mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
AMERICAN FAMILIES PLAN
Jamaal Bowman (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-15

. Madam , tonight, I am pleased to be joined by many of my colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus to talk about the long overdue investment we would need to make in the care economy, something that our infrastructure has always relied upon. prgtoken I introduced the Care for All Agenda earlier this spring calling for the Federal Government to dramatically expand and strengthen the care economy. prgtoken The American Families Plan outlines the next step we need to take to get there, which must include improving work conditions and compensation for care workers nationwide. prgtoken The care economy impacts all of us: Our children, elderly loved ones, family members with disabilities, childcare workers, home health aides, nurses, and so many more. Care is something we all need at different stages in our lives. prgtoken The care economy includes our essential workers who put their lives on the line every day during the most devastating global pandemic in a century. Many of us will be caregivers ourselves, if we haven't been one yet. prgtoken Ask any working family about how hard it has been to find affordable, quality childcare even before COVID. prgtoken Ask a childcare worker if they can afford to send their own child to the center they work at. prgtoken Ask any one of the vast majority of workers who do not have paid family and medical leave how hard it is to care for a loved one who is ill while holding on to their job. prgtoken Ask anyone who qualifies for long-term care under Medicaid but has been unable to access it due to the healthcare workforce shortage. prgtoken Ask a home health aide how much they make hourly, and the need to redesign our care infrastructure will become abundantly clear. prgtoken Just as our physical infrastructure is crumbling, the United States today suffers from a lack of care infrastructure. These two truths are intertwined. prgtoken Our crumbling infrastructure disproportionately harms Black, Brown, Indigenous and low-income communities. The negative health impacts arising from fossil fuel use, industrial pollution, and toxic materials in our homes and schools are literally making us sick. prgtoken We need to invest in eliminating carbon emissions, and we also need to invest in the caregivers we are counting on to heal us now. prgtoken We are calling for a broader shift to a society based on care for the people, communities, and the planet we share. prgtoken We are still grieving more than 600,000 lives lost to COVID in our country, many of them caregivers themselves. In this last year, we saw how badly we need a robust care economy and what happens when our investment in care doesn't match our needs. prgtoken I know that for some, talking about caregiving as infrastructure sounds like a new idea and a ``nice to have.'' None of this work is new, and all of it is necessary. prgtoken I have heard directly from New Yorkers who rely on caregivers every day; like a constituent of mine in We
VOTING RIGHTS
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-15

a few weeks ago, toward the end of the legislative session in Texas, Texas in the statehouse staged a dramatic walkout, denying a quorum and preventing the Texas majority from passing one of the most restrictive voting laws in this country. prgtoken Texas s could come back and reconsider the law in a special session, but the extraordinary measures taken by the State reflect the extraordinary damage of the voting law. prgtoken Texas s were on the verge of passing several alarming restrictions: reducing polling hours, eliminating drive-through voting and 24-hour voting centers. The proposed law would have made it easier for a judge to overturn an election and push back the start of Sunday voting--a measure that seemed designed to interfere with voting drives held by Black churches. prgtoken Texas already has some of the strictest voting procedures in the country. The additional effort, in the wake of 's Big Lie, directly targets all the ways poorer, younger, non-White, and typically ic voters cast their ballots. prgtoken Of course, Texas is only the most recent flashpoint in the nationwide effort by legislators to contract Americans' right to vote, as you well know, . prgtoken The tide of voter suppression laws is a direct assault on our democracy and could disenfranchise tens of millions of Americans prgtoken Today, I am proud to say, at the ic caucus lunch we will host the group of Texas who bravely fought the voter suppression law in their State. The topic of our discussion will be about how to come together to protect voting rights not just in Texas but across the country. prgtoken Next week, the Senate will consider major voting rights legislation. Congress must take action to defend our democracy.
PROMOTING UNITED GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO SAVE OUR SOUND ACT
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2021-6-15

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 1144. The bill establishes a new regional program within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address water pollution concerns in the Puget Sound and authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2022 through 2026. prgtoken The Puget Sound has seen significant degradation of water quality and habitat as a result of human development. This legislation builds on the successes Puget Sound has seen while part of the National Estuary Program and incorporates the recommendations of a July 2018 report of the U.S. Government Accountability Office on the Federal and State efforts to restore the Sound. prgtoken This legislation is vitally important to ensure long-term health of a watershed that helps provide food, water, and other ecosystem services for 4.5 million people and contributes to the State's economy. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1144, and .
TRIBUTE TO DONNA MARIE ROBINSON
Mike Levin (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2021-6-15

. Madam , I rise today to pay tribute to Donna Marie Robinson, who passed away on May 31, 2021. prgtoken Donna Marie was born in 1957 in Chicago and received both her undergraduate and master's in business degrees from the University of Chicago. After an illustrious career in commercial banking, she retired in 2013 as Vice President/Client Manager for Bank of America. prgtoken Throughout her life, Donna Marie was committed to service. She served on the San Diego Foundation's Board of Governors for seven years and was the bedrock of the Foundation's scholarship program. The Foundation is establishing the Donna Marie Robinson Memorial Scholarship Fund in her honor. prgtoken Donna Marie fought tirelessly for women's health as a member of the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association Go Red for Women. She was President of the Encinitas Coastal Rotary and was a member of countless other community organizations. She was a world traveler who could bring a smile to every face. prgtoken Donna Marie Robinson lived an incredible and full life. She was a crucial member of the Encinitas community and she will be missed by her family, friends, and everyone she touched.
VA POLICE IMPROVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Kathleen M. Rice (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-15

. Madam , I rise today in support of my bipartisan bill, the VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act, H.R. 2429. This bill takes important steps to strengthen oversight and accountability for VA police and law enforcement operations. prgtoken A number of shortcomings with VA's law enforcement operations were identified in a hearing held by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs last Congress. Inadequate policing procedures and a lack of true oversight for the Department's police force were two of the pressing issues raised at the hearing. prgtoken Challenges with management and oversight of VA police were also revealed in subsequent reports issued by the VA Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office. These challenges include insufficient officer staffing, inappropriate conduct, and other concerning issues at VA facilities across the country. prgtoken On Long Island, I have worked with one of my constituents who was horribly mistreated by the Northport VA police. Our veterans deserve much better from an agency that is always supposed to be on their side. prgtoken My bill aims to address these pressing issues with the VA police by requiring the VA police to implement the use of body cameras, improve data collection and reporting on police incidents at VA facilities, and enact other important measures to strengthen oversight and transparency for VA's police program. prgtoken Madam , I thank my co-lead, Representative Radewagen, for joining me on this bill. I also thank Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Bost for helping to bring H.R. 2429 to the floor today. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation to help us better serve and protect our Nation's veterans.
ENSURING EQUAL TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBILITY
Marie Newman (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-6-15

. Madam , today, I rise on behalf of the millions of Americans with disabilities, the millions of Americans who live in a major city with a major public transit system but are unable to utilize it because it is not accessible to them. prgtoken If we want to build a world-class public transportation system in America, it has to start by ensuring every station and every bus and train across our Nation is equally accessible to everyone. prgtoken That is why I introduced the All Stations Accessibility Act, or ASAP Act, of 2021, which would establish a Federal grant program to support transit authorities to upgrade stations to meet or exceed ADA accessibility standards. prgtoken Madam , I am pleased to say that we have secured this grant program in the INVEST in America Act. Now, I urge this body to pass that legislation so that we can better ensure our public transit services are for all riders, especially those with a disability.
LGBTQ BUSINESS EQUAL CREDIT ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTMENT ACT
Ritchie Torres (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-6-15

. Madam , I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1443, the LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act. prgtoken I want to thank Chairwoman Waters and Ranking Member McHenry for their support. As the ranking member noted, we did make concessions to address his concerns about the legislation. prgtoken In the United States there are 1.4 million LGBTQ businesses, contributing more than $1.7 trillion to the American economy. We have a vested interest in sustaining and strengthening these businesses with equal access to credit, which is the beating heart of the American economy. prgtoken As a former New York City Council member, I partnered with the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce to establish the Nation's largest municipal certification program for LGBTQ business enterprises, enabling those businesses to enjoy equal access to a $25 billion pool of government procurement. prgtoken The legislation before us, H.R. 1443, builds on a foundation laid by several statutes and regulations. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act, most commonly known as ECOA, prohibits credit discrimination, including but not limited to sex discrimination. A new interpretive rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, CFPB, clarifies that ECOA's prohibition against sex discrimination applies to sexual orientation and gender identity. prgtoken Section 1071 of Dodd-Frank, which exists to enable and enhance the enforcement of ECOA, requires financial institutions to report information about the race, ethnicity, and sex of credit applicants who serve as principal owners of small businesses. prgtoken My legislation would expand the 1071 reporting requirements to include not only sex but also sexual orientation and gender identity. In doing so, it would enable antidiscrimination enforcement where none might exist. prgtoken Even though the United States has made substantial strides toward LGBTQ equality, the mission is far from accomplished. Seventy percent of the LGBTQ community remains unprotected by antidiscrimination laws. When it comes to credit in particular, according to the Williams Institute, more than 7.7 million LGBTQ adults live in states that offer no protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. prgtoken It is often said that knowledge is power. Knowledge affords us the power to detect discrimination that might otherwise go undetected. Take as an example the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, which is analogous to the legislation before us. Both the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and Iowa State University reviewed data from the HMDA and found that same-sex couples were denied loans at higher rates than heterosexual couples despite having comparable creditworthiness. It also found that those same-sex couples paid higher fees and interest. The experience of HMDA tells us that sunlight can be a powerful disinfectant against discrimination. prgtoken H.R. 1443 would make credit more ac
CONTINUE RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-6-15

. Madam , earlier this year, Congress sprung into action to deal with the part of the economy that was hit perhaps hardest than any: the hospitality industry. prgtoken Independent restaurants suffered massive job losses. Congress responded with the Restaurant Rescue Plan, $28.6 billion. Madam , the need was so overwhelming that the fund was totally subscribed in 3 days. prgtoken We are working now with H.R. 3807 to replenish that fund with a $60 billion allocation, with bipartisan support in the House and Senate. prgtoken Madam , I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important legislation to replenish the fund and rescue our restaurants, which are the cornerstone of a livable community.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2021-6-15

I would ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar Nos. 151, 152, 153, and 154; that those nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE CARE ECONOMY AND IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES
Debbie Dingell (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-6-15

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the importance of the care economy and the need for significant investment in home and community-based services to meet the needs of seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers who serve them. prgtoken The vast majority of America's seniors and people with disabilities prefer to receive long-term services and supports in the home or in the community. However, there are currently significant roadblocks to quality, accessible home and community-based services. Many HCBS are provided through Medicaid, which has restrictive eligibility criteria and often has long waitlists for these services. Additionally, the direct care workforce that provides HCBS face low pay and few if any benefits, resulting in high turnover that impacts the services they prgtoken provide. As a result, far too many Americans are unable to access to quality, affordable home and community-based services. While the American Rescue Plan provided important resources for Medicaid HCBS to meet the immediate needs of the pandemic, more comprehensive reforms are needed to ensure that all Americans can live with dignity in the setting of their choosing. prgtoken The American Jobs Plan will help meet this need by providing $400 billion for quality home and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities. This investment will transform the care economy by investing in the HCBS workforce, allowing them to receive pay and benefits commensurate with the work they provide. It will allow seniors and people with disabilities to receive the high-quality care they need in the setting of their choosing. More importantly, it will provide dignity for all who participate in the care economy. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support the American Jobs Plan and this historic investment in the care economy.
LOCAL WATER PROTECTION ACT
Angie Craig (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2021-6-15

. Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 2008, the Local Water Protection Act. prgtoken Madam , in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we take water quality very seriously. Not only are our lakes and waterways critical for transporting agriculture goods, but they are at the core of Minnesota's natural beauty and tourism economy. prgtoken That is why I was so proud to introduce the bipartisan Local Water Protection Act to reauthorize funding for pollution mitigation efforts in our communities. prgtoken From 1987 to 1991, Congress authorized funds each year for the Environmental Protection Agency's Nonpoint Source Management grants program, which provides grants to State and local governments to reduce water pollution. prgtoken Our Local Water Protection Act would reauthorize funding for this important task with $200 million annually to help protect our lakes, rivers, and streams, and protect them for future generations. prgtoken This program would give State and local governments the authority to create locally-focused, voluntary conservation programs that are tailor-made for their own communities. And recent history in my home district demonstrates that these programs are incredibly effective. prgtoken In fact, the Goodhue County Soil and Water Conservation District is currently working to reduce pollutants in the Mississippi River-Lake Pepin watershed by 20 percent. And I would add, I was out there on Lake Pepin just this last weekend with some great folks. prgtoken In Wabasha County, these projects provided low-interest loans to improve residential infrastructure and help farmers come into compliance with pollution standards. prgtoken And the South Washington Watershed District integrated a stormwater reuse plan that is estimated to reduce potable water usage by more than 40 million gallons annually. There is no doubt that these programs can be effective, and there is no good reason why we shouldn't prioritize them. prgtoken As we look toward preserving our environment, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and , the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) for introducing the bill with me. prgtoken Madam , thank you so much, and I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation.
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-6-15

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10:30 a.m Wednesday, June 16; 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; further, that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Fox nomination; further, that the cloture vote on the Griggsby nomination occur immediately following the cloture vote on the Fox nomination, and that if cloture is invoked on either nomination, the confirmation votes occur at 3:15 p.m. in the order that cloture was invoked; 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.
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR
Rick Scott (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-6-16

I am glad my colleague has acknowledged his interest in helping Israel. Unfortunately, I am surprised that the--if my colleague had an interest, why didn't the Foreign Relations Committee take up the same resolution that the majority leader retook up in support of Israel basically saying that Israel had the right to defend itself and saying that Hamas was a terrorist organization? My colleague didn't. prgtoken This is a pretty simple bill. It basically just says, look, any foreign aid we are going to give to the Palestinian Authority, we are going to make sure it doesn't go to Hamas. It is pretty simple. prgtoken Let's remember why we are doing this. President 's State Department said: We're going to be working in partnership with the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority to kind of channel aid there in a manner that does its best to go to the people of Gaza. prgtoken That should scare us. prgtoken It went on to say: As we have seen in life, as we all know in life, there are no guarantees, but we're going to do everything that we can to ensure that this assistance reaches the people who need it the most. prgtoken That is not much of a guarantee. That is a ``maybe we will try.'' We can do better. The Senate should do better. s and should all say that not a dime will ever go to Hamas, a terrorist organization that kills little boys like Ido. We should all be disgusted with this. prgtoken So I am very disappointed that my colleague uses a procedural matter to say he objects, but basically what he is saying is he will not agree that this money will not go to Hamas. This was really simple. You could read this in just 2 minutes. prgtoken I am disappointed that my ic colleague has made this political. It is not political. It is about, do we support Israel? Are we going to make sure that never a dime goes to Hamas and another little boy like Ido dies? prgtoken .