mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Mazie K. Hirono (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2017-11-30

the tax plan we are debating today is a sham. It is a solution in search of a problem. prgtoken The President and his allies in Congress are bound and determined to give the richest people in our country and large corporations huge tax cuts that will magically trickle down to create a fantastic, incredible, wonderful economy. Why? Why do we even need this? prgtoken Corporations and the richest 1 percent of people in our country are doing just fine, thank you very much. They certainly don't need any more goodies. Over the past 10 years, corporate profits have grown exponentially. More wealth is concentrated in the hands of the top 1 percent than at any time since the Great Depression. prgtoken Groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce claim this bill will spur new investment and help workers. What world are they living in? prgtoken Corporations have sheltered over $2.6 trillion offshore to avoid paying taxes. This is money they could already be using to create jobs, build factories, or raise employee wages. It is not happening, and it will not happen. prgtoken These people and corporations do not need more money and profits. On the other hand, middle-class families have been seeing stagnant wages for nearly 20 years. Healthcare continues to be a political football, with the President sabotaging the Affordable Care Act and congressional efforts to repeal the healthcare law. The cost of a college education is increasingly out of the reach of middle-class families. prgtoken The list goes on. prgtoken Rather than crafting a tax plan that would actually help middle-class families, and the Party have decided to screw them over instead--all to give rich people and corporations huge tax cuts they do not need. prgtoken In Hawaii we have a word to describe what is happening here. The word is ``shibai'' or B.S. prgtoken We have had little time to debate the devastating impact of this massive bill, but even in the short amount of time we have had, it is clear how many of the major provisions in this bill would harm middle- class families. For example, this bill eliminates the individual mandate for healthcare, which is just another way to repeal the Affordable Care Act. How many bites out of this repeal apple are the s going to take? Thirteen million people will lose their health insurance. Premiums for everyone else will increase significantly every year as a result of this yet another bite out of the ACA apple. Do they think these millions of people who will be hurt will not notice what is happening to them and their healthcare? I don't think so. prgtoken The devastating impact of this bill is not limited to the parts we have all heard about. The tax scam has a number of obscure provisions that are already having or will cause real harm. prgtoken The House bill, for example, eliminates the ability of State and local governments to issue something called private
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-11-30

I want to say to my friend, the majority leader, with all due respect we raise a lot of heat in this town. Unfortunately, on the cusp of a meeting that was convened to try to reach some agreements on very important issues to the American people, the heat was raised very, very substantially by the President of the United States. That was unfortunate. prgtoken Anybody who thinks that the heat wasn't raised and was saying that there was not going to be a deal I think is incorrect. prgtoken But that is not why I asked for the 1 minute. Why I asked for the 1 minute is, , the American people are relying on us to come together and agree on things they know are very important to them: their families, their community, and their country. prgtoken Let us not accuse one another back and forth of bad faith, and let's lower the heat and let's try to get that work done.
HONORING THE LATE ROBERT LEE BROWN, JR.
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-11-30

I rise today to honor the late Robert Lee Brown, Jr who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 and will be interred in the Arlington National Cemetery for his service to our nation in the United States Army. prgtoken Robert Lee Brown was born on July 21, 1938, the third child of Robert and Minerva Brown. In his early age, he was baptized in Brodnax, Virginia and received his early education in Brunswick County, Virginia. prgtoken Mr. Brown and his siblings believed firmly that happiness must be found in service to others and that the most noble professions required public service. His sister was an elementary school teacher. He and his brothers contributed over 100 years of combined military service to our nation. prgtoken In 1956, Mr. Brown reached the age of 18 and was drafted in the United States Army, initially serving at the Army Depot in Richmond, Virginia. In time, his service took him on tours through Korea, Panama; and he served in Vietnam during the Vietnam. prgtoken Robert also spent fifteen years of his military service at the Military District of Washington Ceremonies and Special Events in Washington, D.C. where he retired from the United States Army in 1989. After his retirement, he accepted a position as Superintendent of the Soldier's and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. prgtoken In 1962, Robert Brown married his best friend, Yvonne Mushaw, to whom he devoted 54 years until the day of his passing. Together, Robert and Yvonne had two sons, Darrell and Derreck Brown, both of whom Robert was extremely proud. prgtoken Following his second retirement, Robert and Yvonne returned to Brodnax, Virginia where he dedicated himself to the Miles Bethel Memorial CME Church as a member of the Steward Board, President of the Men's Chorus, and Chairperson for Ministry of Men. He also offered his skills to Oris P. Jones Funeral Establishment. prgtoken I want to recognize and offer my condolences to Robert's surviving family: his widow, Yvonne, his son Darrell and daughter-in-law Robin Pena Brown, his son Derreck and friend Christopher Johnson; aunts, Alma Jenkins-Davis, and Mary Boyd-Lewis Salley; brothers, prgtoken Willard Tanner (Christine) and James Brown (Bessie); brother-in-law, Frederick Mushaw (Shirley); sister-in-law, Josephine Tanner; and cousins, nieces and nephews. prgtoken Today, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I join the family and friends of Robert Lee Brown, Jr. in celebrating his life of service and sacrifice. I offer my sincerest gratitude to Mr. Robert Lee Brown, Jr. for his selfless dedication to our nation.
REMEMBERING FORMER CONGRESSMAN MAURICE HINCHEY
José E. Serrano (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-11-30

I join my colleagues in honoring the memory, legacy, and public office of Maurice Hinchey. prgtoken Mo and I were elected in the same election in 1974 and met during freshman orientation that December on a cold Albany day. From then on, we were friends. prgtoken I came from the South Bronx, so I knew about the issues of the environment, but I didn't know the intricacies of how they should be approached legislatively. He taught me all about it, as he did our whole freshman class. From day one, he was that person who spoke about saving this Earth, saving this country, and saving this land that has been loaned to us. prgtoken In addition, Maurice was, as has been said here, one of the nicest guys you could ever imagine. He was a unique elected official. He was a liberal in a conservative district who was loved by his constituents. prgtoken Early in my assembly career, the first year, I visited his district and saw how he cared for the people and how they cared for him. He took me all around. It was wonderful how he loved his community. prgtoken He taught us that there were places outside of New York. I will always remember Maurice used to say to me: I have got to go to New York City once a month. prgtoken I said: Why? prgtoken He said: Just to charge my batteries, get the big city lights, and then I come back. prgtoken He was a special human being. He could play softball and swing a bat like no one else. prgtoken I will miss you, my brother. I will miss you. You are special. The people will miss you forever.
BROWNFIELDS ENHANCEMENT, ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT, AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-11-30

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , EPA's brownfields program has changed the way contaminated property is perceived, addressed, and managed. I was proud to work with the late Congressman Paul Gillmor in creating the brownfields program back in 2002, and I am proud to be here once again today as we bring up a bipartisan reauthorization of this law. prgtoken I want to thank our Environment Subcommittee, Chairman Shimkus, Ranking Member Tonko, our full committee chairman, Mr. Walden, for all their work in getting us to this point today, and, also, my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. prgtoken By almost any metric, the brownfields program has been a remarkable success. Since the program's inception, more than 27,000 contaminated sites have been assessed or remediated, allowing communities to create new developments. prgtoken Removing public health hazards by cleaning up contaminated sites is incredibly important for the surrounding communities. With financial help from the Federal Government, communities can clean up contaminated sites and prepare them for development for parks, commerce, housing, or a number of other uses that can benefit a local community. prgtoken The EPA has found that cleaning up underutilized or abandoned brownfields properties reduces health risks, decreases pollution, and reduces storm water runoff. But this is not just a program that provides environmental benefits. It is a job creator that primes the pump for local investment and development. All told, the brownfields program has leveraged over $45 billion in investments surrounding these sites and almost 130,000 jobs, which is a stunning return on the Federal Government's modest investment in the program. prgtoken Simply put, it provides tremendous value to the Federal Government and a boost to the economy in local communities. The brownfields program has been an incredibly important tool for protecting public health and spurring economic growth in New Jersey and throughout the country. prgtoken The original authorization for the program expired in 2006, and while Congress has continued to appropriate resources for the program, funding has declined. Last year, there was a question as to whether the President would request any funding for this important program. prgtoken So it is important that we reauthorize the brownfields program. I stress the need for continued funding. H.R. 3017 is a bipartisan bill that reauthorizes the program until 2022, at $200 million annually, and reinstates a $50 million annual authorization for grants to assist States and Native American Tribes. And it makes important reforms to improve the flexibility of the brownfields program: authorizing multipurpose grants; raising the limits for grants per site; and removing some funding caps in current law. prgtoken , the bill also allows EPA to reserve as much as $1.5 million in brownfields funding each year
HAITI'S TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS
Yvette D. Clarke (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-11-30

I rise today to voice my outrage over the administration's unconscionable decision to terminate Haiti's temporary protected status designation on July 22, 2019. prgtoken This decision, which came just days before Thanksgiving, will force over 50,000 Haitians to return to a country that is still struggling to recover from the devastating effects of the 2010 earthquake and reeling from a cholera epidemic and food insecurity caused by Hurricane Matthew that decimated Haiti's agricultural sector. prgtoken Although Haiti has made extraordinary strides to overcome the impact of the deadly earthquake and subsequent events, including the cholera epidemic, food insecurity crisis, and Hurricanes Matthew, Irma, and Maria, it has killed over 10,000 people and hampered the recovery efforts. prgtoken The devastation of these events should have made the decision to redesignate Haiti for 18 months without setting an end date an easy call, a no-brainer. However, last week's disastrous decision to terminate Haiti's TPS status did not occur in a vacuum. prgtoken In the past few weeks alone, this administration has also announced its decision to terminate temporary protected status for Nicaragua and Sudan. These actions demonstrate the administration's clear departure from the bipartisan consensus that has always surrounded the TPS program which exists to protect human life. Instead, this administration has chosen to sow fear and division in our society to distract from its failed policies that benefit the wealthy at the expense of the vast majority of Americans. prgtoken Faced with this clear and credible threat, we must come together to pass bipartisan legislation that protects all TPS-eligible individuals from being forced to return home to countries experiencing famine, natural disaster, and outright civil war. That is why I have worked with Representatives Ros-Lehtinen and Jayapal to introduce the bipartisan ASPIRE-TPS Act, which would provide meaningful protections to all TPS-eligible individuals. prgtoken I urge my colleagues in this body to cosponsor our legislation. I also urge House leadership to bring it to the floor for a vote as soon as possible so that we can grant meaningful protection to the 300,000 TPS-eligible individuals at risk of being sent back to life-threatening conditions abroad. Now is the time to act for the sake of 300,000 TPS- eligible individuals and our standing in the world.
GUN VIOLENCE
Robin L. Kelly (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-11-30

the letter, in part, states that the bill will create unacceptable risk to our Nation's 900,000 police officers and the public at large. prgtoken The Fraternal Order of Police has come out in opposition to a similar bill in the Senate. prgtoken , the police are telling us that it is dangerous to them and the public safety at large. prgtoken So why is the majority pushing it so hard? prgtoken Because, once again, the majority is putting the NRA's agenda above the lives of Americans and our law enforcement officers. This is simply unacceptable. prgtoken Why are we considering a bill that puts our officers at greater risk? Why should we take up legislation that we know will increase the number of gun deaths, including among law enforcement officers? Why would we make a dangerous job more dangerous just to satisfy the NRA? prgtoken Why is it cosponsored by one of my colleagues who demanded that a painting be taken down for disrespecting law enforcement, but he is willing to cosponsor a bill that puts their lives at greater risk? prgtoken I guess it is easier to complain about a picture than stand up to the NRA. prgtoken , once again, the NRA's checks are influencing this House. The victims of gun violence should matter more than their dollars. prgtoken Dollar 209, Deputy Sheriff Robert French, end of watch, August 30, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 210, Officer Miguel Moreno, end of watch, June 30, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 211, Trooper Joel Davis, end of watch, July 9, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 212, Agent Roberto Medina-Mariani, end of watch, September 11, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 213, Captain Bryon K. Dickson, II, end of watch, September 12, 2014; prgtoken Dollar 214, Special Agent Michael T. Walter, end of watch, May 27, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 215, Corporal Stephen J. Ballard, end of watch, April 26, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 216, Officer Miosotis Familia, end of watch, July 5, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 217, Lieutenant Kevin Mainhart, end of watch, May 11, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 218, Lieutenant Patrick Weatherford, end of watch, June 12, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 219, Sergeant Richard ``Sam'' Howard, end of watch, August 19, 2017. prgtoken Dollar 220, Deputy Sheriff Mason Moore, end of watch, May 16, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 221, Chief Steven Eric DiSario, end of watch, May 12, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 222, Master Sergeant Debra Clayton, end of watch, January 9, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 223, Deputy Sheriff William Durr, end of watch, May 27, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 224, Officer Eric G. Kelly, end of watch, April 4, 2009; prgtoken Dollar 225, Officer Gary Michael, end of watch, August 6, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 226, Corrections Officer Curtis Billue, end of watch, June 13, 2017; prgtoken Dollar 227, Agent Benjamin De los Santos-Barbosa, end of watch, April 21, 2017. prgtoken , I will jump to dollar 234, Trooper Damon Allen, whom we just heard about, end of watch, November 23, 2017. prgtoken We cannot let this bill pass. If we pass H.R. 38, that number will, tragically, grow. prgtoken Do
REAL TAX REFORM IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
Scott H. Peters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-11-30

I understand that real tax reform is absolutely necessary. In 2013, the Harvard Business School published a report that identified the most important Federal priorities to promote American growth and competitiveness. prgtoken Two of the eight priorities were tax related. First, to simplify the corporate Tax Code with lower statutory rates and fewer loopholes; and second, to reform the taxation of foreign profits so we don't disadvantage American businesses and workers. prgtoken Many would work with the majority to achieve these progrowth tax reforms. That is how it worked so well in 1986 under President Reagan and O'Neill. prgtoken But we should not, and we don't need to, balloon the Federal debt to achieve these goals. That is exactly why proposals in the House and the Senate are so harmful for our country. prgtoken We know that national debt itself is antigrowth. That is why the same Harvard study that advocated tax reform also prioritized a stable Federal budget. Public debt crowds out private investment. CBO estimates that every dollar in deficit crowds out 33 cents in private investment. prgtoken Debt gives us less flexibility to deal with emergencies. Debt increases the risk of another financial crisis, because when investors lose confidence in the government's ability to pay back borrowed funds, interest rates can spike. As interest takes up more of the budget, less is available for other programs, including roads, bridges, scientific discovery, and our national defense. prgtoken When Congress passed the tax cuts, national debt was at a level equal to 32 percent of the U.S. economy. Today, it is 77 percent of GDP. These bills will put our national debt on track to be larger than our national economy. prgtoken We can point fingers at each other about how we got here, but if we are trying to get out of the hole, first we need to stop digging. We will not grow our way out of this hole. prgtoken According to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, no estimate that accounts for the economic impact of higher debt has found that the bill would raise the growth rate by more than a quarter of the s' declared 0.4 percent growth target. prgtoken In a survey at the University of Chicago, known for its conservative economic theory, 37 of 38 economists agree that the GOP tax bills in Congress would cause U.S. debt to increase substantially faster than the economy. prgtoken At the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, which the President himself trumpets as his alma mater, teaming with smart people, their dynamic scoring model found that the House bill would lose between $1 trillion and $1.7 trillion over a decade in revenue after accounting for growth. prgtoken What in the world has happened to the Grand Old Party and fiscal responsibility? How will we pay for infrastructure now? Will we really risk destabilizing the dollar, the world's economic currency? Wil
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2017-11-30

I rise to express my support for our renewable energy tax incentives. The production tax credit, PTC, for wind and the investment tax credit, ITC, for solar must remain intact as agreed to in this Chamber 2 years ago. These two credits are necessary to continue to create clean energy jobs in Colorado. Although the Senate tax package does not modify the PCT and ITC, the House version includes harmful changes to the existing credits. prgtoken During the Finance Committee mark up, I asked the majority if they intend to preserve the ITC and PTC credits in current law during conference. Senator Grassley stated that, in private conversations with the administration, it indicated it would preserve the bipartisan compromise on energy credits. I urge the leadership to retain existing law on the energy tax credits during conference. I take this opportunity to ask unanimous consent that our exchange from the Finance Committee markup be printed in the Record.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-11-30

this bill, as Senator Merkley has pointed out, is really a bait and switch. How? Under this bill, millions of middle-class Americans would end up paying more in taxes in the long run. It is a bait and switch: Get a little reduction, a few crumbs in your stocking in the short term, but in the long run, many of the tax cuts they receive, if they receive a tax cut at all, would only be temporary. prgtoken In 10 years, most Americans earning $75,000 or less would pay more in taxes, while people earning more than $100,000 a year would continue to pay less. prgtoken According to an analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, 644,000 Minnesotans with incomes below $153,800 would see a tax hike in 2027. Yes, that is almost 650,000 Minnesotans who would see a tax hike if they make below about $153,000. prgtoken I want to highlight again what Senator Merkley already discussed with the elimination of the State and the local tax deduction. Many middle- class families rely on these. In my State, we have both an income tax and State property taxes. Over 900,000 households claim the State and local income tax deduction, and over 850,000 claim the property tax deduction. We have a lot of homeowners in Minnesota. Both of these deductions are important for our middle-class Minnesota families. We want people to own homes. We want to make it easier for middle-class people to own homes. prgtoken For example, a policeman and a teacher with two children, with a mortgage, could see their taxes go up under this bill by $250 to $500 a year. Maybe my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't think that is a lot. Well, that is a lot for a middle-class family in my State. Once these cuts disappear in 2027, their tax bill would be $3,000 higher. Why is that? Because it is not offset by the fact that they can no longer deduct their State and local taxes. prgtoken That is one example. Senator Merkley has others.
REQUIRING COMPLETION OF TRAINING PROGRAM IN WORKPLACE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Lucille Roybal-Allard (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-11-30

this resolution will require all Members of Congress and all employees of the House, including fellows, detailees, and interns, to complete an anti-harassment and anti- discrimination training program each year. Harassment of any kind has no place within Congress, and passing this resolution will re-enforce that for Members and staff. By voting for this resolution, we will also ensure that all employees are made aware of their rights and the protections they have against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation for exercising their rights. We must set an example for the nation by creating a professional workplace environment in which employees feel safe and in which workplace rights and responsibilities are respected. While this makes clear the House position against workplace sexual harassment or discrimination, it is only a first step. I look forward to simplifying and reforming the complaint process to bring greater transparency and accountability for reporting incidents of inappropriate workplace behavior. This new policy and our new national awareness are long overdue but necessary as we begin the long process to ensure the workplace is safe and welcoming for all employees.