mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Tax Cuts and Jobs Bill (Executive Session)
Susan M. Collins (Republican, ME) \u2014 2017-12-18

I rise to express my support for the conference agreement on the Tax Cuts and Job Act, the first major overhaul of our Tax Code since 1986. This legislation will provide tax relief to working families, encourage the creation of jobs right here in America, and spur economic growth that will benefit all Americans. prgtoken Let me start by discussing the effects of this bill on individuals and families. Throughout this debate, I have emphasized that reforms to our outdated Tax Code must help working families. I, therefore, authored three key amendments that were retained in the final package. prgtoken My amendments allow families to deduct up to $10,000 in State and local taxes, increase the deduction for medical expenses, and protect tax-free contributions for retirement savings. prgtoken The original Senate bill would have eliminated the deduction known as SALT that allows taxpayers to avoid paying a Federal tax on State and local taxes that they have already paid. This provision has been in the Tax Code since 1913, when the income tax was first established. It is intended to prevent double taxation. My amendment, which was adopted by the Senate, restored the deduction for property taxes up to $10,000. I am pleased that the final bill goes a step further by allowing the deduction of property and income or sales taxes up to this level, which will assist even more Americans. prgtoken My work to restore this deduction is especially important to families living in high-tax States like Maine, which has one of our Nation's highest tax burdens; yet Maine's per capita income ranks only 31st, which is nearly $5,200 below the U.S. average. Maintaining this deduction therefore provides important tax relief for those Mainers who itemize. prgtoken My second amendment included in the conference agreement is a very important one. It is aimed at helping Americans struggling with high, unreimbursed healthcare costs, including seniors paying for long-term care for a loved one and those with expensive chronic healthcare conditions. My amendment lowers the threshold for claiming this deduction for these unreimbursed expenses from 10 percent to 7.5 percent of income for 2017 and 2018. prgtoken The House bill would have eliminated this longstanding deduction used by approximately 8.8 million Americans annually, nearly half of whom make less than $50,000 per year. Retaining this important deduction and lowering the threshold will provide relief for those experiencing particularly high healthcare costs. That is why AARP and 44 other consumer groups strongly endorsed my amendments, stating: ``It provides important tax relief which helps offset the costs of acute and chronic medical conditions for older Americans, children, pregnant women, disabled individuals and other adults, as well as the costs associated with long-term care and assisted living.'' prgtoken At a time when we need to be encouraging Americans to save mor
NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-12-18

today marks 50 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill into law officially establishing the National Park Foundation. prgtoken The National Park Foundation works to enrich America's national parks and programs, safeguard our heritage, and engage the next generation of national park enthusiasts. prgtoken Celebrating 50 years, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. prgtoken Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help protect more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts. It works to connect all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. And, the National Park Foundation helps to engage the next generation of park stewards. prgtoken In 2016, we proudly commemorated the National Park Service's 100th anniversary. The National Park Foundation launched the Centennial Campaign for America's national parks, a comprehensive effort to strengthen and enhance the future of our parks. prgtoken , I wholeheartedly thank the National Park Foundation for all that it does to support our national treasures for another 100 years. prgtoken Congratulations.
IN HONOR OF COL. THOMAS ``TUCKER'' FAGAN'S RECOGNITION IN THE AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS AGENCY'S ``VETERANS IN BLUE'' VOLUME III
Liz Cheney (Republican, WY) \u2014 2017-12-18

I rise today to extend my congratulations to Colonel Thomas ``Tucker'' Fagan on his recognition in the Air Force Public Affairs Agency's ``Veterans in Blue'' Volume VIII. Throughout his impressive career in the Air Force, Col. Fagan proved himself indispensable, being chosen as one of eight military personnel chosen to build the U.S. nuclear war plan, and serving as the wing commander at F.E. Warren AFB, and the 20th Air Force vice commander. After his retirement, Col. Fagan stayed active in the Wyoming and Air Force communities, including serving former Wyoming U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis as her Chief of Staff. The Air Force Public Affairs Agency launched the ``Veterans in Blue'' portrait collection to highlight the men and women that have contributed to the Air Force's great legacy. Col. Fagan's dedication and contributions to the Air Force, nation, and state warrants his inclusion in this prestigious collection. Again, , I would like to extend my congratulations to Col. Fagan on being recognized in the ``Veterans in Blue'' Volume VIII portrait collection, and I thank him for his continued service.
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR MATTHEW W. TAYLOR
Thad Cochran (Republican, MS) \u2014 2017-12-18

I am pleased to commend Maj. Matthew W. Taylor, USAF, for his dedication to duty and service as an Air Force legislative fellow. Matt, a special operations pilot, was recently selected to be the assistant to the Vice Commander of the Special Operations Command, SOCOM, a post he will assume in January. prgtoken A native of Ohio, Matt received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Miami University and was commissioned as an officer following graduation. He earned his wings and qualified as an Air Force pilot following completion of undergraduate pilot training. Matt also has secured a master's degree in diplomacy from Norwich University. prgtoken Matt has served in a broad range of assignments during his career with the U.S. Air Force. He has served as the deputy commander of the 353rd Expeditionary Special Operations Group and as an MC-130P instructor pilot and flight commander of the 17th Special Operations Squadron. In addition to serving overseas in Europe, Asia, and Africa, Major Taylor has also been deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. prgtoken Matt's leadership has brought great credit to the Air Force. I appreciate and commend his commitment to continue to serve our Nation in an era when pilot shortages are a growing concern for U.S. military leaders. prgtoken This year, Matt was selected to be an Air Force congressional fellow assigned to my office. In this role, Matt has served the State of Mississippi and the Nation admirably. I have enjoyed the benefit of Matt's counsel over the past year, and my office has been privileged to host him. prgtoken It is a pleasure to recognize and to thank Maj. Matthew W. Taylor for his exceptional service to our country. My staff and I wish him, his wife, Kotona, and their son Bruce, all the best as they continue their journey in the U.S. Air Force.
IN RECOGNITION OF MARJORIE DICKINSON
Doris O. Matsui (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-12-18

I rise today in recognition of my good friend Marjorie Dickinson as she retires from a distinguished thirty years of service to the University of California, Davis. Marj is currently the Assistant Chancellor, Government and Community Relations for U.C. Davis, and she has played a significant role in improving and strengthening the institution's commitment to its students and its surrounding community. prgtoken Throughout her tenure, Marj has established credible and effective relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and with opinion-leaders throughout the greater Sacramento region. Now more than ever, thanks in large part to Marj's leadership and vision for U.C. Davis, the institution is respected and revered as a world-class research university and as a reliable local partner. I have had the pleasure of working personally with Marj through the years in my role representing Sacramento in Congress, and I consistently found her to be one of the most effective, sophisticated, and professional government relations experts I encountered. prgtoken U.C. Davis--and the Sacramento region writ large--are beyond fortunate to have had Marj working on their behalf for the past three decades. Marj's dedication and commitment to U.C. Davis have made our region a better educated, more vibrant, more attractive place to live and work. Her contributions cannot be understated. prgtoken , as her family, friends and colleagues celebrate her distinguished career, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the remarkable Marjorie Dickinson.
DACA
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (Democrat, PA) \u2014 2017-12-18

I rise to talk about this so-called DACA Program for the Dreamers, the young people whom we have heard so much about, especially in the last couple of months. prgtoken As many people across the country know, in September, President ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, known as DACA. This decision and, so far, congressional refusal to pass the Dream Act have created both fear and uncertainty for nearly 800,000 young people across our country, so-called DACA recipients. prgtoken I know that a lot of Americans have met these young people over the course of not just the last couple of months but maybe over the course of many years. I had that chance most recently, at least on two occasions, when we set up time to sit with young people who were Pennsylvanians. Once was in the city of Philadelphia, where I sat with young people from both Philadelphia and Lancaster, which is not too far of a drive from Philadelphia--about an hour or so. They came to Philadelphia to sit with us. Then a couple of months later, it was in the Lehigh Valley, which is about an hour just north of Philadelphia. The first group was a larger group of maybe 15 young people, and the second group was a group of 3 individuals. prgtoken In both of those meetings, I was struck by not just how concerned and worried these young people were about what would happen to them and happen to their friends and, in a larger sense, happen to their families, but I was impressed by their stories--what they had achieved in their young lives. I was also moved by the commitment that they have had to hard work, to being part of the fabric of America, and the real concern that they have had about and the love they have for their own parents. They worried about how this might affect their parents but also had love for the commitment that their parents had made and their family members had made to allow them to succeed in coming here, in some cases as babies or as very young children, and to live in America for all of these years, not technically as citizens but to live full lives. prgtoken They were made a promise by the President of the United States that if they were to come forward and make certain disclosures, this program would protect them. I think that promise is inviolate and should not be broken by any administration. Congress certainly has work to do to enforce the promise and to give the promise an even stronger foundation. prgtoken You don't have to be on one side of the aisle or the other to be moved by these stories, and I will get to some of the details later. One of the young women was in the first group that I mentioned when we were sitting around a big conference table. Of course, these individuals don't have to sit with me, and they don't have to travel to tell their stories, but they are worried. They are concerned about the policy and how it might affect their lives. prgtoken One young woman said to me: Th
SUPPORTING VETERANS IN STEM CAREERS ACT
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-12-18

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , I rise in support of H.R. 4323, the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act, and I thank Mr. Dunn and Mr. Takano for introducing this good legislation. prgtoken The demand for a workforce equipped with STEM skills is growing. At the same time, many veterans developed valuable technical skills during their service. We must do more to take advantage of those skills and increase veteran participation in STEM careers if we are to meet the workforce demands. prgtoken This summer, I was pleased to see the passage of the Forever GI Bill, which extended GI benefits for veterans enrolled in STEM degree programs. Now that STEM degrees are more accessible for veterans, we must do more to support veterans during their transition into STEM degree programs and careers. prgtoken H.R. 4323 directs the National Science Foundation to report data on veterans in STEM studies and careers and develop a plan to increase outreach to veterans. prgtoken This bill also creates an interagency committee that will examine how Federal programs and policies can best be leveraged to equip veterans with the skills they need to transition into STEM careers. prgtoken H.R. 4323 is a good step toward strengthening our STEM workforce and creating opportunities for an eminently deserving sector of our citizenry. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and .
HONORING U.S. ARMY COLONEL JOSEPH TOPPIN'S 100TH BIRTHDAY
Donald M. Payne, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2017-12-18

I rise today to honor Colonel Joseph Toppin of Edison, New Jersey, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. prgtoken Colonel Toppin entered the military in 1948, the same year that a wavering President named Harry Truman finally prohibited racial discrimination in the Armed Forces. Colonel Toppin rose to become the first African American to serve as battalion commander for the Army's 40th Infantry Division. prgtoken The colonel has dedicated his life to improving the quality of our democracy and making the world a safer place. He helped with postwar planning for the development of Korea. He also was the principal planner for the Army's ship-to-shore discharge operations along the west coast of France. And Colonel Toppin was the inspector general for Fort Dix in New Jersey. prgtoken Upon leaving the Army, he had an illustrious career at Bethlehem Steel Corporation. prgtoken Colonel Toppin is now retired, but he has still not stopped inspiring those around him, which is why I stand here tonight I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Colonel Toppin on his 100th birthday and for his service to the United States of America.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Edward J. Markey (Democrat, MA) \u2014 2017-12-18

today, I wish to recognize Pat Rourke for her 44 years of Federal service at the Boston Passport Agency. After serving in nearly every department within the agency, Pat will retire at the close of this year from her post as customer service manager. prgtoken Pat's expertise combined with her eagerness to assist the people of Massachusetts has been an invaluable resource to me and my staff. Throughout her esteemed career, she issued countless passports. Pat made the difference to families eager to explore the world and to those with an emergency need to travel. Working in customer service is not always an easy task, but Pat is widely known for her compassion, patience, and good humor. She has fostered an environment at the Boston Passport Agency where customers and employees feel welcome and supported. Pat has always provided my office with sound advice to ensure that we best meet the needs of our traveling constituents. While she will be sorely missed, she will leave a lasting legacy at the Boston Passport Agency, and she will be fondly remembered by all those she has helped and mentored throughout her career. prgtoken My staff and I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Pat for her years of dedicated service and wish her well as she embarks on this next chapter in her life. Congratulations, Pat, and thank you for the enormous contributions you have made to the community, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States of America.
CONFIRMATION OF DON R. WILLETT
Chris Van Hollen (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-12-18

I opposed the nomination of Don Willet to serve as a judge on the Fifth Circuit. Senate s, lacking a robust legislative agenda, despite unilateral control of the government, decided to confirm another highly controversial nominee. prgtoken Last week, s confirmed three circuit court judges. In early November, Senate s confirmed four judges in 1 week. This accelerated confirmation pace is unconventional and alarming. s on the Judiciary Committee are willing to set aside decades of standing tradition and policies in order to confirm highly ideological judges who, in many cases, seem to have more of a political agenda than the impartial temperament necessary for the fair administration of justice. prgtoken This seat has been open for years because Senate s refused to work with the administration and agree upon a consensus mainstream nominee that reflects the views and opinions of the majority of Americans. Now that s are in the majority and no longer need to obstruct the White House, they have decided to advance Judge Willet, a judge described as the ``most conservative justice in Texas.'' prgtoken Judge Willet was on 's Supreme Court short list which indicates that he met the Federalist Society's and the Heritage Foundation's ideological litmus test. This should concern all Americans, regardless of party affiliation. Our judicial system should not be outsourced to outside groups who want to stack the courts with judges who share their extreme political agenda. prgtoken Judge Willet has expressed insensitive views towards the LGBTQ community and skepticism that women face unique challenges in the work place, such as unequal pay and sexual harassment and discrimination. In light of the #MeToo movement and the countless women who have shared their stories of workplace sexual harassment, prgtoken Judge Willet's opinion is at best misinformed. I hope that Judge Willet's views have evolved since he wrote that opinion for then- Governor . prgtoken I also hope my colleagues will start to recognize that they are setting a dangerous precedent by turning the Senate into an assembly line for highly ideological judges who appear to be more aligned with a political agenda that the impartial administration of justice.
HONORING LIAM McLAUGHLIN
Eliot L. Engel (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-12-18

I have had the pleasure of knowing many wonderful public servants over the course of my career, individuals who dedicated themselves fully to their communities and neighbors every single day. In Yonkers, there has not been a more dedicated and selfless public servant than my dear friend Liam McLaughlin, who this year is closing out his final term as Yonkers City Council President. prgtoken I have known Liam for many years. His parents, Bernadette and Pat, are close family friends, and both have a very strong sense of community Liam clearly adopted that spirit, and thus began a lifetime of working to strengthen Yonkers. prgtoken Liam was raised in Yonkers and has lived there for more than 42 years. His wife, Debbie, is also from Yonkers. Now, the McLaughlin family lives only a few blocks from the house in which he grew up. Liam attended St. John the Baptist School, the same school that his son Ryan now goes to, and coaches his son on the same youth baseball fields that his father coached him on when he was a kid. prgtoken A small business owner, Liam is a practicing trusts and estates attorney at McLaughlin & Zerafa LLP. Previously, he worked for several small law firms in the New York area, including his own general practice law firm and the Corporation Counsel's Office in the City of Yonkers. Liam was also an adjunct professor at Manhattan College. prgtoken From 2000 to 2010, Liam served on the Yonkers City Council. He served in leadership roles including Majority Leader and Minority Leader. He also served on every major committee and was Chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee, as well as the Environmental Policy & Protection Committee. In 2013, he was elected as Council President by the voters of Yonkers, where he served with great distinction and honor. prgtoken Outside of his duties as an elected official, Liam has also coached youth basketball and soccer with Dunwoodie Youth Association, and currently serves as President of the Lincoln Park Taxpayers Association. Liam is also a member of the Holy Name Society of St. John the Baptist Church, the Kerrymen's P&B Association and the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Westchester County. prgtoken On December 18, 2017 the Yonkers community is coming together to celebrate Liam for all the remarkable work he has done and continues to do on behalf of his fellow Yonkers residents. He is most deserving of the recognition. I want to congratulate Liam on the occasion and offer my personal thanks for all of that tremendous work. He has certainly made Yonkers proud.
SPECIAL COUNSEL MUELLER
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2017-12-18

on a different subject, I again warn about the danger of the smear campaign against Special Counsel Mueller. prgtoken Over the weekend, allies of the President in the media escalated their phony attacks on Special Counselor Mueller to an outrageous degree. One of the assertions that arose this weekend was that Special Counsel Mueller improperly obtained emails from the transition team. This is a bald-faced lie. There is no proof behind the allegations. There is no substance behind the allegations. They can't point to any indication that Mueller's team did anything that was improper, let alone illegal. The Mueller team is allowed to request whatever it wants. They are special counsel, special prosecutors. They either have to get the accountholder's permission or go prgtoken through appropriate criminal processes. In this case, there is no indication that they didn't follow the guidelines. prgtoken So to those complaining here in the Congress and in the media, point to something specific that Mueller did wrong here. prgtoken They can't. These attackers are creating impropriety when there is none. Their attacks are not based on fact or logic. This is a hatchet job, plain and simple. If they have a legal complaint, they can pursue it in court, but of course they don't. That is why these attacks are only speculation on TV by partisan pundits. prgtoken Robert Mueller is one of the most respected and trusted civil servants in our country. His integrity is unimpeachable. The concerted campaign to discredit him and his investigation in the rightwing media is nothing more than propaganda and disinformation to try to turn the public's attention away from the real investigation--'s potential collusion with Russia and the collusion of his campaign and the attempt, if it is found, to obstruct justice and prevent an investigation from going forward. prgtoken I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will defend the special counsel from these spurious attacks. Everyone-- and alike--must reject the strident voices that falsely impugn Special Counsel Mueller.