mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021
Richard E. Neal (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2021-3-10

I yield such time as I may consume. prgtoken , this pandemic has been ruthless. With over half a million lives lost, we are a nation in a constant state of mourning. Sadly, we cannot take away the pain and the suffering of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones. But with this seismic legislation, we are delivering much-needed help and relief to millions of our fellow Americans. prgtoken In a few minutes, this Chamber will pass and then send to President a monumental piece of legislation that will begin to turn the tide of an unprecedented health and economic crisis. prgtoken I want to thank Pelosi for the confidence that she offered to the Ways and Means Committee as we wrote most of this legislation. prgtoken In the 33 years that I have served in this House, I don't know that I will ever cast a more important vote than what we are about to do and of such great consequence in but a few minutes. prgtoken I am immensely proud of the work that the Ways and Means Committee members did to make this legislation a reality. We heard the American people, and we went big. We proudly contributed substantial solutions that will strengthen our recovery from this virus and rebuild our economy to work better for all Americans. The Ways and Means Committee was responsible for $1 trillion of this expenditure. prgtoken To contain the public health crisis and make health coverage more accessible, we are making the largest expansion of the Affordable Care Act since it was enacted and which the Ways and Means Committee helped to write. We are bringing down costs for jobless Americans saving them thousands of dollars in health insurance costs and more. We will also include assistance for nursing homes that are desperate to contain this virus. prgtoken We are going to help those struggling to stay afloat by putting cash in their pockets and simultaneously creating liquidity and demand. For the jobless, we extend Federal unemployment benefits to keep them afloat for the better days that lie ahead. prgtoken We have made three key tax credits for low- and middle-income workers and families more generous, more flexible, and more capable of tackling the inequality and concentrated wealth that exists in our country. We already know that a key to our recovery will be giving parents the tools to go back to work even though their previous childcare may have been upended. We will ease their worries by making childcare more accessible and indeed more affordable. prgtoken The child tax credit will lift millions out of poverty, and the expanded earned-income tax credit will put money into the pockets of the lowest-income workers. prgtoken , listen to this following statistic: All in all, there will be an increase in aftertax income for the poorest 20 percent of Americans by increasing their income by 20 percent. That is a staggering achievement. It is a life-changing achievement. prgtoken Lastly, we also made a long overdue fix to multiemp
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2021
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-3-10

some of my colleagues are invoking the Second Amendment quite promiscuously today, but they obviously haven't read any of the relevant Supreme Court authority because Justice Scalia, in District of Columbia v. Heller, explicitly upheld reasonable, commonsense regulations to guarantee that violent criminals don't get guns. prgtoken So, everything that we are doing is perfectly in advance of, in pursuit of, Second Amendment rights that are exercised coextensively with the public safety and with the common good. prgtoken Here is a regulation that we need, that we have known we have needed ever since a violent white supremacist killed nine African-American Christian worshippers at a Bible class in Charleston, South Carolina. He should have been denied a gun, but he got it because the background check search wasn't completed in 3 days. He got it automatically, although he shouldn't have had it, and nine people are dead because of it. prgtoken We say, let's close that loophole. Just like with H.R. 8, let's make sure that the universal background check is universal. prgtoken , 90 percent of the American people support it.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-3-10

I rise today in strong support of The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. prgtoken The legislation will provide much needed relief to both individuals and communities. prgtoken The COVID-19 pandemic will leave an indelible scar on our nation. prgtoken It will also be remembered as a time of remarkable achievement. prgtoken I rise today specifically to talk about the achievements of scientists and engineers across the nation who jumped into action from the earliest days of the pandemic. prgtoken Biologists, physicists, computer scientists, engineers, social scientists . . . there were few fields that did not contribute. prgtoken The vaccines would not have been possible without expertise from many fields. prgtoken While they achieved so much, many scientific and technological questions remain that will be essential to our long-term recovery. prgtoken I am proud that this legislation includes $750 million in funding through the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology for additional research related to COVID-19. prgtoken I also acknowledge that this is not enough, and I will continue to advocate for research recovery funding to ensure we do not suffer irreversible loss to our science and innovation capacity.
BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2021
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-3-10

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken , I rise as both a mom and a Member of Congress in strong support of H.R. 8. prgtoken Last month, my community marked the 3-year anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting that stole 17 innocent lives. prgtoken The anxiety and terror that came that day has never left us. Yet, too many communities witness horrific gun violence every day. Commonsense reform can end this agony and keep us safer mainly by requiring background checks for gun sales. Yet, loopholes allow up to 80 percent of firearms to be sold without background checks. prgtoken We must mandate universal background checks for firearm sales by passing H.R. 8 and then pass Jaime's Law, my legislation that expands that same mandate to ammunition purchases. prgtoken The pandemic made gun proliferation worse, and inaction is not an option. We must do all we can to ensure guns and bullets don't end up in the wrong hands. prgtoken , the outliers on this issue are s whose fealty to the NRA results in more people dying from gun violence. Enough is enough.
HONORING DR. WILLIE BLAIR'S LIFE AND LEGACY OF SERVICE
Juan Vargas (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-3-10

. Madam , I rise today, along with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, to honor Dr. Willie Blair. A Vietnam Combat veteran, former congressional staffer, and leader of the Black American Political Association of California-San Diego Chapter (BAPAC). prgtoken Dr. Blair was born in 1951 in Knoxville, Tennessee and was one of eight children. prgtoken He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Maryville College in 1973, attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and was commissioned as a U.S. Naval Officer. prgtoken Dr. Blair served as a Naval Officer for eight years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam as a small boat leader, where he participated in the evacuation of Saigon and Cambodia in May of 1975. prgtoken After being honorably discharged in 1981, Dr. Blair moved to San Diego and earned a Master of Business Administration degree and a subsequent Doctorate in Humanities and Arts from Point Loma Nazarene University. prgtoken Dr. Blair was a special assistant to former Congressman Bob Filner, focusing on veterans' issues, including veteran homelessness, retiring in 2013. prgtoken As a San Diego community leader, Dr. Blair left a legacy of social justice and equity. prgtoken From 2008 to 2017, he served as board chairman for BAPAC, an organization that strives to ensure the Black community in San prgtoken Diego County remains a relevant economic, social, and political force in Southern California. prgtoken Dr. Blair strongly believed in the mission of BAPAC: to work for the maximum effective representations of Black people in the political, economic, and educational systems of San Diego County and find solutions to issues related to jobs, education, and healthcare. prgtoken In 2017, he was elected as BAPAC's President where he continued his work in civil and human rights and used his stature to promote quality leadership in the community. prgtoken Dr. Blair devoted his life to bridging the achievement gap for ethnic and minority groups and elevate the positive educational outcomes of disenfranchised communities. prgtoken Dr. Blair devoted his life to mentoring leaders in the black community ensuring status within the ic party and in other institutions and he was passionate about reaching common ground among Latinos, Asians, and other ethnic and minority groups. prgtoken Dr. Blair is survived by his daughter, U.S. Airforce Officer Deborah Smith, siblings Janet, Trece and Roger, and several nieces and nephews.
BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2021
Charlie Crist (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-3-10

I rise in support of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. prgtoken I also rise for my constituent, Mohammed Haitham. Mo was a young sailor who followed his mother's footsteps into the Navy, with the dream of becoming a pilot. prgtoken When a Saudi terrorist started shooting, Mo sacrificed himself to protect others. That is who he was. prgtoken Service, selflessness, sacrifice, Mo represented the very best in all of us. The great State of Florida is proud of him and proud to call him one of our own. prgtoken The attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola killed three young sailors and wounded eight more. prgtoken The terrorist bought the gun legally, using a hunting license to get it. Al-Qaida and ISIS know about this loophole, and until we close it, the American people will remain vulnerable. prgtoken That is why my bipartisan bill to close the Pensacola loophole has the support of the Brady Campaign, the Giffords, Major County Sheriffs, and the Fraternal Order of Police. prgtoken I look forward to working with the chairman and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this bill.
Nomination of Marcia Louise Fudge (Executive Session)
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-3-10

I rise today to voice my support for the confirmation of my friend and colleague Congresswoman Marcia Fudge to be the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. I know that she will bring strong leadership to HUD at a time when our Nation needs it most. prgtoken Across my State of Maryland and throughout the country, our fellow Americans are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. Families are living in fear of eviction or of missing their next mortgage payment. In this time of crisis, we need a leader at HUD who will prioritize tackling the ongoing housing crisis spurred by COVID-19. Congresswoman Fudge has expressed her determination to do just that. She is a dedicated and experienced public servant who has earned a reputation for swift action and firm leadership. Her accumulated experience spanning a lifetime of service will be invaluable in helping the Federal Government mount a robust and coordinated campaign to bring those hardest hit back from the brink and ensure an equitable recovery. prgtoken While addressing the urgent needs of renters and homeowners during this pandemic, we can't lose sight of the bigger picture. The pandemic has exacerbated our country's affordable housing crisis and shone a spotlight on how it disproportionately harms communities of color. We are seeing the result of decades of discriminatory practices like redlining that have targeted minority families and left an enduring stain on our communities that won't be easily wiped away. President has put forth a bold plan to combat our Nation's housing crisis, and as HUD Secretary, Congresswoman Fudge will be charged with implementing it, reversing the damage caused by the administration, restoring and improving our fair housing protections, rebuilding our Nation's supply of affordable housing, and investing in our housing infrastructure. She has her work cut out for her. prgtoken There is no doubt in my mind that Congresswoman Fudge will work overtime to tackle these challenges head-on. She has spent her career fighting on behalf of those most in need and those who have been historically barred from stable living and home ownership. She has seen these issues up close: first as the mayor of Warrensville Heights, OH, and then as a member of the House of Representatives and as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, where she has helped forge compromises that brought real results. She is guided by the principle that each of us has a responsibility to respect and uplift those most in need. In her words, ``there is dignity and there is grace within every woman every man and every child in this nation--including those who live on the outskirts of hope.'' For Marcia Fudge, service isn't just a job, it is a calling. I know that, should she be confirmed, Congresswoman Fudge will lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development with unwavering commitment. I look forward to partnering with her and t
BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2021
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-3-10

I thank my friend for yielding. prgtoken , I will remind my friend on the other side of the aisle, the God-given right every one of us has, according to the Declaration of Independence, is life, and that is what we are arguing about here today. prgtoken Are we going to take protective measures that save lives? prgtoken This bill does that. I talk about the ABCs of gun control. A, reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban; B, universal background checks; and C, closing the gun show loophole. prgtoken Those three practical measures will save lives. And because I support ABC, I get an F every year from the NRA, and I am proud of that grade every year. Point of Order
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2021
David N. Cicilline (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2021-3-10

in 2015, a white supremacist with a criminal record was allowed to purchase a gun which he used to kill nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina. prgtoken That shooter, who was prohibited under Federal law from owning a gun, was able to purchase one because of a loophole that allows the sale of a gun to proceed if Federal investigators do not complete a background check within 3 days. prgtoken Through November of last year there were more than 5,800 incidents where people who are legally prohibited--criminals--legally prohibited from purchasing a firearm still obtained one because of this dangerous provision, which has come to be known as the ``Charleston loophole.'' prgtoken H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, closes the Charleston loophole. It strengthens background check procedures to ensure that Federal investigators have enough time to complete background checks before a gun is transferred to the buyer. Common sense. prgtoken But closing the Charleston loophole is not enough. Current Federal law only requires a background check for the sale of guns from licensed gun dealers. prgtoken Background checks work. Since the law was enacted, 3\1/2\ million gun sales were denied, which means 3\1/2\ million people who were prohibited under Federal law because of a criminal record or some other disqualifying information were denied the right to buy a gun. They work. The problem is more than 20 percent of gun sales or gun transfers happen without a background check. prgtoken And that is why H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act requires background checks on all gun sales, including guns sold by unlicensed dealers online or at trade shows. prgtoken Every day in this country more than 100 people in the United States are killed with guns. Gun violence is an epidemic that threatens the public safety in communities all across America. We must not wait for another tragedy to strike. prgtoken Requiring background checks on all gun sales is a commonsense gun violence prevention measure that serves as a first line of defense to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. prgtoken I think we can all agree that dangerous criminals should not be able to get guns. There has been a lot of discussion today about Second Amendment gun rights, and we all respect that. But what about my constituents' right to live a life free from gun violence, to take a walk in the park, to go to a movie theater, to go to church and pray, and to be able to do so without the fear of being gunned down and killed? There is a competing interest here of public safety and protecting the security of people to live a life free from gun violence. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1446 and H.R. 8. Join us in supporting legislation supported by over 90 percent of the American people who have good common sense. Vote ``yes.'' Help end the scourge of gun violence in this country.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-3-10

I thank President and all of the ic leadership for this wonderful, historic piece of legislation that we are voting on here today. This indeed responds to the needs of the American people during this pandemic. This is why I came to Congress to do this kind of work, and I am so proud to be a ic Member of Congress at this time. prgtoken This bill not only supports education; it gives stimulus checks to put food on the table and unemployment assistance. Small businesses will be able to reopen and stay open. Then everybody will have access to the vaccines that will be made available because of this bill. prgtoken It has been said more than once that this bill will take children out of poverty. They will be able to depend on regular assistance to them and their families every month. prgtoken I am so pleased that as the chair of the Committee on Financial Services, I have, in my jurisdiction, $77 billion to deal with some very critical issues. prgtoken This bill includes critical funding for emergency rental assistance, providing $22.5 billion to pay the back rent and future rent payments owed by millions of struggling families. That is in urban communities, rural communities, Black, White, and Asian. All folks will have access to this rental assistance. prgtoken , combined with the funding for emergency rental assistance I negotiated in the December stimulus package and the $5 billion for 70,000 new housing vouchers that are included in this package, this bill is truly historic and will help people across the Nation to remain safely housed.
BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2021
Mike Thompson (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-3-10

that is nonsense. What was just said on the floor is not accurate. prgtoken The only thing this bill does is require a background check. If someone has legally purchased a firearm and passed a background check, nobody is going to take that gun away from them. They legally purchased it. They passed the background check. prgtoken To come out with that kind of nonsense, that type of scare tactic, is not complementary to the decorum of this prgtoken House, and it does not speak to this bill.
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2021
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-3-10

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, is a critical bill to provide law enforcement the necessary time to keep firearms out of the hands of those who are not legally eligible to own them. prgtoken The 2015 massacre at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, which killed nine innocent people, stands as a tragic reminder of how current background check laws sometimes fall short. prgtoken Under current law, a licensed gun dealer conducting a background check on a prospective purchaser is permitted to sell the firearm to the purchaser if there has been no determination from the background check system, commonly called NICS, after 3 business days. prgtoken This is the case even if the system has not indicated that the person has actually passed the background check. Often, we refer to this as a default proceed transaction. prgtoken While 96 percent of background checks are processed within 3 business days, an analysis of FBI data showed that over 35,000 guns were transferred to prohibited purchasers between 2008 prgtoken and 2017 because of the default proceed rule. prgtoken On average, over the course of the last decade, 10 prohibited individuals have been able to purchase guns at licensed firearms dealers through the default proceed rule every single day. prgtoken The cases in which there is a delay are the very cases that ought to be carefully investigated. prgtoken If NICS is unable to return an instant determination--and especially if there is no report after 3 days--there is cause for concern. There may be a good reason that these individuals should not own firearms, but the current system allows the transfer nonetheless. prgtoken Under this legislation, as under current law, a sale may proceed immediately once a background check clears a purchaser, which is the case in the vast majority of instances. prgtoken This bill provides, however, that for checks taking longer to complete, the FBI will have 10 business days for the initial background check investigation period. If the check is not completed during this time, an individual may submit a petition for expedited review. If a petition is submitted, unless NICS provides an answer within the next 10 business days, either clearing the transaction or stopping it, a gun dealer has the discretion to complete the sale and transfer the firearm. prgtoken We must ensure that firearms transfers are lawful, and in some instances, that requires additional time. That is why H.R. 1446 is needed, to prevent the sale of firearms to prohibited individuals by providing the FBI with additional time to complete background checks. prgtoken H.R. 1446 is a sensible and necessary approach to closing a dangerous loophole, and I commend our colleague, Congressman Jim Clyburn, the distinguished ic whip, for introducing this bill. prgtoken , I strongly support this legislation, and .