mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-3-31

I rise in support of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. prgtoken This $2 trillion legislation--the largest aid package in American history--is shaped to help meet the great challenges we face during this crisis. prgtoken As Americans stay home to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus, the economy has ground to a halt. Nearly 3.3 million Americans filed unemployment claims last week, an all-time record. Our frontline health care workers are working around the clock to care for the tens of thousands of Americans who have contracted the virus, requiring a surge of hospital beds, masks, personal protective equipment, and ventilators to safely care for the sick. prgtoken The ic House has led the way to respond to this emergency. At the beginning of March, we passed a bipartisan $8.3 billion funding package to strengthen our nation's public health response to the coronavirus. A week later, we passed another bipartisan bill, the Families First Act to provide paid sick leave and nutrition assistance to working families, as well as free coronavirus testing to anyone who needs it. prgtoken Today's legislation continues Congress's fast-moving bipartisan emergency response to the pandemic. fought successfully to flip the original Senate bill from a trickle-down, corporation-first approach to a families and workers-first approach. prgtoken The four major pillars of the legislation are: A ``Marshall Plan'' for our Health Care System, Expanded Unemployment Benefits and Direct Cash Assistance for Americans, Assistance for Small Businesses, Relief for state, tribal, and local governments. prgtoken A $150 billion ``Marshall Plan'' for our health systems with funding to hospitals and other health providers to buy protective equipment, testing supplies, new construction, and to cover unreimbursed costs or lost revenue. Funding is also provided to increase the supply of health care equipment in the Strategic National Stockpile, implement the Defense Production Act, and boost FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund. $260 billion for unemployment insurance, providing an additional $600 weekly for every American receiving unemployment benefits. Many Americans will also receive a one-time cash payment of up to $1,200, and $500 per child. prgtoken A $350 billion small business rescue plan that provides loan forgiveness grants to small businesses to keep their workers on payroll and help to pay rent and utility bills. Coverage also goes to independent contractors, gig workers, and nonprofits. prgtoken A $150 billion relief fund to assist state, local, and tribal governments maintain essential public services for their residents. prgtoken also successfully prevented secret corporate bailouts. Thanks to a strong ic effort, corporations that receive aid must use it to keep workers on their payrolls. They're prohibited from giving bonuses to executives, exercise buyback of stocks, or give di
HONORING JOSEPH LOWERY
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2020-3-31

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of a remarkable leader and civil rights activist, Mr. Joseph Lowery. prgtoken Mr. Joseph Echols Lowery was born to Leroy and Dora Lowery on October 6, 1921, in Huntsville, Alabama. At age 11, Lowery was abused by a white police officer for not stepping off the sidewalk as a white man passed by. From there, his parents sent him to Chicago, Illinois, to stay with family and attend junior high. He later returned to his hometown to complete his secondary education at William Hooper Council High School. Lowery attended Knoxville College, Alabama A&M College, and concluded at Paine College. He also attended ministerial training at Payne Theological Seminary and completed a Doctor of Divinity degree at the Chicago Ecumenical Institute. prgtoken From 1952 to 1961, Lowery pastored Mobile's Warren Street Methodist Church. His Civil Rights career started in the early 1950's. He helped lead the Montgomery bus boycott--headed the Alabama Civic Affairs Association. He founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference along with Martin Luther King, Jr Fred Shuttlesworth, and a few others--leading the organization as President from 1977 to 1997. Also, he was co-founder and President of the Black Leadership Forum. He served as the pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta from 1986 through 1992. prgtoken In 1950, Lowery married Evelyn Gibson. They had three daughters together: Yvonne Kennedy, Karen Lowery, and Cheryl Lowery-Osborne. He also had two sons from an earlier marriage with Agnes Moore: Joseph Jr. and LeRoy III. prgtoken In 1965, Lowery participated in the Selma-to-Montgomery march. Atlanta's city government renamed Ashby Street to Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard which travels past Atlanta's prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Morris Brown College. prgtoken As a member of the esteemed brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Lowery received the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, the inaugural Walter P. Reuther Humanitarian Award from Wayne State University in 2003, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center Peace Award, and the National Urban League's Whitney M. Young, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. Ebony named him one of the 15 greatest black preachers. He received several honorary doctorates from colleges and universities, including Dillard University, Morehouse College, Alabama State University, University of Alabama in Huntsville, and Emory University. Lowery was honored at the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2004. prgtoken On January 20, 2009, Lowery delivered the benediction at the inauguration of Senator as the 44th President of the United States of America. On July 30, 2009, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by . He was also
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Ben McAdams (Democrat, UT) \u2014 2020-3-31

as I continue to receive treatment in a Utah hospital for COVID-19, I am not able to vote on H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Had I been present and able to vote, I would have voted `aye'. This bill is certainly not perfect and raises significant concerns about fiscal responsibility and appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. prgtoken Nonetheless, we have a responsibility to protect the health and economic well-being of our state and our country. This bill provides critical support for working families, our front-line health care providers, community workers, state and local governments, and Utah small businesses and their employees. Coronavirus remains a danger to our lives and our livelihoods. I am proud to have championed a key oversight provision--a Treasury Department Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery--to track and account for disbursement and spending of taxpayer dollars. I will work to ensure we fix problems as they arise and focus on doing what is best for Utahns. prgtoken I believe we will get through this by giving communities, health care providers and local governments the tools they need to respond quickly and efficiently to what's happening on the ground with maximum flexibility and accountability. I believe in Utahns and I believe in Americans; everyday heroes will help us overcome and as a Representative, I must do my part to get urgently needed resources to Utahns.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-3-31

it is the intent of this chamber that States, Tribal governments, and local units of governments use the funds in the Coronavirus Relief Fund to recover any necessary monies that they would have otherwise collected or generated in order to pay their employees and cover costs but for the COVID-19 pandemic. As the legislation indicates, these funds are specifically targeted towards expenditures incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020. I agree that it is important to try to keep American workers employed and paid during this time. And, I agree with the assessment that these governments rely on the collection of taxes and generation of revenues to pay the wages of these employees, and those costs were an anticipated expenditure to be allowable under the Coronavirus Relief Fund.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Ruben Gallego (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2020-3-31

I rise to discuss the bill that we are voting on today, the prgtoken Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (``CARES Act''). This bill is incredibly important to all of our citizens and communities. Our country is going through a war with this new virus, and we need to get every resource possible out into our communities to help fight this pandemic. We also need to protect our workers and keep them paid so they can purchase the food and supplies they need to get their families through this crisis safely. prgtoken That is what I want to speak to. One of the last provisions added to this bill was Title VI, which establishes a Coronavirus Relief Fund that provides $150 billion for the Secretary of Treasury to disseminate to States, Tribal Governments, and units of local government in fiscal year 2020. These funds are to alleviate severe financial pressure these governments are under during this public health emergency. prgtoken Specifically, the funds are intended to cover expenditures that were not accounted for in the budgets of these governments prior to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. For most of these governments, their budgets are based on the revenues they accounted for over the course of the fiscal year, including from revenues anticipated to be generated from business enterprises. These anticipated revenues are what these governments use to pay the wages of their employees. prgtoken I want to memorialize that it is the intent of this Chamber that the funds in the Coronavirus Relief Fund are intended to help cover the loss of revenues that would have otherwise been collected and generated by these governments to cover the wages of their employees. We need to make sure these employees continue to be paid and that every effort is made to prevent them from losing their jobs during this pandemic.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Peter A. DeFazio (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-3-31

I will vote in support of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This economic stimulus represents a wartime level investment in our nation as we continue our fight against an invisible enemy: COVID-19. prgtoken Public health experts agree the consequences of the virus will only get more devastating in the coming days. People we know and love will get sick. People we know and love may die despite the heroic efforts of our health care workers who are on the front lines, sacrificing the health of themselves and their families to give their neighbors and communities a fighting chance. prgtoken We also know that the financial fall-out from this crisis is unprecedented. On Thursday, the Department of Labor announced that nearly 3.3 million people lost their job the prior week, an unfortunate record number of claims. Through no fault of their own, millions of Americans were sidelined by a vicious virus that has brought our economy to a stunning but necessary halt as we work to ``flatten the curve'' to protect our health and safety. prgtoken Our next steps in this battle--to both contain the virus and prevent further layoffs--are critical. prgtoken And while Members of Congress can't be the experts in the lab developing a vaccine, or flying the cargo planes with medical supplies, there is something we can do today: get desperately needed funding and medical supplies to hospitals and frontline healthcare workers, and provide critical relief to the millions of laid-off workers and small business owners who are hurting right now. prgtoken Now, without question, the bill the Senate sent us isn't perfect. prgtoken Remember, the starting point was a massive corporate slush fund with no transparency, accountability, or worker protections. prgtoken But we could not allow a repeat of the failed bailout of 2008. I'm proud to be part of the ic negotiating team that protected jobs because we know that putting working people and families first is how we as a country can get back on our feet. Prioritizing their needs over the profits of giant corporations is how we build an economy that works for everyone--not just a wealthy few. prgtoken This bill will put checks in the mail to 80 percent of Americans who make under six figures, and it will boost critical benefits for anyone who lost their job amid this crisis. prgtoken We fought hard so this bill will ensure millions of bus drivers, train operators, railroad workers, flight crews, airline ground workers, airport workers, and more not only remain on the job but keep as many of their hard-earned health and retirement benefits as possible during this crisis. The relief in this package flows to workers first, not last--and it makes clear to any industry getting relief: no stock buybacks, no executive giveaways, no layoffs. Workers first--period. prgtoken For the millions who have lost their jobs through no fau
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Alma S. Adams (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2020-3-31

America is in the middle of a crisis, and our constituents are looking to us for help. prgtoken COVID-19 has shuttered businesses, closed schools, left millions of Americans without the means to pay rent or put food on their tables, and worst of all, killed over a thousand of our neighbors. prgtoken Congress has passed two bills to address the stubborn lack of testing that still plagues our health system, and to provide Americans with federally guaranteed paid sick leave for the first time ever. prgtoken However, it's clear that the scope and impact of this pandemic is far greater than we could have imagined. prgtoken So today, we take another step towards giving Americans a helping hand and some needed relief from an emergency that has changed life as we know it. prgtoken I support H.R. 748, the CARES Act, because it reflects a bipartisan compromise that will allow our elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools to pay their faculty and staff, and continue providing nourishment to their students. prgtoken I support the CARES Act because it will put money directly into the pockets of working Americans who aren't looking for a handout, but who need assistance to make it through the next few weeks. prgtoken I support the CARES Act because it provides billions in assistance to our number one job creators, our small businesses, as they look to make payroll and keep their workers employed. prgtoken It was the author William Feather who said: ``The prizes go to those who meet emergencies successfully. And the way to meet emergencies is to do each daily task the best we can.'' prgtoken The American people have done their best to meet each day of this crisis with resolve. prgtoken Now it is up to Congress to meet this crisis with the same kind of moral fiber.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Patrick T. McHenry (Republican, NC) \u2014 2020-4-3

this unprecedented time in our nation's history calls for an unprecedented response. This is not like any economic or health issue we've faced. This is a voluntary shut down of vast parts of the economy in an effort to save American lives, and, as a result, we need the CARES Act. prgtoken It's important to remember, this is not a stimulus package, this is emergency relief. And this is not a bailout for bad business decisions or one specific industry. The CARES Act, while not perfect, is the appropriate action to provide necessary resources to get Americans and our economy through this national emergency. prgtoken My ultimate goal for this legislation is to keep Americans employed. Specifically, this bill will provide relief to our small businesses to help them keep employees on payroll and prepare those businesses to be up and running as soon as America is open for business again. prgtoken The CARES Act provides $377 billion in small business loans. This will allow a small business to go to any federally insured financial institution to access those loans--many of which will be forgiven if used to support keeping employees on payroll, another important provision to help keep folks employed. prgtoken This bill also provides Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and Fed Chairman Powell with the resources they need to address the liquidity crisis facing the main street businesses that employ millions of Americans. The CARES Act allows them the flexibility to meet the needs of American businesses in the coming weeks and months by allocating $500 billion to an Exchange Stabilization Fund, or ESF. This prgtoken critical funding will allow the Treasury Secretary to provide loans and loan guarantees to businesses of all sizes. prgtoken Of that $500 billion, $454 billion assists the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve in loan facilities and programs to help distressed businesses. This funding has the potential to unleash more than $4 trillion in lending to businesses of all sizes, consumers, local governments, and money market funds. prgtoken We know Americans can't wait for this relief. I'm glad the CARES Act is soon headed to the President's desk for his signature and to the aid of families across our country.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF EMILY HARRIS-ESCAMILLA
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2020-4-3

. Madam , Emily -Escamilla was a shining light throughout her community of Selah, Washington. Her smile would illuminate rooms, and she was a bright and graceful soul who nobody could forget. prgtoken To the people of Selah, Emily was a loving mother, daughter, friend, and coach. Tragically, she was taken from her family and loved ones as a victim of domestic violence. prgtoken However, her community has chosen not to let this tragedy overshadow and darken their memories of Emily. Shortly following the news of her death, over 100 members of the community gathered at a local park to hold a candle light vigil to honor her and provide comfort and support to those affected by her death. prgtoken Perry Technical Institute, a local college, established a scholarship in her name, which will continue Emily's legacy and passion for helping others. prgtoken In lieu of flowers, her family requested that donations be made to the YWCA to assist those fleeing domestic violence. Emily's love and appreciation for her friends and family and her desire to help others continues to live on, with people urging each other to ``live like Emily''. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to send their prayers to the family and may we all seek to ``live like Emily''.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Jahana Hayes (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-4-3

the novel coronavirus, has become a global pandemic that has brought us to the brink. Connecticut has been hit particularly hard by this virus, with more than 1,000 confirmed cases to date. Nonessential businesses in my state have been shuttered, crippling our local economy, squeezing small businesses, and causing painful layoffs. Our hospitals, frontline health workers, and first responders are overwhelmed working without enough resources, personal protective equipment, and tests to combat the rapid spread of this unrelenting disease. prgtoken There is no more time to waste. Congress must act now to combat this virus and get the states and the American people the support and resources they need. I applaud House leadership for their hard work on this bill and for getting a deal for the American people. I was indeed frustrated that big business seemingly stepped to the front of the line in earlier proposals, but I commend my colleagues for pushing back against toxic provisions that would bail out those corporations, no strings attached, without providing the requisite support to hospitals and everyday Americans. prgtoken This bill is not perfect, and does not include everything I advocated for, but it does include critical funding that will save lives and help my constituents in Connecticut's 5th District recover from the economic fallout of this public health crisis. It includes $150 billion for our health care system, nearly $16 billion for veteran health care, over $20 billion for SNAP, WIC, and other nutrition programs, direct payments to Americans to help with the financial burden this virus has caused, over $350 billion in funding for small businesses and nonprofits, $150 billion in grants for states and local municipalities, the expansion of unemployment benefits to make sure workers everywhere can land on their feet after losing their job. Finally, it provides over $35 billion for early childhood education programs, K through 12 schools, and higher education institutions in response to the severe disruptions caused by the pandemic--including funds that will help students and teachers with distance learning. prgtoken This third relief package is a monumental step forward, but more work needs to be done to respond to this public health and economic emergency. When future legislation is being discussed, I hope to include more relief for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel, who are the first responders in many of the communities in my district. Their work is so vitally important, now more than ever, and we must ensure they have the proper equipment and protections in place to do their jobs. I hope more funding will be made available for rural health providers in the Northwestern Corner of Connecticut. We must help the Postal Service and its employees, which have been hit hard by the effects of the virus. I want to see more support for teachers as they adapt to a new reality of distance learnin
HONORING THE HEROIC LIFE OF GENERAL LE MINH DAO
Harley Rouda (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-4-3

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the heroic life of General Le Minh Dao, who passed away on March 19, 2020. General Dao spent his 87 years of life fighting for freedom and serving his community. prgtoken Born in 1933 in Sai Gon, Vietnam, Le Minh Dao would go on to serve in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Outnumbered and fighting against the odds, General Dao made a heroic stand in what is now known as the Battle of Xuan Loc, the last major struggle before Saigon's fall on April 30, 1975. For 13 days, the General and his men of the 18th division of the ARVN withstood an unrelenting barrage from Communist forces. The battle would be a showcase of General Dao's military brilliance and a testament to his unimpeachable courage. prgtoken Due to his passionate and inspirational leadership, General Dao will forever be recognized as a hero, both within the Vietnamese community and to all of us who hold the ideals of freedom and democracy above all else. prgtoken I ask that all Members join me in honoring the extraordinary life of General Le Minh Dao.