mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
NOMINATION OF ANDREI IANCU
Orrin G. Hatch (Republican, UT) \u2014 2018-2-5

I rise in support of the nomination of Andrei Iancu to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. prgtoken USPTO is critically important. It is a critically important agency that stands at the crossroads of innovation, technology, and property rights. It is tasked with ensuring that our laws properly compensate ingenuity and invention, while at the same time stopping bad actors who seek to game the system. prgtoken Intellectual property has been a focus of mine throughout my entire Senate service. Early in my tenure, I authored the Hatch-Waxman Act, which made possible the rise of the modern generic drug industry. More recently, I played a key role in the America Invents Act, which rebalanced our patent system to ensure high-quality patents and reduce abusive litigation. Just last Congress, I authored the Defend Trade Secrets Act, a landmark piece of legislation that created a federal private cause of action to prevent trade secret theft and other nefarious activity. prgtoken I have also led the charge against patent trolling--the practice of buying up patents solely for the purpose of bringing lawsuits--and argued forcefully that forum shopping in patent cases must not be allowed. I was gratified to see the Supreme Court last year strike a blow against abusive forum shopping in its TC Heartland decision. prgtoken In my remaining months here in this body, I intend to continue ahead full-bore on intellectual property reform. Digital music licensing, royalties for visual artists, and online filtering are just a few of my intellectual property priorities for this year. prgtoken Given my focus on intellectual property, I take a keen interest in the Patent and Trademark Office and in the individual selected to run the office. I have to say that I couldn't be more pleased by President 's nomination of Andrei Iancu to be the next USPTO Director. prgtoken Andrei has an extensive background in patent litigation. He is a partner at Irell & Manella, one of the Nation's leading intellectual property law firms. For 6 years, he was the firm's managing partner. Andrei has represented clients across the spectrum, from tech companies to drug manufacturers to aerospace firms. He understands all sides of patent law because he has litigated all sides. prgtoken In an area fraught with allegiances to particular industries or groups, Andrei can bring a neutral, unbiased perspective because he has already had to approach issues from so many different angles. prgtoken Andrei has been named a leader in intellectual property and patent law by Chambers USA every year for the last 11 years. He has been named attorney of the year by California Lawyer and lawyer of the year by the Los Angeles Business Journal. His bona fides are top notch. I have full confidence that Andrei will make an outstanding USPTO Director. prgtoken Subject-matter eligibility, PTAB refo
EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session)
Chuck Grassley (Republican, IA) \u2014 2018-2-5

I wish to speak on the nomination of Andrei Iancu to be Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. prgtoken Intellectual property is critical to our national economy because it encourages the innovation that improves lives and creates jobs. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office plays a critical role in fostering innovation by protecting intellectual property rights, so it is important that the office have strong and accountable leadership. prgtoken Mr. Iancu holds a B.S. and M.S. in engineering from the UCLA School of Engineering and a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law. He currently is the managing partner of the Los Angeles law firm Irell & Manella, where he has practiced intellectual property law since 1996. Mr. Iancu has represented both patent owners and accused infringers, large and small companies, and individuals in a large number of patent cases. prgtoken Mr. Iancu possesses strong legal qualifications, has a proven record in the field of intellectual property law, and is well respected in the intellectual property community. Last December, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Mr. Iancu's nomination by a voice vote. I support Mr. Iancu's nomination, and I urge my colleagues to vote for him.
STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES ACT OF 2018
Carlos Curbelo (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-2-5

I thank the Subcommittee Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Larson for their hard work on this legislation. I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 4547, the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018. prgtoken As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I had the opportunity to engage in this issue during hearings the committee held last year. I recognize the need for reform of the representative payee program in order to improve its integrity and ensure that beneficiaries are getting the assistance they need. prgtoken The representative payee program helps around 8 million Social Security beneficiaries manage their benefits. H.R. 4547 offers several reforms that will improve the program. These include provisions that will help better protect vulnerable beneficiaries, particularly those who are in foster care, by allowing for enhanced information sharing with State foster care programs. This will ensure that children in foster care have the appropriate representative payee if there is a change in placement. The bill also improves prgtoken oversight of representative payees by requiring State protection and advocacy programs to conduct reviews of payee performance. prgtoken , many Social Security beneficiaries require assistance in managing their benefits. I appreciate the work that the Ways and Means' Subcommittee on Social Security has done to improve the Social Security representative payee program, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 4547.
STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES ACT OF 2018
Kevin Brady (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-2-5

I want to thank all the Members for their hard work and leadership on this important issue. Particularly, I want to express my gratitude to Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Larson for their dedication to improving the representative payee program. This is a very important bill that has strong bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage. prgtoken , .
WAR CRIMES REWARDS EXPANSION ACT
Virginia Foxx (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-2-5

I thank Chairman Royce very much for his help on this legislation. prgtoken , I am here to speak in support of the War Crimes Rewards Expansion Act, introduced by my good friend Eliot Engel and me. It is another excellent example today of bipartisanship here in the House. prgtoken As Chairman Royce said, this bill expands and reforms the War Crimes Rewards Program, which provides bounties for perpetrators of the world's worst human rights abusers. prgtoken The current program authorizes these rewards only for the purposes of prosecutions in international tribunals. While experts can attest to the necessity of international tribunals or mixed court tribunals in limited circumstances, the program fails to offer prgtoken the same advantages and incentives to prosecutions in national jurisdictions using national courts. prgtoken There is already broad consensus that prosecuting perpetrators of atrocities like the genocide that plagues religious minorities at the hands of ISIS has the greatest impact when the prosecutions are conducted within the society in which the crimes occurred. prgtoken When governments can keep these prosecutions within national jurisdictions, witnesses have easier access to courts, public awareness of these brutal atrocities is maximized, and parties will more likely understand domestic laws. Furthermore, domestic trials are often cheaper, quicker, and less resource intensive, meaning more resources can be devoted to items like discovery and analysis. prgtoken Congress has already attested to the threat that these crimes posed to U.S. interests, including the heavy price tag in the forms of regional instability, refugee flows, economic losses, and reconstruction costs. prgtoken A related program, the Rewards for Justice Program, authorizes similar bounties for terrorists wanted by the United States for violations of United States law, most famously, the one that was placed upon Osama bin Ladin. The bounties have led to the disruption of terrorist activities, but also to the prosecution of terrorists like Ramzi Yousef, who was convicted in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. prgtoken Our bill would bring the War Crimes Rewards Program into conformity with that standard by explicitly listing violations of U.S. law as a basis for issuing the reward, not just the conviction by an international tribunal. It would also allow the U.S. to work with our allies to issue joint rewards, another provision in the terrorism authorization that the human rights provision lacks. prgtoken This bill will leave important safeguards already incorporated into the current program in place. These safeguards include the ineligibility of government officials, consultation with the Attorney General, and congressional notification of the awards. prgtoken Finally, , national governments are sovereign, and the U.S. Government shouldn't be neglecting their proper role by offering this tool solely to tribunals. Curre
RECOGNIZING DR. ALLEN DIMON
Tom Reed (Republican, NY) \u2014 2018-2-5

I rise today to congratulate constituent Dr. Allen ``Doc'' Dimon on his one-hundredth birthday and to recognize his important service to our local community and the entire country. prgtoken A lifelong resident of Waverly, New York, Dr. Dimon served in the United States Army Medical Corps during World War II and was deployed in France. After the war, Dr. Dimon went to work as an optometrist and continued to serve his community in that role for fifty years. At age fifty, he earned his pilot's license and continued to fly into his seventies. prgtoken Dr. Dimon served on the boards of Guthrie Clinic/Robert Packer Hospital and the old Tioga General Hospital as well as the Waverly School Board. He is a current member of Rotary International, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the Methodist Church in Waverly, and is the founding member of the ``ROMEO'' (Retired Old Men Eating Out) group at Becky's Diner in Waverly. prgtoken I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Allen Dimon on his one-hundredth birthday and wishing him continued happiness and success in the years to come.
CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
Darren Soto (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2018-2-5

first, I take a moment to acknowledge that we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Signed into law February 5, 1993, FMLA established the right for many workers to take an unpaid leave from work for serious illness, adoption, or to care for newborns or family members. prgtoken Unfortunately, unpaid leave is still inaccessible for 63 percent of working Floridians because they are ineligible for the FMLA or cannot afford to take unpaid leave. This means 63 percent of Florida's families face an impossible choice: work or family responsibilities. prgtoken Failure to guarantee paid family leave not only hurts our economy, it hurts our families, and it is women who suffer most. In Florida, 79 percent of Black mothers, 56 percent of Latina mothers, and 53 percent of White mothers are key family breadwinners. Paid family leave means these mothers can stay in the labor force and care for their families' medical needs. prgtoken We must also think about our seniors, medical circumstances arising from military service, and those in need of support battling addiction. Paid leave not only supports American families, it boosts economic activity. We must expand FMLA to cover more workers for the next 25 years and beyond. Honoring Black History Month
NUNES MEMO HAS NO IMPACT ON THE RUSSIA PROBE
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2018-2-5

last Friday, the Nunes memo was released over the objections of the FBI, the Department of Justice, ic Members of the House Intelligence Committee, and several Senators. This selectively edited document was political in nature from the outset, as is evident in the gap between what some of my colleagues claimed it contained and what the memo actually says. prgtoken The Nunes memo focuses on the most recent warrants for surveillance of Carter Page, who has reportedly been prgtoken under watch since 2013 for his relationship with the Russian Government, years before his involvement with the campaign. Yet this document in no way questions those facts, while new reporting has since revealed that Mr. Page boasted of his role as a Kremlin adviser as far back as 5 years ago, when the first FISA warrants against him were reportedly issued. prgtoken As Oversight Chairman Gowdy has noted, the Nunes memo has no impact on the Russia probe, and Special Counsel Mueller's work must continue unabated to allow the American public to know the full truth.
DECORUM IS MISSING IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2018-2-5

in the House we have a procedure that if words are untoward and not becoming of our stature as Members of the United States Congress, by any Member those words can be asked to be taken down. prgtoken It is unfortunate that in a tweet this morning the Commander in Chief said, of a Member of Congress who is a Federal official, he ``must be stopped,'' words to that effect. prgtoken I left my hometown early this morning and had hoped there would have been some decent response from the Chief of Staff or other staff members of the White House to be able to say that that is an inappropriate attack on any Member of Congress or Federal official. I have yet to hear a clarification or apology that indicates that providing provocative words to take a Member down, or he must be taken down, is an inappropriate action or words for any Federal official. prgtoken I hope that we can establish decorum not only in this body, but I hope we can establish decorum in the White House. It is sorely missing.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-2-5

I thank Congressman Evans for his strong representation of his constituents of the Second District of Pennsylvania and his leadership and support of civil rights. prgtoken , I rise today to address racial inequality with America's wealth gap. As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, we remember victories such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. We can look back and celebrate these victories that brought us closer to the American principle of liberty and justice for all. prgtoken But the fight for equality, fairness, and justice continues. I am proud to stand with my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus to call for true economic justice for the Black community. Still, today, , in 2018, Black people in America have to earn a high school education, a high school diploma, and complete some time in college to catch up to the wage of White high school dropouts. prgtoken The Black-White wage gap is larger today than it was in 1979. This tragic truth does not affect Black men and women the same. Since the year 2000, young Black women have been hit the hardest. However, the racial wealth gap is even greater. The average wealth for White families is seven times higher than the average wealth for Black families. prgtoken , with facts like this, no wonder many find it difficult to stand and applaud President 's belief that there is a trend of lower Black unemployment rates. Lower unemployment rates does not address this imbalance of wealth and opportunity, and backward policies do not deserve our cheers. prgtoken When we have an administration that puts forth policies that would eliminate programs to support minority businesses, drain the Black labor pool by doubling down on the war on drugs and mass incarceration, put forth a tax plan that gives billions to corporations and the wealthiest while leaving crumbs for the hardworking middle class, Mr this does not deserve our applause. Certainly, under this administration, African Americans and minorities have a lot to lose. prgtoken We heard that often during the campaign: ``What do you have to lose?'' prgtoken Today, this administration is surprised we are not standing and applauding. prgtoken A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The strength of America is at its best when we are all strong. prgtoken , that is why this fight from the Black Caucus--we are raising our voices--this isn't just about Black America; this is about America. We are a country that the stronger each and every one of us is--regardless of our race, our religion, or where we came from--if we are in America and we are Americans, if we are all strong, the United States of America is strong. prgtoken Equality is smart economics, and justice for all is our American way. prgtoken Today, we stand and call on this administration and this Congress to fight to make America strong, to make America the best it can be.
STE. GENEVIEVE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ESTABLISHMENT ACT
Colleen Hanabusa (Democrat, HI) \u2014 2018-2-5

in closing, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. prgtoken , I would like to point out something that we do not normally see in the Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Subcommittee of Natural Resources, and that is the people of Ste. Genevieve feel so strongly in what they do that they actually came to support those testifying in time-sensitive dress. As we looked at the various photographs of what they do to preserve their town, they were there before us in those same costumes. This is how serious the people of Ste. Genevieve are of the preservation of their site. prgtoken , for those reasons, I urge my colleagues to please support this bill, and .
RUSSIA INVESTIGATION
Patrick J. Leahy (Democrat, VT) \u2014 2018-2-5

on another matter, last Friday, Devin Nunes, the House Intelligence Committee chairman, received approval to release a classified memo that purports to show that a FISA application to conduct surveillance of a campaign aide was politically motivated. Over the weekend, the President, speaking in the third person, told us this memo ``totally vindicates `' '' in the Russia investigation. Following a pattern that has become all too familiar, the President also viciously attacked the FBI in a series of tweets, something we have never seen by any President, either or ic--certainly not in my memory. prgtoken There are more than a few problems with this, the most disturbing of which go well beyond this highly flawed and misleading memo. In case anyone believes this memo represents a serious attempt to address serious problems within the FBI or within our FISA surveillance authorities, I want to raise a few points they might consider because if they think it actually addresses serious problems, they either haven't read it or they don't understand the serious problems. prgtoken For years, I have been leading calls in the Senate to protect our civil liberties and reform our surveillance authorities under FISA. I am appreciative of the number of s and who have joined me in that cause. This memo, however, has absolutely nothing to do with improving FISA. Nor does this partisan memo have anything to do with serious oversight of FISA authorities more broadly. prgtoken Instead, whether intentional or not, this memo represents a direct attack on rank-and-file professionals in both our law enforcement and our national security agencies. The memo deliberately distorts a multilayered process that is required to obtain and renew a judicial warrant for a suspected foreign agent. This meticulous process to obtain or renew a judicial warrant is conducted by career, nonpartisan professionals. In this case, the process led to a warrant, approved by a Federal judge and was renewed three times, for campaign adviser Carter Page. prgtoken Carter Page is an individual who bragged about his ties to Russia. He even claimed at one point publicly to be an adviser to the Kremlin. He was also targeted for recruitment by known Russian spies beginning in 2013. Both of these facts are conveniently left out of the Nunes memo. prgtoken But the Nunes memo was not about capturing relevant facts or conducting actual oversight. If it were, the House Intelligence Committee Chairman would have read the underlying intelligence that purported to form the basis of the memo. He did not. If it were about actual oversight, he would have granted the FBI Director's request to brief his Committee prior to releasing the memo. He did not. If it were about transparency, he would have allowed the ic response memo to be released at the same time. He did not. prgtoken Instead, his Committee v
REPUBLICAN TAX BILL
Charles E. Schumer (Democrat, NY) \u2014 2018-2-5

. Now, for a word on the tax bill, even as corporations plow tens of billions of dollars into share-buybacks and stock-repurchasing programs, instead of raising wages or hiring more workers, President and congressional s are doing their best to portray their $1.5 trillion corporate giveaway as a boost to working Americans. prgtoken I am sure that President 's address in Ohio today will focus on the few companies that have given bonuses, but I wonder how many of those bonuses delivered around Christmas were annual and would have been given anyway. I wonder how many of those bonuses were linked to the tax bill in corporate press releases to curry favor with the President, even though they would have been given anyway. prgtoken I bet President will not mention a thing about the slew of layoffs and stock buybacks in the wake of the bill. I bet he will not dare mention that 80 percent of the benefits of this bill went to the top 1 percent and that the middle class should have gotten a lot more than they are getting. We all know that corporations have spent billions enriching their shareholders, prgtoken while the middle class is waiting for the trickle-down effects that may never come. prgtoken Imagine if all the money that went into tax breaks for corporations and the superrich went to the middle class instead. If that were the case, then President would actually have something to boast about in Ohio today. prgtoken This weekend Ryan showed just how far s will strain credulity to claim their tax bill helps working Americans. He tweeted: ``A secretary at a public high school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, said she was pleasantly surprised her pay went up $1.50 a week . . . she said [that] will more than cover her Costco membership for the year.'' prgtoken Someone must have told him how out of touch that was because Ryan soon deleted the tweet. As high school secretaries get $1.50 a week in savings, the wealthiest 0.1 percent of Americans are getting an average of about $3,000 a week--high school secretary, $1.50; top 0.1 percent, $3,000 a week. Because of the tax bill, the Lancaster secretary may well be able to afford a membership to a big-box store, but the top 0.1 percent can now afford a new Bentley. Is that fair? Is that right? Is that what the American people wanted? No way. No way. prgtoken All the propaganda and millions of dollars of ads from the Koch brothers and all these other rich people--the handful of rich people who have so much say on the side--all the ads they will pay for will not make up for that fact, and the American people see it. prgtoken The fundamental unfairness at the center of the tax bill is this. Corporations and the superrich are having a bonanza while American workers are left with paltry savings. Considering the s spent $1.5 trillion in Federal resources to pass their tax bill, the middle class shoul