mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
Trump-Putin Summit (Executive Calendar)
Jeff Flake (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2018-7-17

. Thank you. I will just be a moment. prgtoken , I appreciate the comments from my ic colleagues and hope that more of my colleagues will speak about the spectacle yesterday in Helsinki. prgtoken I said yesterday that I never thought I would see the President of the United States stand with the President of Russia and blame the United States for Russian aggression. I said yesterday that that was shameful. I feel the same today. prgtoken Today, the President said that the press conference had been misinterpreted by the fake news media. I would say to the President that we all watched the press conference, and it wasn't the fake news media that sided with the Russian President over our own intelligence agencies; it was you. prgtoken This body must stand and reaffirm that we stand with the men and women in the Department of Justice who have brought these 12 indictments against individuals from the Russian Federation who interfered with our elections. We must say that we stand with our NATO allies and we stand with those in the EU; that they are not foes, they are friends. We must stand up to the real adversaries we have. Right now, Russia is an adversary. I hope the President will realize that. I hope he will take the word of the men and women of the Department of Justice and the entire intelligence agencies rather than the empty words of a dictator. prgtoken With that, .
PRO BONO WORK TO EMPOWER AND REPRESENT ACT OF 2018
Bob Goodlatte (Republican, VA) \u2014 2018-7-17

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , today I am pleased to be voting on S. 717, the Pro bono Work to Empower and Represent Act of 2018, otherwise known as the POWER Act. prgtoken The POWER Act directs that each year the chief judge in each judicial district across the country hold at least one event in partnership with domestic violence service providers or volunteer lawyer projects to promote pro bono legal services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. prgtoken Lawyers play a critical role in combating domestic violence. Not only do government prosecutors enforce criminal laws, but in the civil realm, lawyers may provide legal representation in matters such as civil protection order applications which ultimately help keep victims safe from their abusers. prgtoken While victims are able to apply for these orders pro se, as this bill makes clear, legal representation increases the possibility of successfully obtaining a protective order against an attacker, which prevents further mental and physical injury to a victim and his or her family. One study has found that 83 percent of victims represented by an attorney were able to obtain a protective order, whereas only 32 percent of victims without an attorney were able to do so. prgtoken Federal courts already promote many pro bono programs in their judicial districts and have access to local attorneys who may be able to volunteer to work with domestic violence victims. This bill not only requires a public event in each Federal judicial district for every year during a 4-year period, it also requires an additional public event to be held every 2 years during the 4-year period in districts that contain Tribes or Tribal organizations that specifically focus on encouraging pro bono legal services for Indian or Alaska Native victims of domestic violence. prgtoken I would like to thank Senator Sullivan from Alaska for introducing this bill and shepherding it through the Senate. And I would like to thank Mr. Kennedy from the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts for introducing this bill in the House. This is an extremely important issue, and I hope it will make a real difference in increasing legal services to victims. prgtoken , I urge my colleagues to support the POWER Act, and .
JOBS AND INVESTOR CONFIDENCE ACT OF 2018
Bill Huizenga (Republican, MI) \u2014 2018-7-17

I thank the chairman for the opportunity to lead this effort. prgtoken , the United States has the strongest, deepest, and most liquid markets in the world, which has helped hardworking Americans save for everything from college, to home ownership, to retirement. prgtoken However, over time, our capital markets have become, frankly, less stable, less efficient, and less liquid due to the one-size-fits-all securities regulations currently in place. In fact, small and midsized companies, which are the heartbeat of the American economy, are struggling the most because of this outdated regulatory structure. They have the most difficult time obtaining the necessary capital and financial resources needed in order to expand and create jobs because they are drowning in regulation and increased compliance costs. prgtoken Although the bipartisan Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, JOBS Act, back from a few years ago was an important first step in helping appropriately tailor regulation and promote capital formation, particularly for the small and emerging growth companies, it is clear that Congress needs to do more. prgtoken Today's bill, the JOBS and Investor Confidence Act, is a compilation of 32 bipartisan bills that will promote capital formation and ensure that our regulatory structure is appropriately tailored to allow the free flow of capital, strengthen job creation, and increase economic growth. prgtoken , our economy is finally starting to fire on all cylinders. With this reform-minded legislation, we can further unleash American innovation, economic growth, and job creation while providing greater investment opportunities for Mr. and Mrs. 401(k). Today, we can deliver some very commonsense regulatory relief, while also providing an important layer of investor protections, and make our capital markets even more efficient. prgtoken By voting in support of this important progrowth jobs package, we can open the door to innovation, enhance small-business job creation, and increase opportunity for hardworking Americans in west Michigan and across the Nation. prgtoken , I urge all my colleagues to support S. 488, the JOBS and Investor Confidence Act, and, again, I say thank you to the chairman, the ranking member, and my subcommittee chair as well for their work.
Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh (Executive Calendar)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-7-17

as I have done two or three times before in the last week, I would take some of my colleagues' time to discuss the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. prgtoken I think the debate surrounding his confirmation has highlighted the deep divide between how conservatives view the role of the judiciary versus how liberals view it. The reason liberal outside groups oppose Judge Kavanaugh's nomination is quite simple: They don't think he will promote their preferred policies and the outcomes of those policies while on the Bench. prgtoken I can't think of a better example that demonstrates how differently liberals and conservatives view the role of the judiciary, so let me tell you how I and most Americans view the role of the judiciary. There are pretty simple things we learned from high school government courses about the checks and balances of government--pretty simple, pretty common sense, because it is all about the purpose of the Constitution of the United States. prgtoken Under the Constitution, we have three branches of government. Congress makes the law, the President enforces the law, and the judiciary interprets and applies the law and the Constitution. prgtoken The judiciary's role as a coequal and independent branch of government is significant. It is confined. In the words from the Constitution, they can only deal with cases and controversies. As Alexander Hamilton explained in Federalist Paper No. 78, the judiciary ``may truly be said to have neither FORCE nor WILL, but merely judgment.'' In other words, the judiciary must stay in its lane--a very slow lane--calling balls and strikes as the courts see them, without trying to encroach on Congress's authority to make policy through the legislative process. When the Supreme Court goes beyond its mandate and enters the policymaking arena, it threatens the structure of our Constitution. prgtoken To preserve the judiciary's independence, Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed for life. They are not directly accountable to the voters for prgtoken their decisions. The American people can toss out those of us in Congress if we make bad policy decisions, but if a judge ends up legislating, we are stuck with a judge who made those bad decisions for life. prgtoken The benefit of this arrangement is that judges can make decisions according to the laws, not based on the whims of political opinion because they are immune from that political opinion. But the downside is that some judges can see their independence as a green light to override the policy choices of Congress or the States and substitute their own policy preferences. The threat this poses to self-government should be very self-evident: Instead of the people's representatives making policy choices, unelected judges who aren't answerable to the American people make them. prgtoken Conservatives believe that judges must rule according to the law
IN HONOR OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE MAY FAMILY FOUNDATION
Barbara Comstock (Republican, VA) \u2014 2018-7-17

I rise to recognize an extraordinary leader, colleague, and dear friend, Delegate Joe T. May, as well as his wife Bobby and their two daughters, Elaine and Beth. They are honored today for their incredible philanthropic contributions to Virginia Tech College of Engineering. prgtoken Delegate May's life and legislative legacy is certainly one to be recognized as it is full of service to his constituents, commonwealth, and country. It was Delegate May's electrical engineering degree from Virginia Tech that jumpstarted his long and successful career as a businessman, engineer, and dedicated public servant. prgtoken Delegate May's experience as only one of a few professional engineers in the entire General Assembly enabled him to play an integral role in passing numerous legislative initiates, including a bill to establish the House Science and Technology Committee, of which he would later serve as chair. When I served in the House of Delegates with Joe May, I was honored to serve on this committee with him. He was a trusted and valued colleague to all who worked with him. This year, Delegate May and his family have gifted his alma mater, Virginia Tech College of Engineering, with $5 million dollars for a pilot program to aid students who will be the first generation college students. His generous gift will inspire many hopeful students to pursue their dreams of a successful career, just as Delegate May did. prgtoken With this donation, the college will be able to recruit 60 promising first-generation students from across Virginia into a four-year pre- college educational program in the field of engineering. The overall project is expected to provide 300 students with the gateway to pursue engineering degrees, as well as the monumental courage that will excel their careers for life. These students will experience an interactive engineering discipline, made possible through labs and a mentoring system. prgtoken Delegate May is the true embodiment of a public servant and an accomplished engineer. This donation to Virginia Tech's College of Engineering will, in this important age of technology and innovation, provide students from across the state of Virginia with valuable educational opportunities and, without a doubt, will positively impact their lives. prgtoken , it is my honor to recognize Delegate May and the May Family Foundation for this extraordinary investment to future and prospective engineers, businesspeople, and leaders. This impact which will touch so many young lives will be forever valued as a selfless act meant to serve as a building block for a greater society. I look forward to Delegate Joe T. May's ongoing contributions to future generations of Virginia students, and I wish him and the entire May family the best in their future endeavors.
Tariffs (Executive Session)
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-7-17

I particularly enjoyed the remarks of my distinguished friend from Texas, a good man, who makes a real difference around here. prgtoken I rise today to speak on the administration's recent actions regarding global tariff policy. I am one of the President's strongest supporters in most matters. I have been steadfast in working with President on our shared economic agenda, especially passage of the most important piece of tax reform legislation in a generation. prgtoken Tax reform is already providing significant relief to families and businesses, large and small. Businesses across the country are now more globally competitive and are investing in their workforce through wage hikes, bonuses, and increased 401(k) contributions that are benefiting American workers, families, and their communities. But this roaring economy, which we worked together to build for American workers and businesses, is at risk because of the President's trade policies. prgtoken Tariffs against our allies and partners in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and around the world are already harming American farmers and manufacturers and raising costs for American families. If this continues, our economy will suffer. prgtoken I have long advocated for implementing enforceable international rules to level the playing field for American businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs, and I have consistently fought to protect U.S. intellectual property rights around the globe. I have also been committed to advancing a trade agenda that serves the American people. But the administration's recent actions are misguided and will harm, rather than protect, the American people. prgtoken The administration has implemented or threatened global tariffs on approximately $500 billion of goods. Pure and simple, tariffs are attacks on American businesses and consumers. These actions put American families and businesses at risk and threaten to undermine the success of tax reform. Furthermore, they are closing off international markets that our farmers, ranchers, and other exporters depend on. prgtoken I have heard from businesses from my home State of Utah that have already been hurt by the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs. Utah manufacturers are struggling with higher steel and aluminum costs and, as a result, are struggling to compete with foreign manufacturers. prgtoken I have also been hearing from U.S. auto manufacturers and share their deep concerns about the consequences of raising tariffs on cars, trucks, and automotive parts. A decision to raise auto tariffs would lead to a net job loss and lower capital investment in the U.S. auto sector by increasing costs and reducing choice. The result will be lower demand for cars in the United States and lower auto sales and production. prgtoken While I share the administration's goal of strengthening American manufacturing, tariffs on cars and auto parts would directly injure one of our country's m
JOBS AND INVESTOR CONFIDENCE ACT OF 2018
Tom Emmer (Republican, MN) \u2014 2018-7-17

I rise today in support of the JOBS and Investor Confidence Act of 2018. prgtoken Terms like ``capital formation,'' ``liquidity,'' and ``qualified investor'' may sound like Washington jargon. In reality, they represent a few of the many important building blocks that drive our markets and create jobs and opportunity around our country. prgtoken On the heels of the largest regulatory relief effort in nearly a decade, the JOBS Act 3.0 will breathe new light into the entrepreneurial spirit that makes our country so special. prgtoken This package of nonpartisan reforms includes several policy changes to help small businesses and startups access the most liquid and vibrant markets in the world, including the text of our Main Street Growth Act, which the House unanimously adopted last week. prgtoken I appreciate the efforts of the chairman and the ranking member to bring this significant legislation to the floor, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support the continued growth of our economy and to vote ``yes'' on the JOBS Act 3.0.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
Paul A. Gosar (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2018-7-17

. Mr. Chair, originally, this legislation was intended to help 1,000 families. We have helped more than 3,600 Navajo families and 27 Hopi families. prgtoken When we talk about the comprehensive plan, maybe we ought to get everybody in order to make sure that plan is acceptable by everybody before we keep throwing money at the problem. prgtoken Mr. Chair, once again, I am in opposition. Once again, it is four decades past its time. We don't get resolution on this aspect without putting some force behind it. There has to be finality to this. This cannot keep going on. Without putting some finality to the finances, we will see this continue over and over again. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and .
HONORING ROTARY CLUB OF CLAYTON'S 2018 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2018-7-17

I rise today to recognize the eight individuals honored by the Rotary Club of Clayton this year. prgtoken Members of the Rotary Club of Clayton dedicate their time to their neighbors by illustrating the club's motto of ``Service Above Self.'' prgtoken The Rotary Club gave its annual Wheel Award and J.C. Dover Wheel Award to Dan McAfee of Rabun County Habitat for Humanity and Dr. Guy Glover, respectively. Jim Antosiak received the W. Lee Arrendale Award for demonstrating altruism, strong vocation, and ethical standards. prgtoken Additionally, three first responders were recognized for their strength during times of crisis. Tony Lima received the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award, James Reed received the Firefighter of the Year award, and Mike Carnes received the Paramedic of the Year award. prgtoken Mary Beth Brundage received the Jean Professional Award, and the Rotary Club presented Tim Ranney with the Golden ``R'' Award--an honor given to a Rotarian who strives to improve the community and club as a whole. prgtoken , I congratulate this year's award recipients and look forward to the continued impact that their service will have on the community.
TRIBUTE TO ROCCO SICILIANO
Pat Roberts (Republican, KS) \u2014 2018-7-17

today I wish to commemorate the life of Rocco Siciliano, of Beverly Hills, CA. This combat-decorated veteran of World War II served his Nation as an infantry platoon leader in the 10th Mountain Infantry Division in Italy, earned the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Army Special Commendation Medal. He and thousands of his fellow countrymen served as soldiers in the liberation of Europe under Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, a fellow Kansan and personal hero of mine. Rocco later served in President Eisenhower's administration, first as an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Labor from 1953 to 1957, then as Special Assistant to the President for Personnel Management policies from 1957 to 1959. This leads me to the reason I rise today. prgtoken Rocco Siciliano, after decades of service to our Nation in many significant roles and having secured many accomplishments over his illustrious career in both the public and private sectors, was elected chairman of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission in 2001. Joined on the commission by fellow decorated World War II combat veterans, Senators Daniel Inouye and Ted Stevens, Rocco led the commission whose congressionally mandated mission is to create a national memorial to our 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Rocco successfully led the Commission for 14 years before stepping down as chair in 2015. As Rocco's successor as chair of the Commission, I feel I must recognize him for his significant accomplishments. During his tenure, Rocco guided the commission through the processes of memorial site selection and the design competition. His remarkable and steadfast work has helped the commission get us to this memorable juncture. The memorial to Ike is under construction in our Nation's Capital, between 4th and 6th Streets on Independence Avenue, Southwest. Rocco continues to serve as chair emeritus on the commission as one of the four Presidentially appointed commissioners. The commission seeks to dedicate the completed memorial to Ike on May 8, 2020, the 75th anniversary of V-E Day. prgtoken Speaking on behalf of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, I wish to recognize Rocco's patriotism, leadership, perseverance, and tenacity that have been of great benefit to our Nation. He has been a valued colleague in this monumental endeavor, and I stand to honor him today.
INVESTING IN AMERICAN WORKERS
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-7-17

I recently introduced the Skills Investment Act of 2018 with Congressman Derek Kilmer to allow American workers to invest in their own futures. prgtoken This bill would create lifelong learning accounts workers could use to pay for skills-based education, career-related learning, and professional development. In an ever-changing economy, I know that such accounts would be put to good use. prgtoken As co-chair of the bipartisan House Career and Technical Education Caucus, I fully support expanding access to skills-based educational opportunities and professional development. prgtoken The tax treatment of these savings accounts would be similar to a health savings account. Mid-career workers could contribute up to $4,000 tax free each year, with a maximum contribution limit of $10,000. Employers would receive a 25 percent tax credit for contributions to a worker's account. Workers of all ages can use the account at any time to learn skills to make them more competitive as the economy changes. prgtoken This bill is a commonsense approach to investing in the American worker. I encourage my colleagues to cosponsor it today.