mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-10-4

just a few floors from here, I am in the Homeland Security Committee, and we are addressing issues dealing with the security of this Nation. And in my remarks on the legislation that we are dealing with, I expressed the pain of having this Congress come together in a bipartisan manner. I know a couple of sessions ago, we worked on a bipartisan border security bill. Sometimes America says enough is enough. They want us to work together. prgtoken This morning I rise to mourn and stand with those families--58 of them--who are feeling now an unspeakable pain. They are questioning how their loved one could be at a joyous country music festival and be massacred. prgtoken My hometown newspaper says it right: that the massacre in Vegas was an act of pure evil. prgtoken Those of us who believe in this flag, whether we kneel, whether we stand as we pledge, we know that America is the greatest country in the world; but when she is hurting, it is important for this Congress to act. prgtoken The comment that this is no time to discuss how we solve this unfettered violence, this massacre, this evil perpetrator, then that sentiment is a sentiment I hope will only be a small percentage of this body. prgtoken We have tried over and over again in any manner that we could to discuss fairly the idea of gun safety legislation, not the diminishing of the Second Amendment, as some made the argument, that the kneeling, take a knee, or ``I kneel'' was a diminishment of the First Amendment. It absolutely was not, because the First Amendment allows one to petition one's grievances. prgtoken In terms of the Second Amendment, the procedure of overturning a constitutional amendment would be a long journey, which would include the two Houses of Congress and the people of the United States. prgtoken Stop fueling fear that any manner of regulating the right to hold guns is in any way diminishing the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms. prgtoken It is ``enough is enough.'' There were hundreds of mothers and fathers outside of the Capitol this morning when stood up and called on this Congress and the to appoint a select committee, of which I join them in. Make it as large as it can be. Have people who will disagree. Take members of the jurisdictional committees and others who have experienced this violence. Let us solve this dirty problem. prgtoken It is dirty, for you cannot give any support to the idea of civilians having military-style weapons and taking them and preying on the innocent. prgtoken Beautiful young women, young men, mothers and fathers, grandparents now dead, and nothing but their faith will give to their family the hope that they may see them again, for we are God-fearing people in whatever faith we may have. prgtoken Our hope is vested in seeing our loved ones again, in particular in the Christian faith, and others have their ways of seeing their loved ones again. prgtoken There must be a ban on assault weapons
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, WA) \u2014 2017-10-4

. This budget resolution will lead us into that same hole, yet we know that this will only give s license to call for further cuts to critical programs like Medicare, Social Security, and education. prgtoken We know who wins under this budget resolution. It paves the way for a tax proposal that gives a huge tax cut to the wealthiest in our country. prgtoken Consider this: 80 percent of the tax cut goes to the top 1 percent by 2027; the average tax cut for the top 1 percent would be $207,000; for millionaires, the tax cut would provide $230,000 a year; and 42 million middle class households would face a tax increase, including those people earning between $50,000 and $150,000. prgtoken , this budget resolution is unfair to working families and to our country's future. I urge my colleagues to vote against this resolution. Let's work together on a moral budget blueprint that supports all Americans.
The Budget and Tax Reform (Executive Session)
Jeff Merkley (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-10-4

The most powerful words in our Constitution are the first three words: ``We the People.'' It sets out the mission statement for our Nation, or, as President Lincoln put it, a nation ``of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' Our Founders did not start out our Constitution with ``we the powerful'' or ``we the powerful and privileged.'' They didn't proceed to say that our form of government is all about the powerful and privileged ruling for themselves to make themselves richer at the expense of everyone else. prgtoken Thus, going back to the foundation, the vision of our Nation is appropriate because our colleagues have put forward a document--a budget--with a tax plan that is all about government for the powerful. It is all about self-serving government for the privileged. There is nothing about fighting for a foundation for ordinary people to be able to thrive here in the United States of America. prgtoken Indeed, the plan put forward by my colleagues is a plan fit for a king living in a gilded castle--maybe prgtoken fit for King living in Tower, but certainly not for working Americans living and striving to build the wealth of America. No, this is not a plan for them. This is a plan for the King s of our Nation, who believe they can deceive the country again and again by putting forward an argument that they are going to do something to help the people while writing it for themselves. prgtoken We can take a look at this and realize that the President himself leads that effort to do the sales pitch when he unveiled his tax plan at the National Association of Manufacturers last week. President said: ``My plan is for the working people.'' He said: ``There's very little benefit for people of wealth.'' And he went on to say: ``I don't benefit. I don't benefit.'' He repeated it twice. prgtoken Well, as soon as you look at the tax plan, you see that this is wrong. He sent out his other Secretaries to reinforce his message. Secretary Mnuchin showed up on the shows and said: ``The objective of the President is that rich people don't get tax cuts.'' Well, that is a little bit of lawyerly work there. He didn't want to confront the reality that this plan is all about tax cuts for the wealthy. So he said the objective wasn't to do that. prgtoken Well, let's talk about the reality. The bottom third economically here in America get zero help from the tax provisions in this plan-- none whatsoever. Plus, the broader budget slashes Medicaid by about $473 billion--you know, the one thing that has improved for working people. It has been tougher in a blue-collar communities to get a full- time job. It has been tougher to get a living wage. It has been tougher to save for retirement, with pensions disappearing and employer- supported retirement and savings plans disappearing. prgtoken One thing got better, and that is access to healthcare, thanks to Care. In
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. VIRGINIA KIMBROUGH
Alma S. Adams (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2017-10-4

I rise today to honor the phenomenal Dr. Virginia K. Newell, a mathematician, author, civil rights activist, teacher, elected official, mentor, and my Alpha Kappa Alpha soror. prgtoken Dr. Newell is an asset to North Carolina. We celebrate her 100th birthday today and honor her legacy as a voice for the voiceless. prgtoken A native of the triad, Dr. Newell graduated from Atkins High School in Winston-Salem before attending Talladega College in Alabama. She earned her master's degree from NYU and her doctorate of education from the University of Sarasota. prgtoken As an educator, she touched the lives of countless students at Washington and Ligon High Schools in Raleigh, Yale Summer High School, Shaw University, and Winston-Salem State University. As chairwoman of the mathematics department at WSSU for 20 years and later as professor emeritus, Dr. Newell is credited with bringing computers to that campus. prgtoken In Winston-Salem, Dr. Newell sought to make the greatest difference she could. She was elected as city alderwoman, serving for 16 years and always placing her constituents' needs first. She led numerous voter registration drives and co-chaired the Shirley Chisholm for President campaign in North Carolina. Even after retirement, Dr. Newell served as mentor and tutor to hundreds of students who continue to thank her for her firm approach and for expecting nothing but the best from them. prgtoken Dr. Newell's hard work and dedication to her students, constituents, and North Carolina is admirable and noteworthy. Indeed, she is a phenomenal woman, and I wish her a very happy 100th birthday.
MUNICIPAL FINANCE SUPPORT ACT OF 2017
Vicente Gonzalez (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-10-4

this bill requires federal banking regulators to define municipal obligations as liquid, readily marketable and investment grade. prgtoken Defining municipal securities in this way will allow financial institutions greater flexibility to manage their liquidity requirements and use their capital resources more impactfully and effectively. In short, this bill goes a long way to strengthen the liquidity risk management of banks, savings associations, and bank holding companies. prgtoken This bill does all this by redefining what qualifies as ``High Quality Liquid Assets''. Currently HQLAs are defined as U.S. Treasuries, Government Debt, Investment Grade Corporate Debt, and Excess Reserves held by the Fed. Notably absent from that list are Municipal Securities. prgtoken Better public policy calls for such securities to be redefined as HQLAs. This is important, because Municipal Securities are issued for vital purposes such as transportation projects, housing developments, healthcare and recreational facilities, as well as bridges, schools and hospitals. prgtoken The current exclusion of Municipal securities from the HQLA definition reduces the eligible pool of potential purchasers of municipal issuances. This results in increased borrowing costs for our state and local governments, especially during times of economic stress. Simply put, high quality liquid municipal bonds (issued by U.S. states and local governments) should not be viewed as inferior to that of foreign sovereign debt. In fact, our domestic municipal issuances often have superior credit quality and market liquidity than do many foreign issuances. prgtoken The exclusion also discourages banks and other financial institutions from holding investment grade municipal securities and is causing many bank holding companies and national banks to retreat from investing in such securities, thereby forcing state and local governments to scale back spending on roads, schools, and other infrastructure projects. prgtoken Various former governors of the Federal Reserve have already suggested that some local and state debt is comparable to that of very liquid corporate bonds. Chairman Yellen herself has frequently declared her support of the expanded treatment of municipal securities as HQLAs. prgtoken According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, our states and local governments expect to confront an infrastructure spending gap of over $2 Trillion dollars over the next 10 years. Let's pass this bill now so that the American people get the country they deserve.
REMEMBERING AUGUST ``GUS'' SCHUMACHER, JR.
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2017-10-4

I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to August ``Gus'' Schumacher, Jr who passed away on September 24. Gus was an altruist who dedicated his life to discovering ways to help both farmers and those who are hungry, both here in the United States and abroad. His integrity, creativity, and his great courage over decades to sustain a passionate commitment to assisting the poor and hungry, as well as our farmers and rural communities, leaves an immeasurable legacy that will not soon be forgotten. prgtoken I have known Gus since his days in Massachusetts. From the first time I met him, it was clear his passion was infectious. He brought that passion and his creative ideas to us here in Congress when he was the Massachusetts secretary of agriculture. It was that passion that propelled Senator Kerry and me to craft the first legislation--which became law--to create a farmers' market coupon demonstration project in 10 States. In 1988, the first year of the demonstration program, we secured $2 million in the Agriculture appropriations bill for the Women, Infants and Children, WIC, Farmers Market Demonstration Project. I was--and remain--proud that Vermont was one of those 10 States chosen for the initial WIC Farmers Market Demonstration Project. Now, nearly 30 years later, the program helps over 7 million nutritionally at risk women, infants, and children across the United States. None of this would have been possible without Gus's brilliant innovation, determination, and leadership. prgtoken Gus put into action his innovative ideas first in Massachusetts and then across the country and around the world with his work at the Foreign Agricultural Service and as Under Secretary of Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service. His work led to a greater emphasis on organizing direct marketing, farmers' co-ops, farmers' markets, crop diversifications, and expanding opportunities for farmer-owned packaging, distributing, and processing facilities. More recently, his leadership and endless resourcefulness was on display through his work at Wholesome Wave. For Gus, the only things that mattered were that there were struggling farmers and hungry people who needed help. It did not matter where because Gus understood that hunger transcends all languages and cultures. prgtoken We were fortunate to have Gus come to Vermont several times, both during his work at the USDA and Wholesome Wave. During his visits with the USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service, Gus's unflinching public service was always on display. He came to meet with the farmers, the food processors, and the dairy co-ops. He came to help Vermonters improve their lives, and I will always be grateful for that. prgtoken His recent passing reminds all of us of the need to continue his fight. The fight for the hungry, for our farmers, and for the constant work of more fully realizing America's potential as both a great and a good nation. Gus believed, as sho
Nomination of Randal Quarles (Executive Session)
Sherrod Brown (Democrat, OH) \u2014 2017-10-4

today we are considering the nomination of Randal Quarles to be a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. prgtoken Since 1984, Mr. Quarles has revolved between the public and private sectors. He was most recently the director of the Carlyle Group from 2007 to 2013, and then founded Cynosure Group, an investment management company. prgtoken I appreciate Mr. Quarles' willingness to serve the public once again, but I don't think he is the person we want in this important role at the Federal Reserve. prgtoken The financial crisis devastated communities in my State and across the country--devastated in terms of lost jobs, foreclosed homes, and evaporated savings. We have made a lot of progress in the 7 years since we passed Wall Street reform. The Vice Chair of Supervision at the Federal Reserve, a position created in Dodd-Frank, is supposed to look out for our financial system and make sure that our financial system is sound. prgtoken Mr. Quarles served as Treasury's Under Secretary for Domestic Finance in the years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. It was his job to coordinate oversight of the financial industry. Many of his statements, however, leading up to the crisis were far too credulous. He seemed to believe whatever the banks were telling him. They were far too credulous when it came to industry claims that we simply need not worry; the economy is in good shape and we don't have to worry about a credit bubble. prgtoken In the early 2000s, while at the Treasury Department, Mr. Quarles espoused the following view of the role of regulators in financial markets. It is a long quote, and I will quote him directly: Markets are always ahead of the regulators, and frankly that's how it should be. It's analogous to the advice that my father provided me that ``if you don't miss at least two or three planes a year, you're spending too much time in airports.'' If the regulators aren't a little behind the market in a few areas at any given time, they would be stifling innovation and evolution. The regulators' task is to promote investor protection, while ensuring that prudential and supervisory activities do not stifle efficiency gains. For effective regulation, the regulators must work with the markets. prgtoken I am not sure where to start on picking that apart. More importantly, it is showing that someone who says that shouldn't be in charge of financial regulation at the Federal Reserve. prgtoken He said at his Senate nomination hearing: ``That is probably the most unfortunate use of language that I ever made, and I do not stand behind that statement.'' That is what he said when presented with these words at his confirmation hearing. He made other similarly unfortunate statements in the years leading up to the financial crisis. prgtoken In 2006, as Under Secretary for Domestic Finance, he discussed the prospects for an impendi
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
John A. Yarmuth (Democrat, KY) \u2014 2017-10-4

I would like to note for my colleague that by voting for this budget, he is jeopardizing meals and food assistance for 200,000 hungry children in Arkansas all so that the wealthiest person in his State, who has a net worth of $38.5 billion, can get a massive tax cut. prgtoken , I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), a distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee.
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2017-10-4

I request unanimous consent that the text of the resolution urging the President of the United States to allow for the full public release of all remaining records pertaining to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy that are held by the National Archives and Records Administration and to reject any claims for the continued postponement of the full public release of those records, be printed in the Record.
Tax Reform (Executive Session)
James Lankford (Republican, OK) \u2014 2017-10-4

I would recommend to this body something that is obvious to all of us. Our economy is stuck. We are in a bad spot of just treading water. Over the last 11 years, our gross domestic product--that is how much our economy is growing--has been 1.9 percent, and 1.9 percent is a tiny change. prgtoken Just to give you a perspective, over the last 100 years, there has not been a single decade when we have not had a year without at least 3 percent growth, until the last decade. Literally, our economy, is typically growing; that is, more jobs are being added, people are making more money, there is more happening, and we are selling more internationally. In America, over the last 100 years, it has just slowly grown and grown and grown until the last 10 years, and, then, it has flattened out. We are stuck. prgtoken Now, when I was younger, we had a record player in the house. Now, for all of you under 40, I would explain that a record player is kind of like a CD player, only it was larger and made of vinyl. But if I say that, then, all the under-20 crowd will say: What is a CD player? prgtoken Let me just say this. The big black pieces of vinyl that played music at my house occasionally would get stuck. The record needle would land in the same groove and play the same part of the song over and over. It was my job, as the youngest one in the house, to go over to the record and bump it and get it out of that. Our economy needs that. prgtoken We need to be able to get over to our economy, which is stuck in the same groove at 1.9 percent in this incredibly low-growth rate, and give it a bump. Now, that bump can come in a lot of ways: increasing international trade would be a great help, engaging more internationally, keeping our regulations common sense and as nonintrusive as possible so that small businesses and medium-sized businesses aren't panicked all the time of what the Federal Government is going to do to them with a new regulation. Just keep them common sense and simple. prgtoken How about making sure that there are fewer Federal forms and that the Federal forms that people have to fill out not only are simple to do but they don't duplicate over multiple different agencies. It would be good if people who worked in small, medium, and large businesses spent more time selling products than they did filling out a form for some Federal bureaucracy that is never going to read that form anyway. prgtoken The obvious way to be able to bump the record needle in our economy right now is tax reform. It is not the main thing that is going to do everything, but it is a pretty big element. If we can get tax reform done, it actually gives our economy a little bit of a boost. Now, I have folks that will say: How does that make a difference? When you do tax reform, why does that actually increase economic activity? prgtoken Well, quite frankly, people around the country and in my State of Oklahoma are struggling to be a
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018
Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican, FL) \u2014 2017-10-4

. Mr. Chair, I must first start by thanking Chairwoman Black for her excellent work on this bill. prgtoken There are a lot of things that I can talk about that are very positive in prgtoken this budget, but today I want to emphasize how it prioritizes our national security. prgtoken With the growing threats around the globe, it is imperative that we fund defense of our Nation in an appropriate and a substantial way. We need to invest in our Armed Forces. We have to upgrade our defense systems and weapons systems, and we have to ensure the readiness of our military. prgtoken The United States must continue to lead on a global scale. This budget takes us in that direction by investing in our national defense. Obviously, coupled with targeted soft diplomacy funding, we accomplish that. prgtoken This budget takes us, as I said, in that direction, and it does so in a very positive way. I believe this budget makes those critical investments. prgtoken , I don't have to tell you that under the previous administration, cuts to our defense spending left the world a more dangerous place and it left our country in a more vulnerable place. Thankfully, the current administration recognizes the failure of the last 8 years and is, again, willing to lead again. Now it is up to us to do our part to provide the resources to allow the administration and our military to lead again. This budget gets us there. I am pleased to support it. prgtoken Mr. Chair, I want to thank the chairwoman for her invaluable leadership. I urge my colleagues to do the same and, again, make sure that we stand toe to toe with our adversaries and we stand, most importantly, with the national security interests of the United States.