mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Rodney Davis (Republican, IL) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I appreciate my good friend, Mr. Cole, yielding. prgtoken It is disappointing that House have completely dismissed the first opportunity to work together in this new Congress to instill voter confidence and protect the integrity of our election process. prgtoken The purpose of H. Res. 5 is to address many of the election administration problems that occurred in 2020, something I have encouraged the Committee on House Administration and this House to address long before the 2020 general election. prgtoken The resolution would have required the Committee on House Administration to report out a bill that contains five main provisions: prgtoken First, a provision to ensure this House's commitment to upholding the U.S. Constitution by maintaining that it is States that have the primary authority to conduct elections, not the Federal Government. prgtoken Second, it ensures ballot integrity for votes cast by mail. prgtoken Third, this provides a Federal baseline for signature verification. prgtoken Fourth, it includes measures to improve voter confidence and certainty in our election results by counting ballots in a timely manner. prgtoken And lastly, a provision to ensure proper oversight of Federal dollars provided to States to help them administer elections through the Help America Vote Act. prgtoken These issues are nonpartisan. They are problems both sides struggled with in the 2020 election. As the committee with jurisdiction over Federal elections, it is our responsibility to address them. prgtoken Arguably, the time to address these issues was before the 2020 election, but it is never too late to do the right thing. prgtoken In 2020, more than 65 million people voted by mail, more than ever before. Just as we have baseline standards for administering in-person elections, we should have them for mail-in voting. Baseline standards for these ballots would help ensure every legal vote is counted. prgtoken There were many last-minute changes made during the 2020 cycle, in the name of COVID-19, that chipped away at the integrity of our election system, and it is important that we do not maintain this pandemic-style voting in the long term. prgtoken The worst thing that can happen to our government is for the American people to lose all confidence in our elections. There are bipartisan steps we can take to help restore public confidence in our elections and protect our Republic. prgtoken While it is disappointing that House have dismissed the first opportunity in this new Congress to work together to protect the integrity of our elections, I am hopeful that, working with Chairman McGovern, Ranking Member Cole, and Chairperson Lofgren and others in this arena, we can set politics aside to achieve this goal.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Beth Van Duyne (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I rise today in opposition to H. Res. 8. prgtoken I came to Congress expecting to engage in vigorous debate with my colleagues to ensure legislation was passed in its best form. I am ready to legislate with Members on both sides of the aisle, but the majority is not interested in bipartisan legislating or even permitting the free expression of ideas. Instead, because s made historic gains in the House, are changing the rules to limit their own Members from defecting. prgtoken Since the very first Congress, the motion to recommit has protected the rights of the minority, both and alike. prgtoken The majority would overturn a century's worth of precedent by eliminating the motion to recommit and also pave the way for reckless spending by forgoing critical pay-as-you-go requirements to fund costly socialist policies. prgtoken Finally, and most ridiculous of all, are banning terms like ``mother,'' ``father,'' ``daughter,'' and ``son'' from the House rules. prgtoken With so many tasks and obligations the American people expect us to undertake, this proposal demonstrates ' true intentions, which is to advance radical liberal policies that have no meaningful impact on the American public. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Chip Roy (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma. prgtoken Madam , I rise to say that we had this great speech by the leader of the Party about debates and about what we should do in debating on this floor. When will we debate? That is the question. When will we actually debate? prgtoken The leader made good points about previous rules, about closed debate. We haven't had an open debate on an amendment on this floor since May 2016, where I can come down as a Member or as a ic Member and offer an amendment. prgtoken We have no debates on amendments anymore, Mr. Leader. You know this is true. You have been here. You have seen the change in this body. And I would just suggest--that I address my remarks to the Chair--I would just suggest that we should have debate. That is what we are here to do. prgtoken Madam , I reject this rules package. I have problems with it for the reasons my colleagues already articulated, but I think we should engage in colloquy. Let's actually have a debate about setting up rules so this body is filled with Members offering amendments and doing what the people want us to do. This rules package, respectfully, does not do that.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken ' power has literally gone to their heads. They aren't satisfied enough to have the majority and the speakership, so now they want to silence opposing viewpoints altogether. prgtoken They are undoing minority rights that have been a part of Congress for over 100 years by taking away debate on the motion to recommit, something that, while in the minority, now- Pelosi actually equated to free speech. Obviously, now that she is in power, she wants to take away that freedom of speech from us. prgtoken And when you think things can't get more radical around here, they do. Now the ' rules package takes out words like ``mother'' and ``father'' and ``brother'' and ``sister.'' In their quest to not offend anyone, they are offending almost all of America. prgtoken If we are going to go down this path, I have some suggestions to be added to this rules package. How about we add: Members who have a relationship with a Chinese spy should be removed from the Intelligence Committee. How about: Members should be punished if they leak classified information and private information after they leave the SCIF. How about: Members should be disciplined if they spread around false Russian collusion information. prgtoken Of course, my colleagues would never dream of adding that. prgtoken Madam , I adamantly oppose this rules package.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Dan Newhouse (Republican, WA) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , the ' proposed changes to the House rules will disenfranchise rural America, plain and simple. prgtoken In addition to throwing out budget rules to make way for socialist packages like the Green New Deal, are gutting the motion to recommit, which is an important tool for the minority to make substantive amendments to legislation. prgtoken Past motions to recommit have included things such as restoring funding for critical rural broadband programs or allowing for effective wildfire mitigation and increased funding for hazardous fuel reduction in our Nation's forests, also, an MTR to protect our farmers and agricultural employers from being sued out of businesses. prgtoken Eliminating this opportunity to amend legislation further diminishes the voices of rural communities, and, frankly, Madam , it is a slap in the face to rural Americans. It is clear Pelosi's ic majority, albeit a heck of a lot slimmer than it once was, is threatened by our reinvigorated Conference. prgtoken Rural Americans deserve better.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Bruce Westerman (Republican, AR) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , let me be very clear: This rules package is horrible. It is a progressive affront to America. prgtoken The rules package continues proxy voting and remote hearing measures, even though Members of Congress and staff now have access to the COVID- 19 vaccine. If Congress can be first in line for the vaccine, then we must be first to go back to work. prgtoken Exactly how far intend to take their attack on free speech is unclear, but look no further than the extremism in the opening prayer yesterday that concluded with ``amen, and a woman,'' which, quite simply, is illiterate and has nothing to do with gender. prgtoken This package paves the way for to spend unlimited dollars to promote a climate agenda that will harm rural America and our economy while doing nothing to create a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment. s want a better environment and economy, and this rules package will facilitate harm to both. prgtoken I urge all of my colleagues, and , to vote against this resolution. We can do better than neglecting our responsibility to show up in person.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Kevin McCarthy (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , if we defeat the previous question, we can amend the rule to save the right of every American to be heard on the floor of Congress. prgtoken Madam , a tenet of socialism is to silence all opposition. The right to speak your mind and question your leaders are often the first casualties of socialist governments throughout history; not far behind are other important freedoms, including the right to defend yourself and the right to earn a living, which are impossible to protect without the freedom of speech. prgtoken Our Constitution lists the freedom of speech as its very first freedom, and for our Founding Fathers, the reason was self-evident, as Benjamin Franklin once said: ``Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech.'' prgtoken The very first action of this majority is to take it away. prgtoken From the very beginning of this institution, we had the motion to recommit to protect the minority. If you listen to Benjamin Franklin, tell me how the 117th Congress can have any wisdom or any public liberty or any freedom, because you deny us speech. prgtoken Benjamin Franklin was right then, and he is right now. But I have noticed the dangerous trend against free speech in recent years, a trend that betrays everything our Founding Fathers lived, fought, and died for. prgtoken It began in our schools on college campuses where our students are taught the absurd notion that free speech is about privilege and power, not open debate and rational deliberation. prgtoken Then it jumped to the mainstream media and social media giants who used their power to protect their liberal friends and censor conservatives, including during the last election and throughout the pandemic. prgtoken Now, with today's vote, the same socialist ideas have found their way onto the floor and into the rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, which will shape every law this Chamber tries to make in the next 2 years, taking the same idea that the socialist governments have taken before, the fear that you might lose based on an idea, so take their voice away. prgtoken Whose voices are those? The constituents of millions of Americans. These changes will stop American voices from being heard, primarily by revoking the motion to recommit, the minority's longtime right to offer the last amendment to legislation. prgtoken I see my good friend, the majority leader, across the aisle. He and I have switched jobs before. I was the majority leader. For 8 years, never once was it ever debated that we would deny the minority the right to an amendment on a bill. Never once. I know the majority leader will stand up later and say: Well, this has been changed time and time again. Only by . prgtoken I know my friend is an institutionalist. I know he believes in this body, but he cannot believe about taking this away. prgtoken Why would you want to? You cannot pass a
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Jay Obernolte (Republican, CA) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , although I share the concerns that have been raised about the MTR, I would like to speak on an aspect of this rules package that I find equally troubling, and that is the provision that would upend nearly 30 years of House tradition in exempting any legislation that can be tied in any way to either response to climate change or response to the coronavirus crisis from the requirements of paygo--in other words, the requirement that we consider how to pay for solutions to these problems in addition to how we solve these problems. prgtoken Now, admittedly, climate change and coronavirus are serious issues, but it would be irresponsible to, when debating these issues, not consider their effects on the national debt and the budget deficit, which are also very serious issues. In fact, the CBO says that for the first time, last year, since World War II, our national debt exceeded 100 percent of our gross domestic product. prgtoken To fail to consider solutions that we debate in this Chamber, the effects of those solutions on those also serious problems, would be an abdication of our responsibility to our constituents. I urge a ``no'' vote.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Bill Posey (Republican, FL) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , in addition to all of the evils of the new rules package, as you have already heard, eliminating the comparative print requirement is the single biggest damage you can do to transparency and accountability in this House. prgtoken The comparative print requirement was a top priority of the bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, a number one, top priority of the bipartisan committee. Every State in the country that I know of uses comparative print. It shows you clearly what language in the bill actually changes the law. States can do it, but this great U.S. House of Representatives just can't seem to do it. prgtoken It is an absolutely shameful thing, and I urge Members of the House to oppose this horrible rules package that destroys transparency and accountability.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I rise today in my opposition to the ' Rules Package for the 117th Congress. prgtoken In the November 2020 House elections, many of the moderate voices in the ic Caucus were ousted in favor of Conservative values. prgtoken Now free of moderate or reasonable voices, the shrill progressives seized the opportunity to make their party even more radical--this Rules package is proof. prgtoken They're attacking the First Amendment by changing our use of gender specific pronouns--even ending prayers with ``Amen and Awomen''. prgtoken They're eliminating the minority's ability to amend legislation-- something Congress has allowed for more than 100 years--because they're embarrassed when their own members publicly join s to rein in their laughable, tone-deaf policies. prgtoken These changes are not about fairness or good governance. They're about saving their own members from tough votes and accountability. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to reject this.
HONORING JOSEPH A. PROVONCHA, THE MOST SENIOR COUNTY CLERK IN NEW YORK STATE, FOR HIS LONG-TIME SERVICE TO NEW YORKERS
Elise M. Stefanik (Republican, NY) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I rise today to honor Joseph A. Provoncha for his service and dedication to his community as the most senior County Clerk in New York State. prgtoken Joseph first took office on January 1, 1992 as an Essex County Clerk and was elected to his eighth term in 2019. Joseph is now the most senior County Clerk in New York State. Throughout his career, he has held a variety of different positions in addition to his roles as County Clerk and Agent for the DMV Commissioner; these include Records Management Officer, Commissioner of Jurors, and Commissioner of Youth Services. He has been recognized many times throughout his prominent career being presented with the Liberty Bell Award by the Essex County BAR Association in 1997 and in 2014, the Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York State Association of County Clerks in 2001, and the William H. Kelley Annual Archives Award by the New York State Archives and the Archives Partnership Trust in 2018. He was named Clerk of Year in 1996. Additionally, he served as the Association President of the New York State Association of County Clerks in 2000 and has been serving as the Recording Secretary since 2006. prgtoken Joseph's exemplary service is a testament to the character of our North Country neighbors. In his role, he has ensured anyone who walks into the Essex County Clerk's Office leaves with their questions answered and problems solved. His longtime dedication to his role as County Clerk has served the community very well as he has spent his career assisting others navigate the complexities of bureaucracy. prgtoken On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to thank Joseph for his dedication to serving his community, and I congratulate him for reaching this significant milestone.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Charlie Crist (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken I rise to address an amendment that I have placed in the bill, and I want to thank the chairman for his grace in allowing that. It talks about addressing racial and ethnic impacts of legislation that we pass here. prgtoken America is known for the words at the United States Supreme Court: ``Equal justice under the law.'' Equal justice. prgtoken We struggle in our country with equality. Why? The color of somebody's skin? Their ethnic background? Who they might love? prgtoken I think it is important to recognize that above me are the words: ``E pluribus unum,'' ``Out of many, one.'' prgtoken We are all children of God. If we so choose, we can bring people together. We can start right here, and we can begin right now. We need to remember the words kindness, respect, decency, compassion, empathy. In other words, embrace the golden rule. prgtoken I wear these yellow wrist bands on my hands every day, and they say: Practice the golden rule every day. Do unto others as you would have done unto you. prgtoken That is what I am attempting in this amendment. God bless.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Kathy Castor (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , as we enter a new year, Americans are urging us to come together and tackle our toughest challenges, and that includes the costly climate crisis. prgtoken In the previous Congress, the House directed that a Select Committee on the Climate Crisis develop a roadmap for America's clean energy future. With a broad cross section of ideas and input, the committee developed a majority staff report that was a detailed roadmap for action. It was called the Solving the Climate Crisis plan. It has been described as the most well-thought-out plan for addressing climate change that has ever been part of U.S. politics, an extraordinary synthesis of expertise from social and scientific fields. prgtoken Some of our recommendations have already been adopted into law through bipartisan legislation, but we have much more work to do. This excellent rules package will allow us to continue our work in the 117th Congress. prgtoken Our bipartisan committee intends to advance clean energy solutions that unleash American innovation, promote environmental justice, and create good family-sustaining jobs in all communities across the country. prgtoken I urge Members to support the rules package, and I thank Pelosi, Chairman McGovern, and the Committee on Rules for their work and for their vision.
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , such time as I may consume. prgtoken Madam , I thank the gentleman for his comments, I will put him down as undecided on this package. prgtoken I am sure we will hear more about the motion to recommit throughout this debate, but I do just want to point out for the record, to be historically accurate, that the motion to recommit has had many different forms since its first inception. In fact, it was very, very different when I first ran for Congress. prgtoken But having said all that, I would tell the gentleman that if those who initiated the motion to recommit way back when saw how it was being used today, I think they would object very strongly to it. They didn't see it as a tool to play political gotcha games to undermine legislation. prgtoken Madam , I would also remind the gentleman that, you know, quite frankly, most of the motions to recommit that passed, all the s voted against final passage of whatever bill it was. So the issue is not one of being a constructive legislator. It has turned into a political gotcha game. prgtoken I think that we all talk about reading the bill. The problem with the motion to recommit is you don't get to see what it is you are proposing until a few minutes beforehand. I just want the Record to reflect that. prgtoken On the issue of paygo, I would just remind the gentleman that when the s were in charge, they had this thing called CutGo, and they exempted all kinds of things from CutGo. They exempted efforts to gut the Affordable Care Act. They exempted tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. prgtoken So I think what we are talking about is a modest exemption for two international emergencies, the COVID pandemic and the climate crisis. Most people, except for a few in Washington, actually believe that it is not only a national emergency, but an international emergency. prgtoken Madam , I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Crist).
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2021-1-4

. Madam , I find the protestations of our friends on the other side of the aisle rich, when 2 days from now they plan to actually vote in favor of overturning the results of an election that their party's nominee lost. So, please, spare us the protestations about the undemocratic process that you are opposing here. prgtoken Further, I rise to urge adoption of the rules package for the 117th Congress. This package includes innovative proposals to modernize the House and facilitate good policymaking. prgtoken It will establish the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, which will work to combat income inequality and, critically, require committees to address inequities in marginalized communities. prgtoken I recently proposed the creation of an advisory panel on equity and justice in Federal spending, so I am pleased that this package recognizes the need to dismantle the effects of systemic racism and creates a process to address intractable inequities. prgtoken As a longtime proponent of diversity in hiring, I am glad we are making the Office of Diversity and Inclusion permanent. prgtoken I am also pleased that the rules exempt climate legislation from budgetary restrictions, clearing the way for prgtoken ambitious Federal investments to combat climate change. As an appropriator, I am eager to deploy the power of the Appropriations Committee to fight climate change and work toward environmental justice. prgtoken Finally, I applaud the inclusion of gender-neutral language.