mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Patty Murray (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2021-11-18

I rise today in recognition of Native American Heritage Month. As a Senator from Washington State, I am proud to represent 29 federally recognized Tribes. prgtoken In Washington, we understand the importance of the sovereignty of Tribal Governments. And anyone who knows me knows, I believe a commitment is more than just words. It is about action. prgtoken At the start of this year, when we passed the American Rescue Plan to get America up and running again, it was the single largest Federal investment in Tribes ever--more than $32 billion for Tribal Nations. prgtoken Since then, I have spoken to many Tribal leaders in Washington State about what this has meant for our Tribal communities. prgtoken A housing grant to the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe helped provide homes for an additional 25 families. prgtoken The Lummi Nation created new opportunities for education and job retraining. prgtoken The American Rescue Plan helped the Tulalip keep Tulalip-owned businesses, who have been struggling since the pandemic, afloat. prgtoken Action on our commitment has helped Tribal members in my home State stay housed, get back to work, keep their small businesses open, and continues to make a difference in a thousand different ways. prgtoken Now, these outcomes weren't inevitable. They happened because of intentional and specific policy decisions this prgtoken Congress made to support Tribal Nations. prgtoken So if we are serious about showing a real commitment to Tribal communities during Native American Heritage Month, then we need to continue to prioritize Tribal communities in all of our policymaking. prgtoken Infrastructure in Indian Country--everything from roads to bridges, to broadband--has been underfunded for too long. The bipartisan infrastructure bill, which is now signed into law, will make $13 billion in direct investments in Indian Country, with tens of billions more in Federal grants and future funding opportunities. This will mean clean drinking water, access to high-speed internet, transit to connect communities, and more. prgtoken Now we have another opportunity to show our commitment to Tribal communities with the Build Back Better Act. Just like everywhere else in this country, childcare is a crisis for Native communities. Right now, about one out of every four Native Americans in this country is experiencing poverty. That is higher than any other group. So when 1 in 10 Native American parents have to quit or change their job because they can't find or afford childcare, we are making a tough situation worse. prgtoken My childcare proposal in Build Back Better is going to cut the cost of childcare by thousands for Tribal families--with many paying nothing at all for childcare--and it is going to help get more slots open everywhere we need them, so parents won't be stuck on waiting lists for months on end. prgtoken It is our government's duty to make investments like this one in Indian Country because if w
BUILD BACK BETTER ACT
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-11-18

I thank the chairman for his leadership and for his love of this institution. prgtoken , the Build Back Better Act is about future opportunity for our districts and for our democracy. prgtoken As an immigrant-fueled, frontier nation, we value individual mobility and reward hard work. That is the foundation of why we are the richest and most successful nation ever. However, we are at an inflection point in which the past failure to invest in our working families has led to the degradation of our common life. That is why now more than ever we must provide more for the people who have plied through the pandemic, who propel our economic prosperity and promote our national unity. prgtoken This legislation does that by focusing on children, education, healthcare, and affordable housing; by furthering our fight for clean energy and climate resiliency with e-buses, e-bikes, and microgrids; and by financing it in a way that protects our family farms and promotes our farm workers. prgtoken For those of you who vote against this legislation today, you will probably take credit for it tomorrow because this investment will benefit not just my constituents but yours, too, because this bill provides every working family, not just with the resources to succeed in our country but with the dignity they deserve by playing a part in our democracy.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-11-18

this week, for the fifth month in a row-- and the Presiding Officer has been standing with us on this important issue--parents in Ohio and Maryland and all over the country, once again, see $250 or $300 or, if they have two children, $600 in tax cuts directly into their bank accounts. prgtoken Think about this: 90 percent of Ohio children, this year, will have at least a $3,000 tax cut, not a deduction. This is real money in people's pockets. This is 90 percent of Ohio families who will get at least a $3,000 tax cut, and that is if they have one child. If they have more, they will get a bigger tax cut. prgtoken You know, we know how hard parents work at their jobs and at raising their kids. Any parent knows how much work it is to take care of children, especially young children. It has gotten only harder and harder over the last year and a half. prgtoken I hear some of my colleagues, especially on that side of the aisle, say--you know, they forget what hard work it is to raise children. And I watched what we were able to do on this with the chairman of the Finance Committee, who just walked in, Senator Wyden, and his leadership on this largest tax cut for working families in my lifetime. prgtoken So often, we know hard work doesn't pay off. Think about the past few decades: The stock market went up; productivity went up; executive compensation has been stratospheric; yet, essentially, wages for most workers in this country have been flat. prgtoken And you know how expensive it is to raise kids. Healthcare, school lunches, diapers, clothes, school supplies, braces, sports' fees, camp fees--the list never seems to end. And one of the biggest expenses for so many families is childcare. So parents feel like they are stuck. The more they work, the more expensive childcare gets. prgtoken One of the reasons that people haven't returned to the workplace as much as some academicians or some professors or somebody predicted--it is not because we were providing unemployment compensation. That just kept them alive. It is because they can't find affordable, accessible, safe childcare. So that is why parents feel like they are stuck. It is why we passed the child tax credit--as I said, the largest tax cut for working families ever. It is about finally, finally making hard work pay off so you can keep up with the cost of raising a family. prgtoken One of the joys of this job--and I know that the Senator from Oregon and the Senator from Maryland share this because they do things like this--is we put on our website: What does the monthly child tax credit mean to you? prgtoken We started this in July. We voted on it, on this floor, on March 6. Five days later, President signed the law. We all went to talk to Secretary Yellen about getting these checks out quickly. On July 15, 4 months after we voted for it--not even 4. Help me with my math. Three months after we voted for it, these checks started showing up. <|p
BUILD BACK BETTER ACT
Steven Horsford (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2021-11-18

I rise to highlight the historic investments that Ways and Means have secured in the Build Back Better Act. prgtoken For years, Americans have seen their cost of living rise while my colleagues across the aisle focused on tax cuts for the wealthy and the well-connected. At long last, with in the majority, Congress is delivering the change that our constituents deserve. prgtoken As we rebound from the pandemic, I am very proud that the Build Back Better Act includes my bills to cap out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, lower healthcare premiums for working students, and improve wages, benefits, and training for workers at nursing homes and hospitals. prgtoken I also want to acknowledge the major investments in our clean energy future. To tackle the climate crisis and create good union jobs, the Build Back Better Act includes my bills to invest in clean energy transmission and incentivize production of dynamic glass. prgtoken The Build Back Better Act will pay for itself, create millions of good-paying jobs, and lower costs for our families. And critically, through a $5 billion investment in my bill to prevent community violence, the Build Back Better Act will keep our communities safe. prgtoken , I urge this body to pass this bold investment in America.
HONORING RUSSELL COLOMBO
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-11-18

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Russell (Russ) Colombo as he retires from a distinguished career in financial services spanning more than four decades and culminating in his role as President and Chief Operating Officer of Bank of Marin. prgtoken Russ grew up in Marin County, CA where he graduated from San Rafael High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and Business Management from the University of California, Davis and his Master of Business Administration in Banking and Finance from Golden Gate University. After twenty-nine years in banking at Comerica Bank, Security Pacific, and Union Bank in San Francisco, Russ joined Bank of Marin as Executive Vice President and Branch Administrator in 2004. After only a year at the company, he was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. As President and CEO since 2006, Russ led Bank of Marin's growth into a prominent business and valued community bank in Northern California. prgtoken During his 15 years at the helm, Russ has become the face of the Bank of Marin. Under his leadership, the Bank championed honorable values of high-quality service, community engagement, and employee wellbeing. Through his local relationship-building efforts and strategic planning, including four acquisitions, Russ oversaw the growth of Bank of Marin's assets by more than $4 billion. Throughout this period of expansion, he continued to prioritize reinvesting in the local community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Russ jumped in to meet the needs of the community, facilitating the lending of critical federal relief loans and protecting economic vitality in the region. prgtoken In a personal capacity, Russ continues to serve as Chairman of the Citizens Oversight Committee of Sonoma-Marin Area Rapid Transit (SMART). He is also a member and former board chair of the Board of the Western Bankers Association, and a former Audit Committee Member of Hanna Boys Center. prgtoken Through seasons of prosperity and difficult times, Russ never wavered from improving Bank of Marin's performance and its core mission of serving the local community. Madam , I respectfully ask that you join me in honoring Russ Colombo for his many years of effective professional and community service to Marin County and extending to him best wishes on his next endeavors.
PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-11-18

. Madam , I thank my friend, Mr. McGovern, for yielding. prgtoken Madam , when I served in local government, I helped to write and pass 14 consecutive budgets. If I learned one thing from that process, it is that budgets are statements of values. When s last used the budget reconciliation process, it was to pass a $2 trillion tax giveaway to the wealthy. Before that, they used it to rip healthcare away from more than 20 million Americans. They stated their values loudly and clearly. prgtoken Well, here are our values in this bill. We value working Americans, and are using reconciliation to cut their taxes; not the rich. We value American children and parents, and are using reconciliation drastically to lower childcare costs, provide paid family leave, and guarantee access to preschool. We value the health and well-being of the American people, and are using reconciliation to expand access to vital health services, especially our seniors. And we value our environment, and are using reconciliation to make the single largest investment in the fight against climate change in history. prgtoken These are our values. This is how we build back a better America, not only for the rich and well-connected, but for all Americans. prgtoken Madam , I urge the passage of this important investment in our future.
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF LORRAINE SULLIVAN FROM THE DEARBORN MICHIGAN SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-11-18

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Mrs. Lorraine Sullivan on the occasion of her retirement from the Dearborn, Michigan Social Security Office after over thirty-seven years of service to the Social Security Administration. Her significant contributions in service of our community are worthy of commendation. prgtoken Mrs. Sullivan got her start at the Social Security Administration as a Stay in School participant. She later held many titles as she worked her way up the ranks, serving as Development Claims Clerk, Claims Technical Expert, Operations Supervisor and now, District Manager of the Dearborn Field Office. The recipient of two Regional Commission Citations, her excellence in service is evident through her work as a leader in the office. Dedicated to improving the conditions of the workplace, she is an advocate for diversity and inclusion within her office and celebrates the diversity of her staff, encouraging them to present developmental trainings on various topics. prgtoken Known by others for her can-do attitude and willingness to help others, her staff describes her as a fair, straightforward, and empathic manager. Always looking for a way to uplift her staff, she has encouraged and mentored many team members who have gone on to become leaders in their own right. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, dancing, and spending time with her loving family, including her granddaughter Carlaheyah. Mrs. Sullivan and her husband Carl Sullivan have two sons, Theo and Carl. An active member of Mount Olive Baptist Church--the church where she and Carl married twenty-three years ago, she is an enthusiastic volunteer and member of the choir. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Lorraine Sullivan for her dedicated service to the Dearborn Michigan Social Security Office. We are grateful for her years spent serving countless Michiganders and her legacy will live on through the numerous staff members that she has mentored. I join with Lorraine's family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to her in retirement.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2021-11-18

I would also like to speak to Julie Smith and her qualifications to be Ambassador to NATO. prgtoken Julie is, really, very well qualified to represent the United States within our biggest and most significant security alliance. Her 25-year career has focused on transatlantic relations and security. She has served the country as Deputy National Security Advisor and Acting National Security Advisor to then-Vice President . prgtoken In 2012, she was awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Medal for Exceptional Public Service. She has worked at some of the country's most esteemed think tanks that address European issues. prgtoken As the U.S. confronts challenges around the world, we need to convey our firm commitment to our allies and our alliances. For this reason, it is absolutely critical that we put Julie Smith in place as Ambassador to NATO as soon as possible. prgtoken I am really very pleased that those who had a hold on her nomination have finally lifted those holds. It is unfortunate that it has taken so long because, as we look at what is happening in Eastern Europe in particular, and as we look at the migrants who are being used by Belarus--and I assume that Vladimir Putin is behind this, as well, to send those migrants to the Polish border as a way to distract from what is happening in Eastern Europe--clearly, the more equipped NATO is to help deal with those challenges, the better. prgtoken If we are going to participate with NATO, we need to have an Ambassador on the ground. It should have happened several months ago, when she was nominated. So I am very pleased that she is going to be able to assume her ambassadorship very soon. As co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, I look forward to working with her in her new role. prgtoken But this should serve as a wake-up call to those people in this Chamber who continue to have holds on critical nominees who are important to this country's national security. As I talk to U.S. allies, it is clear that the delay in sending Ambassadors to posts around the world is having a real impact on our relations with our partners; and in the absence of U.S. representation, they are questioning our commitment to our bilateral relationships. prgtoken Now, I would like to think that my colleagues who have put these holds on our nominees aren't doing it in an effort to undermine America's security and to undermine this administration in protecting the United States, but, clearly, that is the impact of what they are doing. prgtoken I have heard from a lot of my colleagues over the last months about U.S. standing in the world after our withdrawal from Afghanistan. Yet, as they are blocking administration nominees who would work with our allies, who would engage in our shared priorities and values, who would listen to concerns, and who could work together, they are just exacerbating any issues that may exist. prgtoken I don't know why they are doi
PROVIDING FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-11-18

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his strong and important leadership on this historic bill. prgtoken I rise in strong support of the Build Back Better Act and thank the ic leadership for their historic investment into the American lives and the lives of their families. prgtoken We have no future if we don't get serious about combating climate change, and this bill is transformative in this area and so many other areas. prgtoken The Oversight Committee's title would make the Federal Government a leader on combating climate change by electrifying the Federal Government's vehicle fleet. Our title includes nearly $3 billion for GSA and $6 billion for the Postal Service to purchase tens of thousands of electric vehicles and build the infrastructure necessary to support them. prgtoken Electric vehicles are a sensible and cost-effective investment that will reduce emissions and help save our planet. prgtoken The title also includes $4 billion for GSA to expand the use of emerging green technologies and to green Federal buildings. prgtoken I am especially pleased that we have included dedicated funding for OMB to track labor equity and environmental standards and performance. prgtoken It is critical that the House pass this bill as quickly as possible. Congratulations to everyone who is supporting this critically important bill.
SUPPORTING H. RES. 789, CENSURING REP. PAUL GOSAR OF ARIZONA
Betty McCollum (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2021-11-18

. Madam , yesterday the House acted to discipline a Member for conduct that was unacceptable and in violation of all standards of decency and civility--conduct that brought disrepute to this institution. I joined 223 of my colleagues-- and s--in passing H. Res. 789 to officially censure Mr. Paul Gosar of Arizona and remove him from his assigned committees. prgtoken Mr. Gosar recently posted on social media an animated video depicting him graphically killing a female Member of Congress--Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York--and violently attacking President : Millions of people have seen this disturbing and violent video. Incredibly, Mr. Gosar and 207 House s excused this despicable act as ``free speech'' and ``symbolic.'' Producing and disseminating a video depicting the murder of a workplace colleague, of an elected federal official, and a fellow American is not symbolic--it is a threat that is intended to intimidate and inspire violence. prgtoken Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a valued colleague who deserves to be treated with respect by all Members of Congress, even when political disagreements are significant. Mr. Gosar's use of official resources-- paid for by American taxpayers--to depict the killing of a fellow Member of Congress is abhorrent, and it is conduct that was appropriately condemned by the House of Representatives. prgtoken This is not a complicated matter. If Mr. Gosar had shared such a video targeting a colleague in any other workplace in America, he would have been immediately terminated. While and two s condemned his actions, the leader and more than 200 members condoned his actions, defended his conduct, and made light of a death threat against a Member of Congress. prgtoken Have Members of Congress become so craven that they do not know right from wrong? Do my colleagues not understand the signal this imagery sends to the American people, especially women and youth, that promoting violence--a male Member of Congress brutally murdering a woman, a female Member of Congress--is acceptable political speech? This video is not political or free speech, it is violent misogyny. The fact that it has been publicly defended by 207 Members of Congress now makes such behavior part and parcel of the playbook for how they intend to conduct themselves in the future. prgtoken As we all know, on January 6, 2021, a mob of thousands of insurrectionists attacked the U.S. Capitol to prevent Congress from affirming the election of as President of the United States. Mr. Gosar did not refrain from embracing these insurrectionists and the violence that threated the lives of Members of Congress, U.S. Capitol Police, and our congressional staff and workforce. Now Mr. Gosar is again embracing violence to send a political message and achieve his political goals. It is reprehensible
FTC INVESTIGATING BIG OIL
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-11-18

. Madam , I rise today in support of President 's call for the FTC to investigate the world's largest oil companies that appear to be engaging in egregious price manipulation of oil and gasoline prices. prgtoken In August, Big Oil started substantially reducing production--a bizarre move as our economy was surging forward after the pandemic downturn. prgtoken At a time when oil production costs are going down, and unprocessed gasoline awaits distilling, Big Oil is driving prices up--and reaping the benefits. The two biggest companies are on pace to double their income since 2019. This is outrageous. prgtoken It appears corporate fat cats are padding their own wallets at the expense of our national wellbeing. Enough is enough. prgtoken The FTC should take a deep dive into Big Oil--and put a stop to any nefarious behavior that is harming hardworking Americans. prgtoken I applaud President 's call for action--and hope to see enforcement soon.