mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Jimmy Gomez (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-9

in 2017, s handed out tax breaks for the largest corporations and the ultrawealthy, including , who paid zero Federal income tax in 2020 and left the Presidency without a single audit. prgtoken What we were trying to do was make it a fairer tax system where the ultrawealthy were actually paying their fair share, which, as we saw through the simple release of those tax returns for the President of the United States, there were some years he paid zero. He was less likely to be audited than somebody getting the earned income child tax credit. prgtoken This is something that we need to fight against. prgtoken We want to make sure that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle understand that it is not just about the ultrawealthy. It is about working-class Americans. It is a shame that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle care more about those who have higher income, those who can hire lawyers that can get them out of paying taxes, but we should really have a tax system that benefits everybody.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Dwight Evans (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise in strong opposition to this legislation that will cut major investments in the IRS that will help American taxpayers receive the benefits they have earned. It is important. prgtoken This tax cheat act would gut IRS funding to protect s' wealthy corporate investors. It is important to understand that I urge my colleagues to reject the tax cheat act. prgtoken It is important because this is politics above people. The reality is this is not about people. This is really all about politics. prgtoken I thank Mr. Neal, who led this effort through the Ways and Means Committee, and colleagues who fought for the importance of investment in the IRS. prgtoken , I stand today to encourage people to say ``no.''
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2023-1-9

I thank Mr. Neal for yielding. The Inflation Reduction Act was a huge step toward lowering healthcare costs and energy costs for families all across the country and creating new jobs in my home State of Michigan. prgtoken It was fully paid for by making sure the biggest corporations and the wealthiest individuals paid their fair share in taxes. prgtoken This funding for the Internal Revenue Service helps ensure that it has the resources to go after those wealthy taxpayers that are avoiding paying their fair share. prgtoken It is simply not fair that billionaires like Elon Musk and massive companies like Amazon have paid less in Federal income taxes some years than a Bay City teacher, a Saginaw nurse, or a Midland factory worker. prgtoken Further, the Inflation Reduction Act is helping to fight inflation, bringing down costs for Americans. prgtoken With this bill, s are trying to roll back these efforts to fight inflation. prgtoken A vote against the motion to recommit that I will offer is a vote against the Inflation Reduction Act. prgtoken Today, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said this bill will add $114 billion to the national deficit. prgtoken This is the first order of business for this majority. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent to add the text of this amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2023-1-9

these rules are a gratuitous attack on already limited rights of D.C. residents. Our residents have all the obligations of citizenship, including paying all Federal taxes, but are denied voting rights in Congress and full local self-government. To add insult to injury, these rules take away floor privileges of the D.C. Mayor. prgtoken The rules continue to grant Governors and 16 other categories of people, including foreign ministers, floor privileges. Not only does D.C.'s Mayor operate like State Governors--including managing a jurisdiction that has both a budget and population larger than those of several States--but Congress has undemocratic plenary authority over D.C. and regularly uses this authority to legislate on local matters. prgtoken While D.C. deserves statehood, if any non-member of Congress deserves and needs floor privileges, it is D.C.'s Mayor.
CELEBRATING MRS. IRIS DARCINE BOWIE (ANDREW) THOMAS'S 90TH BIRTHDAY
Jonathan L. Jackson (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise today in celebration of Mrs. Thomas's 90th birthday, which is on January 7th, Mrs. Iris Darcine Bowie (Andrew) Thomas R.N was born on January 7, 1933, and grew up in Yellowpine, Texas. She graduated from Texas College where she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc Alpha Tau Chapter in 1951. With a heart and calling for a career in nursing, she attended Provident School of Nursing Chicago, IL. She then met a young medical student, Dr. Andrew L. Thomas, and they married on June 12, 1960. They spent their honeymoon in Ghana studying tropical diseases, and later traveled to the People's Republic of China, Syria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia to champion the cause of providing quality medical services to all people. Always concerned about access to care, Dr. Thomas launched Project Seventy-Five in 1966, a national effort to maintain and increase the number of minority students in the healthcare field. prgtoken Mrs. Thomas was also the first Black supervisor in nursing education at Michael Reese Hospital. Later, she was a teacher at the In Service Education Department at La Rabida Children's Hospital for the chronically ill, where she earned the Outstanding Nurse of the Year award. She retired from John Stroger (formerly Cook County) Hospital as Nurse Coordinator at the Referral Center in 2009. prgtoken She is the mother of 2 children, Mrs. Darcine Adelia (Howard) March, Beverly Hills, CA, and Dr. Andre L'ouverture (Pamela) Thomas, Orthopedic Surgeon, Del Rio, TX. And the grandmother of 5: Andrew L. Thomas, II, D.D.S. Howard University College of Dentistry anticipated in 2024, Maiah Lynette Thomas, 2022 graduate, Howard University, Chloe Thomas, Sophomore Howard University, Lalia Thomas and Gabriel March. prgtoken We have shared a fence for more than 50 years and Mrs. Thomas is the greatest neighbor I could have. On behalf of the First Congressional District of IIlinois, it is my honor and privilege to recognize Mrs. Thomas on her 90th birthday and I wish her continued health and happiness.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Lloyd Doggett (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-1-9

this first bill should be known as the protect and his tax cheating cronies act. prgtoken After years of obstructing access to 's tax returns, we learned how little he paid toward the cost of our national security and how poorly the Internal Revenue Service enforced our tax laws. prgtoken Each year the richest 1 percent in our country avoid paying an incredible $160 billion of the taxes they owe. This crime wave of -style tax cheating is made possible by insistence on defunding the revenue police. Over the past decade, audit rates for corporations are down by half and the ultrarich by three-fourths. prgtoken claimed interest in law and order seems to vanish when it comes to tax fraud by the wealthiest few. And their very first bill adds $114 billion to our deficit. Yes, may have been indispensable last week, but this is outrageous. When those, like , don't pay what they owe, then the tax burden gets shifted to small businesses and to families across the country. prgtoken Reject the drive to defund.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
John B. Larson (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise to associate myself with the remarks of the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts. prgtoken I think he used the right words when he talked about theater. prgtoken Isn't it long overdue that we are honest with the American people about what this is about? prgtoken Come on, , you can't really believe that what you are proposing here isn't shielding the wealthiest people in this Nation and corporations. prgtoken People at Augie & Ray's in East Hartford are not fooled by this, and they understand what the agenda is. You place us further in debt and leave us with little else to do to help the people who need it the most. prgtoken What is this a guise for? prgtoken Cutting what you call entitlements. prgtoken What people at Augie & Ray's know are earned benefits that they pay for every single week out of their paycheck where they pay their taxes as well.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise in opposition to the rules and the rules package. prgtoken In particular, I support the Women's Health Protection Act so women seeking reproductive rights will not be hunted down by bounty hunters. prgtoken As well, I am opposed to this rule because of the creation of a potential committee that, in fact, threatens our safety, security, and freedom. It is an unprecedented attack on our Nation's law enforcement agencies, our justice system, and our intelligence community, all for the extreme MAGA political activities. prgtoken This does nothing to solve the actual problems facing the American people and even includes a possibility of defunding police. prgtoken Finally, I am glad that the last Congress indicated that when a million Americans died, for continuity of government, we had proxy voting. They wanted to save lives. prgtoken , I oppose the underlying rules and the rules package. I ask my colleagues to join me in voting ``no.'' prgtoken , I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 5, Adopting the Rules of the 118th Congress. Instead of building on the extraordinary work done by House in the 117th Congress, s are choosing to lead off this term with legislation that attacks women's health freedoms, make it easier for companies to pollute without consequence, and hand out tax breaks to the wealthy and well connected. prgtoken This problematic Rules package is the product of non-transparent negotiations, backroom deals and promises that were made to appease the demands made by extremist members of the Party to get them to vote or in some cases vote present for of the House. prgtoken Last week's catastrophic 's election showed Americans how disorganized, chaotic, and inefficient the leadership and Caucus can be. prgtoken Last week's chaos showed the American people how s plan to govern for the next two years. This body will be ill managed, less transparent, slow moving, and will put forth legislation that will attack our freedoms and undermine our Nation's values. prgtoken Concessions made by leadership last week will have devastating effects on this institution. The passage of this Rules package will pave the way for: prgtoken Any member to file a ``motion to vacate the chair,'' effectively holding the hostage; prgtoken Extreme right-wing members on key committees; prgtoken Putting an end to the possibility of Congressional staff unionization; prgtoken Reinstating the Holman Rules so s can target civil servants who challenge them; and prgtoken Shut down criminal investigations into the previous president. prgtoken This problematic rule is creating more turmoil in the ranks as members wrestle with the image of witnessing the being coerced into agreeing to give a small faction of the Conference treats to appease them--including concessions to individual members for votes he needed to become . prgtoken It is
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise in opposition to this green light to tax cheaters, billionaires, and giant corporations that do not pay their fair share of taxes. prgtoken The average working person in our country pays a rate of about 25 percent. Billionaires pay under 5 percent. Every citizen and corporation should take a pledge of allegiance to pay their fair share of taxes. But Amazon, Chevron, AIG, and even Coca-Cola shirk their duty to liberty. Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Charles Koch prosper under liberty's flag but cheat on their taxes. prgtoken In what world is it fair that those in the top brackets can cheat the system while hardworking Americans pay their fair share every day? prgtoken I can assure you, staff in our offices have answered over a thousand calls since 2020 because the IRS doesn't have enough agents to do the job. Properly funding the IRS will help to reduce the deficit, average Americans will get answers and help, and tax cheaters will finally pay their fair share. prgtoken , I include in the Record a laundry list of tax cheaters. Amazon, Exxon Mobil, AT&T, Microsoft, Verizon, Chevron, Bank of America, UPS, Nike, Coca Cola, Charter Communications, AIG. Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Steve Ballmer, Elon Musk, Rob Walton, Charles Koch.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise in rigorous opposition to this shortsighted bill, but thank you for allowing us the opportunity to lay the facts on the table. prgtoken I mean, it is stunning that while you peddled those falsehoods, you seek at the same time to add $114 million to the deficit. The chairman said it. Everybody said it. prgtoken budget cuts have left the IRS with 2,284 fewer skilled auditors to keep wealthy taxpayers from cheating than it had in 1954. That makes no sense. You know it is more complicated. We taxed work before. Now we tax assets, and we cover them up when we do our taxes. prgtoken Who the heck are you kidding? The GOP plan would aid and abet a flood of tax cheating by Wall Street tycoons. That would be the direct impact of this bill. Thankfully, it is going to be dead on arrival when it goes to the other side of the building. prgtoken s love that our massive tax gap keeps growing, and they want to make it worse.
RECOGNIZING THE LOUDOUN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Jennifer Wexton (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise today to recognize the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce on achieving 5-Star Accreditation status from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. prgtoken Incorporated on December 18, 1968, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce has become the largest and most effective Chamber in Northern Virginia, with more than 1,000 members forming the premier network of business and community leaders in the nation's most economically vibrant county. prgtoken The Loudoun Chamber's diverse membership includes businesses, nonprofits and public-sector partners of every size and industry, and includes visionary entrepreneurs and leaders who are dedicated to making Loudoun a world-class community to live, work, and grow a business. prgtoken The Loudoun Chamber is an effective advocate for and partner with Loudoun's Department of Economic Development and Visit Loudoun, a partnership that has earned local, national and international recognition, the latter for their collaboration on the ``Loudoun Is Ready'' COVID response campaign. prgtoken The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE)--the nation's leading association for Chamber industry executives--named the Loudoun County Chamber one of 4 finalists for Chamber of the Year in 2021, recognizing Loudoun's Chamber for its performance and community impact. prgtoken Loudoun Chamber President & CEO Tony Howard has earned highly valued industry certifications from the U.S. Chamber's Institute for Organizational Management (IOM) and ACCE's Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), the Chamber industry's top recognition for professional excellence. prgtoken Howard was also named Virginia's Chamber Executive of the Year in 2015, by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE). prgtoken ln recognition of the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce's many years of industry leading programs, business advocacy and community impact, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded the Loudoun Chamber 5-Star Accreditation. prgtoken This 5-Star Accreditation is the U.S. Chamber's highest endorsement for a local Chamber's performance. This places the Loudoun Chamber amongst the top 2 percent the 7,000 Chambers nationwide for the quality of its programs, policies and impact on the community. prgtoken U.S. Chamber's Accreditation Program establishes standards for operational excellence and recognizes Chambers that achieve ``best in class performance'' in areas such as governance policies, financial controls, communications, public policy and programming. This extensive review took 6 months to complete. ``To earn our industry's highest distinction is reflective of the Loudoun Chamber's staffs and leadership's commitment to excellence in all your organization does to serve your community,'' said U.S. Chamber Vice President Raymond P. Towle.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
Judy Chu (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-9

Americans across the country sent a resounding message at the ballot box. They support the right to access abortion and for people to have the basic freedom to make decisions about their own bodies with medical professionals and without the interference of extremist politicians. In every State where abortion was on the ballot, the American people called for freedom and bodily autonomy. prgtoken Now, House ' first action of the 118th Congress is to answer that call. If we defeat the previous question today, the House will take up my bill, the Women's Health Protection Act, which will guarantee abortion rights for everyone in every State. prgtoken In the wake of the extremist Supreme Court's devastating decision last summer in Dobbs, Congress must stand up for the rights of every person to be able to make decisions about their own bodies and their own futures. prgtoken House trust people, not politicians, to make decisions about their health and lives. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to join me in defeating the previous question.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
Steven Horsford (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2023-1-9

this rules package is more like rules wreckage, and it has very little to do with governance. prgtoken Adding insult to the American people, McCarthy and MAGA s want to defund the IRS so that their millionaire and billionaire friends don't have to pay their fair share in taxes while hardworking people in Nevada's Fourth District pick up the tab. prgtoken There is a persistent problem with the wealthiest Americans evading taxes or hiding their money in secret, offshore bank accounts in order to avoid paying their tax obligations. In fact, according to a new Syracuse University analysis, low-income wage earners were audited 5.5 times more than the people in every other tax bracket in 2022. prgtoken put people over politics and provided the resources and funding that the IRS needs to go after the super-rich tax cheats. It is not fair that taxpayers with lower incomes are more likely to be audited than high-income taxpayers. prgtoken Adding additional insult, their first bill adds more than $100 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years. What does that say about reducing our deficit? prgtoken , I urge the body to vote down this hypocritical package.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Gwen Moore (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise to strongly oppose this misnamed bill, which purports to protect families and small businesses, but instead, continues the unrelenting effort to starve the IRS. prgtoken The only Americans that this legislation protects are tax cheats. prgtoken What is up with this conversation about how many agents are going to be added? prgtoken The IRS has fewer agents today than it had in 1953, and our economy is seven times larger, and our population has more than doubled since then. prgtoken The characterization of the IRS as a militant government agency deployed to harass unwitting small businesses and Americans is a flagrant lie. prgtoken Our voluntary tax system depends on our taxpayers trusting that it works fairly. We need to ensure that the IRS can examine complex tax avoidance strategies of well-heeled individuals and businesses, period. prgtoken To do that, we need to help the agency modernize and transition away from decades-old technology, and we must support the agency's capacity to effectively administer a range of crucial tax benefits. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-9

after 4 days and 15 rounds of votes, the new majority has finally chosen a . Their first order of business is to trample on the hopes of the people that elected them. prgtoken The rules package that we see before us contains no less than three bills that strip people in this country of their reproductive freedom. These bills are a slap in the face to voters who proved time and time again at the polls last year that they believe in reproductive freedom and abortion access. prgtoken From Kentucky to Kansas to my home State of California, our constituents believe that the right to make decisions about their life and their health, including about abortion, lies with them, not with you, not with me, not with any elected official. prgtoken This rules package is meant to help this body govern, not restrict the personal autonomy of millions. As one who has had an abortion, I know how horrific this rules package is. It is our bodies. It is our choices. prgtoken , this dysfunction and hypocrisy is shameful, and the people deserve better.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2023-1-9

after a week of chaos, we now have a rules package for MAGA extremists, attacking our freedoms and every major responsibility of this body--from paying America's bills to funding our government. prgtoken This package criminalizes abortion by advancing bills that attack access and healthcare without a single hearing or markup, undermining women's economic freedom and bodily autonomy. prgtoken , as one of the one-in-four women across this country who have had an abortion, I join those in both parties--and the majority of this country--who are saying: Not on our watch. prgtoken This package also reinstates a CutGo policy that gives wealthy corporations more tax cuts and strips the right for congressional workers to unionize. It eliminates our wins to strengthen witness disclosure requirements for conflicts of interest and exempt climate change and pandemic relief from senseless paygo rules. prgtoken delivered for the people. s now want a package that works for the wealthiest few. Vote ``no.''
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Bradley Scott Schneider (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise today to urge my colleagues to oppose this bill. It not only increases our national deficit by $114 billion, but it does so by helping the wealthiest avoid paying taxes and transfers that burden onto the backs of hardworking Americans and small businesses that follow the law and pay their taxes on time. prgtoken Here is my question: Why, on their very first day legislating with their new majority, with their very first bill, is the top priority rewarding tax cheats with what is estimated prgtoken to be nearly $200 billion in uncollected taxes over the next 10 years, $200 billion in taxes not paid by the wealthiest, meaning additional debt for everyone else? prgtoken The Inflation Reduction Act dedicated $46 billion to enforcement to make sure corporations and wealthy individuals pay the taxes they owe, not new taxes, not higher rates, simply ensuring everyone pays what they owe. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to oppose this outrageous tax scam.