mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 965, AUTHORIZING REMOTE VOTING BY PROXY AND PROVIDING FOR OFFICIAL REMOTE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DUE TO A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS...
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-5-15

. Madam , we convene today to pass a desperately needed relief package that will provide nearly $3 trillion in economic relief to frontline workers and families. I am proud to speak in favor of the rule and in strong support of the underlying legislation, the HEROES Act. prgtoken Like many of you, I continue to receive emails, letters, and phone calls from constituents bearing the brunt of this administration's disorganized response to the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken My constituents write: ``I have been denied unemployment even though I have met every criterion. I am about to lose everything. Please help me.'' prgtoken They write: ``I am homeless. I was just laid off because the schools are closing. I have my granddaughter with me. I need help.'' prgtoken And they write: ``I am literally on my last $100 for food and have already maxed out my credit cards. Please help. Please help. Please help.'' prgtoken Americans are afraid not just of how they are going to make ends meet but whether they are going to make it through this pandemic at all. prgtoken Yet, this White House remains utterly disconnected from reality, moving at every opportunity to reject science, sideline medical experts, and pat themselves on the back for a job well done, even as the COVID-19 pandemic tears our communities apart. prgtoken This week, President said that ``we have prevailed,'' that ``we are going to have one of the best years we have ever had,'' that we are beginning to ``transition to greatness.'' The President of the United States refers to over 80,000 dead Americans as a ``transition to greatness''? I wish I could say that I was shocked, but I am not. prgtoken What we continue to witness is a catastrophe. Calling it anything less does a great disservice to the millions of Americans who are affected by this illness. prgtoken If there is to be any silver lining in these trying days, at this exact moment, these public servants are working around the clock to protect us. prgtoken Madam , I say to my constituents: We see you.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Jim Costa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-5-15

the HEROES Act legislation is vital to the health of the San Joaquin Valley and throughout the country by providing funding for much-needed medical education. prgtoken It provides funding to protect farmers and farmworkers and our food supply chain that has been turned upside down. Ag markets have shrunk, and for some, they have entirely disappeared. We need to provide support to ensure a true safety net is in place for American agriculture. prgtoken Our food supply is truly a national security issue. This has never been more evident than during this healthcare crisis. prgtoken I stand ready to work with my colleagues in both the House and the Senate to arrive at a bipartisan compromise.
AUTHORIZING REMOTE VOTING BY PROXY AND PROVIDING FOR OFFICIAL REMOTE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DUE TO A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
James R. Langevin (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-5-15

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken I rise in strong support of this resolution and commend Chairman McGovern for overseeing this deliberative and well thought-out process. prgtoken The proposed changes to the House rules are absolutely necessary to ensure that Members of Congress can continue our vital legislative and oversight functions while protecting public health. prgtoken Now, I strongly believe that we need a more comprehensive, full e- Congress capability to be developed for conducting congressional business in the future only in times of emergency if we are unable to meet in Washington, D.C. However, I also believe that there are very real cybersecurity concerns that must be addressed before such a system will go live. prgtoken In the meantime, this resolution appropriately allows for in-person proxy voting during the duration of this public health emergency, and it holds open the possibility of remote voting if a secure system can be developed and verified for full House floor proceedings. prgtoken In the meantime, this step, of course, cannot be the end of our conversations on continuity of Congress. We do need a permanent framework that will account for remote congressional operations in the event or possibility of death or incapacitation of a significant number of representatives. prgtoken This is the 21st century. We should be able to do this in the future. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman McGovern to address this issue going forward.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Daniel T. Kildee (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-5-15

I would also like to thank my colleagues for adding additional funding for our nation's tribal governments. This bill adds $20 billion to aid tribal governments who have been devastated by this pandemic, including tribes in my home state of Michigan. It is critical that tribal governments be given the flexibility to spend this money in a way that addresses the health and economic challenges they have endured. In many parts of Indian Country, tribes are among the largest employers of non-natives in their communities. We must ensure that tribal governments have the financial support to address the needs of their tribal members and those who are employed by the tribes. prgtoken I am also pleased that language was included in this bill that would ensure these federal dollars would only go to the 574 federally- recognized tribes. I want to thank my colleagues and Pelosi for including these provisions in this legislation.
AUTHORIZING REMOTE VOTING BY PROXY AND PROVIDING FOR OFFICIAL REMOTE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DUE TO A NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Lori Trahan (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-5-15

this public health crisis has been devastating. Nearly 1.5 million Americans have contracted COVID-19 and, tragically, more than 85,000 people have died. prgtoken We have asked small business owners and workers in our districts to close up shop and stay home for months to do their part to slow the spread of this virus. prgtoken Across the country, workplaces are innovating and figuring out how to operate while keeping pace with commonsense public health guidelines. prgtoken Like them, Congress has an obligation to do the same. This moment requires us to lead by example, to show that in the face of a highly infectious disease we can change how we do business and still get our constituents the much-needed relief they desperately need, while also conducting proper oversight. prgtoken I support this rule change to temporarily allow committees to conduct meetings remotely and to provide my colleagues with the opportunity to make their constituents' voices heard. prgtoken This is the 21st century. We have an opportunity to show that we can use the tools at our disposal to continue congressional operations at full capacity while also practicing what we preach. prgtoken This is common sense, and I would urge my colleagues to support this change as well.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Sylvia R. Garcia (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-5-15

I'm proud to be supporting the Heroes Act. prgtoken This bill will provide $1 trillion to state and local governments on the frontlines of this pandemic to retain essential workers on payroll. prgtoken It will give much needed relief to renters and homeowners at risk of losing their homes. prgtoken It will finally give direct payments to all taxpayers, including workers with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers and eligible individuals from mixed-status families. prgtoken It will help families continue putting food on the table. prgtoken And I am particularly proud that it includes my bill, which would set aside 10 percent of Paycheck Protection Program funds for minority and community lenders that lend to the smallest businesses. prgtoken The American people need help now. prgtoken We cannot wait to act. prgtoken I urge all my colleagues to vote for this bill, which will help local and state governments, essential workers, families, and small businesses across America.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Alma S. Adams (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2020-5-15

I rise to voice my support for the HEROES Act. prgtoken Yesterday, another 56,000 North Carolinians filed for unemployment, and 20 lost their lives. prgtoken Unfortunately, the public health and economic catastrophes caused by COVID-19 are not over--our families, our small businesses, our essential employees, our front line workers, and our Heroes need relief now. prgtoken I'm proud that the HEROES Act contains bills I've worked hard to support: prgtoken Emergency funding to keep our most vulnerable students fed and healthy. prgtoken Essential health and safety protections and essential pay for our workers who supply our food, deliver our mail and serve our seniors. prgtoken Desperately needed funding for housing, cities and states. prgtoken Critical student loan debt reliefs. prgtoken It's a lot easier to keep an economy moving than try to bring it back from a screeching halt.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-5-15

I thank Chair Lowey for that gracious set- aside, and I wish to say that the American people expect Congress to have their backs. prgtoken Our economy needs help with historic levels of unemployment bearing down, and the HEROES Act will provide a bridge of support to save lives and livelihoods of our families, workers, hospitals, and small businesses on the front lines. Imagine those folks. prgtoken Let me applaud all of those still working, facing an unknown killer. prgtoken A huge win within this HEROES Act is significant and direct assistance to communities of all sizes that are hemorrhaging because of the costs of fire, police, and emergency squads. prgtoken This legislation will finally make multiemployer pension plans whole as well. prgtoken Today, the deep recession requires bold action by our Congress. American lives truly are on the line here at home. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this lifesaving bill.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-5-15

their priority is corporate liability. Ours is helping to save a nation. prgtoken They say wait. Wait for what? The virus to stop spreading? It won't. Wait for another 36 million Americans to have to file for unemployment? Wait for another million businesses to collapse? For another 86,000 Americans to die? prgtoken The time to act is now if we are going to save this economy and protect public health and safety, not to dither, not to wait. The virus won't.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-5-15

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time. prgtoken , I am grateful to see us take up the HEROES Act today. From State aid to essential pay, this is a step toward making sure every American makes it through this crisis. prgtoken But I want to draw attention to something equally pressing. On both sides of the aisle, this pandemic has allowed us to agree that there is a floor below which we don't want any family to fall. prgtoken The truth is that, before COVID-19, countless Americans were just a personal or local or national disaster away from not paying rent, not buying groceries, or worse. COVID-19 is just one more crisis derailing their lives, particularly those of Brown and Black communities. prgtoken , I urge support of the bill.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-5-15

first, let me thank Madam Chair, our , our committee chairs--chair of the Black Caucus, Chairwoman Bass, and Robin Kelly chairs the Health Braintrust for the Black Caucus--for working together with me to address the unequal impact of COVID on people of color and the poor and making sure that people and organizations rooted in our communities play prgtoken the lead role in recovery, including contact tracing. prgtoken We are facing the worst health and economic crisis of our lifetime. Elevated rates of infection and death are in communities of color. Heroic frontline and essential workers being paid poverty wages. There are struggling small and minority-owned businesses, millions unemployed, and millions pushed into poverty.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2020-5-15

let me tell you something that is in this bill: There is a repeal of about a $100 billion tax break for the richest people in this country that and McConnell snuck in CARES 1. We didn't see it at first. We found it. prgtoken We put out a letter asking for support. Do we get one to say yes, I want to join you and get rid of that $100 billion tax break for 80 percent of the people who make $1 million a year or more and had nothing to do with coronavirus? Not one of you. You ought to be for that. That is thievery. That is robbery. Jesse James wouldn't need a mask if he came here. and McConnell didn't have on a mask when they stole from the American people $100 billion for millionaires and billionaires.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Katherine M. Clark (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-5-15

we can't wish away this pandemic. We can't accept the false choice that we either reopen or lose to the virus. No. We must protect the American people and the institutions and values that define our Nation with action. prgtoken The HEROES Act provides us a path forward. We will save lives with testing, tracing, and treatment. We will protect our communities by supporting our teachers, police, and frontline workers. We will bring relief to families by providing them financial aid, food, rent relief, and healthcare. We will protect the sanctity of our democracy by honoring every American's vote. prgtoken We vote today knowing we have more hard days ahead and more work to do to ensure we don't just return to normal but that we emerge stronger, more just, and more prepared for the challenges ahead. Today, we vote for our heroes, for our future, and for the people.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Nita M. Lowey (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-5-15

as of this morning, nearly 86,000 people in the United States have died from this virus. More than 1.4 million people have been infected, and those are just the cases we know about because of the frontline workers who are risking their lives to test as many people as possible. prgtoken Unemployment is at its highest level since the Great Depression. Tens of millions of families are struggling to put food on the table and pay the rent. prgtoken If you don't understand the suffering, you haven't been paying attention. Just turn on the TV--or better yet, listen to your constituents. They are demanding two things: facts and action. prgtoken No matter what the President tweets, the facts of this pandemic are clear. And no matter whether Senator McConnell sees urgency or not, the time for action is now. prgtoken The American people have unprecedented needs, and the Federal Government must step up to the plate, provide the necessary assistance to meet those needs. However, the s are yet again standing in the way of helping people. They are in the same denial that led to the administration's bungling of this virus. prgtoken Against the weight of economic expertise, they are saying we need to slow down on spending money. Against the clear desperation of families, they are saying we need to wait and see what happens. prgtoken Well, we know what is going to happen. We have seen what is going to happen. We have seen what has happened. There will be more cases tomorrow, more deaths this weekend, more economic hardship next week. prgtoken But instead of worrying about these concerns, the only thing s can offer is regurgitated talking points about immigration. prgtoken Right now, the American people are focused on their own survival and that of their families. prgtoken I want to make it very clear: COVID-19 does not discriminate or differentiate on immigration status. Our country doesn't have time for s to relitigate the culture wars. prgtoken Regardless of background or country of origin, we need action today. People are suffering. Every day there are more cases. We need action now without further delay. I strongly oppose the motion to recommit. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and .
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Richard E. Neal (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-5-15

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her kind comments. prgtoken I am delighted to stand in support of H.R. 6800, the HEROES Act. It also could be called the confidence in the American people act. This legislation responds to the reality that 85,000 Americans have lost their lives, 36 million Americans are now without a job, and our thoughts are with those families today. I am delighted with the role that Ways and Means once again played in stepping up to deliver solutions in this latest legislation. prgtoken The HEROES Act includes a second round of economic impact payments to keep Americans afloat and infuse money back into the economy; liquidity, every economist has suggested that. This round is more substantial for families and fixes shortcomings in the first round of payments, like those of college students and others who are dependent on parents. prgtoken We enhanced the employee retention tax credit. This expanded version will come to the aid of 60 million Americans. The majority of those are employees of small and midsized businesses. prgtoken April brought about the worst plunge in unemployment since the Great Depression. We have extended the weekly Federal unemployment compensation payments through January of next year. prgtoken Frontline workers who haven't stopped since this crisis began we now know are under great pressure. We provide flexible funding to support childcare and adult daycare for essential workers to ease this burden. prgtoken The Ways and Means Committee also had a role in providing provisions to address the persistent public health emergency that is gripping the Nation. We led the charge to make investments in nursing home safety, as these facilities have been ravaged by the virus. prgtoken This bill was a team effort. Thank you to my Ways and Means Committee members for their contributions, who have been working around the clock with the staff to get this legislation before us today. prgtoken I sought out Jay Powell's advice on this from day one, in the early beginning. He said just a couple of days ago, ``additional fiscal support could be costly but worth it if it helps avoid long-term economic damage and leaves us with a stronger recovery.'' prgtoken This is about balance right now. This is about relief and stability, which will hasten recovery. What we are doing here today will be, in fact, a fact-based approach to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Diana DeGette (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-5-15

I rise today in strong support of the Heroes Act. prgtoken This pandemic is a crisis unlike any we've seen in our lifetimes. prgtoken In the last two months, more than 84,000 Americans have died, more than 1.4 million have tested positive for coronavirus, and more than 36 million hardworking men and women have lost their jobs and livelihoods. prgtoken We know that unprecedented problems call for unprecedented solutions. And the bill before us today is exactly the type of bold legislation that a crisis of this magnitude requires. prgtoken Most importantly, this legislation builds on our science-based approach to safely reopening our country. prgtoken It's clear that we cannot fix our economic crisis without fixing our public health crisis. prgtoken Until we have robust national testing and contact tracing system in place, Americans will not feel comfortable returning to work, schools, restaurants, or businesses at pre-pandemic levels. prgtoken The Heroes Act commits another $75 billion for testing, tracing and treatment. And it will help ensure that no one has to choose between putting food on the table or paying for the cost of coronavirus treatment. prgtoken This legislation also brings much-needed economic relief to our state, local, and tribal governments on the frontlines of this crisis. prgtoken By allocating nearly $1 trillion to local communities, the bill will ensure that teachers, firefighters, first responders, and other essential workers are able to remain on the job. And it will establish a $200 billion fund to ensure that these frontline heroes receive the hazard pay they deserve. prgtoken Additionally, the legislation includes my bill to make state and local governments eligible for paid leave payroll tax credits for workers affected by the coronavirus. Without these tax credits, the costs of providing paid leave could prgtoken undermine successful local coronavirus responses at a time when budgets are already strained due to reduced tax revenues caused by the economic fallout of the pandemic. prgtoken As I have advocated for many weeks, we must put more money in the pockets of workers and families. The Heroes Act would provide a second round of direct payments to families, new payroll protection measures, and extended unemployment payments. prgtoken It would also provide greater health security through COBRA subsidies and a special health care enrollment period, stronger workplace protections, housing security and enhanced food assistance benefits. prgtoken Some on the other side of the aisle have accused us of thinking too big with this package. prgtoken But this is not a time to think small. Now more than ever, we must come together and take big, bold action to protect our communities from this unprecedented crisis. prgtoken I've spoken to teachers and firefighters in my community who are worried about losing their jobs because of state budget deficits. I've heard from countless small business owners who f
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY OMNIBUS EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS ACT
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-5-15

I don't need a magic minute to say the obvious, that President 's response to the coronavirus has been a colossal and utter failure that has left 36 million Americans without jobs, 87,000 dead, and 1.5 million with this disease. prgtoken You can drone on and on about conspiracy theories all you want, but we are going to clean up the mess. That is what the HEROES Act is about. That is what we are doing here today: backing up first responders, funding new tests, and making sure we put dollars into the pockets of millions of struggling Americans.