mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MONTANA WILDFIRES
Steve Daines (Republican, MT) \u2014 2017-9-6

I left Montana yesterday morning to come back to Washington, DC, to do the work of the American people but, as always, my heart remains in Big Sky Country. That is especially true right now as fires burn across our State. In fact, just yesterday, of the top 30 wildfires in the Nation, 28 of those 30 wildfires were in Montana. prgtoken Our crisis in Montana isn't water. It is not too much water. It is not hurricanes. It is fire. It is smoke filling the air and filling our lungs. It is communities being evacuated, Montanans standing on the side of the road looking at the fires moving toward their homes. We have seen the loss of homes and many structures. Montanans are looking at the tons of fuel just lying on the forest floor waiting for a spark to ignite. In fact, in this year alone, over 1,600 fires have burned nearly 1 million acres in Montana. That is nearly the size of the entire State of Delaware. prgtoken At my invitation, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke both came to Montana, just about 2 weeks ago--in fact, 2 weeks ago tomorrow--so they could see firsthand the impact wildfires are having on our great State. We went out and saw the Lolo Peak Fire. The impact is devastating. prgtoken We need to be sure Montana gets the resources it needs, first of all, to stop the fires. I am very grateful to the men and women who are risking their lives to fight these fires, going on virtually very little sleep, living in tents, fighting these fires. The firefighters battling on the ground are away from their families, and they are giving everything to protect our lives, our lands, and our property. Tragically, already in Montana, two firefighters have lost their lives--Trenton Johnson, age 19, and Brent Witham, age 29. prgtoken Preventing wildfires is impossible, but we can do much more to lessen the severity and impact of these fires. Seven million federally controlled acres in Montana are at high risk for wildfire. Five million acres--five million acres--have been designated for accelerated forest management due to insect infestation. We are talking about dead trees. Yet, since 1990, our State of Montana has lost over 40 percent of its forestry workforce and two-thirds of its mills. The remaining mills that we have are not running around the clock, multiple shifts, which they could do, except for the fact they can't get enough logs. We are literally bringing in logs from out of State and even out of the country to our mills in Montana to keep them going. prgtoken Let's talk about Mineral County, MT. Mineral County was founded in 1914. This county in Western Montana is well known for its dense forests and abundant natural resources. The first sawmill came to this area around the turn of the 20th century. Multiple others followed suit. For decades, the timber industry thrived. Montanans worked hard, and they earned good money in the timber industry. In fact,
TAX REFORM
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2017-9-6

it is no surprise that Americans consistently rate jobs and the economy as top issues of concern. prgtoken A recent survey found that 50 percent of voters consider themselves to be living paycheck to paycheck, and about one-third of voters say they are just about $400 away from a financial crisis. That means a single, unexpected car repair or healthcare bill could easily put them in the middle of a financial emergency. prgtoken Too many Americans have seen their American dream dim in recent years. Hopes for a secure future have turned into worries about where the next rent or mortgage payment is coming from or whether it will be possible to save anything at all for retirement. prgtoken We don't have to resign ourselves to the status quo. We don't have to accept the long-term economic stagnation of the administration as our economic future. We can get our economy going again, and we can set it up for strong growth for the long term. But that is going to require some work. It is going to require repealing burdensome and unnecessary government regulations that have slowed economic growth, and it is going to require reforming our complex, outdated Tax Code, which is increasingly strangling our economy. prgtoken The Tax Code might not be the first thing people think of when they think of economic growth, but it actually plays a huge role in every aspect of our economy. It helps determine how much money Americans have left over from their paychecks to save or invest or whether they can afford a car or a house. When it comes to businesses, it can be the key to determining whether a young business gets off the ground or an existing business has the money to grow and hire new employees. prgtoken Unfortunately, our current Tax Code is not helping our economy. It is doing the opposite. It limits Americans' opportunities. It punishes their success. It discourages investment and growth. It cripples small businesses. It encourages large businesses to send jobs overseas. It keeps our economy from reaching its full potential. prgtoken Reforming our Tax Code is an indispensable part of getting our economy back on the path to long-term health. Without comprehensive tax reform, the economic stagnation of the years is likely to become the status quo going forward. prgtoken This fall, s in the House and Senate are going to make comprehensive tax reform a priority, and any legislation we pass will be governed by five principles: First, any bill has to result in increased wages, jobs, and economic growth. Second, it must provide tax relief for the middle class. Third, it has to keep jobs here at home. Fourth, it has to increase American competitiveness in the global economy. Finally, it has to simplify the Tax Code. prgtoken s will be talking a lot about these principles over the coming weeks, but today I would like to take just a few minutes to talk about the first of these principles: mak
RECOGNIZING BETHEL UNITED METHODIST 150TH ANNIVERSARY
Tom Rice (Republican, SC) \u2014 2017-9-6

I rise today to recognize Bethel United Methodist Church in Marion, South Carolina, for 150 years of service and fellowship. As stated in the first verse of Psalm 133, ``How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!'' prgtoken Despite what may be heard in the media, faith and God are alive and well in our country. Evil tries to shatter our communities and sow seeds of despair, but to the Devil's dismay our faith in God is resilient. prgtoken Thank you for all you do to advance God's message in our community. Through fellowship, community programs, and outreach, Bethel United Methodist Church is doing God's work right here in Marion. prgtoken We, people of faith, must ensure that God's message of salvation is heard in every city, state, and country in the world. In faith, hope, and love, we cannot fail. May God continue to bless Bethel United Methodist Church and all those who worship there.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
Bill Cassidy (Republican, LA) \u2014 2017-9-6

today I would like to recognize and honor the president-elect of the Louisiana REALTORS, Mrs. Pam Foreman Testroet. Pam is a distinguished realtor in Louisiana whose career has been defined by her devotion to ethics and her ability to make people comfortable while making important life decisions. prgtoken The Louisiana REALTORS, LR, is a trade association tasked with helping its members in the business of real estate in Louisiana. LR represents its members on real estate issues before the State and Federal governments while also providing legal assistance and professional development opportunities. As president, Pam will ensure LR achieves its mission of ``providing optimum member resources while serving as the advocate for REALTORS and consumers.'' prgtoken Pam began her career in Baton Rouge working for the Louisiana State Legislature and the constitutional convention. She held various jobs in New Orleans and Houma, LA, before pursuing her dream of a career in real estate in 2003. After receiving her real estate license, Pam became actively involved in REALTOR organizations, serving as a director on boards at the local, State, and national levels. prgtoken Pam's top career priorities include client satisfaction, ethics, communication, technology, and education. As evidenced by her numerous awards, Pam has excelled at those priorities. Pam's awards include: 2005 Rookie of the Year, 2007 REALTOR of the Year, 2008 Congeniality Award, 2010 RE/MAX Cooperative Spirit Award, Louisiana REALTORS 2013 REALTOR of the Year, 2016 Louisiana REALTORS secretary/treasurer, and, finally, 2017 president-elect of Louisiana REALTORS. prgtoken I would like to congratulate Pam on her astounding career and her ascension to the position of president of the Louisiana REALTORS. Her election as president is a testament of her work ethic and the positive impact she has had on those with which she has come in contact. I know Pam will excel in this position, and I am proud to have her in the great State of Louisiana.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
Tom McClintock (Republican, CA) \u2014 2017-9-6

the gentleman is correct. It would cut off air service to communities that are usually just an hour or so drive from a major regional airport where they can obtain air service. This is the kindest cut of all. Eliminating a temporary program established 39 years ago has become a poster child for wasteful Federal spending. prgtoken Now, our national debt has nearly doubled in 8 years. American taxpayers will pay $269 billion this year just in interest costs on that debt. If you are an average family paying average taxes, it means that $2,200 of your taxes this year will accomplish nothing more than renting the money we have already spent. prgtoken Continuing to pay for this obsolete and wasteful program with money we don't have is simply obscene. It makes a mockery of any claim that we cut spending to the bone, and I would ask for adoption of the amendment. prgtoken , .
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
Steve Stivers (Republican, OH) \u2014 2017-9-6

my amendment would transfer funding for the Private Enforcement Initiative at HUD to the Administrative Enforcement Initiative. The amendment does not change the top line appropriation. prgtoken I believe the Fair Housing Act must be strongly enforced, and I believe this is best accomplished by strengthening HUD's Administrative Enforcement Initiative and enhancing the role of State and local agencies in finding and punishing bad actors. prgtoken The Private Enforcement Initiative has been abused by some nonprofits that are more interested in winning attorneys' fees than finding and punishing bad actors. The cost of these frivolous lawsuits ultimately is transferred onto low- and middle-income Americans in the form of more expensive rent and housing, worsening our country's affordable housing crisis. prgtoken I don't believe this is fair or what was intended under the Fair Housing Act. I believe there is a better way to more strongly and effectively enforce fair housing protections, a similar amendment passed 2 years ago, and I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment. prgtoken Mr. Chair, .
REINFORCING EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY IN DEVELOPMENT ACT
Mitch McConnell (Republican, KY) \u2014 2017-9-6

I ask the Chair to lay before the body the message to accompany H.R. 601. prgtoken The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message from the House of Representatives: Resolved, That the House agree to the amendments numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 601) entitled ``An Act to enhance the transparency and accelerate the impact of assistance provided under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to promote quality basic education in developing countries, to better enable such countries to achieve universal access to quality basic education and improved learning outcomes, to eliminate duplication and waste, and for other purposes.'' and be it further Resolved, That the House agree to the amendment numbered 6 of the Senate to the aforementioned bill, with an amendment. Motion to Concur with Amendment No. 808
HONORING DR. PAMELA STATON OF MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
Evan H. Jenkins (Republican, WV) \u2014 2017-9-6

I rise today to honor the hard work of Dr. Pamela Staton of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Dr. Staton has played a major role in the success of Marshall University's Forensic Science Center, which has repeatedly been named the nation's best Forensic Science Program. prgtoken Dr. Pamela Staton joined the Forensic Science Program in 2002, and leads the Bacterial Source Tracking Research Project at the Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Center. Her invaluable experience as the Forensic Science Center's program administrator and chief academic advisor for its graduate students has contributed greatly to the program's reputation and plays a central role in its success. Dr. Staton's contributions to the Huntington community and West Virginia are invaluable, and I wish her the best of luck on her retirement. I know she will always be a part of the Marshall University family and look forward to seeing all the great things she achieves in the future.
HURRICANE HARVEY
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2017-9-6

it has been 1 week since Hurricane Harvey hit the State of Texas, and although the rain has now stopped, the damage continues, as much of the water that has moved through Houston is now moving downstream to rivers and bayous and areas south of Houston. People's lives are still being disrupted, and unfortunately more and more bodies are being found, as the water has receded in places that have been flooded. Eight days ago, Harvey's wrath was still being felt. prgtoken Of course, we are still counting the cost, and, as one lady in Houston told my staff, ``Normal is a long way off.'' It is more than just days we are counting, though. As families return to their homes and piece their lives back together, the numbers keep rolling in. Numbers are how we keep track, and I want to mention a number of numbers that I think will help all of us understand the magnitude of what has occurred and will help us wrap our heads around what this disaster has meant for not only Texas but for the country. prgtoken The largest numbers are the toughest--not the toughest to swallow, and I will get to those in a moment, but simply to comprehend. They are the ones that make your jaw drop. prgtoken Twenty-seven trillion--that is the number of gallons of rain that Harvey pummeled on Texas and Louisiana. prgtoken Then there is 2.7 million--that is how many liters of water have been provided to Texas by FEMA as of last Friday. Don't forget that parts of the city of Beaumont are without drinking water or are subject to a boil notice for 7 more days. prgtoken There is another number: 1 million. That is the number of cars reportedly destroyed by the storm--1 million cars. prgtoken Forty thousand--that is the number of homes Harvey permanently wrecked. At least that many people are still, even today, in shelters, living off of cots at convention centers, inside government-funded motel rooms, or living with friends and family. prgtoken Next come the middle batch of numbers, slightly smaller and more manageable sums. Some of these actually come as a relief. Some of them remind prgtoken us why writer Walker Percy, a native of our neighbor Louisiana, used to say that hurricanes, as terrible and life-altering as they are, sometimes give us hope--because they draw people closer together as neighbor helps neighbor. prgtoken Four thousand two hundred--that is the number of pounds of flour employees went through at El Bolillo restaurant in Southeast Houston. The bakers were trapped inside their kitchen for 2 days during the storm, so what did they do? They did what bakers always do: They baked. In this case, they baked up pan dulce--traditional Mexican pastries-- for flood victims. Their ovens were on all night for their neighbors. One young girl on Twitter praised the Bolillo bakers as ``angels.'' They gave people what they needed most, perhaps, during this storm, and that is a sense of normalcy. prgtoken Two thousand seven hundred thirty-one-
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF CASCADE, IDAHO
Mike Crapo (Republican, ID) \u2014 2017-9-6

my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins me today in honoring the city of Cascade, ID, in its 100th year since its incorporation. prgtoken One hundred years ago, Cascade got its start as a prime location along the railroad tracks that crossed Valley County, ID, and developed into the county seat. Cascade became a central place for transporting the timber harvested nearby to area sawmills and a hub for mining. Like its neighbors in other parts of Valley County, Cascade has faced booms and downturns in the logging, mining, and agriculture sectors, with resilience and ingenuity. The beauty of the local landscapes and natural resources continue to attract recreation and other outdoor activities to this picturesque community, and residents embody the industriousness and warmth at the heart of the community and its historical roots. Cascade's chamber of commerce aptly highlights Cascade's ``scenic beauty, fresh mountain air, warm friendly people and unlimited recreational activities.'' It is truly a treasure of our great State. prgtoken Congratulations to the residents of Cascade on 100 years of accomplishments in developing Cascade that is a wonderful home and destination to so many. We wish you well as you continue to work for the advancement of this great community and its residents.
NORTH KOREA
Cory Gardner (Republican, CO) \u2014 2017-9-6

I rise today to speak about North Korea, the most urgent national security challenge for the United States and our allies in East Asia. prgtoken Secretary Mattis has said that North Korea is the most urgent and dangerous threat to peace and security. Admiral Gortney, previously the commander of the U.S. Northern Command, stated that the Korean Peninsula is at its most unstable point since 1953, when the armistice was signed. North Korea just conducted its sixth nuclear test, its most powerful to date. An early analysis from experts says: North Korea has comfortably demonstrated an explosive yield in the range of at least 100 kilotons with this test. That would be a considerable improvement from the 30 kiloton yield estimated in its fifth test and ideal for targeting U.S. cities--a primary objective in North Korea's pursuit of an ICBM. prgtoken Unless drastic and credible measures are taken today, we are fast heading for a nuclear showdown that could cost millions of lives on the Korean Peninsula. prgtoken Last year alone, North Korea conducted two nuclear tests and a staggering 24 ballistic missile launches. This year, Pyongyang launched 21 missiles during 14 tests, including the 2 tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles that are reportedly capable of reaching the U.S. homeland. During 6 years of rule as the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un has launched more missiles than his father and grandfather combined. Patience is not an option with the U.S. homeland now in the nuclear shadow of Kim Jong Un. prgtoken Our North Korea policy of decades of bipartisan failure must turn to one of immediate bipartisan success, with pressure and global cooperation resulting in the peaceful denuclearization of the regime. prgtoken Vice President stated during his visit to South Korea in April: Since 1992, the United States and our allies have stood together for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. We hope to achieve this objective through peaceable means. But all options are on the table. prgtoken I believe U.S. policy toward North Korea should be straightforward. The United States will deploy every economic, diplomatic, and, if necessary, military tool at our disposal to deter Pyongyang and to protect our allies. But time is not on our side. The international community needs to finally and fully join together to completely isolate this dangerous regime. prgtoken As a first step, North Korea should immediately be kicked out of the United Nations and many multilateral institutions from which they derive the benefits of global recognition. Next, the United Nations Security Council should enact a new resolution that imposes a full economic embargo on North Korea that bans all of Pyongyang's economic activities, including petroleum resources. prgtoken These economic tools need to be combined with robust military deterrent, including a U.S.-led internati
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
Mark E. Amodei (Republican, NV) \u2014 2017-9-6

. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the opportunity to engage in a colloquy with you on an important issue related to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. prgtoken This Congress should act swiftly and establish a five-member, bipartisan commission at the CFPB. A commission structure will bring much needed certainty and stability to consumers and small businesses who are the most deeply impacted by regulation that reduces access to banking products and drives up costs. prgtoken According to FDIC data, financial institutions of all sizes provide more than $4 trillion in consumer loans to help America's consumers achieve their dreams of purchasing a car, buying their first home, or even providing an education for their children. Financial institutions also provide more than $600 billion in small business loans to help entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses and create jobs. The ability of banks and credit unions to continue to serve their communities by providing access to credit is critical to making these dreams a reality. Therefore, it is important that the agencies that regulate our nation's depository institutions are stable, transparent, and provide long term certainty. prgtoken A five-member, bipartisan commission at the CFPB will help achieve just that. Right now, a sole director at the CFPB over politicizes what should be an impartial regulatory body. With every new Director there could be a dramatic regulatory whipsaw effect. This volatility will leave financial institutions limited in their ability to properly serve customers because of an inability to plan for the long-term. prgtoken Protecting consumers and increasing access to well-regulated financial products should be a top priority of the CFPB. A bipartisan board will ensure consumers best interests are always first by increasing transparency and stability in the rulemaking process and allowing for more robust debate with many different viewpoints considered. prgtoken On multiple occasions, the House of Representatives has passed legislation to create a bipartisan commission, and most importantly, the American people have made clear that they believe a bipartisan commission is a better form of leadership at the CFPB. In fact, a recent Morning Consult poll showed that registered voters support a bipartisan commission at the CFPB by a 3 to 1 margin, and that just 14 percent of voters believe the CFPB structure should be left the way it is now. prgtoken Congress must implement structural changes at the CFPB. The future of consumer and small business lending is too vital to have uncertainty at the Bureau. prgtoken , do you agree that the regulatory agencies that oversee banks and credit unions should take into account the impact to all stakeholders and bring certainty to the regulatory framework? prgtoken Will you commit to working with me to depoliticize the CFPB once and for all, and bring a stable form of leadership to the Bureau that is i