mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Joseph D. Morelle (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , I want to thank the distinguished chair of the Rules Committee and my colleague for his incredible work and leadership. prgtoken Madam , today we continue to make good on our promise to deliver real results for working families by moving another step forward with the Build Back Better Act. prgtoken The pandemic put significant strains on my constituents, including increased costs of childcare and healthcare, amid continued disruptions in our labor markets. Today it is clear, we have their back. prgtoken This landmark legislation will help 163,000 people alone in the State of New York gain much-needed health coverage, and save Monroe County families hundreds of dollars on healthcare costs annually. prgtoken By lowering the cost of prescription drugs, like insulin, we can ensure no one ever has to choose between putting food on the table or paying for lifesaving medication. prgtoken We are making long overdue investments in infrastructure that will result in good-paying jobs, upgrades to roads and bridges, broadband internet, and public transit, all without raising taxes on working men and women. prgtoken We are expanding access to high quality and affordable childcare for over 1 million children, giving parents the resources they need to get back to work while supporting their families. prgtoken These are real, impactful policies that will have a profound effect on my district and support middle class Americans at a time they need it the most. prgtoken Madam , I look forward to voting in favor of the rule, and I remain focused on delivering real results to insure our families can thrive and succeed.
CONGRATULATING REV. DR. BENJAMIN THOMAS, SR. ON HIS 30TH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY
Ruben Gallego (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate Reverend Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas Sr who recently celebrated his 30th Pastoral Anniversary at the Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church, the oldest African American church in Arizona. prgtoken Reverend Thomas first came to Tanner Chapel in October 1991 and since then has been dedicated to serving not only his church, but the whole Phoenix community. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including as Commissioner of the Arizona Commission on African-American Affairs, member of the Arizona Department of Economic Security Board of Directors, and President of the Arizona Ecumenical Council of Churches. In 2001, he founded Tanner Community Development Corporation to help families meet their spiritual, economic, educational, health, and housing needs. Prior to coming to Phoenix, he served as the pastor of AME churches in Los Angeles, California; Seattle, Washington; and Joplin, Missouri. A dedicated family man, Reverend Thomas is husband to Beverly Thomas, father to Rev. Benjamin Thomas Jr and a proud grandfather. prgtoken Reverend Thomas has been a role model to so many throughout the years. Although he has had opportunities to pastor elsewhere or to move up within church leadership, he has remained dedicated to Tanner Chapel and the Phoenix Community. I would like to congratulate Reverend Thomas on 30 years of pastoring at Tanner Chapel, thank him for his decades of service to the Phoenix community, and wish him the best as he continues his journey with members of the Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise in strong support of the rule and the underlying legislation. prgtoken President has a bold vision for getting our country back on track after a devastating pandemic and years of policies that ignored the struggles of so many Americans. prgtoken What we are doing here today is about making government work for working people. prgtoken The Committee on Homeland Security, which I lead, has used this historic opportunity to make significant long-term investments in three areas: cybersecurity; the protection of houses of worship and nonprofits from domestic terrorism and other threats; and reducing the Department of Homeland Security's environmental footprint. These are three critical challenges confronting our Nation and my constituents in Mississippi today. prgtoken Last week, we marked 3 years since the deadliest attack on a Jewish community in United States history when a mass shooting took 11 lives in a Pittsburgh synagogue. prgtoken Today, through the homeland security title of this act, we will be able to give $100 million in new funding to help protect our houses of worship. prgtoken This act also includes targeted funding to bolster the Nation's cybersecurity posture in significant ways. With the $500 million included there, we can do just that. prgtoken Finally, we include $900 million in strategic investment to help DHS reduce its carbon footprint. Such investments have far-reaching and direct impacts on our national security. prgtoken I thank Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth and Pelosi for their months of hard work and for prioritizing homeland security in this transformational legislation.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , let me first begin by suggesting, and I say this seriously, that the gentleman from Missouri take a chill pill. We ought to be able to discuss serious matters without getting hysterical and yelling and screaming all the time. The American people expect us to debate serious issues seriously. prgtoken First of all, let me just say, this is another tactic to try to derail an effort to help reduce premiums for more than 9 million Americans, lower prescription drug costs, ensure that seniors never pay more than $2,000 a year for their drugs under Medicare part D. prgtoken This is an effort by my friends to derail a bill that would lower insulin prices; it offers access to universal and free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, which would save American families an average of $8,600 per year per child. That is what they are fighting against here. prgtoken This effort by my friends is an attempt to derail a bill that would support the construction of affordable homes, boost our housing supply, deliver much-needed rental and downpayment assistance to our constituents; it would enhance and expand home energy and efficiency tax credits; it would bolster our domestic supply chains; creates thousands of new good-paying jobs right here in the United States of America; it would make historic investments in coastal restoration, forest management, and soil conservation; provides resources to reduce emissions and support our farmers; it creates a diverse new workforce for the establishment of the Civilian Climate Corps, which will conserve our land and improve resilience. prgtoken Now, my friends on the other side of the aisle were talking about the cost. They are worried about the cost. Boy, it is nice that they finally worry about the cost of things. They rammed through a tax cut bill for the wealthy, for billionaires, for big corporations, and they never paid for it. It added $2 trillion to our debt. Where were they then? prgtoken But here is the good news, Madam . This bill is fully paid for. The Joint Committee on Taxation and the White House has provided much of the detail. I appreciate the fact that my friends would rather shout than debate, but the American people expect a debate, expect a conversation. prgtoken When people, by the way, come to the Rules Committee, they get as much time as they want to be able to speak, and we welcome the diversity of opinion. prgtoken Madam , we also know that the Build Back Better bill will not become law without a CBO score. It will not go through the Senate without a CBO score. That will be coming, and my friends know that. prgtoken So the bottom line is, this is a red herring. They are not concerned about a CBO score. They are not concerned about cost, they never have been in the past on any of their legislative priorities that benefit the well-off and the well-connected. The idea that somehow
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , by adopting this rule, we are now lining up at the runway in preparation to land the plane on Build Back Better. prgtoken As we wait for the CBO to complete its work and produce its analysis, which I believe will confirm an estimate from the White House based on the Joint Committee on Taxation's analysis of the bill's revenue impact, and the preliminary scoring from CBO that this bill is fully paid for. prgtoken Now, I am not saying it doesn't spend money. It does not create debt. When the s passed their tax bill, of course, they gave themselves a ceiling of $1.5 trillion that they did not pay for on the assertion that that tax cut would pay for itself. prgtoken The problem is none of their tax cuts have ever paid for themselves. None. Zero. Zip. This bill is paid for. And what it will do for the American people will be life changing for working families and moms and children in this country. prgtoken Today, we are going to pass a rule, which will allow for the consideration of this bipartisan infrastructure bill to invest $1.2 trillion. prgtoken I was talking about Build Back Better. I am now talking about the bipartisan infrastructure bill, 69 Senators voting for the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which will make an extraordinary difference in the lives of the people in this country and, as importantly, job creation in this country, a million jobs per year. That is what this rule will do. prgtoken This bill will help our businesses create millions of good jobs here in our country, and it will make significant investments in promoting the deployment of clean energy technologies and making our infrastructure more resilient against climate change. That is what this bill will do. prgtoken And again, I am referring to the bipartisan infrastructure act passed with 69 votes in the United States Senate, almost half of the s voting for it. This legislation will mean that our majority has delivered a major victory for the American people in a bipartisan way, and passing this rule will mean that next up is the transformational legislation to invest in America's human infrastructure--our children, our families, and opportunities for the most vulnerable in our country to access the American Dream. prgtoken Unlike our friends who passed their tax bill, which was about 85 to 90 percent of it going to the wealthiest Americans, this bill deals with all Americans, particularly those who are the most vulnerable, most challenged, and having the most difficult time in our country. prgtoken So let's get this done today and show the American people that their Congress works for them. We ought to vote ``yes'' on this. prgtoken Now, let me say what this rule provides for: a bill which will add 1\1/2\ million jobs per year. This bill, the Build Back Better bill, will add 1\1/2\ million jobs per year and, on average, across the whole decade, increase labor force participation and accelerate the
EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY WITH CUBAN CITIZENS FOR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS
Albio Sires (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-11-5

I am proud to be an original cosponsor and co-author of House Resolution 760, which demonstrates the United States' firm commitment to standing with the Cuban people. prgtoken On July eleventh, we witnessed an awakening in Cuba. It began in San Antonio de los Banos, just ten miles from Bejucal, the town where I was born, and then spread to over sixty towns and cities throughout Cuba. The Cuban people rose up and spoke with one voice to call for freedom. Cubans risked their lives by demonstrating against this repressive regime. prgtoken As members of the United States Congress, we must make clear that we stand with them. Many Cubans have paid a steep price for their courage. More than seven hundred people were detained or forcibly disappeared in the wake of the protests. This regime showed its true colors, firing live ammunition into crowds and using beatings, arbitrary arrests, and torture to try to stop people from protesting. It blocked internet access to prevent Cubans from communicating with each other and with the world. But I believe that the Cuban people can and will prevail. prgtoken These protests, while historic, did not emerge from thin air. For more than sixty years, the Cuban people have endured unspeakable suffering. But as the regime has expanded its repression to go after not just dissidents but also artists and academics and bloggers, a new generation of Cubans has shown its creativity and bravery. The San Isidro movement, which came together in response to a decree aimed at censoring artistic expression, has unlocked something very powerful. By bringing together artists, academics, and Cubans from all walks of life, the leaders of the San Isidro movement have shown the power of collective action to strip away the veneer that the regime tries to present to the world. Underneath the propaganda and the myths, we see a fragile and failed dictatorship that can only hold onto power through repression, corruption, and cronyism. The brutal treatment of the Associated Press journalist Ramon Espinosa showed just how desperate this regime is to hide the reality in Cuba from the rest of the world. prgtoken That desperation is the reason why the regime is now prohibiting planned protests for November 15th. The regime is threatening those who plan to demonstrate that they will face severe repercussions, even though they are merely asking to express themselves peacefully, as is their fundamental right. prgtoken The question before the U.S. Congress is whether we will answer the call of the Cuban people. Will we acknowledge them and say ``we see you, we hear you, and we are with you''? I hope the answer is yes. prgtoken As many of my colleagues know, I left Cuba at the age of eleven. Ever since then, I have never given up hope that one day Cuba would become a democracy. I will never stop fighting to help the Cuban people become free. prgtoken I thank my good friends, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and Con
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , I rise today in strong support of the underlying bill, the Build Back Better Act, and in favor of this rule. prgtoken As chairperson of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and a Member of this body, I am steadfastly committed to ensuring that our country has a bright future. This bill provides the resources to help accomplish just that. prgtoken The underlying bill we will pass, hopefully tonight, will make critical investments that ensure that we are able to address the challenges we face. These resources will help us address the climate crisis, rebuild after the pandemic, and renew and repair our research infrastructure. This bill and funding will strengthen our competitiveness and bolster our position as a global leader in science and technology. prgtoken s for their work on this bill. Investments in research and development now will pay untold dividends for the future health and prosperity of our country. prgtoken I am proud to stand in support of the Build Back Better plan, and I urge that we pass this bill swiftly, as soon as we can pass this rule, and thoughtfully for the good of the American people today as well as future generations who will benefit from these investments.
IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 3684, THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , today I cast my vote in support of this once-in-a-generation bipartisan infrastructure bill. While the bill does not contain as many resources as I feel are needed nor is it as robust as initially envisioned, the legislation makes a momentous investment in infrastructure that Chicago and our nation desperately need. prgtoken Chicago needs the largest federal investment in public transit ever. prgtoken Chicago needs the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak. prgtoken Chicago needs to improve its bridges, highways, and schools. prgtoken Our neighborhoods need clean drinking water, our lead pipes need replacing, and our wastewater infrastructure requires substantial improvements. Parents should know that the water they're kids are drinking is safe from lead leaching out of old pipes or contaminated brownfields. prgtoken Chicago needs the good paying jobs--union jobs--with an expected 2 million jobs per year with critical labor protections, buy America provisions to support manufacturing here at home, and jobs in the growing clean energy industry. prgtoken Chicago needs the historic investment in highspeed internet to every American household to erase the digital divide and improve equity in technology access. Students, workers, and seniors on the West Side of Chicago shouldn't be locked out of education, applying for jobs, and accessing services by limited internet. prgtoken Chicago needs the cleaner environment that comes with electric buses and renewable energy. African American children experience higher rates of asthma, and diesel air pollution hurt our communities. prgtoken This legislation advances economic and public health opportunities for people of color. The effects of decades of disinvestment have fallen hardest on communities of color. Through substantial investments in good-paying jobs, affordable high-speed internet, public transportation, safe drinking water, and modem bridges and roads, this bill works to improve racial and economic equity. prgtoken I wholeheartedly support the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act because doing so guarantees tens of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs for Illinois, helping revitalize my community and communities across the country.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , every investment in the Build Back Better Act addresses an urgent challenge facing families, workers, and our economy. prgtoken Within the jurisdiction of the Education and Labor Committee, this proposal makes childcare more affordable and invests in securing free, universal, and high-quality preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. These provisions will give millions of parents the opportunity to reenter the workforce without having to worry that their children are safe. prgtoken The Build Back Better Act makes nearly 9 million more children eligible for free school meals and invests in helping more children get healthy nutrition over the summer. It lowers the cost of higher education by increasing the value of Pell grants and making another major investment in historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions. prgtoken The bill invests in high-quality job training programs so that workers can build their skills and increase their paychecks, and it will help employers find the skilled workers they need to grow their businesses. prgtoken It shields workers from wage theft, unsafe workplaces, and violations of their right to organize by strengthening enforcement and increasing penalties for companies that break the law. prgtoken And it funds service opportunities and job training programs that will help protect our communities from the climate crisis. prgtoken The Build Back Better Act strengthens programs that provide vital services to millions of older Americans and Americans with disabilities. prgtoken It lowers the cost of prescription drugs, particularly insulin. prgtoken Madam , any of these provisions individually would meaningfully improve the lives of our constituents, but taken together, this historic proposal will lower costs for nearly every family, create millions of good-paying jobs, and set a strong foundation for the future of this country. It is fully paid for by making corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share. prgtoken Madam , I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting the Build Back Better Act and taking a critical step toward a monumental victory for the American people.
IN RECOGNITION OF MRS. AURORA SORIANO CUDAL-RIVERA, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FILIPINO AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS (NaFFAA), SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL REGION
Juan Vargas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , I rise today to honor Mrs. Aurora Soriano Cudal-Rivera of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), San Diego and Imperial Region. Mrs. Cudal-Rivera has served this organization and many others as a community organizer and social justice advocate for the last several decades. prgtoken Mrs. Cudal-Rivera has been recognized for her long years of service as an inductee to the San Diego County Women's Hall of Fame in 2013 and California Legislature Woman of the Year in both 1999 and 2016. prgtoken During her professional career in the Philippines, Mrs. Cudal-Rivera served in public health education in both government and non-government institutions for 40 years. She was the first woman from Asia to receive a UNESCO Fellowship on ``Problems Related to the Use of Drugs,'' which granted her a four-month travel to Denmark, Netherlands, France and Switzerland. She has volunteered for the United Methodist Church, and was elected as the World Secretary of the World Federation of Methodist Women at the International Assembly of Methodist Women in 1991. prgtoken Mrs. Cudal-Rivera came to retire in Chula Vista, California in 1992. Now an octogenarian, she is still active with NaFFAA, Council of Philippine American Associations of San Diego County, San Diego Executive Lions Club, Filipino American Women's Club, Committee on Social Responsibility of the Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista, and the Congregational Tower Resident's Association, an independent living facility where she currently resides. prgtoken Mrs. Cudal-Rivera is to be honored for all her service to the community, her church, and her mentorship to the younger generation-- making a positive and long-lasting difference.