mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Richard Blumenthal (Democrat, CT) \u2014 2017-11-30

from Alaska for yielding. prgtoken I want to begin where he finished--on the need for a bipartisan approach, one that combines different points of view, one based on compromise. Compromise should not be a dirty word. Compromise is not a four-letter word. Neither is bipartisanship. Yet our colleagues have insisted on a plan--on a plan that they first rammed and rushed through the House of Representatives and now, in the same way, have sought to do on their own, without consultation or compromise with . That is why the process has reached this point. It has stalled. prgtoken My colleagues are scrambling for a solution to an overwhelming, oppressive debt that they would force on the American people--not on ourselves, but on our children and our grandchildren, generations to come, searching and scrambling for a so-called trigger-- another gimmick--to be inserted in this bill that already underestimates the additional debt that will be foisted on our Nation. They have estimated it at $1.3 trillion or $1.5 trillion. In reality, it is probably larger, but the main point is that they have foisted it on our children and grandchildren to pay--to shoulder the burden-- simply so that the wealthiest in this country and corporations would have tax cuts. prgtoken The people of Connecticut and our country face a tsunami of economic prgtoken harm. This plan, in fact, is deeply unpopular among my constituents in Connecticut. I have listened to them. What they tell me is that they cannot look their children in the eye and show them a chart like this one, which my colleague Senator King of Maine displayed earlier in the Chamber, and see how this insurmountable mountain of debt will result from the plan. prgtoken Very simply, s voted for middle-class taxes to rise so that the President's and other billionaires' taxes can go down. Over the next decade, this plan will raise taxes on 87 million middle-class families and half of all taxpayers. This plan is a double standard. It is a bait and switch because it makes a promise that it fails to fulfill. It makes a promise of tax cuts that actually will rise over a 10-year period. It sells a false bill of goods. prgtoken The promise of middle-class tax cuts is a lie, plain and simple, a scam. prgtoken The President sent the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Linda McMahon, to Connecticut to announce: ``Everyone will experience a tax cut.'' But the fact of the matter is everybody in certain brackets experiences a tax increase under most circumstances. prgtoken Who is harmed? We know who benefits. The wealthiest benefit, and corporations benefit. But the ones harmed, according to the Congressional Budget Office, are the majority of people who earn less than $75,000 a year, and they will be worse off within the next 10 years. In Connecticut that means that 468,200 taxpayers in the
WHAT MY CONSTITUENTS EXPECT OF ME
Al Green (Democrat, TX) \u2014 2017-11-30

I rise because I love my country. prgtoken I rise, , because I refuse to stand idly by as a billionaire bigot does irreparable harm to my country--a billionaire bigot who tolerates the KKK but won't tolerate Islam; a billionaire bigot who tolerates anti-Semitism, racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, xenophobia, and homophobia. prgtoken , I don't know what the consequences will be, but I do know this: the people who sent me here sent me to this Congress to fight hate, not to tolerate, not to mitigate, but to eliminate hate. The people I represent have an expectation of me. prgtoken , I don't know what the vote will be, but I do know this: Next week, there will be a vote to impeach. Next week, there will be a resolution brought before the Congress, and there will be a vote to either table it, send it to committee, or vote it up or down. prgtoken That is what the people I represent expect me to do, and I will do no less.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Richard J. Durbin (Democrat, IL) \u2014 2017-11-30

let me thank my colleague from Ohio for raising this important issue. It comes down to a very basic question for the Senate. We have a tax code that creates incentives and penalties for certain conduct. We encourage Americans to give to charities, and we give them a deduction. We encourage Americans to own homes, and we let them deduct the cost of interest on their mortgage. We encourage them in so many different ways and discourage other conduct. prgtoken Why shouldn't we encourage American businesses to hire American workers? Why shouldn't we reward American businesses that keep their businesses in America and not move them overseas? Why shouldn't we incentivize businesses and corporations to pay a decent minimum living wage to their employees, to provide basic benefits when it comes to health insurance and healthcare, and a good retirement plan? Why shouldn't we incentivize American companies to hire veterans? Why don't we put in our Tax Code incentives that create stronger, better, patriotic American corporations? prgtoken I am going to wave the flag here. I think there are a lot of great corporations, companies in America that really do care for this country. Some don't, and I don't think they should be rewarded for turning their backs on America--but we do. prgtoken In the current Tax Code, if you decide to ship your jobs off overseas, send your factories overseas and put Americans out of work, do you know what the Tax Code says? Be my guest. The provision says you can deduct the cost of moving so we incentivize and reward companies that want to leave America. prgtoken What Senator Brown and many on this side of the aisle believe, as I do, is why don't we incentivize the companies that want to stay in America? Why don't we incentivize those who say: We want to hire American people and pay them a decent wage. prgtoken I think that is what a tax code is all about, to create incentives for good things for the American economy and discourage bad things, and so I introduced this bill several years back. Congresswoman Schakowsky of Chicago joined me in that effort. We have had this bill there. Senator Brown has been such a leader in this area. I was proud to stand with him today to do this jointly and offer this as part of the tax plan. prgtoken So it is a basic proposition for President and for the s. Do you believe--do you believe American businesses that stay in this country deserve a break? Do you believe American businesses that pay a decent wage to their employees deserve a tax break? Do you believe American companies that put together health insurance and retirement plans that are fair and just for their workers and their families deserve a break in our Tax Code? Do you think we ought to give a helping hand to those companies that will hire a veteran, put a veteran to work? Do you think our Tax Code should also recognize that some companies are going to hire disabled
HBCU 9
Alma S. Adams (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2017-11-30

I rise today to honor the HBCU 9, the nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities who are celebrating 150 years of academic excellence. prgtoken These schools hail from six States and count great African-American leaders such as Eva Clayton, John Lewis, and Martin Luther King, Jr as members of their illustrious alumni. prgtoken The nine include: Alabama State University, Barber-Scotia College, Fayetteville State University, Howard University, Johnson C. Smith University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, St. Augustine University, and Talladega College. prgtoken Their achievements for the past 150 years are remarkable. They have cultivated a long history as incubators of innovation and continue to produce the next generation of leaders. prgtoken Twenty-five percent of African-American STEM graduates, 40 percent of African-American lawyers, 50 percent of African-American teachers, and 21 current members of the Congressional Black Caucus are proud HBCU grads. prgtoken These schools were born out of necessity and have endured the test of time to spark a movement and create the African-American middle class, fundamentally changing this country for the better. prgtoken Please stand with me in recognizing the HBCU 9 for their years of leadership in African-American communities and their dedication to helping students realize their dreams.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Gary C. Peters (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2017-11-30

today we are debating legislation that will dramatically reshape the American economy. It was written, and continues to be rewritten, in secret by only one party. prgtoken It didn't have to be this way. Done right, this process could have had broad bipartisan support. We could have passed tax legislation that is fair, simpler, and fiscally responsible. We could have passed tax legislation that is truly focused on middle-class families and raising their wages. Instead, we have a bill that fails dramatically on every single one of these principles. prgtoken This bill fails in so many different ways that I think it is helpful for us to talk about each myth that is being told. First, let's dispense with the myth that this is a middle-class tax cut. The bill makes dramatic, permanent cuts to corporate taxes while making very small, temporary changes to the taxes middle-class families pay. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, for many working families, the tax changes are less than $100 per year or, more simply put, about $2 a week. That is not a middle-class tax cut. That is a myth. prgtoken The second myth we hear is that corporate tax cuts in the bill will trickle down and raise wages for average workers. If that were true, we would probably hear some of the CEOs delivering the good news to their hard-working employees, but it is not. It is not true. It is a myth. We know this because the CEOs themselves are telling us what they will do. Yes, they are actually telling us--and it isn't raising wages. They have been clear. They are going to use the money this bill gives them to buy back shares of their own company's stock, and they are going to increase payments to wealthy shareholders. prgtoken CEOs are telling the White House this directly. At a November 14 CEO gathering, Gary Cohn, the White House's top economic adviser, was in a room full of executives that were asked what they would do with the money from the tax cuts. Would they put it back into their business? Would they grow their business? Would they increase wages? Only a couple of hands went up in a very large room. prgtoken Their hands weren't up because they have no reason to lie. Their intentions have always been clear. They are going to take the money this tax bill hands them and reward their executives and their wealthy shareholders. prgtoken Again, we know this is going to happen because CEOs are telling us-- and the bill keeps getting worse. We are hearing this myth that these tax cuts will pay for themselves. Well, they will not. After years of telling the American public how important it is to address the debt and deficit, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are now going to pass a bill that dramatically increases deficits. prgtoken Nonpartisan analysis shows that this bill will inject $1.5 trillion of new debt--debt my colleagues should be prepared to accept as their own creation if this bill passes--an
ENSURING A QUALIFIED CIVIL SERVICE ACT OF 2017
Elijah E. Cummings (Democrat, MD) \u2014 2017-11-30

. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4182, the EQUALS Act. prgtoken My colleagues have offered a legislative solution to a problem that does not exist. prgtoken The Oversight Committee has not held a single hearing to examine the existing one-year probationary period. prgtoken Yet, this legislation would double the probationary period. In the process, it would degrade the due process rights of these employees. prgtoken These due process protections are critical to protecting whistleblowers who report waste, fraud, and abuse. prgtoken For example, the Oversight Committee has examined retaliation against whistleblowers at the Transportation Security Administration. prgtoken In one case, a career official and disabled veteran testified before the Oversight Committee that he was removed from consideration for a Senior Executive Service position during his probationary period because he reported misconduct by top leaders at TSA including sexual harassment. prgtoken During his interview with Committee staff, this senior career official explained that extending the probationary period would make it easier for agencies to retaliate against other whistleblowers in the future. prgtoken The House of Representatives should not approve legislation that would allow more retaliation against whistleblowers at federal agencies. prgtoken Apart from the negative effects, we have seen no reason to adopt this bill. We have seen no problem that needs to be addressed. prgtoken As I said, the Oversight Committee never held a hearing on this bill. prgtoken We have not determined whether doubling the probationary period would help agencies deal with poor performers or further their missions. prgtoken We have not seen any evidence that federal agencies need a blanket one-year extension of the probationary period for every single federal job. prgtoken Instead, a recent GAO report recommended that the Office of Personnel Management actually study whether expanding the probationary period makes sense. GAO found that OPM should, and I quote: Determine whether there are occupations in which . . . the probationary period should extend beyond 1-year to provide supervisors with sufficient time to assess an individual's performance. prgtoken I agree with GAO that a study needs to be conducted first. prgtoken But our colleagues want to skip this step. They want to skip any real examination of the issue and just add another year of probation during which employees have limited rights. prgtoken Some of my colleagues cite the fact that Congress passed a two-year probationary period for Department of Defense civilian employees in the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2016. prgtoken However, I would like to note two important facts. prgtoken First, the Defense Department did not request this change in the probationary period or indicate any need for it. prgtoken Second, the Department is not even using this n
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, CA) \u2014 2017-11-30

I wish to speak about the so-called tax reform bill. prgtoken When it comes to revising our tax system, I assumed there were two things my colleagues would agree with me on. prgtoken First, that tax reform doesn't increase taxes for middle-class families and, second, that tax reform wouldn't balloon the deficit. prgtoken Unfortunately, I was wrong on both counts. The bill that is before us does both of those things. Candidly, I'm surprised that anyone can even call this bill tax reform with a straight face. prgtoken I think it is clear to all of us and to the American people that this bill is nothing more than a windfall tax cut for big corporations and rich Americans. prgtoken There were no hearings on this bill with outside groups. There was no transparency in the drafting of this bill, and much like the healthcare debacle, the result is a mess that not even all s are supporting. prgtoken This bill would blow a $1.4 trillion hole in our deficit. This bill would raise taxes on many working families by gutting important deductions like for State and local taxes. This bill would leave 13 million Americans without health insurance. This bill even has riders in it to allow drilling in pristine areas of the Alaskan wilderness. prgtoken The bill takes all of these destructive actions just to put more money in the pockets of corporations and the richest Americans. prgtoken This bill is one of the most fiscally irresponsible bills I have seen in quite some time. prgtoken In fact, I don't ever recall a tax bill on the Senate floor that drives up our deficit this much. prgtoken s are trying to convince Americans that these huge tax cuts for the rich will pay for themselves. Well, that is just not going to happen. prgtoken If you don't believe me, listen to all the economists who agree that this bill won't accomplish the goals that s are claiming. prgtoken While a higher deficit is bad enough on its own, I fear that s will use this as an excuse to gut vital programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security to pay for it. prgtoken I can think of better ways to spend $1.4 trillion than cutting taxes for the rich. Imagine how many jobs would be created if we invested that money in rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure or the jobs created if we invested in clean energy solutions to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. We could invest in education to prepare our students to compete in the new economy, or we could invest in our veterans by improving the care they receive at VA hospitals. prgtoken Instead, s want to waste that money lining the pockets of millionaires and billionaires, and it is the middle class who will pay the price. prgtoken Every day I hear from Californians who are worried about this bill and what it means for their family's budgets. prgtoken Here are some of their stories. prgtoken Raleigh is a middle-class retiree in Davis, CA.
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Ron Wyden (Democrat, OR) \u2014 2017-11-30

before he leaves the floor, I would like to thank Senator Cardin for his leadership on so many finance issues and especially for highlighting today, as part of this major debate on tax reform, the importance of infrastructure. The fact is, you cannot have big-league quality of life with little-league infrastructure. prgtoken My colleague has made the point that repatriation would be a natural as one of the two bookends for infrastructure. It would ensure that we would have some funds we could count on, some publicly available funds, and I think it would be a natural fit with the kind of bonding that Senator Hoeven and I and others have been interested in. prgtoken I am here to talk on another subject, but before he leaves, I would like to thank my colleague for his comments. prgtoken and colleagues, it is fair to say that it is throwback Thursday here in the Senate. It is also a big day for the Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin--not only because we are dealing with taxes, not only because there is another glamorous photo shoot with a big sheet of dollar bills, but this is also the 1-year anniversary of what has come to be known as the Mnuchin rule. prgtoken It was November 30, 2016, when news broke that Mr. Mnuchin was the likely nominee to head the Department of Treasury, and that morning, the Secretary-to-be went on TV and delivered what sounded like a very sweet promise. Here is what he said about the administration's ideas for the issue we talk about tonight, tax reform. I am going to quote Steve Mnuchin directly. He said: ``Any reduction we have in upper-income taxes will be offset by less deductions so that there will be no absolute tax cut for the upper class.'' In case anybody missed that last part of his statement, he said ``no absolute tax cut for the upper class.'' And he didn't stop there. He went even further in hyping big plans he had. He said: ``When we work with Congress and we go through this, it will be very clear: This is a middle-income tax cut.'' prgtoken This is all part of the anniversary, to kind of refresh everybody's memory. prgtoken After that pledge, I talked about this matter with Mr. Mnuchin during the Senate Finance Committee. He smiled. He was thrilled that I was recalling the pledge he made. prgtoken When I brought it up, I said: Well, we could just call this the Mnuchin rule. prgtoken Mr. Mnuchin, at that time, thanked me, and he said: There would be great esteem in having the Mnuchin rule with both the Buffett rule and the Volcker rule. He said: I take that as a great compliment. prgtoken So here we are a year later, and what a difference a year has made. The Mnuchin rule is now a broken promise for the history books. prgtoken This week, s scramble to pass a tax plan that reaches into the pockets of working people in the middle class and showers trillions of dollars in handouts to multinational corporations, high-flyers, and the political
TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT
Bill Nelson (Democrat, FL) \u2014 2017-11-30

I intend to call up my motion to commit the bill to the Finance Committee, which is at the desk, and it is supported by Senator . prgtoken , while we are working out the consent, the tax bill before us is not for the middle class. As a matter of fact, this is a big cut for corporations. This is not a cut for you. It is not a cut for hard-working families. It is so lopsided as a cut to big corporations. prgtoken The fact is that it is not for the middle class. We need to be frank. The truth is that the bill treats the corporations much better than regular people. For example, over a 10-year period, if you make $75,000 or less, you will be hurt by this bill. If you are a small business owner and your taxes are a passthrough at the individual rate, your taxes are going to be much higher than large, multinational corporations. If you buy your health insurance in the individual market, there is a good chance that you are going to lose access to affordable health insurance. These are the facts, and it is just plain and simple. prgtoken Sure, there are tax cuts for some of the middle class, but those tax cuts go away after 8 years. In 2026, they are gone. By contrast, the tax cuts for big corporations are made permanent, and that is simply not treating people fairly. prgtoken So what I am suggesting is that we send this bill to the Finance Committee to work out a bipartisan compromise on how to make middle- class tax cuts permanent. There were 17 of us that stood up in the press gallery yesterday and said we are for a bipartisan compromise. I would hope a majority of my colleagues would support that, and I ask for your support.