mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ELECTION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH ACT OF 2020
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-9-16

. Madam , I thank my good friend from Oklahoma for yielding and for the glowing recommendation there. I think I could have gotten a better one from Mr. Perlmutter over there. It is great to be here. It is great to be among friends and great to see bipartisanship. prgtoken This is an example of what the House of Representatives should do on a regular basis, have fun, joke around, like Ranking Member Lucas and I do on regular occasions. This is what we should do on a wide variety of other pieces of legislation, including what we want to do before the end of this month, how we want to fill the holes in the stimulus bill that we passed back months and months ago in a very bipartisan way. prgtoken I have to raise some concerns about this piece of legislation because the House Administration Committee got this bill sent to the committee last November and, unfortunately, as has been the norm in this Congress and on this committee, we didn't hold one meaningful hearing or markup on this bill. prgtoken The Chair waived our jurisdiction in February, and now 7 months later this bill is on the House floor without ever being discussed by the committee with jurisdiction over Federal election issues. prgtoken H.R. 4990 allocates over $100 million over the next 5 years to the National Institute of Standards and Technology in order to conduct election system research and distribute grants to higher-education institutions and nonprofits. prgtoken Funding expanded research at NIST, a nonregulatory agency of the Department of Commerce, would allow the agency to circumvent policy priorities set by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a politically balanced agency. prgtoken This is especially concerning when we know there have already been calls for more transparency when it comes to the work that NIST does on behalf of the EAC. Currently, EAC commissioners are not regularly updated on the projects that they task NIST with. There is no timeline for completion and no reporting structure. H.R. 4990 further empowers NIST without proportional accountability to the EAC. prgtoken I have addressed this issue previously in my bill H.R. 5707, the Protect American Voters Act, PAVA, by calling election-related work of NIST to be more accessible and visible by directing them to issue a report to Congress every year containing the status, timeline, and estimated completion of activities that they are tasked with under HAVA. prgtoken Additionally, H.R. 4990 would expand the voting system definition to include nonvoting technology in the already overwhelmed voluntary voting system guidelines process. prgtoken We have been waiting for updated HAVA guidelines, or VVSG 2.0, for over a decade now. So while I absolutely believe guidelines for nonvoting equipment, such as e-poll books are needed, adding more to the VVSG process likely isn't going to get this done. prgtoken My bill, PAVA, addresses this by bypassing the costly and time- consuming VVSG proc
DELAYED DIAGNOSIS DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-9-16

during the coronavirus pandemic, American doctors, nurses, technicians, and first responders have cared for patients day in and day out. On the front lines, medical teams have worked tirelessly to care for the coronavirus patients under extraordinary circumstances. prgtoken Across the country, we formed a united front against an invisible enemy as medical professions of all stripes pitched in to help, from volunteering their time to donating valuable personal protective equipment to the emergency rooms, the hospitals, and the organizations that needed it the most. prgtoken As Americans were asked to stay at home, teams quickly transitioned to telemedicine to provide vital care to vulnerable populations. They took the initiative and developed creative solutions to ensure that patients could receive the care that they so much need. prgtoken During this crisis, America's medical community has stepped up during and throughout to provide care and save lives. They truly, too, are heroes. prgtoken Now, the work continues. We must acknowledge a secondary healthcare crisis that is occurring in our Nation. prgtoken Beginning in March, many hospitals, under the direction of national, State, and local authorities, postponed elective procedures with the goal of slowing the spread of the virus and saving the precious PPE and supplies for those who needed it the most. prgtoken Americans, following stay-at-home orders, delayed important medical care, and subsequently, too many have suffered negative healthcare outcomes that could have been prevented. prgtoken Earlier this spring, I wrote a letter to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, urging him and his administration to prioritize the comprehensive health needs of all Pennsylvanians during this crisis. prgtoken In my experience alone, I have heard tragic stories from colleagues whose patients have died from cardiac emergencies, from drug overdoses, and from other negative outcomes that could have been prevented. prgtoken Six months into this crisis, we are facing an imminent need to restore America's full access to care, including preventive screenings. prgtoken My good friend and colleague, Dr. Bruce Waldholtz, is a gastroenterologist and also a longtime volunteer leader of the American Cancer Society. Dr. Waldholtz, as a cancer survivor himself, understands firsthand that a doctor, a patient, needs preventative healthcare. prgtoken As he told me this week: ``Due to the COVID restrictions, all nonemergency colonoscopies were canceled for several months. Literally, hundreds of patients in our practice had their colonoscopies canceled. This delay, compounded nationally, will result in less screening and an increase in colon cancer cases right now and in years ahead.'' prgtoken Colonoscopies and other preventative screenings save lives. Elective procedures are not unnecessary, and in prgtoken many cases, they find disease early before they can become metastatic and cancerous and spread. <
HONORING HEALTHCARE HEROES AND FRONTLINE WORKERS
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-9-16

I rise today to honor our valiant frontline workers and healthcare heroes who have taken care of their neighbors and saved countless lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes nurses, doctors, pharmacists, grocery store workers, truck drivers, and anyone who has risen to the occasion to help others during these unprecedented times. prgtoken In particular, Jane Spence, Larisa Barnes, Bobbie Sumner, Amanda King, and Lynn Reynolds have exemplified remarkable selflessness and courage as they work to save lives in the Southeast Georgia Health System. prgtoken Throughout my time in Georgia's First Congressional District, I have visited and met countless heroes serving at Saint Joseph's Candler Hospital, Liberty Regional Medical Center, Clinch Memorial Hospital, Memorial Health Center in Savannah, Wayne Memorial Center, and Winn Army Medical Hospital. This has allowed me to gain insight into the daily sacrifices they make and their commitment to serving their communities. prgtoken Doctors and nurses who serve at our Veterans Affairs Health Systems are deserving of recognition for their outstanding work, as well. prgtoken In addition to our healthcare heroes, I also want to honor leaders and local businesses in our communities. prgtoken Individuals like Tom and Rita Boland converted their Island Drapes and Upholstery business to manufacture thousands of face masks a week. prgtoken I was also encouraged to see the local nonprofits in Georgia's First Congressional District rise up to address the many challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken Specifically, the Computers for a Cause movement was formed thanks to the beautiful work of United Way of Coastal Georgia, Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, Communities in Schools, and Coastal Outreach partnering with Coastal Computer Consulting to gather and donate computers for children who don't have access to one. prgtoken This allowed countless children to continue their education when schools were closed. These folks were working day in and day out risking their own health and safety and spending time away from their families and friends to serve us. prgtoken I want to express my deep gratitude for the work that they do to make America great, and I am honored to call them my friends and neighbors. Honoring Preston G. Exley
Issues Facing America (Executive Calendar)
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-9-16

I rise today to discuss the dangerous path that national are spiraling on down and to caution our countrymen not to follow them. Radicals on the far left have hijacked an otherwise righteous cause and are in command of a once proud political party that traces its heritage back to Jefferson and Madison. prgtoken The violence the radicals have unleashed threatens lives. The cancel culture they imposed curtails liberty. And their misguided means of creating economic equality endangers the pursuit of happiness. prgtoken , Nancy Pelosi, and their hand-picked ic candidates are prgtoken empowering the radical wing of today's national ic Party--the same people responsible for the chaos now on full display across our country. The national leaders of the ic Party offer them sanctuary. prgtoken They make excuses for radicals' destructive behavior, the way an embarrassed parent does for a mischievous child. To them, the riots that are occurring from Minneapolis to Indianapolis are only peaceful protests. Promises to defund police departments are just ways of reimaging police--whatever that means. It is the same sleight of hand that turns government-run healthcare into Medicare for all who want it. prgtoken Most will not publicly embrace the socialist policies the mob howls for because they know the American people will not buy it. But once in power, they will be all too happy to implement these radical policies, and that means a mainstream national ic agenda that will abolish and defund police departments; take away on- the-job insurance; pack the Supreme Court of the United States; raise taxes; give Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico the same number of U.S. Senators that the State of Indiana has; eliminate the legislative filibuster and, therefore, the right of the minority within this institution; and spend trillions of dollars of new government programs that Americans don't need or want. prgtoken They are allies--the destroyers and these national I reference--only they can't be straight with the American people about their alliance, and their leaders just can't seem to summon the simple moral clarity that says racism is evil and so is using it to justify violence and vandalism. prgtoken Blessedly, in my State, local ic elected officials have had enough. In fact, in recent weeks, several Hoosier public servants have left their party and they have become s. To clearly understand the choice before us, we need only listen to their explanations why. prgtoken This is Brian Snedecor, mayor of Hobart, who just switched from a to a . He says: I must be true to my God, my family, myself and those that have supported and believed in me . . . I want Hobart to be a place for business to come and the American Dream to be achieved. prgtoken And then we have Dave Wedding, Vanderburgh County sheriff
EQUITY AND INCLUSION ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2019
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-9-16

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , our colleagues say that this administration is doing nothing to help minority students. One of the biggest things that we could do to help minority students is to give them a choice about where to go to school. We talked about this yesterday, and we are talking about it again today. Minority students thrive in charter schools. Recent test scores show these students doing much better. prgtoken Our colleagues are saying that choice creates segregation. I don't believe that, Madam . Choice creates the opportunity for success, and we know that. The research shows that over and over again. We can look at New York City and the results that Success Academy is getting for the students there. They are primarily minority students-- but it is because minority parents are choosing to send their children there--and they are succeeding. They are graduating at a very high rate; they are going to college at a very high rate. So giving choice to children of all races and all economic groups results in better achievement. That cannot be denied. prgtoken Madam , .
REMEMBERING FIREMAN 2ND CLASS ALBERT RENNER
Kevin Cramer (Republican, ND) \u2014 2020-9-16

today, as he is buried in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery just outside of his hometown of Mandan, ND, I honor the life and patriotism of Navy Fireman 2nd Class Albert Renner. Like so many young men of this ``greatest generation,'' he answered the call to defend his country during World War II. On December 7, 1941, at the age of 24, he made the ultimate sacrifice along with 2,402 other soldiers and sailors during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He was serving on the USS West Virginia, which sank after being hit by at least seven torpedoes and two bombs. prgtoken Last year, aided by a positive DNA sent by his surviving siblings several decades ago, Albert Renner's remains were finally positively identified. On Tuesday, his body arrived at the Minneapolis airport. A full military escort motorcade carrying his casket traveled the 400 miles home to Mandan. Many citizens, including veterans and fire and police men and women, stopped along the highway to solemnly pay their respects as the motorcade passed by. prgtoken Attending today's funeral service and burial are members of his family who have traveled from across the Nation to pay their respects to this beloved member of their family. Even though many of them never met him, together they are mourning the lost blessings of Albert not being a part of their family for the past 79 years. prgtoken Albert could have had a rewarding life on the family farm or in some other profession. He could have had a wife and family and home of his own. His burial service today is a poignant reminder of how the sacrifice of heroes defending our Nation have an impact far into the future on those who knew and loved them--and those who never will. prgtoken Navy Fireman 2nd Class Albert Renner died so Americans could live in peace and prosperity. He is now back in his home State, lying in eternal rest with other North Dakota heroes. I thank the many patriots who are committed to identifying the remains of all unknown American service members and bringing them home. prgtoken To the family of Navy Fireman 2nd Class Albert Renner, I join citizens across our State and Nation in sending our sincere condolences. It is heroes like Albert who have kept our communities, State, Nation, and world safe. His life made a difference in the lives of all of us. We are forever grateful.
Coronavirus (Executive Calendar)
John Barrasso (Republican, WY) \u2014 2020-9-16

I come to the floor today to discuss this unprecedented obstruction that American families are facing from the . In a time when Congress really should be working toward bipartisan solutions on coronavirus, keep obstructing--over and over and over again. prgtoken It does seem to be their singular focus. It seems to me that they are going to continue to obstruct all the way until November 3, election day, putting politics first and American families last. prgtoken The obstruction has reached levels that has even made Members of their own caucus ``uncomfortable,'' ``alarmed,'' and ``frustrated.'' Now, those are not my words; they are the words of sitting in Congress, in the United States, in this very building. are telling their leaders that the leaders are failing them by failing to compromise and work together toward solutions that would benefit the American people. prgtoken So the bad news for American families is that, last week, in this body, in the U.S. Senate, blocked, obstructed a targeted coronavirus aid package with policies, amazingly, that the had at one time supported. But they came here to the floor of the Senate and voted, in lockstep, no--no to children, no to jobs, no to paychecks, no to fighting the disease. prgtoken They actually blocked relief that would, one, have gotten kids back to school so kids wouldn't fall further behind from the school they have already missed, and it would have let parents get back to work. They voted no. They blocked people getting back to work safely. They blocked paycheck protection money so that paychecks could continue to go and businesses--small businesses--could remain open. prgtoken They blocked money for vaccines and treatment, for testing, so we could put the disease in the rearview mirror. prgtoken Now, the good news is that the majority of the Senate did support the legislation to help children and their parents and workers and the small businesses and the medical personnel fighting against the disease. But all those votes came from the side of the aisle. s are united. The bill received 52 ``yes'' votes. All 52 were . Not one single voted yes, even though the majority of that body had backed the relief efforts. prgtoken When you talked to them, they said, oh, yes, they are for this and this and this, but they voted on the U.S. Senate floor to block it. It is interesting. They even blocked allowing the Senate to discuss these issues. All we did was prgtoken come to the floor and say: We have some proposals. Let's discuss them. If you don't like them, offer amendments. We can discuss those, debate those. prgtoken They even blocked a motion to move to get that bill to the floor of the Senate--step 1 of legislating. They said no. So they may say they want to help the American people, but that is not what happened on the floor of the U.S. Sen
ENSURING CHILDREN AND CHILD CARE WORKERS ARE SAFE ACT OF 2020
Fred Keller (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-9-16

. Madam , I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting America's childcare providers and the essential services they provide to our Nation's families. prgtoken As millions of families have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, childcare is a critical component of our national economy. In addition to the significant benefits that childcare provides for children's social and emotional development, access to reliable childcare continues to play a vital role in America's economic recovery. prgtoken As parents return to work, they need to be sure that their children will be looked after and kept safe. The Ensuring Children and Child Care Workers Are Safe Act of 2020, H.R. 7909, would make these assurances to families by equipping childcare providers with the resources they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively. prgtoken This legislation would provide funding for States to implement technical support and training programs to assist childcare providers in meeting safety guidelines and acquiring personal protective equipment. prgtoken Childcare providers have supported millions of American families, providing an essential service during good times and bad. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7909.
Social Security (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-9-16

we have recently seen yet another manufactured crisis by the for the benefit of the upcoming election. This is in regard to scaring the people about some notion that only s would think about taking away Social Security and Medicare. It is not true that any Member of this Congress will do that, but it always comes up as TV advertising against the s; you are going to scare old people into thinking Social Security is going to be gone if you vote . prgtoken So this is another election season. If there are not any real issues regarding Social Security, the make one up, and they do it, of course, to scare the people into believing that some people want to destroy the program, not realizing that it is such a part of the social fabric of the American population that nobody would think of doing it. prgtoken We saw it in the last Presidential election when Secretary Clinton didn't have a basis to attack then-Candidate on Social Security because campaigned on the basis that he wasn't going to cut Social Security, but that didn't stop them from making things up. With their lacking any real ammunition, Clinton's allies here in the U.S. Senate decided to manufacture a crisis. prgtoken Now, why does something that happened in 2016 come up now? It is an example that this is an ongoing situation, and it is happening in 2020. prgtoken Back in 2016, three prominent ic Senators conjured up false claims about a nominee for the position of public trustee of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds. That nominee happened to be a who was nominated--can you imagine this?--by a ic President. He was already on there as having been nominated for another term. prgtoken The false claims published in the Huffington Post were that this nominee, promoted by President , was a Koch brothers-funded individual because he worked at an educational institution that received grants from the Koch Foundation. I don't know whether they even made an attempt to connect this individual to the Koch funds, but it is irrelevant at this point. The claimed that this single individual somehow duped all of the other trustees, including all of the other administration officials, into buying off on assumptions that would lead to an overstatement of the financial crisis facing Social Security. prgtoken According to the three ic Senators, this was so bad that the Chief Actuary of Social Security felt compelled to write special notes to trustee reports and identify how shocking the assumptions were. Of course, that would have meant that one single public trustee who happened to be a duped outstanding who were also trustees: Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, and then the additional ic public trustee. If you had bought into the ' allegations at