mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2020-3-25

I come to the floor to thank my colleagues for all of their hard work on this legislation and to urge my colleagues to move forward today because the State of Washington desperately needs this help. prgtoken When I think about this package that has been crafted literally since Saturday starting at about 10 o'clock and when I think about the people who had run to collaborate--yes, there were many challenges to that collaboration--I also think about the people who are on the frontlines in the State of Washington who have paid such a heavy price--from the factory worker we just lost in Everett, WA, to the COVID-19 disease; to the grocer at the Leschi Market, who was just trying to help deliver groceries to a needing public; to the pathologist at the University of Washington who was a leader in this field but who also lost his life. Real sacrifice and real, crushing blows have been dealt snce December. prgtoken But today we are responding with more help for our States. We are giving them more money for hospitals, more money for the frontline with protective gear, more money for testing, and more money to support them as they continue the effort to try to stop this disease. prgtoken It is so important that we give State and local governments and Tribes the resources they need to be on the frontlines in fighting this disease, and I thank our Governor, Governor Inslee, for leading that charge every single day in trying to focus our response on this disease. prgtoken Because we were the site of the first COVID-19 case, we have been at this since January 21, and the sadness we have all felt over the Kirkland nursing home, where we lost so many patients, we hope will be a lesson for the rest of the Nation to pay attention to the seriousness of this virus. prgtoken We are also here today, though--besides giving that frontline support to States, to cities, to counties, and to our healthcare delivery system--to say that we want to try to lessen the economic impacts of a shelter-in-place or social distancing. prgtoken Our businesses, small businesses, have been hit hard. Our restaurants, our other businesses that have shut down, that don't have the same resources to come to Washington, DC, and to lobby for aid and support, are counting on us to create a program that small businesses can get both grants and loans. So the $360 billion in this program I hope SBA will help dispatch with urgency to those businesses that have complied and have done their best to keep their employees while also shutting down their business. prgtoken We also know that the unemployment benefits in this package, which will be for an additional 4 months, will be a boost for people who are unemployed, and the expansion of that definition to cover those who are part of a gig economy who may not have been covered in the past is important to give people the safety net to make it through this process. prgtoken I wish we would have come to term
HONORING CHRIS CARTER AND HIS YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE
Richard Hudson (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-3-26

. Madam , I rise today to honor and thank Chris Carter for his service to North Carolina and to this institution as my Chief of Staff and wish him well as he embarks on the next stage of his career. prgtoken Chris started as an ambitious 23-year-old who never met a stranger and who quickly impressed me with his character, hard work, optimism and his 1950's style flat top. prgtoken Over the past eight plus years, Chris has worked tirelessly by my side doing whatever it takes to meet the needs of the people of North Carolina's Eighth District. There is no telling how many miles we have logged together over the years from Salisbury to Fayetteville and everywhere in-between. Though I'm sure Chris has a spreadsheet somewhere that could tell you down to the mile. He has been by my side since day one and has played an integral part of setting up every aspect of my organization. Through it all, Chris has demonstrated profound judgment and steady leadership. prgtoken There are few instances where I do not seek Chris' perspective or guidance. I like to think, however, this is a mutual feeling given the role I played bringing Chris together with his lovely wife, Jessika. They met thanks to me. And through constant coaching, pep talks and plenty of grooming and fashion advice, I helped Chris become the man with whom she finally fell in love. Despite being an obnoxious Carolina basketball fan, Jessika came to see what everyone who meets Chris knows--he is a person of warmth, integrity, intelligence, charm, an above average sense of humor and incredible empathy. prgtoken My constituents have benefited from Chris' hard work and commitment. He is the first to lend a helping hand to anyone seeking assistance and I can confidently say that because of Chris, North Carolina is a better place. I know I would not be who I am or where I am today without him. prgtoken It is with immense gratitude to Chris I stand here with the humble awareness I will never be able to truly express how much he means to me, my staff and my family. Chris, I love you like a brother and we wish you and Jess nothing but the best as you start your next great adventure together back in North Carolina. prgtoken Madam , please join me today in thanking Chris Carter for his service to this institution and to the people of North Carolina.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Denver Riggleman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2020-3-27

it wasn't so long ago that our country experienced an event that would bring Americans together to fight a common enemy and help those in need. prgtoken On September 11, 2001, America experienced the worst act of terrorism in its history. The resolve and patriotism I felt that day, as a warfighter, is so very similar to the resolve and patriotism I feel today. prgtoken Government can do some things for the American people. The CARES Act is not perfect, but it provides much-needed funds for medical equipment, support for small businesses, and additional tools to fight the crisis. This bill is a step forward, and when combined with the same American spirit that brought us through 9/11 and crises past, we can come out of this stronger. prgtoken The true strength of our great Nation is what people do for each other. Rugged individualism turns into compassionate sacrifice. The charity of American spirit expands and envelops all others. We see those in need. We act. We volunteer. We lead. We step into the breach. prgtoken Almost nothing perfect comes out of government. Service, however, demands that we put forth a perfect effort to do the best we can.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Larry Bucshon (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-3-27

these unprecedented times call for unity to help Hoosiers and all Americans who are struggling medically and/or financially through no fault of their own. prgtoken This relief package puts Americans first, with aid for families, workers, small businesses, and companies that employ millions of people. prgtoken There is assistance for healthcare providers who are on the front lines, working tirelessly to save our friends, neighbors, and family members from COVID-19, in addition to their usual duties. prgtoken I am proud to see that two provisions I have helped author are included in this package. These bipartisan policies will ensure patients have timely and affordable access to COVID-19 preventive care, such as vaccines and testing, and make clear that doctors who provide volunteer medical services during this public health emergency have liability protections. prgtoken I have spent the past week talking to hospitals in Indiana. It could not be clearer that they need our help, just as we need their help, to defeat the virus and to keep our loved ones safe. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this package so we can provide the relief Americans desperately need.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Liz Cheney (Republican, WY) \u2014 2020-3-27

67 years ago yesterday, Dr. Jonas Salk announced that the United States had successfully tested a vaccine to prevent polio, a dreaded virus that afflicted tens of thousands of Americans we have beaten terrible diseases before, and we will again. prgtoken When we were attacked on 9/11, our heroes were the firefighters and police officers who ran towards the burning buildings and the citizens who stormed the cockpit of flight 93, who put their own lives at risk. prgtoken , we have those same heroes today. Today they are the thousands of nurses and doctors and countless other healthcare professionals and their staff who work in our hospitals and clinics and provide the greatest care anywhere in the world. prgtoken , we owe them our deepest gratitude. We also owe them every tool, every piece of equipment, and every resource they need to save lives. prgtoken , we also have a duty to our parents and our grandparents. In this greatest Nation on Earth, we protect the sick and the most vulnerable. We owe all we have to our mothers and our fathers, to the generations who came before, and we must do all we can now to protect them. prgtoken All of us, , are called into the service of this blessed Nation at this time of challenge, not as or s, but as Americans. This pathogen does not recognize party lines, and no partisan solution will defeat it--neither will the government acting alone. It will take all of the ingenuity and innovation of the American private sector working with our Federal, State, and local governments. prgtoken This is not a time for cynicism or invective or second guessing. This is a time to remember that we are citizens of the greatest Nation on Earth, that we have overcome every challenge we have faced, and that we will overcome this one. prgtoken We are one nation, . We should all be rooting for our President to succeed, for New York Governor Cuomo to succeed, for California Governor Newsom to succeed, and for Wyoming's Governor Mark Gordon to succeed. prgtoken Indeed, we must do everything we can to help every State and every Governor in our great Union. The bill we are voting on today is a crucial step. prgtoken On the Sunday after 9/11, my family worshipped at Evergreen Chapel at Camp David with the families of Cabinet officials and servicemembers who were assigned there, many of whom would go on to serve overseas in the following years.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-3-27

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , we gather this morning in an America battling the coronavirus on two fronts: medically and economically. prgtoken Today's vote is about saving lives and livelihoods, providing the urgent relief needed to keep workers on the job, helping those who have lost theirs, and preserving Main Street businesses so they can ride out this crisis and rebound strongly. prgtoken In 20 short days, our economy has taken a hit like we have rarely seen in America's history. Thankfully, due to President and s in Congress, America had the strongest economy in the world heading into this challenge. Still, Congress must act aggressively and act together now to stem the economic damage. prgtoken Senate , aided by Pelosi, unfortunately, delayed this bill for days and used this crisis to advance a frivolous political agenda. It failed, but the Senate found unanimous, if not perfect, common ground. prgtoken This bill arms families with economic support, tax rebates of $1,200 per person and $500 per child, to help them ride this out. We also make it easier for Americans to access their savings penalty-free and let seniors over 72 keep their savings intact. prgtoken Workers get unprecedented help. Unemployment is being expanded by $250 billion to make sure the self-employed, the contractor, the freelancer, the furloughed, and the Uber driver all have a lifeline to ride out this crisis. We are temporarily increasing the size of unemployment checks and lengthening them if more time is needed to get on your feet. prgtoken We take unprecedented action to save America's local businesses and their workers. Main Street businesses face a crushing cash-flow problem. Their customers have disappeared. They now face a cascading sequence of layoffs and closures. prgtoken Through temporary tax relief and lending, this bill injects cash directly into our local businesses, small and large, to stop this cash- flow crisis. We focus on preserving business to preserve jobs, to get them through these next few weeks. prgtoken Businesses can keep their payroll taxes in their bank accounts this year, and quickly turn their mounting losses into tax relief so they have more cash on hand to keep workers and to survive. These two actions alone keep $500 billion in our local economy. prgtoken For small businesses, we offer fully guaranteed loans through your local banker, with the promise that if you keep your workers on the payroll, that portion of the loan will be forgiven. prgtoken For larger and the most distressed businesses, we provide loans, too, knowing your survival is crucial to millions of American workers. prgtoken These loans aren't bailouts. They are given with oversight and repayment to companies that did nothing wrong but suffered collateral damage as a result of this virus. prgtoken Finally, the new worker retention credit, championed by Ways and Means s and Leader Kev
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
John R. Carter (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-3-27

as the Coronavirus continues to sweep across our nation, there is nothing more important to me than the health and safety of the American people. I strongly support rapid passage of the CARES Act to accelerate much-needed resources to our nation's health care professionals and provide critical aide to Americans, small businesses, and families. prgtoken As Ranking Member of the MilCon/VA Appropriations Subcommittee, I am proud to have worked on securing $19.6 billion for veterans' programs to help combat COVID-19. I'm honored to represent the largest population of veterans in Texas and am committed to ensuring Congress continues providing top-level care to the brave men and women who have sacrificed to keep our nation and free, many of whom are at-risk of serious complications should they contract COVID-19. prgtoken In this challenging time, it is critical that Congress continue working in a bipartisan manner to provide aid, relief, and economic security to the nation. Continuing to work across the aisle to provide our country the resources it needs is the only way forward. prgtoken I am grateful to the incredible health care professionals, first responders and essential service employees who are working tirelessly to keep our nation healthy. I also salute Americans who are following guidelines and doing their part to flatten the curve for not only their own health but for their neighbors. prgtoken Together, we will get through this.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Warren Davidson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-3-27

I don't think anyone is happy about the present situation. But the free market did not close the economy. The governments chose that response to an exceptional risk to public health. prgtoken The various governments that make up our country need to make sure that individuals, families, and businesses affected by their unprecedented decisions remain solvent and that as many people as possible remain employed. prgtoken Like any war, the enemy votes, too, but the sooner we can get lower risk Americans back to work, the safer most people will feel. prgtoken In our response, we must always defend our values and the way of life that makes America the world's land of opportunity. prgtoken God bless you all.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
David Kustoff (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-3-27

I rise today in support of the CARES Act. We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the health and livelihoods of people around the globe. prgtoken , this bill is not perfect, but it is a solid step forward to providing the relief needed to revive our economy. prgtoken There is no doubt that as a Nation we have endured tough times in our history, but we have always come back stronger and more resilient. prgtoken I am proud today to be here representing west Tennessee during this trying time.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-3-27

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , this bill is indeed historic, the largest disaster relief package in American history. I am disappointed, as many of my constituents are, that much of this bill is not directly targeted at emergency relief, but that is the cost of doing business in a divided government in such divided times. prgtoken Indeed, much that was on the last-minute ideological wish list has been removed and focus returned to the virus and its economic effect. A colleague said earlier, this is much like a 9/11 moment. It is up to us today. prgtoken Highlights include: help for our revered veterans, nearly $20 billion for their medical care, homeless vets, and modernizing VA telehealth; expansion of telehealth into rural America, like my own district, to bridge that gap in rural services technology; $350 billion in guaranteed SBA loans, cushioning the blow and providing much stability for small businesses so that their employees will have jobs waiting when the all clear signal finally sounds. prgtoken , it is my hope and prayer that this act hits the targets and brings the certainty that I hope most of us in this room desire and, importantly, meets the needs of the very concerned American people. prgtoken , I thank President and his team for leading our country back to stability.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-3-27

when I was 5 or 6 years old, I had a Sunday school teacher tell me a story that relates to a little bit of what we are doing right now. A small child went missing in the Plains States. The community went in 100 different directions. They didn't find the child. There was no result. prgtoken They final came together. They prayed to God, asking for wisdom. They ended up holding hands and walking across the prairie. They found that child. prgtoken , this country needs to remember that, and this body needs to remember that. I think we need to put our partisanship aside. We need to quit bickering, and we need to ask Almighty God for wisdom and to do what is right.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Devin Nunes (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-3-27

I rise today in support of H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. prgtoken The dire situation facing our nation's businesses today are not of their own creation. Instead, businesses are endangered by the drastic actions taken by governments at the local, state, and federal level to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. The stark truth is that without immediate government action to assist these hard-hit businesses, many of them will not survive the current crisis. We have already seen record unemployment claims during the coronavirus shutdown, and our nation cannot afford for businesses to continue to go under and millions of employees to lose their jobs, their livelihoods, and their ability to pay rent and make ends meet. prgtoken The CARES Act will provide crucial assistance to keep businesses solvent during this emergency, keep people employed, and to help individuals and families struggling with these extraordinary circumstances. I regret that the , from the beginning, have exploited this bill to try to ram through extraneous and partisan measures with no connection whatsoever to helping families and businesses overcome their current hardships. Nevertheless, at a time when many Americans are unsure how they'll pay next month's rent and many American businesses are unsure how much longer they can last, this bill will provide vital support to the American economy. That's why I will vote for the CARES Act.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Greg Gianforte (Republican, MT) \u2014 2020-3-27

last night, we learned a Montanan died to COVID-19, the first in our State. Our hearts are heavy back home. prgtoken , Montanans are concerned. They are concerned about the health of their families and communities. They are concerned about the fallout from this outbreak. They are concerned they may have to shutter their businesses and lay off their workers. They are concerned they may not have a job tomorrow or see their next paycheck. prgtoken We are addressing many of these concerns today in the CARES Act. It helps families and workers so they can pay their bills and put food on the table, provides loans and grants to small businesses so they can keep their doors open. It boosts funding to support those on the front lines, from hospitals to healthcare providers to CDC and the VA clinics. prgtoken , I encourage my colleagues to vote for the CARES Act and provide emergency relief to the American people facing this crisis.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
John R. Curtis (Republican, UT) \u2014 2020-3-27

I rise in support of the CARES Act, the largest economic disaster recovery package in our Nation's history. Given the size and the scope of this pandemic, it is a hefty price tag that must be paid. prgtoken But I challenge my colleagues to join me in dealing with the consequences of spending money we don't have. It is time to get our financial house in order before it becomes our next crisis. prgtoken I represent a State that has a balanced budget and a rainy day fund. We do it on a State level, and we can do it on a Federal level. prgtoken I have heard stories of the devastating effects of COVID-19. One of the most important, unique parts of Utah's culture is the pride we take in serving one another, especially in a time of crisis. This spirit, coupled with the targeted stream of resources designed to keep money in the economy and people healthy, will be the key ingredients to ensuring communities across the State can fully heal from this unprecedented crisis. We will weather this storm together.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Michael Waltz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-3-27

as a fiscal conservative, $2.2 trillion of our grandchildren's money is a tough pill to swallow. But this is a two-front war on our economy and on public health. prgtoken On the economic front, we must provide a lifeline to individuals, businesses, and seniors that are suffering collateral damage. And on the health front, we must send reinforcements to our healthcare workers. prgtoken This morning, I spoke with a physician and family member heading into the emergency room in Manhattan. She said she is scared. Like combat, I told her, you have to take a deep breath, stay focused, and do what you are trained to do. prgtoken These hospitals are the Omaha Beach of this war. Colleagues, in the foxhole, nobody cares about race, religion, creed, socioeconomic background. They certainly don't care about and . It is about mission. It is about country. prgtoken We have a duty to provide these soldiers what they need. We have a duty to support this bill.