mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TAKING ACCOUNT OF INSTITUTIONS WITH LOW OPERATION RISK ACT OF 2017
Frank D. Lucas (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-3-14

I am pleased today to speak on Mr. Tipton's bill, the TAILOR Act. prgtoken But first I would note, as always, in participating in these kind of debates, any time you have a discussion led by Chairman Hensarling and by Ranking Member Waters, it is always an exciting, stimulating debate, and the intensity and the focus is always there. prgtoken But, today, we are focused on what I think is a very important piece of legislation because too often we think of financial institutions as the big guys, the truly massive entities. The truth is, however, that institutions that accept deposits from Americans come in all shapes and sizes. Thus, it is important that the regulators consider those many shapes and sizes when requiring compliance. The TAILOR Act would require that consideration by regulators. prgtoken My colleagues have already discussed that this provision has passed the House and is supported by the administration, as well as several industry groups. But I will note that for anyone in this body who represents a rural area, I guarantee banks and credit unions in your district are devoting a large portion of their budget to compliance. That is money that could easily go toward providing credit to the many Americans who need it. prgtoken Shouldn't the regulators consider the small institutions when forming these regulations? prgtoken This bill will free up some ability for those institutions to lend money to typical Americans and local businesses. I know my district would see the benefits of this bill, and I would guess that many districts nationwide would also benefit in the same ways. prgtoken I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tipton) for working so diligently on this bill and bringing it through the committee process, bringing it to the floor today, and giving us the opportunity to vote for it. I urge that vote. I advocate support.
NIFLA V. BECERRA
Jodey C. Arrington (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-3-14

I thank the gentleman from Maryland, Dr for his leadership on the most sacred of issues. prgtoken , in the shadow of over 60 million precious American lives aborted in the United States, there is light. This light shines through the roughly 2,000 pro-life pregnancy centers in communities across our Nation, including mine in west Texas. These pregnancy centers are dedicated to serving 2.3 million women a year. That is 6,500 a day. prgtoken Because of their good work, providing ultrasounds, medical services, and parenting classes, and even ministering to their deeper emotional and spiritual needs, these pregnancy centers save lives, hundreds of thousands of lives. prgtoken You see, , they believe, like a lot of us do, that all life is a gift from God and deserves their constitutional right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But now these pro-life pregnancy centers in California are being forced by law to advertise in a way that goes directly against their mission and, more importantly, their conscience. prgtoken The State of California mandates that these pregnancy centers disclose how patients can obtain a State-sponsored abortion. California, in my opinion, is abusing the power of the State to force people to post messages they do not believe in and which violate their conscience. prgtoken Government coercion of speech or conduct that violates the religious conscience of an individual is in direct violation of the First Amendment. The Founders intentionally listed the right to freely express our religious beliefs first because they recognized the vital role faith in God plays in cultivating a moral foundation necessary for this democratic society. prgtoken While this inherent right to religious expression is being undermined, the Constitution could not be clearer on this question. I am confident the Supreme Court will uphold this sacred right against the heavy hand of government coercion.
FAMILY FIRST PREVENTION SERVICES ACT
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-3-14

I rise today with my good friend Senator Wyden, to acknowledge a major accomplishment of this body and to thank those who were instrumental in helping us achieve it. Last month, after years of work and decades of effort by many groups across the country, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Family First Prevention Services Act. prgtoken This effort is an example of bipartisanship at its best, and we are proud to have stood with members on the other side of the Capitol in seeing this through to the finish. In particular, we acknowledge Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, Ranking Member Richard Neal, former Ranking Member Sander Levin, Paul Ryan, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Congressmen Vernon Buchanan, Adrian Smith, and Danny Davis for their work to make sure more families stay safely together--not to mention the many other Members of the House who also supported this effort. In this Chamber, we particularly extend our gratitude for the leadership of Senators Charles Grassley and Michael Bennet and to the many others who supported this work since Senate legislative efforts first began on this issue in 2013.
NIFLA V. BECERRA
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2018-3-14

I thank Dr. for his leadership for many, many years. He is an extraordinary physician-- Johns Hopkins and so many other places where he has been an anesthesiologist, and we are so grateful for the expertise and precision that he brings. Doctors can focus in a way that makes it so clear and so nonambiguous. prgtoken In defense of life, never has that message been more important than now because there is so much fuzziness, so much distortion, and it is about time clarity breaks out when it comes to the abortion issue. We have never had that national debate. prgtoken In a way, we have had it in a minor way, in a micro way. Every time a woman goes in and has an ultrasound, she walks away seeing her baby still in utero. The first baby pictures today, as we all know, are not newborns. On the refrigerators all across America, the first baby pictures happen to be unborn babies, and we all are thrilled when we see our children and grandchildren up on the refrigerator as an unborn baby. That is the first thing they see as they begin to comprehend what they are looking at: ``That is me while I was still in Mommy.'' prgtoken As Dr. pointed out in his opening, the Supreme Court does take up this case next week, NIFLA v. Becerra, the California law that requires medically licensed pregnancy centers to advertise for the abortion industry by putting up notices. Telling clients where to get free and low-cost abortions is an egregious--an egregious--violation of the First Amendment Free Speech Clause. prgtoken The government should not compel, should not coerce an organization or organizations and the people behind them to facilitate the dismemberment and chemical poisoning of unborn children, which is exactly what abortion is. The sophistry of choice cloaks the deed, and the deed is all about taking that child apart through dismemberment or through a chemical poison. prgtoken Dr. spoke earlier about ultrasounds. We know that when abortion is done, many types of abortions, they use an ultrasound. Ultrasound-guided abortions make it easier for them to dismember the child. And it was Abby Johnson who ran a clinic, was director of a clinic in Texas for about 8 years, a Planned Parenthood prgtoken clinic, who quit when she finally saw on that screen an ultrasound- guided abortion and was repelled and repulsed by how that child was being killed by a so-called physician. She was repulsed. She became a very strong pro-lifer since then. prgtoken Let me say one thing about pregnancy care centers. There are about 2,752 in the country, according to Heartbeat International, and the numbers are growing. There are many in my district, like Dr. said are in his as well. prgtoken A few years ago, my wife and I went to a pregnancy care banquet in Middlesex County, New Jersey. Two women got up and spoke so eloquently and with tears in their eyes about how they were scheduled and actually en route to the abortion at the
TAKING ACCOUNT OF INSTITUTIONS WITH LOW OPERATION RISK ACT OF 2017
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2018-3-14

I thank the chairman for the time. prgtoken , on countless occasions, my colleagues on the House Financial Services Committee have called out the challenges faced by our family-owned community banks and credit unions created by the one- size-fits-all regulatory approach of this Federal Government. We keep repeating this message because this is what all of us, s and , are hearing from our constituents on Main Street U.S.A. prgtoken As a direct result of the overly burdensome and unnecessary Federal regulation, members of the Ideal Credit Union in Minnesota pay an additional $225, and it now takes over 44 days to close a home mortgage. Ideal told me that, if the credit union could return to a more normal, reasonable processing time, their members would be better served and the process would be more efficient. prgtoken My colleague from Colorado has heard similar examples from his constituents, too. That is why he introduced the TAILOR Act, to change the way agencies regulate our small town financial institutions that are telling us time and time again they need relief. prgtoken Representative Tipton's legislation will direct the Federal regulatory agencies responsible for regulating our local Main Street financial institutions to consider a few factors when they are regulating, such as the impact their actions have on the ability of banks and credit unions to serve their customers, the risk profile and business models of the institutions they regulate, and the necessity and appropriateness of the regulations they are imposing. prgtoken Tailored regulations are smart regulations and will help to limit the regulatory burden our community banks and credit unions continue to face.
PREVENTING CRIMES AGAINST VETERANS ACT OF 2017
Thomas J. Rooney (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-3-14

my district is home to over 75,000 veterans, and I am proud to represent an area that has one of the highest concentrations of veterans in the country. prgtoken With that distinction comes a duty to fight on their behalf to ensure that the VA is functioning and funded at levels deserving of their sacrifice. As a member of the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, I am proud that we have secured increases in funding for VA programs that are important to my constituents. prgtoken On a daily basis, my staff and Members of Congress' staff across this country try to help veterans navigate the VA bureaucracy. It is no secret that the claims process at the VA is far too slow, so we all try to help veterans with their claims and expedite the process when possible. We have won countless battles against the system, and we have helped constituents far and wide to get the care and benefits they deserve. prgtoken One of our responsibilities as Members of Congress is to listen to these veterans when they tell us there is still more work to be done to help fix the system. In 2016, a group of veterans brought a disturbing problem to my attention concerning individuals who were deliberately stealing money from veterans and the VA without fear of criminal punishment. I started to hear story after story about people advertising their so-called services to veterans, claiming that, for a fee, they can help veterans obtain certain VA benefits or expedite existing claims with the VA. prgtoken There are two problems with this. Number one, it is illegal for anyone who isn't approved by the VA to charge fees for helping veterans with their claims or appeals; and two, often times these promises of assistance are empty and never followed through with. Unfortunately, there are no penalties for breaking this law. prgtoken One local VSO explained to me at length how these scammers specifically target senior veterans in low-income housing communities, almost as a rule, because they consider those veterans to be the most vulnerable and most likely to fall victim to their schemes. I have heard countless accounts of these con artists going into assisted living facilities, rounding up all the veterans and coercing them all to apply for benefits they don't even qualify for. prgtoken When I hear people are taking advantage of these heroes and making a quick buck off of them, it makes me sick, as I am sure it makes all of us sick, because it is wrong and it needs to stop. prgtoken The reality is that this isn't just happening in my backyard. It is happening in every one of our districts. These con artists are getting away with it. I refuse to let this fraudulent scheme against some of the most respectable people in our Nation continue. prgtoken Without a Federal criminal penalty, we have been unable to prevent these financial predators from preying on our veterans and defrauding
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-3-14

I have 12 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Armed Services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. to conduct a hearing. The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Rebuilding Infrastructure in America: Investing in Next Generation Broadband.'' Committee on Environment and Public Works prgtoken The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing entitled, ``The Agriculture Creates Real Employment (ACRE) Act.'' The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions prgtoken The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 4:05 p.m. to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: John F. Ring, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board, Frank T. Brogan, of Pennsylvania, to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, and Mark Schneider, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of the Institute of Education Science, both of the Department of Education, Marco M. Rajkovich, Jr of Kentucky, to be a Member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, and other pending nominations. Committee on Indian Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 2:30 p.m to conduct a hearing entitled, ``Opioids in Indian Country: Beyond the Crisis to Healing the Community.'' Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 9:30 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``See Something, Say Something, Oversight of the Parkland Shooting and Legislative Proposals to Improve School Safety.'' Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship prgtoken The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, after the first vote to conduct a hearing on S. 526, to amend the Small Business Act to provide for expanded participation in the microloan program, S. 791, to amend the Small Busine
ECONOMIC GROWTH, REGULATORY RELIEF, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-3-14

I want to address two issues today. One, briefly, is the issue of guns about which many of our ic colleagues have come down to speak. Then I want to speak about the financial services regulatory reform bill we will be voting on later today. Gun Legislation prgtoken , first, on the former topic, a number of our ic colleagues have been down here, and we have heard a real passion and concern about the victims of gun violence in our country. I certainly understand and respect their passion. I have spent a lot of time working to find sensible measures that will help address this in ways that do not infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. It does feel like we are at a somewhat different moment here, so I hope we can choose to get something done--something constructive-- and stop talking past each other and find where there is common ground. I suggest four steps by which we ought to be able to find reasonable consensus in the Senate, ought to be able to get to 60 votes, and be able to at least modestly make some progress in this space. prgtoken One is a bill that has been introduced by Senators Cornyn and Murphy, a bipartisan bill that is called Fix NICS. The fact is, our background check system is only as good as the data that is in the system, and we have an inconsistent quality of data. The data is provided, generally, by the States. Some States provide excellent, comprehensive, up-to-date data--other States, not so much. The Cornyn-Murphy bill would encourage better compliance and better data from the States. Better data means we would have a better NICS system. prgtoken A second piece of legislation is a bill I have introduced with Senator Coons, and the sort of nickname for this legislation is ``Lie and Try.'' Our legislation would make it possible for more States to prosecute people who commit felonies when they attempt to purchase firearms; that is to say, it is those people who knowingly lie about their own criminal backgrounds--who deny their criminal histories--in the hope that they will be able to somehow circumvent the NICS system and buy firearms. It actually happens every day in America that convicted felons, who obviously know they are convicted felons, deny that and attempt to buy firearms they are not entitled to. prgtoken Our legislation would simply require the FBI, when it discovers that someone has committed this sort of felony, to inform the law enforcement in the State from which that person comes so the State would be able to prosecute, if it would choose to. It is only about enforcing the laws on the books. I often hear from my friends who are Second Amendment supporters, as I am, that we ought to do a better job of enforcing the laws on the books. This is an opportunity to do exactly that. prgtoken A third opportunity for us is to recognize that the people whom we deem to be so dangerous
ECONOMIC GROWTH, REGULATORY RELIEF, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-3-14

I have listened to the remarks of our distinguished colleague from Illinois who is the ic whip. I agree with a number of things he says and disagree with some others, but I do think we need to keep this in the appropriate context. We are, in fact, talking about a provision of the Bill of Rights, the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and I hope we would never treat any of those essential guarantees of American rights that precede the creation of our government casually. It is important that we protect all of our rights. The right to worship according to the dictates of our conscience, the right to petition our government for the redress of just grievances, the freedom of association, and the freedom of the press are also part of the Bill of Rights, just like the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. prgtoken There are a number of things that we can agree on, and I have been talking about one of them for some time now--the so-called Fix NICS bill. It is probably not very well-labeled or branded because ``NICS'' is short for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Basically, what it does is fix the broken background check system to make sure that convicted felons, people who have been dishonorably discharged from the military, people who have been adjudicated mentally ill, people who have committed acts of domestic violence--and a number of other categories--cannot legally purchase firearms. Why? Because current law prohibits it. prgtoken We have already passed those laws, but as we saw in Sutherland Springs, TX, one Sunday morning not long ago, 26 people lost their lives and 20 additional lives were forever changed when they were shot by a gunman who had lied and obtained firearms when he was disqualified under the law from purchasing them. prgtoken The FBI maintains the background check system, and it wasn't their fault because the background check system is only as good as the information that is uploaded into the background check system. When somebody goes into a store and tries to purchase a firearm and lies, the background check system catches them and they are denied that purchase. That is how it is supposed to work. prgtoken Recently, the attitude among some here in Washington seems to be that this bill somehow doesn't go far enough. There are other ideas I am more than willing to debate and vote on, some of which I actually agree with, but none have the bipartisan consensus and support that this particular Fix NICS bill has. prgtoken I was just told that now we are up to 70 bipartisan cosponsors. In other words, 70 out of 100 Senators, on a bipartisan basis, support this fix to our broken background check system because they know that if it had been working the way Congress had intended, 26 people would still be alive in Sutherland Springs, TX, and 20 more who were shot and wounded would not have had to suffer those grievous injuries and the painful