mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 133, UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT; PROVIDING FOR DISPOSITION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1520, PURPLE BOOK CONTINUITY ACT OF...
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , this bill will not end all the suffering. However, it will ease the pain for many who are suffering, with $25 billion for eviction prevention, $13 billion for food in the form of SNAP, and $600 cash in pocket. It won't end all the suffering, but it will ease much of the pain. prgtoken For this, I thank Chairman McGovern, Mr. Cole, and Ms. Shalala. Of course, I am always honored to serve in the Congress of the United States of America under the leadership of the Honorable Maxine Waters, and I thank her for her $25 billion in rental assistance.
UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-12-21

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken I rise in strong support of this final omnibus package that includes critical legislation from the Energy and Commerce Committee. prgtoken First, this agreement includes $69 billion to crush the coronavirus by supporting the rapid and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as critical testing and contact tracing. prgtoken Second, this package finally ends surprise medical bills for American consumers. These surprise bills have burdened millions of patients with crushing medical debts. It saves money, which pays for a 3-year extension to fund community health centers and other vital healthcare programs. prgtoken Third, the bill phases down HFCs. This is a big win in the fight against climate change, along with the reauthorization of the Pipeline Safety Act, which reduces methane leaks. prgtoken And, fourth, we provide major assistance for struggling families to better afford their internet service. prgtoken These are just a few of the key provisions from the Energy and Commerce Committee. prgtoken But I want to end by thanking the chair, Nita Lowey. As she mentioned, she and Eliot Engel, myself, and Rich Neal are the last in our class. I hate to say it that way. She has been an outstanding legislator and a great friend. My only regret is that she is going to just leave Richie Neal and myself to carry on here. So I really wish she would not leave, but I know she wants to, and I wish her the best. I love you, Nita.
UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT
Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-12-21

I rise in support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes my bipartisan Water Power Research and Development Act. prgtoken As we work to mitigate the climate crisis and transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy, we cannot ignore our ocean. It covers more than 70 percent of the surface of our planet, and we can capture the power of its waves, currents, and tides to power our homes, buildings, and communities. prgtoken Marine energy has tremendous potential as one of the last untapped renewable energy sources, and federal investment can help unlock it. Earlier this year, I was pleased to work with my House Oceans Caucus CoChair, Congressman Don Young, and another marine energy enthusiast from the east coast, Congressman Ted Deutch, to introduce the bipartisan Water Power Research and Development Act. The bill would reauthorize funding for research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of marine energy within the Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office. Importantly, the bill authorizes funding for existing and new National Marine Energy Centers, including the Pacific Marine Energy Center--operated by Oregon State University, the University of Washington, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. prgtoken Researchers at Oregon State University are leading the way on this innovative work. Through the Pacific Marine Energy Center, OSU is currently in the process of developing PacWave, the first of its kind wave energy test facility off the Oregon Coast. Their leadership scaling up the PacWave testing facility will catalyze this nascent industry. Additionally, we are fortunate to have the advanced manufacturing capacity of companies like Vigor, which recently constructed an 826-ton wave energy device that was deployed off the shores of Hawaii. It was not until I visited Vigor to see the device that I grasped the scale of this resource and what we can gain from it. prgtoken I appreciate the support of Chairwoman Johnson in helping to secure the inclusion of the Water Power Research and Development Act in today's comprehensive energy package and end of year spending bill, and I am thrilled that it will soon be signed into law. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill, which is an important step forward in advancing ocean climate action.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF FRANK J. McGUIRE
Brian Higgins (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the life of Mr. Frank J. McGuire. Mr. McGuire passed away on July 7, 2020 at the age of 92, after a lifetime of business and community leadership, philanthropy and service to Buffalo and Western New York. prgtoken His contributions are so many in so many arenas, including economic, civic, cultural and charitable that even his son found it difficult to describe so he let the quote that guided his father's work speak to how Frank McGuire lived his life. ``A ship is safe in the harbor, but that is not what ships were built for.'' As reported in the Buffalo News, this well respected and well-known leader, ``was not afraid of risk or challenge, and always described as brilliant, tough, honest and fair.'' prgtoken Frank McGuire was a job creator and a generator of opportunity; he was an entrepreneur for decades before that term became more widely embraced and celebrated. Still working into his nineties as chairman of the McGuire Group, Frank McGuire never acquired titles, he built companies--30 of them--giving 1,700 people employment and careers as an industry leader in the fields of construction, health care, commercial and industrial real estate development. prgtoken His roots were anchored into the South Buffalo community as the oldest of five sons of Frank J. McGuire Sr. and the former Mary Kelly, and a graduate of Holy Family School and South Park High School. Sergeant McGuire served his country honorably from 1946 to 1948 having joined the U.S. Army after becoming an electrician. prgtoken His ability to lead was recognized by his fellow classmates as he was president of the School of Engineering of the University at Buffalo Class of 1953. His work as an electrician during his college days took him to new heights as he personally climbed to install the aircraft beacon light at the top of a local radio tower. If there was a challenge to be met, Frank McGuire was the man to step up to get it done. prgtoken His innate skill set was more fully on display as an employee of General Electric Company where at the age of 26, he became one of the youngest managers and contributed to the design and development of the nuclear reactors used in the first atomic submarines. Those experiences formed the foundation on which this pioneer took his limited savings and with the support of his parents, who mortgaged their home, founded his first company, Industrial Power & Lighting Corporation. This electrical engineering and construction organization became a powerhouse completing more than $200 million in projects throughout upstate New York, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Colorado and Alaska and became the first American company of its kind to work in the People's Republic of China in 1981. Real estate development in Western New York and Florida would follow as well and expansion into health care operating nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Western New York, Long Island and Michigan. prgtoken W
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 133, UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT; PROVIDING FOR DISPOSITION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1520, PURPLE BOOK CONTINUITY ACT OF...
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , I rise in support of the COVID temporary prgtoken relief package in this rule. We did it before. We must do it again. prgtoken Our past COVID legislation kept the economy afloat and our poverty rate flat. However, as passed more bills, the Senate and the President put a pause on those efforts. prgtoken Now, the pandemic is raging, hospitals are bursting, and our economy is hurting. That is why we must play our part with Federal funding to combat this disease and carry on through the locally mandated shutdowns. prgtoken This relief package will allow us to avoid calamity and aid our recovery by providing small businesses with PPP, laid-off employees with unemployment insurance, families with checks, farmworkers with PPE, renters with direct relief, and the ailing with the HOSPICE Act. prgtoken To help State and local governments, there is funding for broadband, food, healthcare, education, and transportation. prgtoken Look, this package should have been bigger. It should have been done quicker. It is not entirely what we want. But it is what we need to be that bridge to a vaccine-fueled revival in 2021. If we do that, we will further the faith in what we do here in Congress for the future of our democracy.
UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-12-21

I thank the gentlewoman from New York, and I hope to fill her shoes in what she has done to promote the welfare of the lives of the people of this country. Thank you. prgtoken , I rise to support this bill. prgtoken We are at a critical moment. We are not just living through a public health crisis, but an economic one; two crises, which have magnified existing inequalities. prgtoken Tens of millions of workers are unemployed. Millions of families are facing hunger, many for the first time in their lives. Small businesses are going under, and over 300,000 Americans have lost their lives. prgtoken The COVID relief package that we are voting on today is a start, and s in the House of Representatives for elevating it to provide important relief. prgtoken It brings back the enhanced Federal unemployment insurance, direct payments, a second round of PPP loans, $13 billion in emergency food assistance, and a temporary boost to the monthly food stamp program. And, critically, it includes my Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes Act. prgtoken Despite strong opposition, it provides nearly $2 billion to maintain the paid leave option. I will fight for paid sick days and paid family and medical leave in the new year so that no worker is left behind. prgtoken In the Labor-HHS provisions, we were able to secure $155 billion in life-or-death funding: $73 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services and $82 billion for the Department of Education. prgtoken However, it is only a start, and we must do so much more. We need aid to cities and States. We need a child tax credit and much more money for childcare. prgtoken Let us act and get the people the help they need.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 133, UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT; PROVIDING FOR DISPOSITION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1520, PURPLE BOOK CONTINUITY ACT OF...
Donna E. Shalala (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken , Mr. Cole, for his generous remarks. I agree with him, this is a bipartisan bill that is not perfect. I don't think anyone in this Chamber believes that it is perfect. prgtoken Madam , the time to pass this bill was yesterday. It was 6 months ago. We pray that most Americans will be able to get a vaccine to stop this killer. But it is not just Americans. To be safe, people around the world must get the vaccine. prgtoken There will be a lot of darkness before enough Americans and people around the world have the vaccine to bring our lives back to normal. Before that time, the government must help. prgtoken By the way, it is not our money. It is the people in our communities who have been paying taxes for years. We are taking the resources back to them. We have to help the unemployed, the shuttered small businesses, the strained hospitals, and, most importantly, the hungry child. prgtoken Madam , I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the previous question.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 133, UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT; PROVIDING FOR DISPOSITION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1520, PURPLE BOOK CONTINUITY ACT OF...
Pete Aguilar (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken The agreement before us today recognizes that to get our economy moving again, to return to something that feels like normalcy, we must get this virus under control. prgtoken In this agreement, secured billions to rapidly distribute a free and safe vaccine and to invest in nationwide testing and tracing measures that will save lives. prgtoken It isn't perfect, and more action is required to address the challenges that Americans are facing, but it is everything we can do right now with this Senate and this President. prgtoken With this bill, we have averted a sudden end to unemployment benefits that millions would have faced and added $300 per week to the benefit. prgtoken We funded a new round of survival checks and emergency rental assistance, included an eviction moratorium, and boosted SNAP and child nutrition benefits. prgtoken And for the small businesses struggling to keep the lights on, this bill provides billions in economic assistance to forgivable loans. prgtoken Across this country, people in communities like mine are hurting. Frankly, they have been hurting for far too long. prgtoken We are going to work with the - administration to build on this progress and deliver for the American people, and I am confident that brighter days are ahead.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 133, UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT; PROVIDING FOR DISPOSITION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1520, PURPLE BOOK CONTINUITY ACT OF...
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me. prgtoken Madam , across America, people are dealing with a loss of a job, a business, or even a loved one. People are hurting, and they are hurting badly not only from this pandemic, but also from the incompetence, the callousness, and the negligence of the current occupant of the White House. prgtoken When I talk about people hurting, I don't mean big corporations or Fortune 500 companies. I am talking about our workers, our middle class, those on the edge of the middle class, and those struggling in poverty. That is where our focus should be. And thanks to the bipartisan efforts of Members on both sides of the Capitol, we are acting right now--not next year or during the next administration, as some have suggested--but right now. prgtoken This deal is not everything I want--not by a long shot--but the choice before us is simple. It is about whether prgtoken we help families or not. It is about whether we help small businesses and restaurants or not. It is about whether we boost SNAP benefits and strengthen antihunger programs or not. And it is about whether we help those dealing with a job loss or not. prgtoken To me, this is not a tough call. We need to pass this, and then we need to prepare to build on it in the next Congress, hopefully, in a bipartisan fashion and with an administration that actually gives a damn about the American people. prgtoken Madam , before I conclude, I also join the gentleman from Oklahoma in recognizing the service of Congresswoman Shalala. Over the years, she has had many titles: Doctor, treasurer, college president, chancellor, assistant secretary, secretary, congresswoman--and I could go on. prgtoken Often, Donna has done it first: She was among the very first Peace Corps volunteers. She was the first woman to lead a Big 10 Conference college. She was only the second woman to lead a major research university. And Donna was the first Lebanese American to serve in a President's Cabinet. prgtoken Madam , there is a saying in Arabic, which in English is: ``Do good and throw it into the sea.'' prgtoken It means this: The reward is doing good. Not the praise or recognition. Just simply an act of doing good. prgtoken And Donna Shalala does good, period. I know she will continue to do good.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-12-21

section 1301 of title XIII of the FY21 consolidated appropriations act delays implementation of reforms to the U.S. Agency for Global Media outlined in section 1299Q of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. While the FY2021 NDAA has not yet been enacted and may be enacted following the enactment of the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Chairman Risch and I believe it is Congress's intent that these two provisions be understood concurrently and that the reforms outlined in section 1299Q be delayed for 90 days following enactment of the FY2021 NDAA.
UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-21

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken The relief in this bill is desperately needed, as families struggle during the pandemic crisis. The negotiations were difficult. They were tough. I wish we could have done even more, but I am pleased we have done as well as we could have done to provide relief for so many in desperate need for their government to come to their aid. prgtoken As chairwoman of the Financial Services Committee, I am proud to have secured $25 billion in emergency rental assistance. We need much more. We also got an extension of the eviction moratorium and $12 billion in low-cost, long-term capital and grants to the minority depository institutions and the credit unions and the community development financial institutions. prgtoken I thank Ranking Member McHenry, Chairman Crapo, and Ranking Member Brown for working with me on these provisions. prgtoken I am so pleased that the legislation includes stimulus payments for families and individuals. Not enough, but I am pleased. prgtoken I am also pleased it includes new funding for unemployment insurance. Not enough, but I am pleased. prgtoken I am also pleased we have support for Los Angeles International Airport in my district and small business forgivable PPP loans. This bill will also expand the amount of PPP loans for which restaurants are eligible by a considerable amount. prgtoken Let me be clear: Much more is needed, but this bill is a most important first step, and I am very pleased that we are able to come to the aid of all of our constituents. prgtoken I thank Nancy Pelosi for the tremendous job that she did in negotiating to get us to this point.
DALE SCHMITZ
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Dr. Dale Schmitz, WWII Veteran who served with the 115th Cavalry. Mr. Schmitz not only served his country honorably; he is a grandfather and a man of integrity that has committed to serve his community. On December 22nd, Mr. Schmitz will turn 100 years old. On this day, Adams County will proclaim, ``Dale Schmitz Day'', honoring his six years of service to our country and commitment to his family and community. prgtoken After his service with the 115th Calvary in World War II, Mr. Schmitz took a job with Eaton Metals in Denver, CO, staying with the company until the 1980's. During this time, Mr. Schmitz continued his service to the community by helping the Guardian Angels Catholic School in the Berkley neighborhood with maintenance work. Mr. Schmitz was an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity until the age of 95 and continues to give back to Veterans through organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project. At the age of 97, Mr. Schmitz flew to Washington, D.C. by himself with the, ``Rocky Mountain Honor Flight Program'', visiting the memorials and landmarks that were dedicated to the service of WWII Veterans. prgtoken Mr. Schmitz has been recognized by his community and has helped every neighbor through acts of service by shoveling their snow, mowing their grass, outdoor repairs, and becoming a favorite with the neighborhood dogs by providing them with hot dogs. Mr. Schmitz was called to service when his country needed him, and then continued his service to his fellow neighbors and community. I want to extend my deepest appreciation and thanks to Mr. Schmitz for his contribution and service.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2020-12-21

I was going to speak in a few minutes, but things have been filed now appropriately. prgtoken Let me speak in my role not only as the Senator from Vermont but as the vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. We have had months of delay and painstaking negotiations. Sometimes those negotiations have gone all weekend long, until midnight, 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning. But this afternoon, we will have before us a spending package. It includes all 12 appropriations bills for fiscal year 2021. It also includes a vitally important COVID relief package. Those are the numbers and figures, but let's talk about what it means. prgtoken It provides funding for programs that are critically important to the American people, and I would like to see it swiftly passed and on the President's desk. After all, it is not like we are suddenly rushing things. We are 2 months and 20 days into the fiscal year. It would be absolutely outrageous if we delayed it further. prgtoken As vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to reach agreement on this Omnibus appropriations bill that will fund the Federal government through the remainder of the fiscal year, without relying on a long-term continuing resolution, as sometimes has been done in the past. That was not an easy task. prgtoken The budget caps are very lean this year, and we had to stay within those. They provided a less than 1-percent increase in nondefense discretionary spending, and that is to meet the needs of a nation that is reeling from the worst public health pandemic in a century. prgtoken Under normal circumstances, that would be difficult, but it is made even more difficult because of the global health and economic crisis we face. Notwithstanding the tight top line, we have produced a bill that provides important increases in programs that serve the American people and invest in our economy. prgtoken I think the bill finally drives a stake through the heart of the administration's effort to substantially diminish the role of government in helping Americans in need and in promoting economic growth. prgtoken We all know that President 's first budget proposed to substantially diminish the role of government. He wanted to cut nondefense spending by 9 percent in fiscal 2018 and 18 percent by 2021. He wanted to completely eliminate programs millions of Americans rely on every day. For 4 years, in Congress, leading s and came together and we rejected these ill-conceived, arbitrary, and reckless cuts. prgtoken This year, I will say to my colleagues--those who have worked hard with us on the ic side and on the side and who came together on this, and, especially, those who worked with us in the Appropriations Committee--we are going to do the same in rejecting these arbitrary cuts. prgtoken Now, this agreement is the product of weeks of hard work and compromise. prgtoken This is not the bill I