mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Remembering  John Lewis (Executive Session)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-7-30

on February 21, 1940, John Lewis was born in Troy, AL--a son of sharecroppers, born to be a person to bring good trouble to the Nation. He grew up on his family's farm and attended segregated public schools in Pike County, AL. prgtoken As a young boy, he was inspired by the activism that surrounded him-- the Montgomery bus boycott and the works of a leader name Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He attended Fisk University, and he organized sit-in demonstrations in segregated lunch counters in Nashville, TN. prgtoken In 1961, he started participating in the Freedom Rides. He was just a young man. He would get on board a segregated bus, and he would dare to sit in the ``Whites Only'' area just to make a simple statement--that any person of any race should be able to sit anywhere they choose to sit in America, and it would be OK. He literally risked his life just riding on a bus in the wrong seat. prgtoken He became best known in 1963 when he helped to organize the March on Washington. He was part of what they called the Big Six in the civil rights movement. He was nationally recognized. We lose track of the fact that in 1963 he was one of the keynote speakers in the March on Washington. He stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial at 23 years old. prgtoken His focus on nonviolent protests, his focus on training people on how to speak out for what is just and for what is right, his focus on challenging people to rethink justice and to be able to see all people as being created in the image of God, all people equal, was a message that our Nation needed to hear and was a message he delivered over and over again. From his youngest days, he brought good trouble, as he said, to our Nation to awaken us. prgtoken He led 600 peaceful, orderly protesters across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL, on March 7, 1965. They were going to march from Selma to Montgomery to demonstrate the need for voting rights changes in the State of Alabama, but Alabama State Troopers met them there in what is known as Bloody Sunday. He and other peaceful protesters, simply marching, were attacked and beaten for doing what is just. prgtoken It was a telling thing to see John Lewis's body this past week cross that historic bridge one last time, and as he crossed, to have Alabama State Troopers stand on the bridge and salute his body as it went by because John Lewis brought change to America. John Lewis was elected to Congress in 1986 in Georgia's Fifth Congressional District, where he served faithfully. He was affectionately known as being the conscience of the Congress. prgtoken He was trained in religious teachings. He had a theological degree. He was often called ``the reverend.'' He never lost track of his faith. He treated people with respect. Even people he disagreed with and voted differently from, he would treat them with respect in a way that would honor God and honor them and honor his own family. prgtoken What is interesti
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Rick W. Allen (Republican, GA) \u2014 2020-7-30

. Madam , in response, I understand that we are in unprecedented times, but H.R. 7617 moves our Nation in the wrong direction. prgtoken We talk about values. Those same children who are in Head Start programs 20 years from now are going to be trying to find a job. Five months ago, we had the best economy in the world. We had more jobs than we had people looking for jobs. prgtoken Isn't that what America is all about: living the American Dream? prgtoken Yet what we are doing is those same children--and we say we care about the children--where are you going to get the money? Where are you going to get it? Off their backs? prgtoken Madam , we can't continue this, and .
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2020-7-30

this bipartisan amendment would transfer $21.3 billion from the procurement account to the Marine Corps' JLTV and transfer it from the funds from the Defense-wide operation and maintenance account. prgtoken We want to make sure the JLTV is delivered to our servicemembers on schedule and on cost. I have come to understand that, last year, the Marine Corps had substantially higher fielding costs than they anticipated for this vehicle, so they had to transfer funds from purchasing more vehicles to fielding the vehicles they had. prgtoken I understand why the Appropriations Committee, being fiscally responsible, saw that they shifted money and therefore gave them less of these new vehicles than they thought they needed. However, the Marine Corps had two options: pay the incurred costs or not pay for these costs and not have operational JLTVs. The Marine Corps has demonstrated the need for these trucks and requested funding for 752 of them to be appropriated in FY21. prgtoken My bipartisan amendment will accomplish this. I think we in Congress can work with the Marine Corps, the least-funded branch of the armed services.
Unanimous Consent Request (Executive Session)
Ron Johnson (Republican, WI) \u2014 2020-7-30

back in February 2020, before the COVID recession, there were 158.8 million Americans employed. We have gone through a lot. COVID is probably the most significant event--certainly in my lifetime--affecting people's lives, the tragedies we have seen, affecting our economy, affecting the Federal budget. prgtoken At the end of June, there were 142 million Americans employed. That is a reduction of 16.6 million Americans or 10.5 percent. I want people to remember that 10.5 percent. prgtoken Over the last month or so, there have been a number of respected economists who made forecasts of how much our economy is going to shrink. These are folks from the IMF and CBO and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, economists at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. The range of what they are predicting our economy will shrink to is somewhere between 4.6 percent and 8 percent. This is causing economic devastation--a real human toll on real people. prgtoken As a result of that, Congress acted. We acted fast. We acted swiftly. We acted massively. We wanted to provide financial help to individuals who were unemployed all of a sudden through no fault of their own. We wanted to help provide financial need to businesses that were viable, that can hopefully survive and rehire and help us recover from this COVID recession. We also wanted to make sure we provided enough liquidity in the market so we wouldn't see any kind of seizing up and see real financial devastation. prgtoken The result of all that was that within a very short period of time, by the end of April, we had already passed four different financial relief packages totaling $2.9 trillion. We just held an oversight hearing in my committee 2 days ago. There is even dispute on that number. Some witnesses said it is close to $3.6 trillion. I am going to use $2.9 trillion as a minimum. prgtoken To relate that to what I just talked about, that represents about 13.5 percent of our economy. Again, employment is down 10.5 percent. Economists are predicting our economy will shrink somewhere between 4.6 percent and 8 percent. But we acted swiftly and massively. We knew what we were going to enact was far from perfect. We all understood that. It was far from perfect, but it worked, and we had to do it. prgtoken We passed an amount equal to 13.5 percent of last year's GDP. Less than a month later, Pelosi and her House passed a fifth package out of the House worth $3 trillion--$3 trillion. I am sorry. That is not a serious attempt at financial relief. If we add that to the $2.9 trillion, that would represent 27.5 percent of last year's economy. prgtoken Again, employment is down 10.5 percent. Our economy will probably shrink by no more than 8 percent. Yet Pelosi and House wanted to increase the amount of debt burden on our children by passing a package that would bring the total relief package up to 27.5 percent of our GDP. It is not serious. <|p|
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Troy Balderson (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-7-30

I rise today in support of an amendment I offered alongside Representatives Cisneros, Larsen, and Young. This amendment would increase funding to Small Business Development Centers by $5 million by fiscal year 2021. prgtoken SBDCs provide a critical resource to small business owners and entrepreneurs who use the centers for free consulting and at-cost trainings. SBDCs have a return on investment of over two to one, and last year they helped generate $7 billion in new sales. It will be even more valuable as our small businesses recover from this pandemic. prgtoken As a Member of the House Small Business Committee, I have seen firsthand how effective SBDCs can be for our Nation's economic engine. Now, more than ever, we need to strengthen our support for small business programs. prgtoken , I ask my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on this amendment and support Main Streets across America.
OPIOID CRISIS EPIDEMIC
David P. Joyce (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-7-30

it is an honor to appear before you today. prgtoken , I rise today to bring awareness to the public health crisis that continues to devastate communities in Ohio and across the country while we grapple with the unprecedented challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic--the opioid crisis. prgtoken I have been proud of Congress' bipartisan work over the past several years to not only advance recovery and treatment efforts, but also to prevent the trafficking of lethal, illicit opioids, like fentanyl. I was even prouder when, in 2018, those efforts resulted in our Nation's first decline in drug overdose deaths in nearly 30 years. Tragically, our progress is slipping away. prgtoken The CDC's preliminary 2019 overdose death data shows that fatal overdoses hit a record high last year, accounting for the deaths of 70,980 Americans. More than half of those deaths, 36,500 to be exact, involved synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. In total, 37 States saw their number of fatal overdoses increase or remain stable from 2018. prgtoken That deadly trend is ongoing this year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the mental health and economic security of Americans across the country. An analysis released by the White House last month found that overdose deaths were up 11.4 percent from January to April this year when compared with the same period in 2019. prgtoken , these are more than just statistics. These are real people--mothers and fathers, sons and daughters--and their deaths are causing real pain in communities across our Nation. Back home, a young man who had been sober for nearly 2 years--2 years--relapsed after the pandemic began and the place where he worked had to close its doors. Michael died at the end of March at just 31 years old, with both fentanyl and carfentanil in his system. prgtoken I saw Michael's mom, Cathy, on the local news the other night speaking out about her son's death, trying to bring awareness to not only the lack of attention focused on the opioid crisis right now, but the limited resources available to combat addiction during this pandemic and the continued rise of synthetic opioids, like those found in Michael's system when he died. prgtoken We have to act now to stop this crisis in its tracks. We have to redouble our efforts now if we want to prevent other families from enduring the same kind of loss that Michael's family is currently suffering. Having met with those on the front lines of the opioid crisis in my district, ranging from drug court judges to directors of rehab facilities to law enforcement officers on local drug task forces, I know that battling this epidemic requires an all-of-the-above approach that includes prevention and education efforts, promotes treatment, cracks down on illegal distribution, and enhances resources for first responders and law enforcement. prgtoken That is why I introduced the Comprehensive Opioid Program Extension Act. My bill, better k
THANK YOU TO PA-15 CONSTITUENTS
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2020-7-30

I rise today to highlight several of my constituents who have gone out of their way to make a positive impact during the coronavirus pandemic. prgtoken Over the past few months, it has been easy to feel surrounded by nothing but negative news. In an effort to highlight the good news that we weren't seeing enough of, I started a social media campaign called PA-15 Cares. PA-15 Cares highlights all of the volunteers who have gone above and beyond during this pandemic to lend a helping hand, to help their neighbors in need, and to brighten the spirits of all those impacted by COVID-19. Today, , I would like to share a few examples of those who rose to the occasion during this pandemic. prgtoken Many chose to make masks for frontline workers, including high school student Morgan McConnell of Cambria County. While her school was closed, Morgan made good use of her time and made more than 500 masks in just the first week. It is her way of helping others, and she has given many of the masks to local hospital employees free of charge. prgtoken Selfless small business owners, even those who may be struggling financially as a result of the pandemic, have stopped to ask: How can I help? prgtoken Rick Ardini, owner of Rik-N-Nik's restaurant in Ebensburg, has provided countless meals for those out of work, children, the elderly, and anyone else who needed them. He also gave great advice: ``Talk to each other, learn about each other, spend some time, and play some games. Be a family. Slow life down.'' prgtoken Another small business which also happens to be in Ebensburg has been providing a critical service for the first responders. SERVPRO partnered with the Dauntless Volunteer Fire Department to provide free cleaning and sanitation services for emergency response vehicles. prgtoken The Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania have also stepped up to give back to their community. They have started a Hometown Heroes program to give free cookies to frontline workers, including medical professionals, first responders, nursing home staff, the Army National Guard, and more. prgtoken Lastly, I would like to highlight Samantha Schrecengost of Punxsutawney. Samantha, a Senior Corps volunteer, and the folks at Community Action started a Phone-A-Friend program for seniors. Due to COVID-19, many elderly Americans have been cut off from loved ones, and isolation can take a mental and emotional toll. Volunteers of the Phone-A-Friend program call seniors two to three times a week to check in, see how they can be helpful, and just share a few minutes of friendly conversation with our seniors. prgtoken , I am encouraged to see how the communities in my district have come together in such an unprecedented time of crisis to find a way to support one another.
UIGHUR INTERVENTION AND GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN UNIFIED RESPONSE ACT OF 2019--MOTION TO PROCEED
Lamar Alexander (Republican, TN) \u2014 2020-7-30

I thought the Senator from Arizona made a very commonsense proposal. We are in a position here in the Congress that we often find ourselves in: We have different opinions-- dramatically different opinions in some cases. What she said was, while we are working those things out, let's extend the $600 unemployment benefit for 7 days so people aren't hurt. That is a commonsense proposal. I regret that wasn't adopted. prgtoken I like what the Senator from Ohio said. Instead of starting--when you have a disagreement over several items, my experience is that you don't start with the things that you disagree on the most; you start with the things you agree on the most. prgtoken There are a number of things in the House-passed bill and in the Senate bill that was introduced on Monday, which the President supports--let me repeat that. The House of Representatives passed a bill. They have a ic majority. The Senate has a majority, and we have a President. We have a President and a bill, and we have a House-passed bill, and it is time to see if we can put the two together. That is why we have two bodies. But that requires Senators and Members of the House who are willing to sit down and come to some compromise or some resolution of the issues. prgtoken There are some things about which we have big differences. One is the dollar figure. As the Senator from Ohio said, we have already spent $3.5 trillion. That is a number so big, most of us couldn't even speak it before we got to this era of the sneaky, dangerous COVID virus. prgtoken Let's look at the other side. On what might we agree or many of us agree? We don't have 100 percent on either side who are going to agree on most anything. prgtoken We might start with schools. Schools are starting up in the southern part of the United States, where the Presiding Officer is from-- Florida--and I am from Tennessee. Schools are getting ready to go back, and so are colleges. That means there are 70 million students who would like to go back to school or college--100,000 public schools, 35,000 private schools, and 6,000 colleges. prgtoken What help do they need? They need help reopening safely so that they can go back with students physically present as consistent with safety as is possible. prgtoken I talked with the Governor of Tennessee, Bill Lee, yesterday. He said 93 of the 95 counties in Tennessee had schools that were going to reopen in person. Maybe not every student, maybe not every class, but in 93 of the 95 counties, the Governor said they know that children need to be in school and their parents need for them to be in school. Two-thirds of married parents work outside the home. prgtoken This is a bill for the children, though. I mean, every teacher, every pediatrician, and almost every parent knows that, especially with young children, if they are left out of school for such a lengthy period of tim
HONORING THE LIFE OF DENNIS SHACKELFORD
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-7-30

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Dennis Shackelford, who passed away last week. prgtoken I got to know Dennis very well during my first campaign for Congress when he ran for State Representative in 2012. Though he was unsuccessful in his campaign, our friendship continued. prgtoken Dennis was a small business owner for 30 years, running Hallmark stores across central Illinois, including in my hometown of Taylorville. After that successful career as a small business owner, he continued working in the banking industry in the Springfield, Illinois, area. prgtoken Dennis served his community being elected to the Lincoln Land Community College board in 2013, and later he rose to chairman while serving students across central Illinois. Dennis was also elected a trustee for Rochester Township. prgtoken Dennis was a great friend, deeply involved in his community, whether it was coaching baseball, youth baseball, or mentoring high schoolers, and countless others throughout his life. prgtoken My condolences extend to his wife, Judy, his son, Andrew, and his three daughters, Amy, Lindsey, and Emily as well as his extended family. Dennis was one of a kind and will be deeply missed by all.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Tom Cole (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-7-30

the balance of my time. prgtoken , I want to begin where every other speaker has started, and that is to thank our distinguished chairman for her 30 years of unparalleled service to the Congress and to the country and, of course, her many years on Appropriations. prgtoken I have had the good fortune since I arrived on that committee to serve with my friend and watch her steady rise to the chairmanship. And I think my friend, Mr. Diaz-Balart, summed it up, if you want to be short: What a class act. prgtoken What an extraordinary appropriator. We all, on both sides of the aisle, respect her professionalism and her deep knowledge of the appropriations process. But I think even more than that, we just appreciate her personal qualities as a friend, as a mentor, as a colleague, and as someone who is an outstanding credit to her district, to her State, and to the Congress of the United States we will all miss her on both sides of the aisle. prgtoken Having said that, I am going to be less charitable toward the bill itself. prgtoken As I mentioned several times, I love the Appropriations Committee because I think it is a naturally collaborative committee, and when it is left to do its work, it does a really good job. prgtoken Last year, we had a negotiated settlement between the President and the congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle in both Chambers in the 2019 Budget Act, and that led to a very orderly appropriations process under the leadership of my friend, the chairman. prgtoken We got all those bills done. We didn't have a long-term CR, and we have not been at risk, in this fiscal year, of a government shutdown. And that is something you can't always say around here. prgtoken My friend had a great deal to do with that, along with our ranking member, Ms. Granger, that legendary partnership between the two. If you let them do their work, they will get the job done. prgtoken What is in front of us now, though, is not what we saw last year. My friends, for whatever reason, decided they would ignore the 2019 Budget Act, which has the force of law, and embark on an unprecedented amount of emergency spending, almost a quarter of a trillion dollars. And, again, none of that was agreed to last year. prgtoken In addition, last year, the agreement was we would not put extraneous matters in the bill. We would not put legislative riders, as they are known. We didn't do it last year, and we moved through. This year, these bills are absolutely full of them. And the consequence, while these bills may pass this floor, they are certainly not going to be taken up as is by the United States Senate, nor would they ever be signed by the President. prgtoken I think we have another model. We have the model of last year. We also have the model of the first four supplementals this year, Mr. . The four supplementals dealing with coronavirus were brought to the floor after collaborative discussion and negotia