mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HOLDING FOREIGN COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE ACT
Anthony Gonzalez (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-12-2

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , the bill before us today relates to an issue that the President's Working Group on Financial Markets and the Securities and Exchange Commission are diligently working to address: the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's inability to inspect the audit work and practices of PCAOB-registered auditing firms in China. prgtoken The mission of the PCAOB is to oversee the audits of public companies and provide the public with informative, accurate, and independent audit reports. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the PCAOB's rules impose requirements on firms that perform audit work for public companies, which include providing complete and timely access for PCAOB inspections. prgtoken Conducting inspections in the United States is simple; however, conducting them internationally requires agreements with foreign regulators and firms. prgtoken Over the years, the PCAOB has worked closely with their foreign counterparts on specific requirements for nearly all jurisdictions that have U.S.-listed public companies. This collaboration allows for joint inspections and enforcement matters. However, there are a few countries for which no such agreements exist. The outstanding jurisdictions include Belgium, France, Hong Kong, and China. prgtoken The Board is currently working on agreements that would lead to cooperation in Belgium and France and expects to have a final cooperative agreement to facilitate access in the near future. prgtoken China, on the other hand, has skirted these requirements. They have done so without showing any interest in allowing for such cooperation. As a result, the PCAOB cannot inspect the audit work and practices of firms in China and Hong Kong to the extent their clients have operations in mainland prgtoken China. The Chinese Government has exacerbated the situation by prohibiting audit firms from providing this information without the consent of Chinese financial regulators. prgtoken , this bill before us today prohibits the securities of a public company from being traded on a national securities exchange if the issuer has had 3 consecutive ``non-inspection years,'' that is, years that the PCAOB is unable to inspect a public company's auditors. prgtoken During these non-inspection years, each company would be required to disclose the percentage of the shares owned by governmental entities, the governmental entities that have a controlling financial interest, and if any official of the Chinese Communist Party is a member of the company's board as well as any ownership by the CCP. prgtoken As the title of this legislation suggests, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act is designed to prevent companies based in China and certain other jurisdictions from taking advantage of our deep and liquid capital markets while avoiding the scrutiny that comes with inspection of their financial statement audits. prgtoken This situation is unfair and dange
NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HALL OF HONOR COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT
Sean Patrick Maloney (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-12-2

I rise in support of my bill, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act, which will be voted on tonight, after many years of work. prgtoken I think it is important to note that it was the father of our country, George Washington, who created the Purple Heart in the closing days of the Revolutionary War. It happened right in my district, in the heart of New York's Hudson Valley, at the New Windsor Cantonment, where General Washington created and awarded something called the Badge of Military Merit. We know that honor today as the Purple Heart, which is how it appeared when it was originally created out of fabric. prgtoken The Purple Heart was revived in 1932, on the bicentennial of General Washington's birth to honor veterans of World War I. Since then, this great honor has been earned. It has been earned, often at great personal cost, by nearly 2 million brave servicemen and servicewomen. prgtoken In 2006, as my colleague noted, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, located in New Windsor, opened its doors and launched the first comprehensive list of Purple Heart recipients. The Hall of Honor collects and preserves the names and, more importantly, the deeds and stories of the men and women wounded or killed in service of our Nation. prgtoken It honors heroes like Rich Drago, my friend, who lives in the Hudson Valley. Rich served in Vietnam. He continued to man his post under fire, even after he had been hit by a mortar blast. It is heroes like Rich who we honor tonight. He serves today on my Veterans Advisory Board. He is the vice chair of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission Board of Directors and is the commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 1782. prgtoken I thank so many others, including members of my staff--my legislative staff: Ryan Lehman; Molly Carey; Shallum Atkinson; Laura Bart; and, of course, Beverly Hart, who has personally worked for so long to make this day a reality. prgtoken Of course, it is the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor that deserves the credit and the Purple Heart Honor Mission and the recipients who do such important work and who create such a powerful example for all of us. prgtoken In addition to helping veterans receive their Purple Heart, they now support veterans and their families, offer educational programs for schools, host a 4-day honor mission to the Hudson Valley to see the Hall of Honor. prgtoken My bill will authorize, importantly, the U.S. Treasury to mint $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins. The proceeds from these coins--and this is wonderful--which will be produced at the West Point Mint, right down the road, outside the United States Military Academy, will support the critical mission, along with other programs to help veterans and their families at no cost to the taxpayers, both in New York and, of course, across our country. prgtoken I thank my friend, Senator Schumer, for his partnership i
Tribute to Lamar Alexander (Executive Session)
Maria Cantwell (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2020-12-2

I come to the floor, too, to thank the Senator from Tennessee for his service to our Nation and for his work here in the U.S. Senate. prgtoken Some of my colleagues have already mentioned the brevity of words with which Senator Alexander can deliver a message. I, too, remember his comments as a Rules Committee member, on the inaugural address, and really capturing the moment of why a transition of power is so important to our Nation. And it struck me that we really had a poet or a writer among us, someone who could sense and feel the moment of what we were going through and express it in words. So I have no doubt that some writing is in Lamar's future here, and I look forward to seeing that. prgtoken But I wanted to rise today to thank him for his service and what it has meant to my State and to our Nation. My colleague from Washington talked about their work together on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. I, too, want to thank you for the CARES Act, and I remember your recognition on FOX News about stem cell research and the great work that that has led to. prgtoken So we are appreciative of those research dollars, but I want to focus on a role that maybe has not gotten as much attention--the historic role you have played on our energy budget and our National Laboratory budget. prgtoken I so appreciate the background of your State and the background of focus on energy funding, from the National Laboratory perspective, which has had to have a constant flow and constantly it has been challenged. Yet it has put every step forward because of the level of investment in helping us make our Nation more secure, create more innovation, and create more jobs. So thank you for holding steadfast on the National Laboratory budget. prgtoken I also want to thank you for your work on the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which we worked together on, which, both, commemorated the history of our Nation and our Manhattan Project at, both, Oak Ridge and at Richland, WA, and Hanford, and to just thank you for the constant focus on the cleanup budget that we have had to have in the Energy Department, as it related to Hanford. prgtoken There was a time when we had many cleanup projects around the Nation, and it was very easy to come together and say that we had to get Savannah River, we had to get Oak Ridge, we had to get Colorado, we had to get Idaho, and we had to get Hanford. But as those projects made progress, a lot of people forgot about what it took to clean up Hanford. So I appreciate your constant focus on helping us to get the dollars necessary for cleanup at Hanford. prgtoken I also appreciate, recently, your help on making sure that people didn't overstep on the National Nuclear Security Administration and turn that over to a Defense oversight of people but kept it within the Department of Energy. I so appreciate that. prgtoken But I will be forever grateful for your focus on publ
Farewell to the Senate (Executive Calendar)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2020-12-2

it is hard to follow those heartfelt words from Senator Barrasso about his colleague and friend and our friend Mike Enzi, but I am going to make a try. prgtoken Just as our tribute to Lamar Alexander was a tribute to the better angels of nature as they are shown in the lives of Senators, so, too, was Mike Enzi. I join my colleagues in thanking Mike for his service to Wyoming and to America. prgtoken One of the most frequent questions many of us are asked is, Why can't you folks get along in Washington? Why can't you just do things together? I say to them that there are times when we do, and the many times are very important. When we do come together, it is because of people like Mike, who worked under his so-called 80-20 rule. We know that well, don't we? He would tell you he believes both sides could agree on 80 percent of the substance, and if negotiators are willing to give up the other 20 percent, we could actually get some things done around here. Wouldn't that be refreshing? prgtoken One of those items was the Marketplace Fairness Act. Mike helped to lead the fight for local brick-and-mortar retailers in order to give them a chance to compete on an equal and level playing field with online sellers, email companies, and internet companies and to allow the States and localities to collect much needed sales tax revenue. It is hard to imagine how many years Mike put into that effort, but the Marketplace Fairness Act would have given the States the option to require from out-of-State businesses, such as those selling online, the collection of taxes owed under State law in the same way local businesses are required. prgtoken Mike knew a lot about local business. As was mentioned on the floor by Senator Barrasso, his colleague, he was a small business owner in Gillette, WY, running NZ Shoes. Even as he went on to become mayor of Gillette at age 30, a staff sergeant in the Wyoming Air National Guard, a State representative, and then a State senator, he was always still the small business man from Gillette. prgtoken In 1996, when he was recovering from open-heart surgery, then-Senator Alan Simpson decided not to run for reelection. Local leaders kept trying to talk Mike into running. He really just wanted to have more time to hunt and fish. In the end, he made an important decision. He ran, and he won. His career has had many legislative successes in having used his 80-20 rule. prgtoken I will never forget the days when Ted Kennedy would come to the floor and talk about the compromise and the bargain he had struck with you. I had thought what a political odd couple, but the two of you did some remarkable things. prgtoken Poles apart in terms of political philosophy, they treated each other with respect, and they had amazing successes to show for it. Even when he has differing views on the best ways to resolve issues, Mike Enzi shows a willingness to come to the table and discuss the areas in which
UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020
Collin C. Peterson (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2020-12-2

the balance of my time. prgtoken I thank the gentleman for his kind words and for his willingness to work with us over these last number of years. prgtoken With this bill, we got just about all of our work done. We have the CFTC reauthorization we didn't get done, but everything else is off the plate. So that is good. prgtoken We made good progress. We will, both of us, ride off into the sunset, I think, feeling that we have done a decent job. prgtoken So, again, I thank Mr. Conaway and all members of the committee for the work that they do and wish them well in the next Congress. prgtoken , I ask everybody to unanimously support S. 4054, and .
HONORING THE LIFE OF WORLD WAR I AND II VETERAN EXIQUEL IGLESIAS DE LEON
Norma J. Torres (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2020-12-2

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life of World War I and II veteran Exiquel Iglesias De Leon and his unquestionable dedication to family and country. prgtoken At only nineteen years old, Exiquel courageously enlisted in the Navy during the height of World War I. Twenty-six years after his honorable service, he subsequently re-enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve to serve during World War II. Exiquel continued his service for another eight years with the Naval Reserve, stationed at the Eleventh Naval District. For nearly the remainder of his life, he put in hard work as a rigger at the Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California. prgtoken A native Guamanian, Exiquel became a naturalized United States citizen on November 3, 1944, following his decades of honorable service to our country. Never forgetting his roots, he made frequent trips to Long Beach to participate in community events to celebrate the Guamanian people. He believed strongly in celebrating his culture's traditions and the diversity of American culture. As a new American citizen, Exiquel proudly became a California homeowner, residing in Compton, California with his family for the remainder of his life. prgtoken His family remembers him as a great cook who always ``cooked with love'' and as an avid boxing fan. Exiquel and his family frequently took the ``Red Car'' out on weekends to the Grand Central Market in Los Angeles to enjoy time together and with their community. prgtoken For his exemplary life of service, Madam , it is my honor to recognize Exiquel Iglesias De Leon on the House floor. As demonstrated by his commitment to American values, service in two World Wars, admirable work ethic, and tenure as an upstanding citizen, Exiquel is the American Dream personified. May he rest in peace.
Farewell to the Senate (Executive Calendar)
Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2020-12-2

I have had the pleasure of working with my chairman on the Budget Committee on budget reform initiatives, and I want to take this occasion to thank him for the wonderful way in which he worked with me on those issues and for all of his support. prgtoken I want to make a pledge to him as well. The effort began with a lot of hearings in the Budget Committee to sort out how we could reform what we were doing. At the moment, the Budget Committee is, probably, the most dysfunctional piece of this dysfunctional institution, and Chairman Enzi was determined to remedy that. A lot of work went in at the committee level. Then a bicameral committee was created to look at budget reform, primarily out of the House, and I had the opportunity to serve on that bicameral committee. That was an opportunity that I owe to Chairman Enzi. He both advocated for me to his leader that I should be on that committee, and he gave up a spot on that committee to make sure there was a spot for me there. I hope and believe that I conducted myself in due accord with Chairman Enzi's wishes and principles in the course of that. prgtoken We had the ability to use that bicameral committee process to do a test run of our budget reform, and I am pleased to report that, although the end product was never adopted between the two bodies, the product that came out of the committee included our budget reform as it was then constituted. We raised our aspiration from the budget reform as it was then constituted, which was entirely voluntary, to actually try to change the Budget Committee's rules to force the process of the Budget Committee into the mold of the voluntary structure. We did good work on that, and we came to an agreement. I am sorry to say that its failure to pass into law arose not from problems on the side of the aisle but from problems on my side of the aisle that I have been unable to yet surmount. prgtoken My pledge to you, Chairman Enzi, is that I will keep at it. Senator Blunt is here, and he is helpful in that regard. Senator Lankford and Senator Perdue are here, and we have a good team, along with Senator Kaine, Senator King, myself, and others on our side--another being Senator Shaheen. prgtoken So I will continue the work. I vow to you that I will somehow find a way to get this done, and if I can find a way to call it the Enzi reform, I will find a way to call it the Enzi reform. prgtoken I will long remember the relationship we had and the good work we did together. I will long remember your 80/20 rule. And maybe--because I have a similar proposal in Rules--maybe we will even be able to get your phones and electronics amendment passed. prgtoken So thank you to you, sir, for doing what is right, doing your best, and treating others as they would want to be treated. prgtoken .
TRIBUTE TO MARK KELLY
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2020-12-2

. Now a few other remarks. We have a going and we have a coming, and our coming is of a new Senator who will be installed today, and that is CAPT Mark Kelly, who will be sworn in as the next Senator from Arizona. prgtoken It may not be the role he expected for himself earlier in his life as a U.S. Navy captain and then an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. As Mark likes to say, his wife Gabby was already the member of the family in Congress. But tragedy upended both their lives and changed so prgtoken many of their plans. Everyone continues to be inspired by Gabby's recovery, by Mark's devotion, and by the courage it took for their family to reenter public life and public service. But that is who Mark Kelly is--a devoted and honorable man--and we are delighted to welcome him to the Senate ic caucus and the wider Senate family. prgtoken So a fond adieu to my friend Lamar, and a fond welcome to my new friend Mark Kelly. prgtoken I have some more remarks on the topics, but I think I will defer those, with unanimous consent that I could talk about those later, so we can get right to Senator Alexander's remarks at the 10:30 scheduled time.
Tribute to Lamar Alexander (Executive Session)
Michael F. Bennet (Democrat, CO) \u2014 2020-12-2

I was not planning on speaking today, but I was so inspired by what Senator Alexander had to say about his career and about the Senate that I wanted to share a word or two of reflection on what he said. prgtoken Anybody who has spent any time around Washington, DC, or even around this Capitol knows there are statues built all over this town of people nobody remembers. When I go by one of those statues in Washington-- whether it is in a circle somewhere in a traffic stop or in the hallway in the Capitol--I think about the importance of dying at the right time. You want to die at a moment when statues are in vogue if you are going to have a statue. prgtoken But there is no--none of these people are ever going to be remembered in the long view of history. The stoic philosophers on whom we base so much, or at least attempt to base so much of what we do here, had a solution to that. Their solution was--whether it was the Greek or Roman philosophers--their solution was: Do your best. Show up and make a contribution. Do your best. Don't worry about how people are going to remember you. Don't worry about your own mortality. prgtoken So few of us follow that advice. I think Lamar Alexander embodies that. As President of the University of Tennessee, as Governor, as the Secretary of Education, as a Senator, in every one of those jobs, it has always been about doing his best. prgtoken In a Chamber filled with people who think they have a monopoly on wisdom, Lamar has never stopped learning. He has always been curious. Up to this day--I will bet today, he probably got up and asked somebody on his staff or one of his colleagues to tell him about something he wants to learn more about so he can be more effective and make a greater difference so he can do his best. prgtoken The Senate is going to be diminished by Lamar's absence. It is hard to believe we can be any more diminished than we are, but we are going to be diminished by Lamar leaving. prgtoken Susan and I were lucky enough to be invited to his home, spend a weekend there. I am going to say something now I never said to Lamar Alexander. He gave us the great privilege of standing in the family cemetery in Eastern Tennessee, in his beloved Smoky Mountains, where he will forever keep the windmills out. As I stood there a little awkwardly in the cemetery--because that is not usually part of a tour-- all I could think about was how lucky Lamar and Honey were to know that would be the place where they would be and that long after they were remembered by anybody, they would know that they had done their best; that they had always done their best. prgtoken What I would say to my colleagues today is, we have an opportunity to follow Lamar's example and take him up on what he said. We are not memorializing Lamar today. He is going to have a lot more years left to contribute to his State, his community, and to the country, but he won't be in the Senate, and we are i