophic die-off of salmon populations resulting from rising water temperatures from this week's heatwave. prgtoken Sadly, in our region, deteriorating infrastructure and failing culverts have long had a negative impact on water quality and have threatened the salmon that are so important to our economy and to our identity. prgtoken But today, through this bipartisan amendment, we have some good news. This amendment would create a new grant program within the U.S. Department of Transportation for culvert restoration to aid fish passage and recovery efforts. prgtoken It provides $800 million for the new National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant Program. prgtoken By providing this dedicated funding for culvert restoration, the Federal Government can restore fish passages and provide critical access to upstream habitat for aquatic species. prgtoken I am grateful for Senator Cantwell's partnership and that of Chair DeFazio and for the support of bipartisan Members from the Pacific Northwest, who know how important this effort is to protecting clean water and recovering salmon populations in our region. prgtoken This is good news, and I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment.