mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF S. CON. RES. 5, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Ted Budd (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-2-5

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. prgtoken Madam , lifesaving COVID vaccines are going to waste. Seniors and frontline workers in my State, the State of North Carolina, have had their vaccine appointments, which they depended on, forcibly canceled. We have got to do better. prgtoken Madam , I have two amendments to this budget resolution that prgtoken would address these issues, but the majority has blocked a vote. Instead, we are passing a budget resolution to set up a trillion--with a ``T''--a trillion-dollar spending bill. prgtoken My first amendment, the Vaccinate More Americans Act, would prevent leftover COVID vaccines from being wasted by allowing vaccine providers to administer shots to the next allocation group automatically. prgtoken My second amendment addresses an issue that affected over 10,000 North Carolinians who had their vaccine appointments forcibly canceled. This is unacceptable and something has to be done about it. prgtoken My amendment says that any State health department that receives vaccines must distribute them in an equitable way without forcibly canceling appointments. We should be addressing these issues as a body instead of stuffing trillion-dollar spending bills into a rules package.
IN RECOGNITION OF MARGIE AILEEN LITTLE RIGBY'S 90TH BIRTHDAY
Mike Rogers (Republican, AL) \u2014 2021-2-5

. Madam , I rise to recognize the 90th birthday of my dear friend Margie Aileen Little Rigby. prgtoken Margie was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and moved to Richmond, Virginia, when she was seven years old. After high school, Margie attended Trinity College in Clearwater, FL where she met her adoring husband, John William Rigby. Margie and John married and moved to Smiths Station, Alabama, where Margie still lives, surrounded by the joys of her life--her two kids, four grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. prgtoken Margie and John married in Richmond in 1952, where they began their 65 years of ministry, inspiring others and helping to spread God's word, and ended their illustrious journey in 2010 at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Smiths Station, Alabama. John was diagnosed with cancer a month later and battled the disease for seven years before being welcomed in God's arms in 2017. prgtoken Although Margie enjoyed being a schoolteacher, accountant and business owner, she felt most at home as a minister's wife. She taught children's church, new members, classes and Sunday school to so many people. Her spiritual gifts are teaching and writing, and she was a wonderful pastor's wife to many churches. prgtoken What stands out most to many who know Margie is her God-given ability to help many in the ministry who needed the assistance in navigating the challenges of being a pastor's wife. For many years, she taught others how to minister to those who have lost loved ones, who are going through tough times and how to grow in their faith. Margie overcame difficult times herself, raising her children for nine years as John traveled the nation preaching God's word. Her exceptional children and loving family are a testament to her goodness and resilience as a mother, and they would be the first to call her a Hero. prgtoken Madam , please join me, and so many adoring others, in celebrating Margie Aileen Little Rigby's 90th birthday.
RECOGNIZING JOE CULBERTSON
Yvette Herrell (Republican, NM) \u2014 2021-2-5

. Madam , today I rise to acknowledge this year's winner of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association's Ayudando Siempre Alli award, Joe Culbertson. Joe is a veteran of the United States Army and a great New Mexican who has worked tirelessly to better his community his entire life. prgtoken No stranger to representing the community around him, Joe has served as President and Vice President of the Northeastern New Mexico Livestock Association where he fought on behalf of the livestock industry. Additionally, he has served on the State Advisory Land Committee, the New Mexico Cattle Growers Water Committee, the Natural Resource Committee, and the county predator control board. Additionally, Joe has been a county representative on the Eastern Plains Council of Government, where he fought for rural issues. prgtoken Joe's service to his community spans over four decades. He helped start the local fire department in Rosebud in 1980 and has served both on the board of directors and as Assistant Fire Chief. He even helps on the ground as an EMT-basic and ambulance driver. prgtoken Currently serving as president of W.O. Culbertson & Sons, Inc a family ranching business with roots dating back all the way to 1915, Joe knows the importance and impact that agriculture has on the community. He is an avid supporter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) so future generations can continue to contribute to their communities. prgtoken For his clear display of an attitude of service before self, I congratulate Joe on earning this well-deserved award.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2021
Tim Walberg (Republican, MI) \u2014 2021-2-5

I rise in opposition to H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act, not opposition to the gold standard, labor union apprenticeship programs. prgtoken Updating our national apprenticeship system is an important discussion to have. However, this bill fails to deliver on the goal of strengthening our registered apprenticeship system and expanding earn- and-learn opportunities for Americans across the Nation. prgtoken Our country's workforce is facing a unique crisis, and we must ensure that our apprenticeship programs, the system is expanding in the process. The apprenticeship system is up to the task to meet the needs of our evolving workforce only as we move it forward. prgtoken For instance, the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted that connectivity and the digital world are an integral part of our daily lives. Developing a high-skilled workforce is critical as we seek to expand technologies like broadband and 5G to underserved areas across the country, including my own district in Michigan. prgtoken New research indicates winning the global race to 5G will create up to 4.6 million jobs and contribute $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy over the next decade. However, unless the U.S. has a large enough and properly trained workforce, we will not be able to fully reap the economic and technological benefits of 5G. prgtoken Apprenticeships are a proven solution for meeting workforce needs, especially in wireless technologies. Congress and the Department of Labor should be laser focused on encouraging and incentivizing apprenticeships for 5G and advanced wireless deployment. prgtoken Unfortunately, the bill we are considering would hinder the flexibility of employers to create earn-and-learn programs to teach job seekers the skills they need to build out and deploy the 5G and wireless infrastructure America so desperately needs. prgtoken For these reasons, I must oppose and encourage all others to oppose H.R. 447, and urge my colleagues to work on a bipartisan solution that will empower workers and employers to create apprenticeships that are responsive to our modern economy.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2021
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-2-5

I rise today in opposition to the National Apprenticeship Act. prgtoken Like so many issues we debate here, we have a common desire to help the American people, but we disagree about how to go about doing it. prgtoken In today's case, it is apprenticeships. We agree apprenticeships are incredible pathways to success. An amazing 94 percent of apprentices are employed after completing registered apprenticeships with good- paying salaries. prgtoken I know in my situation, when I owned my own business, apprenticeships were a great way for people to become employed in our business. However, only a small fraction of the workforce participates in the registered programs. This is because the Department of Labor's apprenticeship program is too burdensome and prescriptive for the actual needs of American businesses. prgtoken The diversity and variety of American businesses is a highlight of our economy and essential to our constant innovation. If a business has created an apprenticeship model that meets their needs, that should be celebrated and not forced into the Department of Labor's model. prgtoken Rather than update the outdated program that was created in 1937 to fit the needs of our modern economy, this bill would double down on this one-size-fits-all Federal registered apprenticeship system. prgtoken The previous administration recognized the need for flexible apprenticeships by creating an Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program. This would have allowed for third-party certifiers to approve apprenticeships that are responsive to employer and workforce needs. Instead, this legislation fails to anticipate the future of apprenticeship programs in a 21st century economy. prgtoken What is worse is it picks winners and losers by favoring apprenticeship grants for those who partner with labor organizations rather than awarding them based on merit. This would severely limit and stifle our ability to meet the needs for our future. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution so we don't leave behind future apprenticeship opportunities.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ACT OF 2021
Devin Nunes (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-2-5

unfortunately, I was detained and unable to cast my vote for one amendment to and final passage of H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 30 and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 31. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Aguilar (Carbajal) Amodei (Kelly (PA)) Axne (Stevens) Baird (Bucshon) Barragan (Beyer) Bishop (GA) (Butterfield) Blumenauer (Beyer) Bowman (Clark (MA)) Brooks (Kelly (PA)) Buchanan (Arrington) Calvert (Garcia (CA)) Cardenas (Gomez) Carson (Butterfield) Carter (TX) (Nehls) Castor (FL) (Demings) Cohen (Beyer) Cooper (Clark (MA)) Cuellar (Butterfield) DeSaulnier (Matsui) DesJarlais (Kustoff) Doggett (Beyer) Donalds (Cammack) Fallon (Nehls) Frankel, Lois (Clark (MA)) Gallego (Gomez) Garcia (IL) (Pressley) Gonzalez, Vicente (Gomez) Gosar (Wagner) Granger (Arrington) Hastings (Wasserman Schultz) Higgins (NY) (Kildee) Jayapal (Clark (MA)) Kahele (Case) Kind (Beyer) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Krishnamoorthi (Brown) Langevin (Courtney) Larson (CT) (Courtney) Lawrence (Kildee) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Lieu (Beyer) Lofgren (Jeffries) Long (Wagner) Lowenthal (Beyer) Luetkemeyer (Kelly (PA)) Lynch (Clark (MA)) Maloney, Carolyn B. (Jeffries) McCaul (Wagner) McEachin (Wexton) McHenry (Banks) Meng (Clark (MA)) Moulton (Beyer) Mullin (Lucas) Napolitano (Correa) Norman (Arrington) Panetta (Kildee) Payne (Wasserman Schultz) Porter (Wexton) Price (NC) (Butterfield) Rodgers (WA) (Herrera Beutler) Roybal-Allard (Correa) Ruiz (Carbajal) Rush (Underwood) Scott, David (Cartwright) Speier (Scanlon) Timmons (Kustoff) Titus (Connolly) Trahan (McGovern) Vela (Gomez) Waltz (Cammack) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Welch (McGovern) Wilson (FL) (Adams)
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF HINCKLEY TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE RAY SCHULTE
Anthony Gonzalez (Republican, OH) \u2014 2021-2-5

I rise to recognize the life of Hinckley Township Trustee Ray Schulte. prgtoken Serving our community as a township trustee for 12 years, Ray defined what it means to be a public servant who always puts the community and the people he loves first. prgtoken In addition to his service on the board, Ray was involved in many different aspects of the township, in particular, the historical society, among many others, including local charities. Ray truly loved his community and prgtoken was passionate about making it a better place. prgtoken Hinckley Township will certainly miss Ray's leadership, service, and positive outlook on life, though his work will forever be memorialized in our community. Ray's leadership will certainly be missed but never forgotten. prgtoken I pray for Ray's wife of 29 years, Emma, who serves as chief deputy recorder of Medina County and is a constant presence for so many people in the Medina Courthouse. prgtoken May God bless their three children, Michael, Christie, and Adam, and their four grandchildren during this challenging time. It is truly an honor to recognize such an individual whose class and love for community made us all better people.
SMITH SPECIAL ORDER ON MARCH FOR LIFE
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2021-2-5

. Madam , 48 years ago, the United States Supreme Court ruled against basic human rights when they issued the Roe v. Wade decision. Since this decision to legalize abortion in all 50 states, over 62 million babies have been denied a chance at life. My colleagues and I gather here today to honor them and to affirm our determination to protect the unborn. prgtoken The billion-dollar abortion industry has pervaded our communities and has attempted to normalize the horrors of abortion in our society. Abortion providers like Planned Parenthood call it ``essential'' and insist that it is health care. Abortion is not health care. Abortion procedures do not fight disease or heal a sickness, they deliberately and brutally end human life. prgtoken Abortion is one of the great stains on America's culture and society. As a mother and a grandmother, my resolve to fight for life has only strengthened as I have served in Congress. I am grateful that so many of my colleagues and constituents stand with me to protect the unborn.
PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF S. CON. RES. 5, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-2-5

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken I do need to say one thing. A year ago, the gentleman had the opportunity to be in the same briefings that all of us were in. These were bipartisan briefings over in the Capitol Visitor Center. All of the experts in public health came and talked to us about the dangerous waters ahead because of this plague coming out of China. prgtoken And there could be no mistaking the difficulties that were ahead, but this was information that was available to all of us. It was not information that was secret or waived by the previous administration, not shared. It was here that we were given that same information. prgtoken Unfortunately, I sit on one of the authorizing committees that is responsible for pandemic preparedness. Did we do a single thing on a hearing basis during the month of February? The answer is no. We added on 1 hour to the end of a budget hearing at the end of February and by the middle of March, we had to suspend all activity in the Congress because of the pandemic. prgtoken We squandered the weeks that were available to us. The President bought us some time by cutting off foreign travel from China. The problem is that we, as the House of Representatives and ic leadership in my committee, did not use that time effectively. prgtoken Madam , I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack), a valuable new freshman Member.
PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF S. CON. RES. 5, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Michelle Steel (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-2-5

. Madam , I rise in opposition to the previous question. If the previous question is defeated, s will amend this rule to immediately consider H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act. prgtoken This bill was introduced by Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, and it would condition State COVID relief grants for education on schools reopening so that students can get back in the classroom safely. prgtoken In December, Congress sent States $54 billion for K-12 education. Congresswoman Hinson's bill would ensure this money is used to get students back in the classroom safely and soon. prgtoken In-person learning can be done safely with the right precautions and safety measures. In Orange County, California, when I was chair of the Board of Supervisors, we safely allowed schools to reopen in early September. Children have been able to go to school in person safely, and the science shows that it has not contributed to significant COVID- 19 outbreaks in our communities. prgtoken Congress should be clear that we expect schools to use this funding to reopen, while keeping students and teachers safe. The science says students should return to the classroom. The CDC has confirmed that K- 12 schools are not a high-transmission environment. Young kids have an extremely low infection rate, low transmission rate, and a low rate of serious illness from COVID-19. prgtoken Unfortunately, only one-third of K-12 schools across the country currently have an in-person learning option available for students. As a result, kids' mental health is hurting. Students should be socializing with their peers and in a classroom environment. Child depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are rising. Both parents and children across this Nation continue to suffer because of the challenges from this long-term lockdown. prgtoken While virtual learning can play an important role in offering parents and students additional education options, it should not be forced on families by schools unable to offer it effectively. It is unfortunate this legislation won't even be considered, because doing the right thing for students should not be a partisan issue. This is a disservice to students and families across the country who are suffering because of this pandemic lockdown. Congress should be working in a bipartisan way to provide targeted help. prgtoken Madam , I urge a ``no'' vote.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HENRY LOUIS ``HANK'' AARON
Jerry L. Carl (Republican, AL) \u2014 2021-2-5

I rise today to honor the life and the legend of Henry Louis ``Hank'' Aaron, a native of Mobile, Alabama. prgtoken Hammering Hank is a baseball legend respected not only for his performance on the field but also for being a civil rights icon who helped pave the way for equality in professional sports. prgtoken Hank Aaron is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. He became the first player in major league history to record 500 home runs and over 3,000 hits, ultimately defeating Babe Ruth's home run record. prgtoken Hank Aaron's leadership and character reflect the best of American values, and his legacy will live on for generations. I am proud to call him a fellow Mobilian.
NATIONAL SECURITY LETTERS
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-2-5

interesting days in the Capitol. prgtoken I keep being asked about the metal detector. I was not happy about metal detectors. But for some weeks now, I have been complying, taking my stuff out, putting it on the table, going through the metal detector. prgtoken I did that yesterday and came in here, and I was going to be recognized to speak. Since the restroom is just right there through that door, you see it as you are standing there at the door, I did what I have done for a number of weeks now. I went to the restroom and came back. Since the officers see you, and there was nobody else in the area, as there usually isn't these days, I went in, came out. prgtoken So people know, it isn't like ``The Godfather.'' There are no tanks on the toilets, no place to hide a gun, that I see. prgtoken Anyway, the officers see you, and no one has ever said a word about needing to be reexamined when you are just right there. prgtoken Anyway, apparently, rules have changed over the last few weeks, and all of a sudden yesterday I was told, well, you need to be wanded. I said, no, I have been through the metal detector, and this has never been required before. prgtoken So, I came in today. I get a notice that I am supposed to be fined $5,000. So, we will be appealing. prgtoken One of the things that is not supposed to happen is arbitrary and capriciousness--and to go for a number of weeks and nobody ever say a word because you are just going right there and back, never having to be reexamined, and then all of a sudden yesterday, and today, be hit with a $5,000 fine. prgtoken , I just want to make sure our colleagues know that the metal detectors are not the issue entirely. You may want to use facilities at your office or around your office because now, despite the admonition in the Constitution itself about not stopping or detaining a Member of Congress on his way into a session--it is in the Constitution--this has seen fit to defy that, to create metal detectors. prgtoken And now that is not enough. You can't even go to the restroom in full view of the officers without being hit upon and unconstitutionally treated again. I have been going along with the unconstitutional action anyway. prgtoken But it seems that it is one of those things, , no matter how much you finally are desensitized to the Constitution enough to comply with unconstitutional actions, there just keeps being another requirement, another requirement, and another requirement. So we will see how it all comes out, but hopefully other Members will learn from the arbitrariness of my treatment to avoid that for themselves. prgtoken On FOX News my friend, Tucker Carlson, touched on this yesterday. And this article is by Tucker: There has been an enormous amount of talk--not just this week, but over the last month--about violent extremism and the people who embrace it. Those people, we are told, are domestic terrorists who must be put down by
RECOGNIZING JIM AND DEBRA KRANZ ON BEING NAMED THE 2021 CITIZENS OF THE YEAR BY THE CASS CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Lisa C. McClain (Republican, MI) \u2014 2021-2-5

. Madam , I rise to recognize Jim and Debra Kranz on being named the 2021 Citizens of the Year by the Cass City Chamber of Commerce. Jim and Debra Kranz were former longtime owners of the Kranz Funeral Homes. In their free time, Jim and Debra are highly engaged in their community. Debra is a member of the Rotary Club, and the former president of the Cass City High School Band Boosters, as well as a former member of both the Hills and Dales General Hospital Board of Directors, and the Cass City Women's Club. Jim has been a member of the Cass City Downtown Development Authority and the Rotary Club. I thank Jim and Debra for their tireless dedication and selfless service to the Cass City Community.
RECOGNIZING THE LYNCHBURG AREA VETERANS COUNCIL
Ben Cline (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-2-5

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the selfless efforts of the Lynchburg Area Veterans Council. prgtoken Come rain or shine, snow or sleet, nothing stands in the way of this group gathering at Monument Terrace in downtown Lynchburg every Friday to honor and support our troops. prgtoken This weekly gathering began nearly 20 years ago following the attacks on September 11th as American soldiers were heading into Afghanistan. prgtoken Since that time, the rallies have grown and those who drive by honk in support--which they say is the sound of freedom. prgtoken Their dedication to this endeavor has been unwavering, and last Friday I was proud to join them as they marked the 1000th consecutive week that folks have gathered at Monument Terrace to express their appreciation for our servicemembers. prgtoken And while I applaud the Council on this incredible milestone, I would also like to thank them for all of their work to get homeless veterans off the streets and into housing. prgtoken The Lynchburg Area Veterans Council, whose members consist of individuals who have fought in every conflict for the past seventy years, has done so much for our community, and the Sixth District is forever grateful.