mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Elissa Slotkin (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2020-3-27

think about the most iconic images from 9/ 11: Just after the attacks, people running away from the towers as our first responders were running toward the flames. It was a generational event. prgtoken Today, as so many stay home, those who are running toward the crisis are our healthcare workers, our first responders. They are on the front lines--our supermarket workers, our truck drivers, our border agents and TSA agents. Right now, we are sending them into the fight without the gear that they need. prgtoken We owe them our passion. We owe them to work together, and s. Above all, we owe them a plan. prgtoken Meanwhile, Americans are doing their best. Michiganders are coming together in ways that I could hardly imagine, from the Big Three autos to our smallest manufacturers, trying to fill the gaps. prgtoken Today, here, we must do our part. We must pass the CARES Act. It is imperfect. It is the third appropriation. I hope there will be a fourth. But it is our duty to come together and pass it.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Donna E. Shalala (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2020-3-27

today, we send the CARES Act to the President to provide the people in my community with needed relief from the devastation of this pandemic. prgtoken I am here for the first responders, the healthcare workers, and all of those who are risking their lives. They are our heroes. prgtoken , we need to support this bill now because we must. The virus has left us with no choice. prgtoken But my hope is that after we have starved this virus, we will make a national commitment to permanently rebuild our public health infrastructure.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-3-27

my home is again an epicenter for a national disaster. Today, New York City is the frontline of the war against the spread of coronavirus; the United States now has the most confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world, and New York City has, by far, the most cases in the United States, reaching more than 23,000 as of this morning. New Yorkers are facing this crisis with strength and optimism and we, as we have so often, are providing a model for the other cities and states that will confront similar challenges in the days and weeks to come. prgtoken My constituents always come first. If I thought that I could help them at this time by breaking every bit of expert medical guidance on containing the coronavirus, then I would travel to the Capitol in a heartbeat. But with the outcome assured, I can best serve my constituents and New York by following best practices and staying here, facing down this crisis with the strength for which New Yorkers are justly known. prgtoken Had I been present, I would have voted to pass this emergency relief legislation to get immediate help to our hospitals, small businesses, and individual Americans. Let me be clear: this is disaster relief to address the immediate crisis in front of us; there is much more that needs to be done to help restart the economy, and we will be turning our efforts to that as soon as this $2 trillion relief package is signed into law. prgtoken This bill is not perfect, but it is essential that we act now. With this bill, more than $40 billion will flow to New York--not just for the state and city but directly to our hospitals and healthcare workers and small businesses, particularly for employee retention. There will also be direct payments to individuals and significantly more resources for those who have lost their job because of this crisis. prgtoken This bill includes important wins for progressive policy proposals that fought for, including: a large investment in hospitals, our health system, and state and local governments to give them the resources they need during this emergency; a massive increase in unemployment insurance benefits so that these benefits match the average paycheck of laid-off and furloughed workers; a significant expansion of fast relief for small businesses, including making rent, mortgages, and utility costs eligible for Small Business Administration (SBA) loan forgiveness; billions of dollars for emergency education funding and the elimination of income tax on student loan repayment assistance by an employer; and accountability and oversight by preventing secret bailouts and adding special oversight requirements. prgtoken Importantly for New Yorkers, this expansion of unemployment insurance covers all workers, whether they work for small or larger business, are self-employed, or work in the gig economy. Of the $260 billion dedicated for this proposal, $15 billion is projected to come home to New York. Additionally,
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Mike Quigley (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-3-27

this legislation is a bold, bipartisan deal to address the ongoing health care crisis, protect workers, and assist small businesses. prgtoken This is first and foremost a health care crisis. Until we address this pandemic, our economy will not recover. prgtoken I was proud to lead a bipartisan letter with Dave Joyce in support of the $130 billion direct hospital funding included in this bill. prgtoken The most important thing Congress can do after addressing the health care crisis is to provide direct assistance to the American people. prgtoken Thanks to the tireless work of leadership from both parties, many individuals with working class salaries will receive a one-time direct payment of around $1200. prgtoken And we have provided unemployment assistance that goes well beyond the initial proposal by ensuring that every worker--including gig workers--are protected. prgtoken We cannot ask taxpayers to foot the bill for rescuing our economy without the promise of accountability. prgtoken This bill prevents any secret bailouts and ensures no member of this administration can benefit from this crisis. prgtoken Each legislative measure we pass is just a single step. prgtoken There will be more need and Congress will need to act to address those needs as they arise. prgtoken I will be keeping in close contact with my constituents, so I know exactly what their needs are on the ground and bring that back to Congress so no one is forgotten or left behind.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Yvette D. Clarke (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-3-27

I thank the gentleman for yielding. prgtoken As vice chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I rise today in support of the CARES Act. prgtoken My colleagues have spoken about the provisions of this bill, and although it is not perfect, it is a necessary one. We must now protect my constituents in the Ninth District of New York, the epicenter, and all Americans across this country. prgtoken New Yorkers have been through 9/11, the financial meltdown, Superstorm Sandy, and now we are in the midst of COVID-19. prgtoken In my city, New York City, we are not just facing economic ruin, but also a genuine health crisis. That is why it is so critical that use the Defense Production Act.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2020-3-27

the American people want to know that their government will be there for them. They want to know that their tax dollars will pay dividends for them. They want to know that we will promote the general welfare as extolled in the preamble to the Constitution. They want to know that we will not allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good. prgtoken This is not a perfect bill. It is a good bill. I will support it. The American people need certainty. They want to know that we will be there for them.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Steven Horsford (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2020-3-27

Mr. Majority Leader, my chairman, Chairman Neal, today this body is here to send a united message to the American people: Help is on the way. prgtoken Yesterday, the Department of Labor released devastating numbers revealing that 3.28 million people in America filed unemployed claims in the past week. My home State of Nevada alone saw a 182 percent increase in claims. That is unprecedented job loss. American families need unprecedented relief to address it. prgtoken An important provision in the Families First Coronavirus package laid the groundwork for expanding unemployment benefits. Now, with the CARES Act, we are going above and beyond for our country's workers, providing an additional $600 per week for the next 4 months. prgtoken No person in this country should worry about putting food on the table or paying their bills while trying to keep themselves, their families, or their neighbors safe. prgtoken I know the pain and uncertainty that losing a job or facing a furlough causes.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Donald Norcross (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2020-3-27

I rise today in favor of this bill, but also to say thank you to my brothers and sisters who are on the front line, yes, those who work in the supermarkets, who are delivering the mail, who keep the lights on, who keep the water running. We are thanking them because they are making a sacrifice today. prgtoken We have always been tough. Americans are special, and we will rise to this occasion. Fate calls us. We will answer. prgtoken We say thank you to everyone here and to all those serving America.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Wm. Lacy Clay (Democrat, MO) \u2014 2020-3-27

I rise today in support of the CARES Act, and I am so proud of the emergency housing priorities, including a temporary moratorium on evictions and foreclosures of homeowners with federally backed mortgages. There is $4 billion for emergency grants for homelessness, $5 billion for CDBGs, and $1 billion for project- based rental assistance. prgtoken We are in this fight together, and we will not be broken. Viruses come and go, but the courage of the American people endures. prgtoken God bless you all.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2020-3-27

with state revenues collapsing at the same time demand for services is skyrocketing, we have had broad agreement that something needs to be done to help the states. Although some might have preferred to increase the federal matching rate for Medicaid, this legislation goes a different route with a fiscal relief fund for state and local governments. prgtoken In any case, the key is to help states plug the enormous fiscal gaps they are currently facing. I am pleased that the final legislative language, unlike some earlier proposals that we rejected, gives states broad flexibility in how they spend the money they will receive. At this point, it has become impossible to separate the effects on state budgets of rising demands for services and shortfalls in revenues. prgtoken States cannot spend the money on new projects unrelated to the public health emergency and its economic fallout. I doubt any state would have done that anyway, but the legislation clearly says that they cannot. prgtoken Beyond that, we trust states' discretion about what expenditures are necessary in light of the current crisis. We also know that states planned many expenditures assuming revenues that they are no longer receiving. An activity without the revenue to support it is not accounted for in the state's budget. prgtoken States should understand that they can apply this money to prevent the cuts that would devastate their necessary functions that they can no longer cover from their general funds because of the loss of sales and income tax revenues. We are assured that the Treasury Department appreciates the importance of getting this money out to states quickly, flexibly and with a bare minimum of paperwork. prgtoken I include in the Record the following Washington Post article, ``States and Cities Should Brace Themselves for a Downward Spiral,'' written by Catherine Rampell and published yesterday, March 26, 2020. States are facing huge shortages--and not just of ventilators, masks and health-care personnel. They're about to confront enormous budget shortages, too. This is the sleeper issue of the current economic crisis, and aiding states now could well be the difference between a brief recession and a prolonged depression. Particularly in ailing regions of the United States that still haven't recovered from the last recession. The bill the Senate passed Wednesday would give state and local governments $150 billion to help plug budget holes. It also includes $31 billion for local schools and colleges. That money is definitely welcome. But it will be nowhere near sufficient to prevent cascading state and local government layoffs and cuts to critical public services that otherwise lie ahead. For context: States suffered a cumulative $600 billion revenue shortfall in the first five years after the Great Recession hit. And there are ample
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Steve Cohen (Democrat, TN) \u2014 2020-3-27

the words above the 's head at the top of this Chamber are from Daniel Webster. He says: `` . . . see whether we also in our day and generation may not perform something worthy to be remembered.'' prgtoken Today, we have something worthy before us and something to be remembered. We should all vote ``aye.'' prgtoken I am here to vote ``aye'' and to encourage the President to use the Defense Production Act for everyone and to continue talking to the President of China because this is a worldwide pandemic.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-3-27

I am proud to be here as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I rise, as we all know, during one of the most challenging moments in the history of our country and, I would say, the world. prgtoken Americans are hurting, and families are suffering. The calls that are coming to my office, and I am sure to yours, too, are just heartbreaking. prgtoken But today, we will pass a bill that will provide critical relief to begin the healing in our communities. Despite, I have to say, the failure of leadership from our President, Congress has, in fact, stepped up. prgtoken Thanks to the unity of House and Senate , we pushed the initial proposal from corporate-first to families-and- workers-first. prgtoken We fought for and won a $100 billion investment in hospitals and healthcare systems for our doctors and nurses on the front line fighting the coronavirus, often without the equipment that they need. prgtoken I am imploring the President to fully invoke the Defense Production Act so that our frontline workers will have the protective gear that they need and right now are not getting. prgtoken The CARES Act will also provide double the unemployment insurance benefits that s initially proposed. This will help countless restaurant workers and small business employees who call my office and say: ``We need help.'' prgtoken Thanks to , the small business owners in my district will now be able to make payroll, with their mortgages and utility costs eligible for Small Business Administration loan forgiveness. prgtoken Sadly, this bill isn't all that it could be. I am deeply disturbed that my colleagues are trying to exclude local Planned Parenthood clinics from this small business financing, especially since they are helping people every single day to be able to get the healthcare they need. prgtoken I am also really disappointed that they took this opportunity to irrelevantly add to this the Hyde amendment. prgtoken I especially want to take the time to thank the people who are working today, and I am glad to be here among you doing just that. But we are seeing people who are outside here, the Capitol Police, the people who are helping to clean our environment, the people who are now working at jobs like the people in my grocery store, the Jewel Food Store in my neighborhood, the people who are bagging my groceries, who are loading my shelves, who are prgtoken taking my money in order to buy the food that all the people in my community need. They are risking their lives, too, and deserve the thanks. prgtoken I want to thank my Governor, Governor J. B. Pritzker, who has actually created a response fund that will put money into community organizations and not-for-profits that can help people who aren't covered here, who need to be covered in the next bill. I am talking about immigrants and undocumented people.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-3-27

our country is in a crisis, and the American people are looking to Congress for action and leadership. That is why I stand in support of the CARES Act, which provides our workers, small businesses, healthcare workers, and so many more in California's 39th District the relief they need. prgtoken Whether it is to provide PPE and medical equipment to our healthcare workers, financial support for our workers without jobs, or resources for our small businesses, Congress is taking significant steps to help our communities. prgtoken At the same time, we are enforcing strict oversight to prevent secret bailouts and ensure that those on the front lines of our global epidemic come first. prgtoken While the CARES Act throws a lifeline to our workers and our economy, we will need to do more. There is not a single community across the United States that hasn't been affected by the coronavirus in some way. That is why our next stimulus package must provide direct funding for our cities and towns with less than 500,000 residents. prgtoken Although we have had to be physically apart, our community and our country have come together with the American spirit and determination needed to help us get through this crisis.
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Mark Takano (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-3-27

I thank Majority Leader Hoyer. prgtoken , I rise in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 748, the CARES Act. prgtoken 571 veterans in the VA's healthcare system have tested positive for coronavirus. We have already lost nine veterans to this virus. Mr 120 veterans have been admitted to VA hospitals; 185 VA employees, including doctors and nurses providing lifesaving healthcare to veterans with coronavirus, have also been infected. prgtoken Because of the lack of widespread testing due to supply chain challenges like low levels of reagents, shortages of swabs and testing kits, a dwindling supply of masks to protect healthcare workers, understaffed VA hospitals without providers to administer the tests, and a 2- to 7-day lag time for veterans to receive results, we know that the magnitude of this public health emergency and the number of veterans sickened by this deadly virus are underreported. It will only become more severe in the weeks to come. prgtoken Providing nearly $20 billion to VA to combat this virus is vital. This funding will save veterans' lives, protect VA's healthcare providers and first responders, and give VA the resources it needs to serve as the Nation's backup healthcare system in communities where local hospitals are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients. prgtoken , this relief package provides nearly $16 billion in funding for VA to provide healthcare to veterans, including the purchase of essential medical supplies like ventilators. VA will have the funds to purchase more COVID-19 testing kits, N95 masks, gowns, face shields, and gloves--personal protective equipment to keep healthcare providers and staff at the VA hospitals safe. prgtoken Healthcare providers and workers caring for veterans in their homes at VA-run nursing homes, community living centers, and State-veteran homes will also receive personal protective equipment. prgtoken , $100 million is allocated for emergency management so VA first responders have the resources they need to help veterans and communities during this public health emergency. $590 million is set aside for veterans most vulnerable to COVID-19: homeless veterans and elderly veterans in community living centers and assisted living facilities. prgtoken Over $2 billion is provided to support VA's IT systems and strengthen VA's telework capabilities. Greater telework capacity reduces the risk of coronavirus transmission in VA's workforce and keeps the Department running. prgtoken Over $600 million is set aside for VA to retrofit its hospitals and clinics to increase the number of beds and treatment rooms to care for veterans with COVID-19 and deploy mobile treatment units. prgtoken Over $2 billion is appropriated for veterans who need urgent or emergency care in the community for COVID-19. prgtoken Finally, this funding ensures the VA healthcare providers putting their lives on the line to treat veterans are paid for their overtime work hours that they wor
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 2019
Thomas R. Suozzi (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-3-27

as you know, my father was born in Italy, and he would say, ``What a country.'' And my grandfather, at family weddings, would give advice to the new couples and say: ``Non c'e sono rose senza spine,'' ``You cannot have a rose without the thorns.'' prgtoken Well, we mourn the thorns in our country right now. So many people are suffering because of their health, because of their sickness, because they are worried about their family's finances, and because of the deaths that have taken place. prgtoken But, today, we have to also celebrate the roses, those essential workers who are working for the common good every single day: the grocery workers, the postal workers, the healthcare workers, the people who are out on the front lines every single day, looking out for us every single day. prgtoken I want to celebrate, today, the roses of life: of and s coming together for the common good, putting aside ideological purity and working together to try and help people who are facing these desperate times. prgtoken , God bless this country, and God bless all of our American people.