mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
RECOGNIZING GLOBAL FREIGHT & COMMERCE LLC
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-11-6

as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my privilege to honor small businesses that embody the entrepreneurial spirit of our American economy. I am proud to recognize Global Freight & Commerce of Jacksonville, FL--a veteran-owned small business--as we celebrate this National Veterans Small Business Week. prgtoken Following his retirement from the U.S. Army in 2014, founder Jesus Garay started Global Freight & Commerce using the precision and skill gained from more than 20 years of military experience. During his years of Active Duty, Jesus specialized in strategic operations and completed six combat tours in Iraq and Bosnia. The Armed Forces of the United States provides individuals, such as Jesus, with leadership skills that are practically applicable to entrepreneurial pursuits. Because of Jesus's leadership experience, Global Freight & Commerce has become a successful, 100 percent owner-operated trucking, logistics, and transportation company. This business not only provides quality service but also makes a dedicated effort to extend dignified employment opportunities to our nation's veterans. prgtoken Through its website, Global Freight & Commerce assists semi-truck owner-operators with the buying and selling process of their vehicles, a feature that enables owner-operators to gain independence and grow a potential fleet of vehicles. Additionally, Global Freight & Commerce makes the safety of its drivers and those around them a priority. It follows national safety protocols in all operations to provide the best, and safest, service possible for its customers. prgtoken A member of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Global Freight & Commerce is also involved in the community through events such as job fairs and conferences. These community events provide leadership training to assist and develop the local workforce. Such efforts are valuable to the Jacksonville economy as they help to provide skilled and reliable employees. prgtoken Even after leaving the service, our Nation's veterans continue to serve our country. Making up nearly 10 percent of all businesses in the United States, veteran-owned small businesses ensure that our unique economy remains robust. Veteran-owned businesses like Global Freight & Commerce are examples of the talent and dedication of our Nation's veterans. This National Veterans Small Business Week, I would like to thank Jesus Garay for his service and congratulate him on the creation of a successful small business. I look forward to watching Global Freight & Commerce's continued growth and success.
Tax Reform (Executive Calendar)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-11-6

I thought it would be appropriate to come to the floor to celebrate the second anniversary of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. prgtoken For years I heard from Texans who thought that the Tax Code was simply too complex, too burdensome, and that the Federal Government simply took too much of the fruits of their labor. prgtoken They were absolutely correct. Our Tax Code hadn't been reformed in more than three decades, and and ic Presidents have long pointed out how America was at a competitive disadvantage relative to other countries because of our Tax Code. prgtoken Then, of course, there is the drag of high tax rates on our domestic economy--especially following the great recession during the administration--which made jump-starting the economy a top priority last Congress. prgtoken The good news is that we delivered. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowered the individual tax rates across the board for every bracket. It increased the standard deduction, doubled the child tax credit, and made tax rates for businesses more competitive. Our goal was to make our Tax Code work for the American people, not the other way around. prgtoken I know there are a lot of naysayers who said it wouldn't work. Some of them are still saying that. But I think the results speak for themselves. prgtoken First, we saw waves of positive headlines announcing that companies big and small were using their tax savings to provide pay raises, pay bonuses, 401(k) match increases, and other benefits to their employees. prgtoken I made a point of asking my constituents in Texas about their experience under the new Tax Code, and here is some of what I heard: prgtoken Tejas Office Products is a Hispanic-owned and operated family business in Houston. They were able to hire more workers in Southeast Texas and expand their business as a result of their tax savings from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. prgtoken There is American Bank in Corpus Christi. They projected that they could lend an additional $120 million over the next 5 years in the Coastal Bend, which was absolutely critical, especially following the natural disaster known as Hurricane Harvey. prgtoken Then there is Happy State Bank, my favorite name for a bank--Happy State Bank--in Amarillo, which increased wages for more than 600 of its 700 employees. It upped their starting minimum wage and increased their dollar-for-dollar retirement plan match from 6 percent to 7 percent, all of which was good news. prgtoken Well, it didn't take long for that good news in these anecdotal cases, for example, to translate into a much improved economy across the board, which helps everybody. prgtoken We have seen rapid and consistent job growth with more than 4.3 million new jobs since tax reform became law--4.3 million new jobs. prgtoken In September, the national unemployment rate fell to a 50-year low, and Texas unemployment remains below the national average at only 3.4 percent. prgtoken
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2019-11-6

. Oh boy, I have had to scratch my head upon hearing some criticism of the Finance Committee's Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act from supposedly fiscally conservative, pro-taxpayer organizations, to mention a couple, like FreedomWorks and Americans for Tax Reform. prgtoken The Grassley-Wyden bipartisan bill ought to have a lot of support. It would save taxpayers more than $100 billion. You would think fiscally conservative organizations would want to back that. Of course, some of these fiscally conservative organizations receive substantial funding from Big Pharma. prgtoken I can't think of a better opportunity to enact bipartisan entitlement reform that would significantly lower the debt and help rein in entitlement spending bill. This bill happens to be judged by the Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan group working for the Congress as a whole, saying that it would save a little over $100 billion. prgtoken Reining in entitlement spending is a goal that I campaigned on, and nearly every one of my colleagues have campaigned on that same platform. Now is the chance to carry out those campaign promises, in other words, to stand on the platform you ran on. prgtoken In an era of gridlock and partisanship, do supporters of less government spending and balanced budgets really think their goal could be achieved without bipartisanship? Nothing gets done in the U.S. Senate that isn't somewhat bipartisan. The good news is that my legislation is bipartisan, and support for the bill is growing every day. prgtoken . prgtoken .
Veterans Day (Executive Calendar)
Shelley Moore Capito (Republican, WV) \u2014 2019-11-6

as you know, this coming Monday, November 11, is Veterans Day. I have heard my colleagues pay tribute to veterans in their own special way, and I wanted to be a part of that group today to offer a mighty thank-you to our men and women who serve. prgtoken I stand before you to honor the brave men and women of the U.S. armed services, past and present, who have stood up to protect us and our freedoms that we hold so dear. prgtoken Veterans Day, to me, is a day to reflect on the sacrifices made by all of those who served. It is a time to say thank you. It is a time to pause and think about the veterans themselves and their families. It is also a time for younger people, and I am talking elementary-aged students, to really see the pride and the commitment our veterans over time have had. Whether you are going to your hometown parade or going to a cemetery ceremony or just talking about it within your own home, throughout America's history, our military has been regarded as the greatest in the world, and it sure is. Our military would not be what it is without the men and women of our All-Volunteer Force. prgtoken I am a daughter of a World War II veteran. I grew up hearing smidgeons of his stories off and on the battlefield, and I have always been in awe of those who served. He was very proud of his service in World War II. November 20, 1944, my father, SSG Arch A. Moore, Jr from Moundsville, WV, was serving somewhere on the Belgium-German line when he was shot in the face, and he was left for dead on the battlefield for 2 days. He talked about it was in a beet field. I remember him saying it was in a beet field. I didn't like beets, and now I knew why I really didn't like beets. He also talked about how he was equipped with some painkiller that he could put on his leg to sort of ease the pain as he lay there hoping somebody would come and get him. That was the end of his service on the battlefield. He was taken and miraculously had a great recovery after probably a year of recovery over in England. prgtoken For his actions on the battlefield, he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the European Theater of Operations Ribbon with three battle stars. Like my father, so many of the veterans of World War II faced a harsh reality in this conflict. This year marks the 75th anniversary of two of World War II's most notable battles: D-Day and Battle of the Bulge. Battle of the Bulge is going to be in December next month. Actually, my dad's platoon went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, and only three of his platoon survived. prgtoken D-Day is known as the turning point in the war because those brave soldiers pushed their way through German forces to take back Normandy. If anybody wants to see what a sacrifice our country made in World War II, and more for young people to see, I would recommend going to the cemetery in Normandy and seeing those white prgtoken markers
Veterans Day (Executive Calendar)
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2019-11-6

for generations, America has been a beacon of hope and freedom around the world. When confronted with tyranny and evil, America has always overcome. In every generation, patriots have answered the call to service in defense of our country and in defense of freedom and democracy. Their bravery and willingness to serve is a testament to the American and Montanan spirit. prgtoken It is my highest honor to serve as a voice for Montana's veterans in the Halls of Congress. You see, Montana has one of the highest veteran populations per capita in the United States. Montana's veterans are what make living in Big Sky Country all the more special. prgtoken I know I speak for most Montanans when I say, while growing up, we learned very early on about the importance of service to our country. For me, that lesson was taught by my father. My dad is a marine who served in the 58th Rifle Company out of Billings, MT. He instilled in me the values of hard work, of sacrifice, of service to others, and of humility. I am grateful for his service to our country, and I am proud to live every day with the values that he taught me when I was so young. Those same values that my dad taught me are held by veterans all across Montana. prgtoken I am grateful for Montana's veterans. I am grateful to have several veterans serve on my staff both in Montana and in Washington, DC. I thank Denny in Helena, Robin in Great Falls, Jim in Bozeman, and Christy in Washington, DC. They are all Montanans who are also veterans who serve on my team and serve the people of Montana. prgtoken We have an extraordinary legacy of service in Montana. We are home to heroes like Medal of Honor recipient Army SSG Travis Atkins, who was honored by President at the White House this year for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. Right now, in Congress, I am working to rename the Bozeman VA healthcare prgtoken facility after this great, fallen, Montana hero. Travis and I attended the same high school in Bozeman. prgtoken I make it my top priority to hear from all of our veterans across all corners of our State and to learn about the issues they face, such as access to rural healthcare, or to ensure they receive the recognition they deserve. In fact, just last month, I was in Great Falls to help honor veteran Alfred E. Shryer with the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam. It was recognition that was long overdue--nearly 50 years in the making. prgtoken After all our veterans and their families have given to our Nation, it is due time that our country gives them the care, the treatment, and the recognition they have earned. That is why I am taking action. I have introduced a number of bipartisan solutions to help resolve issues that plague our vets, like my bipartisan bill to protect veterans' pensions from scam artists. I have also led a bipartisan effort to ensure that our Blue Water veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange whil
Veterans Day (Executive Calendar)
Todd Young (Republican, IN) \u2014 2019-11-6

in August I had the honor of traveling to a tiny town, to a small diner in Auburn, IN. The purpose of my visit was to present a military service medal that was nearly 75 years in the making. Over the last few months, I have had a lot of opportunities to think about those moments in Sandra D's Cafe and what they have meant to me. As we approach Veterans Day, I would like to share a few of those lessons. prgtoken I served in the military for 10 years, and I saw firsthand the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform. As an elected representative, I have had further opportunity to visit veterans who served in conflict zones and families who made incredible sacrifices to prgtoken keep us all free. I learned just how much a sacrifice we truly ask of our troops and their families. prgtoken In the Marine Corps, we have a motto: ``Semper Fidelis.'' Rarely do we tell folks what it means. It means ``always faithful''--faithful to our Nation and faithful to all those who protect it, faithful to all those who serve in peacetime and are prepared to protect it. It is why I wear this memorial bracelet around my wrist. The folks back home know I wear it. I remind them of it often because it is important. This bracelet honors LCpl Alec Terwiske. He was a fellow U.S. marine from a small town in Dubois, IN, in southern Indiana. On September 3, 2012, he was tragically killed--for all of us--in Afghanistan. prgtoken His mom, Sandy, has become a close friend. She asked me to wear this bracelet to honor his memory, and I do so. I do so proudly every day to remember Alec and Sandy and the rest of their family and also to remember all those men and women who love our country and what it stands for so much that they are prepared, if necessary, when called to do so, to put their lives on the line for all of us. It takes a special person to take up arms in defense of our country. It takes a belief and cause much greater than ourselves. That cause is, in fact, what America is all about. It is that very belief that makes me think back to that cafe in Auburn. prgtoken Sandra D's father, Robert Egli, was a World War II veteran who survived the war. He lived a long and happy life back home in Indiana and didn't say much about his military service. In fact, when I showed up, Sandra didn't know much about the story. I did a little personal internet research in the car on the way there to deliver her father's missing Bronze Star, and what I found out was very interesting. prgtoken It was World War II, in the Philippines, the Pacific theater. Robert's unit was involved in a battle that saved the lives of 511 American prisoners of war. His actions and those of the other American GIs with him allowed those Americans to return home, to marry their sweethearts, to start a family, and to pursue the American dream. prgtoken Now, think about it. This is the beauty and the magic of the gift that so many of our men and women in uniform
REMEMBERING KAY HAGAN
Michael B. Enzi (Republican, WY) \u2014 2019-11-6

I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late Senator Kay Hagan. Her loss will be deeply felt by us here in the Senate, both by those who served with her as well as the many staff and individuals she worked with over time. Senator Hagan was a dedicated public servant who touched many lives faithfully serving her home State of North Carolina. prgtoken Born in Shelby, NC, Senator Hagan attended Florida State University and then returned to North Carolina to attend law school at Wake Forest University. She worked at North Carolina National Bank, a predecessor to Bank of America, for 10 years, becoming a vice president in the estates and trust division. She was a loving wife and mother deeply committed to her family. She left the bank to raise her three children--Jeanette, Tilden, and Carrie--and became actively involved in the Greensboro community. prgtoken Senator Hagan started early in politics helping her uncle, former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles, paste bumper stickers on supporters' cars. She was active in North Carolina politics and ran Governor Jim Hunt's campaign in Guilford County in 1992 and 1996. In 1998, she ran for the North Carolina State Senate and served there for 10 years, where she cochaired the budget committee. During her 6-year tenure as cochair of the budget, she increased North Carolina's Rainy Day fund and balanced five straight budgets. I commend her commitment to fiscal responsibility and achieving a balanced budget. In 2008, she won the election for the U.S. Senate seat and showed up in Congress ready to work for North Carolinians back home. prgtoken One thing Senator Hagan was known for here in the Senate was the effort she put in to be as open and accessible to her constituents. As a dedicated public servant, Senator Hagan made constituent services a priority and often traveled the State hosting ``Conversations with Kay.'' prgtoken It is difficult to pinpoint Senator Hagan's single most greatest achievement. During her political career at the local, State, and Federal level, Senator Hagan championed many important issues and served as a tireless advocate for her constituents. prgtoken Representing one of the most military-friendly States in the Nation, prgtoken Senator Hagan advocated for Active-Duty military, veterans, and their families in her role serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Coming from a military family, Senator Hagan understood the needs of those who serve our country and their families. Along with Senator Burr, she was key in getting documents released pertaining to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, giving families the answers they deserved. She was constantly reminding us all to remember and understand the sacrifices made by our military and their families, often telling their stories on the Senate floor. prgtoken I had the privilege of working with Senator Hagan on issues before the Senate Health, Education, Labor,
Judicial Nominations (Executive Session)
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2019-11-6

when I first came to the Senate, I was asked to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and I considered it quite an honor. It is an extraordinary committee with a rich history of involvement in some of the most important issues of our time, and that has been the case for generations. prgtoken Recently, when it was reformed, I was asked on which subcommittee I wanted to serve. I chose the Immigration Subcommittee. I took it for two reasons. First, I am a lucky American. My mother was an immigrant to this country. She was brought here at the age of 2 from Lithuania. Her mother, who brought her, didn't speak English, but my mom was a pretty smart little girl. She spoke English and Lithuanian, and she was the translator for the family. They even called her into a courtroom as a little girl to translate for a person who was being charged so that they understood the law. My mother was an extraordinary woman. She had an eighth grade education, but was one of the smartest people I have ever known. I guess that is a son talking, but you might expect it. prgtoken I often thought I was lucky that she lived long enough to see me sworn into the U.S. Senate. This immigrant girl, who became an American citizen, saw her son become the 47th Senator from the State of Illinois. That is my story. That is my family's story. That is America's story. That is who we are. prgtoken We are a Nation of immigrants. But for those blessed to be able to trace back their roots to indigenous people and Native Americans, all of us have come to this country--either ourselves personally, our parents, or grandparents. prgtoken Immigration means a lot to me because I think the diversity of this country is its strength. The fact that people were willing to sacrifice so much to come to the United States of America tells me something about them. Many of them risked everything. They left everything behind--left behind their families, their places of worship, their language, their culture, their food--and came to a place they had never seen before because they heard what America was all about--a land of opportunity. So I wanted to be on that subcommittee. prgtoken The second reason I wanted to be on the subcommittee is that the immigration laws of the United States are a disaster. They are terribly broken. They do not serve our Nation, either in terms of security or bringing the diversity we need for our future. I have known this for a long time. prgtoken It was 6 or 7 years ago that we put together a group of Senators, four , four s. John McCain was leading the s with Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, Jeff Flake. On the ic side was Senator Schumer, who just spoke on the floor; Senator Menendez of New Jersey; Senator Bennet of Colorado; and I. We sat down for months, night after night, looking at every section of the immigration law--this broken law--to say: How will we change this? How can we reach poli