mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH MOMNIBUS
Alma S. Adams (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2020-3-11

today I rise to speak about the Black Maternal Health Momnibus, an historic and comprehensive package that tackles one of the greatest public health crises of our time. prgtoken My work on Black Maternal Health began when my daughter, a Black mom herself, survived a complicated pregnancy that almost claimed her life. How many people my age aren't as lucky, and now have grandkids who grew up without a mommy? prgtoken I knew when I got to Congress, I had to make this a priority. prgtoken In 2018, Senator and I worked with the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to introduce resolutions honoring the first Black Maternal Health Week, as well as the Maternal CARE Act. That effort led to last April, when Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and I launched the Black Maternal Health Caucus. prgtoken This issue was deeply personal for both of us. We wanted to raise awareness, educate our colleagues, and shine a bright spotlight on the maternal health crisis--of mothers needlessly dying during what should be one of the most joyous times of their lives. prgtoken Our caucus has grown to more than 100 members in less than a year, which I imagine might be a record feat, but it speaks to the importance of this issue and how it resonates so deeply within Congress and across party lines. prgtoken Black maternal health is not a partisan issue. It is a life-and-death issue. The main goal of the caucus is to develop and advance evidence- based policy solutions. prgtoken The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020 builds upon existing maternal health legislation by filling gaps through nine new bills to comprehensively address every aspect of the Black maternal health crisis. Throughout the process, we were very intentional about centering the voices of Black women and ensuring that Black women-led organizations were consulted early and often. prgtoken The Momnibus makes investments in social determinants of health, community-based organizations, the growth and diversification of the perinatal workforce, improvements in data collection and quality measures, digital tools like telehealth and innovative payment models. prgtoken In addition to direct efforts to improve Black maternal health outcomes, the Momnibus focuses on high-risk populations, including women veterans, incarcerated women, and Native Americans. prgtoken , I also want to take a moment to speak about the bill that I am leading within the package: The Kira Johnson Act. prgtoken Kira was an entrepreneur, she traveled the world, and she was a mother to a healthy, little boy. prgtoken On April 12, 2016, she checked into a hospital with her husband, Charles, to give birth to their second child, Langston. prgtoken Despite being in excellent health, despite being a successful businesswoman, despite having health insurance, and doing everything right, Kira did not make it out alive. She died from hours of neglect and severe hemorrhaging, nearly 12 hours after safely delivering he
CITIZENSHIP FOR CHILDREN OF MILITARY MEMBERS AND CIVIL SERVANTS ACT
Tammy Duckworth (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-3-11

I rise today to applaud my colleagues for passing H.R. 4803, Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act, without amendment by unanimous consent. prgtoken Last year, Senator Johnny Isakson joined me in introducing the bipartisan Senate companion to H.R. 4803 to make sure that when children of U.S. citizens serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or working for the U.S. Government are born abroad because their parents are serving our Nation overseas, they automatically acquire U.S. citizenship. prgtoken The unanimous passage of the Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate sends a strong message that children born to American parents serving our country abroad are just as worthy of automatic citizenship as any other child in this country. prgtoken This principle should not be controversial. That is why for the past 15 years, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services considered children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Federal Government employees stationed outside the United States to be deemed as ``residing in the United States'' for the purpose of automatically acquiring citizenship. prgtoken This policy was pragmatic and cut burdensome redtape for American parents willing to serve our Nation abroad prgtoken as U.S. servicemembers or civil servants. It provided flexibility and allowed U.S. citizen parents to meet residency requirements for acquisition of citizenship while serving overseas. It kept American parents from cutting their overseas commitment short to establish residency so their children could earn citizenship. This policy allowed their children to enjoy the same privileges of acquiring citizenship, as if their parents were working and living within our country's borders. prgtoken However, in August 2019, the administration enacted a policy change to reverse this practice. Under this new policy, certain Americans serving their Nation abroad, in uniform or in the civil service, must apply for citizenship on behalf of their children. These parents now have to navigate a complex bureaucratic process and spend hundreds of dollars on an application, with no guarantee that their children will receive citizenship of the very country they are serving abroad in uniform or as a Federal employee. prgtoken In fact, this policy change caused and ic lawmakers to recognize that current citizenship laws disadvantage these patriotic families. Our citizenship laws and bureaucratic requirements inflict undue burden on these families and make American parents ``prove'' that their children are worthy of U.S. citizenship. prgtoken As a combat veteran, I understand the challenges and family stressors that face Active-Duty members deployed to defend our Nation overseas. Congress should be helping U.S. servicemembers focus on achieving their mission. Providing U.S. servicemembers a
DIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES AGAINST THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-3-11

. Madam , I thank my good friend, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and I thank my friend, the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, for their good work. prgtoken I understand we have a difference of opinion, and I do deeply respect my friend from Texas and his substantive and thoughtful contributions to our foreign policy debate in our committee, but I must disagree with the argument that we ought to be focused on only one thing right now. prgtoken As grave as the coronavirus crisis is--and I would be happy to talk about that and the missteps of this administration in making it worse-- Congress is the people's body. We are here defending the legislative branch of government and its constitutional role on matters of war and peace. What could be more serious? prgtoken The fact that we are here the third time doesn't make it any less grave or serious. It underlines the importance of the issue and the fact that many of us in this body are going to continue to be here on the floor until Congress reasserts the role the chairman outlined for us that is the constitutional role. prgtoken We have allowed way too much power to gravitate to the executive branch. We have abrogated our responsibilities here in Congress for decades. We like having it both ways. We tsk-tsk when the executive branch, we think, crosses the line, but we don't want to take responsibility for it. prgtoken This resolution asks Congress to do just that: stand up and take responsibility, while holding the executive branch accountable. prgtoken President ordered a provocative and disproportionate drone strike that killed the Iranian Quds Forces commander, Major General Qasem Soleimani, a bad actor, but that begs the question: Should we have done it? prgtoken And, oh, by the way, what level of consultation and intelligence ought to be shared with the legislative branch that has constitutional responsibility for matters of war and peace? prgtoken We know the administration had to do some fast footwork to rationalize why now, why him, why there, and, oh, by the way, what are the consequences of doing that? In all of those questions, even with a formal briefing of Congress, the administration simply did not have good answers. In fact, they had contradictory answers. prgtoken Taking Soleimani out, my friend from Texas says, was a good thing. Well, it is not without consequences. We evacuated nonessential personnel from Iraq as a consequence of that move because of the terror threat. One hundred U.S. military personnel suffered brain damage or head damage because of the retaliatory strikes on the U.S. base in Iraq. These things have consequences.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-3-11

I would like to address the issue which will be before us at noon on the vote, but, preceding that, I would like to say a word on a different topic that certainly is on everybody's mind, and that is the coronavirus. prgtoken I was recently notified by my Governor, Governor Pritzker, that we have run into a shortage in our State of the test kits that are necessary. Some 330 Illinoisans have been tested to date, and these are people who, on physician's orders, should be tested because of exposure to coronavirus or because of the vulnerability of the patient and the suspicion that they may have been exposed to the virus. prgtoken The difficulty that we have run into is that the testing process apparently is coming to a stop. We are running out of the test kits, and there has been contact made with the Centers for Disease Control to determine why we are not getting responses on this need for additional kits in our State to test people who are truly vulnerable. prgtoken I don't believe our situation could be unique. I imagine other States are facing this same challenge. prgtoken I reached out to the Centers for Disease Control within the hour and had a lengthy conversation about the situation that we are facing. prgtoken Originally, the coronavirus test kits faced a shortage of reagents that were necessary to take the initial test. It turns out they are now facing a new challenge: It is an issue of the global supply of enzymes that are used by laboratories to analyze the test results. This is a commercially available enzyme that is now in short supply, and CDC is desperately looking for other commercial sources that are reliable that can come to the rescue. prgtoken The testing process, of course, is going to stop if the laboratories can't take the initial test results and test them to see whether they are positive or negative. They are looking for alternative ways at the CDC to meet this need. It is a critically important issue, and the lack of these enzymes limits the actual tests that can be taken across the United States. prgtoken The source at the CDC told me this situation is not unique to our country. It is a commercially produced product, and they are looking for other sources, either within the United States or without, as quickly as possible. This is a market-driven problem, and the CDC is looking across the market for sources to solve the problem. prgtoken For the time being, there is no relief in sight in Illinois or other places that have run into this same issue, where people desperately need to be tested to determine whether they are positive for this virus, and the testing, even if it takes place, cannot go through the laboratory approval. prgtoken The commercial supplies of this enzyme, apparently, are depleted at this moment. It is an urgent issue, as I mentioned repeatedly. They are looking for optional alternative platforms for this laboratory testing. prgtoken Now, I would say at this p
USA FREEDOM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020
Adam B. Schiff (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-3-11

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in strong support of the USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020. prgtoken This bill makes a number of critical and important reforms to strengthen civil liberties and privacy protections under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act while simultaneously protecting the national security of the United States. In addition, the bill provides for greater transparency and increased oversight and accountability to ensure the integrity of the FISA process. prgtoken Over the past several weeks, Chairman Nadler and I, along with Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer, have worked with Members from across the caucus and the aisle to develop a set of reforms that our ic Caucus could be proud to support. This bill is a result of that effort. It builds on the achievements of the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015, which passed with 338 votes in the House and the overwhelming support of the ic Caucus to put in place long-sought reforms to FISA. prgtoken The three expiring provisions that this bill would reauthorize are vitally important to protecting national security. One of those measures, the roving wiretap provision, authorizes continued court- approved surveillance of targets, even if they change their phones or other devices. Its expiration, or that of the other two provisions, would be to no one's benefit. Our counterterrorism and national security activities would be severely hamstrung, and we would have lost the opportunity to press for reforms that we are seeking. prgtoken At the outside of this process, administration officials, like the Attorney General, along with Senate leadership, made it clear that they preferred a clean and permanent reauthorization of these authorities. On a bipartisan basis, this bill rejects that demand, producing a bill that holds firm to our commitment to civil liberties, oversight, and transparency, and, importantly, has an important sunset. prgtoken Let me describe just a few of the reforms included in this legislation: prgtoken The bill would end, once and for all, NSA's authority to collect call detail records on an ongoing basis, and destroy all records previously obtained under these authorities. prgtoken This bill would require that the government get a warrant under FISA, if one would be needed in the law enforcement context. prgtoken This bill would prohibit the government from retaining business records for more than 5 years, with exceptions, such as an imminent threat to human life. prgtoken This bill would expand the appointment of amici in FISA court proceedings, permit amici to seek access to more information, and creating a framework for amicus to seek higher court review of questions of law to the FISA courts. prgtoken The bill would also strengthen the requirement for the declassification and release of FISA court opinions and apply the requirements retroactively to prior to the enactme
FEED OUR VETS
Anthony Brindisi (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-3-11

. Madam , I rise today to honor the ``Feed Our Vets'' nonprofit organization located in New York Mills, NY and to recognize the volunteer staff for providing food assistance to our veterans who are experiencing financial challenges. prgtoken Veterans have played an essential role in defending our nation, and we must show our gratitude for their service and sacrifice by ensuring that they are not left behind on the battlefield of hunger once they return home. prgtoken I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring ``Feed Our Vets'' and their volunteers for providing this invaluable service to our veterans in Central New York.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2020-3-11

I do appreciate the fact that the Senator from Tennessee has been a great partner with me on many issues. I will keep talking to him about this. prgtoken Let me just say, without doing this, the cost to businesses is going to grow exponentially. We have already seen it on Wall Street, and we are seeing it in our communities. Because people are not getting paid, they are going to work and are spreading this virus. We are seeing the impact and will continue to see it in our communities as fewer people go to their stores or as fewer people go to their businesses. prgtoken We either do this now or we are going to continue to pay for it in the future. I am sorry it has been objected to today, because I think it is such a critical step with regard to this public health crisis we are having. We need to get this done.
ECKO GONZALEZ
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-3-11

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and applaud Ecko Gonzalez for receiving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth award. Ecko Gonzalez is a student at North Arvada Middle School and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Ecko Gonzalez is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. I extend my deepest congratulations to Ecko Gonzalez for winning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassador for Youth award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.
BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT ACCURACY AND TECHNOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY ACT
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-3-11

schools, libraries, healthcare providers, and other community anchor institutions need high-capacity broadband for distance learning, access to information, and telemedicine, but too often, anchor institutions' need for broadband service are overlooked. That is why I want to make sure that anchor institutions are included in the mapping legislation under consideration today. I am pleased that S. 1822 will enable the Federal Communications Commission to develop more accurate and more granular broadband maps. However, in implementing this legislation, the FCC must make sure to include anchor institutions in its list of serviceable locations so that our broadband maps accurately cover anchor institutions as well as residences.
AND STILL I RISE
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-3-11

. Madam , and still I rise, and still I rise. And I rise as a very proud American, proud of my country, proud to be a part of prgtoken this great Nation. I am also proud to be a liberated , unbought, unbossed, speak truth to power, speak truth about power, a liberated . And I rise tonight with a very special message at this time in the history of our country. prgtoken We find ourselves now in a state of fear. Unfortunately, too much of what we have based our response on to the novel coronavirus has been fear, not facts. We should act on facts, not fear. My hope is that after I say a few words tonight, I will at least cause some persons to rethink some of what they have already concluded. prgtoken I am a person who believes that there is a philosophy, an adage, if you will, of live and let live. This is not my philosophy, live and let live. It simply says: You go your way and live your life; I will go my way and live my life. prgtoken If this philosophy prevailed, I would not be in the Congress of the United States of America because a good many people did not embrace live and let live. Dr. King did not embrace it. prgtoken A good many people embrace a philosophy that I now embrace, and that is live and help live. It is because of other people who made great sacrifices that I am able to stand here in the well of the Congress of the United States of America. It was a live and help live philosophy that made it possible for me to be here. There were persons who lived and some who died so that I would have this opportunity. prgtoken I can bring Schwerner, Goodman, and Chaney to your attention. Schwerner and Goodman were not African Americans, by the way. They lost their lives in the cause of freedom along with Goodman, who was an African American. They were trying to help somebody. That was a live and help live philosophy. prgtoken There was John Shillady in Austin, Texas, an NAACP fieldworker, who was beaten by a mob. He was trying to help Black people. prgtoken In a sense, there is a debt that I owe, and whenever I have the opportunity, I try to repay it. So tonight, with our country in this state of fear, I would like to ask some things of people and share some thoughts. prgtoken The first thing that I want to address is what we expect from others. prgtoken We now expect others who are sick to stay home. If you are sick and you think that you have a virus and you are concerned, we want you to stay home. Of course, see your physician, get an opinion from your physician, but if you are ill and you may be contagious, we believe that you should stay home. prgtoken That is what we are saying to people across the length and breadth of the country. We believe that this is a patriotic thing to do, to stay home. Do what you can from home. Work from home. prgtoken Well, that can work for a lot of people. It can work for Members of Congress because we will be paid if we work from home. We will be paid, and we will be
HONORING RUBY ANN WHITTLE SMITH
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-3-11

. Madam , I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me as I rise to pay tribute to Ruby Ann Whittle Smith and celebrate her 100th birthday. prgtoken Mrs. Smith was born on March 15, 1920, to George and Dora Whittle in South Hill, Virginia. In 1923, the Whittle Family moved from Virginia to Baltimore, Maryland. After a short stay there, they moved to New Jersey where, in 1925, they settled into their home in Orange. Mrs. Smith attended the Orange Public Schools until her graduation from Orange High School in 1940. prgtoken After high school, Mrs. Smith furthered her education at the New York Institute of Dietetics. Once she graduated, she worked as an intern at Provident Hospital in Baltimore, MD. When she finished her internship, Mrs. Smith returned to New Jersey and became a dietician at the Community Hospital in Newark, NJ. Eventually, she left the hospital and began a career at the Western Electric Company, a subsidiary of AT&T, in Kearney, NJ, where she made telephones for distribution. She worked in the Western Electric office for 30 years before she retired in 1985. prgtoken She was supported throughout her life by her husband, Willie E. Smith, Sr. They were married for 37 years. In addition, she was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange and served as a volunteer to Hospice, Inc. Many church members continue to visit Mrs. Smith to this day through the New Hope Visiting Ministry. She was a very active member of the East Orange Senior Citizens Exercise and Wellness Program. She enjoyed the program's social events, participated in the exercise programs, transported those who needed a ride around town, and rode in Memorial Day parades. prgtoken Today, she spends her time with friends at the Orange Retirement Club in East Orange, where she enjoys the exercises, BINGO, lunch, outings and plenty of fun. prgtoken Madam , I ask my fellow members of the U.S. House of Representatives to join me and recognize Ruby Ann Whittle Smith for bringing joy and love to the people of my district for 100 years.