mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Tax Reform (Executive Calendar)
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2018-5-15

the future for American workers is looking bright. A combination of tax reform, which we passed in December, plus other economy-boosting measures, such as lifting burdensome regulations, is starting to produce the kind of economy we need to give Americans access to a future of security and prosperity. prgtoken Our goal with tax reform was pretty simple: Make life better for American workers. That involved a couple of things. For starters, it involved putting more money in Americans' pockets right away by cutting their taxes, and that is what we did. We cut tax rates across the board, nearly doubled the standard deduction, and doubled the child tax credit. Americans are already seeing this relief in their paychecks, but we knew that tax cuts, as helpful as they are, weren't enough. prgtoken We needed to make sure that Americans had access to good jobs, good wages, and good opportunities--the kinds of jobs and opportunities that would set them up for security and prosperity for the long term. Since jobs and opportunities are created by businesses, that meant reforming our Tax Code to improve the playing field for businesses so they could improve the playing field for their workers, and that is what we did. I am pleased to report that it is already working. prgtoken Less than 5 months into the new tax law, business after business has announced good news for workers--pay increases, bonuses, better benefits, like increased retirement benefits, like new and better education benefits, and enhanced parental leave benefits. So far we have more than 530 examples of businesses making things better for their workers and customers, from giant corporations like Apple to small businesses like the Don Ramon restaurant in West Palm Beach, FL. prgtoken Economic indicators are looking good. Last month, the unemployment rate hit its lowest level since 2000. That is right; the last time unemployment was this low, the iPod hadn't even been introduced yet. prgtoken Economic growth is on a solid track. The economy's growth rate in the first quarter of 2018 was nearly double what it was during the same period last year. prgtoken Small businesses are thriving. The president of the National Federation of Independent Business reports: Small and independent business owners are notably confident about the economy. They are reporting that sales are strong, profits are good, and employee compensation is increasing. And many are setting into motion plans to expand. prgtoken That, again, is from the president of the National Federation of Independent Business. That is borne out by NFIB's recent survey data, which shows the net percentage of businesses raising worker compensation over the last 3 months has increased to 33 percent--the highest level since 2000. That is good news for American workers. prgtoken Americans had a tough time during the last administration. Our economy stagnated, and American families
ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2018
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2018-5-15

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m Wednesday, May 16; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed. Finally, I ask that following leader remarks, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of the Zais nomination.
HONORING DEPUTY JEFF PELLE
Ken Buck (Republican, CO) \u2014 2018-5-15

I rise today to recognize the heroism and bravery of Douglas County Sheriffs Deputy Jeff Pelle. On December 31, 2017, Deputy Pelle responded with fellow law enforcement officers to a domestic disturbance call where he was severely wounded in the line of duty. On behalf of myself and the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I would like to express my sincerest appreciation for Deputy Pelle's service to our community. I admire his courage and willingness to stand in harm's way so that the innocent may be protected. prgtoken Deputy Pelle has committed his life to protecting Coloradans through his service with the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office and then the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. prgtoken During the incident on December 31st, Deputy Pelle received gunshot wounds from a gunman who had barricaded himself inside an apartment complex. As Deputy Pelle confronts his own physical and emotional healing, he will also carry the burden of knowing that one of his fellow deputies didn't make it away from the incident alive. For a profession that treats each other like family, the loss of a colleague is especially painful. prgtoken We must never forget the sacrifices paid by our men and women in uniform. Our nation's law enforcers are vital to the safety of Colorado communities. On behalf of the citizens in the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes and deepest gratitude to Deputy Pelle.
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2018-5-15

I rise today to join so many of my colleagues in recognizing National Police Week. prgtoken These days, it seems like our uniformed officers don't always receive the respect and admiration they deserve, making this week all the more important in my mind. prgtoken I am especially thankful for Officers David Bailey and Crystal Griner, who, as everyone in this Chamber knows, saved many lives when they took down an armed gunman at last year's baseball practice. prgtoken Our law enforcement officers now deal with this type of threat on a daily basis, sometimes even from deranged individuals who specifically want to kill cops. There were 135 officers killed in the line of duty last year, but unlike me and you, they know the risks when they go to work in the morning, and they accept them. prgtoken For these men and women who wear the badge each day and dedicate their lives to making our communities a better place, it must often feel like a thankless job. prgtoken Well, not today. I want every law enforcement officer around the country to know that you are appreciated and you are admired. Thank you for everything you do, and God bless you and keep you safe in your duties.
TRIBUTE TO MUHAMMAD BABAR KHOKHAR
Mike Rounds (Republican, SD) \u2014 2018-5-15

today I recognize Muhammad Babar Khokhar, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work he has done on behalf of myself, my staff, and the State of South Dakota. prgtoken Currently, Babar is attending the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, where he studies economics and psychology. He is a dedicated and diligent worker who has been devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience and who has been a true asset to the office. prgtoken I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Babar for all of the fine work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.
RECOGNIZING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF TRESSIE ELIZABETH BUTT HUMPHREY
Jason Smith (Republican, MO) \u2014 2018-5-15

I rise today to honor the remarkable 100th birthday of Tressie Elizabeth Butt Humphrey. Tressie was born to Henry Clay Butt and Zelma Josephine Slownesky Butt on May 3, 1918. prgtoken A 1936 graduate of Steelville High School, she married the late Luther Theodore Humphrey with whom she shares two children, Loretta Mae and Selma Jean, as well as six grandchildren, eighteen great- grandchildren, and nineteen great-great-grandchildren. Tressie is a former teacher of the Slowensky one-room school house, a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Missouri, and the owner of a Missouri Century Farm. Tressie has achieved a great milestone in her life by celebrating her 100th birthday. She is a woman of character and is greatly beloved by all who know her. She has displayed exceptional leadership, contributing greatly to our society throughout her years. For all of these reasons and many more, it is my pleasure to recognize Tressie before the United States House of Representatives.
AMERICAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Ron Estes (Republican, KS) \u2014 2018-5-15

that is right. We have an innovative aerostructure environment in Wichita. In fact, Wichita is known as the air capital of the world. We are always looking for skilled employees to fill those jobs, to help keep planes running, keep parts being produced through the process. prgtoken Our businesses have worked with community colleges and partnered with Wichita State University and are partnering with high schools to help make sure that the skills are available so those employers can have the employees that they need to help keep their operations running. prgtoken It has been a great transition we have made as we have gone through the baby boomers, who are now starting to retire and starting to leave the workforce. We need to make sure that we have enough skilled employees to replace them as they are retiring and make sure that we keep America's economy growing strong.
HISTORIC EMBASSY IN JERUSALEM
Joe Wilson (Republican, SC) \u2014 2018-5-15

this weekend I was grateful to lead a congressional delegation to Jerusalem, where we met yesterday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset Foreign Affairs Chairman Avi Dichter, while we attended the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, ably coordinated by Ambassador David Friedman with Ivanka and Jared Kushner. prgtoken Sadly, some threaten Israel's legitimacy, but the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, with the courage of President , provides validity to the State of Israel and their inherent right to determine their own capital. prgtoken America's bond with Israel is unique. And its strength is the foundation of American leadership in the Middle East for peace. By moving the embassy to Jerusalem and promoting Israel's permanency, the world is safer for American families. And I appreciate the opportunity to have been there for this historic achievement with President fulfilling his promises. prgtoken In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. prgtoken Best wishes for a speedy recovery for the Congressman from Maryland, Anthony Brown.
AMERICAN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-5-15

I thank Mr. Estes for being here tonight. prgtoken , I want to brag a little on Kansas, also. I had the opportunity last year to visit in Congressman Estes' district and see firsthand the cooperation going on there among the different levels of education--the high schools, community colleges, State universities-- and working with business and industry, particularly the aerospace industry. prgtoken , I ask Mr. Estes if he would like to add to his comments about the great program going on there because I, frankly, have gone all over the country and talked about that innovative program that is going on there. prgtoken .
MICHELLE THOMAS TEACHER LIAISON SPACE FOUNDATION SELECTION
Scott R. Tipton (Republican, CO) \u2014 2018-5-15

I rise today to congratulate Michelle Thomas, a teacher with the Independence Academy Charter School in Grand Junction, Colorado, for her recent selection as a Teacher Liaison Officer for the Space Foundation. The Space Foundation chose Michelle for her active promotion of space and science education in her school and community. prgtoken Michelle was chosen for this position following a rigorous selection process conducted by a panel of space industry experts. She was one of 31 people across the globe who were nominated for this position, and she will join 250 other active Teacher Liaisons. prgtoken As a Teacher Liaison Officer she will receive Space Foundation training and resources, take part in specialized NASA workshops, and take on more educational responsibility. This opportunity will allow Michelle to expand her institutional space-based knowledge, further implement space education into her classroom, and in turn elevate her student's education. prgtoken , it is an honor to recognize Michelle for her accomplishment. Her talent, hard work, and commitment, has led to her selection as a Teacher Liaison Officer and I have no doubt she will take what she learns from the Space Foundation and give back to her students and the Grand Junction community. I stand with the people of the Colorado's Third Congressional District in commending her for her achievement.
HONORING THE 2018 EDUCATIONAL AWARD PROGRAM WINNERS
J. French Hill (Republican, AR) \u2014 2018-5-15

I rise today to recognize the achievements of Edward Poletti, chief of learning resources at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. prgtoken The Library of Congress' Federal Library and Information Network has awarded Mr. Poletti with its Federal Librarian of the Year Award. Along with this honor, his name will be added to a perpetual plaque listing each year's recipients. Mr. Poletti is being awarded for his skill in survey designs, statistics, and for providing his statistical talents to many other librarians needing assistance with data interpretation and survey design. prgtoken He is also receiving the Lois Ann Colaianni Award for Excellence and Achievement in Hospital Librarianship from the Medical Library Association. prgtoken I honor Mr. Poletti's 36 years of service as a Federal librarian, assisting so many throughout Arkansas and the Nation. Recognizing Susan Cookus, National Female Volunteer of the Year
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
David E. Price (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2018-5-15

due to the primary election in my home state of North Carolina, I was unable to vote during Roll Call 167, the motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended H.R. 4910, the Veterans Cemetery Benefit Correction Act, as well as Roll Call 168, the motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended H.R. 4335, the Servicemember Family Burial Act. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call 167 and Yea on Roll Call 168.
Pensions (Executive Calendar)
Joe Manchin, III (Democrat, WV) \u2014 2018-5-15

first of all, to my colleague from Indiana, there is nobody who has been a greater ally or greater friend than Senator Donnelly in some of the fights we have had, basically making sure that there is fairness between business and workers and that workers are treated fairly. We fought for that. Mr. Donnelly has fought for miners in Indiana, and he brought me into his State to spend time with them, and I appreciate that very much. We will continue to make sure that we get the job done. prgtoken This should not be a conversation we are having right now--fighting for miners' pensions. This was all rolled into one bill. The healthcare and pensions were all done at one time. We had a pay-for. We had it worked out. We thought we had an agreement, and it was bipartisan. It came out of the Senate Finance Committee in a bipartisan way. I thank Senator Hatch for taking an interest in leading that. prgtoken We will have to go back and fix this now. We have half of the job done and half more to do. prgtoken Two weeks ago marked the 1-year anniversary of having a permanent fix for the miners' healthcare, preventing 22,600 coal miners, just in my State alone, from losing their healthcare. Now the Joint Select Committee on the Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans, of which I am very proud to be a member, is determined to find a permanent solution for the miners' pensions. prgtoken Over 70 years ago, President Harry Truman recognized the importance of the coal that our miners produced for this country, and he promised that the Government would guarantee that our great coal miners would have those benefits in return for their service. Let me tell you that up until that point in time, my grandparents, on both sides of my family, were coal miners. They both then started little grocery stores. Up until that time, there were no guarantees or benefits. When they said you owed your soul to the company store, that was literally and figuratively correct. prgtoken My grandfather lived up until 1927. He worked and loaded coal since he was 9 years old and never got a paycheck. He got scrip. At the end of the pay period, he always owed more than they paid him. So they were fighting for this for many years. It was Harry Truman who finally realized what the coal industry and coal mining had done for America. There has not been a group of people who have ever given more in blood, sweat, and tears in hard labor. prgtoken I tell people that they mined the coal that made the steel that built the guns and ships that defended our country and helped to build the Industrial Revolution and really helped to lift the middle class to what it is and what it has been. prgtoken It was over 70 years ago that President Truman recognized that importance, and he made sure that would not go unnoticed. He passed a bill with John L. Lewis and, at that time, Senator Krug. He passed a piece of legislation. This was not from taxpayers' money. They b
Pensions (Executive Calendar)
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2018-5-15

I rise on behalf of the more than 25,000 workers and retirees in Wisconsin who have paid into the Central States Pension Fund. prgtoken If Washington does not act, workers and retirees face massive cuts to the pensions they have earned over decades of work. If Washington does not act, small businesses will be on the hook for a pension liability they cannot afford. prgtoken I have been proud to work side by side with Wisconsin workers and retirees and with Senator Brown, who introduced the Butch Lewis Act, and I have been proud to work with Senator Donnelly and others to organize this afternoon's opportunity to share the stories of the hard- working people and retirees we represent. prgtoken The bill--the Butch Lewis Act--will put failing multiemployer pension plans, including Central States, back on solid ground, and it does so without cutting a single cent from the pension retirees have earned. prgtoken I have also introduced legislation to help shore up the government's insurance plan for these pensions. Earlier this year, I shared the stories of Wisconsin retirees who stand to lose more than 50 percent of their pensions if Washington does not act. Since then, nothing has been done. I am here once again to remind my colleagues that this is about a promise that must be kept. prgtoken This is about a promise made to Gary, from Marshfield, WI. Gary told me: We recently got custody of our great grandson, and raising an 8 year old is expensive, more expensive than when our kids were young. If my pension gets cut, it would definitely affect our family. prgtoken I relate to Gary's comments because I was raised by my grandparents. I can't imagine raising a great-grandchild. So thank you for doing that. Also, yes, it does cost money, and you need to have the stability of keeping the promises that you were given when you enrolled in Central States Pension. prgtoken This is about a promise made to Diane and her husband, from Luxemburg, WI. Diane wrote to tell me: If my husband loses his pension, we could lose our house. My husband has been through polio, cancer, a knee replacement--and he needs another. He worked hard all his life lifting thousands of pounds every day in a grocery warehouse. We paid into a pension expecting to have a comfortable life in retirement--and now it's at risk of being lost. prgtoken This is about a promise we made to Michael, from De Pere, WI, a Vietnam veteran. For over 30 years, Michael was a driver at a local construction business. His wife is a retired nurse. They both worked long hours and are now at the age where finding a new job is not an option. Michael told me: With increasing costs of living and prescription drugs, losing my pension would leave us in a state of devastation. prgtoken This is about a promise made to Randall. Randall is from Suamico, WI. He is a retired truckdriver. Randall told
CONGRATULATING JOANNA DYE ON HER RETIREMENT
Cheri Bustos (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-5-15

I rise today to recognize Ms. JoAnna Dye, who is retiring from Blackhawk College. Ms. Dye has become a pillar of the Blackhawk community, and she will be greatly missed. prgtoken Ms. Dye has worked at Blackhawk College for 34 years, serving as the Financial Aid Director for the last 12 years. She has always gone above and beyond, and received the 2010 Sustained Service Award from the Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA) in recognition of her notable contributions to Blackhawk College. Additionally, Ms. Dye has worked to deliver professional development, leadership and educational opportunities to colleagues and students throughout Illinois by serving as the Executive Vice President and later the President of the ILASFAA. Her dedication to ensuring all our children have the opportunity to succeed has undoubtedly enriched our community and the lives of those she has touched. prgtoken It is because of dedicated and selfless leaders such as Ms. JoAnna Dye that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District I would like to again formally congratulate Ms. JoAnna Dye on her well-earned retirement and thank her for all of her contributions and service to our community.
Pensions (Executive Calendar)
Joe Donnelly (Democrat, IN) \u2014 2018-5-15

I want to thank my colleagues from Pennsylvania and Minnesota, who are still in the Chamber with us right now. Their focus has always been on honoring hard work, on making sure that we keep our word to the truckdriver who has paid in every day, who is riding down the Pennsylvania Turnpike or the Schuylkill Expressway or heading up I-35 in Minnesota and that we keep the promise that was made to them after 30, 35 years of hard work, of driving, of trying to keep people safe, of making a difference, of delivering the food people have to eat, the parts people have to put together at work to make sure our country can continue to move forward. Those are the folks we are talking about. prgtoken If either of my colleagues would like to say anything else in regard to the amazing, hard work of the miners in Pennsylvania or the teamsters in Minnesota--those are the folks, the Central States Pension Fund and so many other pension funds, as well, that we fight for every single day to try to get this done because, as the Senator from Pennsylvania said, this is a job that is half done right now. We were able to make sure we protected the healthcare benefits that were promised. prgtoken There was a miner and his wife with whom I spent time in Oakland City, IN, down in Gibson County where we have so many coal mines. When I saw him, he said: This is one of the greatest days for me when we were able to keep healthcare benefits. prgtoken He said: ``It's not for me. It's because my wife, who is ill''--and they are both in their eighties--``can now get her medicine again next week.'' That is what his concern was. It wasn't about himself. It was about his wife and making sure, with the pain she was struggling with and the healthcare problems that she had, that he was able to make sure she would be OK. prgtoken That is our job; it is to back up the word that was given to him because he spent his life working nonstop to keep our country moving forward, and all he asked in return is that we keep our word. prgtoken .