mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
SETTING FORTH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--Continued
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-2-3

one thing you can say about Americans, we know how to meet the moment. prgtoken When the world was upended by a Great Depression and a quarter of our people were out of work, we took bold action. A brandnew President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and large majorities in Congress ushered in a New Deal that put folks back to work, stabilized our economy, and invested in America's future. prgtoken When freedom abroad was threatened by fascism, we again took bold action as a country. We used American ingenuity to build an arsenal of democracy, which, by the middle of 1944, was churning out B-24 bombers every 60 minutes at Ford's Willow Run plant in Michigan. prgtoken Now is the time again to take bold action on behalf of the American people. We are now a year into a pandemic that has claimed the lives of nearly 450,000 Americans--450,000 Americans--parents and grandparents and friends and neighbors and cousins and coworkers and community leaders. Almost 15,000 lives have already been lost in Michigan--dear souls lost to us. prgtoken And it is not just lives that have been lost. Businesses have closed, workers have been laid off, folks have been without paychecks for months and months. prgtoken Parents are struggling to keep food on the table and the heat on while troubleshooting the spotty internet their children depend on to keep their classes going on Zoom. prgtoken And grandmas and grandpas are missing out on seeing their families grow up. Babies born last March are already learning to walk and talk, and too many have not had a chance to be with them in person. prgtoken Americans know how to meet the moment, and it is time for us to do it again. It is time to pass a rescue plan bold enough to stamp out this pandemic, get families the immediate help they need to weather the economic crisis, and get our children safely back in school. prgtoken That is just what our American Rescue Plan will do, and we need to get it done as soon as possible. American families have waited long enough. prgtoken There are a lot of good things happening right now. A home COVID-19 test was just approved. Soon we will have three effective vaccines available. We know that we can't get back to normal, though, or revive our battered economy unless we get vaccine off shelves and into American arms. prgtoken That is why our plan will increase the number of people being vaccinated, boost our testing capacity, and ensure that our healthcare professionals and other frontline workers have adequate protective equipment. prgtoken The plan will also provide additional funding for rural health infrastructure through the agriculture portion of our bill, which I am so pleased to lead. prgtoken Our rural hospitals are struggling to survive right now like places where I grew up in Northern Michigan. This funding will help them keep their doors open, purchase necessary supplies, vaccinate more people, and treat more patients via telehealth, which h
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-2-3

I happily rise in support of this joint budget resolution for fiscal year 2021 to enact our President 's American Rescue Plan and provide urgently needed COVID-19 relief. prgtoken Thank God for President . We have been without a plan with a President who was busy trying to steal votes and abandon the American people when he knew that we were suffering. prgtoken Communities across the Nation continue to suffer during this pandemic crisis. Congress has a duty to act and come to the aid of struggling individuals, families, and small businesses. prgtoken , this is not about giving tax breaks to the richest people in America the way the past President and the s are intent on always doing. prgtoken President 's plan provides the relief that America needs so badly. The plan increases the stimulus payments to individuals in December to $2,000, adding $1,400 for every individual; extends enhanced unemployment assistance; and provides nutritional assistance to address growing hunger. prgtoken , people are hungry all over America. They are hungry in the cities, in the little towns, in the rural areas. This plan provides nutritional assistance to address this growing hunger and includes $350 billion in funding for State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments. prgtoken , as chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, I have been sounding the alarm about the urgent need for emergency rental and homeless assistance during this crisis, as millions are at risk of losing their homes. They don't care on the other side whether families will be set out on the sidewalks with their children. The past President turned a blind eye to the fact that people have not been able to pay their rents since March. prgtoken , pursuant to this resolution, my committee will quickly consider an additional $25 billion to support renters and their landlords, including by funding emergency housing vouchers, Tribal housing assistance, and rural housing. We will provide another round of funding for people experiencing homelessness, who are often the most vulnerable to the pandemic. prgtoken , my committee will also quickly respond to the urgent needs of small and minority-owned businesses by establishing programs used successfully during the financial crisis to promote growth in the economy.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-2-3

. from Pennsylvania. I won't be that long Organizing Resolution prgtoken , in addition to the organizing resolution to which the leader and I have now agreed, Leader McConnell and I would like to engage in a colloquy regarding certain understandings we have reached on two related issues. prgtoken First, I have discussed with the leader concerns that have been raised by many Senators about the floor procedure known as ``filling the amendment tree.'' At various points over the last several decades, Senators have been prevented from actively participating in the legislative process because the ability of Senators to offer and receive votes on amendments has been severely restricted. I appreciate and understand those concerns, and I want to assure Senators that it is my intention to have active and dynamic debates on the many issues and crises facing our Nation today. The 117th Congress will not shirk from the important issues; rather, we will discuss and debate legislative solutions to them. I am a strong supporter of the right of Senators to offer amendments and commit to increase dramatically the number of Member-initiated amendments offered in the 117th Congress. I am also opposed to limiting amendments by ``filling the tree'' unless dilatory measures prevent the Senate from taking action and leave no alternative. Senators from both sides will be able to offer amendments. That is how we will operate in the 117th Congress under the new ic majority.
HOUSE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF VIRAL DISEASES
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-2-3

. Madam , I rise today to introduce a House Resolution calling for the establishment of a new unit of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to be known as The National Institute of Viral Diseases, to increase federal research in the field of viral diseases. As viral diseases are unique to infectious diseases, we must strengthen our scientific understanding and the government's role in discovering viral diseases causes, prevention and treatments. prgtoken I am introducing this resolution to build upon our federal governments' investment in scientific research and to consider expanding the scope of NIH's excellent work. Through my Appropriations Committee work across various subcommittees, I have become increasingly concerned that federal funding in the field of biomedical sciences in particular, has lagged behind the clinical work of NIH and the physical sciences of the National Science Foundation. Research methodology takes a unique approach, and as our nation continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, there is a need for more investment in biomedical research related to viral diseases. prgtoken The benefits of federal funding for biomedical sciences can be seen beyond just the patients whose lives are saved. In 2012, Dr. Francis Collins the Director of the NIH cited data that shows for every $1 of NIH health research funding, it returns $2.21 in goods and services in a single year. Additionally, according to analysis by Families USA, every NIH grant generates an average of seven high-quality jobs. Investing in science pushes the boundaries of taxpayer dollars and delivers positive outcomes for consumers.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-2-3

such time as I may consume. prgtoken I would agree with all of those economists who say go target, go big, and go targeted. In fact, that is what has said again and again. prgtoken I think his speech on the American Recovery Act was extraordinarily targeted, and while this budget reconciliation bill is the big picture, we all know that by the time we pass those individual budgets, they will be targeted at the most granular level. prgtoken And to my friend, Mr. Estes, with whom I serve on Ways and Means, I am glad that Kansas is doing well. I don't know the answer to this, but I would go back and see how it is going in Wichita and some of those local governments. prgtoken I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), one of the leaders in so many different ways of the U.S. House of Representatives, the former mayor of Providence.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-2-3

the past year has tested America's resolve and steeled our character. We enter a new year optimistic with still much work before us. prgtoken The pandemic has taken much from us, but it has also shown us the best of our country: Americans helping one another through acts of charity and kindness; health workers going nonstop to treat, test, trace, and vaccinate; teachers, firefighters, police, and sanitation workers serving the public at great risk to their own health. prgtoken Vaccines are being distributed and administered. Hope is in sight. But many Americans are still in peril, and Congress must act. prgtoken President 's American Rescue Plan is the bold initiative which meets this critical moment. Now is the time to go big, to guarantee every family has food and shelter over their heads; to safely get our children back into the classrooms; to protect our small businesses, restaurants, and workers who braved this pandemic; and to invest in prgtoken our State and local communities that have fought this virus on the front lines. prgtoken I strongly urge my colleagues to support this budget resolution. Only through bold action can we crush this virus, return to normal, and build a stronger Nation.
SETTING FORTH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--Continued
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2021-2-3

again, I would just like to correct what my colleague is saying. We do not use foreign aid money to perform abortions overseas. In fact, a poll conducted by CHANGE, Center for Health and Gender Equity, demonstrates that 59 percent of likely voters--if we want to talk about polls--59 percent of likely voters in America oppose banning U.S. global health assistance going to organizations in other countries that provide legal and safe abortions or abortion referrals. Only 30 percent support this policy. prgtoken Research published in the Lancet medical journal last July found that the global gag rule under President --which was implemented on an exponentially smaller scale than what was done by President and what is proposed in the law that my colleague from Utah is asking for unanimous consent to put forward, that kind of reduction in access to services increases a country's typical abortion rate by 40 percent while reducing the use of modern contraceptives by 3.5 percent. prgtoken See, this is what happens when you don't base policy decisions on scientific data. You get these kinds of narratives that are absolutely inaccurate. What we know and what is repeatedly evident through the research is that the global gag rule or, as my colleague calls it, protecting life in global health assistance, actually increases abortions. prgtoken It is, unfortunately, simple logic. Decreasing access to family planning methods like modern contraception, counseling, and the health spacing and timing of pregnancies, directly leads to more unwanted pregnancies. But because this policy also limits abortion services that organizations provide with other non-U.S. funds, women with unwanted pregnancies are forced to seek out unsafe abortions. That is why we see the abortion numbers increase. So it is a lose-lose policy, and, of course, it is women and children who pay the price. prgtoken The Foundation for AIDS Research found that one-third of 286 PEPFAR Programs implementing partners who were surveyed had altered their services or organizational operations in response to the global gag rule under former President --a great program, PEPFAR, under , that has saved millions of lives, and yet what we saw under the implementation of the global gag rule is that they had to alter the services that they provided, including reducing sexual and reproductive health and pregnancy counseling, youth outreach, contraception services, and HIV counseling, testing, and treatment. prgtoken The policies that my colleague is advocating for makes the situation worse for women and families, and if he would look at the scientific data, he would understand that. prgtoken .
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Raúl M. Grijalva (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2021-2-3

I rise in strong support of the budget resolution and reality that is before us today. This resolution provides relief to the American people that has been needed and required for over a year. prgtoken I want to thank Pelosi, leader Hoyer, whip Clyburn and, of course, Chairman Yarmuth for the fine work he and his committee did in preparing this resolution to respond to the urgency before the American people. prgtoken As we have seen in the Natural Resources Committee, the effects of the pandemic, COVID-19, have been devastating to many populations across this country. It has particularly and severely impacted indigenous people and Tribes across this country disproportionately, four times higher than the national average in people that have been infected, and the mortality rate is reflected in the same way. prgtoken This resolution provides $20 billion for Tribal Governments, $5.8 billion for Indian Health Service, $900 million to assist Tribal Governments to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate programs for their communities, and provides adequate and necessary funding to Indian Health Service and providing a level of equity to the question of relief that has to be central in everything we do. prgtoken In addition, at the recommendation of the House Natural Resources Committee, to ensure that we can deal with a pandemic in the making, the package contains funding for tools to limit dangerous wildlife trade and monitor wildlife-borne diseases at home and abroad. prgtoken I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I thank the chairman for the time and his hard work.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-2-3

. Reclaiming my time, , we have passed four major pieces of legislation. They weren't partisan pieces of legislation. They weren't rushed through by and, in fact, a President had to sign all four of those bills. The first one, an $8.3 billion bill, four times what the President asked for, but ultimately, he said, yes, we need that much, and that was way, way, way too little. But we thought it was a huge sum of money at that point in time. It passed 415-2. prgtoken On March 14, we passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, 363-40. prgtoken On March 27, just a few days--this is all within weeks of one another, we passed the CARES Act, about $2 trillion, voice vote, $2 trillion, about the same amount as this bill suggests. Frankly, since that time, we have had hundreds of thousands of Americans die from COVID, and our economy go up and down, but now it is tanking, and we are all concerned about that. prgtoken came to the House when I was majority leader the first time and said, we need $700 billion, actually, a little more than that, $700 billion to loan to big banks. Loan to big banks? And Ben Bernanke, then the chair of the Federal Reserve said, if you don't do it, we are going to go into a depression. prgtoken So what happened, , was carried that bill for , a President, and s gave him one-third of their votes, their President--he was our President, but theirs in the sense he was a . prgtoken So I am a little frustrated when I hear, well, we can't do this because we passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, very controversial, a big bill, 388-5. Now, what does that tell you? What does it tell the American people? That there was a consensus that it is a crisis in America that there is no example for it in the past. And so we need to move. prgtoken We had an election. The President of the United States said we had to move, and we passed a $900-plus billion bill, and the President said, by the way, it wasn't enough. He wanted to see more. He wanted to see substantially more in payments to the American people because they were struggling. prgtoken So, , this is a continuation of what has, throughout the year--we are not yet at the year, the first year of COVID, and so far, we have dealt with it in a bipartisan way, and robustly, because of the magnitude of the challenge. prgtoken People are suffering from the most severe public health emergency in our lifetimes and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and they are looking to Washington for help. prgtoken After we enacted, , the CARES Act in March 2020 to get American workers, businesses, and communities through the spring and summer months, the administration and -controlled Senate hit the pause button. prgtoken We passed the Heroes Act May 15. We then waited and waited and tried to negotiate. Mr. McConnell said,
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Scott H. Peters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-2-3

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken When Congress passed the emergency COVID bill in December, we knew more resources would be needed to fight the virus and provide additional relief for many Americans who have been devastated financially. Now we are working to accomplish that by March 14 when the enhanced unemployment benefits will expire. prgtoken I fully support the beginning of the process of budget reconciliation because we need to start the clock. In my prgtoken experience in Congress, and yours, too, we all know that this place works much better with a deadline. prgtoken However, I would hope that we can respond to this challenge in a bipartisan way as we did last March and again in December, and maybe this proposal could be better targeted. prgtoken I am encouraged by the $600 billion proposal of 10 Senators. Some have scoffed at this offer, called it an insult, or dismissed it as not serious. I don't agree with that. $600 billion is a lot of money, but it is not adequate for the task at hand. We need more help to open schools and to keep people housed. State and local governments need assistance to prevent more layoffs and make up for lost revenue, and we should stop guessing how long we will need unemployment and food assistance. prgtoken As the New Coalition has advocated from the beginning, we should enact automatic triggers to keep them flowing and then shut them off according to economic conditions. prgtoken Our biggest challenge as a nation is not one particular issue, but the deep division among us here in Congress and among citizens across America. Bipartisanship has intrinsic value and we should prioritize it. But today's action will ensure that we have a relief package on time no matter the politics. This is a step we have to take.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-2-3

I rise today in support of the budget resolution and the American rescue plan proposed by President . It is, without question, a necessary next step in our fight against the coronavirus pandemic. prgtoken Just last month, roughly 100,000 Americans lost their lives to COVID. To date, we have lost more than 430,000 Americans to this virus. Included in this number is over 15,000 Michiganders. Millions of Americans have become sick as a result of this deadly virus, and far too many people in Michigan and across the country are suffering from the unprecedented economic crisis that this pandemic has caused. Families are struggling to put food on the table and to put a roof over their heads and just to pay bills. prgtoken The relief package that was passed in December provided important emergency relief, but it didn't go nearly far enough. I had the honor of meeting with President and Vice President today at the White House to discuss the need to work together and to act boldly and quickly to deliver urgently needed support. prgtoken More than 120 economists are pressing Congress to pass the sweeping relief package, and the danger is not going big but rather failing to meet the urgency of the moment. These 120 economists wrote: ``History shows that what prgtoken our nation cannot afford is inaction or timidity in the face of what many consider to be the greatest economic disaster since the Great Depression.'' prgtoken It is clear to me that we must extend unemployment benefits to those who are out of work through no fault of their own. We must pass an additional $1,400 in stimulus payments to individuals. We must provide more food assistance to ensure that no child or family goes hungry because of this crisis, and we must ensure small businesses can stay afloat. prgtoken We must provide more funding to speed up the distribution of vaccines so that we can get more vaccines in the arms of Americans quickly, safely, and equitably. And we must provide more resources so that schools can reopen safely under the guidance of public health officials and experts. prgtoken We must deliver relief to communities on the frontlines of COVID- response efforts and make sure that they are not forced to cut essential services for residents or lay off health professionals or teachers or firefighters or law enforcement officials. We must replenish the disaster relief fund, which will help give our cash- strapped State and local governments the resources they need to pay for personal protection equipment, aid in vaccine distribution, and provide additional support services to communities struggling with overwhelming coronavirus cases. prgtoken We must provide funding to ensure there is strong oversight of how Federal taxpayer dollars are actually being spent on Federal COVID efforts, ensuring that resources and support that Congress has authorized is actually reaching the people who need it the most. prgtoken