mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Glenn Grothman (Republican, WI) \u2014 2020-3-27

we have gone from a story that barely affected Americans 3 weeks ago to a $2 trillion bill today. The cost is too high. But the crisis in response to government experts may be right and may be wrong, who said: Don't fly, don't eat out, don't worship together, and don't go to school. Our economy was shattered. prgtoken Was our President held up by irresponsible and too many irresponsible s for excessive spending? Yes. But we must act to calm the panic and move back to normalcy. prgtoken I flew here yesterday with five passengers on the only Southwest flight from Milwaukee. Usually there are two almost-full flights. prgtoken Restaurants are shuttered by the government, and their employees are laid off. prgtoken President is right to act and stand up to the purists who have let businesses go under or don't understand that even the greatest of Presidents have had to compromise. prgtoken I am concerned about the unemployment benefits going over $900 a week--more than most Wisconsin people make. I want to help Americans laid off, but this provision delays the recovery, and I hope Americans don't bite on it.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Billy Long (Republican, MO) \u2014 2020-3-27

the Seventh Congressional District of Missouri's economy has a significant dependence on seasonal outdoor amusement and entertainment including the Ozark Empire Fair, the carnivals on the midways of county fairs, and the nation's favorite vacation spot, Branson. These for profit and not for profit enterprises employ thousands of Ozarkians, some year-round and the majority just in the season. prgtoken Branson in the Missouri Ozarks draws about nine million visitors a year, mainly during a nine-month season. From the world-famous Silver Dollar City to the celebrated country music venues and all attractions in between, including excellent bass fishing, world class golf, youth baseball tournaments, and endless outdoor adventures, Branson is a premier destination in America. prgtoken But these are not normal times. prgtoken Springfield, Missouri is home to the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE). prgtoken Agricultural Fairs--county fairs, state fairs and regional ag shows-- are deeply rooted in our heritage and history, with the mission to promote and advance agriculture, horticulture, domestic industry, with a focused emphasis on youth leadership development through competitions, education, and leadership opportunities. prgtoken Most fairs, a total of 2,092 in the US, also provide exceptional educational activities to help today's Americans understand the importance of farming and the source of the food on their plate. prgtoken Fairs cannot function without a complex arrangement of carnival midway operations, food and beverage operations, livestock shows, exhibits and demonstrations. With nearly 300 fairs happening across America in July alone prgtoken each year, it is impossible to reschedule a fair for a different time. prgtoken According to the IAFE, each year the operation of agricultural fairs results in $4.67 billion for the US economy and provides thousands of jobs. prgtoken Fairs and their carnival partners on the midway have been devastated by the cancellation of events thus far. IAFE estimates a loss of revenue exceeding $1.4 billion to the fair and festival core organizations just for March through May. prgtoken The Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) represents some 200 carnivals, 15 circuses and hundreds of traveling food/game concessionaires in the United States. The vast majority of their members are small, family businesses, many in their third or more generation of ownership. The OABA estimates 350 carnival events have currently been closed through May I. Based on historical attendance data and this estimated performance cancellations, the lost revenue to carnival operators is near $250 million. prgtoken Should the need for social distancing or total quarantine exist into the summer, the economic devastation will inevitably put these community organizations as well as many of the small businesses in the allied sectors out of business. Thousands of jobs will be lost. <|p|
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Harold Rogers (Republican, KY) \u2014 2020-3-27

I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. prgtoken Simply put, the challenges that the COVID-19 coronavirus pose to our country are without precedent. As the President has said, we are at war. But it is not a war against another country or a terrorist network, it is a war against a silent enemy that is ravaging our people and forcing us to sacrifice our economic wellbeing. prgtoken This is especially hurting us in rural America, where small businesses, rural hospitals, barber shops, non-profits, and the like are scrambling for answers and hope, prgtoken My people in Southern and Eastern Kentucky have responded to this crisis with incredible courage and compassion. Without being prompted, our people are filling in the gaps. I've heard story after story about healthcare workers on the frontlines despite not having the protective equipment they need; churches are shifting online and offering assistance to local families; and neighbors, teachers and community leaders are making sure our school children and seniors don't miss a meal. prgtoken And this bill provides the necessary confidence they need to know a plan is in place to get through this crisis together. I was proud to work with House and Senate leadership to ensure that this bill protects our small businesses, keeps our hospitals afloat, and provides financial stability to our hardworking families. It also provides much needed funding for medical supplies, and ensures our cities, counties, and states have the resources necessary to ensure the safety of our citizens. prgtoken As Ranking Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, I would also like to note that this bill provides critical funding for the State Department to respond to the pandemic at United States diplomatic facilities around the globe, to support continued consular services to Americans abroad, and for costs associated with prgtoken bringing home Americans that have been stranded overseas. Funding is also provided to ensure all Peace Corps volunteers get home safe. Lastly, funds are included to support humanitarian assistance needs related to the coronavirus internationally. prgtoken But above all else, the most important thing this bill does is bring hope to Americans searching for a way to protect the health of their families and their livelihood. prgtoken , since our country's birth nearly 250 years ago, the American people have faced a myriad of challenges. And in every one of these instances, we have pulled together and overcome. I have full faith that we will do so again, and this bill helps ensure that we will be victorious. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 748.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Russ Fulcher (Republican, ID) \u2014 2020-3-27

the United States of America is at war. Its invisible foe is called coronavirus. prgtoken Having a virus is not a new precedent for America. It is happened twice in the 20th century: the Spanish flu and polio. prgtoken But in an attempt to slow this outbreak, we did set a new precedent. For the first time in history, we mandated the economy shut down by law. prgtoken Now, we don't yet know the benefits of that, but we do know the cost. It is about $2 trillion dollars. And one must ask: What is the cost of not acting? prgtoken It is agonizing to take on this debt, but here is a game-changer for me: When the government shut down the economy, it assumed the responsibility for bringing it back. This virus may threaten our health, but 98 percent or more will survive that. We will not allow the virus to take away our livelihoods. prgtoken , I will be supporting the bill.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Mike Rogers (Republican, AL) \u2014 2020-3-27

I rise today in support of our efforts to defeat this deadly virus. This bill will help people who are hurting because of this outbreak. prgtoken For those from rural districts, like mine, our hospitals cannot handle the onslaught of patients. Hospitals in my district face a situation as dire as it has ever been in my 18 years in Congress. The capacity just isn't there. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, most hospitals in Alabama's Third Congressional District were operating with less than a one-third profit margin. prgtoken This bill helps those rural hospitals by enabling them to buy central supplies, build needed infrastructure for broadband and telehealth, and keep cash flowing so they can remain able to help patients. That is the good news. prgtoken As ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I want to acknowledge the hardworking personnel of the Department of Homeland Security. These men and women interact with the public daily, whether it is Transportation Security Administration, CBP, ICE, or others. They are putting themselves in harm's way with this deadly contagion. I say thank you for their dedication to ensuring the safety of our Homeland Security. prgtoken This bill provides DHS with a number of its requests to combat this deadly virus, and I am thankful for that. But for some reason, we couldn't see fit to provide the full amount requested by Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deal with this virus. There isn't any dedicated money to purchase personnel equipment for CBP, for example, or ICE. These professionals work face- to-face with migrants and they deserve better. prgtoken This won't be the last time Congress has to act to mitigate the impact of this virus on America. I thank President for his leadership, and the willingness of s and to come together to put America's needs first. prgtoken There will be the need for more help; there will be the need for more legislation; but, for the time being, this piece of legislation must pass, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Kelly Armstrong (Republican, ND) \u2014 2020-3-27

throughout our history, the American people have mobilized in extraordinary and unprecedented ways in times of national crisis, but the enemy we face today has required a different response. prgtoken To defeat COVID-19, we have asked most Americans to do what comes so unnaturally to them: stay home. We have asked businesses to shutter, employees to stop going to work, and churches to close. Entire industries have lost their consumer base overnight. prgtoken The American people didn't cause this crisis but are responding the way they always do: by being smart, tough, and compassionate. We owe it to them to give them this support.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Bradley Byrne (Republican, AL) \u2014 2020-3-27

last week, 3.3 million Americans filed for unemployment. Small businesses around this country are shuttering. Millions of Americans and their children are at home practicing social distancing, a term that few knew 2 weeks ago. Countless others are on the front lines in our hospitals, doctors' offices, and pharmacies or simply checking us out at the grocery store. prgtoken Yesterday, I spoke to many small businesses in my district on a call. I was asked to give them hope. prgtoken To the American people who are watching: There is hope, and help is on the way. prgtoken There are many things in this bill I do not like. There are portions that I think are a mistake. But, , this is our time for action. Do not hold this bill up. We owe it to the citizens of this great country who are struggling. We owe action for them today.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Ralph Norman (Republican, SC) \u2014 2020-3-27

during times like this, it brings out the best and the worst. The best has been a President who is working nonstop. The best have been those businesses that are producing the masks and the things that we need, and the best has been the churches that are praying nonstop. prgtoken Now, the worst has been the price tag, and the worst has been the things that were added to this that had nothing to do with the coronavirus, the $25 million for the Kennedy Center and $75 million for the national arts. This has nothing to do with the coronavirus. prgtoken This Nation shall survive. In the words of Winston Churchill: There are times when doing our best isn't good enough. We will do what is required in spite of this.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2020-3-27

in times like this, I am inspired by the strength and generosity of the people in Kansas and across our Nation. However, we know that the coronavirus outbreak has impacted hardworking Kansans, their families and their friends and relatives across the country. prgtoken Wichita is their capital of the world. In our area, we have already been hit hard by the grounding due to the 737 Max issues, but now small businesses are facing uncertainty, as Kansans have been asked to stay at home, not knowing when they can resume operations again. prgtoken Today, I rise on behalf of the workers and families in Kansas who need Congress to get this right. Every minute we spend trying to politicize this crisis wastes critical time and hurts Americans. We should focus on what really matters: offering stability to families that need it and getting America back open for business again. prgtoken The CARES Act assists small businesses and distressed industries, giving families and unemployed workers the financial means to make it to the other side of this crisis and ensures that job creators are positioned to keep paying their workers and rehire those who have been laid off when we recover. prgtoken Kansans and Americans across the country----
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Greg Walden (Republican, OR) \u2014 2020-3-27

this package is not the first response to the COVID-19 pandemic, nor will it be the last. prgtoken The American people expect us to set partisanship aside in times of crisis and do what is best for our country and for our constituents, and that is what we are doing today. prgtoken We are helping healthcare providers on the front lines back home get the personal protective equipment they need and the medicines and medical devices that will save the lives of their patients. We are helping people who have lost their jobs get a lifeline. We are helping our small businesses keep their workforce together. We are making record investments into finding treatments and a cure. We are helping our State and local governments, too. prgtoken We are all in this together. With President 's leadership, we are all in this to win as fast as medically possible. prgtoken In order to prevent our health system from collapsing under the weight of this virus, we are providing unprecedented support for our Nation's healthcare providers, including $100 billion for hospitals, labs, doctors, and increased reimbursement for treating COVID-19 patients. prgtoken We will dramatically expand production and distribution of medical supplies by providing liability protections through the PREP Act for respirator manufacturers, providing $16 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile to procure medical countermeasures such as personal protective equipment and ventilators, and providing $11 billion for the manufacturing, production, and purchase of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other items to address the Nation's medical or preparedness needs. prgtoken The CARES Act opens up the fastest computers in the world at our national laboratories for research and analysis related to the COVID-19 virus. We help EPA expedite the ability to get disinfectants to market more quickly to protect the public from COVID-19 and prevent its further spread. In a volatile oil market, the CARES Act smartly delays a mandatory 2020 sale of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve through 2022. prgtoken Included in the package are improvements to expand access to care through telehealth, including $200 million for the FCC for telehealth services and devices and an expansion of telehealth services in the Medicare program. prgtoken The package also extends vital Medicare, Medicaid, and public health programs, including community health centers, among many others, until November 30 this year. prgtoken We mobilize the Nation's health workforce by providing liability protections to those who provide volunteer medical services during the public health crisis and by standing up the Ready Reserve. prgtoken We take steps to protect our medical supply chain, something that I hope the Congress will continue to work on after we pass this legislation today. prgtoken Today's phase three approach is the most comprehensive and robust response to COVID-19 yet. Together, we are
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-3-27

as the ranking member of the House Administration Committee, I want all of my colleagues to make sure that before we leave this floor today, after, hopefully, passing this piece of legislation, that we thank every staff member who works for the House, who makes sure that this House is clean, and who makes sure that this House operates. They are here sitting there in the well, and they are here in our hallways. They are doing the jobs that allow us to do our job. prgtoken On behalf of everyone here, I thank them for what they do every single day. It is important. prgtoken The first vote that I took on this House floor--one of the first--was for Superstorm Sandy relief. My good friend, Mr. Van Drew, sitting next to me here, I am sure had more of a frontline view as a State senator in New Jersey at the time as to what kind of impact that disaster assistance had on the ground to those Americans who were hurting. prgtoken I went back and took criticism from many in the media and some in my own party, and I said one thing. I said: If there is one job that we as Congress should do and do well, it is to help Americans recover from a disaster that they didn't ask for. prgtoken We are in the midst of the worst economic disaster that we have seen in my lifetime 3\1/2\ weeks ago, we were in an economy with economic growth and historic low sustained unemployment that we all promised the American people we would deliver together. In less than 3\1/2\ weeks, this economic disaster has hit many industries. prgtoken I can say, as I flew out this morning from St. Louis to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, there were two Members of Congress on the plane out of the total of four passengers. If you don't think that industry is on the brink of collapse, I urge you to use it right now, and you will see. prgtoken But it is our Main Street businesses and our Main Street companies that line the streets of every rural community that I represent and line the streets of this great country that are hurting the most. It is their economic disaster. They are being told that they are not able to operate. prgtoken We need to do better. We need to pass this bill and give them the revenue, the opportunity, and the cash flow to get through this so we can get through this as Americans. prgtoken Students: You get a chance to defer your loan payments. What is great is, when these businesses recover, they now have the opportunity to tax-free help you pay your student debt. prgtoken This is what happens when we work together, and these are the things that will happen when we pass this bill. It is not about social media today. It is about helping the American people. Let's do it.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
David Schweikert (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2020-3-27

think of this: Doesn't it feel like it was just yesterday the Federal Reserve Chairman was telling us we were in the Goldilocks economy? The wage growth for the working poor was the best in modern economic times. prgtoken I will argue we need to find a path back to that. That economic growth was moral. It was an amazing thing. Good things were happening. And then we hit this black swan. prgtoken This is ripping my heart out because there are things in this bill that just don't belong there. I consider them--well, I can't say that word in front of a microphone. We all have these moments in our political lives where we walk up in front of this microphone and we are going to say: I am going to have to vote for something that has things in it that break my heart. prgtoken But we must do the right thing. We must get back to that economic growth. We must get back to that prosperity that was enveloping this country. And, hopefully, we will look back, do a great postmortem, understand the things we did wrong, and fix them in the future.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Steve Womack (Republican, AR) \u2014 2020-3-27

we have a responsibility to the people we serve, and the moment is now to mitigate the damage to our people and our economy. prgtoken For those who question the price tag, for those who question certain features in the bill, think of the images we have all seen that are unprecedented in our lifetimes: the senior citizen only able to see family members through a window; worse yet, Americans dying alone; the frontline medical professionals fighting an invisible disease, risking their very lives to bring hope to a frightened public; the businessman fighting to stay solvent, to keep a workforce, and to live to see another day; the scientists and engineers desperately searching for an answer. prgtoken Who among us can question the crisis we are in and the needs of the people we serve? prgtoken By midday today, , let us be remembered for taking the actions necessary to put aside our politics and deliver to the American people.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2020-3-27

I rise to support this unprecedented economic relief package in response to these unprecedented times. prgtoken It is clear this pandemic is having a profound impact on the American people. It is our job to make sure that this impact is not a lasting one. prgtoken Especially clear is just how devastating this crisis is hitting rural communities like those in central Washington. This bill provides desperately needed relief to rural hospitals, many of which are the only healthcare provider for a great number of my constituents. prgtoken It will support the agricultural industry to ensure hardworking farmers and ranchers can continue to provide food security for our Nation. It will provide stability for workers and small business owners who are the backbone of our local economies. prgtoken , this is a 9/11 moment, a time to put partisan differences aside, policy goals aside, and work together as Americans for the people of our Nation.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Mike Bost (Republican, IL) \u2014 2020-3-27

I rise today in strong support of the CARES Act. Even in rural southern Illinois there are 27 cases in my district. prgtoken We need to come together in a bipartisan manner with this bill to deal with: first, the health of our constituents; second, the health of their pocketbooks in this bill; third, those businesses where they need to go back to work, whether it is a small business or a large business. This bill does that. prgtoken Is it perfect? No. But it is the right step forward that we need to do, and do today.