mesut/congress_speeches huggingface dataset:
MISCELLANEOUS TARIFF BILL ACT OF 2018
Bill Pascrell, Jr. (Democrat, NJ) \u2014 2018-1-16

such time as I may consume. prgtoken , the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act has historically had broad bipartisan support in both Chambers of Congress as a means to bolster U.S. manufacturing and competitiveness. prgtoken Right now, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act has been expired for more than 5 years. I am pleased that today we are finally able to consider updating this bill. prgtoken The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act is designed to provide relief to domestic firms by reducing or lifting tariffs on imported goods, as long as those goods are not produced here in the United States of America. prgtoken It is estimated that this legislation will provide more than $1 billion in tariff relief to U.S. businesses. Many of these businesses are needlessly paying more to acquire inputs to manufactured products here in the United States. prgtoken My home State of New Jersey will benefit greatly from this program, with firms projected to save more than $100 million over the course of a 3-year program. As a result, these New Jersey companies will receive a competitive boost and will be able to use their resources more productively, whether by raising wages or investing in research and development. prgtoken Consider ICF Mercantile, located in Fort Lee, New Jersey, which will obtain duty relief on high-tenacity rayon yarn, an input for material used for naval defense systems. Unfortunately, this specialty yarn has not been produced domestically in 20 years. That means that removing the tariff here would help, not hurt, U.S. industry. prgtoken New Jersey has a robust presence of chemical companies--it is our largest industry--employing directly or indirectly over 100,000 jobs. Several of those firms will receive tariff relief from numerous imported chemicals that I dare not try to pronounce. prgtoken All of these folks who like their antipasti, their Italian subs, salad, or pizza with some extra heat will be pleased to enjoy tariff relief on little green pepperoncini, either packed in oil or not. prgtoken The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act is also intended to carefully prevent domestic companies from being harmed. Under the current process, the International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce analyzed whether products are currently or could be eminently produced in the United States. If such production or potential for production was found, the ITC recommends excluding that product. prgtoken The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, which passed in 2016 with only two votes against it in the House, established the current process that invites U.S. firms to submit petitions that the ITC, the Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection analyze, vet, and recommend to Congress for inclusion or exclusion. prgtoken I would like to thank each agency for its hard work in coordination with Congress throughout the process. Boosting the competitiveness of American manufacturers and manu
RAPID DNA ACT OF 2017
Debbie Stabenow (Democrat, MI) \u2014 2018-1-16

first of all, I wish to thank my friend from Ohio. Senator Brown has been a real champion. It is wonderful to partner with him and with the senior Senator from Indiana, Mr. Donnelly. prgtoken All of us believe strongly--and the ic caucus together believes strongly--that a pension is a promise, period. A pension is a promise. Too many people right now are finding themselves in a situation where they are being told that promise is not going to be kept. prgtoken For generations, millions of working men and women have built better lives for themselves in Michigan and across the country, and better lives for their families, with jobs that provided more than a paycheck. That is part of the American dream. prgtoken These folks have worked hard, and we know that the people of Michigan can outbuild and outwork and outimagine anyone. I will take on my friends from Indiana and Ohio on that one because we know that in Michigan we have bright, hard-working folks. prgtoken In exchange for a job well done, workers knew that they could count on basic benefits, including quality healthcare and a secure retirement, a pension. Jobs like these didn't just build families. We know that those jobs have built the middle class of our country--making things, growing things, creating things, and building things. That is what has created our middle class and our way of life. prgtoken Unfortunately, though, we know that jobs that provide this kind of security and stability are becoming increasingly hard to find. Even worse, some workers have discovered that the benefits they earned over years of hard prgtoken work have proven to be less than dependable. That is why we are here, because we believe a pension is a promise, and too many people are being told that promise isn't going to be kept. That is wrong. prgtoken Imagine what it is like to be one of these workers. Perhaps you spent your career behind the wheel of a truck, hauling freight. The work is dangerous. The hours are long. You are separated from your family, but you keep on driving because the pay and the benefits are good, you are taking care of your family, and you are planning for the future. You know that after driving literally millions of safe miles, you will be able to retire with dignity. You will be able to have that cottage up north in Michigan, the snowmobile, and the boat, and to send your kids to college, thanks to the pension you worked so hard and so long for. prgtoken After decades of work, you decide it is time to park the truck one last time. You say goodbye to your coworkers and hello to a new stage in your life. You plan in your retirement to spend more time at the lake, maybe even teach your grandkids to fish. You can make these plans because you know you have the security of that pension you have worked all your life for. prgtoken Then, one day, everything changes. You learn that for a variety of reasons, the fund providing your pension is
WESTERN HEMISPHERE ELECTIONS
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican, FL) \u2014 2018-1-17

the Western Hemisphere is set to see many key Presidential, parliamentarian, and municipal elections this year, and those will have far-reaching implications. prgtoken Sadly, one place where we know we won't see elections is in my native country of Cuba. The Cuban people continue to be denied the right to choose their own leaders. The system in Cuba is a farce. The President of Cuba--using that term loosely--is selected by the National Assembly, and the National Assembly is selected by the regime in what can only be described as a circle of corruption. prgtoken Raul Castro claims that he will step down and allow for a transition of power in April. The reality is, even if there is a so-called transition, the balance of power will remain with Raul Castro and the Cuban people will continue to suffer. prgtoken The U.S. must not give Castro any concessions until we see the regime meet the basic conditions laid out in our laws, U.S. law. We want to help the people of Cuba work toward freedom of expression; freedom of assembly; and free, fair, and transparent elections. prgtoken Then there is Castro's protege in Venezuela: Maduro. Venezuela is set to hold elections this year, but with Maduro in power, there is little that we can expect. Even if elections are held, , we know that it will be a fraudulent process, just as the municipal elections were last year. prgtoken Maduro's grip on the supreme court and the supreme electoral tribunal make it impossible for the voice of the people to be heard. The administration has, thankfully, taken action against Maduro regime officials, but there is so much more that we can do, . There is a severe food and medicine shortage in Venezuela as a result of Maduro's failed and oppressive socialist policies. prgtoken That is why Eliot Engel and I introduced and the House passed last month the Venezuelan Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of ic Governance Act. Our bill mandates a strategy from the USAID to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Venezuela. The bill also aims to fight widespread corruption among Venezuelan governmental officials. I hope that our colleagues in the Senate will take action and pass this measure so we can get help to these individuals rapidly. prgtoken , Brazil is another country that has important Presidential elections this year. With public opinion at an all-time low, increasing public debt, and high-profile corruption allegations reaching the highest levels in Brazil, the country is at a crossroads. prgtoken In December 2016, the Department of Justice reached a plea agreement with Brazilian conglomerate, Odebrecht, for at least $3.5 billion in global penalties to resolve charges of bribery and what has amounted to be the largest case of its kind in history. prgtoken Last January I wrote a letter to then-Attorney General Lynch urging the DOJ to disclose the names of the officials referenced in the Odebrecht case. I again followed up this month
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Bob Corker (Republican, TN) \u2014 2018-1-17

section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. prgtoken In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous congent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, Room SD-423.
THE MARCH FOR LIFE
Andy Biggs (Republican, AZ) \u2014 2018-1-17

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this issue. I thank those who are sponsoring H.R. 4712. prgtoken I was a young man in high school when the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision came down. It ignited a movement to preserve the life of the unborn. My mother and future mother-in-law began working in the trenches to see this pernicious and barbaric practice eliminated. Seeing their example, my wife, my family, and I have worked to protect these little ones for many years. We have worked for pro-life causes in the community, internationally, and in the State legislature. prgtoken During my tenure in the State legislature, we passed dozens of pro- life bills. I am pleased to say that, since 2009, Arizona has passed and had signed into law 39 bills promoting the protection of unborn babies. In fact, Arizona was recently named the top pro-life State in the Union by Americans United for Life. Even so, Arizona is not without problems. prgtoken I dedicate my support for H.R. 4712 to Aryana Zeitner, whose mother faked a serious illness so that a doctor would perform an abortion at 22 weeks. Aryana survived the abortion, but she was not given any medical attention. Doctors, nurses, and presumably her mother, let her life slowly ebb away. Aryana's life passed after 1 hour and 18 minutes after the abortion was performed. This bill is for Aryana and others who should be alive today. prgtoken In another instance, a baby with no name survived an abortion. 911 in the Phoenix area of Arizona received a call from a worker at the abortion clinic indicating that a post-abortion baby was breathing, but the clinic did no more than provide oxygen. The baby passed, dying before arriving at the hospital. prgtoken , I dedicate this bill to all of the unnamed victims of abortion. prgtoken , if a baby survives an abortion, it is not an abortion. It is a birth. It is inhumane to allow a baby who survives an abortion to simply die from neglect and inattention. prgtoken I urge the passage of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, H.R. 4712. I urge leadership to bring H.R. 490, the Heartbeat Protection Act of 2017, sponsored by 170 Members of this body, to the floor for a vote as well.
RAPID DNA ACT OF 2017--Continued
John Thune (Republican, SD) \u2014 2018-1-17

tax reform has been the law of the land for less than a month, but it is already fostering a new era of economic optimism, and American workers are seeing the benefits. For years, American businesses, large and small, were weighed down by high tax rates and growth-killing provisions of the Tax Code. Plus, our outdated international tax rules left America's global businesses at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy. prgtoken The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed all that. We lowered tax rates across prgtoken the board for owners of small- and medium-sized businesses, farms, and ranches. We expanded business owners' ability to recover investments they make in their businesses, which will free up cash they can reinvest in their operations and their workers. We lowered our Nation's massive corporate tax rate, which up until January 1 was the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world. We brought the U.S. international tax system into the 21st century by replacing our outdated worldwide system with what is called a territorial tax system so American businesses are not operating at a disadvantage next to their foreign competitors. prgtoken Despite the fact that the new law has been in place for less than a month, it is already having a noticeable effect. Businesses are seeing a future defined by growth and success, and they are already passing some of the expected benefits on to their workers. Business after business has announced special bonuses, wage hikes, or benefit increases: AT&T, Bank of America, Comcast, American Airlines, Southwest, Visa, Nationwide Insurance, Jet Blue, and the list goes on and on. prgtoken In addition to giving out bonuses to eligible employees, Walmart is raising its starting wage for hourly employees, expanding maternity and parental leave benefits, and creating a new adoption benefit for employees. More than 1 million Walmart employees will benefit from the changes. prgtoken Aflac is boosting retirement benefits for its workers by increasing the size of its 401(k) match from 50 to 100 percent on the first 4 percent of employees' contributions. It has also announced a onetime $500 contribution to the retirement account of every employee. prgtoken PNC is giving a $1,000 bonus to 90 percent of its employees and adding $1,500 to employees' pension accounts. It is also boosting its minimum pay. prgtoken Similarly, Great Western Bank, which is headquartered in my State of South Dakota, is raising its minimum wage to $15 an hour and providing a $500 bonus or wage increase for nearly 70 percent of its workforce. The bank is also enhancing its employee healthcare program and doubling its annual contribution to its Making Life Great Grants community reinvestment program. prgtoken I could go on, but the good news is not limited to increased wages, bonuses, and benefits, as important as that is, particularly to people who are living paycheck to paycheck, but companies ar
THE MARCH FOR LIFE
Christopher H. Smith (Republican, NJ) \u2014 2018-1-17

I thank the gentlewoman for her very strong and powerful statement. prgtoken , I now yield to Robert Pittenger from North Carolina, who is the author of the No Abortion Bonds Act, a bill that would close loopholes in the Tax Code that allow abortion providers to finance new clinics and facilities with local bonds that are exempt from Federal taxes. Congressman Pittenger serves on the Financial Services Committee.
HONORING BOB DOLE
Glenn Thompson (Republican, PA) \u2014 2018-1-17

service to one's country is among the most notable and selfless acts throughout history. Our military men and women have shown uncompromising honor, dedication to duty, and genuine love of country. prgtoken This evening, Members of Congress will have an opportunity to meet the 23rd Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Mark T. Esper. Secretary Esper is a 1986 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He served on Active Duty for more than 10 years before transitioning into the Reserve, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. prgtoken Secretary Esper's service included deployment with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm. For his valor during that operation, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. prgtoken Proudly, the Secretary is a Pennsylvania native. He graduated from Laurel Highlands High School in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1982. Secretary Esper later earned a master's degree in public administration from Harvard and a doctorate from George Washington University. prgtoken I am looking forward to meeting the Secretary tonight thanks to the reception hosted by the House Army Caucus. prgtoken In addition to the Secretary, we will be joined by General Mark Milley, the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army. The Army senior leaders and members of the Army staff will also attend. prgtoken This reception provides an important opportunity for Members to meet directly with Secretary Esper and General Milley as well as the Army staff to gain their perspectives on the strategic environment facing the Army during the 115th Congress and discuss issues facing our Army, our soldiers, and their families. prgtoken Two outstanding events will take place today in the Capitol, and I look forward to both of these historic occasions. Congratulating the Pennsylvania State Showmen's Association
THE MARCH FOR LIFE
Sam Johnson (Republican, TX) \u2014 2018-1-17

this very Nation was founded upon the belief that all men are entitled to the most precious right to life. It is a right that I fought to defend in the United States Air Force, and it is a right I continue to defend in this United States Congress. That is why, this week, I will proudly vote in support of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. prgtoken It is my hope folks across the country are brought together with the uplifting message that life is a blessing.
AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET
Dan Sullivan (Republican, AK) \u2014 2018-1-17

I have 12 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. prgtoken Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs prgtoken The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Jerome H. Powell, of Maryland, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Randal Quarles, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Brian D. Montgomery, of Texas, and Robert Hunter Kurtz, of Virginia, both to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and David J. Ryder, of New Jersey, to be Director of the Mint, Department of the Treasury; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine combating money laundering and other forms of illicit finance, focusing on Administration perspectives on reforming and strengthening Bank Secrecy Act enforcement. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation prgtoken The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``Terrorism and Social Media: Is big Tech Doing Enough?'' Committee on Environment and Public Works prgtoken The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing entitled ``America's Water Infrastructure Needs and Challenges: Federal Panel.'' Committee on Finance prgtoken The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing on revision to the subcommittee assignments for the 115th Congress and on the following nominations: the Honorable Alex Michael Azar II, of Indiana, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services and Mr. Kevin K. McAleenan, of Hawaii, to be Commissioner of the United States Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. Committee on Finance prgtoken The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at 10 a.m to conduct a hearing on the following nominations: Dennis Shea, of Virginia, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (Geneva Office), with the rank of Ambassador, and C. J. Mahoney, of Kansas, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (Investment, Services, Labor, Environment, Africa, China, and the Western Hemisphere), with the rank of Ambassador.
PEMBROKE, NORTH CAROLINA, 2017 SMALL TOWN OF THE YEAR
Robert Pittenger (Republican, NC) \u2014 2018-1-17

I rise today in honor of Pembroke, North Carolina, named 2017 Small Town of the Year by the North Carolina Rural Assembly. prgtoken Pembroke, population 3,000, is home to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, as well as the Lumbee Indian Tribe, two wonderful organizations with whom I am actively involved. prgtoken Much of southeastern North Carolina has been decimated by poorly negotiated international trade deals and the loss of traditional industries. Pembroke is fighting back by participating in a first-in- the-Nation innovation and entrepreneurship program and is working to build its economy by focusing on healthcare, construction, and agribusiness. prgtoken Congratulations to Mayor Charles Gregory Cummings, Council Members Locklear, Jones, Sampson, and McNeill, Town Manager Tyler Thomas, UNC Pembroke Chancellor Robin Cummings, Lumbee Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin, and the entire Pembroke community on this outstanding achievement.