mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Ann Wagner (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-7-29

. Madam , while I unfortunately was unable to attend the vote series on July 27, 2020 due to events in my district, I would have strongly supported S. 2163, the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act. I was proud to have previously voted for this legislation on June 25, 2020, as part of the JUSTICE Act. I believe we must continue to address inequality, expand opportunity and prosperity for Black men and boys in our country, and make the American dream accessible to all.
IN MEMORY OF JOE PAGLIA
Greg Pence (Republican, IN) \u2014 2020-7-29

. Madam , I rise today in remembrance of a dear friend and family member, Joe Paglia. prgtoken Joe was a retired police officer and detective that served his community for over 14 years. prgtoken Joe was the Chicago Chapter President of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and he loved giving back to those wearing a badge. prgtoken Joe was a true patriot to his country and he proudly wore the badge to protect his community. prgtoken We know Joe is resting easy in Heaven.
CHILD CARE FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT
Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-7-29

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in thoughtful opposition to H.R. 7327. prgtoken Everyone in this Chamber agrees that protecting our children is our top priority and that childcare is one of the most critical pieces of the equation in getting our economy back to the record levels that we had achieved earlier this year. prgtoken I have talked to parents across my district in Ohio who want to go back to work but don't have reliable care options available for their children. It is about more than just returning to work. Children need to be able to grow socially and emotionally by interacting with their peers regularly. prgtoken Instead of rushed partisan legislation, we need bipartisan solutions, like my Family Savings Flexibility Act that I introduced with Representatives Kelly and Axne. Our bill allows parents to increase the contribution limit to their Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, as well as roll over the funds from the 2020 plan year--a huge help to working parents. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work with us on finding bipartisan solutions, and I oppose this bill.
COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT
Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-7-29

. Madam , next month the United States will celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage. On August 26, 1920, our nation finally recognized the right of women to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment. For the past 100 years, women increasingly have been participating in the democratic process, not only as voters but as those who serve their constituencies in the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, and numerous other elected positions. prgtoken While we commemorate this important milestone, we must give thanks to those men and women who worked to ensure that women were fully included in the political process. It took the courage of trailblazers like Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the women who gathered at Seneca Falls so many decades ago to demand that their voices be heard. As we celebrate the centennial anniversary of women's right to vote, I urge women across our nation to continue to use their voices and actively participate in the democratic process, as they have already for so many years. Our nation's political system, as well as our families, economy, and culture, are made stronger through the full participation of women. prgtoken In March, the House celebrated Women's History Month and acknowledged the accomplishments of women across the nation and around the world. Throughout the years, I have been proud to recognize key female figures in my district who have played significant roles bettering South Florida. From educational leaders to dedicated city employees, it has truly been a privilege to celebrate their impressive achievements and highlight the diligent work that they do for Florida's 25th Congressional District. prgtoken Over the nearly two and half centuries since our nation's founding, successive generations have worked to extend the sacred promises of liberty to all Americans. We are ever striving toward the more perfect union for which our government was established, and we have come a long way. We have more work ahead of us, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that these foundational rights and freedoms are secured for all Americans. prgtoken Madam , I ask that you join me in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and in thanking women across the United States for their activism, leadership, and service in creating the vibrant democracy of today.
CHILD CARE IS ESSENTIAL ACT
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-7-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , Politico wrote recently, ``A lack of safe and affordable childcare amid the coronavirus pandemic is keeping many working parents from returning to the office as more companies call employees back to their jobs, threatening to extend the economic crisis and erode decades of gains for women in the workplace.'' prgtoken In fact, the Bipartisan Policy Center found that at the height of the COVID-19 outbreak, 60 percent of childcare centers closed, and one- third of the childcare workforce lost their jobs. prgtoken The topic of today's debate is an issue that both s and agree must be addressed. Unfortunately, the legislation being pushed by spends taxpayer dollars recklessly and layers on additional burdensome requirements. prgtoken That is why my colleagues have introduced the Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020, which is led by Senator Ernst and Senator Alexander in the Senate and Representative Reed in the House. prgtoken Unlike the bill we are considering today, the Back to Work Child Care Grants Act will offer childcare providers solutions and resources, not burdensome red tape. The GOP-led initiative would support childcare providers by offering short-term financial assistance, critical resources to reopen and stay open, all while holding providers accountable to State and local health and safety guidelines. prgtoken Regrettably, the ' childcare bill picks winners and losers by denying help to many providers who are license-exempt and operating legally, such as churches and public recreation camps. The Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020, on the other hand, ensures all providers in need of support have access to funding. prgtoken , .
HEALS ACT
John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2020-7-29

I rise to discuss the relief that the HEALS Act will provide to those in farm country and rural America as they weather the challenges of COVID-19. prgtoken It is so important, for they are out there for us every day, producing that food supply. They had incredible challenges before this COVID-19 started. The Presiding Officer is from an ag State. He knows the kind of challenges we are facing. Obviously, we need to be there for them as we go through this coronavirus fight. prgtoken I want to start by thanking them. They provide us with the lowest cost, highest quality food supply in the world. Think about it. Every single American benefits every single day from what our farmers and ranchers do with food, fuel, and fiber. Just the food piece alone means that Americans have the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the history of the world. This is thanks to our farmers and ranchers. Rarely, if ever, has there been a more appropriate time to say thank you to the men and women who provide us with that food supply, and the resilience of our ag producers, in the face of tremendous hardship that has been caused by the global health pandemic, serves as a real testament to their grit and to their determination. prgtoken That is why we have worked to provide additional support for farmers, ranchers, and processors in this HEALS Act. The legislation includes $20 billion in direct appropriation, which will be used for our farmers and ranchers, along with other funding that we were able to secure in the CARES Act. We are trying to also do it in a cost-effective way. In recognizing that we have a debt and deficit we have to be mindful of, what we are trying to do is to actually utilize funding that we put together in the CARES Act for the CCC, or the Commodity Credit Corporation. We are taking $14 billion of that and combining it with the $20 billion from this legislation to make sure that we have adequate funding--a total of about $34 billion--to address the needs in farm country. prgtoken Prior to the coronavirus, farmers entered 2020 after 7 years of rural recession caused by low commodity prices, trade disruptions, and some really tough weather and natural disasters. Yet our farmers and ranchers are the eternal optimists--they have to be--so they go into every year with that grit and determination and continue to provide that food supply that we all rely on. prgtoken Now, of course, you add COVID-19 into the mix. Storefronts have closed. Restaurants have shuttered their doors. Processing plants have limited and, in some cases, shut down operations. Of course, ag prices are also down. Farmers and ranchers came into a tough situation and now face further challenges with the pricing and the other challenges created by COVID-19, as I said. Though it will take some time to really quantify those losses, the reports we have right now indicate that losses in the ag sector could be near $42 billion. For e
Order of Procedure (Executive Session)
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-7-29

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, if cloture is invoked on the Kan nomination, the confirmation vote occur at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 30. I further ask that the cloture vote on the Kaplan nomination occur at 2:45 p.m. today and that, prgtoken if cloture is invoked, all postcloture time be considered expired and the Senate immediately vote on his confirmation. I further ask that the cloture vote on the McFerran nomination occur at 4:45 p.m. today and that, if cloture is invoked, all postcloture time be considered expired and the Senate immediately vote on her confirmation. Finally, I ask that, if any of these nominations are confirmed, that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2020
Sam Graves (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-7-29

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , in closing, WRDA 2020 is a good bipartisan piece of legislation that is going to improve flood control infrastructure and improve ports, harbors, and inland waterways across the country. prgtoken This is infrastructure that is critical to protecting our communities and our farms and businesses in north Missouri and the rest of America. It is essential to the efficient movement of goods, products, commodities, and resources nationwide. prgtoken Again, I want to thank the many cosponsors and the members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for their hard work on this very important bill. prgtoken Also, committee staff on both sides put a lot of work into this piece of legislation, , and I want to thank them all for their hard work. Specifically, from the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, the staff, I want to thank Ian Bennitt, Jon Pawlow, and Victor Sarmiento. From the staff, I want to thank Ryan Seiger, Navis Bermudez, Camille Touton, and Alexa Williams. From the full committee staff, I want to thank Paul Sass, Jack Ruddy, Corey Cooke, Tara Hupman, Abby Camp, Nick Christensen, Justin Harclerode, Tyler Micheletti, Jamie Hopkins, and Shawn Bloch. In addition, I very much want to thank Kathy Dedrick, Mohsin Syed, and the rest of the full committee staff. prgtoken WRDA is a perfect example of s and working together to address America's infrastructure needs, as this committee is meant to do. I would urge all Members to support this legislation. prgtoken I want to add, too, , the gracious work of and being able to work with Chairman DeFazio. When we work together, it actually works quite well, and I want to thank him for that. prgtoken , .
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-7-30

. Madam , I rise to speak in strong support of En Bloc No. 5, to H.R. 7617, the Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act. prgtoken I thank Chairman McGovern and Ranking Member Cole for including several amendments in the rule for House consideration of H.R. 7617. prgtoken The Jackson Lee amendments are in the following Divisions: prgtoken Division A--Department of Defense; prgtoken Division B--Commerce, Justice, Science; prgtoken Division F--Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and prgtoken Division G--Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. prgtoken The Jackson Lee Amendments made in order for Division G provide funding for Fiscal Year 2021 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and exemplify the House of Representatives' commitment to making real policy change and upholding Black Lives. prgtoken Three Jackson Lee amendments to this Division are complementary because they protect the history and culture of Black Lives from our past into our present by protecting areas that are cited in Public Law 116-111, which enacts H.R. 434, the National Emancipation Historic Trail Study Act. prgtoken The Emancipation National Historic Trail Act would pave the way for the establishment of only the second nationally recognized historic trail that chronicles the experience of African Americans in their struggle for equality and justice. prgtoken H.R. 434, the Emancipation National Historical Trail Act, designates the 51 miles from the historic Osterman Building and Reedy Chapel in Galveston, Texas, along Highway 3 and I-45, north to Freedmen's Town and Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas as a national historic trail. prgtoken The key amendments to Division G of H.R. 7617, are: Jackson Lee Amendments No. 320, No. 321, and No. 323, which are included in En Bloc No. 5. prgtoken Jackson Lee Amendment No. 320, included in En Bloc No. 5, prohibits the Department of Transportation from using funds for Section 106 Transportation construction projects in urban areas that have not been determined to meet the statutory and fiduciary obligations of the National Historic Preservation Act. prgtoken Jackson Lee Amendment No. 322, included in En Bloc No. 5, provides $1,000,000 in assistance to address challenges faced by communities impacted by persistent poverty and are not included in decision making when major highway construction threatens their homes, businesses, and culturally significant structures. prgtoken These two amendments make a statement in support of preserving the history of Black Lives, because this history matters. prgtoken Through these lives, a nation was forged out of what should have taken hundreds of years for America to rival Europe in economic might, industrial capacity, and military strength, it took less than a hundred because
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-7-30

I rise today to note provisions in H.R. 7617 which provide $5 million for the Maglev Deployment Program, also known as MDP, and an additional $100 million in Title V of the bill. prgtoken The MDP was created in 1998 as a competitive program to encourage the development and construction of an operating maglev transportation system capable of safe use by the public at speeds in excess of 240 miles per hour. The program was not intended for the United States to deploy a new transportation system somewhere in America and not for research. America has fallen behind as countries like China and Japan have deployed magnetic levitation transportation systems. prgtoken Congress directed the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to establish project selection criteria, to solicit applications for funding, to select one or more projects to receive financial assistance for preconstruction planning activities, and after completion of such activities, to select one of the projects to receive financial assistance for final design, engineering and construction. Funds were only available to States or an Authority designated by one or more States and included required State matching funds. prgtoken The FRA received eleven applications for MDP funding and selected seven projects for Initial Feasibility Studies. The FRA then completed a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the MDP. prgtoken As a result of the prior rounds, the FRA further selected two projects to continue: Baltimore-Washington and Pittsburgh. Other projects in the Program, such as Atlanta-Chattanooga, could continue but without federal support. prgtoken In 2008, Congress passed SAFETEA-LU providing an additional $90 million in Highway Trust Fund contract authority for the MDP. In clarifying eligible projects for the MDP Congress explained that for projects east of the Mississippi River ``the intent is to limit the eligible projects to three existing projects east of the Mississippi River: Pittsburgh, Baltimore-Washington and Atlanta-Chattanooga.'' prgtoken Subsequently, the Pittsburgh project was discontinued, leaving the Atlanta-Chattanooga and the Baltimore-Washington projects as the two remaining in the competition. In 2019, the Georgia DOT determined to not pursue Atlanta-Chattanooga any further. prgtoken As a result, after 20 years of work, more than $100 million of private sector investment, millions of dollars in state and federal investment, the most advanced and sophisticated of the projects has emerged as the winner. All of the participants have expended time and funds in reliance on the fact that the longstanding competitive process would ultimately end in the selection and, hopefully, construction sofa single project. prgtoken It is critical that the federal commitment continue. I applaud the Committee and Congress for its continued federal commitment to the MDP. After so many years of monetary and time investment, by
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Josh Gottheimer (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-7-30

. Madam , I thank Chairman Visclosky for his hard work here. prgtoken I rise in support of this en bloc package, which contains two amendments I introduced. prgtoken My first amendment will give all of Congress access to weekly updates on inventory in our Strategic National Stockpile. We all need current information on our Nation's supply chain and our inventory of PPE, vaccine materials, and supplies as we respond to this crisis, especially for my district, which has been hit so hard in northern New Jersey. prgtoken My second amendment prioritizes clean drinking water, because every child should have access to lead-free water at school. prgtoken I am proud my other two amendments were included in other en bloc packages to increase investment for broadband infrastructure, so we can address the challenges facing underserved areas, especially as families are working and learning online. prgtoken My final amendment, which has been adopted, supports improving our Nation's manufacturing supply chain to address the challenges caused by COVID. prgtoken I have worked closely with the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program as we help ensure small and mid-size manufacturers in New Jersey have the equipment they need. prgtoken Madam , I urge support for this bipartisan en bloc set of amendments.
TRIBUTE TO RICHARD S. TAMBURINI
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-7-30

I join my senior colleague to rise today in acknowledgement of the ending of an era in Rhode Island with the retirement of Johnston Police Chief Richard Tamburini next month. I want to thank Chief Tamburini for his five decades of service and community leadership. Prior to beginning a career in law enforcement, Chief Tamburini served honorably in the U.S. Army's 72nd Signal Battalion. The chief worked his way up the ranks of the Providence Police Department over nearly three decades, including a stint as part of a legendary organized crime investigative team along with then- detective and future fellow chief, Vincent Vespia. Tamburini would eventually become deputy chief of police in Providence prior to his retirement from the Department. prgtoken Chief Tamburini has led the Johnston Police Department for 25 years. His tenure as chief has been marked by an increase in community engagement through bicycle patrols, and through the Walk With Cops and Johnston Police Explorers programs. The chief's leadership and community-minded efforts have earned him a place in the prgtoken prestigious Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame. prgtoken As Chief Tamburini told the Johnston Sunrise last year, trust between a police department and the community it serves is the key to effective law enforcement. He said at the time: I really want to focus on that [trust], because as chief of police it's important to me that no matter what we do with the community, [we need] a strong relationship and a level of trust. I think that carries through to the rest the department, so they can be assured of that. prgtoken Today, we pay tribute to a great Rhode Islander, my friend, Chief Richard Tamburini. I am grateful for his contributions to Rhode Island and wish him many years of well-deserved rest and relaxation with his family and friends. Godspeed.