mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Ashley Hinson (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Missouri for yielding today. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in strong opposition to this massive tax- and-spend plan that was only posted late last night. prgtoken This entire process has been a sham. It has been full of nothing but partisanship, disrespect for taxpayers and late-night and all-day antics. No wonder my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are in disarray. prgtoken Late last night, the 2,100-page bill was finally posted. We certainly have not had adequate time to fully read or digest what is in it, let alone figure out how much it is going to cost my constituents. prgtoken Iowans deserve to know how much of their hard-earned paychecks are going to be wasted on frivolous, misguided priorities, like funding for butterflies or desert fish when my constituents are busy trying to put food on their tables, provide for their kids, and keep their family farms operating. prgtoken But no, we can't even get the most basic information. We don't have an official cost estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Instead, we have nonsense numbers, totally made-up numbers, handed down from the White House in the middle of the night. That is not how we govern responsibly in this body. prgtoken Madam , I came to Washington, D.C to be an advocate for taxpayers, to make sure that Iowans' voices are heard and to bring a little bit of that Iowa commonsense to the Capitol. This place clearly needs it. prgtoken Working families in Iowa sit around their kitchen tables, they talk about what is important to them, they build a budget that fits within their means and they stick to it. prgtoken I know what that is like. Moms across the country know what that is like. It is not easy. We have to make hard choices. And frankly, it is disrespectful and embarrassing that we are even having this debate right now. prgtoken How can we spend taxpayers' money without knowing how much we are spending? prgtoken In the 's own words, we shouldn't vote without a CBO score. I agree. Americans deserve to know the impact legislation will have on their lives. The best estimates that we have, which don't even include all of the provisions that Pelosi stuffed in there last night, ring up in the trillions. prgtoken We are spending approximately trillions of dollars on nonsense priorities when Iowans are dealing with real challenges, and we can't even give them the respect of waiting for a proper cost estimate. This bill bankrupts the economy, it benefits the wealthy, and it builds bureaucracy. It is a bust. Vote ``no.''
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Guy Reschenthaler (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , I thank my good friend and fellow Rules Committee member, Dr. Burgess, for yielding me the time. prgtoken Madam , let's just look at the cost of this. This bill comes in at $4.1 trillion. That is more than double what my friends across the aisle claim this comes in at. And how do we pay for this? prgtoken I will tell you how, crippling taxes and budget gimmicks. This bill would levy $420 billion in tax increases on our Nation's small businesses, $800 billion in tax hikes on American companies, as well. prgtoken So what does this mean for Americans? What does this mean for the American consumer? Well, it means fewer jobs. It means higher prices. It means more reliance on China for our everyday goods. prgtoken If you thought that today's sky-high inflation, if you thought that our supply chain crises were bad, just wait until this bill goes into effect. H.R. 5376 includes a new tax even on retirement plans. It bans production of domestic energy, and it raises taxes on natural gas. All of these policies, all of them would be disastrous for American job creators, disastrous for American workers, and disastrous for American families. prgtoken But it is not bad news for all Americans, Madam . Millionaires and billionaires have it made under this bill. This bill restores the SALT deduction, giving the wealthy up to $72,500 in tax breaks each year. These are the individuals that benefit under this, the wealthy, the elite. prgtoken This legislation also includes $550 billion in green subsidies, ensuring that the top 1 percent that already benefits under this bill can put another Tesla in their garage. prgtoken You can clearly see where the ' priorities lie. It is not with the American worker. It is with the American top 1 percent elite. Americans deserve better.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Michelle Fischbach (Republican, MN) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , I thank the Representative from Texas for yielding to me. prgtoken Madam , this bill has gone through several versions just this week--possibly just today--too many for even the bill's sponsors to keep up with. prgtoken During one of the several Rules Committee hearings, committee chairs could not even explain specific provisions of the bill. prgtoken How does the majority think the American public can really know what is in this bill? prgtoken The majority will stick very closely to the talking points, using words like ``transformational,'' ``bold vision,'' and ``values-based leadership,'' and they will say things about affordable housing, universal pre-K, and drug pricing. prgtoken But do we know where all that money is really going? Our constituents deserve to understand each of these programs but also the ones that they don't include in their talking points. prgtoken They have eliminated the bipartisan Hyde amendment protections that for 40 years have been preventing tax dollars from being used to pay for abortion. It is being reported that there is approximately $756 billion in a welfare spending increase. prgtoken How is that money being used? Where is it going? prgtoken The bill also includes at least a few budget gimmicks. The bill offers partial funding for some programs, creating temporary programs that are clearly meant to be permanent. This means the cost estimates for the bills are not accurate into the future. prgtoken The committee chairs even have a hard time explaining how those budget gimmicks work. One of the biggest ticket items is the $320 billion in tax subsidies for electric vehicles, solar energy, wind, and other green energy, and an additional $25 million for the President to establish an environmental initiative. prgtoken The American public might want to know that almost $45 billion is going to the IRS for increased enforcement and digital monitoring, especially since the have proposed spying on Americans' bank accounts. prgtoken This bill pours billions of dollars into government agencies to further insert government bureaucrats into the daily lives of American citizens.
HONORING JAMES P. BURIAK
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , I offer these remarks in honor of Naval Aircrewman 1st Class James ``Jimmy'' P. Buriak, who died on August 31, 2021, at the age of 31. prgtoken Mr. Buriak, of Salem, Virginia, was one of five sailors who died when their helicopter from the USS Abraham Lincoln crashed into the sea off the coast of southern California. prgtoken Mr. Buriak was born on May 9, 1990, to Jim and Carol Buriak in Salem. Jimmy graduated from Salem High School and Roanoke College. Jimmy joined the Navy in 2017. prgtoken During the last year of his life, Jimmy was honored for rescuing a man who was caught in a rip current off Guam's Gun Beach. prgtoken Mr. Buriak's thoughtful character far exceeded the parameters of his job. He always went out of his way to help those in need and to go the extra mile that others weren't willing to do. Jimmy was a great young man. prgtoken His wife, Megan, is starting the AWS1 James Buriak Foundation to continue honoring his legacy. The foundation will seek to improve financial shortcomings for Gold Star families with small children. prgtoken Mr. Buriak is survived by his wife, Megan; his very young son, Caulder; as well as his parents, Jim and Carol Buriak; his sister, Laura; and his brother-in-law, Erik Zickefoose. prgtoken Madam , I offer Jimmy's entire family my condolences on their loss. He was a great young man. prgtoken Madam , as an aside, Jimmy used to play water polo with me in the summertime.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , we have seen a circus here for the last 7 hours. We saw history: The longest vote held in this body in modern history, a motion to adjourn, just so some backroom agreement could be made. prgtoken This point of order, the whole purpose of it, is to make sure that this budget bill that is before us--before there is a vote--that we know the true cost of this agreement from the Congressional Budget Office. That is what the rules are. prgtoken We know that there are more than 150 different programs being created in this legislation, and we know that there are a lot of many--numerous different possibilities of unfunded mandates that would go to the States, that would go to individuals. And before there is a vote on this bill, a vote on this rule, we need to make sure that there is a Congressional Budget Office score. We do not need to violate the House rules and Federal statute by forcing through this piece of legislation without knowing exactly the cost. prgtoken Madam , I include in the Record a letter that was sent to the of the House from five different of this body, following our lead, what we just said here, that there should not be a vote on this bill until the Congressional Budget Office does a score. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, November 2, 2021. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, , U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Madam : As we work to put the COVID-19 crisis behind us and build back better than ever before, we applaud your focus on infrastructure and on measures that help children and working families across America. We continue to ask that you please schedule a floor vote on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework as soon as possible, and we are pleased by the progress we are making on the Build Back Better (BBB) Act. As we enter the home stretch of these negotiations, we ask that you please provide additional information so that we may make more informed decisions that better serve our constituents. First, we applaud the commitment from both you and the President that the BBB Act will be fully paid for. In order to ensure the final bill is indeed fiscally responsible, we must first have the proper CBO/JCT scoring information before any floor consideration. Therefore, we cannot lend our support to advancing the BBB Act until we have had a chance to review these scores which provide the true cost of the legislation. Moreover, the U.S. Senate cannot even consider the BBB Act under reconciliation rules until it has received an official CBO score. Secondly, we appreciate your public statements committing to properly pre-conferencing the BBB Act with the U.S. Senate. We continue to urge you to only bring a bill to the floor for which we have a strong
RECOGNIZING CHINESE-AMERICAN WORLD WAR II VETERANS FROM PENNSYLVANIA
Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican, PA) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the following Chinese American Veterans from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who served gallantly in our United States military during WWII: prgtoken Henry Chang, Joseph Ying Yuen, Mong Quong Lee, Tuck Y. Young, Going T. Chin, Arthur Jun Lee, Yee Yuen, Anthony Wong, Mon Sheu Lee, Mun Pon Wong, Livingston Chunn, S. Young Louie, Hong G. Lee, Charles Nong Louie, Stanley Chunn, Harry Jung, Bon Yue Li, Harry G. Chin, Benjamin CK Tom, Paul Moy Toy, Chin J. Bow. prgtoken George R. Jung, Yen Yee, Raymond Lee, Mun H. Wong, Robert L. Moy, Chester Gon Chu, Jan Louie, George D. Lee, Louie W. Chung, Ralph Wing Jung, Ming B. Wing, Jake Fong, Pow-Hen L. Lee, Hang C. Young, Paul Toy, Sik Woo Ting. prgtoken James S. Louie, Dun S. Mark, Ming K. Ngee, Going G. Ju, Dunai Harry Yee, Richard D. Lem, Fan G. Ngee, James Lum, Ng Way Yee, Sing Shang Ching, Hol Yook Wong, George Jung, Mun Pon Wong. prgtoken In 2018, Congress passed and the President signed into law S. 1050-- The Chinese-American World War II Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act, which authorized the Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to these individuals in recognition for both their service to our Nation during a time at war and to our Nation's Chinese American community. Not only did they help in defeating our Nation's enemies, but they overcame the many challenges they and their families had due to the existence of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. As a matter of fact, 40% of the Chinese who served were not even citizens of the United States at the time. It was not that they did not want to become citizens, but that they were denied that right under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. However, due to their service and sacrifices for our Nation during WWII, Congress finally repealed this unjust law in 1943. This laid the groundwork for many of our Veterans to return home after the war and to attain the opportunities that they rightfully earned in their military service to our Nation. prgtoken I would respectfully like our Congress today to show our appreciation and gratitude to these great Americans. We will always remember and treasure their personal sacrifices and contributions to our Nation.
RECOGNIZING WWII VETERAN, DEAN McKINLEY
Van Taylor (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , today I rise to recognize WWII Veteran, Dean McKinley. prgtoken Born in 1920, McKinley would lose his father as an infant. Determined to succeed at a young age, Dean took a typing and shorthand course, which would set the stage for his future career. prgtoken Following his graduation from high school in 1937, Dean would make the decision to sign up for the Selected Service. However, due to asthma, Dean was unable to pass the physical exam, excluding him from the draft. Yet, his condition did not deter him from serving his country. After undergoing chiropractic treatments, Dean's asthma was alleviated, allowing him to apply for the Marine Corps in December of 1942--the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. prgtoken While stationed in San Diego prior to his unit shipping out to Japan, Dean would take on the role of court reporter for the Board of Inquiry after the tragic suicide of a fellow Marine Officer. The typing and shorthand course taken in his youth unexpectedly proved to be useful as Dean was the only one in his unit able to write shorthand. When presented with Dean's work, the General promoted him on the spot. In as little as two years, Dean would earn promotions to the ranks of Senior Tech, Master Sergeant, and Aviation West Coast which was an unheard of upward-mobility. Impressively, Dean would go on to serve as the General's Stenographer and Secretary. prgtoken After contracting malaria while stationed in New Zealand, Dean was discharged from the Marines and returned to the States where he would many his wife, Marvel. Dean and Marvel have been married for over 77 years and can still be found playing bridge together every week. prgtoken Following his time in the military, Dean would begin his career as a chiropractor, devoting 43 years of his life to the very practice that provided him the opportunity to serve his country. prgtoken Now as we recognize Dean McKinley, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring his sacrifice and service.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5376, BUILD BACK BETTER ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-11-5

. Madam , if the previous question is defeated, we will take up the Illegal Immigrant Payoff Prohibition Act. prgtoken Last week, our Nation was stunned by the revelation that the administration is about to use our tax dollars to pay thousands of illegal immigrants $450,000 apiece and up to a million dollars per family. prgtoken Why? Because they were separated from their minor child when they were arrested for the crime of crossing our border illegally. prgtoken Now, remember, any American citizen arrested with a child is immediately separated from that child. The adult goes to jail, the minor is taken into protective custody. That is what happened. prgtoken The penalty for illegal entry is supposed to be a fine and prison. The are literally changing it into a million-dollar jackpot. prgtoken This administration has already made a mockery of our immigration laws by refusing to enforce them. This has now produced the greatest illegal border incursion in our country's history. prgtoken Working- and middle-class Americans are the most harmed by this because it is their wages that are depressed by flooding the market with low-wage labor. It is their classrooms that are strained with non- English-speaking students. It is their emergency rooms that are overwhelmed by illegal immigrants demanding basic services. It is their communities that are made more dangerous as gang activity increases and criminal, illegal aliens are released back into their neighborhoods. prgtoken And now, to add insult to injury, the propose taking their tax dollars to make thousands of lawbreakers fabulously wealthy as an apology for President actually enforcing our laws and securing our border. That is insane. prgtoken The American people understand that quite clearly. s will not allow this twisted travesty to go unchallenged. If there are any sane left in this House, I invite them to join us by voting ``no'' on the previous question.
REMEMBERING GENERAL RAYMOND T. ODIERNO, NJ-11 NATIVE AND BRAVE MILITARY LEADER FOR OVER FOUR DECADES
Mikie Sherrill (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2021-11-9

. Madam , I rise to recognize General Raymond Thomas Odierno, former Chief of Staff for the Army and a native of Rockaway in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, General Odierno began his service to our country as a young man attending the United States Military Academy at West Point and went on to serve our nation for the majority of his life. prgtoken He was commissioned as an officer in the Army in 1976, serving around the world to protect and defend our nation's Constitution and values. Most notably, General Odierno served three tours in Iraq, including commanding the 4th Infantry Division on his first tour in 2003, which played a major role in the capture of Saddam Hussein. prgtoken In 2011, General Odierno was selected to be the Army's Chief of Staff, the highest ranking general in the Army. In this role, he guided the Army through the final withdrawal of troops from Iraq, addressed issues facing our troops including rising rates of suicide, and handled crises such as the Ebola outbreak in 2014. prgtoken General Odierno's strength, strategic thinking, and commitment to service were unmatched and our country is safer because of him. He was a beloved community member of NJ-11. Whenever he returned to his hometown in Morris County, he gave back to the local community, including by meeting with the next generation of leaders at the local schools. prgtoken General Odierno passed away on October 8th after a valiant battle with cancer. He will be missed by his family, friends, the NJ-11 community, and fellow servicemembers and veterans.
INTRODUCTION OF THE PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2021-11-9

. Madam , today, I introduce the Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act. This bill recognizes one of the first influential African-American poets in American literature and benefits the Dunbar Alumni Federation, the alumni association for the Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School in the District of Columbia, which is historic for being the first public high school for African Americans in the United States. I myself am a proud graduate of Dunbar, a storied African-American high school in our country. prgtoken Paul Laurence Dunbar was born on June 27, 1872, to freed slaves, and went on to pen such classics as Majors and Minors and Lyrics of Lowly Life. He also composed the lyrics to In Dahomey, the first all-African- American musical produced on Broadway. By the late 1890s, Dunbar had become a prominent author, having had his poems published in major national newspapers, including The New York Times. Dunbar died on February 9, 1906, at age 33. prgtoken Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School was established in 1870 as the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth. It was the first college preparatory high school for African-American children in the United States. The school was renamed for Dunbar in 1916. prgtoken The Dunbar Alumni Federation was organized in 2002 to provide scholarships and other financial support to students and graduates of Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School. The Federation has alumni from more than 35 graduating classes, and supports the school through its scholarship efforts, community activities and other endeavors. prgtoken This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 50,000 five-dollar coins, 400,000 one-dollar coins and 750,000 half-dollar coins, with a surcharge on each coin. The surcharges will benefit the scholarships and similar activities of the Dunbar Alumni Federation. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
JUDGE JAMES PEREZ POST OFFICE
J. Luis Correa (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-11-9

. Madam , I rise today in honor and memory of the Honorable Judge James Ortega Perez who was from Santa Ana, California in my district. He was the first Latino judge appointed in Orange County. prgtoken As a child, in July of 1932, his family moved to Santa Ana, California where his father pursued new employment opportunities after working as a blacksmith in the copper mines. Judge Perez attended Santa Ana High School and was working in the tomato fields in Southern California when he was drafted. He proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corp from 1944 to 1946 as a Technical Sergeant. prgtoken Upon returning home from WWII, he enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1951. In 1955, he earned a J.D. at University of Southern California's Gould School of Law. Judge James Perez achieved many firsts for the Latino community and his honorary work in the legal field paved the way for Latino representation in Orange County. After passing the bar exam, he was the first Latino attorney in Orange County. prgtoken In December 1966, Governor Pat Brown appointed him to be a judge of the Orange County Municipal Court. Nine years later, in December of 1975, Governor Jerry Brown elevated him to the Orange County Superior Court. He held his title as Superior Court judge for 11 years and retired in 1987. In 1994, he was asked to come back to fill in on a part-time basis. prgtoken Afterwards, he went on to become the first Latino judge to serve on the Orange County Municipal Court and the first Latino judge to serve on the Orange County Superior Court. Two of his sons, Honorable Judge Michael Perez and Honorable Judge Joe T. Perez, are current Orange County Superior Court judges. prgtoken Therefore, to honor his service to our nation, I am introducing legislation to name the facility of the United States Postal Service located on 615 North Street in Santa Ana, California as the Judge James Perez Post Office. prgtoken I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring the memory of Judge James Perez by supporting my legislation to name a Post Office facility in Santa Ana, California so that his devotion to his country and the legal community may be remembered.