mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Session)
John Boozman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-7-20

I rise today in support of the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. prgtoken Congress has a constitutional duty under article I, section 8, to provide for the common defense, and the NDAA is one of the key tools that we have to ensure that the United States is capable of defending ourselves and our interests. prgtoken This is, hopefully, the 60th consecutive year that Congress will pass the NDAA. In a time of intense partisanship and national division, it is a true testament to the significance of this responsibility and the fact that we have been able to come together in support of the U.S. military for decades, even when the spirit of bipartisanship and compromise is elusive in many other areas. prgtoken We all want to ensure that America's servicemembers have the tools and resources they need to perform their duty and to protect our Nation. As we are all aware, threats against the United States, our allies, and interests persist. At a time of increasing risk and dangerous challenges to global security, the United States must lead in creating stability through a strong and modernized military. prgtoken Peace through strength is a proven concept that reinforces American deterrence and produces greater global security. That is why it is so important to, yet again, come together and advance this important bill, the NDAA. prgtoken We need to strengthen our military posture, enact policies that encourage deterrence, project leadership, and deploy innovative strategies to maximize advantages that serve our national security, reassure our allies, and help defend our freedoms and ideals at home and abroad. prgtoken The fiscal year 2021 NDAA does this by strengthening American deterrence through investing in greater capabilities in support of priorities listed in the national defense strategy and ensuring America's servicemembers are ready so, when challenged, they will prevail in any conflict. prgtoken This NDAA maintains readiness gains made over the previous years, while making significant investments in modernization and enhancing resources to better support and care for servicemembers and their families. It provides a 3-percent pay raise for our troops and reemphasizes a focus on training to ensure that our servicemembers can conduct missions safely. prgtoken It also serves the interests of our military at a time when they need vital support and assistance. I am especially pleased that the legislation continues a push I have made related to military spousal employment and also provides another step in the right direction to ensure servicemembers' families have options for high-quality and accessible childcare. prgtoken The continued commitment to reforms in the military's privatized housing and health systems reflected in this legislation are also wins for our servicemembers and their loved ones. prgtoken Additionally, this year's NDAA goes further to increase manning levels in ord
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 6395, WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 7027, CHILD CARE IS ESSENTIAL ACT...
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-7-20

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I would just like to begin with responding to my friend's, Mr. Woodall's, concerns about the numbers of amendments, what the percentages are and all that stuff. prgtoken We have authorized and made in order 407 amendments to be debated on the floor of this House. That is after some 475 amendments were debated in the Committee on Armed Services. Of the ones that we have today, let's see, 53 percent are bipartisan or , and 46 percent are ic amendments. So, among all of these amendments, there is plenty of opportunity for all of us to have some say as to how the NDAA is going to be shaped for this coming year. prgtoken The second thing that the gentleman mentioned was the Great American Outdoors Act. That is a bipartisan bill. The ranking member, Mr. Cole, stated his support for this thing which can and will preserve millions and millions of acres of public land and national parks through funding. We know the Senate has passed it. We consider it a major matter where time is of the essence for the benefit of beautiful places all across America, and we want to get that done. prgtoken The two other bills are the childcare bills. In this pandemic that we face, childcare has been turned upside down like so many other things that have been dealt a blow by the virus. Time is of the essence in trying to correct that so America can get back to work, but without assistance in the childcare arena, that is just not going to happen. So we want to get these things moving. prgtoken So, , I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia and my other colleagues for joining me here today to speak on the rule, the National Defense Authorization Act, the Great American Outdoors Act, the Child Care Is Essential Act, and the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act. prgtoken Passage of this rule today will allow the House to continue our important work for the people. We will uphold our oath of office to protect the United States through consideration of the Mac Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act. We will complete the step we took last year to support full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund by passing the Great American Outdoors Act, and we will take meaningful steps to help hardworking Americans who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring that they have access to affordable childcare so they can get back to work as soon as possible through passage of these two acts. prgtoken Over the next few days and weeks, we will take action on these important bills; we will begin our work to fund the government through the passage of the House fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills; and we will renew our calls for the Senate to act and pass the next pandemic relief package, the HEROES Act, to help Americans across the country as we respond to this miserable virus and its effects on our Nation. So I hope all my colleagues can join us in get
Amendments En Bloc No. 2 offered by Mr. Smith of Washington
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-7-20

I thank the gentleman very much for yielding. prgtoken Endorsed by the Human Rights First, my amendment No. 182 is an answer to what has been the opposite of the Confederate statues; that is, to direct the military to look at outstanding African Americans to determine the viability and the availability of naming military installations and covered defense property after historic African Americans who fought in every war since the Revolutionary War. prgtoken , I am delighted to have Bennie Thompson, William Lacy Clay, Gregory Meeks, A. Donald McEachin, Marc Veasey, Sanford Bishop, Andre Carson, and Jahana Hayes joining me on this amendment. Let me also say there is a long list of those who could be named. prgtoken I am offering, as well, Jackson Lee amendment 179 and ask for its support. prgtoken It takes up the Cyberspace Solarium Commission report to secure our emails. That is a very endangered species, if you will. prgtoken , s, Congressmen Langevin, Gallagher, Katko, and Joyce, for joining me in this bipartisan amendment. prgtoken , amendment No. 183 is clearly important to women in the United States military. Triple-negative breast cancer, 10 to 20 percent of breast cancer tests negative, this amendment provides $10 million for that. prgtoken Also, we know how many of our soldiers are impacted by PTSD. Jackson Lee amendment No. 181 provides $2.5 million for PTSD research, something that I have been working on for more than a decade. I organized a PTSD center in my district outside of the veterans hospital that was funded by TRICARE.
WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Susie Lee (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2020-7-20

I stand with Congressman Takano in support of this amendment to close the 90/10 loophole for the Department of Defense military education benefits. prgtoken Educational institutions are required to derive at least 10 percent of their revenues from non-Federal sources. The intent of this requirement is to ensure that schools offer an education that is of high enough value and high enough quality that people would actually want to use their own money to pay for it. prgtoken It is about proving market viability, which is supposed to guarantee that taxpayers will not support low-quality schools. If they can't compete in the open market, they should not be supported entirely by the government. prgtoken This loophole, which effectively treats Defense Department money as the same as what is supposed to come out of people's pockets, violates the safeguards we intended to have in place. That is why it is called a loophole. And it explains why certain untrustworthy colleges, many of which are for-profit, target servicemembers and veterans. prgtoken Closing this loophole is a concrete step to ensuring we protect our servicemembers.
HONORING FRANCIE COMBS IOWAN OF THE WEEK
Cynthia Axne (Democrat, IA) \u2014 2020-7-20

. Madam , I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Mrs. Francine Combs for her decades of hard work in her community and her 100th birthday this month by naming her our Iowan of the Week. prgtoken Francine started working as a waitress when she was only 18. She worked at The Joy Ann, a restaurant of the northwest side of the square in Greenfield, Iowa whose local claim to fame was being the first eatery in town to have a juke box. From those first table at The Joy Ann, Francine's tenacity and dedication to her work and the community took off. prgtoken Over the course of her 65 years as a waitress; Francine worked at several other eateries--all the while raising four sons--John, Dan, David and Dennis--with her husband Frank. prgtoken Francine's son John Combs and his wife Phyllis recalled that, ``Every restaurant there ever was in Greenfield, she was a waitress there.'' Diners and patrons in Greenfield came to know and love Francine as a staple of their community. prgtoken A significant portion of Francine's decades of waitressing were at the Maid-Rite Cafe--an Iowa community staple for nearly three generations and a venerated home to our famous loose meat sandwiches. In all her years, if Francine ever learned the secrets behind the Maid- Rite's incredible rendition of this classic Iowa sandwich, she still hasn't told. prgtoken In honoring Francine today, I want to underscore the values of hard work, attentiveness, and interpersonal skills that serving Iowa's hungry families teaches to everyone working in the hospitality industry. As a former waitress myself, I know how much I learned from the long hours on my feet and the diligent yet delicate work that is required of any food service professional--and I am so proud to recognize one who embodies that Iowa work ethic through decades ofservice to her thousands of patrons. prgtoken In 2004, Francine hung up her apron at the age of 84 for a well- earned retirement. And as she reaches another incredible milestone--100 years old this month--I can only imagine how she has seen the world change. prgtoken As we all know, the restaurant industry is evolving. From meal delivery services to contactless ordering through kiosks; some of the personal touches that Francine gave to her customers are becoming rarer. But it's my hope that as restaurants and other food services continue to weather this pandemic and prgtoken economic downturn, they can take Francine's story to heart and know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In her years serving Iowa, Francine saw the inauguration of ten new presidents, the moon landing, the birth of the microwave and the microchip, the end of a world war, and countless economic ups and downs. But through it all, Francine always turned to the next table with a smile. prgtoken It is my distinct honor to name Francine Combs as our Iowan of the Week, and wish her a very happy 100th birthday. Although we canno
WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Adam Smith (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2020-7-20

I fear this debate is going to come down to a difference of opinion on tax. My staff and I have looked at this very, very carefully. This does not restrict us from what we are currently doing, and it is the position of this sponsor and myself that we need to make sure our stockpile is safe and usable, and we have an adequate deterrent. We do not need to do live nuclear testing. prgtoken , the reason we are concerned about this is because the Senate has actually put $10 million into their version of this defense bill to do precisely that. So, there are some who apparently think this would be a good idea. prgtoken We want to make it clear: We don't think it is a good idea to do live nuclear testing. Keep doing what you are doing. That is fine. Collect your stockpile. We don't need to be setting off nuclear weapons again. prgtoken In this regard, what Russia and China are doing is beside the point. It is not in our best interest to do this. If they think it is in their best interests to do live testing, I would disagree with that. prgtoken This doesn't help protect us. It endangers people unnecessarily. prgtoken I know we are going to get into a debate over the actual language here, but be clear on what this amendment does.
Remembering   John Lewis (Executive Session)
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-7-20

on Friday, July 17, after six decades as one of our Nation's most preeminent civil rights leaders, Congressman John Lewis--the conscience of the Congress--passed away at the age of 80. His trials and tribulations and, ultimately, his triumphs are well known to all of us. prgtoken At the ripe old age of 25, he led thousands of marchers across a bridge in Alabama. They risked their lives for their constitutionally guaranteed right to vote and, in doing so, shook the conscience of a nation and hastened the demise of Jim Crow. On that fateful Sunday, battered and bruised, his head dizzy and bleeding from the policeman's rod, John Lewis found the courage and the strength to reach the other side of that bridge, and he never stopped marching. prgtoken From the Freedom Rides to Selma, from his leadership of the SNCC, to his four decades in Congress, John Lewis never stopped marching. His actions as a young man helped change the trajectory of a nation and brought about the Voting Rights Act, and then John Lewis went to Congress and renewed that law again and again. He sat in against segregation at lunch counters in the Jim Crow South and, over 40 years later, led another sit-in on the House floor against gun violence. He spoke out for marriage equality long before it was popular. He challenged those who walked the corridors of power and then trod those corridors himself to bring quality healthcare, fair wages, and social justice to Georgians and Americans everywhere. prgtoken It is one thing, inflamed with the passion of youth, to join in brave endeavors and challenge the status quo. It is a good thing. Yet it is even beyond that to sustain that activism and vision and efforts and, yes, that ``good trouble'' he talked about getting into over the steady and persistent dedication of a lifetime. That is who John Lewis was deep in his soul--a man on a mission, who forcefully but gently led us all to do more and to do better, who loved his country so much that he risked his life and then spent his life trying to change it. prgtoken We are an imperfect nation, for sure, but we have a tremendous ability to reinvent ourselves. The story of America is one of constant renewal, but that renewal has never been preordained. It is because Americans have pushed and prodded, used their voices and their votes to force our country to change over time to move ever closer to our highest ideals. prgtoken In the story of America, there are certain heroes whose moral clarity has shone out like a beacon for others to follow--North Stars who have inspired their fellow Americans to join them in the glorious work of bending the moral arc of the universe toward justice. John Lewis was one of those special heroes. He paved the road, lit the path, and pointed the way toward other bridges for us to cross. It was not by always being the loudest voice or the most intemperate; he led by the moral force of his example. Wheth
CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF BISHOP PHILIP JACKSON
Rashida Tlaib (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-7-20

. Madam , I rise today in tribute to Bishop Philip Jackson who is celebrating his appointment to auxiliary bishop after serving thirty-three years as pastor of Seth Temple Church of God in Detroit, Michigan. prgtoken Bishop Jackson is a native of Detroit, Michigan and a proud graduate of Detroit's Central High School. He is a lifelong member of Seth Temple Church of God. He was called to the clergy in May of 1967 and has led his members in fulfilling their spiritual needs. Bishop Jackson began his ministry under the pasturage and tutelage of the late Bishop John Seth Bailey. On July 19, 1987, he was appointed Pastor of Seth Temple Church of God in Christ. prgtoken Bishop Jackson has been able to balance his work in the church with his career in automobile manufacturing, where he rose through the ranks at Ford Motor Company. In addition, Bishop Jackson has taken on numerous leadership roles over his lifetime, including appointment as District Superintendent of District No. 3, January 2008, Chairman of the Elders Council of 1st Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Michigan Southwest, and Bishop in 2019, by Bishop John H. Sheard, Jurisdictional Prelate. Bishop Jackson serves as a Commissioner for the National Church of God in Christ, Incorporated, Judiciary Board Committee for the National Constitutional Convention, and he is a Member of the COGIC Publishing House Board of Directors appointed by Presiding Bishop, Charles E. Blake, Sr. On March 30, Bishop Jackson received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from Saint Thomas Christian College, Jacksonville, FL. Bishop Jackson has touched the lives of many in his flock. He has strived to make a lasting impact and has worked to expand the church and create shelter for women and children, senior housing, childcare, and many other ministries. prgtoken Please join me in celebrating this milestone for Bishop Philip Jackson and Seth Temple Church of God.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOHN LEWIS
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2020-7-20

. Leader Hoyer expressed, I think, everybody's feelings about John Lewis. prgtoken I lost a hero and a friend, a cohort in good trouble, and a colleague. It is said, when you come to the House, you sometimes walk with giants, rarely do you get to walk with a saint. John Lewis was a saint. He was heavenly. He embodied the spirit of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi. He exhibited that in his work, his life, his votes, his advice to his colleagues. prgtoken There is no good time to die, but John Lewis lit a fire that has turned into a tremendous blaze, and I am fortunate that I have been able to feel the warmth and share it with him.
WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021
Veronica Escobar (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-7-20

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , for over 200 years, Presidents have had the authority to send the military into American communities at times of unrest. prgtoken The Insurrection Act is a power many Americans are unaware of primarily because it has historically rarely been invoked. It has, at times, been used by Presidents at the request of State Governors, but during our Nation's tumultuous civil rights era, it was an authority used by Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson against the wishes of Southern Governors. prgtoken Their use of the military in American communities helped protect the civil rights of African Americans at a time of deep national unrest. In fact, the Insurrection Act was used to protect Selma to Montgomery marchers in 1965, protection needed by the marchers after Bloody Sunday, where our beloved late colleague, John Lewis, was beaten and bloodied. This is an important Presidential power intended to restore peace and protect Americans. prgtoken My amendment does not seek to undermine or eliminate this authority. Instead, it is intended to bring about transparency and close a loophole. prgtoken America is founded in a Constitution that enshrines a system of separate but coequal branches of government. As such, Congress has a duty to evaluate for any Presidential power where consultation may be necessary and to provide oversight. prgtoken Today, if the President of the United States chooses to use military force abroad, the President would have to consult with Congress. Yet that same consultation is not required for use of military force on American soil. My amendment closes that loophole providing for consultation and oversight similar to what is currently required when the military is called on to engage overseas. prgtoken The NDAA is our annual opportunity and responsibility to evaluate and authorize defense activities. With this amendment to a centuries-old law, Congress and future Presidents can ensure that Insurrection Act authority, when used, is consistent with our history of preserving peace and civil rights in America. prgtoken , .
National Defense Authorization Act (Executive Session)
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-7-20

I oppose the confirmation of Russell Vought to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Mr. Vought's tenure as Acting Director of OMB has been characterized by mismanagement, political corruption, and lawbreaking. He is unfit to lead OMB. prgtoken Mr. Vought played an active role in President 's corrupt scheme to prgtoken pressure Ukraine to interfere on President 's behalf in the 2020 election. In furtherance of that scheme, OMB illegally withheld security assistance for Ukraine under Mr. Vought's leadership, which violated the Impoundment Control Act according to the independent and nonpartisan Government Accountability Office. GAO even stated that OMB's stonewalling of their inquiry had ``constitutional significance'' due to the undermining of legislative branch oversight. During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Vought could not even explain why OMB stonewalled GAO's inquiry by refusing to turn over relevant documents requested by GAO and then failed to provide a reason for withholding these documents in response to my questions following the hearing. prgtoken Mr. Vought is among those responsible for the administration's disastrous response to the COVID-19 pandemic. OMB dragged its feet on requesting urgently needed resources to respond to the pandemic, which led to deadly shortages of key supplies. Due to insufficient guidance from OMB and the Office of Personnel Management, Federal agencies are moving forward with haphazard plans to bring teleworking employees back into offices in ways that needlessly risk spreading COVID-19 among Federal workers, their families, and surrounding communities. prgtoken OMB is responsible for preparing the President's budget, and Mr. Vought has advanced budgets that would pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations by slashing support for healthcare, education, and nutrition assistance. The administration would have been even less prepared for COVID-19 if Congress enacted the cuts in these budgets to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mr. Vought personally called for cutting the CDC budget as recently as March 10, 2020, when the pandemic was sweeping the country. At that time, Mr. Vought insisted that he would not send a budget amendment to reverse these cuts. The administration was forced by circumstances to submit such a budget amendment shortly thereafter. prgtoken The Senate should not reward this record of failure and lawbreaking by confirming Mr. Vought's nomination.