mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
China and Trade (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-4-11

I preface my remarks today about China with a recent article from The Economist, dated March 1, 2018, which, I think, does a very good job of crystallizing what the hopes and aspirations that we in the West had for China and what the reality has turned out to be. prgtoken It points out that in March 2000, Bill Clinton divided the American opinion on China into two camps. The first, he said, was of the optimists, and the second was of the hawks and the pessimists. The optimists, as it describes it, have an eye on the future and can see China becoming the next great capitalist tiger with the biggest market in the world. That was the optimistic view. The Economist writes that the hawks and pessimists, who were stuck in the past, saw China as stubbornly remaining as the world's last, great Communist dragon and a threat to stability in Asia. prgtoken As this article points out, it was not an either/or. It called it a both/and. It concludes that the China of Xi Jingping is a great mercantilist dragon that is under strict Communist Party control and that it is using the power of its vast markets to cow and co-opt capitalist rivals to bend and break the rules-based order and to push America to the periphery of the Asia-Pacific region. It calls this one of the starkest reversals in modern geopolitics. prgtoken Indeed, the administration's national security strategy that President rolled out just a couple of months ago states that China challenges American power, influence, and interests. It points out again that the hopes and aspirations of the optimists appear to have been dashed. Instead, we have one of the starkest reversals in modern geopolitics. This leads me to the subject I want to at least start talking about because it does relate to China. prgtoken Today, in the Subcommittee on International Trade, within the Senate Finance Committee, which I happen to chair, we are convening a hearing on trade issues and China. The core issue my colleagues and I will examine involves challenges to U.S. businesses, manufacturers, and service providers who are trying to get access to the Chinese market--a market that represents the second largest economy in the world. China, of course, has almost unfettered access to the United States. There are important protections in place, like the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which does look at some of those investments to make sure our national security interests are not compromised. prgtoken By and large, China has open access to the United States and the U.S. market. China is the United States' largest merchandise trading partner and the third largest export market for U.S. goods abroad. Although the legitimate flow of goods and services between the United States and China has increased over the years and is, in many respects, a positive thing, statistics alone do not capture the whole story, hence the preface that I gave about The Econo
STRESS TEST IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017
Jeb Hensarling (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-4-11

the balance of my time. prgtoken Well, the ranking member poses the question, ``Why?'' I can tell you why, . It is because Therese from Waco has written: I would like to express my disappointment at being rejected for a home loan, which would cost less than the house I presently have been renting for 5 years. As a small-business owner, I run my design studio out of my home office and take every tax break that is legal to offset the taxes payable if I didn't. prgtoken We do it for Sherry from Eustace, who writes: After a divorce 4 years ago, I needed to buy a car because my car was over 10 years old. I have a checking account in my name, I have a savings account, but they did not loan me money. prgtoken There is an onslaught of financial regulations that is costly, intrusive, burdensome, and is causing credit to be less available--less available--to the people who need it. That is why we do this, Mr week after week after week. We do it to make sure that our constituents can buy homes, that they can have cars. If they have tough times, if they lose a job, if they go through a painful divorce, that is why we do it, . prgtoken Again, stress-tests are important. That is why banks do it themselves every single week. prgtoken But the question is: How do we calibrate this? prgtoken We have used the ranking member's prescription, and that of my friends on the other side of the aisle, and it brought us 1.6 percent economic growth. Thankfully, today, with a new Congress and with a new President, we have 3 percent economic growth, and all types of opportunities are coming. prgtoken We should not listen and go back to those days. It is time to go forward to a better America with greater opportunity for all Americans. That means we have to reform the stress test to ensure that not only do we have financial stability, but we have financial opportunity as well. That is the work of the gentleman from New York. prgtoken , I urge everyone to support H.R. 4293, the Stress Test Improvement Act of 2017, and .
The Old Guard (Executive Session)
Tom Cotton (Republican, AR) \u2014 2018-4-11

last Friday marked the 70th anniversary of the 3rd Infantry Regiment's reactivation, and as one of its veterans, I didn't want to let the moment pass without notice. prgtoken The 3rd Infantry Regiment, more commonly known as the Old Guard, serves across the Potomac River at Arlington National Cemetery. Most here and most in the Gallery have probably visited the cemetery and seen Old Guard soldiers guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns or conducting funerals. Arkansans who visit me here in the Capitol consistently tell me that Arlington is a highlight of their trip. That is not surprising to me, because Old Guard soldiers set the standard for their dedication, their diligence, and their devotion. The 3rd Infantry is the Nation's oldest Active-Duty infantry unit, and yet the reverence we feel for them goes beyond their mere length of service and to what they represent: the dignity of freedom. prgtoken On April 6, 1948, the 3rd Infantry was reactivated on orders of the Secretary of the Army. The ceremony was held just a few steps from here, on the East Plaza of the Capitol. Then, the Old Guard immediately conducted another ceremony to present the Flag of Liberation to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the of the House. That flag had flown over this very Capitol on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941. Then, those forces raised that flag over Rome, Berlin, and Tokyo after we had defeated the Axis powers. Finally, the Old Guard led the large Army Day parade from the Capitol down Constitution Avenue, where prgtoken President Truman sat in the reviewing stand at the Ellipse. prgtoken That is not bad for their first day back with the regimental colors. It had been only 18 months since the regiment, serving with the 106th Division as an occupation force in Berlin, was caught up in the rushed demobilizations at the end of World War II. But the Army needed an official ceremonial unit in the Nation's Capital, as well as the contingency force as tension built up between the United States and the Soviet Union. So the Army called the 3rd Infantry back into service at Fort Myer, right next to Arlington, and restored ``the history formerly belonging'' to the legendary regiment. That was due, in no small part, to the regiment's reputation for professionalism, present from its very beginning. prgtoken The 3rd Infantry was stood up in 1784, when the Continental Congress created the ``First American Regiment.'' The War for Independence had convinced Congress that, whatever its fear of standing armies, the country needed at least a small professional fighting force to defend it. So the 3rd Infantry started as the lone professional regiment in the early days of our Republic, when our common defense was organized mostly around State militias. To this day, its members continue to display that professionalism by holding themselves to the most exacting standards as the Army's highest profile unit and the official e
OHIO FIRST RESPONDER APPRECIATION WEEK
Rob Portman (Republican, OH) \u2014 2018-4-11

I wish to talk tonight about the brave Ohioans who dedicate themselves every day to protecting all of the rest of us; that is, our first responders. This week is Ohio First Responders Week, a week of appreciation, the theme being ``Bringing Help, Bringing Hope.'' Well said. prgtoken Police officers, firefighters, EMS professionals, and other first responders put themselves in harm's way for us every single day. They risk their own safety to care for others. They wake up every day, put on their uniforms, and carry out their duties with an unwavering commitment to their communities and a pledge to protect those around them. prgtoken This morning, we had our weekly Buckeye Coffee. We had people from all over Ohio there. Sure enough, a bunch of first responders showed up. It was the EMS chiefs association, and we had an opportunity to talk with them about what they are doing every day. prgtoken Of course, EMS help with regard to traffic accidents, gunshot wounds, and so on. But one of the new challenges they face that is taking an enormous amount of their time and effort is the opioid crisis. I would bet if you go to your firehouse and ask them, the first responders in our communities are responding more to overdose runs than they are to fires. This is one example of where they are on the frontlines dealing with this issue and are applying Narcan, the miracle drug that reverses the effects of an overdose to save lives. prgtoken We appreciate them, and the service and commitment of these first responders is needed now more than ever. I urge all Ohioans this week to demonstrate their thanks to first responders. If you live in a community that is having an event, which a number are, I hope you will attend the event. If not, if you cross paths with a first responder, thank him, thank her, and tell them we appreciate what they are doing. prgtoken I know I speak for the entire Buckeye State when I say that we are grateful for the work our first responders do every single day, and they will continue, as the theme says this year, to bring help and hope to all of us. We thank them.
STRESS TEST IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017
Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-4-11

I rise in support of H.R. 4293, the Stress Test Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation by my great colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin). prgtoken We keep hearing about megabanks, but all banks affect industries, small businesses, and large businesses. So every time we adjust the marketplace and we make more regulations, you also impact small businesses as well, and our ability to survive. As the owner of a small business, this affects me as well. prgtoken But stress testing is an important tool that can encourage the safety and soundness of an individual depository institution and the overall health of the banking system, including all banks, across all sizes and sectors. However, the Federal Reserve has implemented its stress testing in a manner that imposes unnecessary burdens without providing proportionate benefits. This is especially true for smaller institutions for which the cost of this exercise is disproportionately burdensome. It can also affect larger banks. prgtoken H.R. 4293 would fix the tests so they can properly show smarter ways to strengthen a financial institution's planning. This legislation improves the Federal Reserve's stress testing processes mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act by requiring a select group of banks, or bank holding companies, to conduct internal, company-run stress tests once a year rather than semiannually. prgtoken I want to thank Mr. Zeldin again for sponsoring this, as always, a bipartisan piece of legislation. And it is important to note that, if we are going to reduce regulations and burdensome fees and procedures on companies, it has to be across all sectors, not just one. And I think this legislation shows that and shows the sponsor's willingness to do that. prgtoken , I thank the gentleman, and I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation.
CELEBRATING NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-4-11

I rise today in celebration of National Library Week, which began on Sunday and runs through Saturday, April 14. prgtoken This year's theme is Library's Lead, and ballerina Misty Copeland is this year's honorary chair. prgtoken First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is an observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. prgtoken It is time to celebrate the contributions of our Nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries--school, public, academic, and special--participate. prgtoken Celebrations during National Library Week include: National Library Workers Day, celebrated yesterday, which is a day for library staff, users, administrators, and friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. prgtoken National Bookmobile Day, which is celebrated today, recognizes contributions of our Nation's bookmobiles and the dedicated professionals who make quality bookmobile outreach possible in their communities. prgtoken Tomorrow is Take Action for Libraries Day, which is a national library advocacy effort. prgtoken , this year marks the 60th anniversary of National Library Week. prgtoken In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios and television and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. prgtoken The committee's goals range from encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time to improving income and health and developing a strong and happy family life. prgtoken In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that, once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of the American Library Association and with the help of the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with a theme ``Wake Up and Read.'' prgtoken National Library Week was observed again in 1959, and the American Library Association Council voted to continue the annual celebration. When the National Book Committee disbanded in 1974, the American Library Association assumed full sponsorship. Today, it is an annual celebration, marking six decades this year. prgtoken The 2018 honorary chair, Misty Copeland, is not only a best-selling author, but she is also the principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, making her the first African-American woman to ever be promoted to that position in the company's 75-year history. prgtoken Misty's passion is giving back, and she has worked with many charitable organizations and is dedicated to giving of her time to work with and mentor young boys and girls. It is clear that she is an excellent role model for our youth and a strong s
Fair Trade (Executive Session)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2018-4-11

let me do a quick history lesson with this body. In 1773, the Colonies we were getting more and more frustrated with King George. There were a lot of issues we raised with him--a lot of taxes, a lot of changes, things that were happening in the judiciary, things that were arbitrary that were coming down. Then it boiled to a head. prgtoken In December of 1773, a group of American colonists went out to Boston infuriated with the tariff policy over tea. The British East India Company had special access that no one else had. They had no taxes and everyone else had a tax--a tariff. It pushed out all of the other companies except for the British East India Company. A group of American colonists went out to one of the ships, grabbed all the tea in the harbor, and threw it overboard, creating the legendary Boston Tea Party. prgtoken That was an argument about tariffs. It was an argument about international trade. It was an argument about American companies and fair trade, and we still talk about it today. prgtoken It is interesting to note that in our letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1776, which we now call the Declaration of Independence, in the long list of grievances that we wrote out to King George, we included this line: We are cutting off our trade with all parts of the world as one of our big grievances. That grievance fell between the grievance of the British Government allowing British soldiers to murder inhabitants in America and our taxes without consent. In between those was cutting off our international trade. We have been free traders as a nation since even before we were a nation, and we have been passionate about keeping it fair but keeping it free and keeping it open. prgtoken Free trade is a big issue for us, and for some reason it has become this big national conversation again. Should we have free and fair trade? Should we continue to engage? What does it mean to have a deficit in our trade? Does it have to be equal with every country, that they buy from us as much as we buy from them? Suddenly, this has become a brand-new dialogue again. prgtoken I wish to bring a couple of real world moments to this, beginning with the history lesson, by stating that trade--and international trade, specifically--was important to us even before we were a country. We were gathering supplies from all over the world to be able to do our basic production. We are still doing that today. prgtoken For some reason I run into people that think this international supply chain is something new in this generation. I tell them that they should look at our history and see that the United States has always had an international supply chain. prgtoken We are also 25 percent of the world's economy. There is no nation in the world that can afford to buy as much from us as we buy from them. We are the largest economy in the world, by far. We are going to buy more from other countries. prgtoken The issue is, How does
PATROL THE RIO GRANDE
Ted Poe (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-4-11

national security is border security. Recently, I visited my friend Congressman Cuellar's hometown of Laredo, Texas, on the Texas-Mexico border. prgtoken Being from Texas, I have been to the border about 20 times since I have been elected to Congress. The border is actually the middle of the Rio Grande River, not the shoreline. prgtoken I toured the river with our Border Patrol, Texas State law enforcement officers, and the National Guard. It is a long border. From El Paso to Brownsville, Texas, it is about 900 miles--a river border. Laredo is right in the southern border of Texas. prgtoken Standing on the United States side of the border near Laredo, I looked across straight into Mexico. A seemingly innocent stark-white water plant peeked out over the thick brush. Looking closer, a figure appeared, having a radio and binoculars in his hand. Why? He was waiting for the Border Patrol to pass; ready to send a ``go'' signal to another group of illegals waiting to rush across the Rio Grande River. prgtoken The drug cartels, , control border crossings, whether they are smuggling drugs, people, or criminals. The cartels have an advanced system in place, a sophisticated criminal network. They have scouts on both sides of the border with cell phones and surveillance equipment. They have stash houses on both sides of the border where they hide drugs and people so they can move them closer inland to America. prgtoken Everyone pays to cross. In the Laredo sector, the violent Los Zetas cartel is in control. No one crosses into the United States without their permission. The cartels, the Zetas, for example, hide in the bushes, ready to stop anyone who tries to cross without their permission and without paying the money. How much it costs depends on where the person is from. But everyone pays, whether a person is from Central America, China, or Mexico. prgtoken Make no mistake about it: the cartels are the ones that make money off of illegals crossing into the United States. prgtoken President has authorized State Governors to use the National Guard to help secure and protect the borders. Our Border Patrol agents do the best they can to apprehend illegal crossers, but they are outmanned, outgunned, and outfinanced. Technology helps, but there is far too little of it. prgtoken The cameras operating in the Laredo sector are from the 1990s. A cell phone camera is better than the cameras that they have. We need to have high-tech cameras along the entire border. Cameras help spot illegals as they slip over the river and through the tangled brush on both sides of the river. prgtoken The National Guard will take over monitoring these cameras, monitoring prgtoken sensor activations, conducting surveillance on skyboxes or other observation posts, and operating vehicles. This will free up law enforcement resources to patrol the border and make arrests. prgtoken We must have a mix of both physical and virtual barriers on the Texas-
FINANCIAL STABILITY OVERSIGHT COUNCIL IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2017
Dennis A. Ross (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-4-11

I thank the chairman for yielding, for his kind words, for his leadership, and more importantly, for his friendship. prgtoken , I wish to also thank the staff of the Financial Services Committee in the work they have taken on behalf of the people of this country. prgtoken , as some of you may know, the Financial Services Committee has been operating at a breakneck speed in the 115th Congress. In fact, we have had Financial Services bills on the floor 17 of the last 18 weeks that the House has been in session. prgtoken I am proud to highlight that the majority of these bills have been passed out of this Chamber by strong bipartisan majorities. prgtoken Throughout this process, we have demonstrated that the House can find bipartisan agreement on commonsense measures that will benefit our constituents. prgtoken , I rise today in support of a bill that continues this streak of bipartisanship in the service of Americans back home, H.R. 4061, the Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act. prgtoken My good friend from Maryland, Congressman John Delaney, and I have been working this bill for nearly 5 years, with the shared goal of improving resiliency of our financial system, while protecting Americans from costly and unnecessary regulations that create barriers to achieving their financial goals. prgtoken By codifying procedures to increase the transparency of the nonbank systemically important financial institutions, or SIFIs, designation process, and providing a chance for nonbank firms to work with their primary regulators to reduce risks prior to designation, our legislation achieves this goal. prgtoken , we must be clear that simply designating more companies as systemically important financial institutions does not make our system safer. That is especially true for nonbank firms, like asset managers and insurers, that don't fit well into the bank-centered regulatory regime for SIFIs. prgtoken Handing down a SIFI designation to a nonbank financial firm is like using a sledgehammer to catch a butterfly. Not only are you unlikely to succeed, but you are also likely to destroy the very thing you set out to protect. prgtoken After all, it is the family saving for the downpayment on a home or retirement or the children's education that suffer when FSOC uses a heavy-handed regulation of last resort as the primary line of defense against threats to our economy. prgtoken The American Action Forum has found that additional capital requirements resulting from a SIFI designation of asset management firms could cost American retirees at least $100,000 in potential savings over the lifetime of their investment. That is significant. prgtoken That is why these reforms included in H.R. 4061 are critical to the more than 90 million investors who rely on the services of asset managers to achieve their most important financial goals. prgtoken To be sure, FSOC has begun to recognize the benefits of providing increased