mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
IN MEMORY OF PATRICIA O'SULLIVAN SRAMEK
Alan S. Lowenthal (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-23

. Madam , I rise today in memory of Patricia O'Sullivan Sramek, a lifelong resident of Long Beach, California, an outstanding person, and a dear personal friend. Patti passed away suddenly in her home on June 16, 2021. prgtoken She is survived by her husband Nicholas, her children David and Bridget, her daughter-in-law Mary, her grandchildren Eleanor, Abraham, Ingrid and Levi, and her brother Patrick Burke. She was a sister-in-law to Debbie, Hilda and Kathy. She was a loving aunt to Patrick, April, Tom, Tracy, Alex and Carla. She was predeceased by her parents Patrick O'Sullivan and Marguerite (Margie) O'Sullivan. prgtoken Patti was born in 1942 in Long Beach, California. She grew up in West Long Beach, where she lived with her family, and attended Poly High School. She met her future husband Nick, whose family lived half a mile away on Delta Avenue. On July 27, 1968 they were married in a small ceremony at St. Lucy's Parish and their reception was held on a rainy afternoon in her parents' backyard--she always noted that the rain was good luck. She and Nick moved to North Carolina where he was enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Bragg. In August 1970 and September 1976, she and Nick welcomed their children into the world at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. prgtoken Patti held many jobs in her life including making milkshakes at Tom's Burgers on Santa Fe Avenue as a teenager and sewing pockets on pants in a factory in Sanford, North Carolina. She was a champion for the communities of the West Side and served as a Field Deputy for the City of Long Beach's Seventh Council District for many years. She was known for driving the neighborhood daily to spot sidewalks and streets that needed repairs and to visit with neighbors. Along with her brother Burke, Patti helped care for her aging parents Pat and Margie prior to their passing. She later retired and welcomed her four prgtoken grandchildren in succession--Ella, Abe, Ingrid and Levi. She was a devoted and beloved grandmother who was known simply as ``GG''. prgtoken Patti was a towering beauty, a one-in-a-million woman, and a force of nature. She was famous for her ability to strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone she crossed paths with. She loved a good martini, big sunglasses, Frank Sinatra, art museums and beautiful gardens. As COVID-related restrictions began to lift, she daydreamed about traveling the English and Irish countryside. She would say that in her life she was most proud of her 52-year marriage, motherhood, and the fierce love she held for her family. She will be greatly missed, but her family takes comfort that she has joined her mother and father whom she adored.
PROTECTING OLDER WORKERS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 2021
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-6-23

I thank my leader here who has done such a great job to protect workers. prgtoken We are here today to fix a terrible 2009 Supreme Court decision that weakened protections against age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. prgtoken A 2020 AARP survey found that three in five workers age 45--yes, age 45 and older--had seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace. So, there is absolutely evidence that this exists. It is real, and we need to do something to fix it. prgtoken Meanwhile, Americans are working more and longer than they ever have. Workers deserve strong workplace protections throughout their entire careers, full stop. prgtoken I am absolutely proudly and enthusiastically looking forward to voting ``yes'' on H.R. 2062, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, to ensure that older workers can hold employers accountable for age discrimination. prgtoken When asking workers, ``Have you ever experienced any kind of discrimination based on age?'' and when the answer is three out of five say yes, beginning at age 45, I trust that this is true. This was in a survey that was done by the AARP, which has millions of members, that told us that. So, the current laws that were cited across the aisle are not doing the job that needs to be done right now to protect our older workers. prgtoken Let's pass this bill today.
Mask Mandates (Executive Session)
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-6-24

. There is a disturbing trend in the not-so-friendly skies these days--a big spike in confrontations, often violent, on American airplanes. It is all the more disturbing because it is totally unnecessary. In most cases, these disputes go back to one of the administration's dumbest policies--the mask mandate at airports and on airplanes. prgtoken When the Wuhan coronavirus broke out in our country last year, confusion and uncertainty reigned, but within a couple of months, some commonsense standards had emerged: Protect the elderly and the frail. Outdoor activities are safer than indoor ones. Keep your distance. Wear a mask when you can't for prolonged periods inside. Be civil and kind to each other. prgtoken Thanks to Operation Warp Speed, these standards are largely a thing of the past. Americans are tired of it, and they want their freedoms back, and they are right. But too many ic politicians and know- it-all bureaucrats don't want to give up their newfound powers. prgtoken No single action captures this power grab by government busybodies better than the TSA's decision to extend its zero-tolerance mask mandates for planes, trains, and buses until September, through the summer travel season. This mandate applies to the vaccinated and the unvaccinated alike, as well as kids over the age of 2. prgtoken Passengers without a mask or accompanied by children without a mask can lose their seats and be banned from airlines and subject to a $1,500 fine. This draconian and punitive policy has no basis in science. After all, airports typically have larger spaces and higher ceilings than, say, a grocery store and pharmacy. Planes have some of the most advanced air filtration systems available in the market today. prgtoken But this stupid mandate does have real-world consequences. Just last month, a Colorado mother and her family were removed from their flight because the plane's captain didn't believe that her 3-year-old son with autism would keep his mask on. This mother, unfortunately, was not the first to be removed from a flight, and I am sure she won't be the last if this absurd mandate remains in place. prgtoken This policy discourages family travel after a year of separation and forces Americans with children, especially children with disabilities, to cancel travel or else live in constant fear that an untimely tantrum or a bad day could ruin their trip and cost them more than $1,000 in fines. prgtoken As the father of two young boys, I can only assume the morons who cooked up this rule don't have children, or perhaps they outsource their kids to nannies and au pairs during flights, just as they do during their dinner parties and fancy retreats. Young kids, especially when they are in a new location surrounded by strangers, tend to act out and misbehave, as any parent will tell you. That entirely predictable behavior shouldn't result in their whole family being kicked off planes, trains, and buses far
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF CURRENCY RELATING TO ``NATIONAL BANKS AND FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS AS LENDERS''
Andy Barr (Republican, KY) \u2014 2021-6-24

. Madam , I rise today also in opposition to S.J. Resolution 15, the Congressional Review Act repeal of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's true lender rule. prgtoken The United States has the most vibrant and innovative financial system in the world. Recent advancements in technology have fostered products and partnerships that expand access to credit to large swaths of the population that previously couldn't access basic financial services. prgtoken Many of these innovations faced challenges from regulatory red tape or confusing and often conflicting rules. The OCC's true lender rule gave needed clarity to banks and their partners, fixing the disastrous Madden rule. prgtoken The OCC's true lender rule gave that clarity, but unfortunately, the effort in the House today threatens to undermine the progress that we have made and compromise underbanked individuals' and small businesses' access to financial services. prgtoken I spoke with a local Kentucky bank that partners with a nonbank fintech lender to provide credit to consumers, including many underbanked populations. They told me that absent the true lender rule, they will once again be buried in compliance costs to keep track of the patchwork of cases that dictate the rules of the road. prgtoken Rather than embrace innovation to deliver cost savings to their customers, many of whom have trouble accessing traditional financial services to begin with, the bank will need to retain thousand-dollar- an-hour New York lawyers just to keep everything straight. And guess what? Those costs get passed on to the consumer through higher prices or reduced product availability. prgtoken This is yet another example of the sacrificing good policy for the sake of political points, all under the guise of consumer protection. prgtoken Contrary to some of the rhetoric from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, a vote for this CRA will actually harm the very people they purport to be helping. prgtoken Madam , one final point. I include in the Record an April 14, 2021, letter to the chair of the Financial Services Committee from the former OCC Acting Comptroller Blake Paulson. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, DC, April 14, 2021. Hon. Maxine Waters, Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Patrick McHenry, Ranking Member, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairwoman Waters and Ranking Member McHenry: On March 26, 2021, H.J. Res. 35 was introduced, providing for Congressional disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's (OCC) final rule, entitled ``National Banks and Federal Savings Associations as
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2021-6-24

as Americans want to buy more clean and green products, the market has been finding solutions to provide those products. prgtoken The Growing Climate Solutions Act before us, however, will not. Though it seeks to aid the carbon credit market, it could ultimately serve only to quell it. Let's just take a look at how the carbon credit market currently works. prgtoken Farmers, ranchers, and private foresters develop these credits to sell by taking actions to either limit their greenhouse gas emissions or to capture greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. They work with technical assistance providers to know how to do so and then with third-party verifiers who make sure that the proper standards are met. Companies can then purchase the credits to offset their carbon emissions, and they can also sell unused credits to other companies wanting to offset their carbon emissions. It is a voluntary exchange and an example of the market working as it ought to work. prgtoken As the demand for these credits grows, more farmers, ranchers, and foresters would explore this revenue-generating market, more technical assistance providers and third-party verifiers would emerge, and potentially innovation would occur with new types of entities emerging to create and sell carbon credits beyond these initial three. prgtoken So what would the bill do? It would establish a USDA certification program for the technical assistance providers and third-party verifiers involved in creating carbon credits on grounds that it would help small farmers better understand the carbon credit market and know with whom they may work. prgtoken In other words, it would create a massive accreditation program that would potentially hamper, not foster, innovation. It would insert the Federal Government into a market that is blossoming on its own, imposing burdensome regulation and picking winners and losers in the carbon credit marketplace. prgtoken To make matters worse, it would corrupt the financial incentives of the market by allowing the USDA to cap revenues and generally regulate the sale of these credits. prgtoken Though it aims to help small farmers to participate in this market, it could easily be manipulated to demand the USDA set unusually high protocols and qualifications and then drive carbon credit purchasers solely to credit sellers working with those who fit and comply with the edicts of the Federal Government. prgtoken This will ultimately only impose obstacles for farmers, ranchers, and foresters, impede potential new participants, and, in the end, hurt the environment. That is why I am offering an alternative. prgtoken My amendment would transform this program into a transparent, informational resource for farmers, ranchers, and private foresters as they look for technical assistance providers and third-party verifiers. It would include common qualifications and common practices of these entities and a list of provide
CONGRATULATIONS TO EDWARD BURR AND THE MONIQUE BURR FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN
John H. Rutherford (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-6-24

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Edward Burr and the Monique Burr Foundation for Children located in northeast Florida. prgtoken Established in 1997, the Monique Burr Foundation works to prevent abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, exploitation, and human trafficking of children. prgtoken They have trained more than 5,000 facilitators in schools all across 67 Florida counties, 28 other States, and 3 foreign countries. prgtoken Madam , as the former sheriff of Duval County, I can personally attest to the difference the Monique Burr Foundation is making in the lives of children across Florida and across our country. prgtoken Recently, Mr. Burr received the Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award in recognition of his decades of public service to support and protect children in need. prgtoken On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Florida, I congratulate Edward Burr for his well-deserved honor, and I thank the Monique Burr Foundation for Children for their excellent work in our community.
REQUEST TO CONSIDER H.R. 18, NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION ACT
Kay Granger (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-24

the Hyde amendment is an essential protection for the conscience rights of Americans and has saved over 2 million innocent lives. prgtoken The prohibition on the use of taxpayer funds for abortion has been enacted annually on a bipartisan basis despite our country's divisions on the question of abortion itself. Yet, despite President 's decades of support for the Hyde amendment, his budget request bows to the radical left and fails to include these longstanding protections. prgtoken As ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, I am committed to protecting all existing pro-life protections and advancing the pro-life cause whenever possible. prgtoken I will strongly oppose the elimination of the Hyde amendment from annual appropriations bills. But to strengthen the Hyde amendment, we must make it permanent law. That is why I support H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. prgtoken , I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
FOURTH OF JULY
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-6-24

I often come to this floor to be able to speak about news of the day, disagreements that we have, ways that we can solve a problem we have as a nation. Today, I come to tell a story. prgtoken In 1774, an Englishman met Benjamin Franklin. They spent a lot of time together in conversations, and Franklin convinced this young sailor and writer and young friend to move to America, to move to his hometown, to Philadelphia. A few months later, 1774, he did. prgtoken Franklin saw something in this young man that no one else saw. That Englishman who loved freedom and who saw the glaring injustice of the British Crown, 2 years later, on January 10, 1776, wrote a short pamphlet that changed the course of history. prgtoken The man's name was Thomas Paine, and the short work that he wrote was called ``Common Sense.'' It was the first publication that declared we should call for independence for these 13 Colonies. It didn't include his name because if it included his name, it would have been a certain death warrant from the King, but it made the case for freedom for each person, for an elected government rather than a monarchy, and the case for religious liberty. In short, he made the case for the United States of America. prgtoken He wrote these words: The cause of America is, in great measure, the cause of all mankind. Many circumstances have, and will arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which the principles of all lovers of mankind are affected, and in the event of which, their affections are interesting. prgtoken He wrote about the rule of law and how that would be different than living under a monarchy, and he challenged the young colonists to be able to pursue more. prgtoken He wrote: But where says some is the king of America? I'll tell you Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Great Britain. Yet that we may not appear to be defective even in earthly honors, let a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming the charter; let it be brought forth placed on the divine law, the word of God; let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know, that so far we may approve of monarchy, that in America the law is king. For as in absolute governments the king is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king. prgtoken He wrote: As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of [every] government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith. Suspicion is the companion of mean souls. . . . prgtoken He wrote and he said: It affords us a larger field for our Christian kindness. Were we all one way of thinking, our religious dispositions would want matter for probation; and on this liberal principle, I look to the various d
PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF CURRENCY RELATING TO ``NATIONAL BANKS AND FEDERAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATIONS AS LENDERS''
Blake D. Moore (Republican, UT) \u2014 2021-6-24

. Madam , I rise today to speak in opposition to the CRA before us. prgtoken Innovation in our financial industry lifts Americans across all levels of the socioeconomic spectrum. A great example of this has been the emergence of the fintech industry, which has helped more Americans access secure, affordable credit. prgtoken Unfortunately, government regulation has stymied innovation as regulatory uncertainties have imposed artificial barriers to our creativity. Recent court rulings have only exacerbated this uncertainty by creating confusion about who the true lender of a loan is when a bank works with a third party. prgtoken In 2020, the Office of the Comptroller sought to clarify this uncertainty by finalizing the true lender rule. This rule allowed our local community and regional banks to provide expanded access to banking services and lower the cost of banking to consumers across the Nation. It is that simple. prgtoken Commonsense reforms that help banks and the fintech industry do business, in turn, make life easier for families, individuals, and businesses. Unfortunately, my colleagues are seeking to roll this rule back. prgtoken Nullifying the rule will decrease credit accessibility for underserved communities, hurt community banks' ability to utilize new technologies, and dissuade innovation in the financial services sector. prgtoken Madam , I oppose S.J. Res. 15, and I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no.''
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF STEVE KERR FROM WHEELER MISSION
Trey Hollingsworth (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-6-24

. Madam , I rise today to honor a community leader Steve Kerr. Steve is retiring after 28 years of service to Wheeler Mission, a ministry that has been serving Hoosiers for over 128 years, including two locations in my district. prgtoken Steve has been with Wheeler since November 22, 1993. He began his role as the Capital Campaign Director and then moved into the Director of Development role. He has built a strong legacy that has impacted thousands of lives, went from three staff members to now twenty-two who make sure the needs of residents, staff, donors and volunteers are met daily. prgtoken In 2003 Steve had the vision to bring runners, walkers, and families together on Thanksgiving Day to help raise money for the ministry. The Drumstick Dash is now headed into its 19th Dash and continues to grow. People from all over the country descend on Indy and virtually to ``Move Their Feet So Others Can Eat.'' The annual campaign, along with other special events, raises around million dollars each year for this vital ministry. prgtoken Wheeler Mission offers the Indianapolis and Bloomington communities homeless shelters, residential programming, addiction recovery services, and social enterprises. Wheeler has adapted to meet the community's ever-changing needs and is unwavering in its commitment to Christ and the transformation through the Gospel. I thank Steve Kerr for his commitment to Wheeler Mission, and the lives he has and will continue to impact due to his legacy.
ECONOMIC RECOVERY AFTER THE PANDEMIC
Troy E. Nehls (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-6-24

it is time to get the American people back to work. The vaccine has been available for all Americans for weeks. Cases across the country are drastically decreased, and businesses are opening back up. Thank God. prgtoken Why, then, is the Federal Government still paying people not to work? prgtoken Why, then, are we still considering multitrillion-dollar proposals when there is billions upon billions of previously appropriated COVID relief money that hasn't been touched? prgtoken Inflation is higher than at any point in over a decade. Americans are paying more for goods they need to survive. Businesses that are open and want to expand their workforce can't find the employees willing to come to work because the government is paying them to stay home. prgtoken And amidst all of this, the administration is proposing tax increases on job creators. It doesn't take an economics Ph.D. to conclude that raising taxes on job creators amid record levels of inflation and this underperforming economy will lead to economic disaster. prgtoken Small business owners in this country are trying to rebuild and get people back to work. Raising taxes on them will only hurt them and the Americans they want to hire. prgtoken The tax-and-spend model is failing our country. We need to get back to the free-market approach that we had under President : Slashing regulation, reducing taxes, and increasing economic freedom. prgtoken That is the light at the end of the economic crisis tunnel. But to get there, we need to stop playing politics with the future of our country and work with the s.