mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PANDEMIC IS OVER ACT
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2023-1-31

I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy in permitting me to speak on this. It is not quite as simple as my friend from Florida implies. prgtoken Today we are voting to upend the healthcare system and interrupt patient care. Ending the public health emergency prematurely would have far-reaching implications, and this is a waste of time. The administration has already made clear that they are planning on ending the emergency in May. prgtoken Why are we spending time abruptly ending this declaration, which is going to end in 3 months anyway, when we could have instead had a serious conversation about making this as smooth a transition as possible? prgtoken There are many things that are involved here. Congress already started this work in the omnibus by beginning a process to wind down Medicaid enrollment policies and extending important programs like telehealth. prgtoken I was happy that my bipartisan legislation to extend Medicare's Hospital at Home program was extended in this manner. We fought for this because we viewed the waivers and policies of the last 3 years as a blueprint for future opportunities to innovate and extract value from our healthcare system. prgtoken This work was bipartisan because both sides of the aisle saw the benefit of the pandemic-era policies. It is unfortunate that instead of continuing to build on that work, my colleagues are posturing. prgtoken I have heard from hospitals in my district, and I imagine you have heard in yours, how important it is to extend, not end, the waivers that address their capacity and staffing challenges. prgtoken If this bill were enacted, those operations would be upended. State Medicaid programs would be in unnecessary chaos, with millions at risk of losing their health insurance. Seniors would lose access to COVID tests because Medicare would no longer be able to pay for them. These are just a few examples of the complexity and how irresponsible this legislation is. It certainly does not honor the more than a million Americans who have lost their lives to this disease. prgtoken After a traumatic 3 years full of loss, the last thing the public needs is additional chaos at the hands of the Federal Government. prgtoken At the start of the pandemic, we saw an often divided Congress come together to bring meaningful relief to American families. I had hoped that we would continue that same spirit of cooperation and dedication to our constituents at the end of this chapter. prgtoken I know we have all heard from our hospitals and healthcare systems about the needs they still have. I believe we can work together to make this a stable transition and learn lessons from the pandemic. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to reject this legislation and instead come to the table to work to ease the transition in a reasonable fashion.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. CON. RES. 9, DENOUNCING THE HORRORS OF SOCIALISM; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 76, REMOVING A CERTAIN MEMBER FROM A CERTAIN STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE...
Richard McCormick (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-2-1

I can understand why there is some confusion. I understand why we can get distracted by foreign nations and communism, which most of us agree is a bad thing. prgtoken What I think is enlightening, though, is how we opened. What was stated, in my understanding or recollection, was that it was just said that the last ic-controlled Congress was the most effective and productive in recent history, which you just agreed to. prgtoken The standard that the statement was made and measured by, though, shows prgtoken why we are having this discussion, why my ic colleagues are confused. prgtoken They equate record spending, record debt, and unprecedented control by government over private business as success. That is why they are confused about what this bill is about and why it is germane. prgtoken They do not understand what socialism is or, worse, don't recognize that their policies are in direct support of socialist leanings. Their policies have continuously placed government in a position to control businesses, picking winners and losers, deciding what is moral and immoral, and continue to advance the idea that government somehow should have been empowered to solve the very problems that it created. prgtoken To clear up things and create less confusion, we are trying to counter a movement that is moving toward something we have never been, a socialist nation. prgtoken We are a unique government created by the people, for the people, empowered to protect, not to provide for, and not to determine the outcome of people's endeavors. prgtoken We are uniquely positioned to benefit our citizens by empowering them, not through more government. I believe that we the people are far more valuable than we the government. That is why we speak against bigger government and socialism.
REMEMBERING DEVIN WILLOCK AND CHANDLER LeCROY
Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican, GA) \u2014 2023-2-1

I rise today to recognize the tragic passing of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy of the University of Georgia. Following the Georgia football national championship parade, Devin and Chandler were in a tragic accident that claimed their lives. prgtoken Devin played offensive line for the Bulldogs and was a key part of their national championship run this past season. Devin will be remembered by all as a kind soul that loved his family, the game of football, and his teammates. prgtoken Chandler graduated from the University of Georgia in 2020 with a master's degree and then went on to work as a recruiting analyst for the Bulldogs. Members of the Georgia football staff spoke about her passion for Georgia athletics and how she always went above and beyond in her work. Her warm spirit and love for her beloved Bulldogs will be remembered by all. prgtoken I know that I speak for the entire First District, for the State of Georgia, and for the Bulldog Nation when I say that we will miss Devin and Chandler, but I know that their legacy will live on. Recognizing Hinesville, Georgia
RELATING TO A NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MARCH 13, 2020
Thomas Massie (Republican, KY) \u2014 2023-2-1

I find it incredible what the other side of the aisle is saying. They said this bill was rushed to the floor. prgtoken Do you remember when this was invoked, the National Emergencies Act? March 13, 2020. After that we were told 15 days to slow the spread. How many days are we up to? Does anybody over there know? prgtoken It is over 1,000 days. What has happened in that period of time? How did we get to this position? prgtoken The law that Congress passed that was invoked by the former-President and extended by this President, the National Emergencies Act, requires at least every 6 months you vote on whether to extend it. We did not follow the law under the former . prgtoken They used the Rules Committee to prevent this bill from coming to a vote and then the claim that the Senate would need time to deal with this. The Senate has already passed this. The bipartisan Senate passed 61 to 37. prgtoken I expect there would have been a lot of votes here but the President came in to try to save their skin. The gig is up, but he wants to keep the music going a little bit longer. prgtoken Mr. says that he wants to honor his commitment to give 60 days' notice before ending it because he issued this statement of administrative policy. He only issued this when this bill came to the floor; but he is going to honor his commitment to 60 days' notice. prgtoken Why is he taking 100 days? If anybody over there can do the math for me. May 11--is that 60 days from now? prgtoken No, it is more like 100 days from now, roughly. prgtoken The notion that this was rushed to the floor is ridiculous. wants to keep it going. He wants to spend money under his emergency authorities, which he shouldn't have right now. It is very irresponsible with the debt limit looming and with us in extraordinary measures. prgtoken The reality is he wants 100 more days to shove money out the door and to waste money that hasn't been guarded very well or audited. It has been 1,000 into 15 days to slow the spread. It is time to end this emergency now. prgtoken , I support Mr. Gosar's bill.
SUPPORTING THE OBSERVATION OF NATIONAL TRAFFICKING AND MODERN SLAVERY PREVENTION MONTH--Continued
Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, MS) \u2014 2023-2-1

in less than a week, President will deliver his State of the Union Address to the Nation. In the buildup to that speech, we are already seeing the President and his administration spinning a tale about just how wonderful things are in this country, particularly after they took power and racked up more than $3 trillion more in spending. Unfortunately, those tall tales do not reflect the reality for the people in my home State of Mississippi or across the Nation. prgtoken In the 2 years since President took office, we have seen his administration fail the American people time and time again. Inflation was 1.4 percent in January of 2021, but the policies the President has forced on this Nation since then have made daily living unaffordable for families. Today, a strong majority of Americans--more than 70 percent--believe that the country is on the wrong track, and it is easy to understand why. Too many workers and families now live paycheck to paycheck, trying to keep the lights on, put food on the table, get gas in their cars, and stock up on everyday essentials that they have to have. prgtoken President 's inflationary runaway spending is a root cause of the skyrocketed prices we are paying for all goods and services. Not a single industry is spared the cost of this inflation. Since took office, higher prices have cost families an additional $10,000, and there seems to be no end in sight. Prices have gone up across the board to 13.5 percent, and grocery costs have jumped 18.6 percent. Just look at the price of essential staples: Chicken breast prices have gone up by 33 percent, and ground beef, whole milk, and bread have gone up by 21 percent. prgtoken Unlike President , I actually have to take a trip to the grocery store to feed my family. I do all of my own shopping, and I see firsthand how these price increases affect the people of Mississippi. In the checkout line, I have watched a mother forced to put something back on the shelf after realizing that she can't afford everything in her cart. I have seen a retired husband grabbing only the barest necessities for the week. Up and down the aisle, as I push my buggy, the conversation is constant on ``Can you believe how much the price of groceries has increased and how expensive it is?'' prgtoken It breaks my heart to see the individuals in my community and the Nation struggling to get by. It shouldn't be this way, but in 's America, you are forced to weigh priorities on buying groceries, prescription medicine, or putting gas in your car. prgtoken When it comes to energy prices, the hardship continues for many Americans. This pain is 100 percent self-inflicted by the administration's stubborn refusal to maximize American energy production. According to census data, about 22 percent of American households could not pay their energy bill last year. When families were actually able to pay, they had
RECOGNIZING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-2-1

I rise today, on the first day of February, to recognize Career and Technical Education Month. prgtoken During this month, we highlight the impact of CTE programs, programs that can be referred to as learn-to-earn. These programs are for learners at all levels. We recognize the role of CTE in supporting industry seeking to fill positions in high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage jobs and career fields. prgtoken My appreciation for CTE came at a very early age. My father, coming out of the Navy, went through a CTE program, which led him to a job as a tool and die maker. Eventually, he decided to start his own business, which became quite successful. prgtoken As co-chair of the bipartisan House Career and Technical Education Caucus and a senior member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, I have always supported and will continue to support CTE programs that provide learners of all ages with career-ready skills. prgtoken From agriculture to the arts, from marketing to manufacturing, CTE programs work to develop America's most valuable resource: its people. prgtoken A one-size-fits-all approach to education is not an effective way to prepare students for the workforce. We are doing students a great disservice when we only promote what is considered a traditional college experience. prgtoken CTE has established itself as a path that many high-achieving students choose in pursuit of industry certification and hands-on skills that they can use right out of high school, in skill-based education programs, or in college. prgtoken , CTE Month recognizes the benefits of a skills-based education and the valuable contributions CTE students make to the American workforce. prgtoken Congress recognized the importance of CTE when we passed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which helps to close the skills gap by modernizing the Federal investment in CTE programs and connecting educators with industry stakeholders. This bill was later signed into law by President in 2018. prgtoken While this is a major milestone, there is still much more work to be done. That is why I will continue to put forward commonsense pieces of legislation that update and promote workforce development throughout our Nation. prgtoken These include: The Counseling for Career Choice Act, which ensures that high school students are made fully aware of their career and educational options prior to graduation, including non-degree certificate programs, internships, apprenticeships, and 2-year and 4- year degree programs. prgtoken There is also the Skills Investment Act, which enhances tax advantaged savings accounts for educational expenses so American workers can use the accounts to pay for skills-based learning, career training, and workforce development. prgtoken Lastly, the Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act, creates a $10 million pilot program within the Department of Education to award competitive gr
RELATING TO A NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MARCH 13, 2020
Paul A. Gosar (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2023-2-1

I rise in support of H.J. Res. 7, legislation I introduced requiring the administration to finally end the outdated and abusive COVID national emergency declaration. prgtoken Nearly 3 years have passed since President rightfully declared a national emergency concerning the COVID pandemic. The factual basis for this declaration was apparent then. prgtoken As time has progressed and as we have learned about this virus, we know that it is no longer a national emergency. Since President 's initial declaration, the House of Representatives has not once voted, let alone debated, whether to terminate this national emergency or keep it as required--let me repeat that--required under the National Emergencies Act. prgtoken The National Emergencies Act requires Congress to review termination or continuation of a national emergency no later than 6 months after its implementation and at least every 6 months thereafter. Yet, former Pelosi repeatedly blocked my attempts to simply debate about the merits of extending or terminating the COVID national emergency declaration, despite the law requiring its review. That would make it almost four to six times we should have had this debate during that time. prgtoken What type of representative body cannot even discuss a national emergency? prgtoken Until now, the House of Representatives has failed to perform its most basic constitutional duty: checking the powers of the executive branch and the power of the purse. prgtoken In contrast, companion legislation has twice passed the Senate, most recently with overwhelming bipartisan support. prgtoken Last September, Mr. declared the pandemic is over, cases are down, America has opened back up. This hardly sounds like a country under a national COVID emergency. Yet, continued to extend the COVID national emergency simply to force Americans to live under extreme measures that deprive us of our freedoms. prgtoken Just this week, Mr. issued a Statement of Administrative Policy opposing H.J. Res. 7, implying to veto the legislation. This action stands in stark contrast to the recent promises that would end the COVID national emergency in May. prgtoken Let's not forget that Mr. once promised the American people that there would be no Federal COVID vaccine mandates. Yet, he soon lied and mandated COVID vaccines for millions of Americans. prgtoken We simply cannot trust if and when will keep his word. The evidence is to the contrary. prgtoken It is time to end this emergency declaration now. If passed through the House today, the National Emergencies Act requires the Senate to expeditiously vote on my resolution within 18 calendar days. prgtoken , I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation and send it to the Senate. Do your due diligence. Do what the law requires.
WORKING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2023-2-1

the 118th Congress is in full swing now. We are here working full time again for the American people. prgtoken I just wanted to take a few moments tonight here on the House floor to clarify some things about how this new Congress has begun. prgtoken I point out, first, for scheduling purposes, of course, the State of the Union is next week. It is a time for the President to take stock and speak to the American people about where our country is today and where we are heading. prgtoken I hope the President is able to make good use of the opportunity, but I am afraid we are going to be subjected to more spin and few solutions to the major challenges, even the crises facing the American people. prgtoken , much has been made by the and the press about how House s have kicked off the 118th Congress, but we all know the chatter is not an accurate representation of what is really going on around here. prgtoken The cameras don't capture it all. We are delighted that the C-SPAN cameras are roving about the floor now. It gives a little more personal view of what is happening here in the Chamber, but so much of what goes on outside these walls is not apparent to the American people. prgtoken Let's be plain about this. Let's put it plainly in real terms what is actually happening now. There are some real reforms that have been brought forward by the new House majority. prgtoken We now have a much more open legislative process. As I explained to some friends back home over the weekend, we all remember the cartoon. I am 51 years old. We remember the cartoon Saturday mornings, ``I am just a bill on Capitol Hill,'' and it explained how a bill becomes a law. I explained to our friends from Louisiana who were in town that that has not actually been the way a bill becomes a law in this Congress for several years now. prgtoken We are getting back to that process. We are getting back to what we were taught in civics about how this is supposed to work. Bills have to be limited now to one single subject. We will no longer vote on a bill without giving Members at least 72 hours' notice to review it first. What a concept. You might have to actually read that legislation before you vote on it. prgtoken This is an important change: Any tax increase must now meet a higher threshold to pass. It was a simple majority, but now it is a two-thirds vote. That is a really important reform for the American people, given the state of the economy. prgtoken There will be no new mandatory Federal spending increases without equal or greater budget offsets. We have a $31.5 trillion Federal debt. We cannot continue on this trajectory. These reforms are really important for us. prgtoken By the way, remote voting and committee work are finally ended. No longer will you see Members phoning in their work. They have to be here. They have to come to work. prgtoken Let's contrast that with the old way of doing business. Under the prev
Introductory Statement on S. 204
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-2-1

later today, I will introduce the Born- Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, along with my colleague Senator Lankford. It is a simple bill. It simply states that a baby born alive after an attempted abortion is entitled to the same protection and medical care that any other newborn baby is entitled to. And you would think that it would be a simple ``yes'' vote from every Member of this body, but unfortunately, that is not where we are. prgtoken Four years ago and then three years ago, the U.S. Senate took up this bill, and almost every single in this body voted against it. Just 3 weeks ago, the House of Representatives took up this bill, and almost every single over there voted against it. Apparently banning infanticide is now controversial because--let's be clear--that is what we are talking about here. prgtoken Some have tried to cloak their opposition to this bill in meaningless phrases about a private decision between a woman and her doctor, but what is the decision we are talking about? We are talking about whether or not a living baby, born after an attempted abortion, should be provided with medical care or be left to die or, I suppose, be killed outright by the abortionist. That is what we are talking about. That is the ``decision'' are referring to. And that is apparently the decision they think should be left up to patients and their doctors--whether or not to let a living, breathing baby die. prgtoken The Senate voted on a previous version of this bill introduced by my former colleague Senator Sasse 4 years ago when the ic Governor of Virginia came right out and said you could keep a newly born baby comfortable while you decided what to do with it--in other words, while you decided whether to let the child die or, I guess, kill it or whether to let it live. That chilling statement made it abundantly clear that we needed to state explicitly that any baby, wherever he or she is born, including in an abortion clinic, is entitled to medical care. It is staggering that we have gotten to the point where we need to debate this in Congress, staggering that this wouldn't be an automatic ``yes'' vote from every Member of this body, but that is where we are. prgtoken If anyone thinks that abortion isn't a slippery slope, that we can somehow devalue unborn babies' lives while maintaining respect for everyone else's, then I am here to tell them differently because the ic Party has gotten to the point where its members not only oppose legislation to protect unborn babies; they oppose legislation to protect born ones as well. In ' world, there are now apparently two classes of born babies: the wanted ones born alive in delivery rooms and the unwanted ones born alive in abortion clinics. Apparently, only one of those classes of babies is entitled to the equal protection of the laws. prgtoken talk a lot about abortion when