mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING DENISHA GRAY
Bennie G. Thompson (Democrat, MS) \u2014 2021-3-2

. Madam , I rise today to honor a tenacious and ambitious woman, Ms. Denisha Gray. Denisha has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to educate Warren County youth. prgtoken Denisha, a resident of Vicksburg, Mississippi, earned her bachelor's degree in general studies from Alcorn State in 2013. In 2018, she earned her master's degree from Louisiana Tech University. prgtoken Denisha Gray, a second-grade teacher at Dana Road Elementary School, said it is important that, through her teaching, her students are connected to the world around them, and that the lessons they learn connect them to that world. Before joining the staff at Dana Road Elementary, Gray taught one year at Vicksburg Intermediate School, her first with the Vicksburg Warren School District. Prior to that, she spent one year as a fourth-grade teacher and four years as a third- grade teacher at Wright Elementary School in Tallulah. prgtoken Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Denisha Gray for her passion and dedication to serving Warren County and her desire to make a difference in the community.
NOMINATION OF CECILIA ELENA ROUSE
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-3-2

. I strongly support the nomination of Cecilia Rouse to chair the Council of Economic Advisors. Dr. Rouse's career has focused on strengthening labor markets for American workers, improving our education system, and addressing the structural inequities that stand in the way of making the economy work for all Americans. She brings exactly the right experience and expertise that we need to help our Nation weather the economic storm caused by the pandemic and build back better. prgtoken Dr. Rouse was one of the clearest voices on the problem of long-term unemployment following the last recession. The discussions that my colleagues and I have already had with Dr. Rouse make clear that she remains focused on helping workers who lost their jobs get back to work as the economy recovers it and, going forward, on preventing the problem of chronic long-term unemployment that we saw even before the pandemic. prgtoken If confirmed, Dr. Rouse would be the first African-American and the fourth woman to lead the Council of Economic Advisors in its 74 year history. She has been a strong leader in academia and government, and I urge my colleagues to support her confirmation. Vote on the Rouse Nomination prgtoken The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Peters.) All postcloture time has expired. prgtoken The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the Rouse nomination?
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2021
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-3-2

I rise today in support of En Bloc Amendment No. 3 to H.R. 1, which includes the Gallego Amendment, an important contribution to H.R. 1 that makes a long overdue technical fix to the Help American Vote Act to ensure and to protect the right to vote for Native Americans and others living with disabilities in the four corners region of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. prgtoken Specifically, this amendment will extend funding under the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access program to the Native American Disability Law Center to ensure people with disabilities in the region can fully participate in the electoral process. prgtoken Too often, voters in this region drive hours to reach their nearest polling place, only to find that the ballot is not accessible to them due to inadequate disability training, ADA accessibility, or other impediments to the constitutional right to vote. prgtoken Voting is a right of citizenship, and every polling place should be adequately equipped to serve those with disabilities. prgtoken Nearly 15 percent of those eligible to vote in Texas are persons with disabilities--almost 3 prgtoken million people--and lack of accessibility causes people with disabilities to vote at lower rates than the general population. prgtoken According to a study by the Government Accountability Office, nearly two-thirds of the 137 polling places inspected in 2016 had at least one impediment to people with disabilities. prgtoken These impediments included: the accessible voting machine not being set up and powered on, malfunctioning earphones, lack of wheelchair accessibility, and less privacy than standard voting stations. prgtoken Many people with disabilities cannot mark paper ballots without assistance, so they rely on special voting machines, but untrained poll workers have discouraged the use of accessible voting machines, leaving voters with disabilities behind. prgtoken People with disabilities continue to report barriers including a lack of accessible election and registration materials prior to elections, lack of transportation to polling places, and problems securing specific forms of identification required by some states. prgtoken , it is long past time to keep our promise for a fully inclusive electoral process in Native and rural communities, and I urge my colleagues to vote for En Bloc Amendment No. 3 to H.R. 1.
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2021
Jamaal Bowman (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-3-2

. Madam , our friends, our neighbors, and our family prgtoken members who are entangled in this injustice system did not lose their citizenship, so they should not lose their right to vote. prgtoken These are people from our communities, still connected strongly to our families, our schools, and our workplaces. As a result, they should not lose their right to vote. prgtoken Their right to vote must be restored because these are individuals-- people, not criminals--who can still think critically and creatively and contribute to our democracy. Our democracy will remain broken and sick and unhealthy until we heal by restoring the right to vote to our incarcerated individuals.
REMOVE BIG MONEY IN POLITICS
Jason Crow (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2021-3-2

. Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 1, the For the People Act. prgtoken I have said since day one on this job that if you want to do big and transformational things in America, you first have to get rid of big money in politics. prgtoken Whether you want to tackle the climate crisis, reform healthcare, address the gun violence epidemic, or level the playing field for American workers, it is all about shutting off the flow of big money, ending gerrymandering, bolstering our ethics laws, and expanding access to the ballot box. H.R. 1 will do all of these things. prgtoken This transformational package includes my bill, the End Dark Money Act, to crack down on mega-donors who hide their political contributions through phony social welfare organizations. prgtoken If we have learned anything in the past few years, it is that our democracy is in need of reform. We can and must do big things again, and it begins by passing H.R. 1. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to join me in this historic effort.
HONORING ADAM POLITZER
Jared Huffman (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-3-2

. Madam , I rise today in recognition of Adam Politzer upon his retirement from a distinguished 20 year career in service to the City of Sausalito. prgtoken Adam was born and raised in Sausalito, and he graduated from Tamalpais High School. His career in local government began in 1987 as a recreation manager in Palo Alto. He later joined the City of Sausalito in 2000 as a parks and recreation director and quickly moved up the ranks to become the City's chief administrator. Upon his retirement Adam was the longest serving City Manager for Sausalito. prgtoken During his tenure with the City Adam produced substantial improvements to the quality of life for the City's residents and visitors. Among his numerous achievements, Adam successfully led efforts to revitalize Robin Sweeney Park, Dunphy Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, and Southview Park; oversaw the consolidation of the Sausalito Fire Department with the Southern Marin Fire District; and managed development projects for new public safety buildings. Adam was also valued by the city council and staff for his skilled stewardship of taxpayer dollars and helping the City maintain financial stability throughout economic challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic. prgtoken Over the years Adam became a strong mentor for the next generation of municipal leaders, launching the Southern Marin Management Academy to help train aspiring public servants. Adam is well-known by Sausalito and Marin County residents, business owners, and colleagues for his thoughtful leadership and willingness to thoroughly explore and pursue the best solutions to complex problems. prgtoken Adam's commitment to the community of Sausalito has been, and will continue to be, productive and enduring. Madam , I respectfully ask that you join me in expressing gratitude to Adam for his extensive public service and extending to him congratulations on his retirement and best wishes on his next endeavors.
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2021
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-3-2

. Madam , I think that is a legitimate debate to have. I think we have been having that debate. Very frankly, I tell my friend from Texas that I think we won that debate. We won it in the courts over and over and over again, but understand that does not mean we ought not to have the debate here. prgtoken Madam , I would not be opposed to such a debate. This bill, I think, is a bill which has been debated over and over again in committee and on the floor and has passed through the Senate. Unfortunately, the Senate didn't take it up. We didn't have a conference because they had a different perspective on the question the gentleman raises. They chose not to debate it. They chose not to address it. They chose to ignore the problems that clearly do exist. prgtoken Madam , I think the gentleman's point is well-taken. I think, at some point in time in the future, we ought to have that debate, either on legislation you introduce or others introduce. I would support that effort.
Nomination of Gina Marie Raimondo (Executive Session)
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2021-3-2

I come to the floor today to urge my colleagues to support President 's nominee to be Secretary of Commerce, the Governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo. prgtoken Many people know that Governor Raimondo was the first woman to serve in that position in her State, and she has made tremendous impacts to that State at a time when it needed important leadership. So we are very excited that the President has nominated her for this position and that she will put those same skill sets to work here in Washington. prgtoken The mission of the Department of Commerce, at least according to its website, is to foster, promote, and develop foreign and domestic commerce. Well, I can tell you that she is going to inherit a big challenge because obviously our domestic economy is still reeling from the impacts of COVID-19, and certainly she needs to think about the continuing transition to a digital economy in an information age. The foreign economy that she also will be charged with trying to help and impact as it relates to the United States is certainly plagued by the same pandemic and the impacts of that. prgtoken So we are looking for someone who can come in and help, with private sector experience, to really move the agenda of this administration forward. For me, Governor Raimondo's private sector experience really means a lot. She knows how to invest in new technologies and things that are going to help us grow jobs for the future, and she knows how to match up a workforce with those job opportunities that are also so critical as we move forward on many, many different policy issues that are going to usher in change. prgtoken As Governor, she invested in workforce training and matching workers with relevant small business experience, called her Rhode Island job initiative. The program served more than 1,700 employers and 11,000 people throughout the State. She was able to send her State's unemployment rates tumbling to a 30-year low simply by doing a really focused job of matching workforce training to the needs of those industries that were growing in her State. So I certainly appreciate the fact that she has that private sector experience in knowing where to invest and bringing people together, and she certainly created successful programs on matching the workforce for tomorrow. prgtoken But make no mistake, the Department of Commerce is going to have a very challenging role as we try to deal with the impacts of COVID-19. One of the most important responsibilities, I believe, will be dealing with the sectors most hard hit by the COVID pandemic. prgtoken I am glad that Governor Raimondo is a Governor of a coastal State because one of the most impacted industries, as we have seen, is the seafood industry, which has been affected greatly by COVID-19 since early January 2020 when the lockdowns in China and around the world impacted the seafood sector. U.S. seafood exports to China dropped by 31 percent by
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2021
Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2021-3-2

. Madam , increased voter participation should be the goal of every legislator, or . Anything less is a betrayal of our democratic ideal. prgtoken Madam , 4 million more Latino voters cast a ballot in 2020 than in 2016. Native Americans defied the devastation of COVID to come out and vote in higher numbers. And now, States across our country are trying to turn away these citizens. prgtoken H.R. 1 is necessary, now more than ever, to protect the rights of every citizen to register, to vote absentee, or by mail if you live on a reservation or just work on Tuesdays. prgtoken We brought New Mexico's experience to this bill to improve voting access for Native Americans, respect Tribal land boundaries during redistricting, and reduce wait times at the polls. prgtoken Our democracy is the very foundation on which we rest every American ideal. We love it, and we must protect it for the people.
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-3-2

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 12 noon on Wednesday, March 3; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Whistleblower Program (Executive Calendar)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2021-3-2

reserving the right to object, the majority of the minors who become pregnant tell their parents about the pregnancy even when they plan to seek an abortion. But it is not always possible or even advisable that a parent be informed. For some minors, telling their parents that they were sexually active, let alone pregnant, can lead to physical abuse. It can lead to those minors being thrown out of their homes. One study found that 45 percent of young people who did not seek advice from their parents about a pregnancy experienced significant negative consequences--such as punishment, abuse, being forced out of their home--when their parents found out. prgtoken By requiring that parents of minors seeking an abortion be notified and setting the bar for an exception to this rule at a nearly insurmountable level, this bill ignores this reality of what might happen to these young people. In doing so, it turns an already difficult decision for a young person into an almost impossible one. It puts minors' health and safety at risk while doing nothing to strengthen families. prgtoken This is made clear by the fact that all of the major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Adolescent Medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Public Health Association--all of these groups oppose laws like this one that mandate parental involvement in minors' abortion decisions. prgtoken Let's be clear. This is yet another partisan attack on a woman's constitutionally-protected right to choose. It is completely unnecessary and distracts from the important work the Senate is doing right now to deliver urgently needed COVID relief. prgtoken For these reasons, I object.
INTRODUCTION OF THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS RENEWAL ACT OF 2021
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-3-2

. Madam , today I introduced the Revitalizing Economies, Housing, and Businesses (REHAB) Act of 2021. This legislation incentivizes equitable transit-oriented development by providing a 15 percent tax credit for expenses related to the rehabilitation of buildings that are more than 50 years old, including adjacent development on the same block, provided that the project is within a half-mile of an existing or planned public transportation center. The legislation also provides a bonus credit of 25 percent for expenses associated with the provision of affordable housing and public infrastructure. prgtoken While existing community development incentives do an excellent job at targeting their segment of the market, there is a noticeable gap in equitable transit-oriented development. As more Americans move to urban areas, communities face difficult decisions in accommodating increased congestion and affordability concerns, all while seeking to keep their carbon footprint light. By focusing on the rehabilitation of existing assets that are near public transportation, projects are lighter on the land and residents can more easily access jobs and services via transit. Encouraging affordable housing investments in transit-rich areas will transform areas that are often some of the least affordable. Taken together, provisions in the REHAB Act encourage preservation, accessibility, and affordability and will create more livable communities. prgtoken I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to include this legislation in an upcoming infrastructure investment package.
Nominations (Executive Calendar)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2021-3-2

I respect the views of my colleagues. I respect the views of this colleague especially, and he knows that. We don't always agree on everything or even, maybe, most things, but I think it is important we be able to find ways to disagree without being disagreeable. prgtoken I understand that the senior Senator from Utah is here today because he disagrees with a particular policy. That is certainly his right, his prerogative. He is welcome to register his views, as we all are. prgtoken For instance, we have heard our friend from Utah defend the principles of limited government and our system of federalism on this floor many times. I have heard him and other colleagues of ours argue with passion that the Federal Government should not be in the business of interfering in State or local matters. prgtoken Yet here we are, as our colleagues try to tell a local government, once again, what it can and cannot do. The Senator from Utah has introduced a resolution that seeks to overturn a law passed by the duly elected council of the District of Columbia. prgtoken I am not here to debate the merits of this law. After all, I was not elected by the people living in the District of Columbia. In fact, no one, as far as I know, in this room was elected by the people of the District of Columbia. prgtoken But the reason that these Senators have the ability to try to overturn a law passed by the local DC government is that the over 700,000 individuals who call the District of Columbia home continue to be denied full representation in Congress--in fact, any representation here in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken Under current law, Congress reviews all legislation passed by the DC Council before it can become law. The District of Columbia is not allowed to even control its own budget. The Mayor of DC cannot even deploy the men and women of the National Guard in case of emergency, a right every other State executive can utilize. If this were the case for any other State or local government, there would rightfully be an outcry from the citizens of that State or local government. prgtoken I don't believe that our colleague from Utah would take kindly to me or any of us in this body telling the city council in, say, Salt Lake City--a city with just under 200,000 residents--what laws they could or could not pass, and he would be right. He would be right. Luckily, the people of Salt Lake City have a Senator who has come to Washington, speaks his mind on the Senate floor, and votes to advance the interests of not just Salt Lake City citizens but the rest of Utah as well. I think that is really, in its essence, all that the people of Washington, DC, are looking for. prgtoken For me, the issue of DC statehood is not a ic or issue; it is a simple issue of basic fairness. For a Nation whose founding mantra--``no taxation without representation''--inspired the longest running experiment in democracy, we shou
Introductory Statement on S. 540
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-3-2

I am pleased to introduce the Cost of Police Misconduct Act. This legislation strives to increase transparency and accountability, saving taxpayer dollars and potentially lives by requiring Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies to report police misconduct allegations and related judgments or settlements to the Department of Justice. prgtoken Last year, the horrific murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery made it clear that systemic reform in policing is needed now more than ever. On top of having to bear the loss of friends and loved ones, these very communities who suffer from this misconduct have to foot its bill, yet they are often in the dark on the full size of that bill. Citizens deserve to know what they are paying for unjust policing practices. prgtoken In the last 10 years, 31 of 50 cities in the Nation with the highest police-to-civilian ratio spent more than $3 billion to settle police misconduct lawsuits. These large judgments and settlements paid by State and local governments are typically paid from liability insurance, from a general or dedicated municipal fund, or from issuing bonds. In particular, municipal bonds have become increasingly more commonplace to cover the cost of large judgments and settlements that exceed insurer liability coverage or the capacity of dedicated municipal funds. This often results in passing costs to taxpayers, who must pay nearly double the cost of the judgment or settlement because the city or county must pay fees to financial institutions and interest to investors. This is unacceptable. prgtoken Specifically, the Cost of Police Misconduct Act seeks to remedy this costly and pervasive issue by ensuring the Department of Justice maintains a comprehensive public database of misconduct data and trends that have gone largely unreported by Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, this legislation makes certain important data--such as the type of alleged misconduct, the total amount of the settlement, and the source of funds used to cover the cost of any one judgment or settlement--is properly preserved in an easily accessible manner. Additionally, this legislation directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the information reported to determine the leading cause of judgments and settlements related to allegations of misconduct and what interventions are necessary to prevent them. prgtoken Police misconduct takes lives, erodes trust, and sparks fear. I am hopeful the Senate will act upon my legislation this year to shine a light on the price of police misconduct, ending the secrecy and hopefully spurring agencies to put a stop to it.
FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2021
Cori Bush (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2021-3-2

. Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken s, Representative Sarbanes and Representative Lofgren, for their leadership on this bill. prgtoken Madam , just to put it out there as a reminder, we are talking about actual people. We are talking about humanity. We are talking about access. We are talking about the right to vote. These are people. I urge a ``yes'' vote. prgtoken Madam , .