mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
BUILD BACK BETTER THROUGH COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING
Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2021-7-20

. Madam , I rise today to share with you some of the important projects we have nominated as part of the community project funding process, 10 projects that will bring more than $8.4 million in critical funding to my district and which have now been included in the House Appropriations Committee's fiscal year 2022 funding bill. prgtoken It is my honor to represent the residents of PA-05 in Congress, and I am thrilled to have secured funding for these projects that were submitted by nonprofit and government agencies in our region and that met the rigorous funding criteria laid out by Congress. prgtoken The projects our office nominated for inclusion address some of the most pressing needs in our region: economic development, climate resilience, treatment for opioid use disorder, and expanding mental health resources. prgtoken Each of these projects will also help deliver on House ' and President 's promise to build back better, to set the table for success for the American people, now and in the future. prgtoken Today, I would like to shine the spotlight on two projects I am particularly proud of. prgtoken The Delaware County Mobile Crisis teams project will provide an alternative response for emergency calls involving people suffering from mental illness. For too long, our mental health system has been woefully underfunded. As a result, all too frequently, people living with mental illness or cognitive disabilities have ended up in our criminal justice system, often with fatal consequences. We can do better. prgtoken Around the country, communities have begun to address this dearth of mental health resources and overreliance on the criminal justice system by developing programs to provide alternatives to and diversion from arrest, abuse, and incarceration. prgtoken At the Federal level, I am proud to have introduced the Mental Health Justice Act, which would make it easier for State and local governments to develop these programs and send trained mental health professionals instead of police when someone calls 911 because an individual is experiencing a mental health crisis. prgtoken At the local level, I am proud to support Delaware County's application to fund just such a project in this year's appropriations bill, a project to address the mental and behavioral health challenges of residents who might otherwise find themselves in the criminal justice system. prgtoken The county proposal will create mobile crisis teams stationed with the county's Emergency Services Department. These teams will be dispatched in conjunction with law enforcement in response to requests for help for persons known or suspected to be suffering from mental illness with the goal of diverting them from the criminal justice system into treatment with access to prioritized admission and to properly address their underlying needs. prgtoken This program is a collaboration among Delaware County's human services, health adviser,
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-7-20

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10:30 a.m Wednesday, July 21; 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 proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Jenkins nomination; further, that at 11:30 a.m the prgtoken Senate vote on confirmation of the Abruzzo nomination; that the cloture vote on the Jenkins nomination occur immediately upon disposition of the Abruzzo nomination; that if cloture is invoked on the Jenkins nomination, all postcloture time expire at 2:30 p.m.; finally, that if any of the nominations are confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
RECOGNIZING STEPHEN KLEIN FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE STATE OF VERMONT
Peter Welch (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2021-7-20

. Madam , I rise today to congratulate and honor my friend Stephen Klein, who is retiring from his job as Chief Fiscal Officer to the Vermont State Legislature. Stephen joined the staff of the Vermont Legislature in 1992 as a Fiscal Analyst and, in prgtoken 1993, was appointed Chief Fiscal Officer. The nonpartisan Joint Fiscal Office provides fiscal analysis, budget evaluation, performance oversight and fiscal policy support for the Appropriations, Finance, Ways & Means and Tax Committees and for the Vermont Legislature as a whole. In his capacity as Chief Fiscal Officer, Stephen has directed the budget and tax staff for the Vermont House and Senate for the past 28 years. prgtoken With rapid fire speech, Stephen has educated generations of Vermont legislators on the complexities of the Vermont budget process. As President Pro Tempore of the Vermont Senate, I had the pleasure of working with Stephen to craft budgets for the State of Vermont and, like many before and after me, marveled at his intricate knowledge of Vermont state government, tax policy, the budget, and the economy. Stephen has gained the trust of legislators through his facility with his subject matter and his generous willingness to explain it. prgtoken Stephen's contributions have extended beyond Vermont. He served as president of the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices in 1998 to 1999 and was a member of National Conference of State Legislatures' Executive Committee from 2002 to 2005. From 2009 to 2017, Stephen served on the Advisory Board of the New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, providing advice on research content and direction to policy makers in the New England region. From 2014 to 2017 Stephen served on the Government Accounting Standards Advisory Committee. prgtoken In 2013, Stephen was the recipient of the Steven D. Gold Award, given annually by the National Tax Association, the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM), and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The 2013 award was presented by the NCSL. The award honors professionals who have made significant contributions to state and local fiscal policy. prgtoken In addition to his professional commitments, Stephen has volunteered tirelessly in his community, serving on the board of the local food cooperative in Montpelier, as Treasurer of the Green Mountain Club, and as Treasurer for the local synagogue. Stephen also serves as a guest lecturer at the Vermont Law School. prgtoken Mr. Klein attended the University of California, Berkeley; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Northeastern University School of Law. He served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic and Honduras in the early 1970s. prgtoken Stephen's friendly demeanor, sage observations and ubiquitous presence have made him a well-known and welcome fixture under the Golden Dome. He will be greatly missed. I wish him all the be
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2021-7-20

I join Senator Leahy and others who have come to the floor this afternoon to urge clean passage of the VOCA Fix Act so that we can secure greater deposits into the Crime Victims Fund and ensure continued support for crime victims. prgtoken I am currently the chair of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee. Senator Moran from Kansas is my ranking member. Before that, Senator Moran was chair of the committee, and I was the ranking member. Together, we have committed to a target of spending from the fund at a minimum of the 3-year average of collections. That is a practice that was started by former Appropriations Committee and CJS Chair Senator Mikulski, along with Senator Shelby, back in 2015. prgtoken All deposits made into the Crime Victims Fund should stay in the fund. Our subcommittee directs the amount that is released by the Justice Department from the fund for victim services. But every dollar stays in the fund and is available in future years if it is not used for victim services. prgtoken If Senator Toomey's amendment passes, if appropriations bills contain less than the 3-year average, either the entire cap falls, depleting the fund in one fiscal year or, more likely, the appropriations bill would be stopped from moving forward on the floor. prgtoken Now, I appreciate what Senator Toomey is trying to do. He wants to address budget reform and the impact of mandatory spending, but this is not the way to do that. That needs a thoughtful process that goes through the committee that there is debate on. This should not be done as an amendment to a bill that is at a process that is critical to help the victims of crime. prgtoken Victims groups and direct service providers are asking for the clean passage of this act, the VOCA Fix Act. They are urging us to vote no on Senator Toomey's amendment. prgtoken We have all heard from victims groups requesting clean passage of this bill. I have heard from individuals and organizations from across New Hampshire, as Senator Leahy said, organizations like the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Granite State Children's Alliance which both benefit from the Crime Victims Fund because they get funding for those people who are injured. prgtoken This bill has already passed the House. If we pass this legislation today without amendment, it can be quickly signed into law, and we can get these much needed changes to shore up collections into the fund so that the victims of crime can get the help that they need. It will make a meaningful impact to ensure there is adequate funding for survivors now and in years to come. prgtoken I would urge a ``no'' vote on the Toomey amendment. prgtoken
REMEMBERING JASON G. THOMAS
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2021-7-20

. Madam , I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jason G. Thomas for his ten years of service with the House's Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Logistics & Support. It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that he passed away in September 2020 at the young age of forty. Jason was a constituent of mine from Maryland's Fifth District. prgtoken Jason began his career with the CAO in January 2015, joining the Logistics & Support group responsible for moving furniture and carrying out the massive effort every two years of moving offices during the Congressional transition. Prior to his time with the CAO, Jason worked with District Movers, where he gained a strong understanding of logistics and organization, which served him well in his House employment. prgtoken Among his many hobbies, Jason had a love of acting, he enjoyed mechanics, he was an avid football fan, and he proved a very talented drummer. He was a graduate of the Massanutten Military Academy. Jason's coworkers and friends remember him for his infectious smile and incessant positive attitude. Some of the sentiments they shared after he passed away included that: `He was always smiling,' and `What a great guy.' Also: `He would always greet you with a smile and a hello and was such a light to be around.' prgtoken Prior to his death, Jason was being recognized for his exceptional service while confronting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was tasked with helping to assist with the enormous job of processing the distribution of thousands of laptops and electronics to House Members and staff who were suddenly required to work remotely. The Asset Management Department specifically requested Jason by name, not only because of his talent but also because of his sunny disposition and positive attitude while performing his duties. He was soon to be recognized for his contribution to this effort by former Chief Administrative Officer Phil Kiko. prgtoken Jason lived in Clinton, Maryland, and is survived by his parents, Henry and Idena Thomas, his three sisters--Sonya, Tanya, and Yolanda-- and his three young children, fourteen-year-old Kason, thirteen-year- old Juatez, and ten-year-old Karen. prgtoken Madam, , I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Jason G. Thomas for his service and contributions to this House. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to, the Thomas family for their tremendous loss. The gifts of Jason's life and his tremendous dedication to service, family, and community will always be remembered.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-7-20

for decades, both parties have shared a desire to invest in our Nation's infrastructure. It is one of the few issues here in Washington where our two parties can consistently work together, and it has been years since Congress passed a significant stand-alone investment. We are hoping to change that this year. prgtoken Nearly a month ago--a month ago--a bipartisan group of Senators came together, along with the White House, and agreed on a framework for a bipartisan infrastructure bill. So last night I moved to set up a process for the Senate to consider that bipartisan framework. prgtoken On Wednesday, the Senate will take the first procedural vote on a shell bill, merely a vehicle to get the whole process started. It is not a final deadline for legislative text. It is not a cynical ploy. It is not a fish-or-cut-bait moment. It is not an attempt to jam anyone. It is only a signal that the Senate is ready to get the process started, something the Senate has routinely done on other bipartisan bills this year. prgtoken All a ``yes'' vote on the motion to proceed means is simply that the Senate is ready to begin debating a bipartisan infrastructure bill--no more, no less. We have waited a month. It is time to move forward. prgtoken My colleagues have heard me speak for months about making progress on two different tracks of infrastructure. After the group of Senators reached a deal with the White House, I endorsed it and I announced I wanted to put their agreement on the floor of the Senate in July. This week's vote is an honest attempt to get something done, to get the ball rolling on the Senate floor. prgtoken That is why I am giving the maximum amount of flexibility to our Senate colleagues who are negotiating this bill. If the bipartisan group can finalize the text of their agreement by Thursday, I will offer it as the pending substitute amendment. If, for whatever reason, the bipartisan group isn't ready with their final text by Thursday, I will offer an amendment consisting only of the bipartisan infrastructure bills that have already gone through our Senate committees and are actually the core of the bipartisan infrastructure framework. They are the water bill, the highway bill, the rail and safety bill, and the energy bill. prgtoken All of them are bipartisan, all of them have gone through committee, and all of them received overwhelming votes. Why wouldn't our colleagues want to move to proceed to debate that bill, at the very minimum, even if we don't have agreement on the broader bipartisan bill? prgtoken Just to go over the record, the Environment and Public Works Committee reported the water bill, passed by voice vote, unanimous, in committee and then 89 to 2 on the Senate floor. The Environment and Public Works Committee reported the highway bill, passed by 20 to 0. The Commerce Committee reported the rail and safety bill, passed by 25 to 3. And the Energy and Nat
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2021-7-20

I will oppose this amendment today. I base it on my experience as an advocate for victims of crime that began when I was a prosecutor, certainly during the time when I was the Vice President of the National District Attorneys Association and on their executive board. prgtoken If you look at the Victims of Crime Act Fix bill, it has passed the House. It would deposit the proceeds in deferred prosecution agreements and nonprosecution agreements into the Crime Victims Fund. And I mention this because in recent years, deposits into the fund have shrunk significantly. They actually threatened the ability to sustain payments to crime victims. prgtoken Senator Toomey's amendment would create a point of order if expenditures from the Crime Victims Fund fall below the 3-year average. The current 3-year average is $583 million, assuming the CBO estimate of collections in fiscal year 2021 is $750 million. prgtoken The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agency Subcommittee, Appropriations, has worked to ensure the release of the fund is more than the 3-year average. For example, in fiscal year 2021, the CJS bill allows spending of $2 billion--$2.015 billion out of the fund. Now, that is $1.5 billion more than the 3-year average of fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020. prgtoken I mention all of this because I support the crime victims. I spent a career supporting and advocating for them. I did that, as I said, before I was in the Senate, when I was a prosecutor. prgtoken But this amendment offered by Senator Toomey impinges on the ability of the Appropriations Committee to do its job. If it were adopted, here is what would happen. It would create a point of order. It would delay the movement of any appropriations bill that the Crime Victims Fund is part of. prgtoken I just put over on the--talking about the average--we have been releasing more than the 3-year average of the fund over the last several fiscal years, but then there could be a time when there is not enough funds to keep it sustainable. prgtoken And that is why we are here to vote on the underlying bill, the VOCA Fix Act. That would direct deposits from nonprosecution agreements and deferred prosecution agreements to go into the Crime Victims Fund so we can continue to spend out of the fund at or above current levels. And without it, the spending would continue to fall. prgtoken Victims groups like the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence are asking for clean passage of this act. prgtoken I went down through it and looked at the various States. I mention a couple: the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Children's Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape authored an opinion piece on July 5. They ask for clean passage of the VOCA Fix Act. prgtoken By the way, this bill also has nearly 60 cosponsors, including a number of my colleagues like Senators Murkowski, Graham, Cornyn, and Grassl
HUMAN RIGHTS ACROSS THE GLOBE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2021-7-20

I include in the Record a Washington Post article, ``U.N. rights chief: Reparations needed for people facing racism.'' [From the Washington Post, June 28, 2021] UN Rights Chief: Reparations Needed for People Facing Racism (By Jamey Keaten) Geneva (AP)--The U.N. human rights chief, in a landmark report launched after the killing of George Floyd in the United States, is urging countries worldwide to do more to help end discrimination, violence and ) systemic racism against people of African descent and ``make amends'' to them--including through reparations. The report from Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human rights, offers a sweeping look at the roots of centuries of mistreatment faced by Africans and people of African descent, notably from the transatlantic slave trade. It seeks a ``transformative'' approach to address its continued impact today. The report, a year in the making, hopes to build on momentum around the recent, intensified scrutiny worldwide about the blight of racism and its impact on people of African descent as epitomized by the high-profile killings of unarmed Black people in the United States and elsewhere. ``There is today a momentous opportunity to achieve a turning point for racial equality and justice,'' the report said. The report aims to speed up action by countries to end racial injustice; end impunity for rights violations by police; ensure that people of African descent and those who speak out against racism are heard; and face up to past wrongs through accountability and redress. I am calling on all states to stop denying--and start dismantling--racism; to end impunity and build trust; to listen to the voices of people of African descent; and to confront past legacies and deliver redress,'' Bachelet said in a video statement. While broaching the issue of reparation in her most explicit way yet, Bachelet suggested that monetary compensation alone is not enough and would be part of an array of measures to help rectify or make up for the injustices. ``Reparations should not only be equated with financial compensation,'' she wrote, adding that it should include restitution, rehabilitation, acknowledgement of injustices, apologies, memorialization, educational reforms and ``guarantees'' that such injustices won't happen again. Bachelet, a former president of Chile, hailed the efforts of advocacy groups like the Black Lives Matter movement, saying they helped provide ``grassroots leadership through listening to communities'' and that they should receive ``funding, public recognition and support.'' The U.N.-backed Human Rights Council commissioned the report
MORE FUNDING FOR POLICING
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democrat, MP) \u2014 2021-7-20

. Madam , today, I introduce legislation that gives this House an opportunity to provide more funding for policing. prgtoken My bill does this by allowing the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa to be treated as two separate entities for the purposes of the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. Currently, the Marianas and American Samoa are lumped together for funding, unlike the other U.S. insular areas--Puerto Rico, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands--which are treated as individual jurisdictions, as are all fifty States. prgtoken By fixing this inequity in funding for police in the Northern Marianas and American Samoa, we can help our men and women in blue receive the necessary training and equipment they need to keep our communities safe. Making this change will also provide more funding to support prosecutors and the courts, as well as justice-related initiatives aimed at crime prevention. prgtoken Local law enforcement is increasingly the first line of defense against the evolving security threats our country faces. We must do all we can to recognize the vital role of our police in maintaining public safety. prgtoken The gentlelady from American Samoa, Mrs. Radewagen, and the gentleman from Hawaii, Mr. Kahele, are original cosponsors of the bill. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.
CHILD TAX CREDIT LIFTS UP FAMILIES
Lucy McBath (Democrat, GA) \u2014 2021-7-20

there is a special place in every parent's heart for summer with our children. My son, Jordan, used to put on his little cleats and a big hat and run out onto the field to play tee-ball with his friends on Saturday mornings. After that, we would go to the pool to cool off; eat lunch under a shady tree; play in the backyard as the day turned to dusk; and read a story together as he drifted off to sleep. prgtoken Truly, summer is for hardworking parents to spend time with the little ones that they love most. It is for our children to grow and live and learn and play. prgtoken That is why I am so proud that we just passed the child tax credit into law. It means more money in the pockets of middle-class families. Now, over 680,000 families in my home State of Georgia will receive a tax cut, and these credits will raise over 160,000 children in Georgia out of poverty. prgtoken This is more funding for Georgia families to protect our children and to lift up our communities.