mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
REMEMBERING RICHARD ADAM STROMBRES
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I would like to include in the Record the following obituary for Richard Adam Stombres. Richard Adam Stombres September 24, 1936-June 19, 2021 It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Richard A. Stombres passed away at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona on June 19, 2021. He was born on September 24, 1936 in Aurora, Illinois to Adam H. Stombres and Frances May Jeffers Stombres. The Stombres family, including Richard and his younger brother Don, moved from Illinois to Phoenix in 1946. His youngest brother Glenn and his sister Patrice were both born in Phoenix. Richard graduated from West High School in 1954. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, Arizona State University, and Boston University where he earned a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. While he would live in many places throughout his life, he always considered Arizona to be his home. Richard joined the Army in 1961 and faithfully served his country for 28 years as an Infantry Officer. He was a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Ranger School, the Airborne Course, the Pathfinder Course, the Marine Amphibious Warfare School, and the Command and General Staff College. Lieutenant Stombres was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky when he met Vickie M. Hayes from Clarksville, Tennessee. They were married at Fort Campbell in 1961. Lieutenant Stombres was sent to Vietnam in 1963 where he served as a Military Advisor to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam until July of 1964 when he was wounded in action. He would go on to serve a second tour in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 where he was attached to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). Upon his return from Vietnam, Richard was stationed at numerous bases around the world including Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Ord, California; Frankfurt, Germany; the Pentagon; and AFCENT HQ in Brunssum, the Netherlands. Dick and Vickie's two boys, Richard and Steven were born in 1969 and 1970 when then-Major Stombres was serving in the Army's Old Guard and stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia. Richard was the recipient of the Bronze Star medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Ranger Tab, the Airborne Badge, and numerous other ribbons and decorations. Richard married Joan Giambruno of Glen Cove, New York in March of 1984. After retiring from the Army, Richard was able to work in the furniture business with his brother Don. He also indulged the other passion of his life, teaching. He and Joan
PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3684, INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Jeff Duncan (Republican, SC) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for the time. prgtoken Madam , I rise in opposition to the previous question, so that we can amend the rule to immediately consider H.R. 751, the Protecting American Energy Production Act. prgtoken Now, my bill is straightforward. It prohibits the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, unless Congress authorizes the moratorium. prgtoken It further expresses the sense of Congress that States should maintain authority for the regulation of oil and natural gas production on State and private lands. That is how it has been done for decades. prgtoken President and House have wasted no time in this Congress, and since his administration began, undermining American energy independence. They have signaled that they will use any tool necessary to end fossil fuel production in the United States. prgtoken In fact, keep rushing to President 's defense, claiming he never supported a fracking ban, which is simply not true. When he was asked by a debate moderator during the Presidential debates in 2019 if there was any place for fossil fuels in his administration, this is what Senator , now-President , actually said: ``No. We would work it out. We would make sure it's eliminated.'' prgtoken He was talking about fossil fuels. prgtoken How is this policy working out for the American people at the pump? prgtoken They are seeing higher prices for gasoline, and as they are getting ready to travel over the holidays and go on vacation, they are paying more at the pump. That is less money to spend on their family for family vacation during the holiday this summer. That is what bad policy gets you, Madam . prgtoken President has already made good on his promises to revoke the Keystone XL permit, ultimately resulting in its cancelation and the loss of thousands of American and Canadian jobs--thousands of jobs. He also has halted all new Federal oil and gas leases. There is no telling which energy-killing promise he will fulfill next as he continues his war against American energy. prgtoken Instead of prioritizing American jobs and American energy, President and the would rather appease the backwards logic of the radical environmental left. I have no other way to say it. prgtoken They would rather make us weaker and more reliant on energy from our foreign adversaries at a time when we are energy independent and we are actually exporting oil and gas. prgtoken The adversaries that they are supporting have no regard for the environmental standards that we all push in this country. prgtoken The INVEST in America Act--or more accurately titled, the green new deal and inflation transportation act--is a continuation of this America-last agenda. One out of every $2 spent in this bill is tied up in Green New Deal priorities. Madam , one out of every $2 is tied up in Green New Deal priorities. prgtoken It is ironic t
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Jefferson Van Drew (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2021-6-30

I rise in opposition to H.R. 3684. prgtoken Our country's infrastructure is crumbling. Prices are surging everywhere. Yet before us is an infrastructure plan that fails to address America's needs, and, in fact, will make our lives even more expensive. This bill neglects to fix the bureaucracy that makes the United States one of the most difficult places in the world to build infrastructure. prgtoken The bill diminishes American energy prosperity and grows our dependence on the Chinese Communist Party's slave labor. The bill makes goods and services more expensive by overregulating American workers and American businesses. prgtoken To put it simply, this bill makes it more expensive to be an American. prgtoken We need truly bipartisan legislation to address the American infrastructure crisis. We should focus on traditional infrastructure by investing in roads and bridges and dams, as well as modern infrastructure of broadband internet. We should strengthen American supply chains so that the American infrastructure boom is fueled by American materials, American workers, and American businesses. prgtoken , these are the steps we must take to build a stronger America. I and all of us will never stop fighting for this vision of American greatness.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Eric A. "Rick" Crawford (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-6-30

such time as I may consume. prgtoken American demand for high-speed rail is low; and Federal money for transportation must be spent on projects and infrastructure that Americans need and use. prgtoken The issue is not whether America must lead the world in high-speed rail, but whether Americans actually want high-speed rail. prgtoken In California, the high-speed rail project launched in 2008 has been continually plagued by cost increases and delays. According to the L.A. Times, costs have gone from $33 billion to over $100 billion, and it is at least 12 years behind schedule. prgtoken These projects inevitably result in environmental and endangered species concerns, eminent domain fights, potential displacement of families and businesses, including in low-income communities, and highly questionable demand that will leave these railroads dependent on government subsidies forever. prgtoken , .
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
John Joyce (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-6-30

such time as I may consume. prgtoken I rise to oppose H.R. 3684 as a whole, and, in particular, the AQUA Act. This is yet another partisan attempt at unnecessary and costly legislation. These rush-to-spend bills are bad for rural America. They are bad for my constituents. prgtoken Every Member in this Congress wants safe drinking water for their communities and constituents. That is why we have already spent over $1 billion in the last 6 months on drinking water and on wastewater assistance. prgtoken The additional tens of billions of dollars that this legislation will spend is wasteful and gratuitous. Under this proposal, the EPA will be tasked, for the first time, with administering a welfare program, which will be worth $8 billion. prgtoken Worse yet, these bills restrict the rights of local and municipal authorities to best meet their customers' needs. In this legislation, local water utilities are prevented from taking action to collect overdue payments for up to 5 years, regardless of the income level of the offenders. prgtoken It would rescind flexibility for modest communities to have variances for their small water systems. prgtoken Furthermore, it would repeal provisions in the Safe Drinking Water Act that prohibit burdensome regulations where costs exceed benefits. prgtoken Unfortunately, this legislation yet again demonstrates the ' fixation on urban centers while leaving rural Americans behind. prgtoken For all of these reasons, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``no,'' and .
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Troy Balderson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2021-6-30

I rise in opposition to H.R. 3684, the majority's ``my-way-or-the-highway bill.'' prgtoken Rather than working with s to deliver a commonsense, bipartisan bill that puts America's real infrastructure needs center stage, the majority has decided to fast track its Green New Deal agenda. In fact, half of the funding in this bill is tied up meeting Green New Deal mandates. prgtoken The majority refused to work with s on policies to streamline the permitting process for construction projects. These policies will save taxpayers billions of dollars and move projects forward faster, while still ensuring world-class environmental standards. prgtoken Unfortunately, s were shut out of the process, and the impact is clear. This bill places costly restrictions on local construction projects, includes catastrophic provisions that would put small trucking companies and independent truckers out of business, and relies on deficit spending, which will further fuel the problem of inflation. prgtoken , I strongly encourage my colleagues to reject this partisan process and vote ``no'' on H.R. 3684.
16TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARDS
Vern Buchanan (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to law enforcement men and women who have provided distinguished service to the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District. prgtoken Law enforcement is a demanding profession that requires sacrifice, courage and a dedication to serve others. Every day, brave men and women put themselves in harm's way to enforce the laws of our society and protect public safety. They deserve our gratitude and respect. prgtoken Eleven years ago, I established the 16th District Congressional Law Enforcement Awards, CLEA, to give special recognition to law enforcement officers, departments or units for exceptional achievement. prgtoken This year, I will present congressional law enforcement awards to the following winners chosen by an independent panel comprised of current and retired law enforcement personnel representing a cross-section of the district's law enforcement community: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award: Sergeant Aaron Bowling, and Detectives Tyler Ackerman and John Jones, Jr of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Associate Service Award: Director Matoaya Wimbley of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Dedication and Professionalism Award: Corporal Christopher P. Slowick of the Florida Highway Patrol; Sergeant Dino Murges, Detectives Derek Pollock and Raymond Richter of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office; Assistant State Attorneys Dawn Buff and Courtney Hollen of the 12th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office; Lieutenants Adam Kaskey and Jamesa Tose, Sergeants Don Bennett, Sam Lutz and Ray White, Deputies John Albee, Mark Eve, Wida Law, Phil Lucia, Grace Luh, Dean Pappas, Teodora Perez, Luis Reyes, Neftalii Santos, Daniel Schenck, Rod Stewart, Deb Stookey, Mark Truskowski, Ray Vlek and John Wenzel, Civilian Lou Wolf, Detectives Hayden Gallof and Brendan Keats, Chief Pilot Brent Wineka, Pilots David Bouffard, Chirs Laster and Stephen Shull (posthumous), Mechanics Arthur Grassia and Douglas Wenz, and Radio Technician Steve Duzs of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. Gary Tibbetts Career Service Award: Detective Eddie Howell of the Sarasota Police Department; Manager Valorie Knight of the Bradenton Police Department; Major Daniel Kaufman of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office; Joseph (Chris) Panichello of the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority. Preservation of Life Award: Officers Paul Gagnon, Jared Lawhead, David Roberts and Cody Stanaland of the Sarasota Police Department; Sergeant Keith Noordzy, Deputies Keith English, Tyler Lewis, Donald Mays, Jacob Merrill, Deborah Perry, Jonathan Rubi, Todd Seillitto and Patti Smith of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Unit Citation Award: Sergeant Daniel Weinsberg, Officers Sean Carter and Matthew Hughes, and Administrative Specialist
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2021-6-30

I rise in opposition to this bill. prgtoken This bill should be focused on proposals that make the United States more competitive in the global economy, and update our Nation's infrastructure; but instead it is filled with detrimental mandates. prgtoken Despite the fact that rail offers one of the most environmentally efficient ways to transport goods, this bill includes regulations that undermine the railroad industry's ability to offer competitive services. The bill effectively prohibits movement of liquefied natural gas by rail, despite extensive research into the safety of this method by the Department of Transportation. prgtoken This legislation also would allow the EPA to enact burdensome regulations on drinking water utilities, driving up costs for low- income consumers. prgtoken Under these new regulations, drinking water utilities that serve smaller, lower-income communities cannot receive direct funding from the EPA. This harms low-income consumers and those on fixed incomes. They will have to jump through burdensome hoops and will face increased costs that many of them cannot afford. prgtoken In drafting this bill, have pushed aside commonsense solutions to push their radical, partisan agenda. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Gregory F. Murphy (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , today, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3684. American infrastructure is in dire need of repair, but this is just not the way to do it. prgtoken One provision lifts a longtime ban against spending Federal money on art and nonfunctional landscaping. It is sad when tax dollars are diverted to afford art projects rather than fixing crumbling bridges, buildings, and roads. prgtoken That is why I introduced H.R. 3208, which would amend the U.S. Code to explicitly define what the term ``infrastructure'' means so we can better allocate taxpayer dollars. In my bill, the term ``infrastructure'' is defined as being specific to bridges, dams, wharves, roads, highways, ports, buildings, and public utilities, including broadband, airports, and train stations, not childcare. prgtoken This messaging bill prioritizes Pelosi's party and its green agenda over the needs of this great Nation. I urge my colleagues to vigorously oppose passage of this misguided bill.
ESTABLISHING THE SELECT COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6TH ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL
Michael C. Burgess (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. prgtoken This resolution establishes a select committee to investigate the January 6 attack on the Capitol. After Pelosi's first attempt at a commission failed to pass the Senate, she is now pushing a resolution to create, what will be by its very nature, a very partisan select committee. prgtoken The outcome of this investigation has, in fact, already been written. The have been publicly excoriating President for months. They claim we need to understand the root cause of what happened on January 6, but the truth is, they have already laid the blame. prgtoken I was concerned that the commission that the previously attempted to create would, in fact, have been very partisan in nature. That is why I and many other Members of this body and Members of the Senate voted against her resolution. prgtoken The attempted to establish what she claimed would be a bipartisan commission to investigate the events of January 6 modeled after the 9/11 Commission, but there are some key differences between the two. prgtoken The 9/11 Commission focused on a foreign attack on the homeland. The proposed January 6 commission would have focused on a purely domestic event. prgtoken The fact pattern for these two events is entirely different. For the 9/11 Commission we did not definitely know at the outset who had perpetrated that attack. Unfortunately, as we know, have already laid the blame for the January 6 attack before any investigative body has been established. prgtoken The staff composition for the 's proposed January 6 commission mirrored that of the 9/11 Commission, however, the January 6 commission would have ultimately been one party investigating the other. The biggest concern of s is that only one staff would have served the entire January 6 commission. In an inherently partisan investigation, Congress should authorize two separate staffs to serve the Members of each party. And, in fact, I attempted to amend that original resolution at the Rules Committee but was turned away. prgtoken Whether or not you blame President for the events of January 6, the fact remains that the incident was a massive security failure. prgtoken Why were our United States Capitol Police Officers, who sacrifice every day to protect us, caught so unprepared? prgtoken Why did the National Guard take so long to mobilize when the threat was clear? prgtoken What was known by our intelligence agencies and the Sergeant at Arms in the days leading up to January 6? prgtoken These are the questions that need answering if we are truly going to be focused on preventing another security failure. And I won't reiterate the litany that the gentlewoman from Minnesota has already elucidated. prgtoken If we don't do it, it is not that there are no investigations; the investigations are ongoing. The Department of Justice--the FBI has a major investigation, as has already been point
REQUEST TO CONSIDER H.R. 18, NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION ACT
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , H.R. 18 must be immediately brought to the House floor for a vote. prgtoken The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act would make the Hyde amendment and other current abortion funding prohibitions permanent and governmentwide. prgtoken The Hyde amendment was passed in 1976 and has shared bipartisan support for over four decades, while saving at least 2.4 million lives. But, now, my colleagues want to break with precedent and pave the way for taxpayer-funded abortions. prgtoken This is wrong. It is in direct opposition to God's word and the will of the American people. prgtoken Psalm 139:13 is clear: ``For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.'' prgtoken Polling shows that 60 percent of Americans oppose taxpayer funding of abortion. prgtoken Madam , I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Ted Budd (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , from Arkansas for yielding. prgtoken Madam , my amendment would re-implement a Federal Transit Administration policy that ensured that Federal loans were not counted towards State contributions for capital investment projects. prgtoken This is particularly important as the FTA considers the Gateway project between New York and New Jersey. Secretary Buttigieg recently made a verbal commitment to approve this project, but he has yet to provide any details on the Federal share. If it mirrors the administration's plans, Federal taxpayers would be footing half of the bill for this project while New York and New Jersey would cover the rest. But the States are planning to cover most of their local share with billions in Federal loans. prgtoken In essence, New York and New Jersey are demanding that taxpayers in my State of North Carolina pay for their project. prgtoken My amendment makes sure that drivers in North Carolina are not overly subsidizing potentially wasteful transit projects in New York, L.A San Francisco, or Chicago.
INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT
Scott Perry (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-6-30

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Arkansas. prgtoken This en bloc includes my amendments to strike the EV funding program. Do you know why? Because the EV funding program pays the Communist Party of China. That is who it pays. You don't have to believe me. You can just listen to the chairman. He said it in his remarks, right? That is the future, and China is building it. That is where your money is going. prgtoken My amendment also prohibits loans to high-speed rail projects that fail to meet the FRA safety standards, our safety standards. We just ask that they meet them. But since they don't, we shouldn't be building them. prgtoken It strikes the carbon reduction program. Why? Because that, again, pays the Communist Party of China. It prohibits Amtrak from expanding their network because they can't afford the network they have now. You don't believe me? Talk to Mr. Butterfield. He just talked about it. prgtoken It strikes the Capital Investment Grant program because all of America shouldn't pay for a couple of pet projects in somebody's location. prgtoken It strikes the section restricting the right of States to set their speed limits because, I don't know, I think there should be a different speed limit in Center City Philadelphia than one in Nebraska or across Wyoming. prgtoken Now, Madam , I am grateful to have some amendments finally heard here, but this system is broken. The and the majority have chosen a closed process that restricts debate. prgtoken Why have they done it? prgtoken Because they are scared to death of the radical green left. That is what we are doing here is supporting the Green New Deal and Communist China.