mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ADMISSION ACT
Robin L. Kelly (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-6-26

I rise today in support of H.R. 51. prgtoken For more than 200 years, Americans living in the District of Columbia--many of whom serve the people of this great Nation as public servants--have been denied the right to self-government. That is a founding principle of our great Nation. prgtoken , today, D.C. is home to more than 700,000 Americans and, yet, they have no voting Members of Congress and no voice in the Senate. prgtoken Establishing Washington, Douglass Commonwealth would not create our Nation's smallest State by population, nor would it be reliant on the Federal Government to survive. prgtoken There are States with smaller populations and many other States that are far more dependent on Federal assistance. prgtoken Despite paying more in total Federal income tax than the residents of 22 other States, D.C. is continually treated like a territory instead of a State in funding bills. These calculations starve the local government of the funds they rightly deserve. prgtoken , I hope my colleagues listen to the voice of our Founding Fathers, who we keep hearing about. ``No taxation without representation.'' Well, D.C. pays its taxes. It deserves a voice in Congress. And let's be clear about who is playing politics.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY RELATING TO ``COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT REGULATIONS''
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , I thank Chairwoman Waters for her continued leadership on the Community Reinvestment Act. prgtoken Over the last several weeks, our Nation has been gripped by the uprisings against anti-Black racism and systemic racial injustice across the United States. But there is a difference between saying that we believe in the inherent dignity, equality, and value of our Black brothers and sisters and actually committing to it. The Community Reinvestment Act is one such commitment. prgtoken Our Nation has an unconscionable racial wealth gap that is directly rooted in the racist financial practice of redlining, whereby Black communities had red lines drawn around them on a map and were systematically denied banking, housing, and economic opportunities. prgtoken As a result, generations of White communities were given a head start at homeownership, which was the foundation of generational wealth, while Black communities were denied. prgtoken This fuels a runaway generational wealth gap that haunts the United States today. It is a practice that continues, with over 60 metro areas, in this very moment, having banks that deny Black applicants at significantly higher rates than they do White applicants. prgtoken Now, the CRA is an antiracist, antipoverty policy that seeks to remedy some of the damage done. prgtoken Yet, while this administration and the Party paid lip service to Black and Brown communities with toothless policing legislation, behind everyone's back, the OCC made moves to gut rules around the CRA and advance the continued economic oppression of Black people in the United States. In fact, these rule changes advance gentrification and value luxury housing over investment in Black lives. prgtoken Well, to that move, we have four words: Not on our watch. That is because, in this House, in the 116th House, under the leadership of Chairwoman Waters, we will value Black lives.
NATIONAL PULSE MEMORIAL
Katherine M. Clark (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , almost 4 years ago today, I joined with my colleagues and my friend, Congressman John Lewis, in leading a sit-in on this very floor after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. prgtoken We could not stand for another moment of silence. We could not stand for another day of inaction. We could not stand for another mass shooting in America. prgtoken We sat in protest. The House stopped the work of Congress because Congress had stopped working for the American people. prgtoken Now, 4 years later, our commitment to ending gun violence and hate remains absolute. prgtoken Making the Pulse nightclub a national memorial will honor the 49 lives lost in Orlando and will declare that love is love. prgtoken Today, during Pride Month, we celebrate these lives and we honor them, but we can't stop there. We need commonsense gun violence prevention measures now. prgtoken Within weeks of taking the majority, House passed two bipartisan gun safety bills. To this day, they remain stalled in the Senate. prgtoken COVID-19 is not the only public health crisis in this country. We lose 40,000 Americans a year to gun violence. prgtoken We cannot waste another day. We ask the s in the Senate to pass our legislation, end this sickening cycle of gun violence in our country. prgtoken Choose love, choose peace, recognize that gun violence is often the lethal partner of racism and bigotry. prgtoken With this national memorial, we will have a physical manifestation of our commitment to end gun violence and to have equality for all.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELATING TO ``BORROWER DEFENSE INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY''--VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Katie Porter (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-6-26

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken Under the Higher Education Act, students who are defrauded by private predatory colleges are entitled to relief on their loans. The prior administration created a streamlined process to help defrauded borrowers access relief and move forward with their lives. prgtoken Secretary DeVos tried to strip those protections away, but we fought back. Some of my colleagues in the House and Senate voted with us to overturn Secretary Betsy DeVos' new rule. We came together to defend students and to stand up against fraud, waste, and abuse. prgtoken But President vetoed this important resolution. Instead of standing with students and taxpayers, President stood with corrupt private colleges and Secretary DeVos. prgtoken Today, I ask my friends: Do you want to stand with our country's students, with the future of our workforce and our communities, or do you want to betray them to please the President? I think the choice is clear, and I hope you do, too.
NATIONAL PULSE MEMORIAL
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , this is a somber moment, and I thank the gentleman from Florida for not only his passion but his recognition that America should never forget. prgtoken I thank the pro tempore for letting us remember all the faces and prgtoken families and loved ones that were impacted. Forty-nine lives, I believe, were taken in one moment, with an act of violence by a crazed gunman, with a gun. prgtoken We have been trying to stand in the gap, with background checks passed the very first moment under the leadership of Pelosi, gun violence legislation that has no impact on the Second Amendment but seeks to derail the kind of crazed gunman that was able to take these lives before first responders could come. prgtoken I remember hearing the stories of families waiting outside of the Pulse nightclub, saying they heard from their loved one but had not seen them because they were making their last-minute cries for help. prgtoken This memorial would say to America that we are not a nation of bigots, of xenophobia, racism, hatred. We are a nation of respect and dignity. prgtoken I know the families of those who died at the Pulse nightclub are still in pain and will never forget. prgtoken But it is the duty of the United States Congress, with our voices raised, to say that the book that I have been holding on to over the last 2 days, to fight for justice in policing, to talk about D.C. statehood, this book, this Constitution, which George Washington said he would use as a guide, that he would never abandon, everyone has the right to decency and life and due process. prgtoken I enthusiastically support this legislation to give dignity to the lives, and for America never to forget those lives, at the Pulse nightclub. prgtoken Madam , as a senior member of the House of Representatives, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3094, ``To designate the National Pulse Memorial located at 1912 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida, 32806, and for other purposes.'' prgtoken I am voting for H.R. 3094 because it not only memorializes and honors the 49 people who tragically lost their lives from this horrific act of violence, but it also stands as a symbol to the LGBTQ+ community, to our Latino community, to our nation, and to the world, that we will not stand for or tolerate acts of hatred against marginalized persons. prgtoken Madam , you will remember that the Pulse nightclub shooting took place on June 12th, 2016 in Orlando, Florida when a gunman shot and killed 49 people and injured 53 others. prgtoken It was the single deadliest known violent attack on both the LGBTQ+ community and our Latino community. prgtoken The Pulse nightclub was a haven for the LGBTQ community to live, love, and dance. prgtoken They came for music, celebration and fellowship. prgtoken Over four dozen would leave the Pulse Nightclub with their names added to a list of fatal victims of gun violence . prgtoken In the aftermath, we saw communities come together and support one
TRIBUTE TO TEDDY ALVAREZ-NISSEN--UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR IN THE ARTS
Adam B. Schiff (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate Theodore ``Teddy'' Alvarez-Nissen, who has been named one of 20 United States Presidential Scholars in the Arts for 2020. prgtoken Teddy was born in Sacramento, California, on October 19, 2001, the son of two lifelong nonprofit and legal advocates, Lynn Alvarez and Steven Nissen. His talent in the arts was nurtured early in California's public schools, first at Lanai Road Elementary School, then at Robert A. Millikan Affiliated Charter & Performing Arts Magnet Middle, and finally at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. prgtoken Teddy's filmmaking journey began in earnest in fifth grade, when Ms. Karen Bennett's dedication and insight helped Teddy become one of the youngest filmmakers to compete in national film festivals across the country. Recently, Teddy has used his art to highlight social causes that are important to him, including creating media for the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House, El Nido Family Centers, and Arts for Incarcerated Youth. prgtoken Teddy plans to pursue his dream of making movies as a member of the 2024 class of the prestigious University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts with a major in Film and Television Production. Looking into the future and following in his parent's footsteps, Teddy hopes to start a nonprofit which pairs young artists with charitable organizations in order to create free informational and educational content. prgtoken Apart from filmmaking, Teddy is an active member of his community through the California YMCA Youth & Government program. Throughout his four years of participation, Teddy has been a natural leader in this politically active community of over 3,500 teenagers throughout the state. His peers elected him California's 72nd Youth Lieutenant Governor in January 2020, and he has used this platform to champion youth initiatives ranging from criminal justice reform to combating food waste. prgtoken Throughout his high school career, Teddy has consistently amplified student voices in politics. In the wake of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, Teddy marched with a group of students on Los Angeles City Hall to speak out against gun violence. Before he could vote himself, Teddy helped to pre-register over 30 percent of the eligible student body at his school to vote. As part of the Western Justice Center's ``Creating Bias-Free Classrooms'' initiative, Teddy acted in short plays and improv situations to help train teachers to combat racial prejudice in the classroom. prgtoken It is no surprise that Teddy's dedication to the art of filmmaking and determination to use his talents to serve others is being honored by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education by naming Teddy one of 20 United States Presidential Scholars in the Arts. prgtoken I ask all Members today to join me in celebrating this exceptional young man of California's 28th Congressional District, Tedd
WASHINGTON, D.C. ADMISSION ACT
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-6-26

I thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), and my good friend, for her years of leadership on this bill. She is not only the author of the bill, but of this historic day for our democracy. prgtoken For the first time in a generation, the House will vote today on whether hundreds of thousands of American citizens will finally have their voices counted in Congress. prgtoken We will vote to honor the most fundamental principles of this Nation and for which a revolution was launched: no taxation without representation and consent of the governed. prgtoken I can think of no more honorable or patriotic endeavor than taking up this legislation today to give the people of the District the same rights enjoyed by hundreds of millions of other Americans across our country. prgtoken The United States is a democracy, but its capital is not. The United States is the only democratic country that denies both voting rights in the national legislature and local self-government to the people of the capital. That is wrong and violates everything we stand for as Americans. prgtoken The District pays more in Federal taxes than 22 States and more per capita than any State. Think about that. It pays more than nearly half the States in this country, yet D.C. residents have no vote in Congress, and that is wrong. prgtoken The people of the District have been fighting for equal rights for more than 200 years. In 2016, an overwhelming 86 percent of D.C. residents voted for statehood. prgtoken President 's recent decision to deploy thousands of Federal law enforcement officers in D.C. against residents peacefully exercising their constitutionally-protected right to protest, and without the consent of the District's elected officials, demonstrated the urgent need for full local government and congressional representation. prgtoken Unfortunately, so far, s have opposed our effort, and the President made clear exactly why: they would rather deny voting rights for hundreds of thousands of American citizens than even consider the possibility that representatives from the new State could be . prgtoken Now, think about that argument. They are willing to violate the core principles of our democracy merely because they may be from a different political party. This argument is anti-democratic and un-American.
WASHINGTON, D.C. ADMISSION ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2020-6-26

an additional 1 minute. prgtoken Congress has two choices: It can continue to exercise undemocratic or autocratic authority over the 705,000 American citizens who reside in our Nation's capital, treating them, in the words of Frederick Douglass, as ``aliens; not citizens, but subjects''; or Congress can live up to this Nation's promise and ideals and pass H.R. 51. prgtoken , I would like to thank Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James Clyburn, Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, and the late Elijah Cummings, our millions of allies across the country, and, most importantly, generations of D.C. residents and officials who have refused to simply accept their treatment as second- class citizens for bringing us to this historic day. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 51, and . House of Representatives, Committee on the Judciary, Washington, DC, June 18, 2020. Hon. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman, Committee on Oversight and Reform, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairwoman Maloney: This is to advise you that the Committee on the Judiciary has now had an opportunity to review the provisions in H.R. 5803, the ``Washington, D.C. Admission Act,'' that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. I appreciate your consulting with us on those provisions. The Judiciary Committee has no objection to your including them in the bill for consideration on the House floor, and to expedite that consideration is willing to forgo action on H.R. 5803, with the understanding that we do not thereby waive any future jurisdictional claim over those provisions or their subject matters. In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar legislation is convened, the Judiciary Committee reserves the right to request an appropriate number of conferees to address any concerns with these or similar provisions that may arise in conference. Please place this letter into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our committees. Sincerely, Jerrold Nadler, Chairman.
PROTECTING YOUR CREDIT SCORE ACT OF 2019
Sean Casten (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 5332, the Protecting Your Credit Score Act. I support this bill because, like so many Americans, I personally know the frustration of dealing with erroneous marks on your credit report and thought I would share a recent story. prgtoken About a month ago, I got a letter from a bank where I don't have an account, Bank of America. They were thanking me for something that I didn't recognize. So, I did what all good Americans do: I threw it in the recycle bin and moved on with my day. prgtoken The next day, I got a similar letter from Navy Federal Credit Union, where I also do not have an account. This one had a summary of my credit score and was shortly followed with another note saying that my account was overdrawn by $3,250. prgtoken I am going to be honest. The only reason that the Navy Federal Credit Union letters got my attention and didn't end up in the recycling bin is because they were addressed to Lieutenant Commander Sean Casten. I have been called a lot of things in this job, but that is a rank that I have never earned. prgtoken A few phone calls and a similar overdraft notification from Bank of America later, and I had fraud alerts placed on both accounts. prgtoken On the advice of the banks, I called TransUnion to ensure this wouldn't show up on my credit report. The agent was helpful. At the end of the call, she said: ``Is there anything else I should know?'' prgtoken And I just couldn't resist telling her: ``Only that I am a member of the House Financial Services Committee with oversight of you, and I appreciate how helpful you have been.'' prgtoken Now, I tell that story because I was able to correct this. But I can imagine a ton of other scenarios where I don't check the recycling, where I am not alleged to be a commissioned naval officer, where I hadn't been in enough committee hearings on this subject to recognize fraud early on. And in all those scenarios, this story has a much less happy ending. prgtoken But those incidents happen every day to an awful lot of Americans. We know 21 percent of consumers had verified errors in their credit reports. Thirteen percent had errors that affected their credit scores. Five percent had errors serious enough to cause them to be denied or pay more for credit. But those are only the accounts we know about. prgtoken Many don't know where to turn or have the resources or the time to correct them. Fraudulent or accidental marks on a credit report can have a life-altering consequence, so it is important that those reports are correct. prgtoken But credit scores and reports are a critical gatekeeper for Americans' financial well-being and access to the prgtoken most basic building block of the American Dream. prgtoken It is determinative in setting premiums for auto and homeowner's insurance. It informs landlords on which renters they want to rent their apartments to. Your score determines if you must make a bigger deposit to get your ut
WASHINGTON, D.C. ADMISSION ACT
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-6-26

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act--a bill long overdue and exceedingly necessary. prgtoken This is a measure that I have supported since my inaugural term in the House of Representatives, 27 years ago, when I cosponsored Representative Holmes Norton's second-ever statehood bill. Her continued leadership and tenacity on this issue as the Delegate from Washington, D.C. is nothing short of extraordinary, and it is because of her efforts that today we vote on a statehood bill for the first time in almost three decades. prgtoken For too long, the over-700,000 residents of the District of Columbia been denied voting representation while still paying taxes, serving in our military, and adhering to federal laws. Think of that--here, in the greatest legislative and deliberative body in the world, we routinely prevent hundreds of thousands of our prgtoken citizens, half of which are African American, from having their voices heard. The admission of D.C. as a state and redesignation as the Douglass Commonwealth will not only extend rights and liberties to its residents but, in doing so, honor the memory of the iconic abolitionist and D.C. native Frederick Douglass. prgtoken , as over half of the Members of the House of Representatives are already cosponsoring H.R. 51, I do not doubt that it will pass. I urge those remaining who have not cosponsored this bill to stand on the right side of history and support this bill.
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF RULE SUBMITTED BY OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY RELATING TO ``COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT REGULATIONS''
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-6-26

. Madam , I would like to close by thanking Representative Meeks for his leadership on this issue. I appreciate the support we have received from our colleagues in this effort. prgtoken Make no mistake, unchecked, the OCC's final rule will harm low- income and minority communities that are disproportionately suffering during this COVID-19 crisis, and it will turn the Community Reinvestment Act into the community disinvestment act. prgtoken In passing this Congressional Review Act resolution, we are not only nullifying the OCC rule, but we are sending two clear messages: regulators should be focused on protecting the economy from the pandemic and not on removing safeguards, and that after the pandemic, the OCC should go back to the drawing board and work with the Federal Reserve and FDIC to jointly issue a new rule that strengthens the Community Reinvestment Act and helps low-and moderate-income communities, including communities of color. prgtoken For over a month now, by the thousands, Americans have been marching in the streets for justice. They are standing up against racism and fighting for justice for all. Just yesterday, this House passed historic legislation to reform our Nation's police forces and the unfair treatment so many people of color have experienced at the hands of those meant to serve and protect. prgtoken As we unite to fight against discrimination in our criminal justice system, we must also fight against discrimination, disinvestment, and injustice in our financial system and economic injustice in our communities. The OCC's rule would encourage disinvestment in communities of color and lead to redlining on a massive scale. We must stand up against this blatant effort to economically disenfranchise hundreds of low-income and minority communities nationwide. prgtoken So I want to say to my Members on the opposite side of the aisle: I have heard this theme that you support the Community Reinvestment Act but you don't support my bill. prgtoken I would say to the Members: You can't have it both ways. prgtoken Madam , I ask for an ``aye'' vote on H.J. Res. 90, and .