mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
DR. LORNA BREEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PROTECTION ACT
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-12-7

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , today ought to be a rare day for bipartisanship on behalf of patients and healthcare providers across America. Sadly, it is another day for ' partisanship. prgtoken Providing needed funding for Medicare providers, our local doctors and hospitals, especially as we recover from the pandemic, is just common sense. We should be on the same page. In fact, we were, as early as a few hours ago, when s also introduced legislation to help our healthcare providers. prgtoken Instead, have decided to push a very partisan agenda that has led to crisis after crisis, including the one we addressed today. prgtoken Our border communities are overwhelmed. flation is robbing American paychecks. The President has mishandled the economy so badly, he is already nearly a million jobs short of his promises from his last $2 trillion spending binge. prgtoken Now, patients and doctors are being held hostage to pave the way for trillions of more reckless spending that most Americans don't even want. prgtoken Regrettably, are politicizing needed funding for Americans' healthcare with a poison pill that provides a process for lifting the debt ceiling, absolutely unrelated, and using patients and access to local doctors as leverage to increase the national debt on our children and grandchildren. prgtoken Last month, knowing this was coming, s on the Ways and Means Committee called for a hearing, a bipartisan hearing, to address the issues around our doctors and our healthcare providers and reimbursement. prgtoken In a letter, we wrote to our colleagues, who we believed shared the same concerns, and said: ``If the stability of healthcare providers is, in fact, still a priority for you,'' let's hold a hearing so that we can discuss a legislative solution going forward to maintain patient access to our local providers. prgtoken Instead, once again, my colleagues are choosing to go it alone because seemingly they are obsessed with spending taxpayer dollars wastefully. prgtoken We know there is bipartisan support for doctors. We should do a standalone bill. But the truth is, House s can't support using patients and access to local doctors as leverage to increase the national debt on our children. prgtoken We know there is bipartisan support for providers, and we know this could stand alone as a bill. Unfortunately, this is not the path the have chosen. prgtoken Make no mistake: This debt ceiling is being lifted to pay for trillions of wasteful socialist spending. This debt ceiling limit is increased until 2023, all to accommodate trillions of wasteful spending, and Americans know it. prgtoken The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has noted that President 's Build Back Better bill would cost nearly $5 trillion, while the President and others continue to claim falsely that this costs
HONORING THE LIFE OF CHARLENE LEONARD
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-12-7

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Charlene Matthews Leonard, who passed away on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, after a brief illness. She was born on March 3, 1933, in Mexia, Texas, to parents Z.S. and Jewel Matthews. prgtoken Charlene and her family moved to Beaumont, Texas, in the early 1940s, where she graduated from Beaumont High School in 1951. During her formative years, Charlene encountered and befriended Mrs. Eloise Milam, founder of the Melody Maids. This singing group of young women performed with the goal of expressing their gratitude to the men and women serving in uniform during WWII. Without hesitation, Charlene quickly joined the group. Traveling for 30 years as ``Ambassadors of Goodwill,'' the Melody Maids brought joy to American military bases around the world. prgtoken Charlene met the love of her life, William S. ``Bud'' Leonard, while attending Lamar College, which is now known as Lamar University. They shared a wonderful marriage for nearly 67 years until Bud's death in 2020. During their marriage, the couple was blessed with two children. Their eldest daughter, Joni Marie, was born on March 14, 1956, in San Diego, California, while Bud was stationed there in the Navy. Joni was born with severe mental and physical disabilities, but that did not prevent her from living a full life at home with her parents for the last 65 years. Their son Will, equally the apple of the couple's eyes, was born in Beaumont two years later in 1958. prgtoken With a song always in her heart, Charlene could be heard faithfully sharing her love of music with the church choir at Calder Baptist Church, the Interfaith Choral Society, Beaumont Junior League Follies, and Lullaby of Broadway which supported the music program at Lamar University. She routinely attended her alma mater's functions, cheering on the Cardinals at athletic events, while her husband Bud served as Vice Chancellor for Development. Those attending productions at the Julie Rogers Theatre in Beaumont regularly found Charlene in the Melody Maids' Museum sharing the countless mementos and scrapbooks from their decades of travel that are housed there. prgtoken Charlene was strong in her faith and her love for her husband Bud, her son Will and his wife, Michelle, of Beaumont, and her twin granddaughters, Anne Kellam Leonard of Los Angeles, California, and Claire Matthews Leonard of Birmingham, Alabama. Similarly, one cannot say enough about Charlene's devotion and selfless adoration for her special daughter, Joni. She never relented in her resolve to personally care for Joni as long as she could and never complained or regretted one moment of that decision. prgtoken Madam , until he passed away in 2020, Bud and Charlene Leonard were an inseparable pair, a Beaumont institution that defined community service and a zest for life. Charlene genuinely loved and cared for people and valued making new friends to add to the many cherished old
Unanimous Consent Requests--Executive Calendar (Executive Calendar)
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-12-7

in reserving the right to object, throughout his Presidency, and his administration have shown a complete and total inability to place qualified and competent people in positions of power across the Federal Government. We have had crisis after crisis due to the failed leadership of President and his appointees. I have absolutely no faith that 's radical, far-left nominees will uphold the rule of law. prgtoken I cannot and will not consent to allowing these nominees to move forward in an expedited manner. We should take a vote so every Senator can get on the record with their support or opposition to each of these nominees. prgtoken Therefore, I object.
Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar (Executive Calendar)
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-12-7

I reserve the right to object. prgtoken The Senate is a special institution. It is a unique institution. James Madison said the Senate was the only truly innovative part of our Constitution. prgtoken It remains the case today that our Senate is the only upper Chamber in a Western parliament that has more power under our Constitution than does the lower Chamber. That is in part because of the design of the Senate in our Constitution; because of our Senate rules, of our traditions, of our customs. prgtoken We have heard a lot about courtesy and collegiality and respect. Those are very important customs around here, but it has to be a two- way street. prgtoken Earlier this year, in the Judiciary Committee, during the markup for Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General, I was speaking, as is my right under the Judiciary Committee rules. There was at least one other Senator who was preparing to speak. There may have been more. The Senator from Illinois, in his role as prgtoken chairman of the committee, cut off my remarks and forced through the vote on Vanita Gupta, all so he could save 1 week to get her confirmed--just 1 week. prgtoken I said right here at this desk 9 months ago that when our rules and our traditions are so flagrantly breached, there has to be some kind of consequence, and I outlined exactly what that consequence would be at the time: that I would not expedite consideration, as the Senator from Illinois rightly observes is the custom here, for any U.S. attorney nominee from a State represented by a on the Judiciary Committee because if there are not consequences when rules and traditions are breached in this institution, we will soon not have rules and traditions. prgtoken Now, I also said that if the Senator from Illinois would simply express regret for what happened that day and pledge that it wouldn't happen again, I would be happy to let all of these nominees move forward. We have communicated this to the Senator from Illinois and his staff on multiple occasions. I reiterated today that I would be happy to confirm these nominees in the following few minutes if the Senator from Illinois would simply express regret for what happened in the hearing that day and commit that it won't happen again, which, I say again, is simply committing that we follow our own rules. If we hear that from the Senator from Illinois, we will have five new U.S. attorneys. prgtoken And I see the Senators from Rhode Island and Hawaii and New Jersey are here. As the Senator from Illinois said, I have no objection to moving forward with any of these particular nominees. All these States can have their U.S. attorneys this afternoon, but if not, I will have to continue to insist that we not expedite these nominations. So I object.
RECOGNIZING THE IOWA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-12-7

I rise today to recognize a group of women in my district for their hard work that led to a historic game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. prgtoken On Sunday, the Iowa Women's Basketball team earned an impressive 88- 61 win in their Big Ten Conference opener against Michigan State. prgtoken With almost 7,000 people in attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Lisa Bluder and her Hawkeyes showcased their court dominance with Caitlin Clark adding 24 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, making her second triple-double in the six games since our season opener against New Hampshire. prgtoken And the icing on top? All those watching got to see Coach Lisa Bluder earn her 800th career win, a monumental achievement, to be sure. prgtoken Congratulations, Lady Hawkeyes, and give yourselves a pat on the back for all the hard work you put in during the off season. I look forward to seeing what else this team has in store in the coming months.
DR. LORNA BREEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PROTECTION ACT
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-12-7

. Madam , what a mess. Truly, what a mess. prgtoken Just about 9 months ago, I stood on this floor when we were debating the bailout bill, and I warned the gentleman from Nevada how much the seniors in his State were going to lose in Medicare cuts. I said it State by State for everyone who spoke. You know what? Everyone on that side of the aisle, Madam , acted like it wouldn't happen. They still wanted to spend $2 trillion. prgtoken But guess what? Reality has set in, and we are here. Unless you try to wipe away the scorecard for your reckless spending, seniors are going to have cuts. Why? Because of a law that passed in 2010, the Pay-As-You-Go Act. prgtoken Nancy Pelosi loved the act then. President signed that act into law, Madam . You guys just want to wipe the slate clean. prgtoken Madam , we are here today for two reasons. First, because blew up a bipartisan agreement this afternoon--this afternoon--and second is because there are looming cuts to seniors and farmers and to programs that millions of Americans rely on because of reckless spending. prgtoken s have warned since March that these cuts would happen. In fact, the $2 trillion bailout bill that rammed through Congress is what triggered a sizable portion of these cuts in the first place under the Pay-As-You-Go Act. prgtoken Their bailout bill is the largest tranche of spending ever added to a paygo scorecard in the history of Congress--in the history of Congress--the $2 trillion expenditure back in March. prgtoken Pelosi said in 2009 that pay-as-you-go budgeting ``will help return our Nation to sound fiscal health.'' It was President who signed paygo into law, as I stated. But now the deficit spending is forcing cuts, and they are singing a much different tune. prgtoken In fact, just today--just today--the chairman of the House Budget Committee said about paygo: It ``has never been an effective tool of fiscal policy.'' prgtoken The fact is, should be working in a bipartisan way to protect seniors from these cuts, including those stemming from the Budget Control Act sequester and the Medicare physician fee schedule. But in typical fashion, have decided to abandon bipartisanship and just kick the can down the road over and over again. prgtoken We can stop these cuts, but we should do it in a responsible way, one that addresses wasteful spending and puts in place some commonsense reforms. prgtoken How about rescinding money from the bailout bill that is fueling inflation? Maybe Congress could tighten up our laws so Federal benefits and payments aren't flowing to illegal immigrants instead of American citizens, or put commonsense work requirements in place for Federal programs so American businesses can reopen. prgtoken Legislation I have introduced today does just that, and I would hope my colleagues across the aisle would support this effort to sav
FIRST AMENDMENT APPLIES TO COLLEGE CAMPUSES TOO
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-12-7

the attempt to stifle free speech at colleges and universities continues to be a major problem. Too many universities are more committed to liberal indoctrination than to providing an education. prgtoken One of the primary reasons students attend college is to foster intellectual curiosity, yet this is no longer allowed at many universities. Too many students and faculty alike are being intimidated into silence, or even worse, punished for speaking out about their religious or political beliefs. prgtoken Universities should encourage a diverse set of viewpoints and open dialogue; not stifle the expression of ideas they may oppose. Students should not feel like they must be on the frontlines of a culture war just to obtain a degree. prgtoken All Americans should have their First Amendment freedoms protected, regardless of their point of view. Students on college campuses should be no different.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-12-7

. Madam , fifty years ago this fall, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) that would ensure equality for women and prohibit discrimination based on sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. In 2020, the ERA crossed its final hurdle to becoming a constitutional amendment when Virginia ratified it. Consequently, the ERA now meets the legal threshold for a constitutional amendment--to be ratified by 38 states. Without haste, the ERA must be certified and published. prgtoken Since WWII, women have been the backbone of the U.S. economy and nurturers to the nation, yet they do not enjoy equal protection under the law from discrimination based on sex. As the former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia once commented, ``Certainly the Constitution does not require discrimination on the basis of sex. The only issue is whether it prohibits it. It doesn't.'' Today, women hold the majority of jobs in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet their pay lags their White male counterparts. Analysis by the American Association of University Women found that White women earn just 79 percent compared to White men. The pay gap disparity is even greater for women of color, with Black women earning just 63 percent and Hispanic women earning a mere 55 percent compared to White men. prgtoken The structural disparities for women in the workforce go beyond simply lower pay. Regardless of the industry, women's labor continues to be undervalued, Studies show that once women enter an occupation in large numbers, wages for the occupation as a whole decline, particularly in the service industry which blatantly devalues women's contributions. And again, women of color are disproportionality impacted, with structural disparities for women of color in the labor force dating back to the end of slavery. Economic growth--both business and personal--boomed based on the exploitation of women of color. For Black women, they were forced laborers under slavery and then forced into low-paying, exploitive jobs. Similarly, Native American women experienced land theft and indentured servitude, robbing them of their economic power. These historical systems created the occupational segregation that persists today, where women of color get tracked into undervalued careers with little power and pay. The government has long failed to mandate that business owners extend basic protections to occupations dominated by women, all while relying on them to do the hardest, dirtiest, and most dangerous work--a trend that has been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken It is long-past time to recognize the equal value of women and enact a constitutional amendment to address discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender in our country. The ERA is necessary to remedy structural inequalities for women. The ERA would cause public and private industry to address pay inequalities, equal access to healt
TRIBUTE TO JOHN DUMAIS
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2021-12-7

I rise today to salute John Dumais for his many years of dedicated service at the New Hampshire Grocers Association. John is retiring from his longtime role as president and CEO of a trade association that represents hundreds of retailers and suppliers and thousands of workers across the Granite State, and he leaves a legacy worthy of our praise and our gratitude. prgtoken John draws on a lifetime of experience and in-depth knowledge in his advocacy for the retail food industry. He grew up working in his family's grocery store in Franklin, NH--Surowiec's Market--and put aside a career track as a pharmacist to help run the shop when his father passed away in 1971. Three years later, he took a role with the New Hampshire Grocers Association. It was the start of an almost five- decade career in which John became one of the State's foremost authorities on the many issues that impact New Hampshire's chained grocery stores and independent retailers. prgtoken The Granite State is home to a growing number of retail food chains that offer their services in multiple locations. It boasts a number of independent, local corner stores and specialty shops that provide distinct services to their communities. It also has a number of food manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers, and distributers that serve and support the State's many retailers. Each of these enterprises are represented by the New Hampshire Grocers Association, and each of them has found a knowledgeable resource and skilled advocate in John Dumais. John and his hard-working team tap into their wealth of experience to respond to present needs and anticipate future challenges in this crucial industry. prgtoken In addition to his influential role and many achievements with the New Hampshire Grocers Association, John is incredibly generous with his time in a number of other community and charitable organizations. He is a past chairman and current board member of the New Hampshire Food Bank, the chairman of an anti-litter and pro-recycling campaign--New Hampshire the Beautiful--and the past chairman of a scholarship organization, the Asparagus Club. He is also a donor-adviser to prgtoken the Mary M. Dumais Memorial Fund, an endowment fund named for his wife that assists women who face challenges entering or advancing in the workforce. John's enthusiasm and desire to tackle serious community issues reveal a deep understanding of the true value of service and reflect the profound sense of community that defines our State. prgtoken I have known John for decades. As State senator, Governor of New Hampshire, and now U.S. Senator, I have crossed paths with him at many meetings and events around the State, including just last month at a supply chain event in Manchester. I always welcome his perspective and advice on ways we can strengthen the retail food industry. His wisdom was especially vital in the past year and a half as the industry navigated the challenge
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5314, PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF S. 1605, NATIONAL PULSE MEMORIAL; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF S. 610, DR. LORNA BREEN...
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-12-7

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her outstanding work on the Rules Committee. prgtoken , I rise in strong support of the rule for H.R. 5314, the Protecting Our Democracy Act. prgtoken This sweeping package of reforms, many of which have been supported by and s in the past, will protect our government from future abuses, restore the government's system of checks and balances, and strengthen our accountability and transparency. prgtoken The Committee on Oversight and Reform has jurisdiction over several titles in this landmark legislation, and I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill. prgtoken The Protecting Our Democracy Act includes the Inspector General Independence Act, which I introduced last year with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and several other members of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. prgtoken The bill would strengthen protections for inspectors general by only allowing an IG to be removed for specific, documented causes and not for political retaliation, for doing their jobs and conducting oversight. prgtoken The bill also includes my Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill the Committee on Oversight and Reform approved earlier this year. These provisions would strengthen protections for whistleblowers by protecting their anonymity and prohibiting retaliation when they come forward with abuses in government. prgtoken The Protecting Our Democracy Act would strengthen the Hatch Act, which is intended to protect the government from political interference with our workforce. prgtoken Last month, the independent Office of Special Counsel found that senior officials in the last administration repeatedly broke the law by using their government positions to campaign for the former President. prgtoken The bill also includes Representative Katie Porter's bill, the Accountability for Acting Officials Act, which would limit who can be named an acting official and for how long. These reforms would close loopholes that are ripe for abuse. prgtoken , I urge everyone to vote for this important bill.