mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NOMINATION OF XAVIER BECERRA
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2021-3-17

today I rise to speak in support of Xavier Becerra's nomination to serve s Secretary of Health and Human Services, HHS. prgtoken Attorney General Becerra will bring a fresh perspective to HHS at a critical time during this pandemic. While there is light at the end of the tunnel with the distribution of the corona virus vaccines, there is still work to do to end this pandemic and put our country on a road to recovery, and that is where Attorney General Becerra's leadership will be crucial. prgtoken Attorney General Becerra's 12 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives gave him a solid foundation in knowing how to set agendas and achieve results, which we saw deployed in his work as a key leader on the Committee on Ways and Means ranking member of the Subcommittee on Social Security, and chair of the House ic caucus. prgtoken He helped to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program, modernize and strengthen Medicare, and helped pass the Affordable Care Act. His commitment to the letter and spirit of this law is something he carried into his role as California attorney general, fighting to maintain his State's ability to bring millions of previously uninsured residents under the Affordable Care Act's umbrella. prgtoken Last November, he led the defense of the Affordable Care Act in the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of 20 States and the District of Columbia. His tweet after the oral arguments concisely sums up the national importance of his effort: ``The ACA saves lives. It is the law of the land.'' He brings a strong commitment to using the law and regulatory tools to make access to health care and other vital services equitable--the very thing that makes our Nation strong. prgtoken I look forward to working with him on ensuring that everyone has access to quality and affordable healthcare, and I know he will be a partner in the fight against the corona virus and our goal of getting all eligible Americans vaccinated, even in hard-to-reach areas. prgtoken Last week, President signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act, which included major funding to address the--Nation's worsening mental health and addiction crisis. This is a high priority of mine and an issue which Attorney General Becerra has firsthand experience. He started his career as a legal aid attorney in Massachusetts, supporting clients contending with mental health issues. I am eager to work with him on this issue. prgtoken Addressing the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs is another area where Attorney General Becerra has shown key leadership. He and I share a belief that fairer competition means prgtoken increased access to affordable prescription drugs and better public health. As California attorney general, he investigated and brought enforcement actions against drug manufacturers' anti-competitive business practices to help reduce drug prices and ensure that people have access to the drugs they need. In Mar
NOMINATION OF XAVIER BECERRA
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-3-17

I rise today in support of Xavier Becerra's nomination to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. prgtoken I am proud to have known Xavier Becerra for many years as both a friend and colleague. He has spent decades serving California, including as the State's attorney general and as a 12-term Congressman from Los Angeles. prgtoken Mr. Becerra was the first in his family to receive a 4-year college degree, earning his bachelor of arts in economics from Stanford University and, later, his juris doctorate from Stanford Law School. As a member of the House of Representatives, he was a strong advocate for the healthcare of his constituents and fought to make the Affordable Care Act law. And as California attorney general he has been a staunch defender of the Affordable Care Act, leading 20 States and the District of Columbia in defense of the Affordable Care Act before the Supreme Court. prgtoken As part of his focus on protecting the health of Americans, Mr. Becerra has worked on a bipartisan basis with multistate coalitions of attorneys general on issues still affecting our country today. These include the need to reduce youth exposure to tobacco products like e- cigarettes, increasing access to COVID-19 treatments, as well as addressing the opioid epidemic and the considerable harm it has caused families. prgtoken As our State's attorney general, Mr. Becerra has led the Nation's second largest department of justice behind only the U.S. Department of Justice. His experience leading large and diverse organizations will position him to successfully lead the Department of Health and Human Services, which is the Nation's largest Federal agency by budget. prgtoken As Secretary, he will lead the Nation's top health agency charged with enhancing the health and well-being of all Americans. In this global pandemic, he will play a lead role in overseeing the implementation of President 's national strategy for COVID-19 response, which is vital to defeating the virus that has plagued our country for far too long. His history-making nomination as the first Latino to manage this Department comes at a time when this pandemic is affecting communities of color at much higher rates than white Americans. And those of us who know him personally know the level of his concern and the strength of his dedication to protect the health and safety of all hard-working Americans and their families. prgtoken In short, Xavier Becerra is the right candidate to lead the Department of Health and Human Services at this time, and I strongly urge the Senate to confirm his nomination. Thank you.
REMOVING THE DEADLINE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-3-17

. Madam , I rise today in strong support of removing this arbitrary time limit for ratifying the equal rights amendment. prgtoken I ask all my colleagues: Are we going to tell our mothers, our sisters, daughters, nieces, and granddaughters that there is an expiration date on equality? I hope that answer is no. prgtoken This pandemic has only worsened the inequality that women are facing, especially women of color. Making the equal rights amendment a part of our Constitution guarantees that men and women are truly treated equal under the law. prgtoken Today, the House can send a clear message that we will not tolerate sexual discrimination, that gender equality should be the law of the land.
Confirmation of Katherine C. Tai (Executive Calendar)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-3-17

for decades, Ohio workers have watched the spread of a corporate business model where companies shut down production in Toledo or Dayton or Gallipolis or Youngstown. They collected a tax break to move jobs to Mexico or China where they can exploit workers only to sell their products back into the United States. Ohioans live with those consequences every day. prgtoken Last week, 81 workers in Bucyrus, OH, had their jobs outsourced to China, where GE-Savant moved production of its high-efficiency light bulbs overseas. Now, 81 union workers are facing tough conversations at the kitchen tables: How will their families survive; will they fall behind on their rent or their mortgage; do they move away with their kids; will their kids have to change schools--all those decisions that families have to make when workers or when plants shut down and move overseas. prgtoken The Presiding Officer from Wisconsin has been involved in this fight ever since her career began in the House 20-plus years ago, and I have worked alongside with her to make sure that we have a different trade policy. But when one production line closes, the ripple effect extends, as we know, to the whole community, to other workers and communities in the supply chain. prgtoken Yesterday, people in Northeast Ohio, in the Cleveland area, woke up to headlines about yet another American corporation deciding to build things in Mexico instead of Ohio with Ford breaking its promise to invest $900 million in Avon Lake. prgtoken I got a call 2 days ago from a smalltown mayor, John Hunter, mayor of Sheffield Lake, OH, a longtime Ford--he was a Ford worker, retired, now mayor of Sheffield Village. He talked about how Ford had promised, at the bargaining table in 2019, that they would invest $900 million in this Avon Lake plant. Ohioans are tired of watching corporation after corporation abandon the workers and communities that have made their businesses successful. prgtoken We are being told that production of cheap, simple products will be shipped overseas, while innovative, high-value products will be made in the United States by American workers. We see in Bucyrus, we see in Avon Lake that that is just not true, and we are sick of it. Our trade policy has to change. prgtoken That is why today was a good day for this country. Katherine Tai was confirmed by this body 98 to nothing. She understands trade policy. She is the right leader to take us in a new direction on trade with American workers at the center. She is a serious expert. She is respected on both sides of the aisle. We saw that in that vote today. She has a proven track record of making progress for workers. prgtoken Last year, I voted for a trade agreement for the first time ever in my career because of our work with Senator Wyden to fix the administration's corporate trade agreement. He said it was a new NAFTA. It was really a tired, old, mostly the same NAFTA, rebranded as US
MANAGING THE CRISIS ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-3-17

I thank the gentleman from Virginia for his remarks. He talked about the incentives. We talked about cause and effect, and we talked about the consequences of bad policies. prgtoken , we have had double the apprehensions this year in January over last year in 2020, well over twice as many illegal crossings in the month of February. We are now 5,000-plus a day of people pouring into this country, 500 a day of illegal minors trafficked here by the cartels. And the CBP tells us that there will be over 120,000 by the end of the year. It will be a record year. Those are the results. And the facts don't lie, whether this President or our colleagues believe it or not. prgtoken , from the great State of Texas (Mr. Babin), who represents Texas 36th Congressional District.
REMOVING THE DEADLINE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-3-17

. Madam , nearly a half century ago, Congress passed the equal rights amendment and sent it to the States with a 7- year deadline for ratification. When that deadline expired in 1979, it was three States short of passage. prgtoken Many States rejected it because it was duplicative of the Fifth and 14th Amendments to the Constitution. Our Constitution already guarantees that all Americans receive equal protection under the law, and indeed these provisions have driven our progress as a society. prgtoken More importantly, many felt that the ERA would unleash a crippling avalanche of activist litigation that could have unforeseen and unintended implications to issues ranging from abortion to freedom of conscience and freedom of speech. prgtoken Today, 50 years after its adoption, the propose to retroactively amend the ERA to remove its deadline. They argue that Congress can alter amendments it has sent to the States, even a half century later, and yet still count their ratification votes from a half century ago. prgtoken This would allow them to add three States that voted to ratify long after the deadline was passed for the very amendment that established that deadline. prgtoken Of course, they don't explain how to deal with the five States that have since rescinded their ratification votes. prgtoken The courts have already ruled against this approach as brazenly unconstitutional. prgtoken As Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an ardent supporter of the ERA, pointed out a few years ago: ``So, if you count a latecomer on the plus side, how can you disregard States that said, `We've changed our minds?''' prgtoken If the majority were serious, it would reintroduce the ERA and debate it openly and constitutionally, as Justice Ginsburg suggested. They won't, because they know that in the nearly half century that has passed since the ERA was proposed, the world itself has passed them by.
Protect and Serve Act (Executive Calendar)
Thom Tillis (Republican, NC) \u2014 2021-3-17

I rise in support of the brave, hard- working men and women who serve as law enforcement officers in our communities across the Nation. Men and women in law enforcement risk life and limb every day to protect public safety and preserve the rule of law. They truly are American heroes. prgtoken In recognition of their remarkable service and sacrifice, I am reintroducing the Protect and Serve Act. I hope every Senator agrees we must do everything we can to support the men and women in blue. I also call on my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation. It is my hope that this legislation will unite us on a bipartisan basis to support those heroes who keep us safe. prgtoken I can think of no better example of why we need this legislation than the events of January 6, right here in this Chamber and across the Capitol. While a ruthless, anarchist mob sought to disrupt and destroy our democracy, Capitol Police officers bravely kept us safe from harm while they were being viciously attacked by the violent mob. Many of my colleagues saw this firsthand while they were getting us into a safe position as the events unfolded that day. prgtoken Because this attack occurred in DC, though, there are only limited laws in place to prosecute those who would assault a law enforcement officer. Under current law, a criminal who assaults a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon or who inflicts bodily injury could receive anywhere from a fine to 20 years in prison. Under the Protect and Serve Act, these violent criminals will receive an additional 10 years in prison if they assault an officer, and if they murder or kidnap a law enforcement officer, they could be given life sentences. prgtoken This would apply not only to Federal law enforcement and Federal properties, but it could also be used to prosecute criminals at the State and local levels who target law enforcement officers. This Federal law would ensure prgtoken that prosecutors have every tool available to punish those who attack the men and women in blue. prgtoken Nationwide in 2020, 47 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty, and over 300 were shot. Three of those murdered officers were right in my home State of North Carolina. So far in 2021, 14 officers have been killed in the line of duty, and over 50 have been shot. Countless others have been assaulted. prgtoken The year 2020 saw the rise of radical ideas like abolishing the police, which fueled distrust and disdain for our brave men and women in blue. Even while Americans of all views are calling for transparency and accountability, the ideas of abolishing and defunding the police only serve to deepen the divide in our country and our communities. prgtoken It is sad that Congress even needs to consider a bill to protect law enforcement officers. The heated rhetoric and the violent attacks on officers are having real world impacts beyond just the safety of our law enforcement co
Nomination of Xavier Becerra (Executive Calendar)
Ted Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-3-17

I rise to oppose the nomination of Xavier Becerra for Secretary of Health and Human Services. prgtoken There are, unfortunately, numerous nominees in the administration who are either extreme or unqualified for the positions for which they have been nominated, but of all of those nominees, I believe Mr. Becerra is the single worst Cabinet nominee put forward by to serve in the Cabinet. prgtoken President has told this country repeatedly that his top priority is defeating the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Health and Human Services is on the frontline in fighting COVID-19. Mr. Becerra, by any measure, is woefully unqualified to lead that Department. prgtoken Mr. Becerra is not a doctor. Mr. Becerra is not a scientist. Mr. Becerra has no healthcare experience whatsoever. He has no medical experience whatsoever. He has no experience in virology. He has no experience with pharmaceuticals. He has no experience running a State or local healthcare agency. He has no experience in logistics. The Department of HHS is in the process of distributing and administering hundreds of millions of vaccines. Mr. Becerra has never so much as distributed french fries at a McDonald's. prgtoken Mr. Becerra's only qualification and, indeed, the qualification that earned him this nomination is he is a radical, leftwing trial attorney. prgtoken If a President had nominated as the head of the Health and Human Services Agency someone with zero healthcare experience, zero medical experience, zero pharmaceutical experience in the midst of a global pandemic, that President would have been laughed out of the room. prgtoken If a President had done that, all of the would have been lined up here thundering: This is a President that doesn't care about science. We would have heard telling us: This is a President for whom defeating COVID-19 is not a priority, is not serious. ``This is a President,'' our ic colleagues would have told us, ``who puts partisan priorities above defeating the public health menace of COVID-19. This is a President who is more concerned about appeasing his radical base than he is about protecting the public health and safety of Americans.'' prgtoken Had a President nominated a nominee as unqualified as Mr. Becerra, I feel confident the would not have been alone. We would see multiple Senators standing up, saying: No. We should actually have an HHS Secretary who knows something about science. We should have an HHS Secretary who knows something about medicine, something about pharmaceuticals. prgtoken I would note, by the way, President nominated two HHS Secretaries. The first, Dr. Tom Price, was a medical doctor; the second, Alex Azar, was president of a major pharmaceutical company in the United States. Both had years and even decades of healthcare experience. prgtoken As best I can
Sunshine Week (Executive Calendar)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2021-3-17

about 4 weeks ago, it got cold in Oklahoma--really cold. My house was at negative 14 degrees. Now, Senator Steve Daines from Montana is used to that, but in Oklahoma we are not used to negative 14 degrees. It was overcast, snowy, cold. Then, the sun broke through, and we had a day when it got up to 30 degrees. It was like everyone was going to the park. It felt so nice because the sun was out, even though it was cold. prgtoken Sunshine has a great way of making everyone lift and look around and say: Where has that been? prgtoken I think that happens in the Federal Government as well. prgtoken I thank Senator Joni Ernst for hosting what she is calling Sunshine Week to be able to say: What are we doing to put a little light into the Federal process to be able to make sure people can see into some of these programs? Because all the time I hear from people, and when something comes on the news, they will say: Where did that come from prgtoken I will say: That was poked in some bill that probably no one read. prgtoken I will give you an example of it. Two weeks ago, when the ``COVID'' bill passed with almost $2 trillion in spending, I already had folks come back to me saying: I am grateful for that $70 million for the Small Business Administration to increase some of the loans by $70 million. prgtoken I said: Great. Do you know how much the administrative cost was on that $70 million program? prgtoken The answer is $390 million in administrative costs, $70 million in loans. That is in the bill. prgtoken Everyone looks at me and says: Oh, I didn't know that. prgtoken In lots of States around America right now, their legislatures are meeting, including mine in Oklahoma. They are suddenly finding out that that bill that was for ``COVID-related'' mandated that no State in America could reduce taxes on anyone. Lots of States are saying: Wait a minute; we were planning on reducing taxes on working families in certain targeted areas. prgtoken They are finding out that you can't do that, and they will say things like: I didn't know that was in the bill because there wasn't any sunshine on that bill. prgtoken I worked for years to pass a bill called the Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act. It is a commonsense bill. It asks a simple question: What programs do we do in the Federal Government? This body has heard about me talk about it year after year after year. Contrary to popular belief, it is not easy to actually move a bill in this place. Some things that are very commonsense take forever. prgtoken This was my simple bill. In the Federal Government, every Agency has to list every program that they do, how many employees they hire to do that program, what is the cost of the program, and is the program evaluated? If it is, just put the evaluation numbers with the program. prgtoken Why would I say that? Because I talk to Agency heads that start a new program and they get 2 years down the road from starting a new program and th
Nomination of Xavier Becerra (Executive Calendar)
Mike Braun (Republican, IN) \u2014 2021-3-17

this past year has been hard on Hoosiers and Americans across the country. When the economy was shut down, Congress got to work. Given my background as a business owner, I was involved in negotiating the Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, as part of the CARES Act, one of five bills that passed in 2020 with overwhelming support, I think 90-plus votes. We worked it out, and s, together. prgtoken Those COVID-related packages totaled $4 trillion, and we didn't have a penny saved up ahead of time to prepare for it. That is part of a deeper problem with this institution, is that we borrow anything that we spend money on, even 23 percent of our annual operating budget. To put that in perspective, imagine if you had a business doing $100,000 in revenue, and you are losing $23,000, and then you go to your banker and expect them to bail you out. It wouldn't make sense. prgtoken We came into 2021 with over $1 trillion from those packages unspent, unobligated. Instead of working with us like before, did shut us out of the process. In fact, the Senate as a whole did not work the bill through committees. It was laid to us, on the Senate, by the House, all $1.9 trillion of it. prgtoken Before this, some s went to the White House to talk with the President about a bipartisan plan, knowing all the money would be borrowed again, but nothing came to fruition. Instead, we stayed up all night; prgtoken finished the bill at noon the next day, Saturday; spent 29 hours on the floor, and not a single amendment was adopted in this massive spending bill. prgtoken Instead of focusing on the virus and getting our economy back on track, this became an exercise in ramming something through that was a liberal wish list. Only 1 percent of the bill--1 percent of the bill-- went toward the vaccine. Less than 9 percent goes toward COVID-19 public health issues generally. prgtoken While the Congressional Budget Office projects the economy to return to prepandemic levels by midyear, only 5 percent of the $130 billion for K-12 schools gets spent this year, and none of it is tied to reopening our schools, which many States had shut down early and opened up late. prgtoken Included in this package is a whopping $350 billion for State and local governments. I had a conversation with our own Governor 2, 3 weeks ago. A place like Indiana, and I believe West Virginia as well, probably runs balanced budgets. We do it with the guardrail of a constitutional amendment. Many other States, if they don't have a constitutional amendment, they have a statute. In other words, you do what households do. You do what all businesses do. You live within your means. And here, when you run your State governments in a way that in good times, you can't make ends meet, and you look to the Federal Government to bail out your bad governance, it is a whole nother issue. prgtoken Even left-leaning economist