Video & Transcript : 'Democrat' :
Page 134 of 312
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- That's why, starting in our first budget year in 2023, Senate Democrats required every single lawmaker
Committee:
Senate Appropriations
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Appropriations met with a quorum present, adopted the April 23, 2026 minutes, and then held a discussion focused on eligible legislatively directed spending items (LDSIs) for the FY 2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee was part of a new transparency process requiring legislators to publicly disclose LDSI requests, including the recipient, amount, and purpose, and noted that the forms must be posted publicly for at least 45 days before inclusion in the budget. He said Senate members submitted more than 500 eligible LDSI forms and House members submitted 750, for over 1,250 total proposals made available online.
The chair emphasized that the process is intended to increase accountability and public awareness of how tax dollars are spent, and encouraged the public to review the posted forms on the Senate and House websites. During the meeting, four cards of support were read into the record: Wendy Fallow supported the Literacy Center of West Michigan project; Graham Filler supported the H.H.W. request on behalf of Kalamazoo County; and Mayor David LaGrand and Rob Verhulen both supported the aquarium request.
No committee questions were raised, no substantive votes were taken on the LDSI items, and the committee moved through routine procedural actions. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, supported and adopted without objection.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 18 Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There will be a Democratic caucus at noon in rooms A1 and A2. Thank you.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted resolutions honoring the partnership between Quebec and Massachusetts and congratulating Lynx Incorporated on its 75th anniversary. The House also approved orders extending reporting deadlines for the Judiciary Committee and the Revenue Committee, and adopted a special procedures order for consideration of House No. 5151, the energy, affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness bill.
The chamber then acted on local legislation. House Bill 4272, authorizing the town of Hudson to grant an additional off-premises wine and malt beverages license, was passed to be enacted. Senate Bill 1898, authorizing the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in Plainville, was also passed to be enacted.
Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn and set its next meeting for 11 a.m. the following day in formal session. A Democratic caucus was announced for noon in rooms A1 and A2.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/12/26 - Part 1
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- think Coach Niska will have an announcement about Rules Committee, and following Rules Committee, Democrats
Summary:
The House convened with prayer by Pastor Craig McLean of Grace Church in Eden Prairie, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call establishing a quorum. The journal from the previous legislative day was approved as corrected, and comparison report motions were adopted without objection. The chamber then took up second reading of Senate File 3720 and first reading of House Files 5134 through 5139.
A report from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration placed several bills on the calendar for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and required pre-filing of amendments for House Files 7474, 5074, and 3067, and Senate File 4282. No substantive debate on the bills occurred in the excerpt.
During announcements, Representative Niska said the Rules Committee would meet in Capitol G3 five minutes after recess, and Republicans would caucus immediately afterward. Representative Niska then moved a recess to the call of the Speaker, the motion carried, and the House recessed.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 18 Feb 25th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There will be a Democratic caucus at noon in rooms A1 and A2. Thank you.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted resolutions honoring the partnership between Quebec and Massachusetts and congratulating Lynx Incorporated on its 75th anniversary. The House also adopted orders extending the reporting deadlines for the Judiciary Committee, the Revenue Committee, and related current House documents, and approved special procedures for consideration of House No. 5151, the energy, affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness bill.
The chamber then acted on two local bills. It passed to be enacted House No. 4272, authorizing the town of Hudson to grant an additional off-premises wine and malt beverages license, and Senate No. 1898, authorizing the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in Plainville.
At the end of the session, the House adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. in formal session and then adjourned. A Democratic caucus was announced for noon in rooms A1 and A2.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I will say that right now, there's a white board, oh, well, that doesn't help the Democrat.
Summary:
The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on January 28, 2026, and first approved the minutes from January 20, January 22, and January 23 without objection. The committee then heard RS 32840, presented by Representative Cheatham, which proposes a small correction to last year’s urban renewal legislation (House Bill 436). The change would allow new construction roll property outside urban renewal districts to be counted toward levies for fire protection districts and ambulance service districts, addressing an omission in the prior bill.
After brief discussion, Representative Monks moved to introduce RS 32840, and the committee approved the motion unanimously. The RS was introduced and the committee indicated it would likely be scheduled for a public hearing later. The chair also informed members that the committee likely will meet again the next day at 9:00 a.m. to take up a replacement tax conformity RS and the introduced bill, with language expected to be available later that day and likely shareable before the hearing.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I will say that right now, there's a whiteboard—oh, well, that doesn't help the Democrat.
Committee:
House Revenue and Taxation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota Senate Internship Program: Teresa Hernandez Sep 10th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- There is a Republican club, there's a Democratic club, there's speeches from both sides and I think that
- </c><04:57:47.760><c> club,</c><04:57:48.080><c> there's</c> club, there's a Democratic club, there's
- club, there's a Democratic club, there's speeches<04:57:48.958><c> from</c><04:57:49.280><c> both</c
- So, Democrats down to 236. Oh boy. There should be the sun will still be up.
- So, Democrats down to 236. Oh boy. Oh boy. Too early in March for that.
Committee:
House Education Funding
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- We have testimony from the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus offering testimony and support
- Democratic Party Hawaii Education Caucus in support.
- :20.960><c> Caucus</c> Democratic Party Hawaii Education Caucus Democratic Party Hawaii Education Caucus
- Democratic Party of Hawaii at caucus in support. EPW comments. >> Thank<02:41:07.040><c> you.
- Party of Hawaii at caucus in Democratic Party of Hawaii at caucus in support.<02:41:18.479><c> EPW</
Summary:
The committee on Education heard testimony on HB 1895, which would add education-worker protections by expanding harassment-related offenses. The Department of Education, HSTA, HGA, and several school employees and principals testified in support, describing increased harassment and threats toward teachers and staff, especially since COVID, and saying the bill would help deter bad actors. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, saying the language was vague and overbroad, could criminalize ordinary parental advocacy or speech, and might not survive constitutional scrutiny. In response to questions, the public defender said existing statutes already cover threatening or assaultive conduct against educational workers, while DOE representatives said the bill was aimed at excessive and repetitive disruptive behavior. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.
The committee then took up HB 1592, concerning protections for educational workers and sports officials. DOE, the Charter School Commission, HGA, HSTA, school principals, athletic programs, and many individual testifiers supported the bill, with several describing threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior at schools and athletic events. One principal said he had repeatedly involved law enforcement after threats and incidents on campus, and a teacher testified about the need to keep school environments safe and orderly. The Office of the Public Defender again opposed the bill, arguing that current law already enhances penalties for assaults and terroristic threatening against educational workers and sports officials, and that new offenses would have little deterrent effect. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be a separate statute and how to distinguish passionate advocacy from harassment; DOE said the line was crossed when conduct became excessive and repetitive, while the public defender urged clearer drafting and more emphasis on prevention, education, security, and de-escalation. No vote or final action was announced in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes SF1832, the workforce, labor, and economic development finance bill 5/9/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Ending this practice has been supported by Republicans and Democrats nationwide.
- </c> supported by Republicans and Democrats supported by Republicans and Democrats nationwide.<00:27:
- Well, what has happened to our businesses over the last two years as the Democrats have passed sick and
- Well, what has happened to our businesses over the last two years as the Democrats have passed sick and
- voting yes in committee and Democrats voting yes in committee and Republicans<01:36:45.119><c> voting
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, the Democrats will be in room 403. Representative Lane, hold on.
- will be in room 403 right the Democrats will be in room 403 um<01:56:00.960><c> representative</c><01
- Things that you can still do: a Democrat town committee or Republican town committee can still hold their
- Things that you can still do: a Democrat town committee or Republican town committee can still hold their
- </c><02:44:06.720><c> Town</c><02:44:06.960><c> committee</c><02:44:07.279><c> or</c> do a Democrat Town
Committee:
House Election Law
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- From 2000 to 2007, Phil served as chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions offered by Senator Brownsberger honoring the Armenian American community, the Armenian Heritage Foundation, Friends of the Armenian Heritage Park, and former State Representative Rachel Caprillion and Peter Kutuzian on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide commemoration. The chamber then acted on committee reports and petitions, including a bill to extend MBTA service of the ride to Foxborough, which was referred to the Committee on Transportation after suspension of the relevant rules, and a House petition to establish a sick leave bank for Dana Johnson of the Department of Children and Families, which was referred to the Committee on Public Service.
The Senate also adopted an order setting the January meeting for the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and directing that the Senate adjourn that day in memory of Philip W. Johnston. Members then offered remarks honoring Johnston’s life and public service, including his work in the House of Representatives, the Dukakis administration, the Clinton administration, and as chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, as well as his advocacy for health care, social justice, and vulnerable residents. After a moment of silence, the Senate adjourned in his memory.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Organizational business meeting to consider committee rules for the 119th Congress, and other pending calendar business. Jan 21st, 2025
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Poll after poll shows that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents want us to lower the outrageous cost
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Jun 24th, 2026
Labor and Employment
Transcript Highlights:
- Over 70% of voters, and I want to say that Democrats, independents, and Republicans see this initiative
- Over 70% of voters, and I want to say that Democrats, independents, and Republicans see this initiative
- state, looking at all different rural, urban, more Republican-leaning, more independent-leaning, Democratic
Committee:
House Labor and Employment
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The Democrats are going to try to reconsider. Yeah, we're meeting that.
- And that includes every legislator, not just the Republicans, but the Democrats, too.
- Speaker Pro Tem, with your permission, the Democratic caucus will meet after adjournment of rules in
Summary:
The House convened, approved the prior journal, received gubernatorial communications, and then moved into an additional Committee of the Whole to consider Senate bills on two calendars. In that committee, members adopted floor and committee amendments and reported SB 1100, SB 1160, and SB 1178 out as amended. On the second calendar, the committee considered SB 1200, SB 1560, SB 1627, and SB 1723, adopting amendments on SB 1200, SB 1627, and SB 1723 and reporting all four measures out, while SB 1725 was retained on the calendar. The House then adopted the committee reports and sent the amended bills to engrossing or third reading as appropriate.
The chamber then took up a long series of third-reading votes. Several bills passed with recorded votes and some member explanations focused on public safety, parental rights, school safety, health care, local control, property rights, and wildlife management. Among the measures that passed were SB 1013, SB 1015, SB 1046, SB 1094, SB 1095, SB 1124, SB 1186, SB 1214, SB 1275, SB 1280, SB 1315, SB 1318, SB 1205 on reconsideration, SB 1327, SB 1416, SB 1418, SB 1582, SB 1613, SB 1662, SB 1664, SB 1670, SB 1711, SB 1741, SB 1821, and several concurrent memorials. A number of bills failed, including SB 1052, SB 1170, SB 1457, SB 1074, SB 1540, SB 1649, and SB 1663.
Debate on several bills drew pointed partisan and policy disagreements. Members opposing health-related bills argued they targeted LGBTQ people or medical decision-making, while supporters framed them as protecting children or bodily autonomy. On SB 1170, members said the bill contained a drafting error that would create extreme penalties and strain prison capacity. On SB 1280, supporters and opponents split over Mexican gray wolf management and federal conservation efforts. On SB 1199, the Salt River horse herd bill, members discussed herd management, heritage, property impacts, and a required emergency clause; it passed with the needed two-thirds majority. The House also adopted a group concurrence motion on numerous House bills and passed several House bills on final reading, including HB 2013, HB 2016, HB 2028, HB 2086, HB 2118, HB 2140, HB 2170, HB 2226, HB 2244, HB 2248, HB 2249, HB 2327, HB 2379, HB 2380, and others, forwarding them to the Governor.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- made up of five members: the governor's appointee, the clerk of court, the registrar of voters, the Democrat
- It's the governor's appointee, the clerk of court, the registrar voters, the Democrat appointee and the
- The clerk of court, the registrar of voters, the Democrat appointee, and the Republican appointee.
Bills:
SB83 , SB135 , SB143 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB261 , SB276 , SB295 , SB450 , SB465 , SB506 , HB1070
Committee:
Senate Finance
Keywords:
human trafficking, trafficking prevention, school safety, public schools, elementary and secondary education, charter schools, mandatory reporting, victim identification, victim services, child trafficking, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, commercial sexual activity, DCFS, Department of Children and Family Services, Louisiana State Police, governor's office of human trafficking prevention, counselor training, mental health professional, administrator training
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- Whether you're a Republican or Democrat, I think we can all agree that the Virginia Public Access Project
- killed taxes on car repairs and killed taxes on DoorDash deliveries, all that were sponsored by the Democrats
- And we hear that, in fact, Democrats aren't raising your taxes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Human Services Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- so happy to receive the bipartisan effort and the support co-authored by the Republicans and the Democrats
- so happy to receive the bipartisan effort and the support co-authored by the Republicans and the Democrats
- And so, given the testimony, the Senate Democrats rolled out our budget proposal at the end of last week
Summary:
The committee first adopted a 4-0 consent calendar for SB 1345, SB 1410, and SB 1421. It then heard SB 1200 on child care, which would redefine infant and toddler age categories so providers could count 18- to 24-month-olds as toddlers without changing ratios. The author and family child care providers said the bill would better reflect child development, improve reimbursement, increase capacity, and help keep family child care businesses open; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations.
The committee next approved SB 971, a permissive framework for counties to offer senior education and technology training through local public health systems and community partners. Supporters said it would help older adults with digital literacy, fraud awareness, health, and social connection, while remaining optional and locally tailored. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 to the floor. The committee also passed SB 1234, which requires fentanyl to be included in court-ordered drug testing in dependency cases when drug testing is already ordered. The author, an angel family member, and a sheriff’s office witness described child deaths and fentanyl exposure risks; the bill passed 4-0 to the floor.
SB 1109, dealing with oversight of short-term residential therapeutic programs in small rural counties, drew substantial testimony. Supporters from Alpine County argued that two facilities there strain local emergency response and that annual review should be triggered by repeated serious citations or placement in counties lacking basic infrastructure. Opponents said the bill was too broad and could destabilize needed placement capacity. After discussion, the author accepted committee amendments, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also passed SB 961, which would notify financial aid applicants that they may be eligible for CalFresh; students and advocates said it would reduce food insecurity and improve college success, with no opposition, and it passed 4-0 to Appropriations.
Later, SB 1099, clarifying local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under federal PRWORA exemptions, was heard and supported by local government attorneys; it was held on call after a 2-0 roll. SB 1190, creating licensing and safety rules for youth transport companies used in out-of-state residential placements, was supported by survivors and advocacy groups, with some support-if-amended testimony; it passed 4-0 to the Public Safety Committee. Finally, SB 1325, a narrow San Diego County measure to allow Feeding San Diego to participate in Cal Food under specific conditions, drew support from the author and Feeding San Diego but opposition from the California Association of Food Banks, which argued it would shift limited resources and add administrative burden. The transcript ends during committee discussion on SB 1325, before a final vote is shown.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- make a singular decision around felony sex assault and felony sex trafficking and say that in our democratic
- Yeah, I just want to back up my Democratic colleagues here and just say, you know, this is really a healthy
- Yeah, I just want to back up my Democratic colleagues here and just say, you know, this is really a healthy
Committee:
House Elections
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Joint Legislative Audit
Transcript Highlights:
- increasingly acting lawlessly, it's essential to subject these state and local intelligence operations to democratic
- I've looked at your board of directors, all union, the other group, completely union, Democrat activists
- approving too many charter schools; they haven't always caved into the union, which there's a lot of Democrat-run
Committee:
Senate Joint Legislative Audit