mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
PRESERVING ACCESS TO MANUFACTURED HOUSING ACT OF 2017
Blaine Luetkemeyer (Republican, MO) \u2014 2017-12-1

I thank the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr) for his continued commitment to issues surrounding the availability of affordable manufactured housing. He has been a patient champion on this and many other issues that impact Americans seeking access to mortgage financing. prgtoken The legislation we consider today amends the Truth in Lending Act to specify that a retailer of manufactured housing is not a ``mortgage originator'' subject to requirements under that act. Similarly, the bill specifies that such a retailer is generally not a ``loan originator.'' prgtoken So what do we mean with regard to these technical concerns? They mean that more people in Missouri and Kentucky and every other State will have access to manufactured housing. prgtoken Certain regulations stemming from Dodd-Frank constricted credit for manufactured homes. This legislation would help consumers by restoring access to financing that is currently blocked. prgtoken If you want more access to credit, if you want more competition, you need to support this. What has happened is that the rules and regulations have constricted the ability of banks and credit unions to be able to make these kinds of loans. prgtoken Housing options in rural America aren't necessarily the same as those offered in other parts of the Nation. Our rural communities can face a severely limited affordable housing stock, making the availability of and financing for manufactured housing all the more important. prgtoken That may not be significant to every Member of this body, but it is certainly important to me and my constituents. Roughly 10 percent of them live in manufactured housing. It is important to the more than 20 million Americans living in manufactured housing today and the many Americans who will turn to manufactured housing to fulfill their housing needs. prgtoken As someone whose first home was actually a manufactured home, I can tell you that this is extremely important to lots and lots of people in communities in my district. prgtoken Some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have suggested this legislation will dilute consumer protections. In reality, this bill maintains consumer protections. H.R. 1699 allows, for example, continued CFPB oversight of manufactured housing loans, requires that consumers be provided with the full litany of disclosure requirements, and maintains the ``ability to repay'' requirements established in Dodd-Frank. The idea that this legislation guts consumer protections, , is simply not true. prgtoken There has also been the charge that this legislation would help retailers that originate mortgages. To be clear, H.R. 1699 does not exempt parties that are actual mortgage originators. If a retailer is compensated for acting as a mortgage originator, the legal requirements that apply to other mortgage originators will still apply to them after passage of this bill. prgtoken Manufactured housing provides not just a housing
BICENTENNIAL OF PERRY COUNTY, OHIO
Steve Stivers (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-12-1

I rise today on behalf of the people of Ohio's 15th Congressional District to recognize the bicentennial of Perry County, Ohio. Since German settlers first made their way to Southeastern Ohio from Pennsylvania, Perry County has exemplified many of our nation's core values. prgtoken From its foundation, Perry County has preserved our proud tradition of military service, its first residents choosing to name the area for Oliver H. Perry, a hero of the War of 1812. Today, there are over 2,700 veterans living in Perry County, all of whom have made tremendous sacrifices to preserve our freedoms. prgtoken For the past 200 years, the overwhelming characteristic of the people of Perry County is the compassion they hold for one another and their determination to do what is right and just. In the 191h century, residents worked diligently in support of the Underground Railroad. Today, the people of Perry County refuse to have their communities destroyed by the opioid epidemic, and are uniting to support their neighbors and find paths to healthy, productive lives. prgtoken Much like the kindness of its citizens, the natural beauty of Perry County is unparalleled. From the picturesque landmark of Buckeye Lake, to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, there is a steep appreciation for the scenic landscape of the County, as described in Clement L. Martzolff's poem, ``The Beauty of Our Hills.'' There is beauty in these hills of ours for him with eyes to see; There is beauty smiling at us from the meadows broad and free; There is beauty in the woodlands; there is beauty 'long the brooks; There's beauty in the violet light as it gleams through leafy nooks. And a beauty out of heaven over all the landscape rills When the sun shines down upon these Perry county hills. prgtoken Today, Perry County remains a beautiful place to work, live, and raise a family. I am grateful for the leadership of the County Commissioners, James O'Brien, Ben Carpenter, and Dave Freriks, and all of the neighbors and friends who have maintained Perry County's beauty and history. prgtoken I am honored to represent this county, where community, faith, and freedom are celebrated not just in recognition of the 200th anniversary of its founding, but each and every day.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT--CONTINUED
Mike Lee (Republican, UT) \u2014 2017-12-1

I stand in support of the child tax credit. It is something that this bill goes a long way toward promoting. prgtoken This is a great day in the sense that the Senate is moving forward with promoting the interests of the American family, doing something to weaken, to soften the impact of a little known feature called the parent tax penalty. prgtoken A lot of people are familiar with the marriage tax penalty in the Tax Code. It is a pernicious feature, one that punishes people for getting married, one that can produce a series of adverse effects simply by saying ``I do.'' That is wrong. Most Americans acknowledge that it is wrong. This bill goes a long way toward undoing that. prgtoken There is a different thing called the parent tax penalty that, like I say, is less understood, less frequently discussed than it should be. prgtoken Here is how the parent tax penalty works. It is a basic function of the interaction between the Federal income tax system on the one hand and our Federal senior entitlement programs, on the other--Social Security and Medicare. prgtoken Here is how it works. Imagine two hypothetical couples, couple A and couple B. Couple A and couple B are identical in every respect but one, and that is that they are identical in their income patterns, charitable contributions, mortgage interests, so on and so forth, except for one characteristic. Couple A has four children, and couple B chooses to remain childless. prgtoken Over the course of their lifetimes and while raising their children, couple A will, on average--according to what some have described as lowball estimates produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture--incur around $1 million in childrearing expenses, just the cost of raising their children. Couple B, of course, being childless, will not incur those same expenses. At the same time, they are paying more or less at the same tax rate. There are a few differences in the existing Tax Code, but nothing to offset the disparity between the two couples in the sense that couple A, while incurring this $1 million in childrearing expenses while they are raising their children, is also paying into Social Security and Medicare. They are also paying taxes, and they are not having their contributions to this solvency of Social Security and Medicare adequately taken into account. prgtoken In other words, because Social Security and Medicare are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis, we have to remember that it is today's workers who are paying the retirement benefits of today's retirees. It is today's children who will be tomorrow's workers who will be funding the requirement benefits under Social Security and Medicare of today's workers and tomorrow's retirees. prgtoken This is what the parent tax penalty is all about. You see, the Federal Tax Code doesn't adequately take into account the enormous contribution of working parents and contributing toward the solvency and sustainability of So
PRESERVING ACCESS TO MANUFACTURED HOUSING ACT OF 2017
Jeb Hensarling (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-12-1

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , today I rise in strong support of H.R. 1699, the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act. It is an important bill that is cosponsored by a bipartisan--I repeat, bipartisan--group of members, and it was approved by the Financial Services Committee with a strong bipartisan vote of 42-18. prgtoken In fact, this proposal has a long track record of bipartisan support with a similar bill having passed the last Congress with votes from both s and . prgtoken I want to thank my colleague, Representative Barr, the chairman of our Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee for his leadership in introducing this legislation and for leading congressional efforts to help Americans, particularly those of lower and moderate incomes, to help them achieve a greater level of financial independence and being able to achieve their American Dream of homeownership. prgtoken Here is the problem, . Under the CFPB's regulations, many small-balance manufactured home loans are now being considered ``high cost.'' This means that many people, particularly those with lower and moderate incomes who want to buy a manufactured home, aren't able to buy that home. prgtoken Their access to credit is being unfairly restricted through no fault of their own. Lenders are leaving the market. Five County Credit Union in prgtoken Maine, Zia Credit Union in New Mexico, Manhattan Bank in Montana, and the list goes on and on and on. Lenders are leaving the market. prgtoken As we know, many consumers who live in rural areas, including those in the Fifth District of Texas who I have the pleasure and honor of representing, they just don't have access to rental options or other affordable housing. So the CFPB rules are unfairly penalizing rural residents and working families, many of whom happen to be retirees, single moms, working families, veterans, and they simply want to buy a manufactured home that they can live in. They are being denied that opportunity. prgtoken So here in Washington, inside the very elite beltway bubble, there is simply not an appreciation for manufactured housing and the role that plays in our vital affordable housing component. prgtoken But let's listen to what the American people tell us outside of the beltway. A 75-year-old retiree from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, said he purchased a manufactured home because ``it was affordable, and it was in a desirable location.'' prgtoken A 57-year-old single mom from Albuquerque, New Mexico, purchased a manufactured home. She said: ``It provided the best value for the money. There were no other housing options available. I searched for over a year to find affordable housing. All of the site-built homes in the area were over $100,000, which was out of my price range.'' Manufactured housing is within the price range of many working Americans. prgtoken A 28-year-old single mom of two from Jenera, Ohio, she had been rentin
WATER IS LIFE
Ted Poe (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-12-1

when the sun barely peeks over the sky, millions of women and children across the developing world wake up and make their daily, dangerous walk in search of the necessity of life: water. prgtoken They walk for miles in water-scarce regions to a well or polluted river for water. During these long walks, they are often put at risk of sexual abuse and assault. Also, bad guys control the wells and abuse women in return for the sometimes polluted water. prgtoken The time-consuming search for water results in rape, pregnancy, child kidnapping, and high educational dropout rates. Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene prevents disease. It also improves the safety and security of women and children across the entire world. prgtoken It is encouraging to see our Nation and Congress recognizing water as the global security crisis that it is and the need to build capacity to clean water. With our God-given resources, we have it within our power and our duty to help others access clean water--the key to life. prgtoken And that is just the way it is.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT--CONTINUED
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-12-1

I would like to comment on the positive aspects of the bill we are about to vote on. prgtoken The most positive thing I can say about this is that working families and middle-income families across the Nation will be better off. Families who over the last 8 years have not done well will begin to do better. prgtoken Now, we have already discussed some of the things that others have discussed. Let me just comment briefly: prgtoken We have doubled the standard deduction to make filing of income taxes simpler. For most Americans, that will be a tax cut by doubling that standard deduction. prgtoken We have provisions in there to stimulate the economy, to create competition for workers so workers will now have a choice of one job or another. When that happens, of course, their wages rise, and their benefits get better. prgtoken We incentivize companies that are, right now, moving overseas-- because the taxes are so much lower elsewhere--to stay in the United States, to create American jobs, and to pay more American taxes. prgtoken Those are all good things my colleagues have discussed. Let me discuss some other ways perhaps that this bill benefits working families and middle-class families. prgtoken I am from an energy State. Louisiana produces so much oil and gas. The thing about energy jobs is it creates jobs for good families. They may not have a college education, but they are good people. They care about their children. In these jobs, they can earn over $100,000 a year in certain aspects of it, and they employ Americans in a way that Americans have kind of forgotten that it can be that way. prgtoken It is meaningful to me. We were in Illinois when I was born. My family moved to Louisiana because someone called my father and said: You know, Jim, if you move to Louisiana, you can sell to the people working at Esso, and you can make a good living. prgtoken So even though my father didn't work in the energy industry, he was one of those who benefited and made a living, which allowed me to go to medical school. I was the first generation in our family to go to college and go to medical school, and now I am a U.S. Senator. What an incredible privilege, all created by energy jobs. prgtoken One thing this bill does is it opens up a little more of Alaska for energy development--2,000 acres. One of my colleagues said smaller than the airport in Fargo, ND. I have never been there, but 2,000 acres is not a whole lot of land, But on those 2,000 acres, there is a lot of oil beneath. prgtoken Why is that important? We as a country can make a decision to be energy secure or not. If we are going to be energy secure, it means we are going to produce our own energy. This is not to rule out renewables, but for the moment we are going to continue as a country to consume natural gas and oil. We can buy it from countries such as in the Middle East where environmental standards are not as strict as ours, but when we do that, no
ISSUES OF THE WEEK
Louie Gohmert (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-12-1

as folks head back to their districts--and I will be doing so shortly--it is important to take a look at some things that have been rather important here in our country. prgtoken The Department of Justice does need an investigation into the matters that have been raised and clearly were not handled properly regarding the Russian Uranium One program and the sale of a significant percentage of United States uranium, ultimately, to Russia. prgtoken There appears to be collusion, for sure. It is still staggering to think that the person who accepted the role as special prosecutor, Robert Mueller, would accept that, knowing that he and the person that selected him as special prosecutor, Mr. Rosenstein, were involved in the Russian investigation that went on for a number of years and involved a person working undercover and clearly established for Director Mueller, as head of the FBI, and for Mr. Rosenstein, the U.S. Attorney, that Russia was trying to corner the market by acquiring American uranium. prgtoken Yet, while you had a man like Jeff Sessions trying to go out of his way to ensure that nobody could say he acted inappropriately--I think it was done prematurely, but he recused himself--not wanting to be a burden to the President. prgtoken As much as Attorney General Jeff Sessions was trying to be fair and avoid even the appearance of questions about him handling the Russian investigation, you had Robert Mueller and the Deputy Attorney General acting--or appeared to be--even more inappropriately than Jeff Sessions was acting, beyond the pale of honor, as they are two people involved in the investigation of Russia acquiring American uranium, even though it wasn't just Hillary Clinton that signed off on it. It was also Eric Holder and some others. prgtoken All that needed to be investigated, but not by the people who covered up the prior Russia investigation and saw to the sealing of many of the documents involving that investigation. In fact, Mr. Rosenstein's name was actually on the motion to seal matters involved in that investigation. prgtoken It seemed pretty clear that if you are going to go to the trouble of sealing an investigation like that, and the extraordinary measure of getting the person who is acting undercover, force him, threaten him, get him to sign a nondisclosure agreement under threat, seems to me that wasn't an arm's-length transaction. That was done under coercion by the most powerful law enforcement people in the country at the time, threatening to bring down the full weight of the United States Government on the man who was working for them, helping them find the evidence that showed how Russia was acting so inappropriately and illegally trying to get hold of our uranium. prgtoken Just when you think, ``Well, just can't be much more in the way of surprises,'' The Daily Caller's Richard Pollock has a story on November 30: ``DOD Inspector General Opens Probe Into Alleged Retaliation
RECOGNIZING THE IMPACTFUL CAREER OF ED BONACH
Susan W. Brooks (Republican, IN) \u2014 2017-12-1

I rise today in recognition of Ed Bonach's retirement from an illustrious business career. Ed is a native of Minnesota who went to St. John's College, an all-male Catholic college in Collegeville, Minnesota. Ed has had a 41-year career in life and health insurance, and most recently served as chief executive officer of CNO Financial in Carmel, Indiana. Ed joined CNO Financial Group as Chief Financial Officer in 2007 from National Life Group, where he served as executive vice president and chief financial officer. prgtoken Upon Ed's arrival, CNO Financial found itself in a time of severe economic struggle. Following the recession, CNO stock had plummeted to under 30 cents a share. Today, CNO stock trades at more than $25 dollars a share. Additionally, in his time at CNO Financial, the company saw enhanced shareholder value, extended customer reach, and delivered strong financial and operational performance. Specifically, Ed oversaw 17 ratings upgrades as CEO/CFO, a total shareholder return of over 350 percent, increased gender and ethnic diversity to the board at CNO Financial, and the implementation of a common stock dividend in 2012, which resulted in five subsequent increases. prgtoken Ed's professional accomplishments are second only to his positive influence on our community. After relocating to Carmel from Vermont, he immediately set out to find organizations to support--along the way making connections with key community leaders to reassure them about the company's future and make himself accessible. Specific achievements include helping launch the Boys Scout's Growing Future Leaders capital campaign to fundraise for scouting and using the CNO Indy Monumental Marathon as a pipeline for shoe donations to the Boy Scouts's Soles 4 Souls program for needy children. Ed also served as Board and Executive Committee Member for Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Board Member and President of Boy Scouts of America--Crossroads of America Council, and a Board Member for Marion University to name a few. prgtoken CNO Financial prides itself on being a valued financial security partner of middle-income America, and Ed embodied that to the fullest. He understood that he didn't just oversee an insurance company, he and the thousands of employees at CNO Financial provided clients and their families services and products that provide peace of mind. I want to extend my best wishes to Ed, his wife of 40 years, Peggy, his two children, and five grandchildren on this next step in their lives. On behalf of all Hoosiers, I thank Ed for his professional contributions as well as his exemplary service and leadership in our community.
PRESERVING ACCESS TO MANUFACTURED HOUSING ACT OF 2017
Ted Budd (Republican, NC) \u2014 2017-12-1

I thank the chairman for yielding. I thank my friend, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr), for his leadership on this vital issue. prgtoken , in regulation and in life, one size simply does not fit all. A requirement that works for one type of business may not work for another type of business. prgtoken Right now, the law treats those who make loans on manufactured houses similarly to those who are refinancing mortgages on their homes. The reality is that these are completely different transactions. prgtoken Buying a $20,000 manufactured home is simply not the same as financing a $200,000 home with a 30-year mortgage. The borrower is in a different position with very different needs. The lender is making a loan that is often secured differently for a much smaller amount, but with similar paperwork and similar costs. prgtoken The Federal Government, since Dodd-Frank, has been treating both of these transactions similarly from a regulation perspective. It has hurt borrowers trying to buy a piece of their American Dream. prgtoken In The Wall Street Journal, lenders suggested that they would not make these loans if they continued to suffer under this faulty regulation scenario. One lender says that about one-third of its sales--6,100 homes--would be affected. That is 6,100 American families who would lose out on homeownership, on building equity, and on making an investment instead of paying rent. prgtoken The bill simply says: Look, the person making a $20,000 loan on a manufactured home is not the same as a bank or a mortgage broker originating a 30-year fixed rate mortgage and should not be treated in the same way. It is a commonsense solution, and that is why it has gotten bipartisan backing. prgtoken , I urge support of the bill.