mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ALLOW STATES AND VICTIMS TO FIGHT ONLINE SEX TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2017-- MOTION TO PROCEED
David Perdue (Republican, GA) \u2014 2018-3-15

it is not often I get to come to the U.S. Senate with an uplifted heart, but today I do. Yesterday, two-thirds of this body got together on an issue that is so important to Main Street America and agreed. prgtoken After weeks of negotiation and going back and forth, we passed a bipartisan banking bill, and I believe historians will look back on this week and this bill as being a watershed event. It was a measured bill. It didn't blow up Dodd-Frank; it didn't do away with it. It didn't go as far as some people wanted; it did more than others wanted, but two-thirds of us put the national interests above our own self- interests and passed a bill that will change the face of lending for small community banks and regional banks across our country. prgtoken Last year, when President became President, he said: Job one is growing the economy. After 8 years of the lowest economic performance in our history, he knew that if you are ever going to deal with the long-term debt crisis we have, you have to first grow the economy. He was right. His instincts were exactly right on. prgtoken So what did we focus on? The President had us focus on regulations, energy, and taxes. I am happy to tell you, this body collectively agreed, and we got those things done. We reversed 860-some rules and regulations last year. We unleashed our energy potential, as the Presiding Officer knows very well. Late last year, we passed an earth- shattering, historic tax cut and tax modification bill that will unleash our potential and make us competitive with the rest of the world. prgtoken Why was all that necessary? Well, we had gone through an experiment where Big Government--more regulation and more control--was the call of the day, and we saw the result of that. So what we have been doing is, in a measured way, reversing many of those onerous fiscal policies that kept the monetary policy from igniting the economy again. That is all this is. prgtoken At the beginning of last year, some $7 trillion almost was not at work in our $20 trillion economy. That is historic. That is unbelievable. You can't even describe that to people outside this country. There was some $2 trillion on the balance sheets of the Russell 1000. That is now being employed. We see announcements every week where companies are announcing capital plans, capital expenditure plans, for the next few years largely as a result of the pullback on regulations last year. prgtoken Second, we see that by eliminating our archaic repatriation tax that was part of the tax bill, there is some $3 trillion of unrepatriated U.S. profits overseas, and most of that will be coming back. The banking bill we just did that reverses some of the more onerous provisions of Dodd-Frank on small banks and community banks will free up some $2 trillion potential in lending capacity. I think this is historic. prgtoken After Dodd-Frank, we created a two-street economy: We had Wall Street and
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4061, FINANCIAL STABILITY OVERSIGHT COUNCIL IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017, AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4293, STRESS TEST IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017
Alcee L. Hastings (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-3-15

. Madam , the balance of my time. prgtoken Madam , I would advise the previous speaker that I knew Jay Dickey, I served with him here, as did many other Members; and my understanding is that, before his death, he indicated that he thought that his measure that has carried forth was a mistake. prgtoken Madam , my friends across the aisle have clearly demonstrated where their priorities lie. And for the benefit of the American public, if it looks like we are ships passing in the night, then doubtless we are when it comes to priorities. prgtoken I would ask anyone in this country and anyone in this House: Which do you think should be a priority? Addressing the gun epidemic in this country or bailing out big old banks with more opportunities to potentially carry us to yet another financial disaster by simply disallowing them having to undergo the stress test that they need? prgtoken I listened to my friend when he talked about stress tests, that they don't know how they are going to be tested or what part they are going to--well, my goodness gracious. Kids in school don't know what is going to be on the test; so why should the bank know what is going to be on the test? prgtoken But in the deal, when it goes down, whether they know or not, they still are making a ton of money; and, therefore, the regulations aren't affecting them in the way that we make it sound here. And there again, I ask the question: Which is your priority, America? Whether we address gun violence in this country and the epidemic that it is or whether we address these financial services regulatory measures that are more for corporate America than they are for you? prgtoken Americans working hard to make ends meet need answers--working hard to get their kids off to school, working hard to make sure they can put food on the table at the end of the day, working hard to ensure that they can put a little money aside for their child's education, working hard to ensure that they can put some retirement money aside. prgtoken Footnote there. What are we doing to protect the pensions of people in this country? We are not addressing that. We are addressing big banks. prgtoken That they don't have to keep working two or three jobs for the rest of their lives, that is what Americans are looking for. prgtoken Well, if they are working hard, then we need to be working hard, and we need to be working hard for them. It is with their interests in mind that we are sent here, and we do a disservice to them and to our country when we abandon that responsibility and consider bills like those put before us today rather than addressing the many, many needs that this country has. prgtoken Madam , I urge a ``no'' vote on the rule, and .
REGULATION A+ IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017
Joyce Beatty (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-3-15

this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. prgtoken , this motion to recommit is simple and should be able to garner the support of every Member of this body who seeks to enhance our robust public and private markets while, at the same time, ensuring there are adequate safeguards in place for the benefit of Main Street investors. prgtoken Specifically, this motion will accomplish two simple things: one, it will strike the increase in the offering limit to $75 million; and, two, it will require the SEC to review and revise their bad actor disqualification regulations prior to future increases in the offering threshold. prgtoken Unfortunately, as currently written, with all due respect to my colleagues, raising the offering threshold is a solution in search of a problem. Congress designated the SEC with regulating the offering. Congress decided the SEC would administer the offering. The SEC is the expert on Regulation A+, and it should be the one to raise the offering threshold, assuming the data supports such an increase. prgtoken Under the law, the SEC will be reporting to Congress whether or not they will raise the threshold just next month. This bill is premature, and for the lawyers in the room, it is not ripe for review. So why wouldn't we wait? prgtoken Right now there is zero data to suggest Congress needs to raise the threshold, and it seems prudent to wait until next month to see what the SEC has to say before rushing to increase it. prgtoken The majority argues this bill will allow companies to raise more money. I say this bill is a solution in search of a problem because only less than a handful of companies have ever actually raised the current maximum amount of $50 million. prgtoken With regard to updating the bad actor disqualification regulation, Bloomberg recently published an article on Regulation A+ and the companies using the offering and found one executive of a company was convicted for filing false tax returns, another for obstructing justice, and another was accused of selling unregistered stock. For the sake of time, these are just a few examples. Are these really the types of individuals we want selling securities to Main Street mom-and-pop investors? prgtoken Another article, appearing in Barron's, studied the hundreds of companies that have used Regulation A+ to raise funds, and I quote them: ``We were supposed to get new jobs and new industries. Instead, we've gotten GoFundMe-style websites hawking penny stocks and professional wrestlers shilling shares on TV.'' prgtoken They went on to highlight some of the companies and the products availing themselves of the lightly regulated Regulation A+ offering, which included companies trying to make cannabis paraphernalia, flying cars, guns, and my personal favorite, the founder of a rock band seeki
OUR FAILURE TO STOP THE SLAUGHTER IN SYRIA IS SHAMEFUL
James P. McGovern (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2018-3-15

today, the brutal conflict in Syria enters its eighth year. As we meet, safe and secure in this Chamber, the Syrian regime, with the support of its principal ally, Russia, is pulverizing Eastern Ghouta. prgtoken On February 24, the U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a resolution demanding a 30-day cease-fire across Syria. This was supposed to permit a ``durable humanitarian pause'' so that aid could be delivered and people who are critically sick and wounded could be evacuated. prgtoken It hasn't worked. Instead, a brutal campaign of airstrikes, shelling, and ground offensives has intensified. Populated areas remain under siege. The targeting of civilians continues, and hundreds more men, women, and children have been killed. prgtoken In the words of the U.N. Secretary General: ``Syria is bleeding inside and out.'' prgtoken , our failure to stop this terrible slaughter is shameful. It is unacceptable. We must urgently work with our allies, put an end to this nightmare, and find a path forward.
FIRST DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF MOLY99 BY NORTH STAR NUCLEAR MEDICINE
Mark Pocan (Democrat, WI) \u2014 2018-3-15

on February 8, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first domestic production of Moly99 by North Star Nuclear Medicine, which is located in Beloit, Wisconsin. Moly99 is the key substance used in 50,000 daily procedures using nuclear medicine to diagnose a variety of illness. prgtoken For many years, the United States has been dependent on foreign sources using nuclear fission offshore. These reactors, located in Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia, are old and have been the subject of many disruptions of supply causing shortages. prgtoken Working with help from the U.S. Department of Energy and the cooperation of the FDA, North Star has developed a system to produce Moly99 without any use of uranium, resulting in little waste and no nuclear waste. prgtoken I want to congratulate George Messina, North Star's CEO, and his 130 employees, located in the cities of Beloit and Madison, on their achievement. Nuclear medicine is vital to the diagnosis and cure of many diseases. Thanks to the dedication and perseverance of this Wisconsin company, consumers will have access to the first domestic supply of this much needed medicine.
RUSSIAN CHEMICAL ATTACK IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
James R. Langevin (Democrat, RI) \u2014 2018-3-15

I rise to strongly condemn the March 4 chemical attacks conducted by the Kremlin in Salisbury, England, against former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, the first on the scene, has also been hospitalized. prgtoken , Vladimir Putin continues to display a pattern of interfering with and undermining the democratic processes and institutions in contravention of the rules-based international order. We have seen that in Russia's frequent disruptive cyber operations and now chemical warfare. prgtoken How far will they push things? prgtoken , that is why I, along with Representatives Meeks, Wilson, Cole, Holding, and Sires, introduced a resolution this afternoon condemning this attack, calling for accountability for this and all chemical and biological attacks and standing in firm partnership with our friends and allies in the United Kingdom. prgtoken , I hope my colleagues will join me in cosponsoring this important statement of solidarity in condemnation and also in praying for the health of Sergei, Yulia, and Nick.
ALLOW STATES AND VICTIMS TO FIGHT ONLINE SEX TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2017-- MOTION TO PROCEED
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2018-3-15

I particularly appreciate, in light of my comments in a moment, Senator Klobuchar's service. She has been a pioneer as the first woman Senator from Minnesota. And I believe the Presiding Officer, Senator Fischer, is the first female Senator from Nebraska. Tribute to Marcy Kaptur prgtoken , I rise today to honor my colleague and my longtime close friend, Marcy Kaptur. Marcy Kaptur serves down the hall on the other side of the building. She has dedicated her life to serving the people of Toledo and northern Ohio. prgtoken This Sunday, she will make history. She will officially become the longest serving woman in the history of the U.S. Congress in either House. On Sunday, she will have served in the House of Representatives for 35 years, 2 months, and 18 days, breaking a record that was set in 1960 by I believe a Massachusetts Congresswoman. For 3\1/2\ decades, she has been principled and she has been passionate about her family, her community, and our country, and she has advocated for Ohioans. She serves like nobody else. prgtoken She is the granddaughter of Polish immigrants. That is important to her. She comes from a working-class family. That is important to her. She is a practicing Roman Catholic. That is important to her. That describes much of who Marcy is--Polish immigrant, working-class family, Catholic faith. prgtoken Her father was a trucker and autoworker who became a small businessman. Her mother worked at the Champion spark plug factory, where, of course, she helped to organize a union. I say ``of course'' because of Marcy's not just understanding of the importance of the labor movement but her feeling it in her bones, that a unionized workforce is good for those workers, good for the company, and good for the community, and we need more of that. prgtoken Marcy's story echoes that of so many of our generation. Her parents worked hard. With the help of a union card, they earned their way to a better life for Marcy and her brother. She became the first in her family to graduate from high school and then college, and then she ended up in the U.S. Congress. What a great country we live in. prgtoken Marcy has never forgotten those roots. If you want to know one thing about Marcy Kaptur--who, as I said, works down the hall at the other end of the building--know that she has never forgotten her roots. That is what drives her. That is who she is. That is why she is such a terrific public servant. That is why she is going to break the record of 35 years, 2 months, and 15 days. She remembers her roots in Ohio's Polish and Ukrainian communities and how much they matter. prgtoken Unemployment reached 19 percent in Toledo in the early Reagan years when Marcy first ran for office. She said it was ``the condition of working people that drove me to change my life and run for office.'' She has lived up to that ideal, fighting for working families in Ohio fo
ALLOW STATES AND VICTIMS TO FIGHT ONLINE SEX TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2017-- MOTION TO PROCEED
Amy Klobuchar (Democrat, MN) \u2014 2018-3-15

I come to the floor today for a number of reasons, but first and most pressing is to call on and ask the administration to extend deferred enforced departure status for a group of Liberians. This is a unique situation. Senator Jack Reed was on the floor in the last hour talking about it as well. prgtoken Both the State of Rhode Island and the State of Minnesota have a number of Liberians who didn't just come to this country--they didn't come to this country illegally--they came to this country decades ago. They came because of a civil war in their country of Liberia, and then after that war was basically resolved, they were allowed to stay. So they are all registered in this country, they are working legally in this country, and they are in a special status called deferred enforced departure. prgtoken Ever since George H.W Presidents-- and s; , of course, President Clinton, and President --every one has allowed them to stay. prgtoken As my colleagues can imagine, since this happened back in 1991, these are people who have been working in our country for decades now. I met one who is 65 years old. Some of them are now 70 years old. They have obeyed the law. They have paid their taxes. They tend to be working in a lot of--of course, consistently--working in our assisted living facilities in Minnesota. They are working in our hospitals. Some of them had healthcare experience in Liberia before they came to Minnesota. They are a thriving community that has integrated well into our State and into Rhode Island. We are a State where the unemployment rate is somewhere around 3 percent and even lower in some of the areas where this community is working. It would literally be a big jolt to our economy--and not to mention immoral--if they were suddenly deported and lost the legal status they have had for literally decades. prgtoken Unlike some of the other things we talk about with people who maybe just came here--and I worked so hard on the Dreamers, to get them a path to citizenship--this is a pretty unique situation. We hope the administration will be practical about this. That is why Senator Reed and I are working on this issue. We hope to get it resolved quickly since their status is ending on March 31, which is just a few weeks from now. prgtoken Liberians are the only group of people and it is the only country with deferred enforced departure--or DED, as it is known--which is a temporary legal status that requires the President to reauthorize it every 18 months. prgtoken One idea is that the President could reauthorize it, and then they could prgtoken look into it more. As we know, there is a lot going on in our country. There are a lot of changes right now within the Office of the Secretary of State and other things. So one idea would be that they could simply allow the program to continue for 18 months and then come to a conclusion on what they think they
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXAMINATION FAIRNESS AND REFORM ACT
Maxine Waters (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2018-3-15

let me just read one of the paragraphs from the Center for American Progress that I think is so profound. ``The Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act, would give financial institutions the authority to appeal any material examination decision rendered by the Federal banking regulators or Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, CFPB, to the Office of Independent Examination Review--a new office created by the bill. Financial regulators already have internal appeals processes in place through their respective ombudsman offices and financial institutions can pursue legal remedy for flawed examination decisions through the judicial system. ``This new office and review process is simply an additional hurdle for regulators to contend with when supervising financial institutions and an additional point at which institutions can slow down or avoid punishments. H.R. 4545 would undermine the examinations process at a time when supervisory authority and penalties for financial sector malfeasance should be strengthened.'' prgtoken In addition to that, there is another paragraph in the letter from Americans for Financial Reform that I think is extremely important in explaining why this bill should be opposed. prgtoken It says: ``By layering an entirely new appeals process on top of existing processes, this bill would greatly increase the ability of banks to resist supervisory oversight and ignore or delay changes called for by supervisors. The impact would be most pronounced at the largest banks, which can receive dozens or hundreds of material findings from every examination. The ability to appeal every one of those material supervisory findings, or just to threaten to appeal them, would create an enormous new barrier to effective supervision of big banks.'' prgtoken In essence, , what we are saying is, we have our bank examiners who are going in and looking for ways to strengthen the banks and hoping that they will not find these adverse conditions, but, if they do, they have a responsibility to the consumers to try and get them corrected or to try and get changes made. prgtoken This bill says, despite adverse conditions that are discovered, we don't want to have to comply; we don't want to have to change; we don't want to have to correct. We want to fight you. We want to use our vast resources to say your examiners didn't know what they were doing. prgtoken They are not so much concerned about the consumers; rather, they are more concerned about just being a part of the bureaucracy. prgtoken It doesn't make good sense what they are saying about the examiners and why they are not important. prgtoken , .