mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EMERGENCY SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL TO RESPOND TO JANUARY 6TH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Zoe Lofgren (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-5-20

. Madam , I rise in support of the bill. It provides funding to respond to the January 6 attack, during which violent insurrectionists, incited and encouraged by the former President, attacked this Capitol where we stand today. prgtoken Since the attack, the Committee on House Administration, assisted by General Honore, has reviewed Capitol security and has been examining the Capitol Police's preparation for and response to the attack. prgtoken The supplemental narrowly tailors a response to that attack. It makes sure that we have the physical improvements we know will need to be taken, and it supports the Capitol Police with wellness and trauma support and provides officers with the training and riot control equipment they should have had on the 6th. prgtoken For those who say we should not do anything today, it is a mistake to say if we can't do everything at the same time, we should do nothing. prgtoken This bill is a first step toward having a more secure facility that lodges the legislative branch of government. There are measures that we sent to the House Administration Committee for further review. I welcome that.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-5-20

I rise to speak in opposition to the Johnson amendment. prgtoken The amendment would force the continued payment of government contractors to build an ill-conceived border wall. prgtoken Most of these funds were never intended for this purpose. More than $10 billion was redirected from the Department of Defense. These funds were intended for military missions and functions, such as schools for military families and National Guard equipment. prgtoken The administration is conducting a comprehensive review of these contracts, led by the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. These decisions will be guided by what is best for our national security, not well-connected government contractors profiting off of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. prgtoken We need to move forward with smart, bipartisan investments to improve border security that secure both our southern and our northern borders, not look backwards at the former administration's boondoggle. prgtoken I urge a ``no'' vote.
EMERGENCY SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL TO RESPOND TO JANUARY 6TH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2021-5-20

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Let me just try to address a couple of issues that have been raised here during this debate. prgtoken Madam , I want to recount the Committee on Appropriations has worked for months to gather information to inform this bill. There were 12 subcommittee hearings. Actually, legislative branch, as the gentlewoman from Washington State knows, had at least eight hearings, and every subcommittee held more than one committee hearing. prgtoken In addition to that, other committees, House Administration, Committee on Oversight Reform, all had hearings with regard to this issue and the path forward. Beginning in April, Committee on Appropriations engaged in intense good-faith negotiations with our counterparts. And unfortunately, it appears, I believe, that the leadership has prevented them from reaching an agreement in a timely manner. prgtoken Madam , I would just mention that the minority leader, he looked to sufficient time included in an end-of-the-year funding bill to strengthen the security of the Capitol complex. So in truth, the view was not to do it, not to continue in negotiation, but in fact, to delay a decision on this until the end of the year. We cannot wait in order to be able to effectuate security of this Capitol for all who work here and all who visit here. prgtoken Madam , .
EMERGENCY SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL TO RESPOND TO JANUARY 6TH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Mike Quigley (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-5-20

. Madam , the January 6 attack obviously revealed the flaws in security of the Capitol. prgtoken Subsequent attacks on the Capitol complex have provided further stark evidence of the need to improve the physical security of the complex and other Federal buildings. prgtoken This supplemental provides the vital, urgently needed funding for security within the jurisdiction of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee. prgtoken In this Chamber, I remember one of my colleagues asking when the cavalry would arrive. The closest thing to the cavalry arriving was the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. prgtoken The courage and dedication of the MPD in defending the Members, the Capitol, and our democracy, saved lives and helped this Congress return to business more quickly. prgtoken This bill includes funding to reimburse MPD for the costs associated with the events of the 6th, as well as other costs they have incurred due to the Federal presence in the District because we cannot allow the District of Columbia to shoulder the burden of defending Congress on their own. prgtoken In the aftermath of the events of the 6th, all Federal buildings and employees face additional increased security threats. This bill provides funding for additional security expenses for Federal judges and Federal court facilities, including security upgrades to exterior perimeter security camera systems at priority Federal courthouses. prgtoken This bill also includes General Services Administration buildings. prgtoken We must provide funding to conduct security assessments of Federal buildings, including blast mitigation and collapse studies, taking the first steps in being able to address security vulnerabilities. prgtoken No one should have to go to work afraid for their safety, none more so than our public servants. We must protect our democratic institutions, Congress, the courts, and all Federal agencies, so no elected official or public servant ever goes to work scared to execute their duty. prgtoken These threats are real, they are happening now, and lives are at stake. We cannot wait and must move quickly to pass this bill. prgtoken For those who would vote against the commission, or did, for those who would deny there was an insurrection, for those who would vote against this bill to protect us, you embody the new twisted world. prgtoken We grew up believing the phrase, ``I will believe it when I see it.'' You embody the phrase, ``I will see it when I believe it.'' God help us.
REMEMBERING WALTER MONDALE
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2021-5-20

the late Walter Mondale is widely known for having transformed the role of Vice President, ably taking on many key responsibilities that were delegated to him by President Jimmy Carter. Less noted are his many accomplishments in this body while he served as a Senator from the State of Minnesota. prgtoken Walter Mondale is sometimes described as the paradigm figure of the transition between two eras--the FDR Coalition up to the war in Vietnam and the social ferment that came after the war. And perhaps this is so, but to me, who Fritz Mondale was and what he stood for are just as important as when he stood there. The issues he led on then are as fresh as today's news and as enduring as our founding documents, issues like the concentration and abuse of power or social and economic justice and the consolidation of wealth in the pockets and portfolios of just a few or the role of government in protecting the little guy when powerful market forces run roughshod or the tension between freedom and security; even the question of whether a woman ever could credibly assume the highest office in the land. Trace any of these issues back in time, and you will find Fritz Mondale at earlier decision points. prgtoken Fritz Mondale was a good man whose decency elevated every institution in which he served. Who he was has everything to do with what he achieved. He loved the Senate, and the Senate loved him back. He said the Senate ``was like mainlining human nature.'' prgtoken One side of Fritz that the public did not see as readily as we did in the Senate was his sense of humor--one of the prgtoken best I have ever known. In many a tense moment, his sense of humor often defused the tension and restored the spirit of comity that is so crucial in getting things done in the Senate. He knew the art of being able to disagree without being disagreeable. I wish the American people had seen more of that side of Fritz Mondale. prgtoken That was a heady and vibrant legislative era, and Fritz had a hand in virtually every major piece of civil rights, education, and childcare legislation that emerged from Congress during that period. prgtoken Another of Fritz Mondale's most remarkable and lasting achievements in the Senate was to engineer a change in the Senate's rules, to curb the abuse of filibusters in thwarting the will of clear majorities of the American people. The difficulty in passing the civil rights laws of the sixties had gradually convinced more and more Senators that the bar for cutting off debate in the Senate was set too high. prgtoken That might not sound difficult, but changing the way the Senate operates is something akin to trying to change the weather. prgtoken As a freshman Senator, I had a front seat and a bit part in Fritz's highly organized campaign to change the cloture rule. He won the change in the cloture rule, and it is not an exaggeration to point out that his efforts probably saved the Senate as we
EMPHASIZING IMPORTANCE OF TAX CREDITS
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-5-20

. Madam , I rise today to emphasize the importance of the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit for my constituents in my district. Because of the severe winter storms earlier this year, Texans can still file their tax returns until June 15--I repeat, until June 15. prgtoken Single filers who make $75,000 or less annually and heads of household who earn $112,500 annually could benefit from the full earned income tax credit and child tax credits if they file their taxes on time. prgtoken In my district alone, President 's new 1-year expansion of the child tax credit will lift 213,500 children out of poverty. That means that 95 percent of the children in my district would benefit. prgtoken Because of this, I am urging all of my constituents to file their taxes even if they don't normally do so. Working families and children need these dollars now more than ever. prgtoken I am glad that the improved and expanded child tax credit will be arriving soon to help families in my district and in Texas.
TRIBUTE TO ADAM HAMMILL
Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2021-5-20

I rise today to recognize Adam Hammill and his business, Exile Burrito of Berlin, NH. Mr. Hammill, a Coast Guard veteran, had the courage to open his business after years of planning in May 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken After honorably serving our country, both in the Coast Guard and with the Bureau of Prisons, Mr. Hammill turned his passion for cooking authentic Mexican cuisine into a family business and contributed to the revitalization of Berlin's historic Main Street community by opening a restaurant, creating jobs, and offering a new variety of table fare that was previously not available within an hour of New Hampshire's northernmost city. prgtoken Opening a new business is always a challenge, but that is especially true for people like Mr. Hammill, who decided to start their business during an unprecedented global pandemic. Mr. Hammill was committed to staying open for his employees and his community by pivoting to a takeout model and implementing safety measures for both his employees and customers. As Mr. Hammill adapted to the ever changing business climate due to the pandemic, he found that as a new business, he was unable to access the critical pandemic relief funding passed by Congress. Mr. Hammill recognized the gap in support and raised this issue with me. As a result of advocacy from Mr. Hammill and other new business owners in New Hampshire, I introduced the bipartisan Recovery Startup Assistance Act with Senator Mike Braun of Indiana, which President signed into law as part of the American Rescue Plan. Now, thanks to Mr. Hammill's advocacy, new business owners will be able to access payroll assistance through a tailored version of the employee retention tax credit. prgtoken Mr. Hammill truly represents the best of the Granite State--serving our country, showing his grit and determination to open a successful business despite unprecedented challenges, and speaking up to help other new businesses like his own. I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.
SENATE MUST STOP INHUMANITY OF POLICE BRUTALITY
Jamie Raskin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-5-20

. This is from Baha, a Palestinian from the West Bank: My name is Baja Ebdeir, and I am from the occupied village of Beit Nattiff. Now I live in Beit Jala. This past Ramadan, Israel refused to issue permits for Palestinians to observe prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque. However, my father was one of the few luckiest to be issued a permit for a medical appointment he had at the hospital in East Jerusalem. It was not the medical appointment itself that got my father all excited and happy, but the fact that he could use it to observe the holiest night of Ramadan, Laylit Al-Qadr, the night of decree, at Al-Aqsa Mosque, where our destiny is determined by God for the whole year. Before he left, my father told us, ``After all, I have a permit, what could happen?'' prgtoken Actually, a lot happened in the two days my father spent at Al-Aqsa. As the evening went by, an army of Israeli soldiers began to increase in number. As soon as the Imam uttered ``Allah Akbar,'' God is the greatest, to start off the holiest night prayer, Israeli soldiers threw gas canisters at worshipers. As a result of the excessive amount of gas my father inhaled, his severe coughing continues until today and his eyes are as red as blood. prgtoken Usually my father never shares his fears with me, but this time he opened up and I listened with awe. With every cough, my father vividly remembers Al-Aqsa Mosque as a war zone where Israeli soldiers shot rubber bullets and threw gas canisters at Palestinians. Hundreds were injured and many of the elderly lost their lives on the holiest night. prgtoken Here is one from Doron, a Jewish Israeli citizen: My name is Doron, and I am an Israeli who has lived in Jerusalem for the last decade. Since 2009, I have participated in peaceful protests in the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah every week. I was touched to see how during the recent few months, these protests have gained support and momentum in Israel, Palestine, and internationally. Suddenly, activists in the region and around the world demanded justice for the residents of Sheikh Jarrah, who have been evicted from their homes. Unfortunately, everything was disrupted by the recent escalation, which was orchestrated to undermine the local movement in Jerusalem before it was able to achieve any gains. Jerusalem is the home of Israelis and Palestinians, and it should be equal, free, and safe for all its inhabitants. Residents of Sheikh Jarrah should not be afraid to be evicted from their homes at any moment. prgtoken Here is one from Diala, a Palestinian citizen of Israel: My name is Diala, and I am a Palestinian citizen of Israel from Nazareth. During the past few weeks, I have protested alongside many Palestinian women against evictions in the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem. I am a feminist and I strongly believe that the struggle for gender equality is deeply connected to this struggle. As the police cracked down on us, a group of peaceful protestors c
U.S. INNOVATION AND COMPETITION ACT
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-5-20

. On another matter, the Senate continues to make great progress on the modified Endless Frontier Act, now called the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. Yesterday, we considered two amendments and added one of them to the bill, a bipartisan amendment led by Senators Hirono and Tillis. Today, we will consider another two amendments. prgtoken As my colleagues know, the bill itself is the product of at least six Senate committees and already includes input of nearly every Member of the Senate. And, as promised, we are working in a bipartisan way, in a much more open way than the Senate used to act, to allow amendments and have debate. prgtoken This is an issue where our two parties are working together with a great deal of cooperation. Down to a Member, I believe we all want to see the United States maintain its position as the global economic leader in the 21st century. We all want to see America stay No. 1 in science and technology. It is so important for jobs, for our economic security, for our national security. prgtoken We have an extraordinary opportunity to set our country on a path to outinnovate, outproduce, and outcompete the world in the industries of the future. Let's keep working and deliver a strong bipartisan result by the end of next week. prgtoken . prgtoken .
EMERGENCY SECURITY SUPPLEMENTAL TO RESPOND TO JANUARY 6TH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021
Chellie Pingree (Democrat, ME) \u2014 2021-5-20

. Madam , I thank the chair of the full Appropriations Committee, who has done an incredible job pulling all of these challenging issues together and putting this funding bill on the floor today. prgtoken The activities of January 6 were terrifying, whether you were sitting here in this Chamber or whether you were watching from anywhere around this country or around the world, viewing a violent assault on our democracy. prgtoken Thanks to the work of the Capitol Police and others in law enforcement, the loss of lives was so much less than they could have been. But as we all know, very tragically there were losses of life in our Capitol Police. Our police were brutally beaten, and we could watch it all happen. prgtoken That is why I rise today in support of this emergency security supplemental appropriations bill. The bill is the product of months of careful and deliberate analysis of the resource needs to enhance the security at the Capitol. prgtoken I am privileged to be the chair of the Appropriations Committee's Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. I strongly support the funding this bill would provide to the National Park Service. Large-scale special events and demonstrations are a common occurrence in the District of Columbia, and they often move from the National Mall to the Capitol complex. U.S. Park Police and Capitol Police work closely to share information and law enforcement resources to handle these events. prgtoken The funds provided in this bill would be used to backfill the Park Service's resources that were unexpectedly depleted during the January 6 attack and to prepare the agency for possible future threats. prgtoken I believe that it is critical that Congress provide sufficient resources to meet the security challenges, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
MICHAEL BROWN
Cori Bush (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2021-5-20

St. Louis and I rise today to wish a happy 25th birthday to Michael Brown, Jr. prgtoken The last birthday that Michael Brown celebrated was his 18th, a celebration that was supposed to mark the beginning of his journey to adulthood filled with years of joy making music, caring for animals, and spending time with those he loved. But just 81 days after his 18th birthday, he was shot and killed by a St. Louis police officer. prgtoken While I say that St. Louis and I rise today, we have never taken a seat, we have never rested, and we have never stopped striving for a just world, a world where Michael would have been celebrating his birthday today. prgtoken To Michael Brown, Jr.: We love you, we miss you, we will never forget you, and in your honor, we bring our struggle for justice from the front lines of Ferguson, which is why I am standing here to the Halls of Congress. prgtoken Stand up, don't stand down. prgtoken We do this for Mike Brown. prgtoken Happy birthday.
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-5-20

I am pleased to reintroduce the ``Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act'' along with my California colleague Senator Padilla. prgtoken This legislation, based on a Congressionally-authorized National Park Service study, would increase the size of the Santa Monica Recreation Area by 191,000 acres, accomplishing multiple goals of expanding access to green space for underserved communities and conserving and connecting wildlife habitat corridors, while maintaining private property rights and existing land-use authorities. prgtoken In 2008, Congress passed the Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act, which directed the National Park Service to study the area. The park expansion in our bill is based upon this six-year special resource study. prgtoken This bill also takes into account more than 2,000 comments received by the public, elected officials, local organizations, and other stakeholders. prgtoken The ``Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act'' would add 191,000 acres to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area. This addition, known as the Rim of the Valley Unit, would provide improved recreational, educational, and outdoor opportunities to the local communities. prgtoken The proposed expansion would also better protect natural resources and habitats, including valuable habitat for endangered wildlife, such as the California red-legged frog, mountain lions, bobcats, foxes, badgers, coyotes, and deer. prgtoken Notably, the ``Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act'' would only allow the Department of the Interior to acquire non-Federal land within the new boundaries through exchange, donation, or purchase from willing sellers. prgtoken As I mentioned, this legislation will significantly expand outdoor recreational opportunities for residents of Los Angeles County, one of the most densely populated and park-poor areas in California. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has only underscored the importance of having access to green spaces close to home. prgtoken In fact, 47% of Californians--that's six percent of the total U.S. population--live within two hours of the proposed expansion area. Enlarging the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, at no cost to U.S. taxpayers, will provide these communities with increased access to public lands and boost the local economy. prgtoken In light of President 's January 27, 2021 Executive Order on ``Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad'' setting the goal of protecting ``30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030'', this legislation aligns with that goal and provides an opportunity to advance it based on federal agency recommendation and a robust public process. prgtoken Last Congress, we successfully advanced this legislation out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the Senate. prgtoken My colleague, Representative Adam Schiff, reintroduced this legislation in the House, where it passed as part of a lar