mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Greg Gianforte (Republican, MT) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I rise today in support of reopening the Paycheck Protection Program after an unnecessary lapse in funding. prgtoken In just 2 weeks after the launch, the program provided over 13,000 loans in Montana, totaling $1.4 billion. It has helped small businesses stay open and keep workers on the payroll. prgtoken But as the well quickly ran dry on this critical lifeline for small businesses and workers, the and the Senate ic Leader, Chuck Schumer, stood on the sidelines and failed to work with s to keep this program running. prgtoken When Senate Majority Leader McConnell moved to increase funding, objected, refusing to allow immediate action. That is outrageous. prgtoken At last, we are doing the right thing by small businesses and workers, but it is overdue, and it has been needlessly held up with partisan games. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to stand with small businesses and workers today and pass the Paycheck Protection Program.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I rise today in support of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. prgtoken Less than a month ago, I stood on this floor and urged my colleagues to support our small businesses by passing the CARES Act. Today, I am here again asking the House to pass this bill and get it to the President's desk so we can give our small businesses and healthcare providers the additional assistance they need. prgtoken This bill provides an extra $75 billion to our hospitals and $25 billion for expanded testing capacity, with resources specifically set aside for community health centers and rural health clinics. These additional funds will have a dramatic impact in rural areas like Michigan's First District, where access to testing has lagged and our rural healthcare facilities are struggling to keep their doors open. prgtoken This legislation also refills the Paycheck Protection Program, critical for the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan's small businesses. This temporary, targeted relief is our opportunity to send a strong message to our Main Street businesses that we want them to be able to open their doors when it is time to open our economy back up. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
A. Drew Ferguson IV (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I rise in support of the legislation. prgtoken This is important for our communities and our small businesses back home. We are in a real battle. On one front, we have our incredible healthcare workers, our frontline healthcare workers, our first responders, and hospital administrators that prgtoken are fighting out there. And those heroes, we owe a debt of gratitude. This bill will provide important resources, particularly for our rural hospitals. prgtoken But there is an economic disaster as well. And I would like to say thank you to another group of unexpected heroes that are out there working very, very hard every single day, and those are our community bankers in our small, rural communities. prgtoken These bankers have been working long hours, helping the small business in their communities that they serve. And I will tell you, there are going to be a lot of stories that come out about good things and bad things that happen with this program, but I could not be more grateful for the men and women in our small community banks out there putting in long hours, long days, doing their dead-level best to help the communities that they serve. prgtoken Madam , again, I ask that all colleagues support this legislation.
PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF H. RES. 935, ESTABLISHING A SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , first, I want to say that I am praying for comfort for all of the families that have lost someone to COVID-19. I also want to pray for the families and those people that are in the hospitals now sick from COVID-19, that they have total and complete healing. prgtoken And I want to thank the healthcare workers, the grocery store workers, the truckers, everybody that every day is putting their health at risk and their family's health at risk to keep the economy going and to help Americans. prgtoken And it is really good to be back here today in Congress working and continuing to do our job during this crisis. prgtoken You know, two weeks ago, in the Senate--it was two weeks ago now--the Senate s put up a bill to help continue funding for small businesses so they could pay their workers. Two weeks--two weeks--we have been waiting around while have been delaying it. And why? I don't understand why. prgtoken I have had businesses, just like all of my fellow Members of Congress, that have called me and said: I need the money; I need the money from this program, or my business is going to go under. prgtoken Two weeks ago this could have happened. But, no, in those two weeks, millions and millions more people filed for unemployment insurance. And why? We could have done this funding for small businesses so they could pay their workers two weeks ago. I am thankful that we are finally-- finally--getting it done. prgtoken Now, the rule talks about Pelosi's oversight committee. Maybe that is the reason that delayed funding for small businesses and their workers for two weeks. prgtoken Why do we need another oversight committee? Pelosi said, oh, it is going to be all bipartisan. I am sorry; I don't believe it. And the reason I don't believe it is because since the beginning of 2019, I have served on three committees, including Judiciary Committee, and in every single committee, the entire goal has been nonstop to criticize President and try to influence the 2020 election. prgtoken And now you are going to tell me that you are going to have another oversight committee, even though every standing committee has oversight on this, and we have inspector generals and the CARES Act has oversight. Now we need a ninth committee to do oversight, and it is supposedly going to be bipartisan? I am sorry. I call BS. prgtoken And the reason I know this is because of past history. While were focusing on impeachment, the President was working on coronavirus.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Ross Spano (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , as the sole Florida Member serving on the house Small Business Committee, I rise today in support of replenishing the Paycheck Protection Program. prgtoken While the program is far from perfect, it has been undeniably effective. Before the original funds were exhausted, 88,000 businesses in my home State of Florida received almost $18 billion in forgivable loans, money that saved jobs and businesses, all in just 13 days. prgtoken Beyond numbers, what is important is the people that this program serves. I think of a family-owned bowling alley that has been in my district for almost 30 years, one that I took my kids to when they were growing up. With their PPP loan, they are now able to keep and pay their 90 employees and stay in business, so now my grandchildren can go there, too. prgtoken I think of a home healthcare provider that cares for senior citizens. With their PPP loan, they have kept a dozen employees on the payroll and can continue to care for our Greatest Generation. prgtoken While no government program is perfect, this one undeniably helps people in difficult times, and for that I support it.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Ann Wagner (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I am here today to call on colleagues to support the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, legislation that is poised to be a lifeline to my constituents in Missouri's Second Congressional District during this pandemic. prgtoken This bill includes $310 billion in increased funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, a program that has helped keep open thousands of Missouri businesses, including Martha's Hands, a St. Louis-based home healthcare provider with over 200 employees. My office worked with Martha's Hands to secure these vital PPP funds so that they will be able to pay their employees and keep their doors open to help the most fragile in our community. prgtoken There are small businesses and workers just like them all over that are dependent. They are the backbone of our economy. prgtoken Madam , we fought to also include $75 billion for hospitals and healthcare providers so the frontline healthcare heroes are taken care of and $25 billion for critical COVID-19 testing so we can better understand the spread of this virus, to save lives, and to have the confidence to reopen our communities. prgtoken Madam , I urgently ask everyone to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Michael Waltz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , we are hearing a lot today about support this; s support that. I don't think this is the time for that. Americans don't care. They don't care about party. This virus doesn't care. They care about this Congress getting things done and about America pulling through. prgtoken This is a good day for our businesses, for our hospitals, but I think a silver lining in all of this will be all of us seeing America pull together. prgtoken And I think the other silver lining will be us drastically changing how we view our relationship with China, and understanding the Chinese Communist Party is not our friend, they are manipulating international organizations, they are hoarding supplies, have brought manufacturing away from a place where we, as America, can benefit. We must bring that manufacturing home. We will do that on the other side of this. prgtoken Madam , I am proud to introduce legislation today to not only bring our pharmaceuticals home, but our technology and our business that China is preying on right now, as we speak. Wake up America. We are in a cold war, and we have to do better.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Stephanie N. Murphy (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , today's bill is a positive step and has my full support, but it took too long. Next time let's skip the partisan games and just do our jobs. prgtoken We must be aggressive and smart. We should spare no expense when it comes to testing, treatments, and vaccines. And we must support workers and business owners who bear no blame for this crisis. prgtoken We should keep workers tethered to their jobs and to their healthcare. And aid should be swift and direct rather than through complicated and time-consuming programs. For workers who do lose their jobs, Congress has provided billions to support them. prgtoken Sadly, this support has been delayed in States like Florida, whose unemployment system is marred by incompetence and indifference. Congress must demand better. Our country confronts a deadly, serious crisis. As leaders, we must unite to combat COVID-19. prgtoken My fellow Blue Dog colleagues and I will continue pushing for more bipartisan cooperation to get the job done for the American people.
SUPPORTING H. RES. 935, CREATING A SELECT SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I include in the Record the following letter in support of the creation on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis: Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, April 13, 2020. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, , House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Steny Hoyer, Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. James E. Clyburn, Majority Whip, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, and Whip Clyburn: I write today to express my strong support for the creation of the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis, and to thank you for your leadership of the House of Representatives' ongoing work in response to the unprecedented public health and economic crises we are facing. I also thank you for your continued focus on ensuring effective oversight of the trillions of taxpayer dollars that are being directed to support our nation's recovery. As work continues on the establishment of the Select Committee, I write to recommend specific cross-cutting issues regarding implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and other legislation addressing the coronavirus pandemic that require sustained oversight from the Select Committee. My comments encompass three broad areas, as described in more detail below. I appreciate your consideration of these recommendations and look forward to working closely with you and the Select Committee to address these urgent issues. Structure, Operations, and First Priorities To be most effective, the Select Committee must be capable of producing hard-hitting findings and concrete recommendations in near real-time to help shape the course of the Federal response. The Select Committee must be organized quickly, and it must be allocated the robust budget necessary to ensure it is staffed by experts in such fields as public health, economics, public finance, and the operations of Federal programs. As there may be sustained efforts to impede oversight of the Federal response to the pandemic, the Committee must quickly establish effective working relationships with the oversight entities created in CARES and other legislation and with agency Inspectors General. However, the Committee must also be prepared on day one to seek relevant documents and information, particularly regarding those programs deemed to be at high risk, and it must be agile in responding to the information it receives. I strongly agree the Committee must work to eliminate ``waste,
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-4-23

I support the bipartisan agreement reached on the Senate Amendment to H.R. 266, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. prgtoken Many California small businesses were unable to access the first round of loans made through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) established under the CARES Act (H.R. 748) because the initial round of funds was insufficient to meet the dire needs of our community during this time. Even more concerning, the Administration's bungled rollout of PPP has sown frustration and confusion at every point of the application process, denying many Santa Clara County small businesses a lifeline. I outlined my concerns regarding these flaws in my testimony to the House Small Business Committee on Thursday, April 23, 2020. prgtoken This bill will provide $310 billion in additional funding for PPP. More importantly, it will reserve $60 billion for small- and medium- sized banks, credit unions, and community-based lenders to ensure our relief efforts are reaching all communities. It also adds $10 billion to Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Grants and $50 billion to the Disaster Loans Program for our small businesses. prgtoken Our hospitals, health centers, and county health officials need the additional $75 billion in assistance to maintain necessary resources and procure more protective personal equipment for our healthcare workers who continue to give and risk so much. prgtoken Additionally, the nation needs the $25 billion for testing to guarantee a science-based transition for when communities are ready to reopen. A nationwide strategy with a focus on increasing domestic testing capacity will be critical for reopening the economy and for preventing a second outbreak. prgtoken Four bills and $2 trillion in emergency relief later, more is still needed. Specifically, we must provide additional direct funding for state and local governments and perform robust oversight on the allocation of funds for pandemic relief to prevent fraud and abuse. State and local governments need and deserve federal assistance. In CARES 2, we must make whole the state and local governments on the frontlines of this crisis and ensure our state, county, and city officials are equipped to preserve the health and safety of our community. prgtoken I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to address specific community needs in any future legislation.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken The true question we face in this pandemic is not when we will get out of this crisis, but how we will get out of this crisis. And the keys to our economic freedom lie in this bill: $25 billion for testing and monitoring; $75 billion for treatment, a national testing strategy; finally, additional business help for our small businesses, including $370 billion and $60 billion for our smallest, most vulnerable businesses. prgtoken If we commit to continue to focus on how to survive this pandemic, then, my fellow Americans, we will.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I support this bill, which provides an additional $310 billion for PPP loans. And while this is desperately needed, it almost certainly will not be enough. prgtoken I am glad that an additional $60 billion is being set aside for community banks, credit unions, minority banks, and CDFIs. And as chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, I promise I will watch the $60 billion like a hawk to make sure that it goes to the communities that we intended. prgtoken But I also want to mention another key priority: The postal service, which is running out of money and must be funded soon.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , on behalf of my constituents in the Bronx and Queens, New York's 14th Congressional District, the most impacted district in America, calling people losing their families every day, it is a joke when s say that they have urgency around this bill. prgtoken The only folks that they have urgency around are folks like Ruth's Chris Steak House and Shake Shack. Those are the people getting assistance in this bill. You are not trying to fix this bill for moms and pops. And we have to fight to fund hospitals, fight to fund testing. That is what we are fighting for in this bill. It is unconscionable. If you had urgency, you would legislate like rent was due on May 1st and make sure that you include rent and mortgage relief for our constituents.
AMANI ABDALLAH
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I rise today to recognize and applaud Amani Abdallah for receiving the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. prgtoken Amani Abdallah is a 10th grader at Aurora West College Prep Academy and received this award because his determination and hard work have allowed him to overcome adversities. prgtoken The dedication demonstrated by Amani Abdallah is exemplary of the type of achievement that can be attained with hard work and perseverance. It is essential students at all levels strive to make the most of their education and develop a work ethic which will guide them for the rest of their lives. prgtoken I extend my deepest congratulations to Amani Abdallah for winning the Adams County Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedication and character in all of his future accomplishments.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Jimmy Gomez (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I rise in support of this package because I have small businesses in my district that are closing, after being in business for decades, right before our eyes. This bill is better than what the s originally proposed. prgtoken And make no mistake about it, if it wasn't for pushing to make changes, the businesses, the true small businesses--not the publicly traded companies--would still continue to be left behind. There would be no money for hospitals, no money for PPEs, no money for testing. It is the push of the that made this bill better and is why I am supporting it. prgtoken I also want to be clear that this virus is on a different timeline. No matter what people think, no matter what people say, this is just the end of the beginning and not the beginning of the end.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
TJ Cox (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I hear my colleagues on the other side today, one after another, crying about the replenishment of the PPP. They wanted to keep it as originally designed, where 4 percent of the borrowers got 45 percent of the money. I think the farms and dairies and small mom-and-pop shops in my district and across the country should get loans before big steakhouses. prgtoken I am proud of the work my Caucus has done to make the PPP a more equitable program, plus getting sorely needed funds for hospitals and testing, which we all know is what is required to reopen our economy.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Ben Ray Luján (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken In the face of this crisis, I have seen so many New Mexicans step up. They have gathered fabric scraps, distributed masks, checked in with their neighbors, and showed their resilience over and over. But so many people, small businesses, and communities continue to struggle. prgtoken Today, we approve $360 billion for small businesses, $75 billion for our hospitals and frontline workers who are doing heroic work to save lives, and $25 billion so that more people can be tested for this deadly virus. prgtoken But our work is not done. Everyone knows this is not enough, and due to opposition, this package fails to provide necessary relief to our local, State, and Tribal governments. Mitch McConnell said local governments should file for bankruptcy to make themselves whole. prgtoken I had the honor this last week to participate in a townhall with the Navajo Nation, and I heard firsthand their struggles. They need resources, water, and testing. We need to do more for them, and we need to do more for the people of New Mexico and everyone living in the United States of America. prgtoken Small businesses must be prioritized by approving these loans and grants. The American people are counting on us. Let's act.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-4-23

. Madam , this economic relief package is for small businesses, finally. prgtoken I am proud that we also secured $25 billion to expand testing, with $11 billion to increase State and local testing capacity; $1 billion for the CDC, $1.8 billion for the NIH, $1 billion for BARDA, money for the Food and Drug Administration and money for community health centers. This is not everything we wanted. prgtoken Next, we need relief for States and localities, SNAP benefits, paid family leave and paid sick days, and the expansion of the Child Tax Credit. Vote ``yes'' to continue working for people.