mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 965, AUTHORIZING REMOTE VOTING BY PROXY AND PROVIDING FOR OFFICIAL REMOTE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DUE TO A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS...
Rob Woodall (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-5-15

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) for yielding. prgtoken These are strange times. I saw my friend Alcee Hastings on the floor. I wanted to sit down beside him and whisper in his ear like we would have done when we gathered last year. I wanted to grab his hand and tell him I have been praying for him. Now, he is gone, back off the House floor and back into social distancing. prgtoken No one denies that these are unusual times, even dire times, that require a substantial response. In many ways, what we are doing here today isn't unusual. We have a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives that will, in fact, jam through, on an almost party- line vote, its agenda. That is not unusual. prgtoken We have a majority in the House that is going to implement its ideas for rules changes in the House, even without a minority amendment. That is not altogether unusual. But I have listened to colleague after colleague come to the House floor and talk about the unusual times that, I would argue, require an unusual response. prgtoken I feel a little empty today in what I usually enjoy as a Rules Committee debate. I know how the Rules Committee goes, Madam . There are nine members of the majority and four members of the minority. The majority wins every vote, and not by a little, by a lot. prgtoken Your job, as a minority member on the Rules Committee, is to lose. You go up there, and you lose every day. That is often the way the House is when we are trying to put together a House position that is going to go into negotiation. prgtoken But I have heard the sense of urgency that I know each of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle believes, and our sense of urgency today doesn't allow us time to push a messaging bill across the floor. prgtoken Madam , this is the single largest borrow-and-spend bill the country has ever seen, and it included not one amendment-- not one. The single largest rules change the House of Representatives has seen in any of our lifetimes, and the underlying rules change includes not one amendment--not one. prgtoken I listened to my chairman, for whom I have great respect. Candidly, with the small nature of the Rules Committee, we are able to develop relationships that the entire institution is not able to develop. I wish everybody on the House floor knew the gentleman from Massachusetts as I believe I know the gentleman from Massachusetts. When he talks about fighting hunger, when he talks about us doing better, he is absolutely right and absolutely sincere. When he talks about people suffering, when he talks about people in desperate need, he is absolutely right and absolutely sincere. prgtoken When my friend from Florida, Ms. Shalala, said that she doesn't get calls in her office but that she gets cries from desperate people for help, I know that feeling because my office gets the same ones. prgtoken But that is not everything that is in this bill. This bil
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2020-5-15

I want to thank my friend from Oklahoma, who has done such a good job. prgtoken I rise today in opposition to this bill. prgtoken It is deeply troubling to me that during the worst pandemic in modern history and amidst a deep economic crisis, in the House continue to take a partisan path. prgtoken As s and the administration moved to respond quickly, it was congressional who needlessly delayed the initial passage of the CARES Act and later caused a pointless week-long shuttering of the Paycheck Protection Program. How many jobs were lost because of that delay? prgtoken And here we go again. According to Politico, `` acknowledge that their behemoth proposal, whose summary alone is 90 pages, is more of a talking point than legislation that they expect to become law.'' prgtoken Well, just from the Energy and Commerce Committee perspective alone, you have policies that amount to Federal Government takeovers of entire sectors of the economy, . prgtoken There is a sweetheart deal for Medicaid compliance carved out only for the State of New York and no one else. prgtoken The bill throws more good money after bad to the failing enrollment programs in Care and it violates years of bipartisan agreement to maintain Hyde protections on Federal healthcare spending. prgtoken Why would spend weeks crafting what amounts to an 1,800- page progressive manifesto that is dead on arrival in the Senate? Why? prgtoken , I again implore my friends across the aisle to please drop the partisan, petty politics. Let's move forward in a united way for the country. That is what the people across America are doing, and that is what they expect us to do here in Congress.
AUTHORIZING REMOTE VOTING BY PROXY AND PROVIDING FOR OFFICIAL REMOTE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DUE TO A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Jim Hagedorn (Republican, MN) \u2014 2020-5-15

I believe this is a bad idea for this institution and a terrible example for the Nation. I recommend a ``no'' vote. prgtoken You know, it is ironic that as our Nation opens up and people go back to work safely and responsibly into their jobs, the House is making a move to shut down, for all intents and purposes. prgtoken You know, tens of millions of Americans throughout this outbreak, this pandemic, have been out delivering and producing our energy, our food, helping with people in hospitals, policing our neighborhoods. They have been doing their jobs, and we should be doing our jobs in person moving forward. prgtoken You know, some might question why a Member of Congress like myself, who is dealing with stage 4 cancer, getting treatment the last year at the Mayo Clinic, why I would be the one passionately wanting everyone to travel and work in this Chamber, work in our committees. And it is because it is a bad idea for this House. It is a bad idea that we don't do our jobs in person. We are setting a terrible example. prgtoken Personally, though, I can tell you this: This is the job that I signed up for. This is the job that I asked the people of southern Minnesota for. And this is the job that I want to do. It is an honor to serve them. I think we should do it in person, work in committee in person, and do our jobs. And we can do it safely and responsibly. prgtoken I recommend a ``no'' vote.
HONORING MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP
Russ Fulcher (Republican, ID) \u2014 2020-5-15

. Madam , as a man of faith, I have seen the spiritual strength of our nation tested during these challenging times. As a ray of hope, I run proud to showcase the work of Mission Aviation Fellowship, headquartered in Nampa Idaho, on their 75th anniversary. Founded shortly after World War II, a few veteran pilots who served our country found a way to extend the gospel of Christ to those in desperate need of aid, supplies, and medicine. On May 20, 1945, a non- profit organization was formed, and on February 23, 1946, Mission Aviation Fellowship chartered their first flight from La Habra, California to Tuxpan, Mexico. A founding board member, Betty Greene, served as MAF's first pilot, and after that first flight into Mexico she became the first woman to fly over the Andes mountain in South America, and the first female pilot in Sudan, as she traveled the world on behalf of MAF. She is a recipient of a Congressional Gold Medal as a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) for her wartime service. Over the years, and through earthquakes, war, and genocides, Mission Aviation Fellowship sent brave men and women into uncharted areas to help those so desperately needing aid. Today, Mission Aviation Fellowship operates a fleet of 47 light aircraft, with 13 of those planes being Kodiaks, which are manufactured in Sandpoint, Idaho. In the 13 countries it serves, Mission Aviation Fellowship is that light at the end of the tunnel for many seeking aid when all else seems dark. Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting the staff of Mission Aviation Fellowship at their headquarters in Nampa, and the faith, courage, and dedication to their divinely inspired ``mission'' gives me great hope for our future. But as we learned on May 12, it comes at a cost. MAF pilot Joyce Lin took off from the Sentani, Papua, Indonesia airport, on her way to a village in the Papua highlands, delivering supplies for a school and COVID-19 rapid test kits for the local clinic. A few minutes later, over Sentani Lake, she declared an emergency. Joyce did not survive the ensuing accident. She loved her Lord and she loved serving other people who were in need. The MAF family is grieving the loss of this dedicated pilot. As Jesus Christ, our savior once said, ``Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'' May Mission Aviation Fellowship's leadership be an example for all of us during these difficult times.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Denver Riggleman (Republican, VA) \u2014 2020-5-15

I offer this motion to recommit because Americans across this country are watching the steps we take in Congress. prgtoken Millions of Americans need our help and, unfortunately, millions more will lose their jobs if we consider partisan wish list legislation that has no chance of becoming law. prgtoken Our Nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strength and ingenuity of the American spirit has shone forth. We in this Chamber came together to pass the CARES Act, a bipartisan aid package in March of this year. prgtoken In times of crisis, Americans should come together, but that togetherness has waned and the bipartisanship has vanished. Masked in darkness and socially distanced from any review or debate, this bill is filled to the brim with progressive agenda items. prgtoken Hidden amongst these poison pills is a provision that would change the ID requirement for the CARES Act rebate checks from Social Security number to taxpayer identification number. This switch will allow illegal immigrants and noncitizens to get checks they aren't eligible for. prgtoken I didn't think that a global pandemic meant it was time to stop helping American citizens who are desperate for assistance. Now, more than ever, we need to make sure these rebate checks go to Americans who need it. prgtoken This motion to recommit shouldn't be controversial. Unauthorized immigrants are not eligible for most Federal benefits, including SNAP, TANF, and most housing assistance programs. They weren't even eligible to receive this money in the first CARES Act. prgtoken The reason they are being included now is because this provision is the latest in a grab brag of liberal priorities that are trying to sneak through in this bill. But not on my watch. That is why I am proud to offer this motion to recommit. prgtoken It is time we show Americans that we will stand up and do our jobs in Congress, be the responsible leaders Americans elected us to be, not partisan headline grabbers or those who think messaging bills are more important than sensible legislation for all Americans. prgtoken The authors of the bill do not intend for this to become law, make a mockery of our responsibility to govern. prgtoken Enough of the messaging bills. Let's stop playing politics and start working on solutions that will help the American people. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues to join me, and .
AUTHORIZING REMOTE VOTING BY PROXY AND PROVIDING FOR OFFICIAL REMOTE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DUE TO A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Mac Thornberry (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-5-15

those of us on the Armed Services Committee are privileged to work around, with, and for the men and women who serve in the military. Every one of them is a volunteer. Every one of them expects reasonable precautions with their health and safety and well-being. But every one of them knows that in carrying out their duties, there is some risk that goes with it, and they carry out their duties admirably. prgtoken What a contrast to what we are seeing with this resolution. I think one of the proudest times I have had in this House over the last 25 years has been on 9/11 and the days thereafter. That very evening, Members gathered on the steps of the Capitol, and in the days thereafter we went right back to work and passed the legislation that was needed to deal with the terrorist threat. prgtoken We were not even intimidated when many of our offices were attacked by anthrax in the days thereafter. It was not just about showing resolution to the terrorists; it was about showing the prgtoken country that we can come together and get our work done. What a contrast to what we are seeing with this resolution. prgtoken Through the Civil War, 1918 flu, World War II, 9/11, throughout our history, there has never been proxy voting on this floor. Members accepted the risk and carried out their duties to the best of their ability. It was not about technology; it was about trust and integrity. prgtoken Were our predecessors so much braver than we are? Were they more ignorant about the risk or more careless with their own safety? Was their sense of their responsibility to the American people greater than ours? None of this makes sense. prgtoken But what makes the least sense of all, , is that any Member of either party would support a resolution that allows any of us to vacate, even temporarily, the trust placed in us by voters and undermine the very foundation of this representative democracy. prgtoken Our history is better than that. The voters deserve better than that. To me, , it is sad, rather despicable, and one of the darkest days in this institution.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-5-15

this bill is a grab bag of priorities that have nothing to do with abating this virus. prgtoken One of the most misplaced ones, however, is the addition of the SAFE Banking Act, which, if enacted, would financially green light the marijuana industry. prgtoken Think about that. Marijuana is still an illegal drug under the Federal Schedule I, yet this bill attempts to legitimize this criminal enterprise. prgtoken What is next? Shall we have safe banking for whale oil or shark fin sales? prgtoken Again, what does this have to do with the supposed disaster relief legislation? prgtoken As well, this bill contains H.R. 1 wish list items, including ballot harvesting, a shady practice where campaign operatives go door to door asking, or even coercing, people's private ballots. prgtoken How is this door-to-door practice supposed to mitigate spreading the virus, the whole premise of this bill, supposedly, being included in a $3 trillion emergency package? prgtoken Vote ``no'' on this. These are items that have nothing to do with what we should be prioritizing in this time of crisis.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-5-15

we also could be doing more for working individuals by including my legislation, the AG CHAIN Act, which would suspend Federal income tax and payroll taxes for essential workers during this pandemic. prgtoken However, today's legislation was drafted and introduced with unnecessary haste and lacks bipartisan support prgtoken to become law. I am voting ``no'' on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
AUTHORIZING REMOTE VOTING BY PROXY AND PROVIDING FOR OFFICIAL REMOTE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DUE TO A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-5-15

I rise in opposition to this rule change. prgtoken Rather than taking time to implement a bipartisan plan to safely open this House and our work on the Hill, as suggested by the leader, the House majority is taking the lazy way out. prgtoken The U.S. Constitution and 200 years of precedent require a physical presence to establish a quorum to protect all Members' rights and the rights of the Americans who vote for these Members. prgtoken If we pass this rule change today and make attendance optional, we are taking away the fundamental nature of our government of elected Members of the House representing our citizens. prgtoken Since the first Congress, through it all--bad roads, bad weather, invasion, and the burning of this very Capitol, Civil War, and depression--Members have assembled to do the people's business. prgtoken Our Founders intended that legislating be hard but fair. Our Founders compelled the people's representatives to assemble, to collaborate, to find a way forward. This rule will only make it harder to find that consensus during these times. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues to reject this unnecessary change to the House rules.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-5-15

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken House are once again taking advantage of a national emergency to push their own political agenda. We shouldn't be surprised, as we have seen them push their wish list at every turn. prgtoken We saw their attempts to federalize elections in H.R. 1; we saw it during the last coronavirus relief package negotiation; and we are seeing it again now. They are using the HEROES Act to nationalize election policy, not to help Americans vote, but to serve their own interests on election day. prgtoken This entire package would cost taxpayers $3 trillion, and at least $23 million of that would be going toward their federal elections takeover. Congress has already given $1.25 billion to States since 2018, $400 million alone to help States prepare for their elections amid this pandemic. prgtoken What the are proposing is outrageous. They are also requiring all States to adopt ballot harvesting. Ballot harvesting, in the way House are trying to use it, is when any individual can pick up any voter's ballot for any reason and deliver it to the polling place, completely unchecked. They don't have to provide their name. They don't have to show their ID. They don't have to be a resident of the State. They don't have to be an American citizen. prgtoken Why would we force States to allow for people who aren't even eligible to vote to then handle their voters' ballots? prgtoken This practice is so wrought with fraud that I released a report this week, before consideration of this bill, to highlight how ballot harvesting is being misused. It is a summary of 18 months of work by the House Administration s on this issue. We found that this practice is one of the greatest threats to our ballot integrity. prgtoken In addition to this bill jeopardizing ballot integrity, it would also jeopardize people's health. How will ballot harvesting follow social distancing practices? Not to mention, allowing political operatives to pick up ballots is not necessary when mail ballots may have prepaid postage. Why does a ballot broker need to go door to door to pick up a ballot when you can mail it in for free?
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-5-15

in every neighborhood across our country, Americans are struggling with the health and economic ramifications of the coronavirus. prgtoken As schools are closed and small businesses stay shuttered, American families are just trying to make it one day at a time. Here in Congress, House are just trying to fund Planned Parenthood. prgtoken American families are focused on putting food on their tables. Here in Congress, are focused on keeping Americans out of work instead of saving family-sustaining jobs. prgtoken American families are working together to weather this storm. Here in Congress, would rather blame our President than hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for their role in this pandemic. prgtoken Here in Congress, are wasting time that we could be using to deliver real solutions for the American people. This bill is not the answer, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no.''
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-5-15

leadership has established in this piece of legislation a new pandemic protocol for the United States Congress: the practice of reality distancing. Reality distancing is the unhealthy distance between politicians and their policies and the people they were elected to serve. prgtoken While tens of millions of working families have lost their livelihoods and millions more are struggling to survive, Members of Congress won't miss a single paycheck and are wasting precious time on a partisan bill that is going nowhere. prgtoken Furthermore, Pelosi and many of her colleagues are so anxious to appease the left, and so zealous to advance their ideology, they didn't even attempt to disguise this parade of horribles that is completely out of touch with the American people. prgtoken Some will suggest, , that this legislation is so extreme and absurd we can't take it seriously. I would submit that we can't take it seriously enough. When someone tells you who they are, believe them. This isn't just the ' plan for America's recovery; this is their vision for America. prgtoken I oppose it, and I pray to God none of these policies see the light of day.
AUTHORIZING REMOTE VOTING BY PROXY AND PROVIDING FOR OFFICIAL REMOTE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DUE TO A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Bradley Byrne (Republican, AL) \u2014 2020-5-15

I was listening to the majority leader talk about a statement that Abraham Lincoln made. He made it in his annual report to the Congress on December 1, 1862. In that message, he proposed one of the dumbest ideas that has ever been put forth in this Congress and that was: instead of freeing the enslaved people in this country, we would round them up and put them on boats and take them back to Africa. That is what was in his message. prgtoken He talks about the tired dogmas of the past. The Constitution is not dogma. It is the fundamental law of this country. prgtoken Remember, on December 1, 1862, this Congress was in this room. Fifty miles away, 10 days later, a fierce and awful battle took place in Fredericksburg, with 18,000 casualties. If it hadn't been winter, the Confederate Army could have come here and taken this building. Yet, they continued to meet here, through pandemics of yellow fever and malaria. This was the hottest spot in the country for typhoid fever for over 15 years, and the Congress still met in this room. prgtoken Millions of Americans go to work every day, doing their jobs, and they expect us to do the same. Instead of adopting this very ill- considered rule, we should all get to Washington, do our jobs, and take care of the American people.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
John W. Rose (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-5-15

today I will be voting ``no'' on an 1,800-page, $3 trillion socialist wish list. This wish list is the product of partisan scrambling meant to take advantage of the present crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken I, and the people in my district, won't stand for it. I am from Tennessee where we balance our budgets, we don't write checks we can't cash, and where common sense is still king. prgtoken Today, I will be using that common sense to represent the people of the Sixth District of Tennessee and vote ``no.''