mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATE
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-5-10

the last time we observed Mother's Day, most of the country could not spend time with their parents or have their kids spend time with them. Standing outside of a window and waving to mom was the closest you could get. I remember that. So this year, I was beyond grateful to celebrate with my mother and my daughters in person. I know the same was true for Americans across the country. As COVID-19 continues to recede--and more than half of eligible adults have received at least one shot of the vaccine after a very painful and difficult year--it was another sign that our country is turning the corner. Praise God. prgtoken Now, as we begin this work period, the Senate will continue working to help the country recover and build back stronger than ever. That includes filling vacancies in the executive branch with highly qualified public servants. prgtoken This week, the Senate will consider the nomination of Andrea Palm for Deputy HHS Secretary and Cynthia Marten, a teacher of 17 years, to serve as the next Deputy Education Secretary. There will be additional nominations on the floor as the week goes on. At the committee level, at least half a dozen other nominees will have their markups. prgtoken There will be plenty of legislative action off the floor as well. Discussions continue on a potential, bipartisan infrastructure bill, gun safety legislation, and policing reform. prgtoken On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee will begin to mark up the Endless Frontier Act, bipartisan legislation that would invest in our scientific and technologic capabilities and help the United States outcompete China and other nations in a number of emerging industries. There have been extremely constructive bipartisan talks over the last week, and I am fully supportive of the product that will be considered in Wednesday's committee meeting. prgtoken In addition, a number of other Senate committees are working on bipartisan legislation to improve our competitiveness and make the United States a world leader in advanced manufacturing, innovation, and supply chains. prgtoken It is my intention to have the full Senate consider comprehensive competitive legislation during this work period. prgtoken This week, the Senate Rules Committee will also mark up S. 1, a bill to strengthen our democracy, increase transparency in our campaign finance system, and make it easier for all Americans to vote. The Senate ic majority named this bill ``S. 1'' because it is a very top priority. The majority gets to name the first five bills of any new Congress. We picked the For the People Act to be S. 1 for a reason. Make no mistake, we are moving forward with S. 1 in the Rules Committee this week. I will attend the markup tomorrow. prgtoken As a reminder to my colleagues, I have committed to bring S. 1 to the floor of the Senate. As the Rules Committee prepares to amend and advance S. 1, our colleagues face a critical ch
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-5-10

today I am introducing the Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act, with my colleagues Senators Boozman and Tillis. By incentivizing private businesses to hire military spouses and allowing military families to use pre-tax dollars to pay for childcare, we can alleviate some of the unique hardships military families face and put them on firmer financial footing. This effort has only become more critical as the nation recovers from the coronavirus pandemic that has increased the number of unemployed and emphasized some longstanding issues in securing childcare for young families. prgtoken The families of America's servicemembers make sacrifices that are not as recognized in the public eye. Military spouses face routine moves every few years that require packing up a stable home in order to move to a new area and start over. This is compounded by the complex system of state licensing and certification requirements, which can limit these spouses from taking jobs that utilize their expertise and experience. Because of this, military spouses have unemployment rates substantially higher than the national average, and are often underemployed when they do have jobs. Adding to the financial struggle that frequent periods of unemployment and underemployment cause, the rising cost of childcare puts a substantial burden on many military families. prgtoken The Jobs and Childcare for Military Families Act would help these families in two ways. First, the bill makes military spouses an eligible population for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. This tax credit has been proven effective in improving the employment prospects for other groups, and extending it to military spouses would help them find employment easier after moving a new area. Second, the bill instructs the administration to implement dependent care flexible spending accounts for all servicemembers. These accounts which are widely available in the private sector would allow military families to contribute pre-tax dollars to accounts prgtoken that they can then use to pay for childcare services, helping ease the financial burden of childcare. prgtoken I hope my colleagues will support this bill to help families who have made an incredible sacrifice for our nation.
April Jobs Report (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-5-10

some economists have another name for the recession that we are living through, the one that was caused by the COVID pandemic. They call it a ``she-cession'' because the economic hardships and job losses have fallen disproportionately on women, especially on working mothers. It is ironic that we are having this conversation the day after Mother's Day and reflecting on the current state of American families in the midst of a pandemic but, equally important, on the state of American families and the state of the mothers of those families and the economic realities that they face. prgtoken There are 2.5 million American women who have dropped out or were pushed out of the workforce since the start of this pandemic. In a recent ABC News poll, 25 percent of women said they are worse off economically now than they were a year ago compared to 18 percent of men. A survey last fall found that almost 40 percent of working mothers in my State of Illinois--40 percent--lost their jobs or are working reduced hours. Nearly half of all working mothers of color reported the same. prgtoken There are many reasons that this recession has been so economically devastating for so many women, but the two biggest reasons are these: Women are overrepresented in the industries that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic: restaurants, retail, leisure and hospitality. Women are also the primary caregivers--in some cases, the only caregivers--in the vast majority of American families. With schools and childcare programs closed, what choice does a working mother have besides stepping back from work? prgtoken For millions of American mothers and their families, the stimulus payments, the enhanced unemployment checks, the increased child tax credits, and other economic benefits in the American Rescue Plan have literally been a lifeline. They have enabled these mothers and families to feed their kids and to keep their homes during the worst recession since the Great Depression. prgtoken So it has come as a bit of a surprise that our colleagues would choose to start Mother's Day weekend by vowing to end enhanced unemployment benefits for more than 8 million American workers. They cite the April jobs report as their justification. After we added 770,000 jobs in March--a strong showing--we learned last week the U.S. economy added only 266,000 jobs in April. Immediately, our colleagues cited the disappointing jobs numbers as proof that the recovery has clearly stalled and that we have to do more to get people back to work, as if it justifies ending enhanced jobless benefits. prgtoken They seem to think that additional unemployment benefits make American workers lazy. They imply that Americans would rather sit at home, watch nonstop Netflix, and eat chocolate-covered cherries rather than go back to work. They must not know many American workers. Americans want to work. Americans work longer and harder tha
ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2021
Tina Smith (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2021-5-10

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Tuesday, May 11; 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 morning business be closed; further, that upon conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the nomination of Andrea Palm, to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services; that at 11:30 a.m all postcloture time on the Palm nomination be considered expired; that the Senate recess following the cloture vote on the Marten nomination until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings; that, if cloture is invoked on the Marten nomination, all postcloture debate time be considered expired at 2:30 p.m.; and, finally, that if any of the nominations are confirmed, that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.
Nomination of Andrea Joan Palm (Executive Session)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-5-10

. and colleagues, very shortly, the Senate will vote on whether or not to advance the nomination of Andrea Palm to serve as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. I strongly urge the Senate to support this nominee because Ms. Palm knows every nook and cranny at the Department. I will tell my colleagues, there is experience, and then there is Andrea Palm's experience. prgtoken During the administration, Ms. Palm served in multiple senior roles at the Department of Health and Human Services, including serving as the Department's Chief of Staff. prgtoken She also served in the White House as a senior adviser on the Domestic Policy Council. Very importantly, she has played a particularly strong role in looking at policies to tackle the pandemic. She served recently as the head of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. That put her on the frontlines against COVID-19. There she was a coalition builder. She brought together the State government, the healthcare sector, public health experts, and more to protect the people of Wisconsin and save lives. prgtoken She led a collaborative effort to build the State's testing and contact tracing program. And thanks to her hard work, Wisconsin, on a number of particulars, has moved ahead in the country on vaccinations. prgtoken Ms. Palm started her career in social work, helping vulnerable kids and their families during times of crisis. During her Finance Committee hearing, she talked about how that experience set her on a path toward public service and how it is going to help her when she returns to the Department of Health and Human Services. prgtoken She also mentioned a story that I thought was particularly relevant in these days of polarized government. She mentioned that former Secretary Burwell put her in charge of what was called the common ground agenda. Secretary Burwell knew that Ms. Palm brought people together, and s, to tackle big challenges. prgtoken She said--and I note that there is a senior member of the Finance Committee here, our colleague from Texas. She said to our committee that the common ground agenda is the perspective she is going to bring to the Department. You can sure sign me up to that proposition because there is a lot that needs to be done, as my colleagues know, when it comes to big healthcare challenges. prgtoken I mentioned Ms. Palm is going to have to hit the ground running when it comes to the pandemic response as one issue. And my colleague from Texas knows, we are in the middle of a transformation of Medicare. prgtoken Back when I was director of the senior citizens--the Gray Panthers, Medicare was an acute care program. If you broke your ankle, Medicare was there for you. If you had a horrible case of flu, Medicare was there for you. and colleagues, that is not Medicare today. prgtoken Today's Medicare is chronic disease, cancer, diabetes, heart disea
TRIBUTE TO DR. EUGENE MORGAN HUGHES
Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2021-5-10

today I wish to honor the life of Dr. Eugene ``Gene'' Morgan Hughes, a recognized leader in higher education at the local, State, and national level. prgtoken Dr. Hughes was selected by the Arizona Board of Regents as the 12th president of Northern Arizona University, NAU, in 1979. During his tenure, he established NAU's Center for Excellence in Education, the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, and the Southwest Center for Forestry Science Complex. Dr. Hughes launched field sites on the campuses of Arizona's community colleges, including NAU-Yuma, and initiated NAU-net, the first courses in the State offered via television to off-campus sites. He also expanded the New Momentum program to engage Native American Tribes and forged relationships with higher education institutions in China. Under his leadership, NAU's total enrollment rose from 12,000 to 18,800 students. prgtoken Dr. Hughes retired from NAU in 1993 and received the titles of president emeritus and professor emeritus of mathematics. He served as president of Wichita State University, WSU, from 1993 until 1999, retiring as president emeritus. He later led Eastern Kentucky University, EKU, as its interim president in 2001 before retiring to Flagstaff, AZ. prgtoken Dr. Hughes was chairman of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and president of the Arizona Board of Education. He was selected as Flagstaff Citizen of the Year in 1988 and Outstanding Kansas Citizen of the Year in 1998. He also received the Arizona Board of Regents Medal. The School of Hotel and Restaurant Management building at NAU was named for him in 1997, and WSU dedicated the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex in 1999. Dr. Hughes received honorary doctoral degrees from NAU in 1997 and EKU in 2011. prgtoken In retirement, Dr. Hughes remained active in the community, including as a member of the National Advisory Board of the NAU School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, chair of Amtrak's National Customer Advisory Committee, and co-president of the Flagstaff Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was also president of the Museum of Northern Arizona. prgtoken Dr. Hughes was a kind, intelligent, and diplomatic man who listened patiently, cared deeply, sought compromise, and treated everyone with dignity. All who interacted with him felt seen, heard, and appreciated. His wit, wisdom, and warm smile will be greatly missed, but his legacy endures in the memories of all he touched. Please join me in honoring Gene Hughes, a visionary in higher education.
TRIBUTE TO BENNIE MONTOYA
Ben Ray Luján (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2021-5-10

I rise today to recognize and share the inspirational story of native New Mexican Mr. Bennie Montoya, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on August 20, 2021. Bennie is a member of the ``greatest generation,'' and his heroism and courage- filled life are an inspiration to us all. prgtoken Bennie was raised near Santa Fe in the Village of Agua Fria as the youngest of six siblings. After finishing the ninth grade at Harrington Junior High in Santa Fe, Bennie left school to help his family on their ranch, until he was drafted in August 1942. Bennie trained at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX, prior to shipping out for Normandy to serve his country at one of the most significant battle sites in U.S. military history. At 23 years old, Private First Class Montoya landed in Normandy 6 days after D-day, and to this day, he recalls the bloodied waters and fallen soldiers from the momentous battle. prgtoken During the war, he worked as a switchboard operator and also had the responsibility of driving his commanding officer from post to post. On December 17, 1944, when Private First Class Montoya volunteered to drive a senior military officer to the next post, he was ambushed by German soldiers and taken prisoner. As a prisoner of war, Bennie was forced to dig graves for Nazi soldiers who were killed in action. He was often made to do hard labor in the freezing snow with no shoes and suffered frostbite while under their abuse. prgtoken Private First Class Montoya was finally liberated in 1945 and sent to a POW rehabilitation and recovery center in Santa Barbara, CA. Honorably discharged, Bennie made his way back to New Mexico unbeknownst to his family. The story of his homecoming speaks to the power of prayer and the bond between family members. His mother, as told by others with her on that day, kept a prayer card to St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost people and things in her pocket. As she was cooking and praying, she was overcome with emotion. What followed was nothing less than a joyous reunion: Bennie's mother stepped outside to collect herself and continued praying, and when she looked up and gazed across the fields, she saw Bennie walking towards her, duffel bag in tow. prgtoken Bennie has lived a full and meaningful life since his time in the Army. Upon his honorable discharge, he was awarded several medals, including a Purple Heart. He raised four children in Agua Fria with his wife, Mary, before losing her to a drunk driver. Professionally, Bennie worked in the local banking industry for 27 years. He still lives in Agua Fria, where he is an upstanding and highly regarded member prgtoken of his community, and attends mass at San Isidro Catholic Church. prgtoken I want to personally wish Bennie the happiest of birthdays as he prepares to celebrate 100 years and thank him for his service and sacrifice during World War II. prgtoken Bennie, your service will never be forgotten, and I am forever grateful for
Police Departments (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-5-10

today I want to discuss an unfortunate trend that has grown over the last year. prgtoken Since March of 2020, the United States has been battling COVID-19. We have lost over half a million Americans because of the virus. But I am talking about another tragedy today, and that is the tragedy that I call ``war on the cops.'' prgtoken Two months after the pandemic hit and sparked by the death of George Floyd, cities all across the country broke out into violent riots. Much of that violence has been directed at law enforcement, and it has taken a very serious toll. prgtoken During the 2020 riots, more than 900 law enforcement officers were injured, including 277 officer injuries while defending the Federal courthouse in Portland and 60 Secret Service officers defending the White House. In September, a gunman ambushed two Los Angeles sheriff police deputies as they sat in their squad car. In January 2020, a violent mob attacked police defending the Capitol. Just last month, a young man killed a Capitol Police officer performing his duties. prgtoken Police across the country are suffering from demoralization and fatigue. By the end of last summer, police officers were quitting the force in large numbers. Last August, 49 officers retired from the Portland Police Bureau in Oregon. That is more than it lost in all of 2019. By the end of last summer, 140 officers had quit the Atlanta Police Department by that point in the year. That number had been only 80 in the previous year. In Washington, DC, over 300 officers have quit since last June. Only half of those were retirements; the other half just walked away. prgtoken We must consider, what does that mean for the crime in these cities? In Portland, murders increased 60 percent in 2020 from the year before. Arsons were up 95 percent. In Atlanta, murders were up 62 percent in 2020 from the year before. Aggravated assault was up by 15 percent. In Washington, DC, here, murders were up 22 percent in 2020 from the year before. So far this year, murders are up even more--33 percent so far in 2021 compared to this point last year. Professor Paul Cassell at the University of Utah estimates that reduced policing in dangerous neighborhoods last year caused an additional 1,200 homicides in America's largest cities. prgtoken But the problem isn't just with keeping police officers on the force; there is also a problem with getting new ones as well, including in my State of Iowa. Recently, the Des Moines Police Department reported it had received half the applications it did last year. At the county level, the Polk County Sheriff's Office usually gets hundreds of applications for deputy vacancies but recently got only 50 applications. The Council Bluffs Police Department told me at one of my recent county meetings that it was having the same recruiting difficulties. prgtoken This is a problem that police departments are having all over the country, with hundreds of vac
CORONAVIRUS
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-5-10

like all of my colleagues, I spent last week traveling my home State. I spoke with Kentuckians about where we have come over the past 15 months, where we are today, and the bright future we should have ahead. prgtoken More than 1.8 million Kentuckians have received COVID vaccines. These medical miracles were created in record time by genius scientists plus Operation Warp Speed. And they are proving the pathway back to normalcy that we had hoped for. prgtoken I was happy to get to visit the Baptist Health Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown to hear about their vaccination program and to thank the staff for all of their work. prgtoken We should be on track for a fantastic American comeback summer, full steam ahead. From vaccinations to job growth, the new administration inherited favorable trends in every direction, thanks to the five bipartisan rescue packages that Congress passed just last year. prgtoken But in several important ways, the decisions of elected have contributed to slowing the return to normalcy. We have seen some State and local officials bow to Big Labor and soft-pedal the clear science on school reopenings. And the big bill that Washington pushed through a couple of months ago did not require schools to reopen in order to receive even more extra funding. prgtoken The President and his team keep sending mixed messages about gatherings and wearing masks that sometimes break from their own CDC's guidance for vaccinated Americans. Again, there almost seems to be some reluctance to let go of emergency measures, even to the point of clashing with science. prgtoken And what about our economic recovery? Back in March, rammed through their so-called American Rescue Plan with a $2 trillion partisan spending spree. It is packed with policies that seem designed for March 2020, not March 2021; for example: continuing to use taxpayer dollars to pay a special bonus for unemployed people to stay home rather than filling one of the growing number of job openings around the country. prgtoken s had this crazy idea that with vaccines flooding the country, with COVID-19 in retreat, it was time prgtoken to actually reopen our country instead of spending even more of working families' tax dollars to keep things shut down. prgtoken Well, a few days ago, experts were stunned by a monthly jobs report for April that came in way below expectations. It was the first full month of data collected after the passed their so-called rescue plan. This bill they sold as a fast-acting, urgent, emergency measure that was going to bolster our economy right away. This report was expected to show that more than a million American workers had gotten jobs back in the month of April. Instead, we added about one- fourth that many jobs. prgtoken Now, I had just spent the prior week talking with Kentuckians. I spoke with workers and employers at nearly every size of bu