mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
INTRODUCTION OF THE WASHINGTON, D.C. ADMISSION ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I rise today to introduce the Washington, D.C. Admission Act with 202 cosponsors, a record number of original cosponsors of the District of Columbia statehood bill. This is the most important bill I introduce each Congress, and it made historic strides in the last Congress. District residents have always been citizens of the United States and pay more federal taxes per capita than the residents of any state, but are the only federal income taxpaying Americans who do not have full and equal citizenship rights. The denial of local control on local matters and of equal representation in Congress can be remedied only by statehood. My introduction of this bill this Congress comes after this Chamber's historic and decisive passage of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act in the 116th Congress. I look forward to building on our historic momentum. prgtoken The Washington, D.C. Admission Act creates a state from the eight hometown wards of the District. This 51st state, of course, would have no jurisdiction over the federal district that now consists of the Washington that Members of Congress and visitors associate with the capital of our country. The U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court, the principal federal monuments, federal buildings and grounds and the National Mall would remain in the federal district, which would be called the Capital. Our bill provides that the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth would be equal to the other 50 states in all respects, as is always required, and that the residents of the State of Washington, D.C. would have all the rights of citizenship, including two senators and, initially, one House member. prgtoken A substantially similar version of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act was the first bill I introduced after I was first sworn in as a Member of Congress in the 102nd Congress in 1991. Our first try for statehood received significant support in the House. In 1993, the House voted on the D.C. statehood bill, which was the first time either Chamber had done so, with nearly 60 percent of and one voting for the bill. The Senate held a hearing on various approaches to representation for D.C but the committee of jurisdiction did not proceed further. In the 113th Congress, our statehood bill got unprecedented momentum with the Senate's first-ever hearing on D.C. statehood. That was the first congressional hearing on D.C. statehood in more than 20 years, since the House held a hearing on statehood in 1993. In the 113th Congress, we obtained a record number of cosponsors in the House and Senate, including then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, as well as the other top three ic leaders in the Senate. In addition, then-President endorsed D.C. statehood in a public forum before the statehood hearing was held. In the 115th Congress, not only was there a record number of original cosponsors of the bill, with 116 in
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I will continue to address my remarks to you notwithstanding the fact that you ruled against me just a little while ago on a vote, which excited some. prgtoken I am an institutionalist. I believe in this body, I believe in democracy, and for your information, I believe in the free enterprise system. prgtoken Madam , I listened to the remarks of the minority leader. I listened to the outrage that he expresses. I share the view of the Rules Committee chairman that he was a principal leader in the most closed Congress in which I have served, which was, of course, presided over by my colleagues. He talked about free speech. Nothing in this rule undermines the free speech of any Member in this House-- nothing. prgtoken When they had closed rules, I didn't get up and say: You are muzzling my speech. prgtoken You muzzled my ability to make legislation, but you did not muzzle my prgtoken speech. The First Amendment is sacrosanct, hopefully for everybody in this body. But I will tell you I have been in this body when Members, Madam , rose to their feet demanding that people do something in the galleries. prgtoken Madam , I am going to show hypocrisy--not from me. The gentleman, the chairman of the Rules Committee, Madam , mentioned that the minority leader mentioned hypocrisy. I presume his assertion was that somehow we were being hypocritical. I intend to speak a little bit of time and I intend to show hypocrisy. prgtoken First of all, the gentleman is wrong in his facts. The motion to recommit was taken from the British Parliament and was present at the first Congress in 1789. Interestingly enough, the motion to recommit was used to correct something that had not been included in the bill and was considered a friendly amendment and remained that way for a very, very long time. prgtoken In 1934, it was ruled that instructions in a motion which were present from time to time was not necessary, and that is the way the rule maintained essentially for the next 20 years--actually, excuse me, 60 years, until 1995. prgtoken The gentleman is correct. When the s took office for the first time in a very long time under the leadership of Newt Gingrich, Madam , they changed the rule. They said that you have to have a motion to instruct, as if they were giving us something, as if they were giving us something. Remember that phrase because I am going to show it meant nothing. It was an illusion. It was a pretense. prgtoken Madam , I am going to first go through, of 34 examples, about 10 of the examples of what our friends, Madam , said about the motion to recommit. prgtoken First of all, the minority leader--I read from the Wichita Eagle of May 12, 2013: ``The political book on McCarthy is that he does a good job at counting votes, of knowing where the 233 House of Representatives s are at any given time. He points out that s, unlike in a previous Con
HONORING THE LIFE OF AMEER K. EDWARD
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Ameer K. prgtoken Edwards, and his many contributions as a health care provider, as a father and grandfather, and as a beloved member of his community. prgtoken Ameer was born in Camden, New Jersey on May 4, 1970, where he was the youngest of 4 children born to Cheryl and Malik Chaka. prgtoken Shortly after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Ameer's mother Cheryl Amana Burris moved to San Francisco, where she took a job as senior assistant to Willie L. Brown, who was then a California State Legislator and later became of the California State Assembly during her tenure. prgtoken While in San Francisco Ammeter attended various local elementary and secondary schools including Grattan Elementary School and Ecole Notre Dame des Yictoires. prgtoken Ameer moved back to the east coast with his mother who needed to assist with her father who was diagnosed with cancer. He attended schools in New Jersey, Philadelphia and North Carolina, where he graduated from Charles E. Jordan High School. prgtoken Ameer attended college at Hampton University, North Carolina A&T State University and later graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University. He continued his education by getting a master's degree from North Carolina State University. prgtoken Ameer worked for over 20 years at University of No11h Carolina Memorial Hospital as a Health Care Unit Coordinator. He was a hard worker who rarely took time off, and who was highly respected by his coworkers. Ameer received numerous awards for his work. As recently as May 2020, he was chosen as the top employee in his position throughout the entire university. prgtoken Ameer was the father of three adult children and two grandchildren, all of whom he loved and with whom he spent as much time as possible. He was devoted to his mother and siblings, and there was nothing he would not do for them to make their lives more enjoyable. prgtoken Ameer departed this life on early Monday morning of December 28, 2020, after an extended struggle with cancer. His mother was holding his hand when he quietly passed away. prgtoken On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I recognize Ameer K. Edwards for his contributions to his family and his community, and I extend my sincere condolences to his loved ones.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken In the 2 years that I have been here, every motion to recommit has been a poison pill, a gimmick designed to tank a bill or sow division between Members of Congress and their constituents. prgtoken Despite high-flung rhetoric here today, not once have I seen the MTR used to make legislation better. In fact, on those occasions when it prevailed, our colleagues voted against the underlying bill. prgtoken Since this legislative tool has not been used in good faith, it needs to be reformed. prgtoken But I also wish to speak in favor of the efforts that have been made to use gender-neutral language in the rules. As a female Member of Congress and a member of last term's Select Committee to Modernize Congress, I applaud the efforts to drag the rules package into the 21st century and make it more inclusive, as well as to make it streamlined. The text changes have allowed us to make the rules package more concise, and that is a good thing.
INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 40, COMMISSION TO STUDY AND DEVELOP REPARATION PROPOSALS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS ACT
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I rise today to announce the reintroduction of H.R. 40, the ``Commission to Study and Develop Reparation proposals for African Americans Act,'' legislation which was cosponsored by 173 Members in the 116th Congress and today is being reintroduced with more than 100 original cosponsors. prgtoken This legislation was first introduced in 1989 by the late and beloved Congressman John Conyers of Michigan, the former chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, and is intended to examine the institution of slavery in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present, and, further, to recommend appropriate remedies. prgtoken Since the initial introduction of this legislation, proponents have made substantial progress in elevating the discussion of reparatory justice at the national level and joining the mainstream international debate on the issues. prgtoken Though some have tried to deflect the importance of these conversations by focusing on individual monetary compensation, the real issue is whether and how this nation can come to grips with the legacy of slavery that still infects current society. prgtoken Through legislation, resolutions, news, and litigation, we are moving closer to making more strides in the movement toward reparatory relief. prgtoken Today, there are more people at the table--more activists, more scholars, more CEOs, more state and local officials, and more Members of Congress. prgtoken However, despite this progress and the election of the first American President of African descent, the legacy of slavery lingers heavily in this nation. prgtoken While we have focused on the social effects of slavery and segregation, its continuing economic inequalities and disparities remain largely ignored by mainstream analysis. prgtoken These economic issues are the root cause of many critical issues in the African American community today, such as education, healthcare and criminal justice policy, including policing practices. prgtoken The call for reparatory justice represents a commitment to entering a constructive dialogue on the role of slavery and racism in shaping present-day conditions in our community and American society. H.R. 40 is important and needed legislation because it goes beyond exploring the economic implications of slavery and segregation. prgtoken It is a holistic bill in the sense that establishes a commission to examine the moral and social implications of slavery. prgtoken Madam , the United States is the world's only superpower and boasts the largest economy in the history of the world and for many years was the world's indispensable nation and the example that all aspiring democracies wished to emulate. prgtoken At the same time, this nation has also been home to many searing instances of social unrest resulting from racial injustices, as we are now witnessing on the streets of big cities and small towns in urban and rural communities. prgtoken We are seeing Americans,
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I rise in support of H. Res. 8, which establishes House rules for the 117th Congress. This package contains many strong reforms I support, including ones that prioritize ethics and accountability, promote diversity and inclusion, and embrace technology, including a provision I requested that expands machine- readability of House documents. prgtoken On October 1, 2020, I testified at the Rules Committee about the need for the House to continue the progress we've made in expanding what legislative materials and House documents are available in machine- readable formats. Today, bills and resolutions are posted to congress.gov in a machine-readable format, however, materials for markups are posted online as PDFs, and sometimes they are not even searchable PDFs. prgtoken Why does this matter? If we receive amendments in the nature of a substitute 24 hours before marking up lengthy bills, we cannot compare amendments to original bills without manually reading documents line- by-line or investing in expensive software. This is also prohibitive to public interest groups, stakeholders, and members of the public that wish to follow the legislative process. With machine-readable formats, Members, staff, and any interested party can easily analyze amendments and any other House document. prgtoken I'm pleased to see that Section 3(j) directs the Committee on House Administration, the Clerk, and relevant House offices to take further steps to publish House documents in machine-readable formats and enabling staff to create comparative prints. prgtoken This is critical for Members wishing to analyze legislation before us, but the move is just as important for the sake of public transparency. Public interest groups that advocate for government transparency have long called for all government documents to be available in machine readable formats because it enables informed analysis and engagement. prgtoken I thank Chairman McGovern for including my suggestion in the proposed House rules package for the 117th Congress that we are considering today, and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Stacey E. Plaskett (Democrat, VI) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , as we begin the 117th Congress, I am truly grateful to the ic Caucus for bringing the six representatives of the territories of the United States and the District of Columbia--duly elected by 4 million Americans, collectively--to where we are today. prgtoken That was done in the 116th Congress when the rules package strengthened our democratic representation by returning floor voting rights to Delegates and the Resident Commissioners in the Committee of the Whole. The principle that every American deserves to be represented by a vote on the floor of this House is important, and we have somewhat of a voice now. prgtoken Moving forward, I think it is high time that we continue to expand that. The Constitution gives the fate, the rights, of all the territories solely to this body, to the Congress. That being said, it is important that we respect those votes, and I believe that our system for remote voting should apply with respect to votes cast in the Committee of the Whole in the same manner as it applies with respect to votes cast on the floor. prgtoken That being said, I commend the further strides we are making in this rules package. As a former prosecutor and counsel on the House Ethics Committee, I applaud the tightening of the whistleblower laws.
SUPPORTING EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS ACT
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , today I am joined by Ranking Member Lucas in introducing the Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act. prgtoken As access to COVID-19 vaccines continues to grow, so too does our optimism for emerging from this long national crisis. I look forward to the day when this virus is under control and we can begin the process of recovery. While the full scope of the damage is not yet known, there can be no doubt that this virus has touched every segment of our society. As Chair of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, I am deeply concerned about the severe and long-lasting impacts of this pandemic on our nation's research enterprise. prgtoken In order to slow the spread of the virus, universities across the country were forced to cancel in person classes and shut down campus operations as they slowly transitioned to remote learning and hybrid approaches. I commend universities for their dedication to doing their part to slow the spread of the virus and for their commitment to ensuring the safety of their students, faculty, and staff. Universities also stepped up to donate personal protective equipment, reconfigure laboratory space and equipment for COVID-19 research and provide for testing and contact tracing. prgtoken These actions, while likely life-saving, came at a cost. The full extent of the financial loss incurred by universities is unknowable at this point. In order to stave off catastrophe, many universities instituted hiring freezes and cancelled new faculty hires. prgtoken I am deeply worried about the disappearance of STEM job opportunities and the potential long-term consequences for our STEM pipeline and consequently our innovation ecosystem. For established researchers, the COVID-19 crisis has severely limited their access to their laboratory space. But for early career researchers, these disruptions came at a critical juncture in their research career, threatening to derail their career path. prgtoken Even in normal times, postdoctoral research positions provide little job security, with most postdocs employed on two-year contracts. With the academic job market severely contracted, postdocs find themselves in a truly precarious position. Many of them may be forced to abandon their career path altogether in order to support themselves and their families. prgtoken I am thrilled that, after months of deliberations, a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package has been enacted. While this package includes funding for universities, it falls far short of meeting the need. We must act now to avoid losing an entire generation of talented scientists and engineers from our research pipeline. These are they very people whom we will need to overcome the next health crisis, to protect our population against the consequences of catastrophic climate change, and to ensure we remain a global leader in science and technology--leadership that is essential to our economic and national security. prgtoken The Su
CONGRATULATING RAY HALL ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
Adam Smith (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor and congratulate Ray prgtoken Hall on his well-earned retirement after 33 years of service to the Congress at the Congressional Budget Office. Ray began his Congressional career in CBO's Budget Analysis Division in 1987 where he worked as a principal analyst in the Defense, International Affairs and Veterans' Affairs, Cost Estimates Unit. prgtoken During his time at CBO, Ray was recognized as a knowledgeable and experienced analyst. As one of the longest tenured members of CBO's Budget Analysis Division, he has accrued extensive knowledge of the programs and accounts in his portfolio. prgtoken Ray earned the gratitude of his colleagues at CBO and of his counterparts on the staff of the Committee on Armed Services. He established a solid working relationship with the Armed Services Committees, and for more than three decades was a valued contributor to CBO's work on the proposals for the annual National Defense Authorization Act. His technical feedback on legislative proposals made important contribution to the Armed Services Committees' success in achieving the timely enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act each year. prgtoken With his departure, Congressional Budget Office lost a great asset. Over the past 33 years, the Congressional Budget Office--and by extension, the Congress itself--has been fortunate to enjoy the effort Ray brought to his work. I know my colleagues join me in extending our thanks and appreciation to Ray for his service to our nation and our very best wishes for a happy and productive retirement.
HONORING THE SERVICE OF DAVID TWA
Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-1-5

. Madam , I rise today with Congressman Mike Thompson, Congressman Jerry McNerney, and Congressman Eric Swalwell to recognize the service of an esteemed leader in Contra Costa County, David Twa. prgtoken David began his career as a public servant in Minnesota where he served as a county manager and county attorney. With significant experience under his belt, David moved to California and was appointed as the Contra Costa County Administrator in 2008. In this role, David has managed 24 departments, agencies, and special districts; over 10,000 employees; and a multibillion-dollar budget. prgtoken During his tenure as County Administrator, David worked to implement the County's goals and improve the lives of its residents. One of David's many accomplishments is helping the County achieve a AAA bond rating from Standard and Poor's in 2013. David's legacy extends beyond his job description. He was dedicated to career development for County staff and worked to create leadership opportunities for employees, including helping establish the Contra Costa Local Government Leadership Academy in 2014. Throughout his many years with Contra Costa County, David has inspired his colleagues and peers to continue working to improve our community. In 2018, David won the Distinguished Service Award from the California Association of County Executives, a testament to his career and service. prgtoken David is known by his colleagues as a dedicated and respected leader. Please join me and Congressman Mike Thompson, Congressman Jerry McNerney, and Congressman Eric Swalwell in thanking David for his service to our County and wishing him the best in his retirement.