mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CLOTURE MOTION
Alex Padilla (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-7-21

1 year ago this week, our Nation lost a giant, a man with a righteous purpose and a remarkable legacy, John Robert Lewis, who dedicated his life to the cause of justice. prgtoken From Troy, AL, to a bridge in Selma, to the Halls of this very Congress, he put his body on the line for every American's sacred right to vote. prgtoken John Lewis never stopped fighting because he understood that democracy is a commitment we have to make again and again and again. As he wrote in the last days of his life: The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it. prgtoken John Lewis understood the power and the fragility of our multiracial democracy, because he did so much to build it in his lifetime. At the age of 25, he led peaceful protesters on a march through Alabama to demand their right to vote. As the world witnessed, they were attacked, gassed, and beaten by police officers. prgtoken They were attacked because the right to vote is power, and White supremacists feared the power of people of color exercising that right. But out of the pain and outrage over this Bloody Sunday came one of our country's greatest monuments to freedom, the Voting Rights Act of 1965. prgtoken For nearly 50 years, the Voting Rights Act stood as a guardian of our multiracial democracy. It outlawed literacy tests. It prohibited voting procedures that would deny or abridge the right to vote on account of race or color. It gave the U.S. Department of Justice the power to review any new voting rules in places with a history of voter suppression and to block rules with discriminatory effects. prgtoken Critically, the Voting Rights Act recognized the important role of the Federal Government in protecting the right to vote. It helped guarantee communities of color their rightful voice in our democracy. prgtoken Over time, the Voting Rights Act was reauthorized four times, including most recently in 2006, when Representative Lewis and a nearly unanimous Congress voted to affirm the continued need for its protections. That's right. Passage of the Voting Rights Act and every reauthorization of the Act was always on a bipartisan basis. prgtoken But in 2013, five conservative Justices of the Supreme Court overrode the bipartisan consensus of Congress. In spite of the voluminous record assembled by the Congress and the reality of the country around them, these five Justices effectively ended preclearance and gutted a key protection of the Voting Rights Act. prgtoken As the late Justice Ginsburg wrote in her dissent, it was ``like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.'' prgtoken Well, the storm of voter suppression is most certainly pouring over us now. prgtoken In 2020, in the midst of an ongoing global health pandemic, our Nation held one of the most successful and secure elections in our hist
DELIVERING FOR THE PEOPLE
Julia Brownley (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-7-21

. Madam , today, we mark 200 days of the 117th Congress and 200 days of delivering for the people. prgtoken From day one, House have prioritized the needs of everyday Americans, working families, and our children. We have delivered transformative, lifesaving legislation that focuses on our recovery from this pandemic. prgtoken The American Rescue Plan has been successful in getting shots in arms, workers back to work, and money in the pockets of families, and children back to school. This was one of the biggest jolts to our health and our economy in history, and we cannot let up on our efforts. prgtoken We must build on this momentum and pass President 's American Families Plan and the American Jobs Plan, and we must seize this moment, rebuild strong, and rebuild by making bold, sustained investments in our Nation and in our future.
Introductory Statement on S. 2412
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-7-21

I rise today to introduce the bipartisan ``Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screenings Act,'' which would protect access to annual mammograms by ensuring breast cancer screenings are covered through insurance for women starting at age 40. prgtoken With the exception of skin cancers, breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer in American women and second leading cause of cancer death in women behind lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2021, about 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women and about 43,600 women will die from breast cancer. prgtoken Fortunately, we're seeing the death rate for breast cancer go down with a decrease of 1 percent per year from 2013 to 2018. According to the American Cancer Society, this has been largely credited to earlier diagnosis of breast cancer through screening and patient awareness, in addition to improvements that have been achieved in breast cancer treatments. prgtoken Mammography has been the best test we have at finding breast cancer early, providing a better chance of survival after diagnosis. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, women with insurance coverage are more likely to report having had a mammogram in the past two years compared to uninsured women. But while regular breast cancer screenings have helped tremendously in the early detection of breast cancer, health insurance coverage of these screenings for women in their forties is at risk. prgtoken While leading medical groups, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Cancer Society, and the American College of Radiology support women having no-cost access to breast cancer screenings starting at age 40, the actual decision of coverage is typically determined using recommendations by an independent volunteer panel known as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). prgtoken Unfortunately, when USPSTF updated its breast screening guidelines in 2015 to recommend that women should start mammography screenings at age 50, health coverage without cost sharing was put in jeopardy for women in their 40s. prgtoken The ``Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screenings Act'' was first introduced shortly thereafter to postpone these recommendations that would have limited coverage for breast cancer screening. Congress has subsequently acted to extend this moratorium several times since then, most recently passing an extension in December 2020 that is set to expire January 1, 2023. prgtoken The benefits of screenings are clear, and we need to ensure that women in their forties continue to have coverage for, and access to, these screenings. To that end, we are reintroducing the ``Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screening Act'' to further protect access to mammography screenings that are covered at no cost to patients ages 40- 49. If passed, the current moratorium on USPSTF breast cancer screening guidelines
PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2021
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-7-21

I thank the chairman for yielding and for the cooperative work we have done on this bill, clean water bills, and many other issues. It is great to work with him and the committee. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of this legislation. The health effects that are known, are, you know, just a few things: cancer, kidney disease, pregnancy-related disorders, low birth weights, and immune system repression. But that is just what we know, so I guess we shouldn't worry about this too much. prgtoken Once it is in the environment, it breaks down. Once it is in your body, it doesn't go away. You get to certain levels and, then, you are going to start having these health effects. They are forever chemicals. prgtoken But, right now, there are no stringent requirements to test or monitor for PFAS. We don't know the extent of the pollution. prgtoken This bill is critical to address this legacy and public health risk and put us on a path to addressing the pervasive threat to our health, our citizens, and our environment. prgtoken I want to highlight a few sections that fall within the jurisdiction of my committee, the provisions which designate PFAS-related chemicals as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, CERCLA, commonly known as Superfund. prgtoken We did put in a very limited exemption, which goes to firefighting at airports. Right now, the foam they use contains PFAS, and if they follow the FAA rules, they won't have liability. But DOD, FAA, and others are researching alternatives for foam retardants, and hopefully, they won't have to use this stuff in the near future. prgtoken There are two Clean Water Act amendments that will limit the additional release of PFAS; the first by the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas), who has been very persistent on this issue, closing a Clean Water Act loophole for discharges. Today, companies can legally discharge almost unlimited quantities of PFAS-related chemicals into rivers, streams, and lakes because the EPA has not set limits for discharging into our aquatic environment. This is unacceptable. The gentleman's amendment will set statutory guidelines for the EPA to act and set those limits. prgtoken Section 17 prioritizes the industry sectors with the greatest likelihood of discharging harmful quantities. The gentleman did great work on this. We worked with wastewater utilities and industry representatives, and they agree with our approach. prgtoken I also rise in support of section 13, another Clean Water Act provision, by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Delgado), a member of my committee, to prevent our sewers from being dumping grounds. Industrial discharges can now be discharged into local municipal systems, and if it is not known, then they can't deal with it. They can't pretreat it, and they can't get it out. prgtoken So, I rise in strong support of this bill, and I thank everyone who participated in its
MARJORIE HASS LEAVING RHODES COLLEGE
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2021-7-21

. Madam , I rise today to wish the best good fortune to a transformational educator, Dr. Marjorie Hass, who is leaving as President of Rhodes College in Memphis to become President of the Council of Independent Colleges, a Washington-based association of independent colleges and universities. There she will be a leading voice in national discussions of issues in higher education. In her four years at Rhodes, Dr. Hass has inspired the students, faculty and staff to maintain the stellar reputation it has gained over 173 years as one of the nation's top liberal arts institutions. Trained as a philosopher and guided by her Jewish faith, Dr. Hass has been a thoughtful decision maker as a college president, maintaining high standards in leadership development and academics. In the last four years, Rhodes has been named one of the nation's most innovative liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report, a ``best value'' college by The Princeton Review, and Tennessee's best liberal arts college by Niche, the lifestyle and culture magazine. Dr. Hass taught philosophy for over a decade at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, where she also directed the Center for Ethics, and holds bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in philosophy from the University of Illinois--Champaign-Urbana. Before coming to Muhlenberg College, Dr. Hass served as president of Austin College in Sherman, Texas, where she worked to ensure talented students could succeed regardless of their financial background. Dr. Hass is married to Dr. Lawrence Hass, a former philosophy professor and sleight-of-hand magician, and she has two grown children, Cameron and Jessica. After her contributions to Rhodes and to our city, I look forward to seeing Dr. Hass testifying before the education committees on Capitol Hill in her new leadership position and wish her the best in this new chapter of her life.
CHILD TAX CREDIT
Lois Frankel (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-7-21

. Madam , I rise on the 200th day of the House delivering for the people. prgtoken Madam , over the years, I have had the opportunity to mentor young girls from hard-pressed families, and I will tell you this, they taught me more than I ever could teach them. And I learned that even with mothers working two jobs, there were weeks of just peanut butter in their pantry and having to move place to place just to find affordable rent. prgtoken That is why I celebrate the historic expansion of the child tax credit in the American Rescue package, because it has the power to lift millions of children out of poverty, give them the futures they deserve. It is going to help our families thrive and our economy to recover. We can build back better by lifting our children.
CLOTURE MOTION
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2021-7-21

I rise on the floor today to honor the legacy of one of the country's most cherished heroes and a very dear and close friend of mine, John Lewis. prgtoken This past Saturday marked 1 year since we said goodbye to Congressman Lewis. The pain of his loss is still very fresh for both my wife Marcelle and me, as it is for millions of Americans. prgtoken He wasn't just a moral giant and a guiding light for the world, he was, as he always told me, my brother, and I still have such a sense of emotion when I think of the time he introduced me as his brother. prgtoken For more than six decades, John Lewis served the United States with an unyielding belief that we could be better; that we have a responsibility to each other and the world to live up to our founding ideals. prgtoken John didn't spend his life fighting for or s; he fought for the rights of all Americans and the dignity of all human beings. prgtoken John's principles were so much bigger than party and politics. When he saw suffering, he tried to end it; whenever he saw injustice, he tried to correct it; and wherever good trouble was needed, he delivered it. prgtoken I knew John as more than just a generational leader; I knew him as a friend. And I can tell you that his dedication to justice was matched only by his fundamental decency as a person. prgtoken John and I served in Congress for more than 30 years. In those years, I witnessed a tremendous humility and empathy that defined his lifetime of public service. prgtoken Every day, John embodied the ideals he fought for through his unfailing generosity and dignity. So I consider John Lewis a brother, and it was an honor of a lifetime to have him consider me one too. prgtoken It is--I think when we walked down the street in Vermont, I just felt suddenly so much a person because I was walking beside John Lewis. prgtoken But people are seeing where he had walked. Many Americans know the stories of John's bravery in the face of brutality. He was beaten bloody, his bones broken, in the heroic efforts to bolster the ballot box for millions of Americans. prgtoken John wasn't just on the frontlines of our Nation's great civil rights movement; he was the frontline. John was there when the Freedom Riders were dragged off their buses and beaten and arrested; John was there to lead the march from--for freedom from Selma to Montgomery, AL; and John was there when millions of Americans gathered in Washington to proclaim to the country that the time for justice and equality was now. John Lewis put his body and soul on the line for the mighty movement that changed the world. prgtoken What fewer Americans may know is that John was beloved and respected by Members of both parties. It is because he believed in his heart that our Nation's greatest challenges must be faced together, regardless of party. When he stood there beside Lyndon Johnson as he signed the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, he
Introductory Statement on S. 2430
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-7-22

I rise to speak in support of the ``Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act,'' which I introduced today. Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. prgtoken Access to water has always been a major issue in California and throughout the Western United States. That issue has only become more pressing as climate change increases the risk of drought in the West. Right now, 87 percent of California is facing ``Extreme Drought'' conditions and 33 percent of the state is experiencing ``Exceptional Drought'' conditions, the most severe category. prgtoken A growing number of States, including California, have begun offering rebates to homeowners to improve the water efficiency of their homes. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware that they are required to pay federal income taxes on these rebates and are surprised to be stuck with that bill. Still other homeowners aware of the tax implications are disincentivized from making these efficiencies to their homes. prgtoken The ``Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act'' would exempt such State and local rebates for water conservation improvements, as well as improvements to better handle storm water runoff, from taxable income. This would eliminate the unexpected bill homeowners face, increasing the incentive to make these improvements, which benefit all of us. prgtoken I note that such State rebates for energy conservation improvements are already excluded from taxable income. Thus, my bill would simply put water conservation rebates on par with energy conservation rebates for tax treatment. prgtoken It is critical that Congress explore many ways to address climate change and mitigate the impacts that we are already seeing. Encouraging homeowners to make their properties more water-efficient is one way to do that. prgtoken I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill. Thank you, , and .
ABOLISHING THE FILIBUSTER
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-7-22

. And still I rise, , and I rise today to recognize the more than 50 Texas , State representatives, who have taken a stand for liberty and justice for all and who have traversed thousands of miles in the name of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. prgtoken I rise to commend and defend those who are making great sacrifices to protect free and fair elections. They have left their homes, they have left Texas, and they have come all the way to Washington, D.C. They have left their families. prgtoken Can you imagine having to leave your home and your family on short notice? prgtoken This is not something that they planned. This is not something that they had time to think through and to give all of the deliberations and considerations that one might give to leaving home for some extended period of time, and to be quite candid, not to know exactly how long they will be gone from home, some unknown extended period of time. They have left their homes, and they have left their families. They have left their children. prgtoken Can you imagine, , simply saying to your child that you have a duty to perform, an unexpected duty, not something that you wanted to do, but something that you know that you must do in the name of government of the people, by the people, and for the people and in the name of liberty and justice for all? prgtoken Leaving their children and coming to Washington, D.C some of them had to leave jobs. The Texas legislature doesn't pay a huge sum of money to go to serve, some $600 per month. prgtoken So they have left their homes, their families, and their jobs to come to Washington, D.C not to have a vacation and not to have time to simply socialize and enjoy themselves, they have come to Washington, D.C because they want to have those of us who have the ability to impact free and fair elections with H.R. 1, the For the People Act, to impact the ability to make sure that elections are properly protected and that the persons who are going to vote have equal access to the polls. They want us to pass H.R. 4, once we file it again, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, one that would advance voting rights, I might add. prgtoken So they have come here to appeal to us to protect liberty and justice for all when it comes to voting, to protect government of the people, by the people, and for the people because it is the vote that accords us this opportunity to govern in a fashion that Lincoln called to our attention in the Gettysburg Address. prgtoken They have come to Washington, D.C to the citadel of democracy in the United States of America, and they are prepared to stay as long as it takes so that they may do what many people would admire them for doing but not everyone would do. prgtoken They are here to break the quorum so that the Texas Statehouse cannot pass laws that are invidiously discriminating. Invidious discrimination is a term that I like very much because it me
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE JERRY LEWIS
Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-7-22

I thank Mr. Calvert for calling this Special Order in honor of our former colleague, Jerry Lewis. prgtoken As fellow Californians, we were his friends and know what a loss it is to us that he is now looking down on us. Maybe that is what is needed. That is the plus. prgtoken , I join my colleagues from California--again, thanking Mr. Calvert--to honor a fierce and fearless champion of the Golden State, our late cherished colleague, Congressman Jerry Lewis. prgtoken Jerry Lewis lived a life dedicated to California, from serving on the San Bernardino City School Board to his decade in the California Assembly to his 34 years representing Inland Empire communities in the U.S. Congress. prgtoken It was when he was in the assembly that I got to know him over 40 years ago. I was the chair of the Northern California ic Party, and he was on the committee of jurisdiction that was viewing legislation of concern to voter participation in our State. prgtoken He always had that smile. He was always very inviting of ideas, very welcoming. I was brand new in the political arena, had hardly been involved in California politics, and so his warm welcome then is something I always remember. When we served together in Congress, we both remembered it well. Jerry and I were friends, again, for a long time. prgtoken Then, in Congress, we served on the Appropriations Committee, where he took great pride in being chair of the full committee. How could it be that he was the first chair of the committee from California? He described it as a milestone beyond his wildest dreams. prgtoken Mr. Aguilar, who is here for bipartisan remembrances of Jerry, is part of the Appropriations Committee, and we had our own culture and bipartisanship there over the years. prgtoken Jerry took great pride in running the committee because he knew of its power to make a difference in the lives of the people he represented. It was always important to him to reach across the aisle because, in his words: ``The more we can talk to each other as individuals and human beings, the better off the institution is going to be and the more responsive it is going to be.'' prgtoken When we look around California, we see Jerry's legacy. We see it in the cancer research center he established at Loma Linda University Medical Center; in San Bernardino National Forest, which he helped to protect; and the Lewis Center for Educational Research, exploring the night sky. We see his monument in so many tributes that bear his name throughout his community, from Redlands to Riverside, Highland to Hesperia. prgtoken It is fitting that Californians were able to say good-bye to Jerry at the University of Redlands Chapel, in the community he so loved. prgtoken Jerry's unique voice, core values, and belief in the promise of America have made a difference for California and, indeed, for our country. prgtoken May it be a comfort to Jerry's wife, Arlene; their children, Jenifer, Jerry Jr.