mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-10-19

I know the Presiding Officer and all of our colleagues and those watching today know that we have been focused on the budget resolution. It is a very important document for the country, for the Senate, and for the Congress. There are a lot of big issues that we are all focused on, but there is one I wish to talk about this morning that relates to the budget document. Actually, to be perfectly frank, it relates to a number of the speeches made by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. They have been coming down to the floor and talking about issues related to energy, which is really important for America, the environment, which is also very important to America, and--a little bit to my surprise, from all of these experts coming to the floor--Alaska, which is my State. prgtoken I am going to say a little bit more about what some of my colleagues have been talking about--my State. There seems to be a few experts on Alaska from States like Massachusetts and Oregon. I just want to put things in perspective from a Senator who is actually from the State and not these other Senators who, to be honest, don't know much about what they are talking about. prgtoken The one thing you are seeing is that it is for sure that you know there is kind of an issue in the debate on the floor when you see talking points that are just stale--talking points that, if you took a speech from 30 or 40 years ago, are the same talking points. They are stale talking points from the other side of the aisle that have been used for decades, that haven't been updated or that don't reflect what has really been happening in the country in terms of technological advances, environmental standards, and one of the most important things that has happened in America over the last decade, and that is the American energy renaissance--the American energy renaissance. prgtoken I know some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't even like to talk about it. They don't like to acknowledge it: As to energy, we don't produce that in America. Yes, we do. Yes, we do. We are doing it really, really well, and it is benefiting millions and millions and millions of Americans in every State in the country. prgtoken The budget resolution that we are debating has a provision in it that is really simple. I bet if you polled it with every American--, , people watching on TV--it probably has a 90-percent approval. prgtoken There is a simple instruction in the budget resolution that says that Congress needs to look at ways to increase Federal revenues by increasing American energy production. What could be wrong with increasing American energy production? prgtoken That provision that we are actually debating right now should be very bipartisan. Who is against that? Who could be against that? Why is this so important? Why is the American energy renaissance so important? prgtoken Well, as the Presiding Officer knows, because h
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-10-19

I have 5 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 Agriculture prgtoken The Committee on Agriculture is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 2 p.m in room S-1216, to conduct a hearing the following nominations: Gregory Ibach, of Nebraska, to be Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and William Northey, of Iowa, to be Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, both of the Department of Agriculture. Committee on Armed Services prgtoken The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 9:30 a.m in open and closed session to receive testimony on the roles and responsibilities for defending the nation from cyberattack. 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 Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 10 a.m in room SD-430, to conduct a hearing entitled ``Examining How Healthy Choices Can Improve Health Outcomes and Reduce Costs.'' Committee on Foreign Relations prgtoken The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. to hold a hearing entitled ``Food Aid.'' Committee on the Judiciary prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at 10 a.m in room SD-226 to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Stephanos Bibas, of Pennsylvania, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, Allison H. Eid, of Colorado, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, Annemarie Carney Axon, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, Michael Lawrence Brown, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, Thomas Alvin Farr, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, William M. Ray II, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, Liles Clifton Burke, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, Walter David Counts III, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas, Michael Joseph Juneau, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana, A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr to be United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina, Karen Gren Scholer, to be United States District Ju
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-10-19

I rise to speak on amendment No. 1422, which is a commonsense and, up to now, bipartisan approach to international tax reform. It simply says that under this budget we would do international tax reform. It would create incentives to have more jobs here in this country. Those are incentives for both U.S. companies and foreign companies to create jobs here in America. prgtoken This is not a partisan issue; it has been bipartisan. In fact, it was part of the Simpson-Bowles provisions with regard to tax reform. Only a couple of years ago, I cochaired a working group on this issue with the now minority leader, Senator Schumer, where we came up with a proposal which said that the international system is broken and that we need to move to one like the one we are talking about in this amendment that brings back jobs. prgtoken One of the problems is that the current Tax Code actually encourages companies to keep their money offshore. We think we could bring back a lot of that money. There is probably $2.5 to $3 trillion locked out offshore. But it is worse than that. It also leads to American companies being taken over by foreign companies and these inversions we have heard so much about. In the last 24 hours, we had another major inversion. Companies that have household names are picking up and leaving our country and taking their jobs and investment with them. prgtoken This amendment is common sense, . I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-10-19

this amendment relates to the child tax credit. It is abundantly clear that perhaps one of the most effective ways to deliver tax relief--tax cuts--to working families is through the expansion of this credit, as it is our hope to achieve during tax reform. prgtoken I think it is important to point out that the U.S. Department of Agriculture compiles data on how much it costs to raise children in the 21st century. Today, it is expected that middle-income families are going to spend $230,000 to raise their children. By the way, that does not include the cost of their going to college. prgtoken Being able to deliver relief to hard-working families through the expansion of the child tax credit, which is applicable not just against income tax but payroll tax, is perhaps the single most effective way to do that given the framework under which we will be working. That is what this amendment intends to reserve the opportunity to do.
IN RECOGNITION OF EARL WRIGHT RECEIVING THE MOORE COUNTY MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Richard Hudson (Republican, NC) \u2014 2017-10-19

I rise today to honor Earl Wright for receiving the Moore County Man of the Year Award in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. prgtoken This award is presented by the Moore County Community Foundation to an individual who has exhibited selflessness and a humble desire to serve their community. Mr. Wright earned this award by starting Project Santa, which refurbishes bicycles to distribute to thousands of children on Christmas Day each year. Project Santa started out 22 years ago as a small side-project with only 17 bikes, and has now grown exponentially into a military-sized operation that will distribute some 1,600 bikes this Christmas. As you can see, much like the real Saint Nick, Mr. Wright works year-round to deliver joy to children each Christmas. prgtoken Mr. Wright has shown the recipients of these bikes--and the community at large--what it means to truly serve and give to those who need it most. My hope is people will see what Mr. Wright has done for his community and replicate his ambition to help their fellow man. I am extremely grateful for Mr. Wright's service to our community and I wish him continued success. prgtoken , please join me today in honoring Earl Wright for his service to our community and being named the Moore County Man of the Year.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2017-10-19

I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. The budget resolution's reconciliation instruction to the Finance Committee does not and should not specify the policies or provisions that are being reported out of the Budget Committee resolution. The Finance framework includes international tax reform that will incentivize companies to invest domestically and create jobs in the United States. But this amendment defines ``patriot employers'' with a long list of criteria and pinpoints tax breaks for these companies. ``Patriot employers'' should not be defined by the budget process or by politics but by those that allow our constituents to join and remain in the workforce so as to participate in the American dream. prgtoken American companies will be able to create additional jobs based on tax relief envisioned by the Finance Committee. As such, we should pass the resolution and reconciliation in a timely manner, and we should oppose this amendment.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018
Lindsey Graham (Republican, SC) \u2014 2017-10-19

I wish to take a few minutes to support the effort to pass the fiscal year 2018 budget resolution. I am on the Budget Committee, and I am pretty familiar with the document. It provides a pathway to balance. It actually has a $197 billion surplus in 2027, and it allows for tax cuts. prgtoken To s--and too; you are welcome to join--the only way we are ever going to meaningfully get a tax cut is to pass a budget reconciliation instruction. This budget allows us to cut taxes. I hope some will join us, but if they choose not to, we can do it with a simple majority. If we don't pass this budget, we can't cut taxes unless we get 60 votes. With our friends on the other side--I think it is going to be hard to get any for a meaningful tax cut. They are not bad people; they just see things differently. When they spend money, they think that is good. They don't worry about the deficit. When we cut taxes, the deficit is the most important thing. My belief is that not only will we not have a deficit, we will actually have a surplus because this budget does two things: It restrains spending by $5.1 trillion over the next decade, and it actually creates a system for tax cuts to spur economic growth. prgtoken If we could grow the GDP number by just 1 percent, that would be trillions of dollars of revenue. To those who are interested in this, we have been growing at about 1.9 percent GDP per year over the last 8 years--right around 2, sometimes under, sometimes a bit over. The historical average since World War II has been 3.2. If we could get back to 3.2 percent GDP growth, there would be trillions of dollars coming in to the Treasury, and I believe we can. prgtoken President is trying to deregulate America after 8 years of heavy regulation, but he can only do so much through Executive order. prgtoken Senator Sullivan, the Presiding Officer, talked about the opportunities in Alaska. I have learned a lot about Alaska. There are 750,000 people living in a State twice the size of Texas. It is beautiful as it can be. Environmentally, you are very sensitive. That is one of the qualities of Alaska you want to preserve. God has blessed Alaska with a lot of natural resources, and it would be good for the people of Alaska and the United States as a whole. prgtoken Every liter of gas and barrel of oil we can extract from Alaska in an environmentally sound way is less to buy from people who hate our guts. We are going to be using oil and gas for a long time to come. I want to move to a lower carbon economy. I think that would be good for the environment and good for our economy. Alaska has been blessed with natural resources, and I think Senator Sullivan explained how sensitive they are in the extraction process. But it would be insane to take Alaska oil and gas off the table for America because in that area, Russia is all over the place, and, trust me, they don't care about t
CONGRATULATING DR. PAUL COREIL
Garret Graves (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-10-19

I rise today to congratulate Dr. Paul Coreil. Dr. Paul Coreil, born and raised in Ville Platte, Louisiana, has enjoyed a distinguished career with the 4H Program--the most recent achievement being his induction into the 4H National Hall of Fame. Honored as one of only 16 inducted across the nation, Dr. Coreil has played a major role in the program for more than 34 years and currently serves as the Director and Vice Chancellor Emeritus for the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. His work on the Marsh Maneuvers and the Louisiana 4H Foundation Squirrel Hunt has helped raise thousands of dollars to benefit Louisiana 4H programs. Dr. Coreil has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions 4H and to the great state of Louisiana. I applaud Dr. Coreil for his work and commend him on this well-deserved honor.
CELEBRATING THE MILITARY SERVICE OF CAPTAIN KELLIE BYERLY, (RET.)
Brian Babin (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-10-19

I rise today to thank a great man for his military service, Captain Kellie S. Byerly, USN (Ret). Captain Byerly was born in Danville, Illinois on October 19, 1939. He began his prestigious twenty-seven-year Naval career in Long Beach, California. Captain Byerly served in numerous managerial positions on the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-32) and as Chief Engineer of the USS Decatur (DDG- 31). Captain Bylery later worked as a Professor of Naval Science at the State University of New York Maritime College. Captain Byerly held commands as: Executive Officer of the guided missile destroyers USS Hoel (DDG-13) and USS Robinson (DDG-12). He later served as Commodore of Task Force Sixty-Three in Naples, Italy. Captain Byerly concluded his Naval career as Senior Inspector for the Propulsion Examination Board in San Diego, California. Following his retirement from the United States Navy, Captain Byerly worked supervising operations in power plants around the world. He was hired by Stewart and Stevenson, an independent power company based in Houston as Vice President of Operations for the company's western region. He later served with General Electric as Vice President of Central American and Western United States regions. Captain Byerly concluded his career with the Calpine Corporation, as Vice President of Operations for the company's Central Region. Captain Byerly is married to Deborah L. Byerly who he met in Bremerton, Washington while his ship, the USS Robinson (DDG-12) was undergoing an overhaul. After retiring from the Navy, Captain and Mrs. Byerly became residents of Nassau Bay, Texas in 1991 and have enjoyed being part of the community ever since. Mrs. Byerly has worked for the NASA Johnson Space Center for over twenty years I rise to thank Captain Kellie Byerly for his many years of selfless service to our great nation in the United States Navy.
TRIBUTE TO COLLETTA GILLETT
David Young (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-10-19

I rise today to recognize and congratulate Colletta Gillett of Clarinda, Iowa on the occasion of her 103rd birthday. Colletta was born on November 11, 1914. prgtoken Our world has changed a great deal during the course of Colletta's life. Since her birth, we have revolutionized air travel and walked on the moon. We have invented the television, cellular phones and the internet. We have fought in wars overseas, seen the rise and fall of Soviet communism and witnessed the birth of new democracies. Colletta has lived through eighteen United States Presidents and twenty-two Governors of Iowa. In her lifetime, the population of the United States has more than tripled. prgtoken , it is an honor to represent Colletta in the United States Congress and it is my pleasure to wish her a very happy 103rd birthday. I ask that my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating her on reaching this incredible milestone, and in wishing her nothing but the best.
COMMENDING CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT LARRY W. MEADE
Don Bacon (Republican, NE) \u2014 2017-10-19

I rise today to commend a distinguished serviceman and member of the 55th Wing, CMSgt (ret) Larry W. Meade. Chief Master Sergeant Meade served our country with honor, dedicating the past 44 years of his life to the 55th Wing, as a loyal Airman and a contractor with L-3 Technologies. prgtoken During his time as an Airman, Chief Meade always exceeded expectations and established himself as an invaluable piece of the 55th Wing's history. He oversaw all mission system maintenance in the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR) throughout the early days of Operations DESERT STORM and DESERT SHIELD. Because of his work, the Rivet Joint cemented Its role as key player in the development of the Air Force's Electronic Order of Battle, enabling air-strike planning and the elimination of countless high value enemy targets. prgtoken Armed with his wealth of experience, Chief Meade continued his service to our nation and our military as a contractor. During his 18 years with L-3 Technologies, he again proved to be a critical part of the 55th Wing's success. He oversaw the seamless upgrade of 10 minor and 11 major RC-135 mission system baseline updates, an amazing feat. Additionally, Chief Meade facilitated over 150 one time inspections, 200 contract field team visits, 450 maintenance bulletins and 600 engineering technical assistance requests. prgtoken Chief Meade has a long, proven, track record of accomplishment and devotion to the 55th Wing, of which I have been a member. Chief Meade leaves behind a legacy of mission success, and countless successful Airmen that he has been able to mentor during his career. I am more than honored to commend him on the floor today.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2018
Lisa Murkowski (Republican, AK) \u2014 2017-10-19

. In part, Matthew states: As ANWR debates occur, the views of the Inupiat who call the area home are oftentimes left out. The wishes of the people who live in and around the refuge's coastal plain frequently are drowned out by people who live hundreds--even thousands--of miles away, many of whom have never bothered to set foot anywhere near the Arctic. Well, today is a new day. prgtoken He goes on to speak to the Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, which has members from across the Arctic Slope who have voted unanimously to pass a resolution supporting oil and gas development in the 1002 area. He goes on further to state: When oil was first discovered on our land in 1969, the Inupiat were worried of industry activities and fought hard for self-determination to protect our subsistence resources. So we fully understand the trepidation from outsiders: the fear that the presence of industry on the coastal plain of ANWR could disrupt wildlife and affect America's manufactured perspective of our land and culture. However, we also have the benefit of decades of experience working with the oil and gas industry to implement stringent regulations to protect our lands, and the industry consistently has lived up to our standards. Prudhoe Bay, the largest oil field on the continent, located 60 miles west of the coastal plain of ANWR, has demonstrated for four decades that resource development and ecological preservation can co- exist in the Arctic. The oil and gas industry supports our communities by providing jobs, business opportunities and infrastructure investments, has built our schools and hospitals, and has provided other basic services most Americans may take for granted. Our region recognizes its importance to our local and state economy, and we believe that development can be done responsibly in a portion of the 1002 area. We are not alone. prgtoken I am with Matthew and a strong majority of Alaskans are. These are the voices we need to be listening to. My answer on this discussion is yes. Opening the nonwilderness 1002 area to development is an option to meet the instructions to the Energy Committee, but it is not the only option. I will tell you, it is the best option, and it is on the table. prgtoken We should be clear, amendment No. 1301 is not a vote to open the 1002 area or to keep it closed. It is about whether this instruction should stay in the budget resolution, and it is about whether we are going to recognize the substantial benefits that await us or whether we are going to ignore our future energy needs and once again wind up in a situation where we see prices rising, families hurting, and everyone is wondering: Why didn't you act when you had a chance? prgtoken I think we all recognize that we are enjoying some benefits of lower energy prices, and som