mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
National Small Business Week (Executive Calendar)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican, TN) \u2014 2019-5-8

I am pleased to join my colleagues and celebrate National Small Business Week. I love this poster that they have prepared today because Tennessee is right at the heart of this. prgtoken For over five decades, National Small Business Week has been an opportunity to recognize the tremendous contribution of small businesses and entrepreneurs to the American economy. prgtoken We know and we hear it said so often that there is nothing small about small business because of the economic impact it has. I tell you, the statistics really do bear that out. prgtoken According to the most recent report from the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy for my home State of Tennessee, there are over 603,000 small businesses located in our State. Now, 99.4 percent of all the businesses in our State are small businesses. That speaks to the health and vitality of our economy. prgtoken Collectively, these small businesses employ over 1.1 million people, and that accounts for 42.3 percent of the entire workforce in the State. So small business has an enormous footprint in the State of Tennessee. prgtoken Now, we have heard a lot about the booming economy in recent weeks, and as we celebrate Mother's Day this week--and I do hope it is a happy Mother's Day for everyone. We know prgtoken this economy that is booming, that is growing, with record-low unemployment numbers, with economic vitality, wage growth that we have not seen--we know this is an economy that makes the lives of millions of working women and those families' lives better, and we celebrate what this economy is doing for the Nation as a whole. prgtoken Specific to Tennessee, as we celebrate Mother's Day, we celebrate these women-owned businesses. What we do know from the research that is out is that Tennessee is the fifth best State in the country for female-owned small businesses and that they are seeing dynamic growth in both revenue and employment. prgtoken Now, the economic gains that have come about because of the tax cuts and the regulatory reforms that have been enacted by President , voted on, pushed through by congressional s, have changed the economic landscape of millions of Americans. prgtoken Since tax reform was signed into law, 3.2 million new jobs were created, 90 percent of the taxpayers have received a bigger paycheck, and jobless claims are at the lowest they have been in 50 years. prgtoken Here is the connective tissue between these encouraging stats and what I hear back in Tennessee. Because the economy is strong, now is a great time to grow or to expand or to start a new business. Entrepreneurs feel confident so they are betting on themselves and making decisions that they need to make in order to succeed: They are hiring that new employee, adding a new store or a new location, and daring to turn their dreams into a reality. prgtoken Small businesses are the key driver of our turbocharged economy, and we will contin
RECOGNIZING DR. DAVID L. McKENNA
Tim Walberg (Republican, MI) \u2014 2019-5-8

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Dr. David L. McKenna, a legendary leader in Christian higher education, as he celebrates his 90th birthday during the month of May 2019. prgtoken Born in Michigan, Dr. McKenna received an education at Spring Arbor College, Western Michigan University, and Asbury Theological Seminary, culminating with a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. prgtoken Dr. McKenna served as the President of Spring Arbor College (now university), a respected Christian college in my district, from 1961 to 1968. He led the transformation of Spring Arbor from a two-year college to a baccalaureate institution and years later served as the Chairman of the Board when it became Spring Arbor University. prgtoken He went on from Spring Arbor to serve as President of Seattle Pacific University from 1968 to 1982 and as President of Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky from 1982 to 1994, completing a remarkable 33 years of presidential leadership in higher education. prgtoken Dr. McKenna and his wife, Janet, now live in Kirkland, Washington, where they remain active and continue to positively impact people's lives. For many years, he has been a prolific author, continuing to publish at least one book per year. prgtoken I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in wishing Dr. David L. McKenna a happy 90th birthday, and in expressing best wishes for future blessings.
Ex-Im Bank (Executive Calendar)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2019-5-8

we had three extremely well-qualified people come before this body this week who were nominated to the Board of the Ex-Im Bank, the Export-Import Bank. It is an entity that most individuals across the country don't even know about. They don't even know what the Ex-Im Bank does. But it gets caught up in a lot of politics here. prgtoken These extremely well-qualified people were confirmed, and they are now on their way to serve our Nation in that area. I had to vote against them, not because of who they are and their qualifications-- they are clearly qualified--but because of my own frustration that this body has not been willing to take on the most basic element of reform of the Ex-Im Bank. prgtoken The charter of the Ex-Im Bank requires the Bank ``to seek to reach international agreement to reduce government subsidized export financing.'' That is in their charter. The problem is, that is not being fulfilled. There has been a push for a while to try to reform the Ex-Im Bank. That push to reform it has failed so far. prgtoken My encouragement to the new quorum that is in the leadership role at the Ex-Im Bank is to push to fulfill their requirements to reduce government-subsidized export financing, not expand it, and to take the actions necessary to do that--not only with our Ex-Im structure but working with other countries to reduce theirs. The common phrase is ``We have an ex-im bank because other countries have an ex-im bank.'' Well, you know what, other countries have a Communist structure--like China. We are not trying to model that either. Should we take on every single subsidy other governments do? Let's try to find a way for them to fulfill their charter. prgtoken In the meantime, I have proposed a set of reforms that can be done to the Ex-Im Bank to make it better. Some are fairly obvious. prgtoken One of them is reducing taxpayer exposure by prohibiting the Bank from issuing direct loans. prgtoken I have also pushed very hard to have this basic statement: a sense of the Senate that the Bank is a lender of last resort, not the first place to go to. That, again, should be a no-brainer for them. prgtoken Here is the clearest and easiest reform. Ex-Im Bank brags about how many small businesses use the Ex-Im Bank services, but the next question is not asked. How does Ex-Im Bank define a small business? With chagrin, they will say that their definition of a small business is any business with 1,500 employees or fewer. That is not a small business. So 1,500 employees or fewer is a small business, according to Ex-Im Bank. There are very few companies in America with 1,500 employees. prgtoken The most basic thing we can do is have Ex-Im Bank use the same definition the Small Business Administration uses for what a small business is and then put the same requirement on Ex-Im to also use small businesses and engage with them. prgtoken We should also prohibit the Bank from providing financing services to
HONORING DR. HILDA SHIRK
Lloyd Smucker (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-5-8

. Madam , a few weeks ago, our Nation observed National Public Health Week, and I rise today to honor the work and accomplishments of a leading figure in public health in Lancaster County, Dr. Hilda Shirk, who is retiring after 7 years as president and CEO of Lancaster Health Center. prgtoken Dr. Shirk has been a tireless advocate for public health and for ensuring everyone has access to quality care, prgtoken and she has been a tremendous leader in our Lancaster County community. Just last year, the health center that she leads logged over 80,000 patient visits. prgtoken Madam , Dr. Shirk led the health center during a pivotal time in the organization's history. Under her steadfast leadership, she grew the organization in many ways, including doubling the organization's operating budget, increasing its staff by nearly 50 percent, and increasing accessibility at two new sites in Lancaster City. prgtoken Dr. Shirk will be retiring later this year. It is a pleasure to honor such an incredible community leader. We thank her for her years of service and wish her well in her retirement.
National Small Business Week (Executive Calendar)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-5-8

it is National Small Business Week, and in Montana, small businesses are a critical part of our life. In fact, I grew up watching my parents build a small business. They are made up of hard-working families who lift up their companies and neighborhoods, and it is what keeps our economy growing and keeps our economy strong. prgtoken In fact, when I am back home in Montana and back in my hometown of Bozeman, you might find me in the morning grabbing a cup of coffee from Cold Smoke with my sweet wife Cindy, or I might be heading over to Butte. I might be picking up a new mount from my taxidermist, Marc, who does a great job there in Butte. Or maybe it is time for dinner and grabbing a bite to eat at the Mint in Belgrade. Of course, if you are over in Billings, you have to stop and get a cinnamon roll at Stella's. If you are heading through Helena, get a great lunch there at Steve's Cafe. Or if you are up in the northwest part of the State, you might grab a beer at the Cabinet Mountain Brewery. Or there is nothing like breakfast at Syke's in Kalispell. prgtoken In fact, one of the old-time favorites in Missoula is the Thunderbird Motel. They have a great owner there, Thelma, who has been a friend for years. I still remember how excited the men and women who were stationed in Afghanistan and from our very own 495th from Kalispell were when we brought over--hand-carried over to Afghanistan--back in December, some Hi-Country beef jerky from Lincoln, MT, because for them, that Hi-Country beef jerky tasted like being back home. prgtoken These mom and pop shops of Montana tell the story of the ideals that make our Nation great. In fact, in Montana, 90 percent of our businesses are small businesses--90 percent. Montana's small business owners are hard-working Montanans. They have taken a leap of faith to pursue the dream of owning their own business. prgtoken They get up early, they roll their sleeves up, and they don't stop working until they get the job done. They are folks who put everything they have into starting a business. They are working all day, oftentimes into the night, to keep that business growing. Their voices that make our economy run in Montana are seldom heard on the national stage. prgtoken Those businesses that I mentioned earlier that I like to frequent are not household names across our country. They are well-known names back in their respective communities, but they are not on the national stage, and it is my honor to be their voice, to fight for policies that make their lives back in Montana easier. prgtoken Thankfully, under leadership over the last 3 years, our country has experienced record economic growth. That is not by accident. prgtoken Since we passed tax reform, over 3\1/2\ million new jobs have been added to this economy, and we are seeing more money in the pockets of Montanans. Wages are up. Productivity is up. The unemployment rate sits at a 50. That is a fiv
Prescription Drug Costs (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-5-8

yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee held a very important hearing on how we can bring down prescription drug prices for American families without sacrificing the innovation that has made our country a world leader in new drug development. That is quite a challenging balance to strike. prgtoken As I travel my State, I have heard from my constituents about their increasing inability to get their hands on the medications they need at a price they can afford--not because no treatment exists, not because they don't have insurance, and not even because it is a pricey, brandnew drug. Patients can't afford their prescriptions because the prices are going up at an alarming rate, with little evidence or justification to back some of the price hikes. prgtoken I heard from one Texas pharmacist who was shocked by the dramatic price increase of drugs that had been available for years. She told me about one popular antibiotic that once cost $8 for 1,000 tabs. She said now it costs more than $1,200 for the same amount--$8 to $1,200. What is the justification for that? Well, we are left to wonder and speculate, and that is part of the reason for the investigation being undertaken now by the Finance Committee and other Senate committees. prgtoken These costs have been so overwhelming that some of my constituents will cross the border to go to Mexico to try to buy prescription drugs there. A man from Rockport, TX, told me one of his prescriptions cost about $1,000 each month in the United States. But if he drives a few hours to Mexico, he can get what he thinks is that same medication from what he thinks is the same manufacturer for about $160--$1,000 versus $160. Of course, what we don't know is whether it is a counterfeit, whether it is not only ineffective to deal with the condition that he is taking the medicine for but whether it might poison him. So this is a challenging issue with no easy answers. prgtoken I know one thing. I know my constituents are frustrated by these confusing price hikes. They don't understand the dramatic price differences from one retailer to another, and I have heard them loud and clear because I don't understand it either. We know that something needs to be done to rein in the high costs before medication becomes a luxury only for those who can afford it. prgtoken Since the beginning of this new Congress, the Senate Finance Committee has held a series of hearings to examine what is behind these rising costs. We have heard from all of the major players in the supply chain and asked some long overdue questions. prgtoken The Senate Judiciary Committee has begun looking into how to bring these prices down, specifically by stopping pharmaceutical companies who game the patent system. Patents play a very important role in our economy. They are recognized in the Constitution itself, and when somebody discovers something new and wonderful that helps improve all our lives, they are ent
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Thomas R. Carper (Democrat, DE) \u2014 2019-5-9

today I wish to pay tribute to an American hero and patriot who was taken from us far too soon. Earlier this month, I was standing in the flight line at the Dover Air Force Base alongside Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester and Senator Chris Coons. We were there to receive the remains of three marines killed in action on April 8, 2019, when a roadside bomb went off in Afghanistan. Two of the servicemembers killed were Active Duty: Cpl Robert A. Hendriks, of Long Island, NY, and SSgt Benjamin S. Hines of York County, PA. prgtoken There was a third: SSgt Christopher Slutman, a Reservist, a 15-year member of the New York City Fire Department, and a Delawarean. The 43- year-old U.S. Marine was also a loving husband to his wife Shannon and father to three daughters: McKenna, Kenley, and Weslynn. In life and in death, Staff Sergeant Slutman epitomized the best of America. He selflessly put his life on the line to protect and serve his country and his community. prgtoken It was Winston Churchill who once said, ``The reservist is twice the citizen.'' By that measure, Christopher Slutman was three times the citizen. He wore two uniforms in service to our Nation. He was staff sergeant in the U.S. Marines, serving in the 25th Marine Regiment, Fourth Marine Division in the Marine Forces Reserve, based in burg, PA. He was also a decorated 15-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department. prgtoken Friends say that Christopher always dreamed of being a firefighter. He grew up in Maryland and graduated from Frederick Douglass High Schoo1, where he played football, baseball, and wrestled and achieved Eagle Scout status. Eventually, he volunteered with fire departments in Maryland and Washington, DC. Most recently, he split his time between the Bronx and Wilmington, DE. Most days, I ride down to Washington, DC, from my home in Wilmington to do my job. Staff Sergeant Slutman took the train the opposite direction to do his job. He so wanted to serve that he would travel from his home in Delaware to Ladder Company 27 in New York City. In fact, he was on military leave from Ladder Company 27 and nearing the end of his most recent deployment with the Marine Reserves in Afghanistan when he and two comrades lost their lives. prgtoken It was Slutman's work in the Bronx where, in 2014, he won the Fire Chiefs Association Memorial Medal for rescuing an unconscious woman from the seventh floor of a high-rise apartment building. prgtoken Scripture tells us in John 15:13, ``Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.'' Staff Sergeant Slutman lived that kind of profound love: dedicating his life to serving others, even at his own peril, and it seems that this kind of selflessness and devotion to service was a hallmark of the Slutman household. Staff Sergeant Slutman is survived by three brothers. One of his brothers is in the Marines, another in the Army. The third is a firefighter in
THE MUELLER REPORT
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2019-5-9

. ``On Saturday, June 17, 2017, the President called McGahn and directed him to have the special counsel removed . . . In interviews with the special counsel's office, McGahn recalled that the President called him at home twice and on both occasions directed him to call Rosenstein and say that Mueller had conflicts that precluded him from serving as special counsel. On the first call, McGahn recalled that the President said something like, `You gotta do this. You gotta call Rod.' '' This is from Volume II, page 85.
THE MUELLER REPORT
Barbara Lee (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2019-5-9

. ``The investigation established that several individuals affiliated with the campaign lied to the Office, and to Congress, about their interactions with Russian-affiliated individuals and related matters. Those lies materially impaired the investigation of Russian election interference. The Office charged some of those lies as violations of the Federal false statements statute.'' prgtoken Volume I, page 9.
Welcoming Senator Rosen of Nevada (Executive Session)
Catherine Cortez Masto (Democrat, NV) \u2014 2019-5-9

. Thank you, . I come to the floor today to honor my colleague and dear friend, Senator Jacky Rosen, as she prepares to deliver her maiden speech in this Chamber. prgtoken Senator Rosen has spent her career pushing boundaries and advocating for innovation and inclusivity. She is bringing that vision to the U.S. Senate, where she has already proved herself to be a strong advocate for Nevadans by fighting to bolster our State's tech industries, supporting our veterans, and protecting Nevadans' healthcare. prgtoken When Jacky was elected to the Senate, we sat down and talked about how we could best serve Nevada together. We requested different committee assignments so we could be sure we were covering all the issue areas that are important to Nevadans. We made sure our staffs were connected and working together on projects, not only in DC but in the great Silver State of Nevada. prgtoken We committed to coming together every Wednesday morning in DC to welcome Nevadans to the Capitol and hear their stories. Those Wednesday morning constituent coffees are one of the highlights, I think, of both of our weeks. Anyone lucky enough to work with Jacky knows that she works tirelessly to build consensus and find solutions that help better the lives of Nevada families. I am honored to work beside her every day to serve the people of Nevada. I am proud to call her my friend, and I want to congratulate her on making her maiden speech this morning. I look forward to this and to many more as we continue to fight together for the Silver State. prgtoken .
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Ed Perlmutter (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2019-5-9

. Madam , I rise today to recognize Teacher Appreciation Week and honor all who inspire and motivate our children every day. prgtoken I want to thank all the wonderful and dedicated teachers across Colorado and the country, including my wife, Nancy, and my sister, Cassie, who are both public schoolteachers. I have witnessed firsthand their commitment to their students and their schools. prgtoken Being a teacher is a tough job, but one of the most important. We all have teachers who pushed us, counseled us, or took a friend or family member under their wing and shaped our lives. prgtoken Nowadays, too often, our teachers, in addition to teaching and educating us, have to protect and defend us. We have had that instance recently in Colorado. prgtoken The passion for education shown by teachers in Colorado and across the country is amazing. I look forward to working with my colleagues to invest in our schools, reduce class sizes, and ensure our teachers have the resources they need to educate the next generation.
CONFIRMATION OF JANET DHILLON
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2019-5-9

I opposed the confirmation of Janet Dhillon to Chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC is an independent Federal agency with an absolutely vital mission: enforcing Federal laws against employment discrimination. But Ms. Dhillon has spent her career protecting corporations that are accused of discrimination by their workers. prgtoken As a leader of the Retail Litigation Center, she advocated legal positions designed to undermine workplace protections, especially low- income women and women of color. prgtoken The Retail Litigation Center helped defend Walmart against wage discrimination claims filed by 1.6 million women who worked at Walmart. In doing so, they managed to convince the Supreme Court to raise the legal barriers for all workers to bring discrimination claims. prgtoken In a different case, this one involving racial harassment against an African-American woman, the Retail Litigation Center convinced the Supreme Court to narrow the legal definition of a supervisor. This means that workers are now less able to hold their employers accountable for workplace harassment. prgtoken Both of these were 5-4 decisions that were supported by only the Justices on the Supreme Court. prgtoken All workers need an EEOC that is looking out for them, but Ms. Dhillon's nomination to Chair the EEOC is yet another way that the administration keeps rigging the system for prgtoken their corporate allies and stacking the deck against working people.