mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-4-19

. Heidi Stevens' column in the Tribune points out that the media often subjectively defines and covers what it considers to be mass shootings. All too often, mass shootings in communities of color are left out of the coverage, and this is wrong. It is unfair. It is nothing short of an outrage. It needs to change. prgtoken We need to understand the full scope of this crisis that is killing so many Americans, with reliable, objective data that is quickly made available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention keeps count, but there is a time lag with its data on firearm deaths and injuries. Right now, the latest official CDC report on gun deaths is from the year 2019. There is a website, though, Gun Violence Archive, that keeps track of shooting incidents virtually on a realtime basis. prgtoken I believe that news coverage of mass shootings in America should use the definition and statistics provided by the Gun Violence Archive. They define a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are shot and either killed or injured, not including the shooter. It is a purely numerical standard. It is not subjective. According to the Gun Violence Archive's definition--I want to put this on the record in the Senate--so far this year, by its definition, there have been 153 mass shootings. Yet we are only 109 days into the year. Nine of this year's mass shootings so far have taken place in Chicago. Four people have been fatally shot in these shootings, and 50 have been injured. It is important to gather this data as quickly as possible so that we can respond effectively. prgtoken Last week, I spoke on the floor and commended President for speaking out. He recently announced an important set of Executive actions on gun violence: steps to limit untraceable ghost guns, help for States to pursue extreme risk protection orders. Incidentally, the State law in Indiana was not, apparently, solid enough or tamperproof enough and was overcome there by the latest mass shooting. There is the reporting on firearms trafficking patterns and nominating experienced veteran David Chipman to be the first Senate-confirmed Director of that Agency since 2015. prgtoken You see, many of the critics of gun safety legislation say to just enforce the laws we have, but if you have been around the Senate for more than 15 prgtoken minutes, you will realize the Agency that has a major responsibility in that, the ATF, is notorious for being underfunded, understaffed, and going without leadership. That is part of the design of the people who really don't even want to see the laws enforced. prgtoken I am particularly encouraged by President 's commitment to providing Federal resources for community violence interdiction programs through the American Jobs Plan and other grant programs. This is the type of serious investment we need to tackle this crisis. This President is taking constitutional, commonsense steps to reduce gun vio
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2021-4-19

I want to share with my colleagues some information regarding the Reconnecting Communities Act, a bill that I have introduced today along with my colleagues Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Cardin, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Schumer and Mr. Coons. This legislation would address the legacy of highway construction built through communities, especially through low-income communities and communities of color, which divided neighborhoods and erected barriers to mobility and opportunity. This legislation implements a central piece of President 's American Jobs Plan, which calls for new Federal funding to address the need to remove infrastructure barriers in communities that have been historically disadvantaged and disconnected. prgtoken The construction of our interstate highway system throughout the 20th Century had many positive aspects. It facilitated commerce and travel from coast to coast and connected our urban, suburban and rural areas. However, the construction of highways through established neighborhoods and cities also had a detrimental impact on the people who called those places home. prgtoken Blocks of homes were torn down and vibrant commercial streets razed to make way for new highway construction, often without any input from the people who actually lived, worked, and owned businesses there. Many of these neighborhoods never fully recovered, and the highways divided cities, making it difficult to get from one side to the other. This stifled economic development and opportunity for those who were left behind. prgtoken In the 1950s and 60s, the construction of I-95 through Wilmington, Delaware resulted in the demolition of homes, churches, and businesses, and cut off neighbors from each other. The ability to easily walk to the store or to church, or to have a sense of community that living in a vibrant city brings, was destroyed for many people who lived near that path of the interstate. And this is not unique to Wilmington. From Baltimore to New Orleans, cities across the country are grappling with what to do with aging interstates blighting their neighborhoods. prgtoken The Reconnecting Communities Act is designed to address this legacy of our highway system by funding projects that would remove or reimagine infrastructure barriers, including elevated highway overpasses and highways that were built below grade. The bill would authorize $15 billion over the next five years to establish a new federal grant program at the Department of Transportation to help States and local entities with planning, construction and local capacity building. Specifically, it would do the following: prgtoken First, the bill would provide grants to local and Tribal governments, Metropolitan Planning Organizations and non-profits, to help foster a greater capacity for local communities to participate in the planning and decision-making process for transportation and economic development project
ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2021
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-4-19

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m Tuesday, April 20; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of S. 937, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes legislation; that at 12 noon, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Gensler nomination and the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination; that the Senate recess following the cloture vote on the Gensler nomination until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings; further, that if cloture is invoked on the Gensler nomination, all postcloture time be considered expired at 2:15 p.m.; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; finally, that following the confirmation vote, the Senate resume legislative session.
YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE ACT OF 2021
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-4-19

. Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 965, the Young African Leaders Initiative Act of 2021, introduced by my good friend and Chairwoman of the Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights Subcommittee, Congresswoman Karen Bass. Her leadership both on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and on this bill is unparalleled, and I am honored to speak on her behalf today. prgtoken I also wish to thank Chairman Meeks and ranking Member McCaul for bringing this important legislation to the House floor. prgtoken The YALI Act of 2021, is a bipartisan bill that seeks to build the capacity of young African leaders in Africa in the areas of civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and business development by: prgtoken Offering professional development and a global network to share expertise, including in the areas of civic leadership, elections, human rights, good governance, and public management; prgtoken Providing increased economic and technical assistance to young leaders and entrepreneurs; and strengthening business and economic ties between the United States and the continent; prgtoken Awarding Mandela Washington Fellowships to young leaders who have had a positive impact in their communities and demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership; prgtoken Establishing regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan Africa allowing young leaders to strengthen their skills and aptitude in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership. prgtoken The YALI program has two vital components that will be carried out by participants in the program. The U.S.-based component led by the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator for USAID will include the following: prgtoken The Mandela Washington Fellows will participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S.-based university or college focusing on business, civic engagement, or public management. The sessions will include professional networking opportunities, community service, cultural activities, academic learning, and leadership training. prgtoken The Mandela Washington Fellows will also participate in the annual Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit held in Washington, D.C which will provide an opportunity to meet with U.S. leaders from the private, public, and NGO sectors. prgtoken The YALI program was built on the premise of young leaders strengthening their knowledge and skills at U.S. institutions, connecting with other Africans from different regions and countries in Africa, and ensuring young leaders can harness their skills and take them back to their home countries while strengthening their own business, public, and civic spaces. prgtoken The YALI Act of 2021 would also continue to allow the United States to support and help strengthen the Africa-based component of the program including: prgtoken Quality leadership training, professional development, networking, and online courses for Mandela Washington Fel
COVID-19 HATE CRIMES ACT--Continued
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2021-4-20

today I come to the floor to talk about what is very obvious on television--the crisis at the southern border. prgtoken During the past several months, the American people have watched as a full-blown crisis has developed. It has reached a catastrophic phase, and it is not getting any better. prgtoken Let me reemphasize that whatever the administration wants to call it, it is a crisis. Simply put, the administration is in denial, and that denial has caused a humanitarian and national crisis. For example, border crossings are at the highest level we have seen in the last 15 years. Last month, Customs and Border Patrol, Border Protection, encountered more than 170,000 people attempting to cross at the southern border. That number includes almost 19,000 unaccompanied children, which is the highest number ever recorded in a single month. prgtoken The surge has overwhelmed personnel and prompted the administration to put out--would you believe this?--emergency calls for volunteers. They did that from across the Federal Government. According to news reports based on recent administration emails, the administration is recruiting NASA employees to sit with children at border facilities. Really? That is NASA. The border crisis is so bad that the administration is trying to pull people from NASA and place them at the border. prgtoken My fellow Senators, this situation is out of control. This is a humanitarian and national security crisis. Terrorists, smugglers, criminals have seen this as their golden opportunity, and they are surely taking advantage of it. prgtoken This can't continue. I have written to the administration. I have visited the border in person. I have seen overwhelmed facilities. I have heard the calls of the cartel members and human traffickers yelling insults from across the Rio Grande, taunting Senators--yes, taunting Senators. prgtoken Senator Cornyn and I have written to the chairman of the Judiciary Committee strongly urging him to hold border security hearings. During the administration, while I served as chairman of the full committee and Senator Cornyn served as subcommittee chairman, we held no less than 15 hearings on oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and various aspects of our immigration policy. As chairman of the committee during the first 2 years of the administration, I held hearings on immigration topics of bipartisan interest to all committee members, including ic committee members. Those hearings included oversight of family reunification efforts and the administration's decision to end DACA programs. prgtoken In that very same way, I am hopeful that Chairman Durbin will be willing to hold hearings on matters of great importance to me and committee members on both sides of the aisle. I am ready to work with him to put together hearings that address these problems productively. prgtoken During the Easter
COVID-19 HATE CRIMES ACT--Continued
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2021-4-20

last fall, there was a concern among many around the country, many voters, that if elected-- in the House, the Senate, and the White House--if they had the whole of government, they would try to implement massive change, transformative change, as it was described. There was a consistent view articulated by in other places around the country that it would never happen because , after all, is a moderate. These ideas are crazy ideas. Nobody would ever do some of the things that are being talked about. prgtoken Well, I have to say that pretty much everything that was predicted is now coming true, at least as it pertains to legislation that is being advanced by here in the Congress and by the White House, starting, of course, with the massive amount of spending, the massive expansion of the government. prgtoken We saw that with the coronavirus relief bill, which ended up being about $2 trillion. That was on top of the $4 trillion that Congress, in a bipartisan way last year, had put toward coronavirus relief. Much of that $2 trillion--in fact, most of it, about 90 percent of it--didn't have anything to do with coronavirus. Only about 10 percent of all that spending of nearly $2 trillion was actually related to the coronavirus. Most of it was other things that had wanted to fund, that had been on their wish list, if you will, for some time, and expansion of government. prgtoken Well, if that weren't enough, there is now talk of an ``infrastructure'' bill that would spend on the order of another $2.5 to $3 trillion--again, much of which is unrelated to infrastructure. If you define ``infrastructure'' simply as roads and bridges, things that most people think of as infrastructure, the number that has been used is 6 percent of that entire bill is about infrastructure. If you add in broadband and a few other things, it gets slightly higher than that. prgtoken The point is that most of the spending in this bill is unrelated to infrastructure. It is another $2.5 to $3 trillion expansion of government, new spending financed--some with tax increases but a lot of it just adding to the debt, just putting it on the credit card and handing the bill to our children and grandchildren, something that has been routinely done around here for a long time. prgtoken , what I think people should find concerning is that the worst fears predicted about what the left might do if in charge of this country are, in fact, coming true. Much of this new spending--by the way, the infrastructure bill is a first installment. There is another bill to follow, we are told, that would include more trillions in spending, dealing with other issues, including healthcare. prgtoken You have this massive expansion of government, massive amount of new spending, unprecedented, truly unprecedented in history, coupled with massive tax hikes, also unprecedented. What is being t
TRIBUTE TO JOHN SHEPLER
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2021-4-20

I rise today to honor John Shepler, an outstanding public servant who has served both my office and the citizens of West Virginia well in his 21-year career with the Internal Revenue Service. John is retiring from his position as taxpayer advocate in order to spend more time with his family and enjoy the next stage of his life. prgtoken During his 10 years as taxpayer advocate, John was a valuable resource to my office and West Virginia's citizens. He was well informed, quick to respond, and straightforward in his dealings as he advocated on behalf of his clients. He was a dedicated employee, fully committed to his many responsibilities. He was a pleasure to work with, and my staff were always confident that John was providing top-level service, regardless of the issue. prgtoken John also served his country through his military service with the U.S. Air Force, serving 6 years as a missile facilities specialist. A dedicated public servant, John has served his country and his community continually throughout his adult life. prgtoken John is the proud parent of daughter and a son, living in Little Hocking, OH, and Houston, TX, respectively. I am sure he is looking forward to spending more time with his five grandchildren, as well as with his favorite pastimes: hunting deer and turkey, fishing, and camping. prgtoken I would like to thank John for his service and wish him well in his next phase of life. My staff will miss working with him at the IRS, but we are all happy that we had him as long as we did to provide excellent service to the citizens of West Virginia. Good Luck, John. Thank you again for your commitment to our State.
THE SOUTHERN BORDER
Michael Guest (Republican, MS) \u2014 2021-4-20

since mid-January we have seen a surge of immigrants coming into the country along our southwest border. The numbers are staggering, and the situation along the border continues to deteriorate daily. In March, over 172,000 individuals were encountered by law enforcement, the highest number of monthly encounters in the last 15 years. prgtoken Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the border and met with both Federal and State law enforcement officers. We heard repeatedly that recent changes by the administration have driven the overwhelming surge. prgtoken Lost in the border conversation is the incredible amount of resources being diverted to try and manage the immigrants we are encountering. This shift in resources is being exploited by drug cartels who continue to use the southwest border as the primary pipeline to bring cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the country. prgtoken The question can no longer be: Is there a crisis along the border? prgtoken But instead it should be: How long will the crisis last, and how bad must the crisis become before the President will act?
TRAINING IN HIGH-DEMAND ROLES TO IMPROVE VETERAN EMPLOYMENT ACT
Mike Bost (Republican, IL) \u2014 2021-4-20

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise today in support of H.R. 2523, as amended, the Training in High-Demand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act, or THRIVE Act. prgtoken This legislation would make needed improvements to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. It would also make several technical corrections to the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Improvement Act of 2020. prgtoken COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our economy. It has closed small businesses across the country and left millions of Americans unemployed. That includes an estimated half a million veterans. Before the pandemic, the veterans unemployment rate was at a near record low. Today, it is almost double that. prgtoken We must help our veterans get back to work. I introduced the Veterans Economic Recovery Act earlier this year to do just that. That bill created the Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program, or V-RAP. V- RAP allows veterans who are unemployed because of COVID-19 to receive rapid retraining to compete for high-demand jobs. prgtoken The bulk of the Veterans Economic Recovery Act was enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan. Unfortunately, because Pelosi used the reconciliation process to pass the ARP, there were several provisions of V-RAP that were not included. That is why I was pleased to work with Chairman Levin on the bill before us today. It would finish the job and ensure that V-RAP is set up for success. prgtoken Specifically, the THRIVE Act would allow the VA to add jobs to the in-demand occupations list so the training leads to meaningful employment; require the VA to work with the Department of Labor and nonprofit organizations to ensure that V-RAP participants are provided employment services once their training is over; require the GAO to report on the overall effectiveness of V-RAP; and make changes to how the VA pays schools for training that participants receive so that it can be used by the veterans very quickly. prgtoken While I am glad the changes are being made, it is unfortunate they were not initially addressed in the ARP. prgtoken The THRIVE Act also includes the text of the bill by Representative Torres of California. Her bill would add information to the GI Bill comparison tool to let the veterans know if schools have a religious affiliation or have historically served a particular minority population. This will help veterans be better informed when they decide to use their GI Bill benefits. prgtoken I thank Representative Torres for her work, and I am glad that we were able to include her legislation in this bill. prgtoken I am grateful to Chairman Takano and Congressman Levin for working with me on the THRIVE Act. I am confident that it will help veterans get back on their feet. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support it, and .
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 51, WASHINGTON, D.C. ADMISSION ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1573, ACCESS TO COUNSEL ACT OF 2021; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1333, NATIONAL...
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2021-4-20

. Madam , the underlying legislation we are considering in this rule is extremely alarming. We have two out-of- touch immigration bills that do nothing to address our current immigration crisis, and then we have a partisan priority that reeks of the swamp and is simply unconstitutional. prgtoken H.R. 1333 restricts any President's authority to suspend entry into the United States from certain foreign nationals for national security or public health reasons putting the safety of Americans at risk. prgtoken With H.R. 1573, it appears my colleagues on the other side of the aisle plan to address the crisis at our southern border by sending in the lawyers. President created this crisis with his policies, and this bill just continues to encourage more people to come and cross our border illegally. prgtoken We wrap up this rule with the most ridiculous legislation of all, the unconstitutional H.R. 51. Our Founders envisioned our Nation's Capitol set apart from the States and enshrined that in our Constitution. No action by this body can make Washington, D.C. a State, nor is there a reason to take such action other than to ensure the ic Party receives two more seats in the United States Senate. prgtoken Madam , I stand in opposition to the underlying bill, and I urge my colleagues to vote against the rule.