mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE GOALS OF NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY AND NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2017-11-14

first of all, I would like to thank Senator Blunt for his leadership. We have worked side by side on these issues for so many years, and I am really pleased--as he noted--that there has been a lot of focus on this issue of the adoption tax credit and not only how it needs to be fixed in any tax bill and make sure it is maintained, but, in fact, it should be expanded on. I thank him. We have both been advocating for that. prgtoken One of the reasons I am so involved in this issue is, in my State of Minnesota, we have historically had a lot of adoptions. One is international adoptions. We have one of the highest rates of international adoptions in the country. We have families who have opened their hearts to kids from Vietnam to Guatemala, to Nepal, to Haiti. prgtoken I have had the opportunity to witness the power of adoption firsthand when I served for 8 years as the Hennepin County attorney--which is the largest prosecutor's office in our State. We also have civil jurisdiction so one of the things I worked on was speeding up the amount of time it took for foster kids to get out and into permanent homes. I was able to see firsthand those loving parents who would do anything to bring these kids into their families. When you see it internationally, it just breaks your heart if it goes on for years and years and years. prgtoken Right now, domestically, over 425,000 children are living without permanent families in our foster care system. Over 110,000 of these kids are eligible for adoption. One of the reasons Senator Blunt and I came together today is to make people aware that, yes, there is international adoption--it is so important--but there are also kids right here in America who would love to be taken in by a family. That is part of the theme of our Adoption Month for the country. prgtoken We have tackled a number of issues over the last few years, along with former Senator Landrieu of Louisiana. One of them was the International Adoption Simplification Act, which was a big help in terms of making sure that older children weren't left behind when younger siblings were adopted. I worked on that bill with Senator Inhofe; then, Senators Blunt and Landrieu and I introduced the Accuracy for Adoptees Act, which helps greatly to ensure that families don't have to fight with foreign authorities to get their kids' documents changed. prgtoken We are also working on some of the international issues now because of the slowdown in international adoptions and the work that we can do there. We look forward to working with the State Department and other agencies on that. prgtoken One of the best parts of our job is helping a family in our home State with an adoption. Recently, I got to visit a family in the western suburbs of Minnesota. For years, they had been waiting to adopt two Ethiopian boys. We worked really hard on this, as the halt of adoptions out of Ethiopia affected more than 200 American familie
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2017-11-14

today, I am introducing the Consumer Privacy Protection Act of 2017. This legislation, if enacted, will help ensure that when Americans entrust corporations with their most sensitive personal information, these corporations take the right steps to keep this information secure, and do the right thing in the event of a data breach. In today's modern world, data security is no longer just about protecting our identities and our bank accounts; it is about protecting our privacy and even our National security. prgtoken The need for this legislation has long been clear, and never more so than in the wake of the recent, massive Equifax data breach. After media investigations and multiple Congressional hearings, we learned that the Equifax breach exposed the sensitive personal information of almost half the American population. We also learned that Equifax failed to take basic steps to secure its databases, and waited an unjustifiably long period before notifying consumers and regulators. Clearly, it is past time for all corporations that hold our personal information to maintain some common-sense, baseline cybersecurity standards. prgtoken Corporations make significant profits from our personal information, and they should be obligated to keep it safe. Yet too often, data breaches continue to plague American businesses prgtoken and compromise the privacy of millions of consumers. At the same time, the amount of information we share with corporations who are the target of these breaches is growing. Corporations collect and store our social security numbers, our bank account information, and our email addresses. They collect information about our private health and medical conditions. They know what routes we take to work and where we drop our kids off at school. They can replicate our fingerprints or even faceprints. We trust them with private photographs that we store in the cloud. This information is increasingly targeted by both criminal hackers and nation-states, including hostile foreign powers. prgtoken The Consumer Privacy Protection Act I am introducing today is based on legislation I first introduced in 2015, and builds and expands on data security legislation that I have introduced in Congress since 2005. It seeks to protect the vast amount of information that we now share with corporations each and every day. Americans want to know that the corporations who are profiting from their information are actually doing something to prevent the next data breach. Americans want to know when someone has had unauthorized access to their bank accounts and to their private family photographs, but they do not just want to be notified of yet another data breach. Consumers should not have to settle for mere notice of data breaches. American consumers deserve protection. This legislation would accomplish that. prgtoken The Consumer Privacy Protection Act requires that corporations meet certain baseline priv
HISTORIC TAX REFORM FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
Mike Johnson (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-11-15

. Madam , there is a trend here tonight. Those who are addressing the House this evening have had their own experience with this burdensome Tax Code. They have been small- business owners, entrepreneurs, job creators, and farmers, like my friend from Kentucky. I appreciate their zeal for this issue. prgtoken Madam , from Virginia (Mr. Garrett), a former prosecutor, an Army veteran, and always a good voice to reason.
Tax Reform (Executive Calendar)
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2017-11-15

I want to talk about the last time we did tax reform, in 1986. In 1986, I was in the sixth grade. I had just come back from Camp Cheley, from sixth grade camp. I think the Atari 7800 was the popular model that we all wanted for Christmas. I believe the Ford LTD station wagon was rolling off the assembly lines that year. ``Top Gun'' was No. 1 at the box office. prgtoken That was 1986. It is important because that is the last time we did tax reform in this Chamber. That is the last time we enacted meaningful, comprehensive tax reform. prgtoken This Congress has an incredible opportunity before us today. Our colleagues have an opportunity to grow this economy, to get wages growing again, and to create opportunity for the American people that they haven't seen in far too long. prgtoken Over the past decade, Americans have been working harder than they ever have before, but they have watched as the haves have more and the have-nots have less, and they are tired of it. We have seen stagnant wages and work hours growing. That is what this debate is about. It is about people who want to stand up for Coloradans and people around this country to make sure we grow this economy so people can stop working two or three jobs that they have to now just to try to make ends meet, so they can finally start to see wages grow. prgtoken I am going to be joined throughout this afternoon's debate by the class of 2014, Members of the Senate who were elected in 2014 as a result of a message of economic opportunity--Senators from Georgia and North Carolina and West Virginia and Arkansas elected because we believed in an America that was growing again. We believed in an America that didn't have to settle for second place, it didn't have to settle for mediocrity or decline, but an America that with the right economic policies, the right tax policies, we could lift the burdens off the backs of the American people, off the backs of American businesses, and get this country back to work. That is what this debate is about. prgtoken Over the past several weeks, we have heard a lot of debate about what the Senate bill is going to be, what the House bill is going to be. Over the past several years, the Senate Finance Committee has held over 70 committee hearings on the issue of tax reform, countless reports, paperwork done, economic models to show what this tax reform needed to look like. We have had open debates from both sides of the aisle, a chance to say how do we reduce the tax burden on the American people and get this economy moving again. prgtoken What the Senate has come up with is a package that is estimated to create 1 million jobs across this country--1 million jobs across this country--according to the Tax Foundation. In Colorado, that means a $3,000-plus increase in average aftertax income. If you don't think $3,000 is a heck of a lot of money to people, look at the statistics. prgtoken The statistics show that the av
Tax Reform (Executive Calendar)
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-11-15

I thank Senator Rounds, and I appreciate all my colleagues coming down to the floor. A lot of my colleagues are from the class of 2014. prgtoken , there has been a theme in this colloquy. We have been talking about economic growth and about this challenge of what I have been referring to as a lost decade of economic growth. When talking about tax reform, we have to go back through the history and see what is meant by a lost decade. prgtoken I have been coming down to the floor for a couple of years now with this chart. This chart says a lot. This chart looks at the history of the United States and where we have been with regard to economic growth. It is bipartisan--ic and administrations-- showing decade after decade, starting with Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and what this chart states is that right now, something is wrong. prgtoken When we talk about GDP growth, GDP growth is a proxy for the health of the economy. Unfortunately, we have had a sick economy. GDP growth is a proxy for the American dream, and unfortunately I think that a lot of people over the last 10 years started to worry about whether it was something that can be obtained. prgtoken Let's look at the chart. Every administration, ic or , shows strong levels of growth. My colleagues were talking about at least 3 percent or higher since the Great Depression. Some of these years, during Kennedy and Johnson, right here, the red line is at 3 percent, which is not great, but it is pretty good. Looking at Reagan and Carter, there were years in which we were growing at 4, 5, 6, and 7 percent. prgtoken The pages are looking at this chart, and they don't even know what that means. They don't know what that means because of what has happened over the last 12 years. Boom. Look at this. Everything is under 3 percent for the entire administration years. It never hit 3 percent GDP growth--not once. prgtoken We want to talk about what makes America great. If we want to see what makes America great, look at these years of growth. It doesn't matter whether it was ic or --3, 4, 5, 8 percent during the Johnson administration. Now look--3 percent. prgtoken What is surprising to me is that nobody talks about this issue. Nobody talks about this issue of a lost decade of growth. Certainly, unfortunately, my colleagues--I have been here 3 years. I don't think I have heard my colleagues once come down to the Senate floor and say: Holy cow, we have to fix this lost decade of growth, this sick economy. The proxy for the American dream is going away, and nobody talks about it. prgtoken Former Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently wrote a book titled ``What Happened.'' Well, I think what happened is that there has been no growth for over 10 years, and nobody was talking about it. I think a lot of people in this country said: I am not going to throw awa
SR. CHIEF RYAN OWENS POST OFFICE BUILDING
Darin LaHood (Republican, IL) \u2014 2017-11-15

I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding the time for this important legislation. prgtoken On January 29, 2017, U.S. Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator William ``Ryan'' Owens was killed during a raid in Yemen. At the age of 36, he gave the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect our great Nation. Today, he is survived by his wife, Carryn, and their three young children. prgtoken Ryan Owens grew up in Edelstein, Illinois, in my congressional district, a town that is in a very rural area with barely one stop sign. Friends and family say that, even at a very early age, Ryan knew he wanted to serve his country as a Navy SEAL. prgtoken After graduating from Illinois Valley Central High School in Chillicothe, Illinois, in 1998, he took the first steps towards his goal by enlisting in the Navy. prgtoken Ryan served his first tour of duty at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, Maryland, eventually completing his SEAL training in California in 2002. Over the next 15 years, he completed four tours as a U.S. Navy SEAL, working all over the globe to fight against terrorism and protect the interests of the United States. prgtoken Ryan was 2 years into his fifth tour as a Navy SEAL when he was tragically killed during an intelligence-gathering operation against an al-Qaida cell in Yemen. prgtoken Throughout his 15 years as a Navy SEAL, Ryan Owens gave much to our country, protecting our freedoms, and helping rid the world of evil. It is for these reasons that I introduced H.R. 3109, which will rename the post office in Chillicothe, Illinois, as the Sr. Chief Ryan Owens Post Office Building. prgtoken My office and I worked closely with the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Navy Congressional Liaison's Office, the Central Illinois Gold Star Families, and, most importantly, Ryan's family. All of us were determined to make sure we got this right, choosing a location with strong ties to the community in which Ryan grew up. In the end, it was his wife, Carryn, who decided on Chillicothe, the town where Ryan attended and graduated high school, as the best place for this building to be renamed in his honor. prgtoken I was proud to introduce our bill with overwhelming bipartisan support here in the House with every member of the Illinois delegation signing on as a cosponsor in support. It is my hope that the House acts to pass this bill today and that the Senate will quickly follow suit. prgtoken While we can never repay Chief Owens or his family for the sacrifices he made, renaming the post office in his honor is a small way to thank him for his service and dedication to protecting our great Nation and the values that we hold so dear. We continue, today, to pray for Carryn and his children. We are indebted to his service and his sacrifice to our great country.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
David B. McKinley (Republican, WV) \u2014 2017-11-15

I thank the gentleman for this opportunity to discuss the historic preservation tax credits that historically have stimulated nearly $150 billion in private sector investment. prgtoken As we have discussed over the last month, the tax credit is critically important for economic development and revitalization, especially in small, rural areas of this country. Without the credit, projects that transform communities in all 50 States, from West Virginia to Texas, to Wisconsin, simply will not happen. prgtoken , the chairman's word means something to me, so I am asking for his commitment to continue working with me to ensure that the Federal historic preservation tax credit is preserved in the final tax reform package.
ZACHARY ADDINGTON POST OFFICE
James Comer (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-11-15

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise today in support of H.R. 3821, introduced by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins). prgtoken The bill names the United States Post Office at 430 Main Street in Clermont, Georgia, after U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Zach T. Addington, who was killed in action in the Vietnam war. prgtoken , I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) to further describe the bill and Lance Corporal Addington's service to our country.
AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY USES FOR MEDICAL PRODUCTS TO REDUCE DEATHS AND SEVERITY OF INJURIES CAUSED BY AGENTS OF WAR
Brad R. Wenstrup (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-11-15

I rise in support of H.R. 4374. This provision would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize additional emergency uses for medical products to reduce deaths and severity of injuries caused by agents of war. prgtoken Having served as a combat surgeon in Iraq, I understand the importance of being able to administer lifesaving treatments at a moment's notice. Our servicemembers going into harm's way must be confident that their corpsmen, medics, docs, and health professionals are equipped with the latest technology to save lives every time. prgtoken Freeze-dried plasma is used during the initial resuscitation of combat casualties. Since 2011, 24 severely injured U.S. troops have been treated with freeze-dried plasma provided by the French, who have used this successfully since 1994. Of those patients, 17 lives were saved due to rapid treatment with freeze-dried plasma. prgtoken H.R. 4374 is important because it puts a process in place to broaden the definition of military emergencies and provides the Department of Defense with access to expedited FDA processes for the investigational products like freeze-dried plasma. prgtoken I support Chairman Thornberry's unwavering leadership on this issue. With rapidly developing medical technology, the FDA must be part of the modernization and readiness of our Armed Forces. We are committed to ensuring that the FDA does the best it can for our deployed forces, and I hope that we can find a way to enable the FDA to consider approved research and clinical studies from our allies in an effort to aid their approval process. prgtoken The future will likely bring more medical devices and drugs that can save lives. Having a process to approve and implement emerging medical technologies is a matter of life and death, especially for our brave troops.
THE 21ST CENTURY FLOOD REFORM ACT IS NEEDED REFORM
Pete Olson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-11-15

a wise man said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. prgtoken The definition of public bankruptcy is not having enough public taxes to pay public debts. prgtoken This means that the current National Flood Insurance Program is both insane and bankrupt. It is insane because taxpayers pay when others' homes are flooded. They pay again when the same homes are flooded a second time and a third time and a fourth time. prgtoken The GAO confirmed that the National Flood Insurance Program has created a flood of taxpayer debt; $23 billion in March of 2016. Three recent major hurricanes on the Gulf Coast doesn't help. prgtoken Because Texas 22 had record floods when Hurricane Harvey hit in May, I was proud to be one of 237 Members to vote for needed reform, the 21st Century Flood Reform Act. prgtoken , I urge my Senate colleagues to do the same. Give America a Christmas present before Santa Claus comes to town.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Michael R. Turner (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-11-15

. Madam , I thank the chairman for working diligently to create the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that will give a tax break to the middle class. prgtoken After speaking to both Paul Ryan and Ways and Means Committee member Tom Reed, I believe that an unintended consequence of this bill would hinder middle class Americans pursuing a higher education degree in an attempt to better their lives. These consequences will affect the education of employees of universities, graduate students, and employees receiving employer-provided education benefits. prgtoken Madam , under current law, higher education institutions can provide tax-free tuition waivers or reimbursement to employees, spouses, and dependents. prgtoken Secondly, many universities provide graduate students, including Ph.D. candidates, with tuition relief and stipends, which they can utilize while pursuing their degree. Several of my constituents, including my niece, Sarah Schiavone, who is a Ph.D. student, would be impacted by this. prgtoken Thirdly, employer-provided education incentives are currently not taxed. I offered two amendments, amendments 20 and 21, to H.R. 1 that would have kept these qualified tuition reduction benefits and currently would have provided for them to continue.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Kristi L. Noem (Republican, SD) \u2014 2017-11-15

I thank the chairman for yielding. prgtoken , today I rise in support of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. prgtoken We have worked hours--literally hundreds of hours--on this legislation, and I commend Chairman Brady and the staff of the Ways and Means Committee for all of their hard work. prgtoken , we have gone through this bill line by line. I have personally fought for policies and ideas in this bill to make sure that it works for families, to make sure that it increases wages, and creates more opportunity for folks all across America. prgtoken My goal in this was two-fold. Number one, I wanted to strengthen families. Number two, I wanted to create a stronger future for America. This tax reform package puts us well on our way to achieving these goals and achieving some remarkable wins for the American people. prgtoken I say this because this plan simplifies the Tax Code. It simplifies it to the point that most people can file their taxes on a form the size of a postcard. It also gives significantly lower rates. It dramatically expands the child tax credit. It keeps the child care credit. It protects flexible spending benefits. prgtoken These provisions for working families are important to me. My home State of South Dakota has the highest rate of working families in the Nation. The moms and dads in my State aren't working just for fun. They are working to pay the bills to provide for their families. They need money to put food on the table and to put a roof over their kids' heads. These provisions are going to help them pay their bills, take care of their kids, go to work, and maybe, just maybe, get a little extra money that they can take their kids off for a weekend and do something fun together. That is important. prgtoken When these kids grow up, I want them to be able to find good, high- paying jobs. So I fought hard to make sure that our farmers, our ranchers, and our small businesses could thrive under this new Tax Code. We got some pretty big wins for those folks. prgtoken In this bill, we fully and permanently repeal the death tax--that un- American, unfair double tax. W give people better expensing tools and we drive down the rate for small businesses. If we are going to make sure that our kids can thrive, we need to create opportunities for them to make sure that they can do it right here in America, and this tax reform package lets hardworking job creators do that better. prgtoken , I understand that no tax reform plan is going to be perfect in everybody's eyes, but this proposal is a strong step forward. It reflects real, sustainable policy changes that are going to let people keep more money in their pockets. prgtoken I have heard from many throughout this debate, who have spoken up against these tax cuts and these reforms--people who trust the government with this money more than they trust the American people. prgtoken , I fundamentally disagree. The American people deserve more contr