mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIVE AMERICAN CHILD PROTECTION ACT
Ruben Gallego (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2021-5-12

. Madam , I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1688, the Native American Child Protection Act. prgtoken I first want to thank my friend and the dean of the House, Congressman Don Young, for working with me on this bill to ensure Native American and Alaska Native Tribes have the resources they need to keep Native children safe from abuse and neglect. prgtoken Last week, I joined my colleagues in recognizing the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. prgtoken When I was chairman of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States last Congress, I held the first-ever House committee hearing on MMIW, which paved the way for critical bills like the Not Invisible Act and Savanna's Act. prgtoken At that hearing, we learned that, in addition to experiencing incredibly high murder rates, one in three Native women experience domestic violence in their lives. That statistic is even more horrifying when we recognize that, in 49 to 70 percent of cases, men who abuse their partners also abuse their children. prgtoken Despite this fact, Tribes have never received the resources they need to address child abuse and neglect in their communities. My bill changes that. prgtoken My bill will improve the prevention, treatment, investigation, and prosecution of child abuse and neglect in Indian Country by ensuring Tribes have the resources they need to take care of Native children in culturally competent ways. It does so by modernizing and reauthorizing three programs originally passed as part of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act. prgtoken The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act became law in 1990, after being authored by the late Arizona Senator John McCain in response to widespread reports that Native children were being physically and sexually abused in BIA-run boarding schools in the 1980s. prgtoken The original purpose of the law was to identify the scope of the underreported child abuse in Indian Country, fill gaps in Tribal child welfare services, improve coordination between child welfare and domestic violence programs, and provide funds for treatment in Indian Country. prgtoken But the horrible truth is that the grant programs created by this law in 1990 were never funded, never enacted, and were allowed to expire in 1997. My bill revives the three grant programs from the original act that are still sorely needed in Indian Country because the problems identified by Congress in 1990 still exist today. prgtoken Specifically, my bill does: one, provides Tribes with more funding for culturally competent child abuse treatment; two, allows Tribes to choose to partner with urban Indian organizations or Tribal consortiums to identify and treat victims of abuse; three, creates a national child resource and family services center to provide technical assistance and support to Tribes in maintaining child welfare programs; four, auth
U.S. Postal Service Nominations (Executive Calendar)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-5-12

I rise in support of the President's nominees to serve on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors. I would like to thank Senator Portman for working with me to swiftly advance the nominations of Ron Stroman, Amber McReynolds, and Anton Hajjar to fill the remaining vacancies on the Postal Service Board of Governors. prgtoken Today, we are voting on the nominations of Mr. Stroman and Ms. McReynolds, and I expect to take up Mr. Hajjar's nomination soon. prgtoken The Board of Governors is an independent, bipartisan body that provides leadership, strategic vision, and oversight of the U.S. Postal Service--one of the oldest and most trusted American institutions. prgtoken For nearly 250 years, the Postal Service has served communities all across our Nation. Countless Americans rely on the Postal Service to deliver critical medications and financial documents, to run their small businesses, to cast their ballots, to stay connected with family, and so much more. prgtoken But the Postal Service continues to face enormous challenges. From longstanding financial constraints to the impacts of the ongoing pandemic, the Postal Service has struggled to provide timely delivery and plan for its future. prgtoken Our dedicated postal workers have shown time and again that they can get the job done when they are given the right tools and measures. The Board of Governors will be responsible for guiding the Postal Service through its current challenges and working with Congress to ensure that Americans can rely on the Postal Service to deliver their mail each and every day. prgtoken Mr. Stroman, Ms. McReynolds, and Mr. Hajjar are each highly qualified to serve as Governors. They are all accomplished leaders who bring diverse experiences and backgrounds that are currently not represented on the Board. prgtoken Most importantly, they each understand the public service mission of the Postal Service and are committed to improving and preserving reliable delivery service for Americans all across our country. prgtoken Ron Stroman is a lifelong public servant who served as Deputy Postmaster General for nearly 10 years. He has a deep operational knowledge of the Postal Service and an extensive record of working across the aisle on postal issues. prgtoken Amber McReynolds is the chief executive of the nonpartisan, nonprofit National Vote at Home Institute and a former senior local government official for Denver, CO. She is a proven leader who drives innovation and understands how the Postal Service impacts both State and local governments. prgtoken Anton Hajjar is an accomplished lawyer who understands the unique challenges faced by the Postal Service's large and diverse workforce. He has worked extensively in labor-management relations, including forging compromises between Postal Service workers and management. And prior to his decades of legal experience, as a high school student he spent a summer as a substitute letter carr
OUR DEDICATED STAFF
Derek Kilmer (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2021-5-12

staff are the backbone of this institution. In fact, the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, over the course of the last few weeks, has had hearings specifically related to how this institution can recruit, retain, and have more diverse staffs. prgtoken The staffs who work in Congress are dedicated public servants who are here because they want to do meaningful work for our country. Today, I want to rise to say thank you to some very talented and very special staffers who were instrumental to the success of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress in the 116th Congress: Allie Neill, Jake Olson, Danielle Stewart, Mariah Harding, and SoRelle Gaynor. prgtoken As chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, I was fortunate to have Ms. Neill and Mr. Olson at the helm leading our staff and guiding our members through an incredibly productive 2 years. Their dedication to our bipartisan mission along with their institutional expertise was critical to the committee's success. To their credit, when they came in to do the work of our committee, they weren't wearing red jerseys or blue jerseys. They were wearing jerseys that said: Let's try to make Congress work better for the American people. prgtoken On top of that, Ms. Stewart did an extraordinary job of amplifying the work of our committee and sharing it with the American people. Ms. Harding handled the critical behind-the-scenes work like a pro. Under Ms. Gaynor's direction the committee produced an outstanding final report for the 116th Congress. prgtoken These staffers exemplify public service at its finest, and I want to rise today to thank them for their contributions.
NATIONAL ROOFING WEEK
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-5-12

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the National Roofing Contractors Association headquartered in Rosemont, Ill and its efforts to designate the week of June 6-12, 2021, as National Roofing Week. prgtoken The roof is one of the most important components of any home or business. It is the first line of defense against natural elements, such as rain, snow or wind, and yet it is often taken for granted until it falls into disrepair. National Roofing Week honors the thousands of roofing-related businesses and workers across the country, as well as the industry's commitment to public service. National Roofing Week is a valuable reminder of the significance quality roofing has on every home and business in the U.S. prgtoken Established in 1886, NRCA is one of the nation's oldest trade associations and the voice of professional roofing contractors worldwide. NRCA has nearly 4,000 roofing company members who represent the entire roofing supply chain. Using its vast network of roofing contractors and industry-related members, NRCA is responsible for the installation of new construction and replacement roof systems on commercial and residential structures in America. Most of its members are small, privately held businesses that provide family-sustaining jobs for thousands of hardworking individuals who are the backbone of our economy. prgtoken Professional roofing contractors provide vital services to their communities, on and off the clock. NRCA members will recognize National Roofing Week June 6-12 by supporting numerous charitable projects and employee training programs throughout the nation. I commend NRCA and the vital role the organization and its members play in every community, and I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging their contributions during National Roofing Week.
HONORING THE LIFE OF THOMAS HESS
Haley M. Stevens (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-5-12

I rise today in honor of my incredible friend, Tom Hess, a beloved resident of Northville, Michigan, who we lost last month after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 76. prgtoken Tom was born in Detroit in the summer of 1944 to Raymond and Jessie Hess. prgtoken After graduating from Michigan State University in 1966, he joined the United States Army, where he attended Infantry Officer Candidate School. He went on to complete all the training necessary to become a Green Beret and proudly served his country as a first lieutenant during the Vietnam war. This was something that Tom was prgtoken deeply proud of, his service to the country. prgtoken Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Tom returned to Detroit, where he graduated from Wayne State University Law School and was admitted to both the Michigan and Florida Bar Associations. He became the managing partner of a law firm in Daytona Beach and had many exciting real estate ventures in Florida before moving back to metro Detroit in 1990 to establish his own firm, where he practiced for another 18 years. prgtoken Tom married his exceptional wife, Janet, in 1991. Together, they opened their hearts and their home in Northville to members of our community on countless occasions. prgtoken This was the stuff that the of Western Wayne County are made of, and it is what raised me as a young candidate for Congress to propel me into office. prgtoken Their generosity was boundless and their ability to connect people endless. It is something that we will remember for all of time, in their home, in downtown Northville, that looked as if it was built in the 1800s but was actually built by Tom himself. prgtoken With his generous spirit and political acumen, Tom was a tireless advocate for the causes closest to his heart. He cared very deeply about the work being done in this Chamber, and he was focused on efforts to make our democracy more fair, strong, and inclusive for generations to come. prgtoken During my final visit to Mr. Hess, when I got the opportunity to say good-bye to him--because in classic Tom Hess fashion, he insisted, as he lay in hospice, on having an open, living wake--he looked me in the eye and said to me that his ultimate wish, his dying wish, was to see H.R. 1, the For the People Act, signed into law. prgtoken He was passionately committed to ensuring the success of our democracy, and he recognized the historic opportunity we have before us right now to bring our elections into the 21st century and to ensure that everyone has the right to vote. He looked me in the eye and said: I ask you to tell your colleagues on both sides of the aisle, but most penetratingly, the other side of the aisle, to join you in getting H.R. 1 done. prgtoken Now, we know we have taken the H.R. 1 vote in this Chamber, and it is going to the Senate. So I send the message from Northville, Michigan, as any good representative of their constituents would do: P
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2547, COMPREHENSIVE DEBT COLLECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1065, PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2021-5-12

the Rules Committee met yesterday and reported a rule, House Resolution 380, providing for consideration of H.R. 2547, the Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act, under a structured rule. prgtoken The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services or their designees. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment from Chairwoman Waters, makes in order 14 amendments, provides en bloc authority for Chairwoman Waters or her designee and provides one motion to recommit. prgtoken The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 1065, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, under a closed rule, which provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee prgtoken on Education and Labor or their designees, and provides one motion to recommit. prgtoken The rule deems as passed H. Res. 379, a resolution to dismiss the election contest in Illinois' 14th Congressional District. prgtoken Finally, the rule provides the majority leader or his designee the ability to en bloc requested roll call votes on suspension bills considered on May 11 or May 12. This authority lasts through May 14. prgtoken , I am pleased we are here today to provide consideration of two important bills to protect and support our constituents. First is the Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act, which will create protections for servicemembers, small businesses, students, and other consumers against mistreatment by debt collectors. Debt collection is consistently one of the top complaints made to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the pandemic has further exposed weaknesses in current consumer protection laws. prgtoken In March, the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions, which I chair, held a hearing on protecting consumers during the pandemic. We heard expert witnesses discuss how many debt collectors have seen record profits in the pandemic, despite many families and individuals continuing to struggle. prgtoken H.R. 2547 is comprehensive legislation to update consumer protections in debt collection across many different issues. For example, the bill codifies and expands protections for small and minority-owned businesses and prohibits debt collectors from threatening a servicemember with reduction in rank or other military disciplinary actions. Additionally, it protects private student loan borrowers with disabilities, would prohibit entities from collecting medical debt or reporting it to a credit reporting agency without giving the consumer notice about his or her rights, and clarifies that entities in nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings are covered by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. prgtoken This legislation is sponsored by Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters and incorporates bills from committee members, Representatives Nydia Velazquez, Made
NOMINATION OF CHIQUITA BROOKS-LaSURE
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-5-13

. Mr President, it is generally my policy to defer to a President and to allow them to choose their Cabinet, provided the nominees are qualified and will follow the law. Even though I may have disagreed with President 's nominees ideologically, I have voted for many of his nominees. This includes Ms. Andrea Palm for Deputy Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services. Unlike many Senators who voted against virtually all of President 's nominees, it is my philosophy that a President should be able to select those whom he wants to serve in his administration, provided that they are qualified and meet the most basic of tests. prgtoken President has nominated Ms. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to be Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS. I have met with the nominee and appreciate her commitment to our shared priorities, including lowering prescription drug costs in a bipartisan manner and maintaining essential medical services for rural Americans. I also remain committed to oversight of the executive branch, including CMS, to uphold our system of checks and balances. If Ms. Brooks-LaSure is confirmed, I look forward to working with her on these shared priorities and others as a senior member of the Committee on Finance. Ms. Brooks-LaSure has decades of health care experience, including at the Office of Management and Budget, on the House of Representative's Ways and Means Committee, at the Department of Health and Human Services, and in the private sector. Ms. Brooks-LaSure is qualified to serve as Administrator of CMS, and I personally do not have concerns about her nomination despite ideological differences. prgtoken However, I opposed Ms. Brooks-LaSure's confirmation out of the Committee on Finance at the request of Senator John Cornyn of Texas. On April 22, 2021, the Finance Committee voted 14 to 14 on Ms. Brooks- LaSure's nomination, with all committee members opposing moving the nomination forward. This effort was to give Senator Cornyn time to work with the administration to address concerns about the CMS recent revoking of their section 1115 Medicaid waiver. I have opposed advancing other nominees of both parties in the past as part of my oversight responsibilities since it is one of the few tools we have in the Senate to extract answers from the executive branch. The administration took an unprecedented action to revoke without consultation the State's Medicaid waiver. By supporting Senator Cornyn's effort, I was hopeful the administration could adequately address Texas's concerns. To date, there has not been progress made; therefore, I again opposed advancing this nomination, not with an intent to permanently block her confirmation, but as an exercise of Congress's check on the executive branch in hopes that it will engage with Senator Cornyn in good faith to resolve this matter that is so important to his home State.
ENDLESS FRONTIER ACT--MOTION TO PROCEED
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2021-5-13

I am here on the floor to talk about the economy, what is going on, on the jobs front, and where we go from here. prgtoken Last week, the Department of Labor issued its most recent jobs report. It showed that we added 266,000 jobs in April. That was about one quarter of what was predicted. It was disappointing. It shows that the job growth coming out of the pandemic has now slowed. There is a question as to why, since there are so many jobs out there. How is it that there can be so many jobs available, and yet we have such a disappointing April jobs report? The demand for workers is certainly high. prgtoken The other thing going on out there is that we have creeping inflation. We learned this past week that the Consumer Price Index rose 4.2 percent between April 2020 and April 2021. So the year, April to April, is the highest 12-month increase going back to the summer of 2008. prgtoken There is this whole debate going on about whether there is inflation or not. Well, I would ask you to talk to your constituents because they will tell you there is inflation. There is inflation at the gas pump; there is inflation at the grocery store; there is inflation if you are trying to build something. There is inflation throughout the economy right now, and that should concern every American. It is because of policy choices, but it doesn't have to be this way. prgtoken What this argument boils down to with regard to jobs and with regard to inflation are really two very different approaches and philosophies of government and how to create jobs, how to increase wages, and how to help working families. prgtoken The administration believes the government needs to spend more to prime the pump. This is despite our being told by every economic analysis, including our own nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, that without any new stimulus at the beginning of this year, we were going to see the economy come back strongly. In fact, all of the studies showed that the rate of growth this year was going to be 4 percent or more without any stimulus, without any new spending, and that, by prgtoken midyear, according to the Congressional Budget Office, we would be back to the prepandemic economy and economic growth. Yet the administration is insisting on priming the pump, putting more money out there. The $1.9 trillion spending package was all about that. prgtoken Some of us raised concerns about it and warned people about this. By the way, one of us who did this was Larry Summers, who was the Secretary of the Treasury under a ic administration and who is a prominent economist on the other side of the aisle. He said this--and he was right--that this risked overheating an economy that was already growing and would result in inflation. Unfortunately, the massive stimulus seems to have exactly done that. prgtoken Unfortunately, now there is another wave of spending that is being projected. Over $4 trillio