mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
EXPANDING INVESTMENT IN SMALL BUSINESS ACT OF 2019
Bryan Steil (Republican, WI) \u2014 2019-7-9

from Kentucky. prgtoken , I rise to support my bill today, the Expanding Investment in Small Business Act. prgtoken Small businesses and entrepreneurs are vital to our economy. More than 60 percent of new jobs are created by small businesses, and almost half of our private-sector workforce is employed by firms with fewer than 500 employees. prgtoken Small businesses are also an engine for innovation. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses account for an outsized percentage of patents granted in the most innovative industries. prgtoken I see this ingenuity in Wisconsin in Racine, Janesville, Kenosha, and everywhere in-between. Entrepreneurs and startups create good-paying jobs for workers. prgtoken It is important that we continue giving job creators the ability to invest in our communities. But in order to grow, hire, and invest in innovation, small businesses need access to capital. prgtoken Unfortunately, rules and regulations have made it harder for companies to gain access to capital, made it harder for them to go public, and made it harder for them to stay public. This hurts small companies, and this hurts the broader economy. prgtoken In particular, this hurts American workers and their retirement security. Just under half of all households are invested in mutual funds. Many Americans are invested in these funds through 401(k)'s and pension plans. Their retirement security depends upon the ability to invest in a diverse set of growing, innovative companies. prgtoken Our rules, though, are burdensome. They shrink the number of publicly traded companies, either by deterring companies from going public or by encouraging them to stay private. In doing so, they limit the opportunities for Americans saving for retirement. prgtoken Members of both parties and a wide range of stakeholders and experts have identified the existing mutual fund rules as an area for potential improvement Congressman Gonzalez from Texas, for joining me in this across-the-aisle effort to support this bill. prgtoken This isn't a new idea, but until now, it hasn't gotten done. I am glad to see bipartisan support for taking this important step forward to improving our capital markets. prgtoken The Expanding Investment in Small Business Act directs the SEC to consider whether existing mutual fund rules make it harder for small and emerging companies to raise money, so they can grow and invest. prgtoken Under the Investment Company Act, a diversified mutual fund may not own more than 10 percent of an issuer's outstanding securities. As mutual funds have grown both in number and in size, they become an important source of prgtoken capital, in particular for small businesses. prgtoken A substantial mutual fund investment in a small-cap company can easily exceed the 10 percent cap. This likely deters mutual fund investments into growing and innovative companies. prgtoken My bill asks
Healthcare (Executive Session)
John Cornyn (Republican, TX) \u2014 2019-7-9

yesterday our friend from New York, the minority leader, spoke on the Senate floor about the latest challenge to Care--the Affordable Care Act--which is being considered by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals this week. Also, if you can believe the press, he is also going to have a press conference with the and other notable to talk about the danger of a court decision on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. As one might imagine, he painted a pretty grim picture of what would happen if the court were to strike down the Affordable Care Act, affirming the judgment of the trial court. Of course, he tried to place the blame squarely on those of us on this side of the aisle. It is strange to me because blaming s in Congress for a yet-to-be-decided court case doesn't make a lot of sense, but it is pretty consistent with the message we have heard from our ic friends. prgtoken If the minority leader is going to pick a bone with anyone, then I guess his complaint is really about the Constitution itself. Court cases are decided on a case-by-case basis based on what the law is, and, of course, the Constitution is the fundamental law of the United States. So if a court ultimately holds an act of Congress to be unconstitutional, it is because the Constitution prohibits it. And a consensus among all Americans is that the Constitution shall be inviolable, dating back to the early 19th century. The Supreme Court has made clear that is ultimately their job--not to decide what the policy should be but whether the policy enacted by Congress is consistent with the requirements of the Constitution. prgtoken So I find it pretty bizarre that in about an hour, the ic leader will join Pelosi for a news conference to talk about coverage for preexisting conditions, and I have no doubt that once again they will try to blame s as the bad guys and somehow perpetuate this myth that s are opposed to covering people for preexisting conditions in their health insurance policies. They know that is false. They know that is a bald-faced misrepresentation of what our policy choices are in this body and in Congress as a whole. There is one thing that I think there is a consensus on in Congress with respect to healthcare, and that is that preexisting conditions should be covered. In fact, there are pieces of legislation that I have cosponsored in the Senate that do that expressly. The illogical fallacy of their argument is that the only way one can do that is through the Affordable Care Act. prgtoken As we know, the Affordable Care Act has been a Trojan horse for a whole lot of other policies that, frankly, are not particularly popular because they have resulted in high deductibles and high premiums and have made it harder and harder for people to afford coverage. It has also precluded individuals from picking the kind of coverage that best suits their
RECOGNIZING CAPITAL SHOE FIXERY
Marco Rubio (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-7-9

as chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my honor to recognize a small business that exemplifies a rigorous work ethic, attention to detail, and dedication to tradition. This week, it is my privilege to name Capital Shoe Fixery of Tallahassee, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. prgtoken Known for their expertise in shoe maintenance, Capital Shoe Fixery has become a local staple, servicing the members of their community since 1938. Having celebrated their 81st anniversary, the small business has become a landmark in the State's capitol and remains a true Main Street favorite. Originally owned by Elton and June Henley, Nick Camechis's father, John, bought the business in 1966. After school, Nick spent his days helping his father around the store and learning the trade. Following the precedent of hard work and tradition, Nick took over the business in 1995. To this day, Nick expands on his father's longstanding tradition of fairly priced, high-quality craftsmanship. Recently turning 65, this shoe cobbler has no current plans to retire, working 70 hour workweeks with no sick days. prgtoken Today, Capital Shoe Fixery remains family-oriented and affordable, providing only the highest quality of work to their customers. When customers arrive, they are greeted by Nick's dog Tuck, who also never misses a day of work. Capital Shoe's clientele ranges from politicians, college students, dancers, and customers from all walks of life. Capital Shoe Fixery will take in approximately 60 to 70 shoes a day during a typical legislative session. Furthermore, Nick is known for his honesty with customers and will decline new business if he feels that the damaged shoes are irreparable. prgtoken This outstanding quality of service and honesty by Capital Shoe Fixery has not gone unnoticed. In addition to their excellent reviews, in 2016, Capital Shoe Fixery was featured in Tallahassee Family Magazine, where the family-owned business was commended for their work ethic and attention to detail. The article truly cemented Capital Shoe Fixery as a Main Street staple, highlighting its unique traits that allow for remarkable customer experiences. prgtoken Capital Shoe Fixery has remained true to their original values by focusing on quality service with an expert investment of time, care, and honesty to prioritize the customer. In addition, it is a reminder of the extensive amount of time and care required to achieve success and longevity in business. Nick's dedication is a quintessential example of how hard work can lead to exceptional success. It is with great pleasure that I extend my congratulations to Nick and Capital Shoe Fixery. I wish you well as you continue serving the people of Tallahassee, and I look forward to watching your continued success.
PROTECTING AFFORDABLE MORTGAGES FOR VETERANS ACT OF 2019
Lee M. Zeldin (Republican, NY) \u2014 2019-7-9

I thank Ranking Member Barr for his leadership, not just for yielding time. This is something that he has been working on himself, putting a lot of heart, passion, and thought into. prgtoken I thank Congressman David Scott for his incredible leadership on this important bipartisan effort. He laid it out so eloquently just now, the many aspects of not just this issue but the need to fight for veterans. prgtoken There are many people who are here in the gallery, millions of people at home watching C-SPAN, shocked at prgtoken what they are seeing, as s and in the House and the Senate work together to get a bill through committee, through the Chambers, and to the President's desk to become law. The beneficiaries will be our Nation's veterans. prgtoken I rise today to urge passage of H.R. 1988, the Protecting Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act. It provides more than a technical fix. It is important for recently issued loans refinanced by the Department of Veterans Affairs to remain eligible for the secondary market. prgtoken This fix is essential to prevent a liquidity crisis in the veterans home loan market and ensure that the brave men and women who have served our Nation in uniform have access to affordable mortgages. prgtoken Through passage of this bill, we can ensure that VA home loans are not adversely impacted by issues in the veterans mortgage market created by the unintended consequences of S. 2155. prgtoken The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, S. 2155, became law in May 2018 and contained some very important bipartisan reforms to protect veterans from predatory lending and deceptive marketing. These provisions are essential to protect the VA home loan market, but unclear timelines laid out in the legislation, and the way that Ginnie Mae chose to implement the requirements of the new law, have left an estimated 2,500 or more VA home loans boxed out of the secondary market. prgtoken These mortgages are now considered orphan loans because they are no longer eligible for Ginnie Mae securitization, even though they met all Federal requirements and are backed by the VA. prgtoken This bill would prevent a government-triggered liquidity crisis in the VA mortgage market by fixing this problem and restoring eligibility for these orphaned loans. prgtoken Addressing this issue ensures that veteran homeowners or prospective home buyers who have earned access to the VA home loan program through their military service aren't hurt by a fluke in S. 2155. prgtoken Without this bill, potential damage to the overall VA home loan market is likely because VA lenders may have to sell or finance these orphaned mortgages at a loss. This would have a negative impact on the brave men and women who have served our country and deserve a path to homeownership in order to achieve the American Dream. prgtoken If lenders aren't able to securitize VA home loans through Ginnie Mae, closin
MICHAEL WYNN RECEIVES THE COLLIER COUNTY CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FOR 2019
Francis Rooney (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-7-9

. Madam , I rise to congratulate Michael Wynn who was recently voted the Collier County Citizen of the Year for 2019. prgtoken Being chairman and president of Sunshine Ace Hardware in Naples, Mr. Wynn provides leadership to stores delivering friendly and helpful service with ``Big City'' quality in stores in Estero, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate, Marco Island, Naples, Port Charlotte, Largo and Port Charlotte. Since 1992, Mr. Wynn has held various positions increasing in responsibility with Sunshine Ace Hardware. prgtoken Michael is especially grateful for the opportunity to provide several basic hardware lines, such as tools, builders' hardware, paint and glass, housewares and household appliances, outdoor living and fishing products to the citizens of Florida. His good-natured service to the community has led to Michael being voted as the Collier County Citizen of the Year for 2019. prgtoken I am grateful for Michael and his commitment to his community. I look forward to seeing what the future holds from the positive effects of Mr. Wynn and Sunshine Ace Hardware.
Hong Kong (Executive Session)
Patrick J. Toomey (Republican, PA) \u2014 2019-7-9

I rise today to speak about the very high- stakes political and social crisis that has been unfolding in Hong Kong over the past several weeks. prgtoken Hong Kong is a very exceptional city. It boasts of a very robust free market economy that has thrived for centuries. It has a very vibrant free press. It has an independent judiciary and a partially democratic election system. Those freedoms, combined with Hongkongers' natural entrepreneurial spirit and appreciation for individual liberty, have made Hong Kong a jewel of the financial and business world, one of the freest places in Asia, and a great place to live--for a time, anyway, as I did back in 1991. prgtoken Economic and political achievements are particularly impressive when you consider that Hong Kong is, after all, a part of China, which has neither a free economy nor a politically free society. prgtoken Back in 1997, Great Britain transferred Hong Kong to China on a condition--an explicit written agreement--that Hong Kong's social and economic systems would remain unchanged under a ``one country, two systems'' arrangement that would last for at least 50 years, until 2047. prgtoken The Chinese Government also made a pledge at the time--a pledge that Hong Kong's legislative and executive leaders would be elected through ``universal suffrage.'' Yet, here we are, 22 years later. Hongkongers still do not enjoy complete universal suffrage, and Hong Kong has faced deep and persistent efforts by the mainland to erode the independence and the authority of Hongkongers. prgtoken On the surface, this ongoing crisis in Hong Kong was clearly caused by the Hong Kong Government, probably at the behest of the Chinese leadership in Beijing to pass a deeply unpopular extradition bill. This bill would diminish Hong Kong's independent legal system very dramatically, and it would do so by allowing and exposing individuals in Hong Kong--including Hong Kong citizens, foreigners, and even tourists--to being extradited to China. prgtoken The accused would then face prosecution by an authoritarian government in mainland China that does not uphold the rule of law, nor does it practice the fair and impartial administration of justice. Let's face it. The judicial system in China is politicized and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. prgtoken Some people are concerned that if this bill were to become law, it would even pave the way for Chinese state-sponsored kidnapping of dissidents. It certainly would have a chilling effect on freedom in Hong Kong, a chilling effect on the ability of Hong Kong people to live their lives and express their views without the fear of political repercussions. It is simply a fact that mainland China is a legal black hole, and Hong Kong's extradition bill would be a step to exposing Hong Kong residents directly to mainland China's opaque and often blatantly unfair legal system. prgtoken In response to this threat, the people of Hong
WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION REFORM ACT OF 2019
Bill Huizenga (Republican, MI) \u2014 2019-7-9

I rise today in support of H.R. 2919, the Whistleblower Protection Reform Act of 2019. prgtoken Whistleblowers are an effective means of rooting out bad behavior that harms the market as well as investors. prgtoken In fact, Section 922 of Dodd-Frank amended the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 to afford whistleblowers protection from retaliation by their employers for reporting suspected misconduct. prgtoken Additionally, Section 922 allows for the SEC to provide monetary awards to whistleblowers who provide ``original information'' resulting in monetary sanctions over $1 million. prgtoken However, in February 2018, the Supreme Court held in Digital Realty v. Somers that whistleblowers who report alleged misconduct internally to their employer, as opposed to the SEC, are not protected by Dodd- Frank's anti-retaliation provisions. prgtoken A whistleblower who reports directiy to their employee about alleged misconduct shouldn't risk being retaliated against. That's why this bipartisan bill has been carefully crafted to clarify the application of the anti-retaliation provisions to whistleblowers provided within the Dodd-Frank Act. prgtoken By further clarifying the anti-retaliation provisions of section 922 apply to those whistleblowers who report internally will encourage employees to report potential misconduct instead of automatically escalating the issue to the SEC. prgtoken Internal reporting may be more efficient and practical in some cases as employers have a chance to correct, self-report, or take other action. prgtoken Moreover, by clarifying the application of Dodd-Frank anti- retaliation protections to internal whistleblowers, the bill aligns with similar protections for internal whistleblowers within the Whistleblower Protection Act and Sarbanes-Oxley. prgtoken I'd like to thank my colleague, Mr. Green for working with me on the Whistleblower Protection Reform Act and I urge my colleagues to vote yes.
IN RECOGNITION OF TRANSPORTATION SECURITY OFFICERS AT PHOENIX AIRPORT
Debbie Lesko (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2019-7-10

. Madam , I rise today to recognize the Transportation Security Officers at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for their bravery and dedication to their mission to keep our airports safe. prgtoken Last month on June 18, a man rushed a TSA security checkpoint at the Phoenix Airport, injuring and knocking over several TSOs in the process. I would like to thank the following TSOs who showed courage in subduing the attacker, even as he attempted to hurt and push past the officers: prgtoken Donna Potts O'Brien, Cynthia Baker, Christopher Cotton, Sandra Thompson, Patricia Miller-Davis, Gladys Recinos, Michael Malloy, Melvin Gorham, Adam Ervin, Kenneth Fetter, Robert Morelos, Michael Wilmoth, and Roberto Lopez. prgtoken I am grateful to these heroic officers and commend their actions to keep the Phoenix Airport secure.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
Vicky Hartzler (Republican, MO) \u2014 2019-7-10

. Madam Chair, such time as I may consume. prgtoken I rise today in opposition to this amendment, which establishes and mandates the establishment of a curriculum to be used in education programs on family planning for every military serviceman and -woman, and I will be the first to say I think this amendment is excessive. prgtoken We already have DOD policy that requires the defense health agency in each military service medical department to administer its own training on counseling and methods of contraception to all DOD healthcare providers so that they may provide assistance to our military members when it is needed. prgtoken In addition, I am a former teacher, and I believe knowledge is important, but a simple brochure would suffice; however, this amendment is over the top. It would require an entire curriculum to be developed, which would be used in education programs. prgtoken It requires every military member, men and women, to come in off the field, and, instead of honing their skills on a target range or in the cockpit, they would be subjected to perhaps hours of PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, and lectures not on what China is doing in the South China Sea or the latest tactics of Russian aggression, but on family planning. prgtoken Not only would this amendment force every servicemember to be subjected to this curriculum and programming, suggesting that this training is more important than their military training, but it ambiguously defines what comprehensive family planning is. As written in this amendment, this training would include information about the prevention of unintended pregnancy and the importance of providing comprehensive family planning. prgtoken I am extremely concerned this ambiguous terminology will be interpreted to include abortion counseling or services. We already see this dangerous terminology in places like New York, where their comprehensive family planning program funds over 57 Planned Parenthoods. prgtoken I would like to know from the author of this amendment whether this amendment encompasses information about abortion services as part of comprehensive family planning services. prgtoken Madam Chair, I yield 10 seconds to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier) to answer this question.
REFORM OUR ASYLUM LAWS
Matt Gaetz (Republican, FL) \u2014 2019-7-10

. Madam , I have been to the detention facilities in Yuma, Arizona, where I have seen the individuals who committed the crime of unlawful entry into our country, who have been detained, and who are kept in undeniably wretched conditions. The stench, the level of care, the inadequate training and facilities provided to our Homeland Security officials create conditions that are ripe for the vulnerable to be taken advantage of and to truly be harmed. prgtoken The question is not whether or not circumstances have fallen below our standards; the question is what has led to these circumstances. prgtoken The inability of my colleagues in the majority to reform our asylum laws so people aren't incentivized to come to our country illegally, bringing small children with them, is a stain on this institution. prgtoken The inability to secure our border so we don't have 1 percent of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador moving into our country every few months is indefensible. prgtoken And the inability to build a physical barrier or a wall to keep people from coming into our country illegally will ultimately erode the fabric of our Nation if we do not act quickly. prgtoken We can resolve these problems. It wasn't too long ago the used to agree with us on this stuff.
SUPPORTING AND TREATING OFFICERS IN CRISIS ACT OF 2019
Doug Collins (Republican, GA) \u2014 2019-7-10

as a son of a state trooper and as someone who also has served as a chaplain to police agencies and our first responders, this is a very important bill to me. I cannot think of a better Member from our side of the aisle who supported this, and also the chairwoman and others who have supported this, but Guy Reschenthaler is a champion of this from his service days and also from his background. prgtoken , it is a pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Reschenthaler), the lead author on the side of the STOIC Act.