mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT--CONFERENCE REPORT
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2017-12-19

. Thank you, . prgtoken I rise to speak about the conference report we will be voting on later this evening. Before I do that, I want to mention a few folks by name who deserve a big thank-you for the incredible work they did to get us to this terrific point we are at today. prgtoken I wanted to start with Leader McConnell. His vision and leadership made this possible, and I am grateful for that. I want to mention Chairman Hatch, who also helped to guide the Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over our Tax Code; Chairman Enzi, the chairman of the Budget Committee--without a proper budget resolution, this moment would not have been possible; Chairman Murkowski, who has fought for so long to open up this little tiny postage stamp in an incredibly remote part of Alaska to prudent energy development, and finally, tonight we are going to pass the legislation to do that; Senator Cornyn, our whip, who is also a member of the Finance Committee and played a very important role; Senators Thune, Portman, and Scott, with whom I worked very closely for a very extended period of time to try to find the consensus that I think we have reached among Senators. prgtoken I want to mention Senator Corker. I had many long and ultimately very fruitful conversations with Senator Corker, who approached this in a very thoughtful and responsible way. I am very grateful for him. prgtoken I want to mention some of the staff who worked incredibly hard on this: Mark Warren, who handles tax policy for Senator Thune; Zach Rudisill, who works for Senator Portman; Shay Hawkins, who handled this brief for Senator Scott; Andrew Siracuse, who works for Senator Cornyn; and Bart Massey, who handled this responsibility for Senator Enzi, and Matt Giroux. They all did terrific work. prgtoken A big special thanks to some of the guys on my staff who did an amazing job. Randy Herndon joined my team earlier this year and did an absolutely extraordinary job. Fortunately, he has an incredible wealth of knowledge about tax policy, and he was able to put that to work for Pennsylvanians and for Americans in a tremendously constructive way. Brad Grantz, my legislative director, also helped to guide this process. Dan Brandt, who is my chief of staff, did some great quarterbacking. prgtoken I should point out the Senate Finance Committee staff who worked incredible hours and did a great job--Jay Khosla, Mark Prater, Jen Acuna, and the rest of the Senate Finance Committee staff, and also Brendan Dunn in the leader's office, who played a very important role. prgtoken Ryan and Chairman Brady in the other Chamber played an indispensable role in getting us here, as did Tom Barthold, who leads the Joint Committee on Taxation, quantifying every wrinkle along the way in the final product, as well as his team. prgtoken I should also mention that the President provided constructive leadership along the way, and we worked extensively with Treasury
TAX CUTS AND JOBS BILL
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-12-19

the second matter I would like to address is the historic vote that the House will take today and that we will take later on this evening on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. prgtoken This bill will dramatically reduce taxes on American families and incentivize the creation of new jobs. It is a major victory for all Americans who want to know that Washington has their best interests at heart. It does exactly what we told the voters we would do in 2016, and it is important to keep our word. We are delivering tax reform in a way that is real, comprehensive, and substantial, and we are doing it through what we usually refer to as regular order in the Senate. prgtoken I know that ever since the Affordable Care Act was written in then- ic Leader Harry Reid's conference room and was brought to the floor, there has been a lot of concern about the way the Senate conducts its activities. Senator McCain, who unfortunately will not be able to be with us today, has been a stickler for returning to regular order--by that, meaning introducing a bill, having it marked up and debated in the relevant committee--in this case, in the Finance Committee--then having it brought to the floor, where it is amended, and then debating it until we finally pass it. Then we go to a conference committee with the House and reconcile the differences between the Senate version and the House version. That is exactly what we did with this piece of legislation. prgtoken I have spoken at length about certain provisions in the bill before, but I want to make one point abundantly clear. For the American people, this represents the very best kind of Christmas gift we can offer them--one that will actually make their lives better and one from which they will benefit right away. This tax reform may not bear the ribbons and bows of a Christmas present, but the men and women who are trying to make ends meet will benefit from having lower taxes, bigger paychecks, and a resurgent economy that will produce more jobs and better opportunities. prgtoken I will refer to an article that came out in January of this year which cited prgtoken a shocking statistic, really. The statistic is, most Americans remain one misstep away from having a financial crisis. Fifty-seven percent of Americans don't have enough cash on hand to cover an unexpected $500 expense. These findings from this CBS News report shed light on how many households continue to struggle with their basic finances more than 7 years after the official end of the great recession of 2007. A typical American household still earns 2.4 percent below what it brought home in 1999. When people talk about less purchasing power and flat wages, that is what they are talking about. prgtoken At the same time, we know costs for essentials, such as housing and childcare, have surged faster than the rate of inflation, which puts even more stress on these household budgets. That is one of the reasons we
HONORING THE SERVICE OF THOMAS PERSEO
Ted S. Yoho (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-12-19

I rise to recognize a lifelong public servant, Mr. Thomas Perseo, who will be retiring on January 10, 2018, after 43 years of faithful service to north-central Florida's community in law enforcement. prgtoken Mr. Perseo began his career in Green Cove Springs, Florida, in the police department in September 1974. He served his hometown community until 1982, and then moved to Gainesville, Florida. prgtoken Upon his move, Officer Perseo started working for the Alachua County Sheriff's Office. He is currently a warrant investigator, and, after 35 years of dedicated law enforcement service with an exemplary record, Tom will be starting the next chapter of his life. prgtoken Tom is a shining example of what it means to be an American. He has dedicated his life to serving our community, and I have no doubt he will continue to do so in retirement. I am proud to represent such a hardworking individual and also to have the honor of being his friend. prgtoken For myself, and all of Florida's Third District, I wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1, TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Steve Scalise (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-12-19

I thank Chairman Brady for yielding time and for his leadership in the entire group of conferees on bringing this tax cuts and jobs bill to the floor. prgtoken I thank President for working with us every step of the way to bring us to a historic moment where we are actually going to provide tax relief to hardworking families. prgtoken There are those on the other side who would say: Keep all the money in Washington, stunt economic growth, continue to let America be noncompetitive where we see jobs go overseas over and over again--large companies, thousands of jobs at a time moving to foreign countries-- because we have the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world. prgtoken Well, , it is time for that to end, and we do end that in this bill. We finally make our country competitive again so we can bring those jobs back. prgtoken Why deny opportunity for so many people who want a chance at the American Dream? prgtoken In our bill, , we cut every single tax rate and make it lower. That is more money in the pockets of hardworking families. On average, families are going to see over $2,000 more back in their paychecks every year. That is real money, when you look at, right now, the average savings for families is $400 in their checking account. This is real money to help people have better opportunities to go put more money in their kids' college tuition accounts. prgtoken When you look at what this means, it is not only good for economic growth, creating jobs, and rebuilding our middle class, but it is historic in the simplification where over 90 percent of prgtoken American families will actually be able to do their taxes on a postcard. Just think of how simplified that makes the Code. prgtoken The last time this was done was in 1986. And when Ronald Reagan was signing that bill, he talked about how hard it was and how many times people said it couldn't happen. In fact, Ronald Reagan read a quote from a headline, and he said: ``The impossible became the inevitable.'' prgtoken Today, , we make that impossible the inevitable again and restore that hope and opportunity for so many families who just want a chance at the American Dream. We give them that. prgtoken Let's pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act today. Get it on President 's desk so we can finally see this economy going again. What a great Christmas present this is going to be to the American people. prgtoken , I urge everybody to vote ``yes.''
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
James E. Risch (Republican, ID) \u2014 2017-12-19

my great State of Idaho is known for excelling in many areas. We are a proud incubator of the American entrepreneurial spirit, with Idaho consistently being ranked as one of the friendliest States in the Nation for small businesses. Idaho is also renowned for our State vegetable, the potato. Millions of people around the world know that Idaho potatoes are in a class of their own. It is only natural that the innovation that Idaho is known for would lead a small business on a mission to assist potato farmers. As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my pleasure to recognize Double L as the Senate Small Business of the Month for December 2017. Double L maintains a global presence while staying true to the core values of its farming roots in order to enable potato farmers to increase production, expand their harvest, and to achieve their American Dream. prgtoken Double L was originally founded in 1976 by potato growers Leland Klinger and Lynn Johnson, who initially started the company by building equipment prgtoken that would meet their own specific needs after being disappointed with the machines currently on the market. It was this entrepreneurial spirit that drove the two to expand into other handling equipment, and the rest is history. In the years since then, Double L has never lost the original manufacturing mindset with which the company was founded, while the company and its employees have certainly expanded their horizons. prgtoken In 2004, Chris Hunsaker became CEO of Double L and immediately sought an expansion of both manufacturing and clientele, leading the company to move from its original home in American Falls to Heyburn, ID. With the upbringing of a farmer and the training of a salesman, Chris has ensured that Double L has remained steadfast in its commitment to personalized service for each customer. For example, Double L does not maintain a standing inventory. Each order is built per the customer's specific wants and needs. Additionally, Double L has a commitment to excellence from providing a safe working environment for their employees, to catering to the unique needs of farmers and the equipment that they need. This company has proven consistently over time that, when the market sees a demand for a particular product or service, it is American entrepreneurs like those at Double L who will provide the solution. prgtoken With considerable success and trust earned from Double L's loyal clients, the company is still moving forward. Double L has shipped its equipment built in the United States to countries such as China, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel. This equipment has enabled farmers all across the globe who just a few years ago were harvesting their potatoes by hand to now efficiently complete their harvest using the equipment designed for their unique farms and crop yields, helping them to become su
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1, TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-12-19

I was saying that the actual medicine, the ingredient is produced here, but the actual medicine is produced in Ireland, solely because of our uncompetitive corporate tax. prgtoken Because of this tax reform, the company plans to grow dramatically here at home, employing hundreds of new workers. That is what the mean by tax breaks for the wealthy. prgtoken The proof of these policies will come over the next year, and every American will be able to decide for themselves if they are better off because of it. I am now highly confident their answer is going to be a resounding ``yes.''
REMEMBERING DOUG COE
James M. Inhofe (Republican, OK) \u2014 2017-12-19

that is not what I am here to talk about today. I would like to speak about someone who--I will put it this way: Way back in the 1950s, back when Eisenhower was President, three giants came to Washington, DC. Two of the three giants people know about and they have heard of and they are well known. One was Billy Graham. Oh, we remember Billy Graham still, right now, and the things he has done. He has done more for Jesus and for God. Every time I get a chance to see something on TV that is from one of his past rallies, I do so. prgtoken Another one who came, of the three giants who came, was Bill Bright. Some may not remember who Bill Bright was. He was the founder of the Campus Crusade for Christ. He was the guy who actually started--people are not aware of this in the general public, but we actually have events two times a week; one is a Prayer Breakfast and one is a Bible study. Bill Bright was the one who started that. So everyone has heard of Bill Bright and the Campus Crusade for Christ. prgtoken The third giant who came in no one has heard of, and his name was Doug Coe. This is Doug Coe. Doug Coe came with the other two giants, and he really changed America. He died last February 21. I purposely, for an obvious reason my colleagues will find out in a minute, waited until now to talk very much about him. prgtoken You see, people think of Doug Coe as having been someone who was a great diplomat, he had political influence and all that. There is an article written not long ago, and I will read this to you because he did things like that. He did it second only to his real mission in life. prgtoken The article goes like this: The extent of Coe's influence in American politics is [real]. . . . important figures have acknowledged his role on the national and international stage. For instance, speaking at the 1990 National Prayer Breakfast, President George H.W. praised Coe for his quiet diplomacy. prgtoken I don't ever remember in the years I have known him that he ever raised his voice. He was always a quiet diplomat. [Doug Coe] was a behind-the-scenes player at the Camp David Accords in 1978, working with President Jimmy Carter to issue a worldwide call to prayer with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. In 2000, Coe met with the top economic officials of Pakistan as a ``special envoy.'' Coe met with President George H.W. as he hosted a luncheon with Iraq's ambassador to the United States in the mid-1980s. In 2001, Coe helped arrange a private meeting between two warring leaders. prgtoken By the way, I was there so I remember this firsthand. That was the President of Congo, Joe Kabila, and the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame. I was there during the National Prayer Breakfast, and he had these two Presidents of warring countries in there to talk to them in the spirit of Jes
NO HUMAN TRAFFICKING ON OUR ROADS ACT
John Katko (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-12-19

I would like to thank my colleague for yielding. prgtoken , I am proud to rise in favor of S. 1532, the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill strengthens our Nation's efforts to combat human trafficking. prgtoken As a former organized crime prosecutor for two decades both on the Northern border and on the Southern border, I have seen firsthand the horrors of human trafficking. Too often, human traffickers take advantage of our Nation's transportation network to transport their victims from one location to the next. prgtoken The U.S. Department of Transportation and the transportation industry play a critical role in preventing and stopping these heinous exploitations. I want to commend the trucking industry for their commitment in training drivers to identify instances of human trafficking through organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking. prgtoken Truck drivers are often a critical asset in helping law enforcement identify victims who otherwise might go unseen. However, an isolated few individuals have taken advantage of their position to illegally traffic innocent people. We must stop this from occurring. prgtoken Earlier this year, alongside my good friend, Congresswoman Esty, I introduced H.R. 3814, the identical House companion to this bill. While the vast majority of our Nation's truck drivers are hardworking, honest men and women, our bill is necessary to ensure that the select few who commit these crimes are brought to justice. prgtoken I am grateful for the chairman's support in moving our bill through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and bringing this important issue before the floor of the House. I would also like to thank outside organizations, like the National District Attorneys Association, for supporting this legislation. prgtoken Again, I would like to thank Representative Esty and Senators Thune and Klobuchar for their bipartisan, bicameral leadership in this matter.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT--CONFERENCE REPORT
Dean Heller (Republican, NV) \u2014 2017-12-19

we are nearing the finish line this week on providing Nevadans and all Americans the real tax relief that they deserve and that they have been promised. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I have been fighting every day for the Senate to stay in Washington--even 24/7--until the job gets done. Today, we are getting the job done. That is because I know just how critical middle- class tax relief is for the people in my home State of Nevada. Let me tell you why. prgtoken The majority of Americans are not only struggling to get ahead, they are struggling to just get by. It has been reported that nearly 8 in 10 Americans who work full time are living paycheck to paycheck. That is a slight increase from previous years. prgtoken If you live in Nevada, you are more likely to be living paycheck to paycheck than if you were to live in most other States. To put that into perspective, housing costs are reported to consume nearly a quarter of Nevadans' prgtoken paychecks. One report suggests that after the cost-of-living expenses are taken out of their paychecks, the average Nevadan has a little more than $700 left. During a recent telephone townhall, I heard from a teacher in Las Vegas who spoke about her stagnant wages. This teacher, like most Americans, has not seen a meaningful pay raise in years. prgtoken But right now, for many Americans, it is not so much about getting a raise as it is getting back to where they once were. In Nevada, the real median household income is $7,000 lower today than it was in 2007. Let me repeat that. In Nevada, the real median household income is $7,000 lower today than it was 10 years ago. At the same time, childcare expenses have skyrocketed. In this country, the average cost for an infant in center-based care can be as high as $17,082 per year. By the way, that is more than a semester at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It is more than a semester at the University of Nevada, Reno. In Nevada, that means that the average single parent could spend as much as 36 percent of his or her annual income to send an infant to center-based care. prgtoken Given rising housing and childcare expenses alone, middle-class families in Nevada and around this country are having a hard time covering day-to-day expenses and planning for their futures. Nearly one in five Americans has nothing set aside to cover an unexpected emergency, while nearly one in three Americans doesn't have at least $500 to cover an unexpected emergency expense. So it is fair to say, in Nevada at least, that the recession has never really ended. prgtoken Under the failed economic policies of the administration, Nevadans suffered through 8 years of historically low economic growth. Think about that. In those 8 years, the average economic growth was less than 2 percent. As a result, wages and workers suffered, job creation suffered, and middle-class Americans suffered. prgtoken We are now at a crossroads
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1, TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Tom Reed (Republican, NY) \u2014 2017-12-19

I thank the chairman for yielding to me. prgtoken And to the colleague from New York, to all of the people you referenced in the middle class, I say: Hell yes, they are going to be helped by this bill. prgtoken And do you know what it is going to do? It is going to let them keep the money in their pocket that they earned, the $1,600, for the average resident in my district. prgtoken And what it is also going to do, , is it is going to create jobs. prgtoken And what does a job do for a person? prgtoken I will tell you what it does. It not only puts money in their pockets, , but we are going to have a new wave of optimism. We are going to have a new wave of opportunity, where people will be able to go to work, soil their hands, and earn their livelihood, which gives them dignity, which gives them pride, and gives them honor. prgtoken This is a new day in America. And with tax reform and tax cuts coming, I say to all of my colleagues: Join us to stand for those hardworking Americans, give them their money, and allow us to give hope and opportunity to all of them going forward.