mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP ACT OF 2017
David A. Trott (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-4-4

I rise in support of H.R. 1343, the Encouraging Employee Ownership Act. prgtoken I want to thank my colleagues, Mr. Hultgren and Mr. Delaney, for their thoughtful and bipartisan work on this issue. prgtoken This is a commonsense, simple bill that makes it easier for employees to obtain ownership in the companies prgtoken they work for. When I was in the private sector, I gave dozens of employees an ownership interest. It worked out great for them, it worked out great for the company, and it worked out great for our customers. Ownership interest gave them an upside that could not be realized through a salary. The stock instilled loyalty and dedication. More importantly, it created a family atmosphere. We were all in it together. Our opportunities would rise and fall, depending on our collective success. prgtoken To have a career where someday, through your hard work, you can end up owning a piece of action is what the American Dream is all about. The outdated cap is keeping this dream, for no good reason, from many Americans. prgtoken I suspect that those who oppose the bill, while they may understand the legislation, probably have never worked in the private sector and have no clue how meaningful incentives and opportunities, such as stock ownership, are to individuals. I found it was the best way to motivate and reward employees. In fact, it worked so well, no one ever left the company except to retire. prgtoken My friends from Michigan and Minnesota oppose the bill because of a lack of transparency. The argument is flawed because it assumes stock ownership opportunities comprise all or a significant portion of the individual's compensation. This is not correct. A stock ownership benefit is typically over and above salary and bonuses. prgtoken To require the owner of a small business or a startup to make disclosures will cause many employers not to give employees this opportunity. Implicit in their argument is an assumption, like in so many other areas of life, that individuals cannot be trusted to make decisions on their own, that they need the help of all of the smart politicians and bureaucrats in Washington, D.C to tell them what to do and what they need to see, and, of course, we cannot trust people to make decisions and discern for themselves whether stock ownership is a fair opportunity. prgtoken This bill had the support of a bipartisan group in our committee. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1343.
Thanking Senators and Staff (Executive Calendar)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2017-4-4

today we are one step closer to a vote to confirm Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. I look forward to the vote tomorrow. We will be confirming a Justice to the Supreme Court who is supremely qualified, who is a mainstream judge, who respects the rule of law and the Constitution, and who will rule impartially from the bench--someone who will call balls and strikes. That is what I believe the American people look for when they look for a Supreme Court Justice. prgtoken While it was always clear that some would oppose any Supreme Court candidate the President nominated, I had hoped that partisanship would be at least somewhat limited. I had hoped the would want to preserve the Senate's nearly 230-year tradition in confirming Supreme Court Justices by a simple-majority vote. And I had hoped that more than a handful of would join us to confirm one of the most, as I said, supremely qualified judges in my memory. That is not what happened. Despite Judge Gorsuch's qualifications, despite the support for his nomination from both liberals and conservatives, the vast majority of Senate were determined to block this confirmation. prgtoken Of course, it wasn't really ever about Judge Gorsuch. It is not that were determined to block his confirmation; it is that they were determined to block any confirmation. prgtoken tried to offer reasons to oppose Judge Gorsuch, but they struggled to come up with anything plausible. The Senate minority leader actually came to the floor and tried to argue that he was worried that Judge Gorsuch would not be ``a mainstream justice.'' prgtoken Over the course of 2,700 cases on the Tenth Circuit, Judge Gorsuch has been in the majority 99 percent of the time--99 percent. In 97 percent of those 2,700 cases, the opinions were unanimous. So I would love to hear an explanation for how exactly a judge who has been in the majority 99 percent of the time is out of the judicial mainstream. Was the minority leader attempting to argue that all of the judges on the Tenth Circuit, including those appointed by ic Presidents, are out of the mainstream? prgtoken The fact is that ic opposition to Judge Gorsuch had nothing to do with his qualifications. I doubt that any of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle really think that Judge Gorsuch is out of the mainstream or that he lacks the qualifications of a Supreme Court Justice, but they opposed him anyway. prgtoken If they opposed a judge with a distinguished resume and a reputation as a brilliant jurist; if they opposed a judge who is known for his fairness and impartiality; if they opposed a judge whose nomination has been repeatedly supported by liberals, as well as conservatives; if they opposed a judge who unanimously received the highest possible rating from the American Bar Association--a rating, I might add, that the minority leader once called the ``g
TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT JOHN MASSICK
Joni Ernst (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-4-4

today I wish to honor a living example of the American dream. At 101 years of age, Mr. John Massick of Davenport, IA, has spent a lifetime in service--as a husband, father, soldier, and hero of World War II. prgtoken John was born on Veterans Day 1915, which proved to be symbolic in his life to come. He enlisted in the Army in 1941 and rose to the rank of sergeant, leading soldiers in combat across Europe as a member of Patton's 3rd Army. On his 29th birthday, while securing a bridge in Thionville, France, his unit suffered a perilous German attack, but John survived. It is a day Sergeant Massick describes as ``a birthday he'll never forget.'' He continued to serve through the end of the war in Europe, earning the French Croix de Guerre, Presidential Unit Commendation, and two Bronze Star Medals, among other accolades. prgtoken After the war, John returned to Davenport, married his now-late wife, Velma, and raised two sons while working as a carpet salesman and installer. He finally retired just 6 years ago at the ripe age of 94. prgtoken Today Iowans who visit ``Popcorn Charley's'' in northwest Davenport will hear John tell stories from the war. Some recall the harsh realities of combat, others remind us of our humanity, like the one he tells of how he caught a pig to fry porkchops for his men, bringing a bit of Iowa to the battlefields of Europe. John's stories, like his life's experiences, seem to strike the right balance between honor, humility, and a sense of humor. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me as I proudly recognize the service and the prgtoken sacrifice of SGT John Massick, an American patriot who epitomizes what is rightly referred to as America's Greatest Generation.
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Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2017-4-4

I rise today to offer my strong support for Judge Neil Gorsuch, President 's pick to replace Justice Scalia on the Supreme Court. On Monday, his nomination passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and we expect to confirm him before the end of the week. I am tremendously excited to have him on the bench. Throughout his career, Judge Gorsuch has proven time and again that he is exceptionally qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. He has been praised and endorsed by members on both sides of the political spectrum, the left and the right. prgtoken As a judge on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals since 2006, after being unanimously confirmed by this body, Judge Gorsuch has proven he is as mainstream as they come. In fact, of the 800-plus opinions that he has written for the Tenth Circuit, less than 2 percent, or 14 opinions, have drawn dissents from his colleagues. In other words, 98 percent of his opinions have been unanimous. That is even more remarkable when you look at the makeup of the Tenth Circuit--12 of the judges were appointed by ic Presidents, while only 5 were appointed by s. It does not get much more mainstream than that. prgtoken During his confirmation hearings last month, Judge Gorsuch again proved that he is eminently qualified to serve on the bench of our Nation's highest Court. Let me share some of his quotes from his hearing: ``The Constitution doesn't change. The world around us changes.'' ``I don't believe in litmus tests for judges.'' ``If I'm confirmed, I will do all my powers permit, to be a faithful servant to the Constitution and laws of this great nation.'' prgtoken One last quote: As a judge now for more than a decade, I've watched my colleagues spend long days worrying over cases. Sometimes the answers we reach aren't the ones we personally prefer. Sometimes the answers follow us home at night and keep us up. But the answers we reach are always the ones we believe the law requires. And for all its imperfections, I believe that the rule of law in this nation truly is a wonder. And that it's no wonder that it's the envy of the world. prgtoken It is clear that Judge Gorsuch is qualified to serve on the Supreme Court and that he understands the role of a judge: to interpret the law, not to make the law. prgtoken To that end, I would also like to highlight Judge Gorsuch's in-depth understanding of the separation of powers doctrine, and I am optimistic that Judge Gorsuch will carefully scrutinize cases and controversies that involve executive overreach. prgtoken The past 8 years have seen an unprecedented expansion of the administrative state. This has come at the expense of both the legislative branch, whose purpose is to make laws, and the judicial branch, whose purpose is to interpret the law and decide on a specific law's constitutionality. But more concerning than that, it has also come at th
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Richard Burr (Republican, NC) \u2014 2017-4-4

I want to honor the work of the Honorable James C. Fox, who retired last month after over 35 years of service on the Federal bench. prgtoken Judge Fox was born in Kansas but has spent most of his life in North Carolina, graudating from the University of North Carolina with both his undergraduate and law degrees. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Don Gilliam in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. After time in private practice and as the county attorney for New Hanover County, Judge Fox was nominated by President Reagan to serve where he had previously clerked: the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. prgtoken Judge Fox served chief judge from 1990-1997, and while he took senior status in 2001, he maintained a significant caseload until his retirement last week. His dedication to the law is to be commended and is exceeded only by his dedication to his family. I wish him all the best in retirement as he spends time with his wife, Kate, and his children and grandchildren, and I am grateful for his service.
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John Hoeven (Republican, ND) \u2014 2017-4-4

I am honored to come to the floor today and join my colleagues to support the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court of the United States. prgtoken Judge Gorsuch is an exemplary pick for my home State of North Dakota and for our Nation as a whole. He has shown deep respect for the Constitution and has a strong record of upholding the rule of law. prgtoken If confirmed, Judge Gorsuch will take the seat that was held by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Of course, filling that vacancy will be no easy task. Justice Scalia was a brilliant legal prgtoken mind who had earned the respect of many in the legal community during his nearly 30 years on the Supreme Court. He was a true defender of the U.S. Constitution and sought to protect it so that future generations of Americans could live and thrive in a free society. His legacy on the Court will influence American jurisprudence for generations to come. prgtoken If there is anyone who is worthy of filling Justice Scalia's shoes, it is Judge Gorsuch. Like Scalia, Judge Gorsuch is an originalist when it comes to interpreting the Constitution. prgtoken I had the pleasure of meeting with Judge Gorsuch last week to discuss his nomination, and I am confident that he will make an excellent Justice. prgtoken If you look at his background, it is clear that he is an incredibly qualified nominee. After receiving degrees from Columbia, Harvard, and then Oxford, Judge Gorsuch went on to clerk for notable Supreme Court Justices Byron White and Anthony Kennedy before entering private practice. prgtoken After 10 years of private practice, Gorsuch began his career in public service as a Deputy Associate Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2006, he was nominated by President to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and he was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate. prgtoken Let me repeat that. He was confirmed unanimously by this body. I believe that says a lot about Judge Gorsuch as a candidate. In a body that is so often divided, a candidate who can receive unanimous support is truly noteworthy. prgtoken When nominated by the President, Judge Gorsuch said: ``A judge who likes every outcome he reaches is very likely a bad judge . . . stretching for results he prefers rather than those the law demands.'' During his tenure on the Tenth Circuit, he has demonstrated fair and prudent judgment in his opinions. prgtoken In addition to his impressive professional background, Judge Gorsuch has roots as a westerner and will bring those roots and a much needed perspective to the Supreme Court. Because decisions that come from the Court affect the lives of Americans from across the country, it is important that the Court be composed of Justices from different regions of the country. It is critical that our next Supreme Court Justice have a familiarity with the challenges Western and Midwestern States face, like my home State an
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Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-4-4

I always appreciate the remarks--the well- thought-through remarks of my colleague, and the history lesson putting it into context is always so important and something we should do more of in this body. prgtoken I thank Senator Bennet for his words. prgtoken The Supreme Court, as we know, has tremendous influence over the lives of our country, the lives of Ohioans, my State, and the lives of so many. Nominees must defend the rights of all Americans to make their own healthcare decisions, to collectively bargain for safe workplaces and fair pay, and to be protected from discrimination and Wall Street greed. prgtoken Unfortunately, Judge Gorsuch is simply not that nominee. His record is clear. He has ruled that corporations are people. I am not a lawyer, but I understand that it is a relatively recent concept in American jurisprudence to equate corporations with people. When you do that, you simply give corporations more rights than individuals have. When you come from that position, it means that judges repeatedly rule to choose corporations over workers; they choose polluters over communities; they choose Wall Street over consumer protections; they choose special interest money over our citizens. We have seen too much of that in this country. prgtoken We have seen a decline of the middle class, in part because the Federal judiciary is choosing corporations over prgtoken workers. If chosen, polluters over communities; if chosen, Wall Street over consumer protections; if chosen, special interest money over citizens--that is the Court we have seen in far too many 5-to-4 decisions, as Senator Whitehouse has pointed out so effectively on this floor. prgtoken The misguided idea that corporations are people is far outside the mainstream of what most Ohioans believe. It may work for graduates of Harvard and Yale Law School. Interestingly, if Judge Gorsuch is approved, all nine of the Supreme Court Justices will have attended Harvard or Yale Law School. I don't know what is wrong with Ohio State or the University of Toledo or Akron University or University of Cincinnati or Case Western or Michigan or Chicago or anywhere else. That is whom Presidents have chosen; those are the people we seem to confirm. prgtoken But this view that corporations are people simply doesn't wash with the American people. It is how we got rules that allow Wall Street banks and hedge funds to wreak havoc on ordinary working people and ordinary working families, with no consequences. prgtoken Judge Gorsuch himself has argued against the rights of working Americans to band together to hold Wall Street and corporations accountable. He ruled against children with autism. He ruled against students with disabilities. We have a President in the White House who makes fun of disabled people. Now, we are going to put a Justice on the Court who rules against students with disabilities. We have a Secretary of Education who barely knew what ID
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Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-4-4

I rise today as the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee to speak about the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court of the United States. prgtoken In committee, at the outset of the hearings, I remarked that our job was not to evaluate legal doctrines and theories or to review Judge Gorsuch's record in a vacuum. Our job is to assess how this nominee's decisions will affect the American people and whether he will protect the legal and constitutional rights of all Americans. prgtoken I have had this in mind throughout the entire process. Let me begin with an aside. I represent a large State, and I do pay close attention to constituent letters, calls, and emails. A weekly report lets me know on what issues people are focused and what they think. I take this feedback very seriously. prgtoken In general, my barometer has been that when I receive over 30,000 calls, emails, or letters, that is when I know an issue is reasonably meaningful to many people in the State. To be clear, I don't base my final judgment on any issue or nominee solely on the numbers of calls and letters I receive. However, this is a representative democracy. I find this to be an important measure of what California constituents are thinking. prgtoken When it comes to this nomination so far, my office has received a total of 112,309 calls, emails, and letters from California constituents; and 92,799, or 83, percent, oppose this nominee and 19,510, or 17 percent, support this nominee. prgtoken Let me read a few of the emails. One constituent from Silverado, CA, wrote: ``In 1971, when abortion was illegal, I was forced to have a child at age 16. That was 46 years ago. With Gorsuch, we would step back into that world where women and girls have NO choice but an illegal and unsafe abortion OR become a mother. It is wrong. The choice is untenable and dangerous. Filibuster Gorsuch and do whatever it takes.'' prgtoken I was a college student in the 1950s, and I remember very much what life was like before a woman had the right to privacy, to control her reproductive system according to Roe v. Wade. prgtoken Another constituent from San Diego emailed: ``As a beneficiary of the right to marry 3\1/2\ years ago, I personally understand how important Supreme Court decisions are. I also attended a segregated elementary school when I was a little boy. I do not trust that Neil Gorsuch would advocate for the best interests of women & minorities. Please do not confirm him.'' prgtoken A woman from Richmond, CA, wrote: ``I believe that we, the people, will have a difficult time getting fair and equal treatment with Gorsuch being on the Supreme Court. He will help the rich corporations, and the poor and middle-class will suffer irreparably.'' prgtoken I don't comment on any of these because none of these are sacrosanct, but they are opinions. <|p|
RECOGNIZING FLATHEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Jon Tester (Democrat, MT) \u2014 2017-4-4

today I wish to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, MT, and to honor the many contributions that FVCC has made in northwest Montana. prgtoken In 1967, Dr. Larry Blake was hired as the first president of FVCC, and months later, he opened the doors to 611 students who made up the very first class. prgtoken Fifty years later, over 3,500 students are enrolled in FVCC and studying more than 100 degree and certificate programs. prgtoken The campus today is unrecognizable to those who studied at its original downtown location, and in recent years, I have seen the new campus boom with the construction of additional education facilities, laboratories, and campus housing. prgtoken In 2001, Jane Karas was hired as the 11th president of FVCC, and she has been instrumental in the growth of the region's largest higher education institution. prgtoken Under Jane Karas's leadership, FVCC has expanded the nursing school and developed a renowned culinary school that has helped meet the growing demand for jobs in the communities that lay in the shadow of Glacier National Park. prgtoken In addition to serving thousands of students in Kalispell, FVCC operates a satellite campus an hour away in Libby, MT. prgtoken Over the past 50 years, FVCC has made a profound impact in Montana, and I join all of the Montanans who can't wait to see what they have in store for the next 50 years.