mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PREVENTING PAYGO SEQUESTRATION
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-3-19

the balance of my time. prgtoken , my colleagues and I have introduced an alternative, a more responsible approach that protects our seniors and rolls back some of the most wasteful and absurd parts of the ic bailout bill. prgtoken I would encourage my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to put America's seniors ahead of their special interest allies. Join us in finding a solution that protects and respects America's seniors and the working class. We will offer such a solution as a motion to recommit. If adopted, it will instruct the Budget Committee to consider an amendment to make the sensible cuts in waste offered in H.R. 1999, the Protect Seniors and Cut Waste Act. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of this amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.
PREVENTING PAYGO SEQUESTRATION
Trent Kelly (Republican, MS) \u2014 2021-3-19

I rise in opposition to H.R. 1868, the bill to prevent across-the-board direct spending cuts. prgtoken It should come as no surprise to my friends. They were told during what little process we had in the $1.9 trillion spending bill that it was going to disproportionately hurt seniors and that it was going to hurt farmers. prgtoken My friends were told this, and they ignored that, knowing they would have to fix it later and drive something just as irresponsible through now. prgtoken A disproportionate share of this $2 trillion goes to urban, poorly run, cities and States at the expense of our rural, blue- collar Americans who feed, clothe, and protect America every day. We told my friends this weeks ago, and they ignored it. prgtoken I am deeply concerned that the would enact a bill that adds $1.9 trillion to an American deficit without the support of a single . Over 200 voting Members of this body had no opportunity for input into this massively destructive package. prgtoken The administration promised the American people bipartisanship and unity. However, they unilaterally drafted and pushed this bill through without any support. prgtoken Now, the have hastily put together a bill that jeopardizes the standing of our seniors and mortgages the future of our children. prgtoken My colleague, Ranking Member Smith, reminded the of the consequences of such a dramatic increase in mandatory spending: a $36 billion cut to Medicare beginning in 2022. would rather cut benefits to American seniors in rural America than give up checks to illegal immigrants and prisoners. prgtoken The have taken advantage of the need of the American people. My colleagues are advocating for a more responsible alternative that would remove the wasteful spending of the bailout bill and protect the most vulnerable population. We must cut the billions of liberal State bailouts and be sure money already authorized is spent responsibly.
RECOGNIZING THE FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Dusty Johnson (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-3-19

. Madam , I rise today to recognize, celebrate, and honor the frontline healthcare workers of the great state of South Dakota. prgtoken Some of these South Dakota heroes are: Denise Thingelstad, Tiffany Ann Thiry, Hailey Jo Thompson, Alexius Rose Thorpe, Kristi Karen Timm, Arien Lea Tingle, Amanda Kay Tinker, Patricia Titze, Christine Ann Torborg, Rosalind Torres, Sydney Lee Tschetter, Cindy Tullis, Belinda K Twite, Dawn Andrea Tysdal, Jennifer Marie Utne, Courtney Renna Van Aarde, Karla Marie Van Noort, Tamera Elizabeth Merie Van Scoy, Antoinette Lynn Vandenberg, Carlene VanEgdom, Stacey VanGenderen, Kristen Lynn VanMaanen, Heather Marie Vanoverschelde, Jessie VanWyk, Angela Vaughn, Penny Sue Vaughn, Patricia Kay Veatch, Janine Carol Verschoor, Shari Viereck, Ann Marie Voorhees, Stacie Jeanne Waagmeester, Tammy Lee Waddell, Chelsea Lynn Wagaman, Alisha Selina Wager, Katie Lynn Wagner, Susan Waldman, Maria Estrella Walk Valenzuela, Elissa Walz, Jesse James Walz Jr, Valerie E. Wantoch, Laura Anine Warnock, Rita Marie Watkins, Brittany LeAnn Webb, Kerry Ann Weeldreyer, Evangeline Weingartz, Susan Weir, Kimberly Welch, Dawn Wells, LeAnn Wenger, Jennifer Jeanne Wesley, Kelly Ann West, Kathleen Weyen, Kayla Dawn Weyh, Katherine Weyh-Jurgens, Mary Catherine Wheaton, Emily Ruth Whitcomb, Bobbi Jo White, Tara Wiest, Erin Elizabeth Williams, Caitlan Louise Williams, Ja'kale Diane Williams, Candace L Wilson, Lori Wipf, Stephanie Marie Wodzinski, Gala Woitte, Elizabeth S. Wright, Jolene Marie Wullstein, Bethany Nichelle Yeaton, Amy Zobel, Michael Aanderud, Benjamin Curtiss Abbey, Julia Agnes Abraham, Bradley E. Adams, Amanda Lynn Adams, Jaime Aguilar, Lisa Marie Alban, Melissa M. Alexander, Brian Richard Alexander, Tyson David Allen, Nicholas Rene Alonzo, Trisha Marie Anderson, Danielle Rae Anderson, Seth Joel Anderson, Corey Lee Anderson, Amy Anderson, Sommer Anstine, Ashley Marie Anziano, Megan Lynn Arens, Cassandra Rae Arens, Sarah Jane Arens, Carol Lynn Arne, Lee Arnold, Mary Colette Aschenbrener, Steven Atkinson, Ashley Louise Attig, Kaitlin Marie Atwater, James Awuah, David D. Axtman, Brittany Rachel Ayers, Timothy James Aylward, Karmela Lynn Bachman, Alexandra Leora Bachman-Williams, Ryan Don Bailey, Stephen Baker, Laura Amelia Bakke, Amy Louise Bakker, Karen Banken, Eric Andrew Bannwarth, John P. Barnett, Christopher Paul Barrozo, Jacqueline Bartlett, Brett A. Bastian, Danette Rae Baumann, Billie Jo Baxa, Allison Marie Becker, Jason Michael Becker, Teresa Behl, Chase prgtoken William Beiermann, Valerie Ann Belding, Le'ann Bender, Leah Catherine Bennett, Jaymee Ryan Benson, Jocelyn Rebecca Bergh, Trae Jordan Bergh. prgtoken Carmel L. Berglin, Nodia Rose Berglund, Rose Barbara Bergquist, Pauline Bevers, Matthew Gene Bickel, Ardalia Biel, Jennifer Bietz, Michael Ray Birgenheir, Kathryn Nicole Bjelland, Renee Louise Blaha, Vicki Blake-Nafus, Caleb Richard Blauwet, Bonnie Bleeker, Marcene Bloom, Renee Boehrns, Sh
PREVENTING PAYGO SEQUESTRATION
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-3-19

I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 1868 to prevent arbitrary cuts to Medicare and to ensure that the American Rescue Plan is treated in the same way as previous coronavirus bills have been treated, including the CARES Act. prgtoken This legislation, as we all know, this fix is needed to avoid painful cuts to our mandatory spending programs. And let's remember--the hypocrisy is overwhelming here--that the voted with s in 2017 to avoid Medicare cuts as a result of the 's tax scam, a $2 trillion tax cut, that went mostly to the wealthy. prgtoken Our healthcare workers have been working nonstop for over a year fighting this pandemic. They do not deserve a cut in Medicare payments for taking care of seniors and people with disabilities. prgtoken By removing the sequester, we can ensure that providers keep their doors open and they can continue to treat their patients. prgtoken Though s voted against the American Rescue Plan, which they shouldn't have, I sincerely hope that today they will join us and vote to protect these programs that enjoy broad bipartisan public support and ensure that our commitment to our Nation's seniors and people with disabilities are met during this public health crisis. prgtoken Especially now, we need to be working together, as we did for the s. When the s were giving tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, we were not going to let Medicare suffer.
HATE CRIMES AGAINST ASIANS MUST STOP
Judy Chu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-3-19

eight lives were lost in Georgia this week when a gunman targeted three Asian-owned businesses. Six of these victims were Asian-American women. prgtoken I am heartbroken for all these lost souls, and I am heartbroken because this is just one of the latest in a string of attacks that have created fear throughout the Asian-American community. prgtoken Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, there have been over 3,800 reported anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents. What started off as dirty looks and verbal assault has escalated into physical attacks that have become increasingly deadly. prgtoken There was Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year old man who died after being assaulted outside of his home, and Noel Quintana, whose face was slashed from ear to ear on a New York subway. prgtoken These attacks have been almost a daily tragedy, and they must stop. We must stand united against xenophobia and slurs like ``China virus'' and ``Kung flu,'' which we know put lives at risk, and we must work together to stop Asian hate.
PREVENTING PAYGO SEQUESTRATION
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-3-19

I want to thank the chair of our Budget Committee, the gentleman from Kentucky. He really makes the point so well. prgtoken Look, regardless of what our ranking member says on the other side, America is not in great shape, the economy is not good, many people have lost their jobs, and the reason for the American Rescue Plan was exactly that. We want to help people. We want to make sure people get direct cash payments to help them. We want to make sure the State and local governments get help, because they don't want to be laying people off and not provide services during the pandemic. We want to help small businesses. prgtoken The contrast between what we, as , push in the American Rescue Plan to help people in this economic and health crisis is so vast compared to what the s did with their tax cut, which just helped the wealthiest and helped corporate interest. It is that simple. prgtoken So I am just going to ask my colleagues on the other side to put partisanship aside and vote for this bill. This legislation includes non-controversial policies that will truly help all of our constituents. It provides critical support for hospitals and rural health clinics and prevents cuts to Medicare and other important programs. prgtoken In recent weeks, s have claimed that any cuts to Medicare would be incredibly harmful. But the only way to make sure that these cuts don't happen is passing this legislation today. In the past, we have always been able to come together to prevent these cuts. prgtoken When s passed their $2 trillion tax law for the wealthiest few, it triggered billions in mandatory cuts, and Congress ultimately voted to prevent those cuts with ic support. If s truly want to protect Medicare and other programs that support our farmers, our students, and the Nation's defense, they simply should vote for this bill today. prgtoken , I want to remind my colleagues that in addition to averting statutory paygo cuts, this bill provides additional relief specifically to frontline healthcare providers through increased Medicare payments. This is a policy that Congress supported multiple times. Please support this bill if you care.
COMMEMORATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF MYFICO.COM
Dean Phillips (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2021-3-19

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of myFICO.com. prgtoken Two decades ago, on March 19, 2001, FICO, a pioneer in the development of credit scoring, launched an online website, myFICO.com, recognizing the need for greater transparency and education in the consumer credit empowerment space. my FICO.com quickly became a go-to destination for consumers accessing their credit reports, FICO Scores and FICO Score explanation. More importantly, the site became a resource for any consumer to receive free educational information and tools that help individuals better understand what actions impact their overall credit health. prgtoken Over this time, the site developed myFICO Forums, a robust crowd source community, which has become a valuable free resource for consumers to get unfettered credit-related information from their peers. The site now contains a popular blog as well as a series of credit education videos. prgtoken Understanding credit scores and developing financial literacy is not an easy pursuit. For 20 years, myFICO has been assisting millions of people become educated consumers and gain access to credit to enhance their lives. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating myFICO's twenty years of contributions to our constituents and communities.
CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Ed Case (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2021-3-19

I rise today to honor the women of our nation and my home state of Hawaii past, present and future as we again celebrate Women's History Month. prgtoken Each year during the month of March, we remember and honor the extraordinary American women who have made such lasting contributions to our culture, history and society. Long before they finally gained the right to vote in elections and before they broke through glass ceilings throughout our society, generations of women worked to expand the rights and opportunities previously denied to them. Women from all across America revolutionized their respective fields, setting the stage for the next generation, and the next, to pursue and attain equality. prgtoken It is my honor to share with you today the stories of three remarkable women from Hawaii who made indelible contributions in education, science and politics. prgtoken When Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop was born in 1831, the Native Hawaiian population in the islands numbered about 124,000. By the time she wrote her will in 1883, only 44,000 Native Hawaiians remained. In response to these dramatic changes facing Hawaii, she committed her life to those who were suffering and struggling in her homeland. She saw that education would allow her people to adapt to a changing world while preserving their language, culture and identity, so she dedicated her royal inheritance to establish Kamehameha Schools, with the mission of educating the children of Hawaii. Today, Kamehameha Schools is the largest independent school system in the U.S with a current enrollment of 6,900 students within its Pre-K-12th grade program, and countless alumni who have bettered Hawai`i and our nation in countless ways. prgtoken Born in remote Hana, Maui in 1919, Dr. Isabella Kauakea Tau Yung Aiona Abbott was the first Native Hawaiian woman to receive a PhD in science. Abbot spent much of her childhood at the seashore with her mother, collecting seaweed and algae. From her mother, as her mother from hers and on back, she learned to distinguish the different types of edible seaweed and how to use them in traditional Hawaiian cooking. These practices, passed from mother to daughter over generations, catalyzed Abbott's career in natural science. She went on to get her PhD in botany from the University of California at Berkeley. In 1960, she became a lecturer in the Biology Department at Stanford, and in 1971 she became the first woman on Stanford's biological sciences faculty. Abbot made unparalleled contributions to marine science, authoring eight books and over 150 research papers. She is credited with discovering over 200 different species of algae, many of which have been named after her, including a genus of the red algae family, which is called Abbottella, or ``little Abbott.'' prgtoken Patsy Mink was the first Asian-American woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Although her list of accomplishments is extensi
CONDEMNING MILITARY COUP IN BURMA
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-3-19

I rise in strong support of H. Res. 134, Condemning the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021, in Burma and the Burmese military detention of civilian leaders, calling for the release of all those detained and for those elected to serve in Parliament to resume their duties, and for other purposes. I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of this important resolution. prgtoken On February 1st the Burmese military shocked the world when it launched a coup against the democratically elected government of State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi, declared a national state of emergency, and arrested civilian members of the government. prgtoken Since the coup, chaos has gripped the country. The military shut down the internet and imposed martial law. The Burmese people, insistent that their country continue down the path toward democracy, have taken to the streets to protest the military's actions, and the military has responded by killing at least 200 civilians, including more than 60 on Sunday, March 14th, and arresting thousands. prgtoken As the oldest democracy in the world, the United States must clearly and unequivocally condemn the Burmese military's brutal and authoritarian crackdown and violence against its own people. Burma has made significant progress in transitioning toward democracy in recent years, and it is heartbreaking to see this progress squandered in the blink of an eye. prgtoken I echo President 's call for the Burmese military to immediately relinquish power, release detained officials, and refrain from using violence against peaceful protesters. I also support President 's decision to impose sanctions on military leaders in Burma prgtoken and freeze $1 billion of their assets that are held in the U.S denying them access to these funds. prgtoken This resolution not only condemns the Burmese military, it sends a powerful message that the House of Representatives, the people's house in the United States Congress, stands firmly behind the courageous people of Burma as they struggle to wrest democracy and freedom from the hands of their authoritarian and corrupt military. prgtoken I'm proud to support this resolution and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
HONORING DR. I.M. SINGER
Jerry McNerney (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-3-19

I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Dr. I.M. Singer, one of America's most influential mathematicians. prgtoken The son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, Dr. Singer had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in physics in just 2\1/2\ years before joining the United States military during World War II. prgtoken Upon returning, Dr. Singer earned a doctorate degree in mathematics from the University of Chicago. Later, he chaired committees at the United States National Academy of Sciences, was a member of the White House Science Council, and cofounded the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in Berkeley. prgtoken Dr. Singer's most prominent contribution was the Atiyah-Singer index theorem, which created a link between mathematical analysis and topology and, ultimately, led to a new field of mathematics. For his work, Dr. Singer received the most prestigious award in mathematics, the Abel Prize. prgtoken As a fellow mathematician, I deeply admire Dr. Singer's contributions to theoretical physics and mathematics, which have revolutionized the way we understand the universe.
HONORING DR. MARGARET C. ``PEG'' SNYDER
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-3-19

. Madam , I rise to acknowledge and memorialize the legacy of Dr. Margaret C. Snyder, referred to as the ``United Nations' First Feminist'', who died on January 26, 2021 at the age of 91. I share my sincere condolences and prayers with her family, including her brother, Thomas Snyder. prgtoken Dr. Snyder, who went by ``Peg'', was a trailblazer whose passion and determination to empower women transformed the U.N.'s mechanisms of global development aid to include millions of women in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Dr. Snyder also worked to support women at the UN to move beyond being restricted to secretarial roles to rise to join the professional ranks within the organization. prgtoken Dr. Margaret Cecilia Snyder was born the youngest of three children on January 30, 1929, in East Syracuse, New York. Her father, Matthias, was a doctor, and her mother, Cecilia (Gorman) Snyder, taught Latin and German in a local high school. Peg graduated from the College of New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York in 1950. Two years later she received a master's degree in sociology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. prgtoken While working as the Dean of Women at Le Moyne College, in Syracuse, she followed John F. Kennedy's call for young Americans to volunteer overseas by taking a one year sabbatical to work with volunteer organizations in Tanganyika (which merged with Zanzibar to become Tanzania in 1964) and Uganda. Among other tasks, she arranged for African students to attend college in the United States--part of an effort known as ``Kennedy airlifts.'' prgtoken When her year ended, she quit her job at Le Moyne and stayed in Africa, but she moved home in 1965 to help run the East African Studies program at Syracuse University. She advised students from the region on their graduate work, many of whom went on to hold leadership positions in their countries--the first threads of her continentwide network of partners. In 1970, she returned to Tanzania to complete her Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Dar es Salaam, having started pursuing her degree in 1964. prgtoken Upon graduation in 1971, Peg joined the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) as a co-founder of what became the African Training and Research Center for Women--the UN's first major program directed specifically at improving economic opportunities for women. prgtoken In 1978, she moved to New York City, where she was put in charge of a development fund focused on women, funded by voluntary contributions from member states. She built the organization (renamed the U.N. Development Fund for Women or UNIFEM) from operating on a shoestring budget to a global powerhouse that served women not just in Africa but across the developing world. By the end of the 1980s, it had supported the creation of women's development commissions in 30 countries, through which the U.N. channeled millions of dollars to grassroots women's pr
LIFELINE TO SMALL BUSINESSES
Angie Craig (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2021-3-19

. Madam , last weekend, I visited women-owned businesses in Shakopee, and I had the pleasure of meeting Elise Steger who owns ShakRa Yoga & Fitness. prgtoken Throughout the past year, Elise has done everything she can to comply with COVID restrictions while continuing to pay her employees and keep her business open. With the help of the Paycheck Protection Program loans she has also turned to creative solutions like virtual classes, but she has been able to keep her business going. prgtoken The Paycheck Protection Program has served as a lifeline to small businesses like Elise's, but in less than 2 weeks it is due to expire. This week we passed legislation in the House on a bipartisan basis to extend this critical program through May 31. We must ensure that that extension becomes law.