mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
UIGHUR INTERVENTION AND GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN UNIFIED RESPONSE ACT OF 2019
Tina Smith (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2020-10-21

I rise today to tell the people of Minnesota why I will oppose the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. prgtoken Our Constitution's most fundamental charge is to render equal justice under the law. This promise is so central to our justice system that those words are inscribed above the entrance to the U.S. Supreme Court. The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg devoted her life to advancing the principle of equality under the law, and I believe all nominees to our Nation's highest Court must share that dedication. prgtoken Unfortunately, Judge Barrett does not meet that standard. Judge Barrett was nominated to fulfill President 's promise to appoint Supreme Court Justices who would do two things which I believe are antithetical to equal justice under the law: dismantling the Affordable Care Act and overturning Roe v. Wade. prgtoken So let's be clear about what is happening. We know Judge Barrett was nominated because President and s believe that she will help them overturn the Affordable Care Act and take us back to the days when millions more Americans do not have health insurance and insurance companies can deny coverage or charge exorbitant rates to people with preexisting conditions, like cancer or heart disease. They could charge women more and seniors more, and they would be able to charge more to people with COVID as a preexisting condition. prgtoken As we know, Judge Barrett was nominated because believes she will uphold laws that treat women as less capable of making independent decisions about their health, their personal beliefs, and birth control than State legislatures. prgtoken A person who can pass these two litmus tests does not sound like someone to me who is committed to equal justice under the law. prgtoken Now, many of my ic colleagues have talked about the terrible impact of striking down the Affordable Care Act on American families. I share this commitment that they have--that we all have--to protect healthcare as a human right. But as the only Senator who has worked at Planned Parenthood, I want to take my time today to talk about what is at stake if the Supreme Court overturns or weakens Roe. prgtoken When I worked at Planned Parenthood, I saw firsthand how comprehensive reproductive healthcare is essential for women to have the freedom and the opportunity to live the lives that they choose. I also saw how efforts to strip away these protections are an affront to the equal rights and dignity of women and their families. prgtoken For all people, healthcare decisions are the most personal. It is your body and it is your life, and decisions about reproductive health and sexual health are even more personal and intensely private. There is still stigma and discrimination around reproductive health, especially abortion, and that makes it even more important that people have
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-10-21

today I am pleased to introduce the Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Seniors Act with Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. It is critical that a future COVID-19 vaccine be made available to Medicare beneficiaries with no cost sharing, which is the goal of our legislation. prgtoken The CARES Act, which Congress passed overwhelmingly and was signed into law at the end of March, included provisions requiring Medicare to cover FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines with no-cost sharing. These provisions are designed to ensure that as soon as there is an approved and available COVID-19 vaccine, seniors across the Nation would be able to get the vaccine for free under Medicare. Vaccines are one of the best public health interventions in our lifetime and we must do everything we can to encourage everyone to get the vaccines recommended by their doctors. One of the most effective ways to improve vaccination rates is to remove barriers such as cost. In fact, working with my colleagues, I was able to include provisions in the Affordable Care Act to ensure that vaccines are covered by insurance with no cost-sharing. This not only makes our population healthier, but it also saves money in the long-term. prgtoken While the COVID-19 vaccine development and testing protocols are ongoing, it is very likely that the first vaccines will be made available under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by FDA. An EUA may be granted to one or more COVID-19 vaccines in order to get vaccines to those who need them the most, while the pharmaceutical companies continue testing and evaluating vaccine candidates and pursuing full FDA approval. While I have concerns that the Administration may attempt to interfere in the vaccine approval process, most public health experts believe that the first vaccine candidates will be made available under an EUA. In this case, the CARES Act provisions requiring Medicare to cover COVID-19 vaccines would not apply, as vaccines made available under an EUA would not yet be considered FDA- approved. Our bipartisan legislation would address this oversight and ensure that COVID-19 vaccines would also be covered by Medicare if made available by an EUA. prgtoken I am pleased that the House of Representatives has already passed this provision as a part of the much broader Heroes Act. It is my hope that the Senate will follow suit immediately. It has been more than six months since the CARES Act was signed into law, and the need to provide additional relief to combat the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased. We are far overdue for another robust relief package, and it is shameful that the Senate has not yet acted to pass such a measure. It is critical that the Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Seniors Act be considered swiftly in the Senate, along with a number of other critical efforts to help the American people during this difficult ti
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2020-10-21

I rise today, on behalf of myself and my colleague from Delaware, Senator Chris Coons, to pay tribute to Jennifer Cohan, secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation--DelDOT--who has been a tremendous leader and public servant in the State of Delaware for more than three decades. Jen has served as the secretary of the DelDOT, since 2015 where, as the third woman to serve as secretary in the department's 100-year history, she developed and implemented the State's largest ever roadway infrastructure program. She previously served as director of the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles--DMV--for 8 years and was the first woman to serve in that position in State history. prgtoken After 31 years of public service to the State of Delaware, Jen is retiring from DelDOT at the end of this month. She will be taking on a new role as the chief executive officer of Leadership Delaware. In this new role, Jen will lead this highly regarded organization in its mission to recruit outstanding young Delawareans and help equip them with the knowledge, vision, integrity, and connections they will need to become the future leaders of communities, nonprofits, businesses, and organizations within the First State. prgtoken As secretary of DelDOT, Jen contributed not only her intellect, innovative ideas, and immense technical capacity, but also an uplifting positive energy that motivated everyone fortunate enough to serve on her team. prgtoken Over the course of her distinguished career with the State of Delaware, Jen has held a range of leadership roles. In addition to her leadership of DelDOT, Jen is currently the chair of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, where she has highlighted DelDOT's work to prepare Delaware's transportation system for the future. Previously, in her capacity as director of the Delaware DMV, she transformed the agency by investing in technology and enhancing customer service. She also previously managed Delaware's clean water program at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and analyzed budgets for the General Assembly in the office of the controller general. As if that were not enough, Jen has also spent the last 12 years as an adjunct professor at Wilmington University, teaching leadership and public policy in the master's program there. prgtoken On this occasion of your retirement from public service, Jen, Senator Coons and I want to convey to you the gratitude of all Delawareans for the enthusiasm, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit that you have consistently brought to your many leadership roles and for your service to the people of Delaware. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to your family for sharing you with all of us for the past 31 years. In closing, Jen, please accept our warmest congratulations and best wishes and our thanks for dedicating the past three decades of your life to advancing mobility, improving i
UIGHUR INTERVENTION AND GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN UNIFIED RESPONSE ACT OF 2019
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2020-10-21

because, 4 years ago, I was on this floor, and I know you weren't here in the Chamber, and I listened to so many Members of the Senate say that they were establishing a new precedent--a precedent they felt was a precedent born of deep conviction, passionate conviction, that there should never be a debate and a vote during an election year, not just during the election. We are already in the process of casting ballots, but never in an election year. prgtoken So that also is a precedent set 4 years ago that this is overturning; is that not correct?
UIGHUR INTERVENTION AND GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN UNIFIED RESPONSE ACT OF 2019
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2020-10-21

thank you. I rise to talk about Americans' health and the health of Virginians. prgtoken We are living through a crisis--the coronavirus crisis--that is unprecedented in American life since 100 years ago with the influenza of the late 19-teens, and a lot of words have been used on the floor to describe the magnitude of the crisis. I needn't dwell on that. Now nearly 220,000 Americans have died. A recent study that was put out suggested that the actual toll may be closer to 300,000. prgtoken Many States in the country are experiencing dramatic spikes, with predictions that we could see the worst levels of coronavirus in coming months, at least until a vaccine is developed and widely distributed, and that probably won't happen before the spring of next year. prgtoken In Virginia, we have been hit--3,515 Virginians have died of coronavirus. My wife and I know three of them--two in Richmond and one in Fairfax County. And 168,722 Virginians have had coronavirus. My wife and I are two in that number. prgtoken This challenge in Virginia hit first in a tiny part of the State that I really love, the Eastern Shore of Virginia. That is one of the least accessible parts of Virginia. The Eastern Shore has two sizable poultry processing plants, with thousands of workers--a mixture of White workers, African-American workers, Latino immigrants, Haitian-Creole immigrants. prgtoken In March, at these two plants--one run by Tyson and the second run by Purdue Food Company--they started to see cases multiply. Many were asymptomatic. People didn't know they had it, but that meant they could spread the virus to others. The healthcare network in the Eastern Shore of Virginia was dramatically taxed by this fast-moving and little- understood crisis at the time. prgtoken That was our first hot spot in Virginia. Other States had their hot spots; that was ours. prgtoken Thank goodness, as Virginians have grappled with this crisis and as we have grappled with it across the country, there have been some protections, and I want to stand and talk about the protections that have been provided to Virginians during this time by the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken About 400,000 Virginians have Medicaid because of the Affordable Care Act. Virginia embraced the expansion of Medicaid 2 years ago, so people have been able to get insurance, many for the first time in their lives, and that 400-plus thousand have been able to access care. prgtoken Virginians have been protected if they had preexisting conditions, and now having had coronavirus is a preexisting condition, and the many people who suffer from long-haul coronavirus symptoms have preexisting conditions. They have been protected. prgtoken Young people have been able to stay on family policies, which has been particularly helpful in a time of economic challenge, where a lot of young people have lost jobs or not been able to find them. And other people who have lost jobs in the private se
UIGHUR INTERVENTION AND GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN UNIFIED RESPONSE ACT OF 2019
Tom Udall (Democrat, NM) \u2014 2020-10-21

I join my ic colleagues today to voice my frustration with the Senate s' drive to manufacture votes on anemic half measures instead of focusing on enacting robust and comprehensive COVID-19 relief for the American people. prgtoken With over 220,000 deaths, positive cases surging throughout the country, and flu season right around the corner, it is unconscionable that we are not taking up legislation to address the health and economic needs facing this Nation. prgtoken Simply put, this week's votes have been engineered as political theater. They were designed to feign action, while failing, and to further divide this body along party lines while making no progress on another bipartisan coronavirus relief package. prgtoken Earlier this summer, I took to the Senate floor to address the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on our Nation's health and economy. The majority of the $8 billion in CARES Act relief funding had barely gotten out to Tribes by then, thanks to the administration's delay and fumbled distribution. Now the administration wants Indian Country to believe it championed that funding for Tribal governments, but the truth is the administration and Senate leaders offered nothing for Tribes in coronavirus relief. prgtoken Tribes didn't see progress until Senate fought back, demanding targeted relief for Tribal governments. We ended up securing over $10 billion to fight the virus, stabilize Tribal economies, and support Native health systems. prgtoken Yes, it was obvious even then more would need to be done. I sounded the alarm that Native communities, like every American community, needed more help and were bearing the brunt of the virus's continued spread. prgtoken As vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, I am compelled to speak out again and urge immediate bipartisan action to provide more targeted relief for Native communities and to urge my colleagues who represent a number of Native communities to join me in this effort. Our shared trust and treaty obligations demand nothing less. prgtoken Throughout this pandemic, I have heard directly from Tribes, Pueblos, and Native Hawaiian communities about their urgent and ongoing needs for healthcare and economic resources to combat the virus. I have heard how existing Federal policies, practices, and program structures have left these communities particularly exposed to severe and long-lasting impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. prgtoken In a recent oversight hearing on implementation of Federal programs to support COVID-19 response efforts, Tribal panelists testified about how their communities have been hurt by congressional inaction, funding shortfalls, and a lack of coordination between the Federal agencies. prgtoken Among other things, we learned that existing Federal policies and failures have exacerbated health disparities, economic barriers, and institutional inequities among
UIGHUR INTERVENTION AND GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN UNIFIED RESPONSE ACT OF 2019
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2020-10-21

I notice of the Presiding Officer and the junior Senator from Arkansas, who was the Presiding Officer right before, and far too often of the Presiding Officers that they are taking their masks off when they preside. I notice that right below the Presiding Officer are always three or four staff people who are fully masked. I also know that a number of our colleagues have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. prgtoken I would hope that the Presiding Officers, starting today, would wear masks when they preside. As they speak and project, it puts people at risk who sit right below the Presiding Officer. I know it might offend the President of the United States that the Presiding Officer wears a mask when presiding because I know the President doesn't believe in it, but public health officials in Tennessee and Arkansas and Ohio and Oregon and Hawaii do. So I ask this of the Presiding Officer and would hope the Presiding Officer and others will consider public health when they preside over this body. prgtoken Before I address my issue--and I will note when Senator Crapo has shown up on the floor to address--I want to point out a couple of things that I just heard from Senator Thune and Senator Wyden. prgtoken Senator Wyden is exactly right. The only amendment to the $2.5 trillion package that the s offered was to strip away the $600. prgtoken I have always been puzzled by how much the s as a party-- almost since Roosevelt--have hated unemployment insurance. prgtoken I know you don't like social insurance. You don't like Medicare, but you pay into Medicare, and then you get a benefit when you need it. You pay into Social Security and get a benefit when you need it. You pay into unemployment insurance and get a benefit when you need it. prgtoken I know the s say they don't like Medicare, but every time they have a chance, they try to privatize Medicare. prgtoken Right, Senator Wyden? prgtoken Then they try to privatize Social Security, right? prgtoken I can't believe the number of s I have heard, when they have come to the floor, either publicly say or privately grumble to themselves or each other: I can't believe this $600 a week for these people. We shouldn't be giving that much money to these people. prgtoken I mean, that was the tone of voice. There was, perhaps, derision in their voices. prgtoken I was talking to an unemployed worker today who has lost her job, and she is hurting. I mean, fortunately she has a spouse, and her spouse has insurance, but she was talking about the $600 she got. It has also helped local businesses. A whole bunch of people in my communities are getting the $600 a week, and it keeps these businesses going too. prgtoken I guess I don't understand the hatred of unemployment insurance. I would think it would be trumped--pardon my verb--by how much it helps small businesses, but I guess it is not. So that debate, I guess, is over. <|p|
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2020-10-22

I am pleased to recognize Mr. Vic Bird on the occasion of his retirement. Vic has been a champion for the Oklahoma aviation community for nearly two decades. He most recently served as the director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission for 18 years, the longest serving director in Oklahoma history. prgtoken You would never know it, but back in 2002, Vic Bird was a newcomer to aviation. Nevertheless, there is no one in State government who worked harder to make Oklahoma the aviation capital of America. Vic Bird led the charge on numerous State legislative initiatives that brought aviation employers to Oklahoma, and the proof is in one number. Today, aviation and aerospace is Oklahoma's second largest industry, with an annual economic impact of $44 billion. prgtoken Throughout his tenure at the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, Vic has been a true friend to general aviation, supporting pilots and airports. Vic Bird was instrumental in making sure Oklahoma State law protected pilots at public-use and military airports by keeping dangerous structures from being built too close to airport infrastructure. Vic Bird promoted airports as anchor institutions supporting economic development and job growth in communities across Oklahoma and joined me in an aerial tour of general aviation airports across Oklahoma back in June 2017. prgtoken Before I conclude, I want to highlight two of the awards and recognitions Vic Bird has received that speak volumes of his commitment to aviation. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association awards the Joseph B. ``Doc'' Hartranft Jr. Award to an individual in government service who has made significant contributions to the advancement of general aviation. Vic Bird was the first and only nonelected official to receive this award. Vic Bird is also the first and only Oklahoman elected to serve as chair of the National Association of State Aviation Officials. prgtoken Vic Bird has remained an unwavering passionate advocate for aviation and aerospace in Oklahoma. I know I join his family and all that know him, in thanking him for his years of service and contributions to Oklahoma and our entire aviation community. prgtoken Congratulations on your retirement.
Renewable Energy Sources (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2020-10-22

throughout my tenure in the Senate, I have been a leader in promoting renewable energy sources, like being called the father of the wind energy tax credit. This has led to a cleaner environment and has increased America's energy independence. prgtoken It is concerning to see legislation from progressive Members of Congress that would eliminate internal combustion engine vehicles like the vast majority of us drives and depends on. In other words, we will all have to buy electric cars. This is supposed to help the environment, but, remember, most electrical generation is from fossil fuels. prgtoken There are more practical solutions available. Currently, renewable fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent, but they would be totally eliminated under this extreme bill. By adding more ethanol and biodiesel to our energy mix, we can reduce emissions while still keeping transportation costs low for working families. prgtoken I ask my colleagues across the aisle to abandon this radical scheme. If they want a cleaner environment, then they should look to renewable fuels produced in our Nation's heartland. prgtoken . prgtoken .