mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2019
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-9-23

. Madam , I want to answer the gentleman's question about ordinary Americans. These are ordinary Americans, some of whom, because of the climate change or the inequity in environmental injustice, have faced the wrong side of energy. I want them to face the good side. prgtoken So not only does the bill establish a clean energy workforce development program to educate and train the next generation of clean energy researchers, scientists, and professionals, but it also protects domestic manufacturing by requiring that any project funded under the act to construct, alter, maintain, or repair a public building or public work only use iron, steel, and manufactured goods produced in the United States. prgtoken Madam , this is a new start, but it brings old friends to the table. It brings Houston with the Greater Houston Partnership with a clean energy director who wants to move toward low carbon. It brings energy companies that I questioned during the BP spill that indicated to me they have a huge environmental section in their corporations. We can all work together. prgtoken I am a strong supporter of the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act because it is going to bring jobs and re-envision America. prgtoken Madam , as a senior member of the House Judiciary and Homeland Committees, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4447, the ``Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act,'' which makes long-overdue reforms to U.S. energy policy and authorizes major investments in the transition to a low-carbon future. prgtoken This robust legislation promises to usher in a new era in American innovation, serving as a down-payment on comprehensive climate action. prgtoken It includes: prgtoken Programs to develop and deploy renewable and distributed energy resources; improve the efficiency of our homes and businesses; electrify our transportation sector; modernize the grid and enhance its resiliency; prioritize the needs of environmental justice communities; and reduce carbon pollution from industrial and traditional sources. prgtoken Taken together, these measures provide a path towards modernizing our energy system while also taking an important forward in addressing the current the climate crisis in addition to growing our economy. prgtoken Specifically, this bill supports the transition to a low-carbon economy by investing in clean energy, distributed energy resources, energy storage systems, and microgrid, all of which build resiliency and are crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. prgtoken Furthermore, H.R. 4447 sets new energy efficiency standards for buildings, which roughly count towards 30 percent of greenhouse gas pollution, and provides funding for schools, homes, municipal buildings, and manufacturing facilities to improve efficiency and deploy energy-efficient technologies. prgtoken Reducing our carbon output is crucial in the fight against this current climate crisis, and we are in a crisis. prgtoken With wildfires raging on t
SAFEGUARDING THERAPEUTICS ACT
Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-9-23

. Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 5663, the Safeguarding Therapeutics Act. I'm proud to have advanced this bipartisan bill through my Health Subcommittee and I'm pleased to support it on the Floor. prgtoken The Safeguarding Therapeutics Act was introduced by Representatives Brett Guthrie and Eliot Engel. prgtoken Today, the FDA has the authority to destroy confiscated counterfeit or adulterated drugs. This bill extends that authority to medical devices. prgtoken Illicit trade and counterfeit products present growing risks to patients and consumers. We have the opportunity to ensure that FDA has the authority needed to destroy counterfeit drugs, devices and combination products. prgtoken This bill closes a gap and protects patients from the growing threat of counterfeit products, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
CORRECTING THE ENROLLMENT OF S. 2330
Jack Reed (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-9-23

I rise today to honor the life of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and to express my grave concerns at rushing to fill this Supreme Court vacancy rather than focus on the pandemic and its health and economic devastation. prgtoken The passing of Justice Ginsburg is a monumental loss for our country, but she will leave an indelible mark as a historic and brilliant jurist, civil rights trailblazer, and personal hero to countless people. We can all take inspiration from her stalwart and lifelong crusade for equality, shaped by her own struggles facing gender discrimination as a young lawyer, despite her outstanding education and obvious talent.
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2019
Raul Ruiz (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-9-23

. Madam , environmental injustices disproportionately impact underserved communities and communities of color around the country. prgtoken We have experienced this firsthand in the Eastern Coachella Valley in my district--environmental hazards that worsen quality of life and harm the public's health; children struggling to breathe on their way to school; residents with undrinkable water from high levels of arsenic. prgtoken Let me be clear. Having clean water to drink and clean air to breathe is not a privilege just for the affluent few. It is a right and a common good for everyone. That is why I am glad my bill, H.R. 3923, the Environmental Justice Act of 2019, is passing the House this week as part of the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act. prgtoken My bill will strengthen protections for vulnerable populations, give impacted communities the ability to hold big corporations and government accountable, and provide needed funds to mitigate and prevent future instances of environmental injustice. prgtoken I would like to thank Chairman Pallone and Subcommittee Chairman Tonko for working with me on this important legislation.
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2019
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-9-23

. Madam , the balance of my time for the Energy and Commerce portion of this debate. prgtoken I find it strange, Madam , that the s pose as the defenders of fiscal responsibility and lowering the deficit when they have what I consider a dismal track record on that issue. prgtoken In 2017, they rushed through a tax bill that only rewarded the wealthiest while drowning our children's future in a sea of debt. prgtoken What do s do when they create deficits by cutting taxes without paying for it? They propose cuts to existing programs and reject funding for initiatives that benefit everyday Americans. prgtoken To be clear, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that this bill would add a whopping zero dollars to the deficit. I stress that again: zero dollars to the deficit. prgtoken But if the s are so intent on talking about costs, they ought to look at the cost of climate inaction and the economic harm of letting our competitors lead the global clean energy technology race. By the end of the century, lost wages from climate-related damages will reach $155 billion; mortality from extreme temperatures will surpass $140 billion; and coastal property damage will approach $120 billion. All told, the U.S. economy could lose more than 10 percent of its GDP. prgtoken The economic benefits of action, in contrast, are significant: limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius will yield more than $20 trillion in global economic benefits annually in the same timeframe. prgtoken The bill before us lays a strong foundation for reaching these scientifically set climate targets. Meanwhile, House s are using tired gimmicks to argue about a deficit they created, a claim the CBO has thoroughly debunked. If we continue to entertain these tried and true delay tactics, we are going to lose the global clean energy race and ensure the worst effects of climate change. We will saddle our economy and generations to come with the cost of extreme weather and reduce economic productivity. This is already happening, Madam . prgtoken But if we reduce our carbon pollution and invest in clean energy technologies, then we can both protect our environment and grow our economy. We can lead the world in energy innovation and lead our allies in addressing the climate crisis. prgtoken Now, it has been 13 years since Congress last passed major energy legislation. Since then, the world has changed. Our energy needs have evolved. Technologies have matured, and the need for climate action has become urgent. The policies that govern how we produce, transport, store, and use energy are outdated. Our energy infrastructure is in desperate need of modernization, and Federal investments in energy- related research, development and deployment aren't meeting the needs of the 21st century. We need to transition to a clean, low-carbon economy, and that requires major investments and reforms to U.S. energy policy. <|p
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-9-23

I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 1923, the Women's History and Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin Program Act. This bill will celebrate 100 years of women's suffrage by featuring women leaders from across the country on quarter dollar coins. prgtoken We have been working to advance this bill for over 3 years, and I am so proud to have the endorsement of various stakeholders and the support of the United States Mint and Treasury on this legislation. prgtoken Let me first thank my co-lead, Congressman Anthony Gonzalez, as well as our Senate counterparts, Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Deb Fischer, for their efforts, and for all of our staff for working diligently on this legislation. prgtoken And I thank my good friend Congresswoman Maxine Waters and the Financial Services Committee for their leadership and commitment to getting this bill to the floor. There is bipartisan and bicameral support for this legislation. prgtoken My good friend, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman's legislation on semiquincentennial coins commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States is included in this coin package, and I thank her for spearheading the efforts on that initiative. prgtoken Finally, let me thank my dear friend, former U.S. Treasurer, Rosie Rios, who was really instrumental in shaping this legislation years ago, and for her incredible work to raise the visibility of women in every space and place to reinforce the critical role women have played and continue to play in history. I am deeply grateful for her leadership. prgtoken Finally, let me just specifically acknowledge my staff, my former legislative director, Emma Mehrabi, for early on never missing a beat with diligence and strategic work in getting this bill to the floor, and also my current legislative director, Gregory Adams, who really has taken this bill to the finish line. prgtoken H.R. 1923 will create a new series of circulating quarters, starting in 2022, featuring trailblazing women in American history. It is my hope that women of all backgrounds, diverse American women, will be chosen and depicted, celebrating the accomplishments of our Nation's historical leaders, thinkers, innovators, activists, freedom fighters, women who have contributed to achievements in many, many fields: civil rights, abolition, suffrage, science, and technology, the arts and humanities, education. Because of these women our country is better for them and their leadership. prgtoken Much like the previous and celebrated 50 State Quarters program, the women featured on these coins and their images will be selected with broad public input. Each Governor will engage with members of the general public and local groups focused on increasing the inclusion of women or improving the quality of life for women to recommend a prominent, trailblazing woman to represent their State or territory to be featured on their State coin. prgtoken It is my hope t
CLIMATE CHANGE
Jacky Rosen (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2020-9-23

I stand here to honor the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. prgtoken In everything Justice Ginsburg did--from her pivotal role in the fight for gender equality, to her storied legal career, to her serving on the DC Court of Appeals and, ultimately, as a member of the U.S. Supreme Court--throughout her life's journey, she used every ounce of her ability to give voice to the voiceless and build a more just and equitable world. prgtoken Justice Ginsburg was a lion on the bench. She ruled on monumental and historic cases, and the decisions she made--and even the dissents she wrote--have shaped this country and set us on a better path. prgtoken This remarkable woman inspired countless Americans to fight for the best of us even when it was hard, even when it was inconvenient. I know I wouldn't be here without Ruth Bader Ginsburg's leading the way. We have a responsibility to honor her legacy, her work, and the ethos of Justice Ginsburg. Part of her legacy was her decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, and we have seen too many attempts to dismantle this key cornerstone of her legacy. prgtoken In my time as Senator, I have met countless Nevadans, and I have had the chance to speak with Americans from all across the country. I can say with certainty that there is no issue that matters more to the American people than their health, especially now. prgtoken This administration has worked since day one to take healthcare coverage and critical protections away from millions of Americans. It has failed time and again to dismantle the ACA through legislation, and it has also attempted to destroy and dismantle the ACA through the courts. prgtoken In one of my first actions as a Senator, I co-led and helped to introduce a resolution to defend the Affordable Care Act's constitutionality against this administration's assault. In my first speech on the Senate floor, I called on the Senate to take it up and pass it. I cannot even begin to count the number of Nevadans who have shared how they would be affected by the ACA's demise. Everything is at stake if these individuals and these families are denied access to care. prgtoken Justice Ginsburg's replacement will help to decide whether individuals with preexisting conditions can be denied coverage and, thus, be left behind. Let me be clear: What this potentially means is that any of us with a preexisting condition could no longer obtain health insurance. prgtoken This next Justice will decide if we see an end to the tax credits that make healthcare coverage affordable for middle-income families. prgtoken This next Justice will decide if we see an end to preventive care without copays. prgtoken This next Justice will decide if we see an end to the ability of young adults, until the age of 26, to stay on their parents' insurance. prgtoken This next Justice will decide if we see an end to expanded Medicaid benefits, w
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2019
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2020-9-23

. Madam , I thank the chair of the committee for his focus and hard work on behalf of our environment and on behalf of reversing climate change and on behalf of the health and welfare of the American people. prgtoken The global climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time. We must confront climate change, and an essential part of that is investing in clean energy innovation. prgtoken This alone is certainly not going to be enough to address the climate crisis we face, but it is a critical step forward that we can and must take now. That is why House are bringing forward the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act today. prgtoken I am sorry this is not a bipartisan bill because, like COVID-19, climate prgtoken change is not a partisan issue. It should not be a partisan issue. prgtoken This legislation represents progress in the fight against the climate crisis. It represents a significant investment in clean energy infrastructure and job creation. prgtoken In addition to investing in clean energy production, distribution, and storage, this legislation sets new energy efficiency standards--I believe my colleagues are for that; I hope they are for that--for buildings and provides funding for homes, schools, manufacturing facilities, and public buildings to upgrade and improve energy efficiency. That is in everybody's best interests. prgtoken This bill makes bold investments in wind and solar and advanced nuclear technologies, of which I am a very strong supporter, and in helping to decarbonize the fossil fuel sector. prgtoken If we hope to meet the targets that climate scientists say are necessary to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change, many of which we are seeing as we speak today on the floor of this House, we are going to need to employ all of these technologies. prgtoken Recognizing the need to fight for environmental justice, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act prioritizes the needs of those living on the front lines of the climate crisis, including minority, Tribal, and low-income communities. They can't protect themselves. They don't have the dollars to do so. It is up to us to make sure that they are protected. prgtoken We are also creating a clean energy workforce development program, championed by my dear friend Bobby Rush, to train workers to succeed and help America lead the clean energy revolution. prgtoken While the administration cedes the race to being a world leader, withdrawing from all the other nations of the world that have a consensus that we need to deal with climate change and we need to deal with it together, we withdraw from that agreement. prgtoken We need to make sure that we continue to be a world leader in the clean energy economy to our foreign competitors. This bill seizes the moment and takes advantage of the economic opportunities that come from taking a bold approach to the global climate crisis. House reco
DEPENDABLE EMPLOYMENT AND LIVING IMPROVEMENTS FOR VETERANS ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-9-23

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I rise in support of H.R. 7105, as amended, the DELIVER Act. prgtoken H.R. 7105, as amended, was introduced by Representative Mike Levin, chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, in June of this year. But the package before us encompasses many of the issues his subcommittee has worked on to reduce homelessness and improve employment opportunities for veterans. prgtoken This bipartisan package encompasses seven bipartisan, bicameral pieces of legislation to improve the lives of veterans experiencing hardships. prgtoken First, section 101 of this package includes Chairman Levin's Homeless Veterans Coronavirus Response Act. This section includes temporary authorities for the Department of Veterans Affairs to effectively assist veterans during this difficult time. prgtoken Madam , that means giving VA the ability to serve more meals and providing blankets, clothing, basic hygiene products, and permanent and temporary shelter to veterans experiencing homelessness. prgtoken The section also allows VA flexibility to more quickly pay out grant and per diem payments. This means housing more veterans more quickly. prgtoken Finally, Mr. Levin's bill authorizes VA to use resources to contract healthcare services for veterans in the Health Care for Homeless Veterans, or HCHV, program during a public health emergency. prgtoken These are crucial improvements that VA has asked for, and we stand with them to deliver this assistance. prgtoken Now, section 102 of this legislation represents H.R. 2398 from Representative Scott Peters. His Veteran HOUSE Act would finally expand HUD-VASH to cover veterans with other-than-honorable discharges. prgtoken Veterans with other-than-honorable discharges make up 3 percent of the population, but they compose 15 percent of the homeless veteran population. There is no question that this commonsense expansion of the program would mean fewer homeless veterans, and I thank Representative Peters for his tireless work on this section. prgtoken Now, included in section 103 of the bill is H.R. 3749, Representative Panetta's Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act. This would authorize VA to provide grants or enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities that provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness. prgtoken Madam , according to community organizations, legal services are one of the top unmet needs for homeless veterans. Under this section, VA would be required to consult with organizations that have experience providing services to homeless veterans when establishing these criteria and requirements, and these grants or cooperative agreements would only be available to highly rated public or nonprofit entities. prgtoken Additionally, Representative Wild has included legislation to ensure that at least 10 percent of the funds made available each fiscal year for this grant
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2019
Conor Lamb (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2020-9-23

. Madam , I want to thank the chairwoman for bringing this bill to the floor. prgtoken Madam , I come from western Pennsylvania, home of the first oil well, home of coal and steel, home of the first nuclear power plant, home of the fracking revolution, and most importantly, home of the people who built all of these things. prgtoken And it is as a western Pennsylvanian today, not as a or , but as a western Pennsylvanian that I am proud to have supported and contributed provisions to this bill. Both and s will vote for this bill tomorrow--they will. And that is how it should be. prgtoken Somehow people got the idea that energy was one more topic that should be politicized in America, and they are wrong. The future of energy is about jobs, not red jobs, not blue jobs, just jobs. And we know how to create jobs in America when we use our government to win the race to new technologies. That is why I have never thought the best analogy here is the New Deal, it is the Manhattan Project. prgtoken Back then, when we had a threat from outside our country, it required us to double down on all the nuclear science and then get it out of the lab and into the factories, into the power plants, into the construction camps. We created jobs. prgtoken And just like that was a competition against Germany, and just like today, we still thank the Greatest Generation for refusing to tolerate Germany beating us to the bomb. Today, we should refuse to tolerate China beating us to those jobs. prgtoken Someone will get these jobs. Someone will build the next advanced nuclear reactor. Someone will figure out how to build a gas-fired power plant with carbon storage, and someone will win the race on batteries. It should be us. And this bill will give us a leg up in each one of those technologies. There is no more time to waste. prgtoken My colleagues across the aisle have raised fair points about their own ideas and legislation, but make no mistake, this bill is a blueprint for more jobs, less carbon, more science, less partisanship, and we should all pass it without delay.