mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Nomination of Katherine C. Tai (Executive Calendar)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2021-3-16

my legislative director is a woman named Xiao. Lucy is her first name, Lucy Xiao. She said to me several months ago, after the election-- was elected--she said: You know, we were working on the USMCA last year. We worked with a woman who was a very senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee staff to help make sure the environmental provisions in the law are not only strong but enforceable. prgtoken She said: The woman we worked with is a top staff person on the House Ways and Means Committee. Her name is Katherine Tai. prgtoken Lucy said to me: I think that Katherine Tai might make a good U.S. Trade Rep and may make a very interesting human story as well. prgtoken I have huge respect for Lucy's judgment, and I turned around and I called on the phone the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, an old colleague from my days in the House, Richard Neal. prgtoken I said: Richard, does the name ``Katherine Tai'' mean anything to you? prgtoken He said: Oh, yes. She is a great member of my staff. prgtoken I said: She has been suggested as someone who might serve as the U.S. Trade Rep. What do you think? prgtoken He said: She would be excellent. She would be excellent. prgtoken The next call I made was to Ted Kaufman, former U.S. Senator, former chief of staff to for many years, and the interim Senator in this body for 2 years after Joe was elected Vice President. I called former Senator Kaufman, who was in charge of the transition for the team, and I said: Ted, I think I have a good name for Trade Rep. prgtoken I explained who Katherine Tai was and her history and her work experience and what Chairman Richard Neal said about her. prgtoken I said: She might be a keeper. prgtoken A week later, he called me and he said: We are getting all kinds of great comments about Katherine Tai. prgtoken He said: You know, I think you don't always have the best judgment, Tom Carper, but I think in this case, maybe you are like a blind squirrel that occasionally finds a nugget. prgtoken And I think maybe in this case, I have, with the strong support and help of Lucy. prgtoken So that is the story. That is my Katherine Tai story. She is a keeper, and we are lucky to have her. She will succeed if confirmed. She will succeed Robert Lighthizer and Michael Froman, our immediate past two Trade Reps. Those are big shoes to fill, but she is very well prepared to fill them. prgtoken With that, .
STRONGER CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2021-3-16

. Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken Madam , I, once again, want to thank Ms. Bonamici and Mr. Comer, as well as Ms. Stevens, Ms. Stefanik, Ms. Schrier, Mr. Johnson, and Ranking Member Foxx for their leadership in advancing this bill. prgtoken Stronger CAPTA will make significant improvements in existing law by authorizing record levels of funding for prevention as well as treating child abuse, increasing accountability to make sure States are using the money effectively, and closing gaps in the law that will put vulnerable children in danger. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and .
Nomination of Katherine C. Tai (Executive Calendar)
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2021-3-16

the Senate will soon take a procedural vote on the nomination of Katherine C. Tai to serve as the next U.S. Trade Representative. prgtoken For Senators who watched any of Ms. Tai's nomination hearing before the committee, you will know that Ms. Tai has a whole lot of fans on both sides of the aisle here in the Senate. So I am just going to take a few minutes to discuss some of the reasons why I think Ms. Tai is a terrific choice for this job. prgtoken First, she knows that the name of the game when it comes to this country's trade policy is protecting and creating high-skill, high-wage jobs. Our country saw, for the past 4 years, that a strategy of sending mean tweets and acting on chaos does not translate into more good jobs. Under President , and with Katherine Tai leading USTR, I am confident we will have a more effective approach prgtoken Ms. Tai also has exactly the right experience for the job. She led crackdowns against China's trade cheating and job rip-offs. As the top trade staffer on the Ways and Means Committee, she was at the forefront to improve the new NAFTA when the administration handed to Congress a deal that just wasn't strong enough for American workers. She already has a long track record of achieving wins for America's workers, businesses, farmers, and ranchers. prgtoken Second, Ms. Tai has committed to the Finance Committee that she will work to bring more transparency to trade policy. Bringing more sunlight to the country's trade agreements ought to be a priority that every Senator shares. That is why I am glad that President has chosen somebody with congressional experience for the role of USTR. prgtoken The Constitution gives the Congress authority over international trade. Unfortunately, Congress, over the years, has delegated some of its power to the executive branch. So what that means is, now, all sides need to work together as partners, with open channels of communication, accountability, and transparency. And when I talk about transparency, I am talking about transparency with the American people. I know that Ms. Tai will continue to raise the bar for transparency and communication with Congress because she has been on our side of policymaking, and she has already proved that that kind of openness and accountability is a key priority for her. prgtoken With a former Senator in the White House and a former House staffer at USTR, I believe there would be a productive partnership with Congress so we can get trade done right and make sure that trade policy creates those high-skill, high-wage jobs that are a priority for every elected official. prgtoken Finally, there is another Finance Committee priority that I will just mention. On Thursday, the committee will hold a hearing on the subject of stamping out forced labor around the world. Forced labor is evil, it is morally repugnant, and it is a direct attack on workers in our country because, when Ame
Nomination of Isabella Casillas Guzman (Executive Session)
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2021-3-16

I rise in support of Isabella Guzman, currently the director of California's Office of the Small Business Advocate--the Presiding Officer's State--to be the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. prgtoken We all know the importance of small businesses and how they have been hit so hard during this pandemic. Small businesses employ nearly half of all private sector workers and make outsized contributions to the innovation that makes America's economy strong. Yet the coronavirus has put millions of people out of business, hundreds of thousands of these mom-and-pop, brick-and-mortar retail shops out of business, and restaurants out of business. prgtoken We are so pleased that there is, as we say in Minnesota, a lighthouse that we are looking to now. I was up in Duluth on Sunday, and instead of the light at the end of the tunnel, which so many of us talk about with regard to the end of this pandemic, the mayor there referred to it as a lighthouse, for they have a lot of lighthouses on Lake Superior. The end of this pandemic is our lighthouse. We see the blinking lights from a distance, but we know we are not there yet. To get there, we not only need to get this vaccine to every person--and the President has said we will have vaccines available by the end of May for every adult in America--but we have to get it distributed, and our pandemic bill certainly is going to be a major step toward getting that done. prgtoken We also need to get our business economy back in order. We need to be able to not be so far down in the ground that we can't climb out of where we are. That is why having Ms. Guzman in place--someone with her record and her ability to lead and who served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and as the Senior Adviser at the Small Business Administration during the administration--is so important. prgtoken She will oversee the Paycheck Protection Program, which we established on a bipartisan basis in March of 2020 as part of the CARES Act, as she understands the need for greater equity in loan distribution and has shown a commitment to transparency and accurate loan data. She has made clear that she will make the Paycheck Protection Program more accessible to businesses that have traditionally not had access to the banking relationships needed to secure loans and grants. prgtoken Very significantly to me and to those of us who worked on the Save our Stages bill, including Senator Cornyn of Texas, who led the bill with me, she has made clear that she will move on the grant program immediately. We have been working with the staff there, and we have given these venues that have been shuttered--the first to close and the last to reopen--the ability to access PPP loans, which is really important right now. We also want to get the grant program out immediately--get that money out--and distribute over $16 billion in grants. Our venues can't wait. They need that relief. Ms. Guzma
HONORING THE LIFE OF RENA ANN GEORGE
Tom O’Halleran (Democrat, AZ) \u2014 2021-3-16

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Rena Ann George, a beloved resident of Winslow, Arizona, who passed away last month. prgtoken In 2019, my staff and I had the privilege of visiting Rena and her husband, Herbert, at their home in Winslow. During this visit, I spoke with Rena and Herbert about the impacts they experienced over the past four decades as a result of their forced relocation following the 1974 Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act. prgtoken I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with the George family, learn about their life, and see some of Rena's beautiful arts and crafts. prgtoken Throughout her life, Rena dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her family, her many communities, and her arts and crafts business. prgtoken Her kindness, warmth, and hard work have made a profound impact on her community and her loved ones. prgtoken Pat and I are keeping Rena's family, friends, and the entire Winslow community in our prayers as we mourn her passing.
VOCA FIX TO SUSTAIN THE CRIME VICTIMS FUND ACT OF 2021
Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-3-16

. Madam , the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. prgtoken Last year, all 56 State and territorial attorneys general sent a letter to Congress warning us that the balance and financial health of the Crime Victims Fund is in jeopardy and urging that we act swiftly to address the problem. They explained any decrease in the funds available for distribution results in a decrease in the number of victims and survivors that are served, as well as potential loss of essential staff in victim service programs. prgtoken The VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act heeds their call and would ensure that this fund has the resources it needs to continue delivering essential services to victims of crime. This important legislation is supported by more than 1,670 national, regional, State, territorial, and local organizations. prgtoken I thank all of my colleagues who have supported this bill. I am aware of no opposition to this bill at all, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it. prgtoken Madam , .
CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Marcy Kaptur (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-3-17

I rise today during Women's History Month to celebrate countless women across America making a difference. From coast to coast, in every community and every industry, women are getting it done. prgtoken Take Kishia Powell, the current chief operations officer and EVP of DC Water. I had the great pleasure to meet Kishia last week while visiting the brand-new headquarters. She is working in an industry dominated by men, and Kishia has stayed dedicated to her role as a woman leader in the water utilities industry. She is literally turning sludge into a new energy utility for Washington, D.C and the surrounding regions. prgtoken Then there is Sister Pamela Marie Buganski, a native Toledoan who dedicated her life to faith and community. I remember meeting her in Matamoros, Mexico, as she was witnessing what was happening to immigrant children and families as a result of President 's Remain in Mexico order. Pamela gave everything she had to others before she, sadly, passed away last year. prgtoken Women like former Member Jill Long Thompson from Indiana have played an instrumental role in advancing change and conversation across America. As a Member and as a teacher, she recently wrote a book about government ethics and how President 's Presidency undermined the ethics of our democracy. prgtoken Finally, there are women like Patsy Pasquale, who humbly carries on her father's Toledo shoe business and legacy in orthopedic footwear after his death from COVID-19 last December. prgtoken This Women's History Month, we strive to celebrate all that women do in this country and the lasting impact they create. Let us be thankful for their beautiful lives that elevate the worth of our families, communities, culture, and economy. prgtoken , I proudly stand with all my sisters this evening.
REMEMBERING JOAN F. ARP
Tim Ryan (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2021-3-17

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of Joan F. Arp, of Liberty Township, Ohio, who passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the age of 78. prgtoken Joan was born on February 28, 1943 in Youngstown, Ohio, the daughter of Louis and Katherine (Popovich) Kunovich. Joan was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Girard and a member of the church's care team, bereavement committee, and taught Sunday School when her children were younger. prgtoken Mrs. Arp was a homemaker and stayed home to raise her children. She enjoyed playing bingo, needlepoint and was so proud of her collection of Santa Clauses. Joan loved to participate in the many fun activities and outings that were offered at Liberty Arms Assisted Living. prgtoken Joan will miss all of her cherished friendships, especially those she resided with. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Mark (Mary) Arp, of Hermitage, PA and her daughter Kelly Hontula, of Liberty Township; sister Maureen Perrico, of Las Vegas, Nevada and grandson, Nicholas Arp. Besides her parents, Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth J. Arp, whom she married October 9, 1965 and died May 5, 2014, and her brother, James Kunovich. prgtoken I am proud to be friends with Joan's daughter, Kelly, and thank her for her long-standing support. My deepest condolences go out to Kelly, the entire family, and to all whose lives were touched by Joan.
ENSURING EQUALITY FOR WOMEN
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2021-3-17

. Madam , every single constitution in the world prgtoken drafted since 1950 has the equivalent of the equal rights amendment, except the United States of America. prgtoken Though some might say otherwise, it is clear that women need the equal rights amendment, and we need it now. We need the ERA to strengthen the movement women have been building to achieve paycheck fairness and paid family leave, to prevent discrimination against women who are pregnant in the workplace, and to fight for comprehensive reproductive health for all women and girls. prgtoken Today, I will vote for the equal rights amendment to assure that my granddaughters, that women and girls throughout the world and throughout the country, are not only strong, powerful, and resilient, but also equal here in the United States under the Constitution.
GUARANTEE WOMEN EQUALITY
Lois Frankel (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-3-17

. Madam , I stand in favor of removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment, and I ask the following question: What do the following women have in common? prgtoken Teacher Melissa Falkowski, who saved 19 children during the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School; prgtoken Senator Tammy Duckworth, who lost both her legs in a combat mission in Iraq; prgtoken Chemist Alice Ball, who revolutionized the treatment for leprosy; prgtoken Joy Harjo, who was the first Native American poet laureate; prgtoken Dolores Huerta, civil rights activist; prgtoken The nearly 9 out of 10 nurses and two-thirds of the workers at grocery store checkouts and fast-food counters who are women. prgtoken What do they have in common? No matter the sacrifice or contribution to society, if you are a woman or a girl in the United States of America, you are not guaranteed equality under the law. prgtoken After 245 years since the birth of our Nation, it is time to pass the equal rights amendment.
Tribute to Eric Feldman (Executive Session)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2021-3-17

I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary public servant and Michigander, Eric Feldman. prgtoken Since my first days serving in the U.S. House of Representatives more than 12 years ago, Eric has served as my chief of staff. I still vividly remember him coming to my home just a couple of weeks after my election to interview for the chief of staff position. prgtoken I was immediately impressed by his extensive knowledge of American politics and his passion to serve the people of the State of Michigan. prgtoken But to fully know Eric is to know his family's story and how it shaped the man he is. All four of his grandparents survived the Holocaust. His maternal grandmother was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, among others. His maternal grandfather was in a forced labor camp in Plaszow. His grandparents met and married in the Bergen- Belsen concentration camp. They were liberated from there and remained after it was converted to a displaced persons camp following World War II. That camp is where Eric's mother was born. prgtoken His grandparents and mother immigrated in 1949 to Detroit, where his grandfather worked as a janitor at Ford Motor Company during the day and worked as a tailor at night. His mother won a full scholarship to the University of Michigan from Ford Motor Company as part of a program for employees. prgtoken Eric's paternal grandparents fled Poland on the eve of the Nazi German invasion. They survived the war as slave laborers in Siberia, where Eric's father was born. Following the war, they immigrated to Israel before settling in Detroit. Eric's father went to Wayne State University, thanks to the GI bill, after serving honorably in the U.S. Air Force. prgtoken After immigrating to Detroit, Eric's family worked hard, and they were able to achieve the American dream. There is no question that their life experience and their journey instilled in Eric a sense of service and devotion to country. prgtoken As a freshman Member of Congress, I was fortunate to have Eric on my team. He brought with him extensive political and policy experience, having worked for Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Rahm Emanuel. He built on that experience, leading our office with steady, unwavering leadership, brilliant vision, and wise counsel. prgtoken Through four reelections--including my election to the Senate and reelection last year--and many crises impacting Michigan and our country, I entrusted Eric to help ensure that we were able to come together, solve tough problems, and ultimately deliver results. He never flinched. I could always count on Eric to work with our team to develop creative ideas to tackle challenges or empower staff to make prgtoken sure that we were on the leading edge of issues critical to Michigan. prgtoken He has guided my office through countless high-profile events and crises: the great recession and auto crisis, the Flint water crisis, several gove
GEORGIA SHOOTINGS
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2021-3-17

now let me proceed to my remarks. prgtoken First, on the terrible tragedy in Georgia, the people of Atlanta, GA, and the surrounding communities were just shocked last night by a series of shootings that left eight people dead, six of whom were of Asian descent. prgtoken The motivations behind this devastating tragedy are still unknown, but there is a legitimate concern that these killings may have been racially motivated. Over the past year, the Asian-American community has faced a rising tide of abuse and violence in the wake of COVID-19, driven by ignorance, by misinformation, and by age-old prejudices against the Asian-American community. Tragically, hate crimes against Asian Americans have skyrocketed. prgtoken There is bigotry in the land and far too much of it. These dark forces have always existed in America, but, recently, they seem to have been unleashed. The sort of superego that puts prgtoken these things down seems to have weakened, and the id seems to have strengthened. prgtoken We cannot lose for a moment our vigilance against these forces of hate, intolerance, bigotry, and discrimination. prgtoken I love the Asian American community. They have done so much for America. I see it in my borough of Brooklyn, in my city and State of New York, and throughout the country--hard-working people, people who do so much for our country at every level. They are welcome here. That is America. Yet, bigots have increased hate crimes and maybe even possibly led to the deaths of these people. prgtoken So I hope that all Americans first will realize that there is too much hate in the land, that hate against one group is hate against any group, and we should all, Americans of every background and race and creed, color, and religion, gender, and sexual orientation, band together against the haters. It is so un-American. prgtoken E pluribus unum--out of many, one. That is what America has always been. That is what America must continue to be, and our voices must speak out.