mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
HONORING THE DEDICATION OF THE BALL FAMILY
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-8-6

we have just heard a discussion of the issue of tax reform, and my colleague across the aisle has said there should be no corporate minimum tax on corporations, and yet Americans know that billionaire companies one after the other--some of the most profitable companies in our entire country, companies like Amazon-- don't pay a single cent in tax. prgtoken They use our legal system. They use our road system. They use our education system. They use it all in vast quantities and don't contribute a single dime. One single ordinary worker does more to pay for all of the infrastructure these massive companies utilize than the company does. prgtoken It is about time corporations that make massive profits pay something, and 15 percent isn't even their fair share. And it is part of a global agreement to hold corporations accountable, so they don't skip from one country to another, to another, to another, evading everyone everywhere. prgtoken My colleague also said a lot about why we should not put a 1 percent tax on stock buybacks. Let's understand what stock buybacks are. First of all, a president of a company works to get a board, and that board is compensated, and then that board makes lots of decisions about, well, the welfare of the top executives. They set the salaries for the top executives, and then they give them stock options. prgtoken Now, if you have a stock option and then your company buys back stock, every share gets more valuable; you make a massive amount of money. This is a corrupt system. It does nothing to further the investment of the company and the productivity of America. It does nothing to increase the R&D--research and development--that goes into new products. It does nothing to make their product more price competitive. prgtoken It is ``enrich the rich'' scheme, and putting a 1 percent fee on that to help pay for all of the infrastructure the companies use is certainly more than appropriate. In fact, we should simply ban the stock buybacks. This is a very, very modest reform in the right direction. prgtoken It is the case that in this Chamber, under the stock provisions, prgtoken 1 year after another under their tax provisions, they have basically enabled the billionaires and corporations to escape any contribution to the welfare of our country. That is wrong. These tax reforms are right, and the healthcare provisions will help. prgtoken They are not nearly as powerful as I would like to see, certainly. I want to negotiate every single drug, the way the Veterans' Administration does, the way every foreign country does, every developed country does. We should get the best prices, not the worst in the developed world. prgtoken And in climate, while this, again, doesn't do everything I want, the investments in solar and wind will drive a bold, determined transition from fossil fuel energy to renewable energy. prgtoken We have to electrify everything with renewable energy. If
TRIBUTE TO KARISHMA MERCHANT
Tim Kaine (Democrat, VA) \u2014 2022-8-6

the last thing I want to say is a thank- you. I have a staffer in the room, Karishma Merchant, who has staffed me on the HELP Committee since before I was on the HELP Committee, and she is leaving me to take a wonderful job at Jobs for the Future to continue her passion for workforce and education. prgtoken She has helped me on childcare, on issues battling campus sexual assault, career and technical education, and teacher training. Everything I have done in the education and workforce space and on the committee has been because I had a fantastic staffer pointing me in the right direction. She is here in the Chamber, and I want to finish by expressing my thanks to her. prgtoken .
HONORING THE DEDICATION OF THE BALL FAMILY
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-8-6

I rise in opposition to my friend's amendment. We all agree here that taxpayers with less than $400,000 in taxable income should not face a tax increase. And there is language already--and I would like to note this--in the enforcement section of the bill that says just that. prgtoken But the Crapo amendment goes much further than that. It applies--and I quote here--``to taxpayers with taxable income.'' prgtoken And as Americans have learned recently, billionaires often have little or no taxable income for years on end. prgtoken So under this amendment, the billionaires who live off their borrowings would be immune from audit, and that would invite further tax avoidance. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Vote on Amendment No. 5404
IN HONOR OF ESCALON'S ONE HUNDREDTH PARK FETE
Josh Harder (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2022-8-9

. Madam , I rise today to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of Escalon, California's Park Fete. The Park Fete is a remarkable, multi-day celebration that brings the community together and further forges the bonds that are at the heart of Escalon's character. prgtoken What began in 1922 as a lawn party to celebrate and raise funds for the town's Main Street Park has blossomed into an annual event that residents look forward to all year long. Produced from a community of just 7,000 people, the Park Fete includes carnival rides, live entertainment, food booths, pageants, and a 10k run among numerous other events. It is a wonderful occasion wherein neighbors socialize, children enjoy the bliss of summer vacation, and the whole town feels a sense of unity. prgtoken More than just a celebration, the Park Fete is a direct reflection of Escalon and its residents. An idyllic small town with safe streets, superb schools, and a welcoming environment, Escalon's ethos has been cultivated through generations of community service. The sentiment that reverberates throughout the town can best be summed by Escalon's mission statement: ``Taking pride in our community through quality service.'' Nowhere else is this pride more profoundly depicted than through the Park Fete, which is only made possible by generous donations from local business leaders, countless volunteers, and organizers who plan months in advance. prgtoken It is precisely events like the Park Fete that truly represent the best in us. I am immensely proud of the people of Escalon who, through their hard work, selflessness, and commitment to one another, have kept the Park Fete alive and well for a century.
INTRODUCTION OF THE AFGHAN ADJUSTMENT ACT
Earl Blumenauer (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2022-8-9

. Madam , today I introduced the Afghan Adjustment Act. This legislation would establish a pathway to permanent legal status for newly arrived Afghans displaced at the end of the 20- year U.S. mission in Afghanistan. prgtoken Without this legislation, the tens of thousands of Afghans who were admitted to the United States under temporary humanitarian parole, including those who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan during the past 20 years, face tremendous legal uncertainty. These Afghans can only pursue permanent legal status in the United States through the asylum system or, for those who are eligible, the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. Both paths have substantial backlogs, long processing times, and logistical obstacles for these individuals. prgtoken I first became involved in the cause of Afghan allies nearly 15 years ago after being contacted by a social studies class from Portland's Lincoln High School. Those discussions prompted me to work with former Senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy to create the Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programs. Ever since, I have continued to work to strengthen these critical programs and provide a permanent, safe outcome for the brave men and women who risked their lives to help the United States. prgtoken Congress must keep our commitment to provide safe, legal refuge to the those who willingly put their lives on the line to support U.S. mission in Afghanistan. Following previous wartime evacuations and humanitarian crises, including the Vietnam War and the rise of Castro in Cuba, Congress has provided a legal adjustment process for those evacuated to the United States and should do so once again, without delay. prgtoken I look forward to working with my co-leads, Representatives Peter Meijer, Jerry Nadler, Adam Kinzinger, Zoe Lofgren, Mariannette Miller- Meeks, Jason Crow, Fred Upton, and Scott Peters in the House and Senators Amy Klobuchar, Lindsey Graham, Chris Coons, Roy Blunt, Richard Blumenthal, and Lisa Murkowski in the Senate to enact this legislation and finally establish a path forward for Afghans admitted to the United States on humanitarian status.
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RAYMOND COALITION FOR YOUTH
Chris Pappas (Democrat, NH) \u2014 2022-8-9

. Madam , I rise today to commemorate 20 years of operation of the Raymond Coalition for Youth (RCFY), one of my state's leaders in youth substance use prevention. Since 2002, RCFY has promoted positive youth development to reduce the risk of substance abuse and other risky behaviors. For the past 20 years, they have increased available substance use prevention resources and created impactful partnerships from the federal level on down. Today RCFY continues to address the urgent needs impacting the wellbeing for our children in the Granite State. By educating and nurturing our youth, they are ensuring our next generation grows up with the support and mentorship needed to live healthy fulfilling lives. prgtoken The Raymond Coalition for Youth was founded in response to the higher-than-state-average levels of substance misuse in the Town of Raymond. The University of New Hampshire kickstarted the data collection, community planning, and information sharing that culminated in this non-profit's eventual formation. Now, for the first time in 20 years, the Town of Raymond reported lower substance misuse than the State of New Hampshire average. In response to New Hampshire's addiction crisis, RCFY has proved an adamant reminder on the power of community in mitigating the harms of substance abuse and empowering our youth to lead healthy lives. Through student engagement, education, and advocacy RCFY has become a respected leader in the prevention space. prgtoken The Raymond Coalition for Youth is representative of the community's multi-pronged approach that must encompass all levels of government in keeping our neighborhoods safe. I am honored to issue sincere congratulations for the efforts of the dedicated staff and students involved in this prevention work. I am proud to represent the Raymond Coalition for Youth as today's changemakers in New Hampshire's First Congressional District.
INTRODUCTION OF THE INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN 501(c)(4) ORGANIZATIONS ACT OF 2022
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democrat, DC) \u2014 2022-8-9

. Madam , today, I introduce the Increased Transparency in 501(c)(4) Organizations Act of 2022. This bill would require the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make publicly available the forms organizations that self-declare under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) file with the IRS. Americans have the right to know which organizations are operating under this section of the IRC. prgtoken To be eligible for tax-exempt status under 501(c)(4), organizations, often referred to as ``social welfare organizations,'' must be ``devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.'' They can apply for 50l(c)(4) status, or they can self- declare. Previously, organizations seeking to self-declare were not required to notify the IRS of their existence. In 2015, however, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act), which required an organization seeking to self-declare to file a notice with the IRS, was enacted into law. The PATH Act did not, however, make the filed notices, Form 8976, subject to public disclosure. prgtoken The IRS has opined that Form 8976 cannot be made available under the Freedom of Information Act or other disclosure laws. This opinion creates a discrepancy between those organizations for which the IRS must make publicly available information--all Section 501(c)(3) organizations and 501(c)(4) organizations that applied for that status--and self-declared 501(c)(4) organizations. This discrepancy appears to have been inadvertently created by the PATH Act. prgtoken My bill would fix this discrepancy by requiring the IRS to publicly disclose any filed Form 8976 upon request, thus allowing the public to know which organizations operate under 501(c)(4), as they do with organizations that operate under 501(c)(3). In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which allows unlimited expenditures in political campaigns by these ``social welfare'' organizations, greater transparency is needed. prgtoken I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
IN SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE OF THOMAS M. BROWN
Robert E. Latta (Republican, OH) \u2014 2022-8-9

. Madam , I along with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur rise today to recognize and remember the life of a dedicated educator and public servant. Thomas M. Brown, former mayor of Port Clinton, Ohio, who passed away at his residence surrounded by his loved ones on July 10, 2022. At the age of eighty-two, Tom lived a long, fulfilling life as a career educator and committed community leader. prgtoken Tom was born on June 25, 1940 in Pomeroy, Ohio to Virgil and Nellie Brown. After graduating in 1958 from Pomeroy High School, he attended the University of Rio Grande, studying education. While attending Rio Grande, Tom met his wife, Helen Hurst, and they were married on June 16, 1962. Tom and Helen were married for sixty years and had a daughter and son: Kimberly Brown and Colonel Michael Brown. prgtoken Tom began his educational career at Plain Local Schools in Canton, Ohio as an elementary school teacher and transferred to Port prgtoken Clinton City Schools in 1966. During his twenty-five-year career in education, Tom served as a teacher, administrator, and coach. He would go on to earn a Master of Education from the University of Toledo and a Doctorate in Public Service from his alma mater, the University of Rio Grande. prgtoken In 1992, Tom retired from Port Clinton City Schools and began a new career in public service. He was a senior district representative for Congressman Paul Gillmor, and during that same time, also served as the President of the Port Clinton City Council. Tom left Congressman Gillmor's office after being elected Mayor of Port Clinton in 1995, a position he would hold for twelve years. prgtoken Tom always believed in service before self. During his life, he served as a Member of the Mayors Association of Ohio, Trustee to the Ottawa County Community Improvement Corporation, Chairman of the Economic Restructuring Committee of the Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and on the advisory boards for The Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, and University of Toledo. prgtoken In his community, Tom served as president for the Port Clinton Lions Club, Rotary Club, Education Association, and Friends of Camp Perry. He also served his community through involvement in a number of local nonprofits. He was an active member of the Elks Club; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, 32 Degree; Oliver Hazard Perry Masonic Lodge 341; Shriner Zenobia; and Dads Club of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2480. prgtoken Madam , we ask our colleagues to join us in paying special tribute to the life of Thomas Brown. On behalf of the people of Northwest Ohio, we recognize the devotion and compassion that Tom had for his family, students, and community.
HONORING THE LIFE OF ELWOOD POLICE OFFICER NOAH SHAHNAVAZ
Victoria Spartz (Republican, IN) \u2014 2022-8-9

. Madam , I rise today to honor the life and service of Elwood, Indiana police officer Noah Jacob Shahnavaz. Officer Shahnavaz was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 18, 1998. After graduating from Fishers High School in 2016, Officer Shahnavaz enlisted in the United States Army, where he served as a Sergeant in the 591st Military Police Company and was awarded the prgtoken distinguished Air Assault Badge. He was deployed to the Middle East and served in two border missions. prgtoken Following his honorable discharge after five years in the Army, Officer Shahnavaz answered the call to service once again and enrolled in the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, joining the Elwood Police Department in August 2021. After less than a year in the force, Officer Shahnavaz was killed in the line of duty on July 31, 2022, making the ultimate sacrifice for his community after a career dedicated to serving others. prgtoken The men and women of Indiana's 5th Congressional District mourn Officer Shahnavaz's tragic and untimely loss. As someone who exemplified selfless duty to community and country, he leaves a legacy and example worthy of our highest admiration. Officer Noah Jacob Shahnavaz is a true hero. He will never be forgotten.
IN HONOR OF THE LEADERSHIP OF DICK EASTMAN
Doug Lamborn (Republican, CO) \u2014 2022-8-9

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the leadership of Dick Eastman at Every Home for Christ in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With offices in over 150 nations, Every Home is a global ministry committed to reaching everyone with the gospel. prgtoken Dick has faithfully served at Every Home for over 40 years, 34 of them as the ministry's international president. During those years, Every Home opened more than 100 new ministry offices worldwide, saw the gospel reach more than two billion homes globally, and planted at least 400,000 new believer fellowships called Christ Groups. prgtoken In his role with Every Home, Dick has traveled more than 100 times around the world. Under his leadership, the ministry established its headquarters, The Jericho Center, in Colorado Springs, which has become a hub of prayer for the nations and ministry partnerships in our community. Dick has labored tirelessly to develop partnerships that span denominations, bringing together the Church in the United States and around the world for the sake of the gospel. prgtoken Dick has always been passionate about prayer and has developed numerous practical programs, resources, and teachings to call the world to worship. His Change the World School of Prayer is a multi-part seminar that has trained more than two million Christians in 120 nations on the power of prayer. prgtoken In addition to his leadership with Every Home, Dick is the author of numerous books on prayer and evangelism. He also serves as a founding member and president of America's National Prayer Committee. Several former presidents have invited Mr. Eastman to the Oval Office for prayer, advice, and fellowship. prgtoken Dick will continue serving the Every Home ministry as its chief prayer officer, providing spiritual and practical support for the organization as it moves into the future. He is truly a spiritual father in the Pikes Peak region, our Nation, and the world. prgtoken As Dick transitions into his new role with Every Home, it is my privilege to honor and thank him for his faithful service in Colorado Springs and across the globe.
RECOGNIZING MICHAEL BROWN
Mike Gallagher (Republican, WI) \u2014 2022-8-9

. Madam , today I rise to honor an outstanding public servant, Michael Brown. Mike has spent much of the last decade dedicated to highlighting the resurgence of a technology race in the era of great power competition. His actions have made him a standout in the industry and enables our security. prgtoken Mike draws from the idea that the entrepreneurial American spirit is what has led our nation to technological leadership. As a Presidential Innovation Fellow, Mike was one of the first in the national security space to take a hard look at the illegal technology transfer instigated by adversarial actors around the world. Mike co-authored a report that evaluated adversarial investments in emerging technology to access the crown jewels of U.S. innovation. This report not only highlights the threats posed to the U.S. military's supply chains, cybersecurity, and our nation's technological edge, but it also provided the intellectual underpinnings for the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) of 2018. prgtoken Further, as the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, Mike led a major effort to counter adversarial technology transfer. The National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) initiative is a new U.S. Department of Defense program charged with addressing the shortfall of private investment from trusted sources in technology startups developing dual- use hardware technologies--those which have both commercial and military applications. I was proud to work with Mike on this effort to reduce technical risk while attracting trusted private investments that might have otherwise sat on the sidelines. prgtoken As Mike returns to private life, it is my honor to recognize him for his contributions to national security. I invite all members of this body to join me in commending his spirit of service and thanking him for his many years and acts as a public servant protecting our nation.
BUILD BACK BETTER ACT
Kevin Hern (Republican, OK) \u2014 2022-8-12

. I rise today in strong opposition to the bill before us today. prgtoken Never in our history has the Federal Government responded to a recession by raising taxes on Americans. It is simply unthinkable. prgtoken Nearly everything our colleagues across the aisle have said about this bill has been proven false. I have noticed they have stopped calling it the inflation legislation because they know it is not true. They are hailing it as a climate and tax plan. I will give them that because this legislation will raise American taxes and give that money to handpicked socialist green companies. I wouldn't be proud of that if I were them. prgtoken What this bill will absolutely do is not reduce inflation. In fact, even liberal economists are warning it will do the exact opposite. prgtoken Just today, 56 percent of and 91 percent of Independents are now gravely concerned with the direction of our economy. I have received thousands of phone calls, text messages, and emails from my constituents over the last week pleading with me to stop this bill from passing. They understand what half of this Chamber does not. prgtoken When the Federal Government spends more, American families have less. I find nothing redeemable in this legislation and, therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote a resounding ``no.''