mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR OUR VETERANS
Jack Bergman (Republican, MI) \u2014 2017-11-9

as a nation, we find ourselves in seemingly uncertain times: instability in North Korea, terrorism throughout the world, and divisiveness on so many fronts. Yet across our Nation, young men and women continue to step up to serve when their country needs them most. They serve our great Nation willingly, honorably, and without bias. prgtoken In the 1940s, when an unprecedented attack on American soil led us into the Second World War, our brave men and women in uniform stood up to defend our Nation. prgtoken In the 1950s, when our country faced the spread of communism to Korea, it was our veterans who were there. prgtoken In the 1960s and 1970s, when the United States was brought into the war in Vietnam, knowing there would be no hero's welcome when they came home, our men and women were steadfast. prgtoken In the first Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the many missions they have faced in the past two decades, our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coastguardsmen have defended our great Nation from those who wish to do us harm. prgtoken On this Veterans Day, I submit to our men and women: Your service is not over and your mission is not complete. Now, more than ever, your country needs you. Stand up. Tell your story. The next generation needs to hear from you. We are forever grateful for your service.
WE NEED TO PUSH FORWARD ON TAX CUTS
Doug LaMalfa (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-11-9

as the House contemplates the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a lot of misinformation is getting around the country on that. prgtoken The intent here is to make the Tax Code simpler; the ability for Americans to spend instead of billions of hours and billions of dollars combined in dealing with their taxes, to get it down to a simple form, perhaps a postcard for many Americans, and the ability to weed through their taxes and get them done and put more money in their pockets. prgtoken What our plan does is put approximately $1,200 into the average middle-income family's pocket, leaves it there instead of taking it out; also, restoring more opportunity on Main Street for small businesses, medium businesses, and the jobs that we want to come back home to this country, those trillions of dollars we can repatriate back to this country and help the middle class, help middle-income Americans, help everybody to have a stronger, more vibrant economy, which helps everybody, instead of a complicated Tax Code put together by lobbyists. prgtoken We need to push forward on this and have a success for the American people.
HONORING L. STEPHEN GAITHER
Vicky Hartzler (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-11-9

I rise today to honor and thank Mr. Stephen Gaither for his dedication and service to our Nation's veterans. prgtoken After over 40 years of service, Mr. Gaither is retiring as the public affairs officer at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. prgtoken Mr. Gaither has spent his entire life serving this great Nation. In addition to his numerous years serving our veterans at the Truman VA, Mr. Gaither served in the United States Air Force, the Utah Air National Guard, and the Army Reserves. prgtoken Since 1989, he has been an active volunteer for the Heart of Missouri United Way, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the economic and social conditions of those who reside in our local community. His passion for serving others will forever leave a mark on the Truman VA and the city of Columbia. prgtoken So, Mr. Gaither, this week, as we celebrate Veterans Day, I want to thank you for your devotion and your work on behalf of our Nation's veterans and our community, and I want to wish you the very best in your retirement.
MICRO OFFERING SAFE HARBOR ACT
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2017-11-9

while government isn't meant to create jobs, with the help of the President, Congress can set Federal policies that establish a pro-worker, pro-business environment that lifts people out of poverty, helps families, and drives our country forward. prgtoken One problem today that is impeding job growth is access to capital for small businesses. American businessmen and -women are often unable to get the loans they need to start a new enterprise or to grow an existing one. prgtoken Additionally, if a firm would like to publicly sell stock to raise money, it must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which costs $2.5 million, on average; an amount most small businesses simply cannot afford. prgtoken Small and emerging businesses are a key to the economic engine in America. The Small Business Administration found that these businesses create over half of the new jobs on an annual basis in this country. More importantly, today's small businesses are tomorrow's success story. prgtoken Just think of all the great businesses in this country that started with a dream in a garage: Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Disney, Harley- Davidson, and Minnesota's own Medtronic. We want to empower the entrepreneurs in this country to dream, innovate, and create jobs that grow our economy. prgtoken That is why I introduced the Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act. This bill will make it easier for entrepreneurs and prgtoken small businesses to raise money from family, friends, and their personal network without running afoul of the vague and undefined ``private offering'' safe harbor provisions in the Securities Act of 1933. prgtoken Thus, the Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act helps bring clarity to existing law so that our current and future job creators can easily raise capital within the confines of an easy-to-understand provision without the help of an expert. prgtoken This legislation requires three specific criteria to be met simultaneously in order to trigger a safe harbor exemption for a security offering instead of just one or more. These criteria ensure that: one, each purchaser has a substantive preexisting relationship with an owner; two, there are no more than 35 purchasers of securities from the issuer that are sold in reliance on the exemption during the 12 months proceeding; and, three, the aggregate amount of all securities sold by the issuers does not exceed $500,000 during the 12- month period preceding the offering. The bill also exempts any of the aforementioned security offerings from blue-sky laws, while maintaining antifraud provisions at the Federal and State level. prgtoken These provisions protect Americans from criminals trying to swindle them out of their hard-earned money, while making capital more accessible to businesses by investors from around the country. prgtoken In fact, I will be offering an amendment to enhance these antifraud provisions. This amendment, which incorporates the suggestions made b
VETERANS DAY
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-11-9

this Saturday is Veterans Day. On this 11th day of the 11th month each year, we pause to honor and pay tribute to our veterans and the countless sacrifices they have made to serve our country. We also honor their families, who have endured extended absences and profound personal challenges as they have watched those most precious to them put themselves in harm's way. In that spirit of gratitude, I want to recognize some of Maryland's bravest and finest servicemembers who have given the last full measure of devotion to our Nation. prgtoken Sgt. Eric M. Houck, 25, died from gunshot wounds in the Peka Valley of prgtoken the Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan this past June. Sergeant Houck, who began his military career as a private and rose to the rank of sergeant in just 3 years, was an avid sports fan. His father called Eric his best friend and said that his family, particularly his two young children, were everything to him. He was only 1 month shy of returning home. prgtoken Navy PO1 Xavier Martin, age 24, died aboard the USS Fitzgerald during its tragic collision off the coast of Japan in June. Petty Officer Martin was an exemplary sailor and the youngest petty officer with a rank of first class aboard the USS Fitzgera1d. He was so well-loved, more than 100 friends and family traveled from around the country and the globe to attend his funeral. prgtoken U.S. Air Force pilot and Annapolis native Eric Schultz was killed in an aircraft crash in early September. Lieutenant Colonel Schultz was a combat veteran and an exceptionally talented Air Force test pilot with more than 2,000 hours of flying. He held six degrees, including a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, but was described by friends and family as the most humble man they have ever known. ``If you met him in a social environment, you would never know he was a Ph.D. or a pilot,'' his father said. prgtoken Timothy Eckels and Kevin ell were among the sailors killed during the collision of the USS John McCain in August. Information System Technician 2nd Class Eckels was a graduate of Manchester Valley High School and was described as being ``known for making everyone better by his presence'' and a true pleasure to be around. He was just 23 years old. Electronics Technician 2nd Class ell was not much older, at only 26, and a talented technician for the Navy. He proudly served for 7 years. prgtoken There are many other Marylanders, many other families, who have suffered unfathomable loss and injury, and all of them deserve our collective and eternal gratitude. prgtoken They also deserve to have the many promises we have made kept. They deserve the job training, education assistance, and housing benefits they have earned. They deserve every tool and resource they need to succeed both professionally and personally once they return home. They deserve leaders who consider their sacrifice every day, not only on Veterans Day. prgtoken Let us honor
The Great Lakes and Underwater Oil Pipelines (Executive Session)
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-11-9

next to our people, the Great Lakes are unquestionably Michigan's greatest resource. They are more than an economic engine. They are more than a source of drinking water for 40 million people. They are more than a destination for tourists, boaters, and anglers from across the globe. While the Great Lakes are certainly all of those things, in Michigan, they are also a way of life. They are, quite simply, home. You cannot sit on the edge of one of our massive inland seas without feeling a sense of awe and gratitude. prgtoken Next to me is a photo of the Straits of Mackinac, a 5-mile stretch of water where Lake Michigan meets Lake Huron and where Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas are connected by the Mackinac Bridge. prgtoken Unfortunately, today I cannot look out at these straits without feeling a grave concern. The Straits of Mackinac are home to powerful currents. Water, at times, flows through at a volume greater than 10 times that of Niagara Falls. The currents are also unpredictable, as they can flow in any direction and can change not only by the season or even by the day, but they can actually change by the hour. prgtoken The straits are also home to twin underwater oil pipelines that are operated by Enbridge, known as Line 5, that are now 64 years old and getting older by the day. A recent study by the University of Michigan found that the Straits of Mackinac are the absolute worst possible place for an oilspill anywhere in the entire Great Lakes Basin. prgtoken Without question, there is no way that this pipeline would have been built today, but it is there, and we need the toughest protections and strictest accountability possible. To put these in place, I worked to pass bipartisan legislation to designate the Great Lakes as an unusually sensitive area, which requires the highest possible operating standards under Federal law. prgtoken Rigorous Federal oversight is critical, but pipeline owners and operators must do their part as well by being transparent and forthcoming. prgtoken While Enbridge assured us repeatedly that Line 5 is ``as good as new,'' we found out in August that there are bandaid-sized gaps where protective coatings had worn completely away and exposed the bare metal underneath to the harsh underwater environment in the straits. Last month, we learned of six additional locations with damage to the protective coatings, leaving areas as big as 1 square foot of exposed bare metal at each location. Then, on October 27, 2017, just 2 weeks ago, Enbridge disclosed that its pipeline integrity department knew of the damage that it had caused to the pipeline while conducting maintenance in 2014--3 years ago. prgtoken I share the concerns that have been expressed by thousands of Michiganders who dread the worst case oilspill scenario, and I share their frustration and their anger at being misled. It is unacceptable that damage to a pipeline running through the Great Lakes could g
VOTE EXPLANATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-11-9

I was unavailable for rollcall vote No. 268, on the nomination of William L. Wehrum, of Delaware, to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Had I been present, I would have voted nay. prgtoken , I was unavailable for rollcall vote No. 269, on the motion to invoke cloture on Derek Kan, of California, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy. Had I been present, I would have voted nay.
HONORING THE LIFE OF DARREN DRAKE
Josh Gottheimer (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-11-9

I rise today in memory of 32-year-old Darren Drake from New Milford, New Jersey, whose promising life was cut short in last month's tragic and senseless act of ISIS-inspired lone- wolf terror in Manhattan. prgtoken Darren was one of our best and brightest, and a son of New Jersey through and through. A hardworking project manager at Moody's and a lifelong Jets fan, Darren earned more than three degrees from New Jersey universities. Not only was he driven and accomplished, Darren was also a committed public servant, serving as president of the New Milford School Board. prgtoken Darren was beloved. It was intensely moving to see so much of the North Jersey community come together at his wake and funeral last week and this week. prgtoken To his parents, Jimmy and Barbara, and everyone whose life he touched, I want to express my deepest condolences. Darren's death is our profound loss. He packed more into his years than most do in a lifetime. His life enriched our lives beyond measure. prgtoken No act of terror will ever be able to diminish the bright and burning love he had for his home, my State, and our country. I will spend my days here fighting terrorism at home and abroad in Darren's honor. prgtoken May God rest his soul.
RECOGNITION OF TOLIE BRODIE HARRISON--TRIBUTE TO HER 100TH BIRTHDAY
G. K. Butterfield (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2017-11-9

I rise to honor and recognize Tolie Brodie on who is an outstanding citizen in Nash County, North Carolina. Mrs. on affectionately known as ``Ma Tolie'' will be 100 years young on December 12, 2017. prgtoken Born in 1917 during the height of World War I, Mrs. on has devoted her entire life toward improving the quality of life for her community. prgtoken Mrs. on and her husband, Frank Barnabas on, were blessed with ten wonderful children. Education was important to the family. The on's were adamant that their children would receive a proper education and encouraged them to attend college. Mrs. on was also a provider and motivator by working countless hours on farms and in tobacco factories to keep her children enrolled in school. At age 45, she was employed by Abott's Pharmaceuticals; which ensured the necessary benefits to support her family. prgtoken , many in the Nash County community can testify to the hospitality and encouragement of Ma Tolie. As a strong advocate for education, she would welcome new teachers to her home until they could find a permanent residence. For the students; she fed them, housed them, and wisely counseled them. With her many years of selfless service, Mrs. on has left an indelible impression on the lives she touched. Throughout her life she has received many awards, recognitions, and praises for her contributions. prgtoken It is my high honor to offer these remarks in recognition of a great American who is an example of the highest degree of service to humanity.
Republican Tax Plan (Executive Session)
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2017-11-9

I want to continue to share with our colleagues the reasons I oppose the nomination of Bill Wehrum to be EPA's Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. Throughout his career, Mr. Wehrum has clearly shown he is dismissive of the science that is the core of EPA's actions to protect public health. Nothing during this confirmation process has convinced me that Mr. Wehrum's approach will change going forward. prgtoken I have said this before, and I will say it again because it makes Mr. Wehrum's priorities clear, our courts have overturned regulations that Mr. Wehrum helped craft while at EPA a staggering 27 times. That is 27 times that the courts determined the rules Mr. Wehrum put in place did not follow the law or did not adequately protect public safety--27 times. prgtoken In one of those instances, the courts faulted EPA's lack of action to reduce mercury and toxic air pollution emissions from electric powerplants. prgtoken I have worked on controlling mercury pollution since I became a Member of this body 17 years ago, so I would like to spend some time talking about this issue, mercury. prgtoken Much of our country's ongoing efforts to clean up air pollution hinge on making sure every State plays by the rules and does their fair share to reduce air pollution. That includes dangerous toxic pollution like mercury. Toxic air pollution gets into the air we breathe, gets into the food we eat, builds up in our bodies without our knowledge and can lead to cancer, to mental impairment, and even to death. prgtoken Unfortunately, Mr. Wehrum has spent much of his career fighting to dismantle the Federal environmental protections on which any State--my State, your State, so many other States--depends in order to clean up toxic air pollution. prgtoken Twenty-seven is also the number of years ago that President George Herbert Walker signed the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 into law. Nearly three decades ago, Congress had enough scientific data to know that mercury and other air toxics, such as lead and arsenic, were hazardous air pollutants that harmed people's health and, as a result, should be regulated by the EPA. prgtoken The lawmakers--including myself--who sent the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 to the desk of a President thought that the Nation's largest emitters of mercury and air toxics would soon be required to do their part and clean up. Unfortunately, it took 22 additional years for the EPA to issue the Mercury and Air Toxic Rule, which finally, 5 years ago, called for reducing mercury and other air toxics from coal-fired plants, our Nation's largest source of mercury emissions. prgtoken The EPA modeled the rule after successful steps that States across our country had already taken. The Agency required coal plants to install existing affordable technology that could reduce mercury and toxic emissions by 90 percent. prgtoken Today our Nation's power utilities are meeting
Republican Tax Plan (Executive Session)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2017-11-9

it has been a sorry spectacle for Americans to witness what the polluting industries are doing, with the full connivance of the administration, prgtoken to the Environmental Protection Agency--an Agency that enjoys broad popularity among the American people but is obviously a thorn in the side of big polluters who make very big campaign contributions and therefore have inordinately big influence here in Congress. prgtoken The creep show parade of nominees to the offices responsible for protecting the public's health at EPA is nothing short of astounding. It is an array of cranks, charlatans, hacks, lobbyists, and toadies in really unprecedented measure in the history of our country. It seems that at this point the key and only credential for appointment to the Environmental Protection Agency is that you are reliably pro-industry and reliably anti-public health. prgtoken We are facing a nomination for one of these characters, whose name is William Wehrum. He was previously nominated to the EPA Office of Air and Radiation in 2006, but even back then, his record was such a scandal that the White House withdrew his nomination. Now, that was 2006. That was before Citizens United. That was before the flood of political power to the big polluting industries. Now, on this new political field, he is back, he is just as bad, and there is no hint that the administration has any intention of withdrawing his nomination. He has a real problem dealing with environmental issues, and I think it relates to his record. prgtoken In recent years, Mr. Wehrum has represented industry in 39 Federal appellate cases opposing cleaner air protection. He is 39 to 0 in terms of taking the side of industry against clean air protections, and 31 of those cases involved lawsuits against EPA. So he will now be defending and judging cases of the type that he brought against the EPA on behalf of industry. Again, not one of those cases argued for better clean air protections. Many of them questioned air toxic standards that had been established by EPA. Some of the lawsuits were against rules that had to be rewritten by the administration when EPA failed to follow the Clean Air Act, when a rule was thrown out by the courts for failing to be true to the law. So this is not a great moment for the integrity of government in this particular case. prgtoken When we asked Mr. Wehrum questions--for instance, I asked him about carbon dioxide's role in the observable effects of climate change, and he replied: ``The degree to which manmade [greenhouse gas] emissions are contributing to climate change has not been conclusively determined.'' prgtoken That entire sentence hangs on one word: ``conclusively.'' So if 999 scientists said that this is indeed conclusive but you had 1 outlier--1 against 999--then you could argue that the degree to which manmade greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to climate change has not been co