mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020
Andy Levin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-11-20

I wish to emphasize the importance of apprenticeship standards that safeguard apprentices' welfare with unions who have helped negotiate and protect them for many, many years. prgtoken These standards are critically important to the success of the national apprenticeship system, which is why I introduced the Strengthening Training and Accessibility for New and Diverse Apprenticeships through Relevant and Dependable Standards Act, or the STANDARDS Act for short. prgtoken I am pleased that the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 incorporates my bill, which protects the rights of workers who participate in apprenticeships. prgtoken The language of this amendment is perfectly clear. It says that grant applicants should partner with an industry or sector partnership and a labor or joint labor-management organization to the extent practicable. prgtoken Yet, interests hostile to unions are once again using scare tactics to claim, falsely, that my amendment will prevent industry organizations from securing apprenticeship grants under the legislation unless in all cases they partner with unions, even when there are no unions in the geographic area or part of an industry partnership. prgtoken This is not what the amendment says. prgtoken Opponents of this amendment are bending the truth for ideological reasons. They know, and a plain reading of the text makes crystal clear, that this amendment does not mandate that every applicant partner with a union to access grant funding, full stop. It is asking them to make reasonable efforts to include unions in the sectors and areas where they are carrying out an apprenticeship program, again, to the extent practicable. prgtoken The National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 includes the PARTNERS Act, led prgtoken by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Drew Ferguson, Susan Davis, and Brett Guthrie. That bipartisan legislation--again, included in this act--is built around industry or sector partnerships, which include unions. prgtoken Despite this, opponents are zeroing in on this amendment, saying it discriminates against apprenticeship programs that don't have union partnerships. prgtoken Trade associations are arguing the term ``to the extent practicable'' is legally ambiguous or could be interpreted incorrectly by the incoming administration. prgtoken Let's set the record straight. The term ``practicable'' has been used in major legislation for decades. It is in the bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA, which was introduced by the ranking on the Education and Labor subcommittee that has jurisdiction over it. It is used 10 separate times in the bill we are considering. We all know what it means. prgtoken The attack on this amendment isn't about the requirements for a grant program. It is about the inclusion of the word ``labor'' in a bill to be carried out by the U.S. Department of Labor. prgtoken Anyone who reads this amendment can see clearly what it
AMERICANS NEED RELIEF
Ann M. Kuster (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2020-11-20

I rise today to urge my colleagues and leadership in Congress to reach a compromise and pass much-needed relief as our country continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken The dramatic rise in cases and deaths are alarming and require a strong and urgent response from the Federal Government to continue supporting our local response across this country. prgtoken We must extend critical unemployment assistance to the thousands of Granite Staters who have lost their jobs and will see their benefits expire the day after Christmas. prgtoken We must provide relief for our State and local governments that have spent millions of dollars responding to this pandemic and are facing devastating budget shortfalls when the legislature reconvenes in January. prgtoken Small businesses, especially restaurants, continue to face the negative economic consequences of this pandemic, and Congress must renew critical portions of the bipartisan CARES Act that served as a lifeline for our business community. prgtoken The House has already passed two comprehensive pieces of legislation, and I was proud to support these bills. We need to see real action and leadership from the Senate and the outgoing administration to get the job done.
RECOGNIZING URBAN PARTNERS LOS ANGELES
Jimmy Gomez (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-11-20

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Urban Partners Los Angeles (UPLA), a nonprofit in the Koreatown/Westlake neighborhoods dedicated to providing food and educational resources to underserved and underprivileged communities in the city. prgtoken Since the organization's founding in 1995, Urban Partners' free programs and services--everything from educational courses and tutoring to food distributions and assistance--have filled critical gaps and addressed the needs of Angelinos throughout Los Angeles. UPLA has since become a critical lifeline to the community. prgtoken This could not ring truer than during the COVID-19 pandemic, where UPLA's staff and volunteers were on the frontlines, distributing over 9,000 bags of groceries to more than 4,500 families during the onset of the crisis. Even now, volunteers tirelessly work to distribute over 50,000 pounds of food to 1,000 families, ensuring no one leaves empty handed. prgtoken It is also because of those at the helm of UPLA, like Executive Director and Board President Rochelle McAdam and volunteer Executive Director and Board Member Trinity Tran, and their dedication of heart and hand to the community that food-insecure individuals and families in Los Angeles are not left behind and do not go hungry. prgtoken We are truly grateful to UPLA's board members, staff, and volunteers for their fierce advocacy of those the organization serves, their empowering work of community building, and the love of community they continue to show week after week.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020
Devin Nunes (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-11-20

. Madam , unfortunately, I was detained and unable to cast my vote for the two amendments and passage of H.R. 8294, the National Apprenticeship Act. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner ``nay'' on rollcall No. 225, ``yea'' on rollcall no. 226, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 227. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 965, 116th Congress Barragan (Beyer) Beatty (Fudge) Blumenauer (Beyer) Bonamici (Clark (MA)) Boyle, Brendan F. (Jeffries) Brownley (CA) (Clark (MA)) Bustos (Kuster (NH)) Carson (IN) (Cleaver) Castro (TX) (Garcia (TX)) Cisneros (Correa) Clay (Cleaver) Cohen (Beyer) Costa (Cooper) Courtney (Hayes) DeGette (Blunt Rochester) DeSaulnier (Matsui) Doyle, Michael F. (Cartwright) Escobar (Garcia (TX)) Frankel (Clark (MA)) Garamendi (Sherman) Gonzalez (TX) (Gomez) Grijalva (Garcia (IL)) Hastings (Wasserman Schultz) Higgins (NY) (Sanchez) Jayapal (Raskin) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Keating (Kuster (NH)) Kind (Beyer) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Langevin (Lynch) Larson (CT) (Hayes) Lawrence (Kildee) Lawson (FL) (Demings) Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Lofgren (Jeffries) Lowenthal (Beyer) Lowey (Jeffries) McEachin (Wexton) Meng (Kuster (NH)) Moore (Beyer) Nadler (Jeffries) Napolitano (Correa) Norcross (Sires) Payne (Wasserman Schultz) Perlmutter (Neguse) Peterson (McCollum) Pingree (Kuster (NH)) Pocan (Raskin) Porter (Wexton) Price (NC) (Butterfield) Rooney (FL) (Beyer) Rose (NY) (Golden) Roybal-Allard (Bass) Ruiz (Dingell) Rush (Underwood) Ryan (Kildee) Schrier (Kilmer) Serrano (Jeffries) Speier (Scanlon) Titus (Connolly) Tonko (Morelle) Vargas (Correa) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Welch (McGovern) Wilson (FL) (Hayes)
ISSUES OF THE DAY
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2020-11-20

we have had an interesting week. Not a lot of critical votes have taken place. It was more of an organizational week we have had here. At the same time, the country's election hangs in the balance. prgtoken I think it is important to take a step back in history, though. It is very interesting when you look back and see what things have happened in the past that maybe affected our future. prgtoken Here is an article from _ Michigander published by RedState: Don't let Soros and the ``Secretary of State Project'' take over your State. In 2010, the Secretary of State Project is so far targeting Michigan, California, Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio, and Minnesota. This post is Michigan specific, but look at the list of donors to a State level Michigan downticket race. Chances are this is happening in your state, too. prgtoken The article says: You know comrades, says Stalin, that I think in regard to this: I consider it completely unimportant who in the party will vote, or how; but what is extraordinarily important is this--who will count the votes, and how. That is from Boris Bazhanov's, ``Memoirs of Stalin's Former Secretary.'' Boss Tweed says, As long as I count the votes, what are you going to do about it? Some of the most overlooked and ultra-important positions in this state, talking about Michigan, are those who run the elections. Those are the county clerk, township/city clerk, and the secretary of state's office. It takes the work of these offices and their staffs to run the elections and make sure the process is above board--and, again, this is 10 years ago, 2010--competent, and with integrity. Livingston County does a great job with its Bureau of Elections. While these positions shouldn't be politicized, at least when it comes to elections, they are in a big way, and this politicization is coming to Michigan. Some people don't like it when their boys don't make the rules of the game. First and foremost is the benefactor of the , convicted insider trader George Soros, the man who broke the Bank of England. Much like his counterparts at Goldman Sachs, he makes a killing off of speculating, and what better way of doing that than by controlling elections. Other rich leftist democrats also wanted to get their people elected in their attempt to control our lives. Their project is called the Secretary of State Project. Its goal is to get their type of democrats in charge, and then look the other way when ACORN and PIRG to commit voter fraud, rigging the election for the democrats. They had some success in 2006. . . . prgtoken And people can go online and find back in 2006 a report that George Soros and were going to be funding elections and selections of people, who would be in
CELEBRATING NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-11-20

I rise today as a founder of the Service Organization Caucus to celebrate National Philanthropy Day, an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many acts of kindness and service that individuals and organizations across this Nation do each day. prgtoken Serving others has always been a passion of mine. From being a volunteer firefighter to being involved in scouting, I have always believed it is my duty to give back. prgtoken Service plays a key role in supporting and uplifting our communities. The amazing service and philanthropic organizations across the Nation that give countless hours serving others and doing their part deserve a big thank you. prgtoken I am honored to co-chair the Service Organization Caucus with my colleague and friend, Congressman Panetta of California. prgtoken I encourage everyone to do their part in honor of National Philanthropy Day. To my colleagues, I invite you to join me on this service caucus where we can work together from both sides of the aisle to promote and to support our local volunteer service organizations.
RECOGNIZING THE DAHL BROTHERS
Jefferson Van Drew (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2020-11-20

I would like to recognize two senior airmen, brothers from south Jersey whose commitment to this country and their family embody all that makes America so amazing. prgtoken Thomas ``Jeff'' Dahl, Jr and Charles Dahl are the sons of Lieutenant Colonel Tom and Jennifer Dahl. prgtoken Jeff joined the New Jersey Air Force National Guard in January 2018 as a fuel systems apprentice and currently attends Rutgers University in New Jersey. prgtoken Charles Dahl joined the National Guard in May 2019 as a munitions assistant apprentice. prgtoken Both men are avid and well-known outdoorsmen, and they are committed to their community and south Jersey. prgtoken These young men are in the pool to deploy with the 177th Fighter Wing in 2021. This carries on a family legacy of combat deployments going back to their grandfather, who deployed to Korea, and their father, who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. prgtoken Men, you inspire all of us with your lives and the future that I know will be an inspiration for many others. I was happy to crash your party that day and get to know you just a little bit better. prgtoken God bless you, God bless what you do, God bless your bravery, and God bless the United States of America.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
Tim Burchett (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-11-20

November is National Adoption Month, and I rise in celebration of all the families created and strengthened through the selfless act of adoption. prgtoken Adoption has united countless children with loving, caring parents, and every child deserves to grow up in a safe home. Many children have had their lives significantly improved by adoptive parents seeking to raise them as their own. prgtoken Adoption is a powerful act, , and devoted parents are essential to any child's development and success. prgtoken My wife, Kelly, was a widow when we married. Soon after, I adopted her daughter, Isabel, and she is wonderful, , just like her mama. Being a father has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and I will ever be thankful to both Kelly and Isabel for letting me be a part of their family. prgtoken I am proud to stand on the floor of the House of Representatives, Mr today to honor all the families, including my own, that have gone through the adoption process. Folks adopt children for any number of reasons, but above all else, they do it out of love. I am the luckiest human on the face of the Earth, .
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020
Lloyd Smucker (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-11-20

since March, America's workers have faced unprecedented volatility and uncertainty. Even before that, even before the pandemic when unemployment rates were at record lows, there was still a significant skills gap to close. prgtoken We have a responsibility here in Congress to create real solutions for Americans, pathways and programs that will jump-start and enhance their careers and allow them to provide for themselves and for their families. prgtoken Knowing all this, I am dismayed that we would squander such an opportunity as we have today to help Americans in need. We have a real opportunity with this bill. There is strong bipartisan support for apprenticeships in this body, and s and both are claiming they want to increase the number of apprenticeships available in this country and expand apprenticeships into new industries. prgtoken Unfortunately, this bill falls woefully short in both of these categories, but I have an amendment that would fix that. This amendment would fix that. This amendment makes necessary improvements to achieve the goals of modernization and reinvigoration of the national apprenticeship system, changes that will increase opportunities for workers and help bolster the Nation's economic recovery. prgtoken Unlike the many hollow claims put forward by my colleagues about their proposal, this amendment expands the number of apprenticeship opportunities in the registered model rather than permanently limiting them by locking in the problems of a decade's-old system. My amendment provides program sponsors with the necessary resources and freedom to effectively instruct apprentices on the job. prgtoken While the underlying legislation piles on requirements that obstruct first-time sponsors and small businesses from participating, this substitute makes room for them so that the registered apprenticeship program is ripe with opportunities for prospective apprentices from a variety of employers. This amendment allows for innovation beyond the traditional registered system, as well, to ensure that apprenticeship offerings will be able to grow and change as quickly as our employment market demands. prgtoken Work-based learning is one of the most promising paths forward for workers seeking to find or enhance their careers. Such opportunities meet workers where they are, place them in dynamic learning environments, and develop their skills and competencies. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this amendment that would transform the registered apprenticeship program into a modern program generating opportunities for American workers without the red tape and roadblocks found in the underlying bill. prgtoken .
RECOGNIZING SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2020-11-20

we have a lot to be thankful for in this country: the opportunity to raise our families, our freedom, our servicemembers and law enforcement who protect us, and the opportunity for prosperity and success. Many people come to America for exactly these reasons, to pursue that dream. prgtoken This year, so many self-made Americans are struggling to keep their small businesses afloat. COVID-19 relief and leftover PPP funds continue to be held onto in this Chamber. prgtoken Next Saturday, November 28, is Small Businesses Saturday, an opportunity for all of us to support the small businesses and the dreams of our fellow citizens that own them. If we all collectively make a conscious effort to shop small for our holiday gifts, we can help these local store owners in our neighborhoods pull through these difficult times this winter. prgtoken Our small businesses are doing everything they can to stay open for their employees, and we really owe it to them and their futures to help them do so. We can be part of that by patronizing their businesses, not only this coming Saturday, November 28, but all through the year.
CONGRATULATING JIM GALLOWAY
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-11-20

I rise today to congratulate and honor Jim Galloway on his retirement from The Atlanta Journal- Constitution. prgtoken He most recently served as AJC's political columnist and has been a writer and editor there for over 41 years. prgtoken Jim knows Atlanta like the back of his hand, and he covered some of its most prominent figures and events. prgtoken He was responsible for creating the AJC's Political Insider Blog, which is one of the south's most influential political news sites. prgtoken Starting in 1992, Jim led the newspaper's Presidential coverage. He also covered various topics on religion, and even led the AJC foreign desk. prgtoken I am thankful for Jim's many years of dedication to reporting in an honest and balanced manner, and I wish him the best as he begins his retirement.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-11-20

from Pennsylvania for his work on the committee, which has been excellent, and for his work on this bill and this amendment, in particular. prgtoken , the National Apprenticeship Act has remained untouched for the last 80 years, until today. The legislation we put forward now should modernize the registered apprenticeship system and create forward-thinking solutions for the American workforce. prgtoken This amendment makes real reforms to the registered apprenticeship system, sparks innovation, expands opportunities, and encourages alternate pathways for apprentices and employers. prgtoken Who knows better what the workforce needs than employers? prgtoken Washington bureaucrats have run the one-size-fits-all system for decades, and far too many businesses still choose not to participate because it simply isn't workable for them. This means job opportunities are left on the table because the current system isn't built for success, opportunities we cannot afford to close the door on if our workforce is going to recover from the damage done by the pandemic. prgtoken If we want the registered apprenticeship system to adapt to the ever- changing needs of the economy and workforce, we need to provide employers a seat at the table in making a model that actually addresses the skills gap. prgtoken This amendment eliminates the barriers that have developed over time in the current system, creates parity between union and nonunion- sponsored programs, and makes it easier for everyone to participate, particularly the small businesses and sponsors who have been shut out before. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2020
William R. Timmons IV (Republican, SC) \u2014 2020-11-20

. Madam , I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 226. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 965, 116th Congress Barragan (Beyer) Beatty (Fudge) Blumenauer (Beyer) Bonamici (Clark (MA)) Boyle, Brendan F. (Jeffries) Brownley (CA) (Clark (MA)) Bustos (Kuster (NH)) Carson (IN) (Cleaver) Castro (TX) (Garcia (TX)) Cisneros (Correa) Clay (Cleaver) Cohen (Beyer) Costa (Cooper) Courtney (Hayes) DeGette (Blunt Rochester) DeSaulnier (Matsui) Doyle, Michael F. (Cartwright) Escobar (Garcia (TX)) Frankel (Clark (MA)) Garamendi (Sherman) Gonzalez (TX) (Gomez) Grijalva (Garcia (IL)) Hastings (Wasserman Schultz) Higgins (NY) (Sanchez) Jayapal (Raskin) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Keating (Kuster (NH)) Kind (Beyer) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Langevin (Lynch) Larson (CT) (Hayes) Lawrence (Kildee) Lawson (FL) (Demings) Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Lofgren (Jeffries) Lowenthal (Beyer) Lowey (Jeffries) McEachin (Wexton) Meng (Kuster (NH)) Moore (Beyer) Nadler (Jeffries) Napolitano (Correa) Norcross (Sires) Payne (Wasserman Schultz) Perlmutter (Neguse) Peterson (McCollum) Pingree (Kuster (NH)) Pocan (Raskin) Porter (Wexton) Price (NC) (Butterfield) Rose (NY) (Golden) Roybal-Allard (Bass) Ruiz (Dingell) Rush (Underwood) Ryan (Kildee) Schrier (Kilmer) Serrano (Jeffries) Speier (Scanlon) Titus (Connolly) Tonko (Morelle) Vargas (Correa) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Welch (McGovern) Wilson (FL) (Hayes)
IN RECOGNITION OF LAUREN GAYDOS
Brett Guthrie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-11-20

. Madam , I rise today to give my sincere thanks to Lauren Gaydos, who recently ended her four-year tenure with my office. While it is a loss for our staff, I am grateful for her time serving the constituents of my district and wish her all the best in her next chapter. prgtoken Lauren began her Washington, D.C. career as an intern in the House of Representatives and was quickly promoted to a full-time staff position during her senior year of college at the Catholic University of America. Being a dedicated public servant, she continued her Capitol Hill career by working for the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. In 2016, she began working in my office as the communications director. Lauren has been devoted to the Second District of Kentucky since her first day, and, her commitment to serving Kentuckians will be missed.