mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TAX REFORM
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-11-2

on another matter, the years were not easy for America's middle class. For many, steady work became harder to find, paychecks stagnated, and opportunities faded. America's middle class deserves better after a decade of drift, and we are working hard to deliver for them. prgtoken Tax reform is the single most important thing we can do today to get the economy reaching for its true potential again. That is why the Senate recently passed the legislative tools to advance it. That is why the House recently did the same. And because we did, later today, after months of hard work, the House's tax-writing committee will unveil its version of tax reform legislation. prgtoken I commend Chairman Brady and the members of the Ways and Means Committee for their hard work in unveiling this critical legislation today. This announcement is more positive momentum from our colleagues over in the House, and I look forward to continued work with them as we move forward. Here in the Senate, the Finance Committee will continue its work on tax reform legislation as well. prgtoken Both Chambers are working on this at full steam because we are committed to achieving our mutual tax reform goals for the middle class, working families, and small businesses. Our main goal is this: We want to take more money out of Washington's pockets and put more in yours. This goal is shared by the American people, it is shared by the President and his team, and it is shared by s in the House and in the Senate. prgtoken The goals of tax reform used to be shared by our ic colleagues as well. Over many years, multiple Senate , including the ic leader himself, have called on Congress to pass reform. But then something changed. It was the President who changed, it seems. prgtoken Now we are reading reports that our friends across the aisle plan to oppose any tax reform bill at all, regardless of what is in it. It seems that ic leadership is praying that this chance to put more money in the pockets of the middle class will not succeed. But why? To protect incentives and encourage companies to ship jobs overseas? I thought they were against those. To prevent working families from keeping more of what they earn? I assumed we were all for that. According to recent news reporting, apparently want to tank tax cuts for the middle class because it might give them a political leg up. In other words, it seems that this is some kind of game to them. prgtoken I certainly hope what we read is not true. I certainly hope will take note of the fact that their latest false talking point about tax reform just got debunked today as well. This effort is way too important for any of that. I hope our friends will decide to work with our colleagues in a serious way instead. That is what their constituents sent them here to do, and that is what their constituents deserve after the last decade of e
ISSUES OF CONCERN
Dana Rohrabacher (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-11-2

I will try to bring up something that we have heard, and we need to discuss this as Americans, because it also is about a very major flaw in our system that is apparent, things that have been not right for the last 2 years. prgtoken In the past 2 weeks, however, information has been provided to the American people that has exposed the hypocrisy and misinformation, forced down our throats, for months concerning the allegation that President colluded with the Russians in order to steal the last election. Over and over again, fake news filled the airwaves and, of course, the newspapers, suggesting that there was a sinister plot that kept Hillary from becoming President of the United States. prgtoken The core accusation was the Russians had hacked into the ic National Committee computers. Emails between the ic leaders were taken and handed over to Julian Assange, who is the head of WikiLeaks, and that they were released to the public by WikiLeaks. prgtoken The skulduggery of the leadership and the Clinton campaign was, thus, exposed by these emails. Yes, that exposure to this skulduggery and this unconscionable activity between the Clinton leadership, and also the ic Party leadership, these emails, yes, did have an impact on the election, as many who supported Bernie Sanders felt that they had been cheated by their own party because the proof was being offered to them by these WikiLeaks emails that had been taken from the ic National Committee. prgtoken Now, we heard over and over again that stole the election because he was in collusion with the Russians. The lib-left media, which is most of them, found every which way, any little thing that any member of the team did, as sinister proof that there was collusion with the Russians, thus, they stole the election. Well, it was pounded into our heads month after month, even after the election was over. prgtoken But Hillary didn't lose that. That is what we are being told. Hillary lost the election. She didn't want us to believe that it was because she was a rotten candidate running on a miserable track record and a platform that undermined her own candidacy, but, instead, she lost because the GOP had subterfuge and treachery in which they were working with Russians, who helped them out to accomplish this horrible crime of stealing the election. prgtoken Well, this negative media barrage and this continued attack on President did not stop when the election was over. It went on for months and months. Everybody should remember that. Month after month after the election, in what appeared to be, in my point of view, an effort to disrupt our new President's authority and to exercise powers granted to him by the American voters, that was going to be disrupted, so he could not become a regular President of the United States, as our election process had determined. Talk about not being loyal to the
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Roy Blunt (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-11-2

I rise today to congratulate the Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel, MASFAP, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. MASFAP organized in 1967 with a steering committee of five members. Today the association has grown to over 800 members. The observance of MASFAP's 50th anniversary provides an opportunity to recognize the work of Missouri's student financial aid personnel and the association's partnerships and to raise awareness about the affordability of a postsecondary education. prgtoken MASFAP is a dynamic association dedicated to serving and advocating for practitioners, users, and providers of student financial aid programs. Most families and students are aware of student financial aid programs because they provide valuable funds to assist in the costs of a postsecondary education, without which many would be unable to achieve their education goals. prgtoken As a former high school teacher and university president, I know how fortunate it is for Missouri to have so many great post-secondary education options. With the assistance of student financial aid administrators throughout Missouri, students are learning about the resources available to help them attend one of the great schools of their choice. As a result, students are getting the education and training they need to succeed. prgtoken When I served as Missouri Secretary of State, I had the opportunity to sign the first articles of incorporation for MASFAP. Today I thank the association and all its members for their work and congratulate them on their 50th anniversary.
SAVE Act (Executive Session)
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2017-11-2

today I rise with my colleague from New Mexico, Senator Heinrich, to discuss the Securing America's Voting Equipment Act of 2017, or the SAVE Act, which we introduced earlier this week. prgtoken I know that you are well aware that the Senate Intelligence Committee has been conducting an in-depth investigation into attempts by the Russians to interfere with our elections last fall. What we have found is that the Russians' active measures preceded last fall, and they continue to this very day. prgtoken We have an election coming up in November of this year and a major election next year, and both Senator Heinrich and I believe that it is so important that we act to assist States in protecting the integrity of their voting systems. prgtoken Our bill seeks to facilitate information sharing on the threats posed to State election systems by foreign adversaries, to provide guidance to States on how to protect their systems against nefarious activity, and, for States that choose to do so, to allow them to access some Federal grant money to implement best practices to protect their systems. prgtoken Let me be clear that I know of no evidence to date that actual vote tabulations were manipulated in any State in the elections last fall. Nevertheless, as early as the summer of 2016, the FBI discovered that foreign-based hackers had gained access to voter registration databases in two States. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Russia-linked actors attempted to access voter rolls and registration data in those two States. prgtoken More alarming is that further investigation revealed that many more States than just two were ultimately found to have had their voting systems probed by the Russians. The Department of Homeland Security notified election officials in a total of 21 States that their election systems had been targeted by Russian Government-linked hackers. prgtoken If voter rolls were altered or voting equipment tampered with, a compromise of these systems could open the door to voter disenfranchisement and would undermine public confidence and the integrity of our free and fair elections--a bedrock principle of our democracy. prgtoken In response to these alarming threats, the SAVE Act would assist States in hardening their systems. It does not aim to tell States how to conduct their elections. The responsibility for conducting elections would remain with each State, as has been our country's tradition since its founding. State and local election officials alone, however, cannot be expected to defend against cyber attacks from foreign adversaries. That is why our bill seeks to bring to bear the unique authorities, capabilities, and resources that the Federal Government can offer to State and local election officials. prgtoken Let me briefly describe the Heinrich-Collins bill. prgtoken First, our bill would codify a decision made by both Secretaries of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson and J
CONGRATULATIONS TO DAN GLOTZ ON WARREN COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICE
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-11-2

I rise today to congratulate Dan Glotz on receiving the 2017 Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry's Community Service Award. prgtoken The chamber presents the award annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the community. prgtoken Dan was raised in Warren County and graduated from Warren Area High School, and he currently serves as the Warren County planning director. prgtoken He has given his time to numerous community organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, where he has served in many roles over the years, including Scoutmaster and council commissioner. prgtoken Dan is an excellent role model and mentor for scores of young Scouts, and he is involved in many more organizations. prgtoken He is a founding partner of Walkable Warren, which is a local initiative to promote healthy lifestyles for people of all ages through established walking and bicycling trails. prgtoken Dan is also the games competition coordinator for the Warren County Special Olympics, as well as a cantor at St. Joseph Catholic Church. prgtoken These are just some of Dan's community activities. prgtoken , I congratulate Dan and I thank him for his outstanding service to Warren County.
TRIBUTE TO BOB KALDENBERG
David Young (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-11-2

I rise today to recognize and congratulate Bob Kaldenberg of Winterset, Iowa for being named the Rotarian of the Year by the Winterset Rotary Club. prgtoken Bob has been a member of Rotary for 29 years. He worked hard to increase club membership in the early 1990's and many current members are active in the club and community because of his encouragement. He has been instrumental in the success of the Rotary youth exchange and has served as president twice. prgtoken , I'm proud to represent community leaders like Bob in the United States Congress and it is with great pride that I recognize him today. I ask that my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating Bob for this outstanding achievement and in wishing him nothing but the best.
Tax Reform (Executive Calendar)
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-11-2

I rise to speak about the nomination of Professor Stephanos Bibas, on whom we have just invoked cloture, but before I do that, I want to take a quick moment to observe that we had a big development today--a big development in that the House of Representatives, the majority Ways and Means Committee members, led by Kevin Brady and of the House Paul Ryan, have unveiled a tax reform plan that is a very exciting step forward in our ambition to bring tax relief and is a direct pay raise to hard-working Americans whom we represent, creating an environment where we could have much stronger economic growth and much more opportunity and rising wages for the American people. prgtoken So I congratulate Chairman Brady and all the members of the Ways and Means Committee. I know this process has a long way to go, but they are off to a great start with a very solid bill. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Finance Committee as we finalize our version of the pro-middle-class, pro-growth tax reform, and I am excited to see that step forward. prgtoken , let me get back to the issue of the candidacy of Professor Stephanos Bibas and say how enthusiastically I support his candidacy to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. prgtoken I thank the President for nominating Professor Bibas, I thank Chairman Grassley for moving Professor Bibas through the nomination process of his committee, and I thank Leader McConnell for bringing Professor Bibas's nomination to the floor. I also thank my colleagues who just voted to invoke cloture so that later today we can vote to confirm this terrifically well-qualified man to a really important court. prgtoken Let me touch on some of his qualities. Professor Bibas has a tremendous wealth of experience in the law as a legal scholar and a practicing attorney, so much so that the American Bar Association voted to give him a unanimous rating of ``well-qualified,'' and let me tell you why. No. 1, he starts with outstanding academic credentials. Professor Bibas graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia University, and he did so at the age of 19. After Columbia, he studied at Oxford University in England and earned his law degree from Yale University. prgtoken He has clerked at the highest levels of our Federal court system. He clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and Judge Patrick Higginbotham on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. prgtoken The fact is, Professor Bibas is an accomplished legal scholar. For 16 years, he has served as law professor at two outstanding universities-- the University of Iowa College of Law and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. Professor Bibas has been a prolific author whose academic writings are frequently cited by the U.S. Supreme Court, courts of appeals, and other law professors. He has written two books and more than 60 ar
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW JERSEY BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-11-2

I rise today to honor the New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA) as its members gather to celebrate its 70th anniversary this year. This milestone and the NJBA's efforts to support radio and television stations in New Jersey are truly deserving of this body's recognition. prgtoken Since its inception, the NJBA has represented the common interests of New Jersey's broadcasters. It continues to be the leading voice in Trenton, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. on broadcast issues and priorities and is an effective advocate on behalf of its member stations. In addition to its advocacy, the NJBA's training and educational programs are invaluable resources to radio and television stations and its understanding of compliance rules and procedures help its members navigate the changing broadcast landscape. prgtoken Initiated by New Jersey radio stations, the NJBA's success is evident in its growth to include both radio and television stations throughout the state as well as several stations in New York City and Philadelphia. Its current President and CEO, Paul Rotella, maintains the NJBA's mission, while also adapting to meet the complex changes of technology in the broadcast field. prgtoken , I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in marking the 70th anniversary of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association and recognizing its outstanding efforts to promote New Jersey's local broadcast stations.
VOTE EXPLANATION
Robert Menendez (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-11-2

I was unavailable for rollcall vote No. 259, on the nomination of Allison Eid, of Colorado, to be U.S. circuit judge for the Tenth Circuit. Had I been present, I would have voted nay. prgtoken , I was unavailable for rollcall vote No. 260, on the motion to invoke cloture on Stephanos Bibas, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. circuit judge for the Third Circuit. Had I been present, I would have voted nay. prgtoken , I was unavailable for rollcall vote No. 261, on the nomination of Stephanos Bibas, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. circuit judge for the Third Circuit. Had I been present, I would have voted nay.
Tax Reform (Executive Calendar)
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-11-2

I see my friend and colleague from Pennsylvania on the floor. We have worked together on a number of things over the years, including now, working together to impose and really enforce sanctions against North Korea, putting together a bill modeled after the Iran sanctions bill so we are serious about working to get China and others to come to the table. for his work on that. prgtoken Where we disagree strongly is on the bill that has emerged from the House of Representatives, the so-called tax reform bill. The Senator from Pennsylvania said people should be excited to see it. I can assure you, if you are a millionaire or billionaire, you are going to be really excited about the bill that is coming out of the House and supported by President . prgtoken I want to talk a little bit about tax reform because we need tax reform in America. We need to simplify our Tax Code. It has been gummed up over many years with special tax breaks that are there not because they make good sense for the American people but because somebody was able to hire a high-priced lobbyist to give them a break the rest of the country does not enjoy. We need to simplify our Tax Code, and we need to reform our Tax Code. prgtoken Unfortunately, what we are seeing come from s today, supported by the administration, doesn't do that. In fact, what it will do is provide full-time employment for tax accountants around the country because it creates all sorts of special provisions for powerful, special interests. It will dramatically cut taxes for big multinational corporations and for millionaires and billionaires, and everybody else is going to be left to pick up the bill in one way or another. prgtoken Now we know why this has been cooked up behind closed doors for so long. People knew it would have a lot of turbulence when it emerged. Secondly, we know why there is such a desperate effort to ram this huge tax proposal through the House and the Senate--because people don't want the American people to figure out exactly what is in it because when they do, they are going to see it is bad for everybody but the folks who are at the very top or who are very powerful. prgtoken The good news is that people have scrambled to begin to look at this. In fact, certain groups like Realtors--we all have Realtors in all our neighborhoods. They are often very connected to our community. They know exactly what is going on. So they have been monitoring this tax plan and raising concerns about it. In fact, they said just a few days ago that because there was this effort ``to speed tax legislation through the House by Thanksgiving and get it to Mr. by the end of the year, `we didn't feel like we could wait,''' said the representatives from the National Association of Realtors. prgtoken So they began to do an analysis of the impact, and here is what they had to say today when they caught a glim
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 849, PROTECTING SENIORS' ACCESS TO MEDICARE ACT OF 2017
Louise McIntosh Slaughter (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-11-2

one of the worst political stories I have heard in my lifetime is what we just talked about, the ``death panel,'' what it is going to do, even though it is prohibited by the written law to do the things that it has been accused of being able to do. Most of that, PolitiFact talked about the death panel part of it and said that that was the 2009 lie of the year. But here we are, 8 years later, and we keep hearing mistruths about the panel and its intent. The board is about keeping Medicare growth in line, nothing more, nothing less. prgtoken So let's be honest about what the bill really is about: attacking the Affordable Care Act. Regardless of what you think about the Independent Payment Advisory Board, the Nation has immediate problems today that deserve our attention, from healthcare to education, to infrastructure. prgtoken We should not be taking this valuable House time talking about a board that may or may not come into existence 4 years from now. That is not what we need to deal with today. So I urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question and the rule. prgtoken .