mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Danny K. Davis (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2023-1-9

I know this may be the beginning of a new year, but we are back to the same old thoughts, ideas, and practices: Protect the wealthy. Disadvantage the poor. prgtoken We need a tax system that is fair. We need the skilled auditors who can look at the more complex returns of wealthy taxpayers and make sure that they are paying their fair share. prgtoken There is no doubt that this is a sham. Vote this down because it takes away opportunity for fairness in our tax system. We need the auditors.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Jimmy Panetta (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise in opposition to H.R. 23 because our government needs the resources to go after wealthy tax cheats who defraud the government. prgtoken Because people don't pay their taxes, the Federal Government is cheated out of at least $400 billion each year. In fact, President 's IRS Commissioner said that number could be as high as $1 trillion every year. prgtoken That significant source of revenue could go to paying our bills, paying down our debt, and propping up the power of our purse. That is exactly why we passed legislation last year that made significant investments to crack down on tax cheats. prgtoken That funding will not be used for families or small businesses making less than $400,000. Instead, it will be used to go after those who have the wealth to pay their taxes but don't or those who can pay for armies of accountants to get out of paying for what they should. prgtoken H.R. 23 rescinds that funding for that type of needed enforcement, and that is why I oppose it. Our government should have the resources necessary to ensure that it is not just the middle class that pays our bills and pays our debt, but the wealthy tax dodgers pay their taxes, just like play-by-the-rules, hardworking Americans.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
Katherine M. Clark (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-1-9

when Roe v. Wade was overturned, the impact on Americans was swift and devastating. Women were denied healthcare. Doctors were threatened with criminal charges. Hospitals were forced to put their own liability over patients' lives. prgtoken As the GOP doubled down on its plan for a national abortion ban, the American people saw it for what it was: anti-women, anti-choice, anti- family, and anti-freedom. prgtoken Kansas, California, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, and Vermont--voters across the country rejected this extremism. prgtoken With this anti-freedom agenda exposed, some of my colleagues started to scrub their websites, rolled back their rhetoric, and dodged questions on abortion. But here we are again in this rules package, within days of taking over the House majority, s are pushing legislation to limit women's rights. prgtoken Let's see where you truly stand. Today, House offer the Women's Health Protection Act to make abortion access a Federal right, no matter your ZIP Code or your income. prgtoken Do my colleagues across the aisle believe that families, in consultation with their doctors, with their faith, with their life circumstances, should decide when to have children, or do my colleagues think that is a decision for politicians? prgtoken Vote to make Roe v. Wade the law of the land. Vote for freedom.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
Ritchie Torres (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2023-1-9

the so-called rules package proposed by House s would perpetuate same disorder, division, and dysfunction that nearly devoured the nominee for . prgtoken A single-Member threshold for filing a motion to vacate empowers extremism and rewards rabble-rousing. It would make the House so dysfunctional as to be ungovernable. prgtoken It would give the new only a Pyrrhic victory because a motion to vacate makes him arbitrarily removable at any moment, at the whim of any person, no matter how personal or petty the underlying grievance. prgtoken Simply put, this is no way to govern. prgtoken Moreover, House s decry the weaponization of the Federal Government. Yet the Holman rule would enable the Federal Government to be weaponized against any Federal official who draws the wrath of the majority. prgtoken The Holman rule would enable House s to zero out funding for a criminal investigation into . prgtoken The new rules would defund the Office of Congressional Ethics. prgtoken The new rules would enable a Member being investigated by the FBI to investigate the investigators investigating him. prgtoken , so much for draining the swamp.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Richard E. Neal (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2023-1-9

let me congratulate Mr. Smith, incidentally, on his recent elevation to become the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. We look forward to a productive session during the next couple of years. prgtoken , I include into the Record a blog post by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities summarizing the fact check that has repeatedly debunked the false claim that we just heard a few seconds ago, that the IRS is going to hire 87,000 new agents immediately. [From Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, January 9, 2023] prgtoken House GOP's First Bill: A Misleading Gambit To Protect Interests of Wealthy Tax Cheats (By Chuck Marr) House s have announced that their first legislative priority is to rescind nearly all of the Inflation Reduction Act's $80 billion in ten-year funding for the IRS, while repeating falsehoods and inflammatory rhetoric about how that funding will be used. While the s have launched a campaign about a false ``army'' of 87,000 agents, the debate should focus on one accurate and alarming number: the IRS has 2,284 fewer skilled auditors to handle the sophisticated returns of wealthy taxpayers than it did in 1954. The decade-long, House -driven budget cuts have created dysfunction at the IRS, where relatively few millionaires are now audited. If House s succeed in rolling back this critically needed funding and maintaining this dysfunction, the IRS would be woefully understaffed, hindering its ability to administer the tax code and collect legally owed taxes--particularly from high-income and high- wealth taxpayers. On behalf of honest taxpayers, policymakers should reject the House effort to protect wealthy tax cheats. The IRS workforce is composed of civilian public servants, such as accountants and customer service representatives, who collect nearly all the federal revenue to fund our government, from Medicare and Social Security to our armed forces. Its skilled auditors, also known as revenue agents, are highly trained to handle sophisticated tax returns of wealthy people and multinational corporations. All of these IRS employees perform a core function of government, are central to the workings of our democracy, and work on behalf of honest taxpayers. IRS critics, however, have constructed a narrative around the IRS workforce becoming an ``army'' of 87,000 ``armed agents'' whose enemies are ``hardworking American families and small businesses.'' This rhetoric is false and dangerous. Fact checkers have repeatedly debunked the 87,000 figure, which comes from a prior Treasury estimate that it would use new funding to hire 87,000 total staff over the next ten y
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Michelle Steel (Republican, CA) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise in strong support of the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, and I am proud to co-lead this important legislation with the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Smith), my friend. prgtoken As millions of American families across the country struggle to afford basic goods, from food to fuel--in large part thanks to the inflation brought on by the absurd spending blowout of the last 2 years--the very last thing that taxpayers need is a bloated and weaponized IRS. prgtoken Unfortunately, that is exactly what they got when the administration rammed through $80 billion to hire 87,000 new IRS agents to harass and spy on middle-class and low-income families, with most of 1.2 million new additional audits. prgtoken The agency needs reform and modernization, but that is not what these billions in taxpayer dollars did. Of the $80 billion, only $3.2 billion was set aside for taxpayer services. Meanwhile, new audits and enforcement got $45 billion. prgtoken The job of the IRS is to serve taxpayers, not target them. That is why we must pass today's bill, which will rescind the IRS funding for enforcement while leaving in place the funding for improvements to customer service and technology. prgtoken Californians and all Americans deserve an accountable government and a strong economy. An accountable government is one that serves its citizens, not one that empowers bureaucrats to target taxpayers. We will never build an economy that is strong by weaponizing government agencies to cripple small businesses and employers. prgtoken , I urge all of my colleagues who support an accountable government and a strong economy to vote ``yes'' on this legislation to empower American families, support small businesses, and protect taxpayers.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Monica De La Cruz (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-1-9

I am proud to stand here today as a single mother and a small business owner in support of the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. prgtoken One of the most outrageous provisions in the ' hyperpartisan Inflation Reduction Act was giving the IRS $72 billion to hire an additional 87,000 agents. Look, the hiring of 87,000 new IRS agents only squeezes American taxpayers, including small business owners like myself, the backbone of our communities. prgtoken My colleagues on the other side, let me tell you this: I live and work and now represent a border district that houses a Border Patrol sector. They need feet on the ground. They have the same number of agents on the ground as compared to 3 years ago. Why aren't you fighting that hard for these agents? prgtoken The administration will tell you that they have increased agents, but they have only increased agents in the processing and administration, which ultimately has led to the mental health deterioration. prgtoken The American people deserve a government that works for them, not against them.
RECOGNIZING DAVE WILLIAMS
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise to recognize an individual who serves as a voice for Pennsylvania agriculture. prgtoken Dave Williams of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, has been a key voice in agriculture for more than 20 years. A farmer himself, Mr. Williams never expected to air on nearly 30 radio stations, three networks, and weekly on PCN-TV. prgtoken This weekend, Dave will kick off his 25th year broadcasting from the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural expo in the country. prgtoken Dave got his start on Wayne County's oldest AM station reaching just 10,000 listeners. Today, he reaches nearly 6 million people a week on both radio and television. prgtoken , Dave continues to be an important voice for Pennsylvania's number one industry and uses his platform to advocate for agriculture. His role allows him to highlight the important work of our farmers, ranchers, and producers who supply this Nation and the world with our food and our fiber. prgtoken , I thank Dave for being the voice of Pennsylvania agriculture.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise in strong support of the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. prgtoken I am a small manufacturing businessowner, and I have also worked as a tax attorney, so I know firsthand the kind of power that the IRS has over our small businessowners and lower- and middle-income taxpayers. prgtoken Last year, to fund their leftwing agenda, the in Congress decided to spend your hard-earned tax dollars on 87,000 new IRS agents, making the IRS nearly the size of the U.S. Marine Corps. prgtoken The administration claims these agents will not set their sights on hardworking Americans. The facts reveal the opposite. The claim these new audits will only affect Americans making over $400,000. The facts prove otherwise. prgtoken However, the investment of $80 billion with over $40 billion being spent for enforcement will exact just a fraction of the revenue they hope to get to fund their spending sprees. The American taxpayers deserve better. prgtoken The truth is their plan will target middle- and lower-income taxpayers. The CBO agrees, and it released a finding that said additional agents will lead to as many as 700,000 more audits on Americans making less than $75,000 a year. prgtoken The core principle of our system of government is innocent until proven guilty, not guilty until proven innocent as the IRS attempts to do. prgtoken I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 23.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Blake D. Moore (Republican, UT) \u2014 2023-1-9

today, we begin the work to reform our government to work better for the American people and not against them. prgtoken So what do I mean by that? prgtoken The last 2 years have had control of the White House, House, and Senate, and they have passed and attempted historic spending provisions. In order to do that, you have to raise revenue. This bill became a ploy to leverage the IRS to be able to essentially do that without directly raising taxes. That is what we are talking about here. prgtoken I represent thousands of IRS employees. They are some of the best, most hardworking people in my entire district. As I talk to them, they care about two major things: customer service, and that technology needs to be improved. That is what I love about this bill because that keeps that in here, and we actually want to focus our spending to be able to directly support them. prgtoken As we put forth this bill, we are sincerely trying to take what all of our constituents have been saying: We need the IRS to have more support on customer service and technology. prgtoken That is why I urge everybody to vote ``yes'' on this bill.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Beth Van Duyne (Republican, TX) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise today in full support of H.R. 23 which rescinds the additional funding for the already inflated IRS. I think we can all agree that the last thing Americans need right now is a government who is actively working against them. prgtoken One of the most outrageous provisions in the ' so-called Inflation Reduction Act was giving the IRS 72 billion taxpayer dollars to hire 87,000 additional agents whose job would be to stalk transactions of everyday Americans and attack small businesses. prgtoken Middle-class Americans and the small businesses that fuel our economy have been unable to catch a break over the last 2 years. That ends today. There is simply no reasonable rationale to make the IRS larger than the Pentagon, State Department, FBI, and Border Control together. prgtoken If we are adding an additional 87,000 agents, why don't we send them to the southern border to help our border agents who are already overwhelmed and understaffed? prgtoken I stand with my colleagues today in support of H.R. 23 to block the intrusive and unnecessary 87,000 new IRS agents. Americans deserve a government that will work for them, and stopping this funding is a first step in the right direction.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
H. Morgan Griffith (Republican, VA) \u2014 2023-1-9

I appreciate the additional time that the gentleman yielded to me. As you can tell, I get fired up about these issues. prgtoken The bottom line is that this rules package is the best rules package of either party in a number of years because instead of worrying about what might happen next week, this rules package worries about the future of the United States Congress. It is a good package, and I wholeheartedly support it.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
Kat Cammack (Republican, FL) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise in strong support of House Resolution 5, adopting the rules for the 118th Congress. prgtoken First, this rules package is an incredible win not just for conservatives but for all Americans. prgtoken Americans deserve a House of Representatives that serves the people, not a political or a personal agenda. For decades we have heard a series of questions, things like: Why can't we simply pass bills that address a single issue? prgtoken Why do we have to Christmas tree these bills? prgtoken Why isn't there enough time to read the bills? prgtoken Heck, why don't Members have to show up to work to get paid? prgtoken I hear that all the time. prgtoken That, among other things, is what we have addressed in this rules package. prgtoken To be sure folks back home understand, this rules package is the document that dictates how we, as Members, conduct business up here, and that is why it is so important to get this right. prgtoken This is the most conservative and transparent rules package in recent history, and the thanks go to the Conference at large for working on this and approving this and debating these proposals on three separate occasions since November. prgtoken Here is a sampling of just what is in this commonsense package: prgtoken First, every single Member of this body will have at least 72 hours to review each bill. prgtoken Second, Members will now be forced to vote in person rather than via proxy. Personally, I have never voted proxy, and for me it is pretty simple. If you collect a paycheck, you should show up. After nearly 3 years of abusing this historic voting change, we are finally putting an end to proxy voting. prgtoken If my husband as a first responder along with thousands of other first responders across this country showed up every single shift at the height of COVID without complaint, then Members of Congress should be able to do the same. prgtoken Now, on November 29 I testified before the Rules Committee that single-issue bills are one of the single most important things we can do to restore trust in this institution. I am proud to report that this package includes this new requirement, and that is for all Members to certify that bills introduced in the House address a single issue. prgtoken A huge thanks goes to my friend and colleague from Virginia, Representative Morgan Griffith, for his work on this issue. prgtoken Additionally, this rules package establishes a brand new select committee that will be tasked to investigate the weaponization of the Federal Government. No longer will the Department of Justice be allowed to target parents who show up for their kids. No longer will the FBI be able to collude with social media companies to censor Americans. prgtoken Finally, in the ultimate move to drain the swamp and one that I am particularly proud of, this rules package reinstates the Holman rule which allows Members of this body to offer amendments to appropriations bills to reduce t
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 118TH CONGRESS
Dusty Johnson (Republican, SD) \u2014 2023-1-9

quite a little bit of the national narrative over the last week has been about disunity, and some have tried to apply that narrative to this rules package. I get it. I get it. It makes for a good story, but it just isn't so. prgtoken I rise today, , with a more accurate assessment. This rules package is actually about unity. This package, except for one single change, is the same rules package that was released two weekends ago. prgtoken This is the same rules package, except for one single change that the Conference had widespread agreement on weeks ago. prgtoken There are a tremendous number of conservative wins here: prgtoken At least 72 hours for Members and the public to review legislation before we vote on it. prgtoken Requiring every bill to deal with only a single subject. prgtoken Getting rid of proxy voting. prgtoken Bringing back the Holman rule, which will allow this body to target specific spending line items. prgtoken And then the return of CutGo so that spending increases have to be offset by spending reductions. prgtoken , every single one of these big conservative wins, and many more like them were supported by the Conference long before the excitement of last week. Today's rules package is actually proof of unity, and it is proof that we are committed to bringing increased accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility for this Chamber and for our country.
HONORING THE MEMORY OF TOM MINNERY
Jim Banks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2023-1-9

I rise today to honor the life of Tom Minnery, who passed away on Christmas Eve. prgtoken Tom will be remembered most for his devotion to his family and to God. As one of the greatest champions of family values our country has ever known, I am proud to have called him a friend. prgtoken In 1987, Tom co-founded Citizen magazine with Dr. James Dobson, a publication dedicated to educating and encouraging Christians to become more engaged citizens. Tom cited Proverbs 11:11 in his very first column, `The good influence of godly citizens causes a city to prosper, but the moral decay of the wicked drives it downhill.' prgtoken Tom also founded and became senior vice president of Focus on the Family's department of Government and Public Policy. He positioned himself in this role as a leading voice for family values in our nation's most important conversations. This colored his founding of Citizenlink--now Family Policy Alliance--in October 2013, in which he served as CEO and president until his retirement in 2017. prgtoken In retirement, he and his wife Deb prioritized spending time with their three children and seven grandchildren, even as they remained active pro-family policy advocates. Tom was a beloved member of his church--where he served as an elder--and was the recipient of several awards from local civic and church groups. prgtoken This document stands as a testament to Tom's life and legacy, which so profoundly touched the lives of so many people. I pray his family finds comfort and peace, knowing they will be reunited with him again one day in the heavenly mansion in which he now resides with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
FAMILY AND SMALL BUSINESS TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2023-1-9

I am pleased today to rise in support of commonsense legislation that puts the American people ahead of padding the coffers of the IRS. prgtoken It wasn't long ago that Washington was under one-party rule. This Chamber was recently under the leadership of the ic Party that worked to give D.C. bureaucrats more power and wanted to hire an army of IRS agents to harass and audit my constituents while ignoring the need for more border agents to address the crisis at our southern border. prgtoken Congressman Smith's legislation eliminates the devastating IRS provision that snuck into their so-called Inflation Reduction Act by rescinding the funding to this D.C. agency. prgtoken The facts are that middle- and lower-income people are audited more by IRS agents by design of the IRS. prgtoken The Kansans I represent need relief from high gas prices and rampant inflation caused by the current administration and one-party rule. My constituents don't need a supercharged IRS that will investigate their transactions between friends and sic 87,000 new agents on them. prgtoken This bill, as the first bill that the new Congress addresses, puts our priorities on full display. s are ready to restore our Nation and hold government accountable. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this crucial legislation.