Video & Transcript Research : 'war declaration'

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OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 26th, 2026 at 08:30 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I declare Senate Bill 378 to have passed, Mr. Leader, thank you, Mr. President.
  • A lot of you are very concerned about law, law war, or war law, or whatever you call it.
  • I declare the bill to be advanced. Embenate.
  • I declare Senate Bill 1565 to pass, having received 42 votes and zero nay votes.
  • Seeing none, I declare Senate Bill 1565 to have passed as emergency measures. Mr.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session: 2025 First Special Session - part 1 Jun 9th, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2024, Section 3.073, I declare the House organized for this special session
  • State of Minnesota, Representative Nisga moves that the rule therein be suspended and an urgency be declared
  • Who came here and crashed and declared all of this theirs, and then killed a bunch of people who lived
  • And I always thought that We came here because my grandfather was a colonel in the secret war.
  • since World War I.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • including during the Vietnam War. including during the Vietnam War.
  • But that disaster will not be declared.
  • Uh this is declaration that followed.
  • And argument for that declared event.
  • Um but we asking for to be declared.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then spent much of the meeting recognizing members of the Falmouth Police Department and related support personnel. Representatives and senators described the department’s response to a May 17, 2025 shooting between two vehicles, saying officers secured the area, apprehended suspects, and prevented further harm within about 30 minutes. They also recognized Officer Jonathan Bis for helping rescue a person from a burning storage facility on May 3, and honored Chaplain Abram Croer and police administrator Marilyn Belure for their support roles. Members praised the officers’ service and presented citations; one member also noted the recent flooding in Falmouth and the strain on local responders. The committee also observed a moment of silence for a firefighter who died after a vehicle crash while responding to a call. The committee then recognized Sergeant Major Jimmy Thorne, USMC (Ret.), with a lengthy citation for his military service and community involvement. The citation highlighted more than three decades of service, including Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia, multiple injuries, exposure to Agent Orange, and numerous decorations such as the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. Speakers also noted his continued civic work in Williamstown and Grant County. Thorne thanked the committee, said enlisting in the Marine Corps and moving to Kentucky were two of his proudest decisions, and received a committee coin. Members and guests offered additional remarks about his character and service. Finally, Brigadier General Charles Jones and Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson gave an update on spring storm response and recovery. They said Kentucky has had three declared disasters and one undeclared event this year, with 113 of 120 counties affected in the last 12 months, including February flooding, April flooding, and May tornadoes; a January ice storm appeal was denied. Gibson emphasized the rising frequency and cost of disasters, citing about $350 million in public assistance over the first 10 years of the period reviewed versus about $2 billion in the last five years. He reported on sheltering, disaster recovery centers, FEMA and SBA assistance, and said about $57 million in individual assistance had been paid and nearly $69 million obligated, while public assistance projects were still moving through review and payment.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 19th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They think we're too busy fighting the culture war to fight for them.
  • Birthright citizenship is our nation's declaration that America is... ...doesn't.
  • Norman's mother was incarcerated during World War II, and she spent her years in Topaz, Utah.
  • Norman's mother was incarcerated during World War II, and she spent her years in Topaz, Utah.
  • She was incarcerated during World War II, and she spent her years in Topaz, Utah.
Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • organization was originally founded at the local level in 1899 by American veterans of the Spanish-American War
  • and the Philippine-American War to advocate for medical care, prevention, pensions, and benefits for
  • HCR75 seeks to designate September 29th as Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Day for a 10
  • in American history, the Tuskegee Airmen, who played a critical role in the Allied victory in World War
  • Mississippi, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania have also declared Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Days.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Feb 27th, 2025

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the public news and too many declare the public news and too many declare the public news and too many
  • a public nuis because it said declared a public nuis because it said declared a public nuis because
  • because AA you know but declaring because AA you know but declaring because AA weekend or any Alabama
  • 104 year old veterans I know World War 104 year old veterans I know World War II we we have um couple
  • II you don't understand why World War II you don't understand why World War II went on do you don't
Keywords: 1136, house, all
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Apr 7th, 2026

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • These are officially declared veterans that have been declared permanently disabled.
  • They got sued for faking a war, for reporting a fake war just to get ratings.
  • They got sued for faking a war, for reporting a fake war just to get ratings.
  • They got sued for faking a war, for reporting a fake war just to get ratings.
  • So, you go start<02:27:45.240> a<02:27:45.320> war. start a war. start a war.
Keywords: 920, all
Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then quickly handled routine business including excusing absent senators, adopting the prior journal, and recognizing several guests in the gallery. The chamber also paused to honor Dr. Mark Sullivan, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, with a Senate resolution commending him as the Alabama Education Association’s 2025-26 outstanding superintendent of the year. Senator Smitherman and Dr. Sullivan both spoke, with Sullivan highlighting Birmingham’s academic gains, reduced failing schools, and lower chronic absenteeism. The Senate then processed a series of House messages and confirmations. It concurred in SB 288 on agriculture authorities and SB 317 on the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, but non-concurred and sent SB 174 on natural resources and SB 32 on solid waste collection fees to conference. The chamber confirmed numerous appointments, including Rex Jones, William Donahue, Jim Massey, Jason Windham, Alexander Atwater, Charles Dean, Steve McKinnon, Bonnie Temple, Shaniqua Johnson-Enam, Dwayne Jenkins, Troy Skipworth, Gloria Watts, Tracy Doughty, Kevin Ball, Joe D. Briggs, Josh Bryant, Dylan Turk, David R. Pruitt III, and Carol Smitherman, with most confirmations passing on near-unanimous rolls. Committee reports advanced several House bills, including favorable reports on HB 224, 591, 614, 609, 444, 248, 611, 622, 92, and 556, with HB 248 amended. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the University of Alabama women’s wheelchair basketball team for winning the 2026 national championship, and another resolution recognizing the seriousness of the national debt and urging Congress to establish regular budget order. A resolution honoring retired Brigadier General Vandiver H. Carter as the 2026 Marion Military Institute Alumnus of the Year and a resolution commending John R. Cooper were also adopted. In local legislation, the Senate passed HB 635 for Choctaw County, HB 639 for Escambia County, SB 10 for Tuscaloosa County, HB 315 for class one municipalities after adopting a committee substitute and a friendly amendment, and HB 404 for class one municipalities. Finally, the Committee on Rules reported and the Senate adopted a special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing a wide range of bills for priority consideration, including measures on solar power facilities, homestead exemptions, education, guardianships, tax increment districts, legal tender, college tuition, crime victims compensation, motor vehicles, entertainment industry issues, campus chaplains, tax abatements, alcoholic beverage producers, data privacy, constables, insurance, municipal audits, income tax, public high schools, taxation, state health planning, and University of Alabama matters.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 2/12/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • constitutional majority is declared constitutional majority is declared pass.<00:55:38.573> [
  • House Bill 20, having received a constitutional majority, is declared passed.
  • House Bill 277, having received a constitutional majority, is declared passed.
  • We seem to be at a time where there's a tug-of-war with law and constitution.
  • World War II, receiving a Purple Heart. World War II, receiving a Purple Heart.
Summary: The House convened with 124 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted a congratulatory House resolution honoring the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the 2025 Maryland Class 2A state championship. The House also journalized Baltimore City 2026 bond/loan authorization resolutions and moved a series of introductory House bills and bond initiatives through first reading and committee referral without objection. On the special order calendar, House Bill 28, concerning higher education/private career schools advertising, received a favorable report and was ordered printed for third reading. House Bill 226, creating a Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations structure, was also reported favorably as amended. Two floor amendments were adopted to that bill: one clarifying that any affiliated foundation may only raise funds or provide support and may not run programs or set policy, and another restoring conflict-of-interest and ethics protections, including limits on family members and public ethics application requirements. A later amendment to HB 226 was rejected by a recorded vote of 95 in the negative, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 229, which increases the Maryland Transportation Authority’s revenue bond limit from $4 billion to $5 billion to help finance the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild. One amendment sought to prohibit toll increases without General Assembly approval; its sponsor argued the added borrowing would likely lead to future toll hikes and that elected representatives should vote on them. The floor leader opposed the amendment, saying it would weaken MDTA’s independent rate-setting authority, harm its bond rating, and increase financing costs, while noting the bill is intended to cover bridge reconstruction costs and federal reimbursement timing. After debate, the amendment failed on a recorded vote, and HB 229 was ordered printed for third reading.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 3/23/26 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • therein be suspended and an urgency rule therein be suspended and an urgency be<00:02:52.200> declared
  • 53.440> the<00:02:53.560> rules<00:02:53.960> of<00:02:54.040> the be declared
  • and that the rules of the be declared and that the rules of the house<00:02:54.440> be<00:02:
  • prisoners of war Minnesota prisoners of war and<00:17:35.800> service<00:17:36.120> members
  • and those who And for prisoners of war and those who are<00:18:04.800> missing<00:18:05.120><
Keywords: 1183, house
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • And as I thought about that concept, I realized that it's based on the Declaration of Independence, which
  • We've already established for, you know, we're sending kids to war at that age.
  • You know, we'd send them off to war and they can't vote.
  • They can't buy a beer, but they can vote and then go fight our wars for us, but they're not old enough
  • And now we've... ...and then go fight our wars for us, but they're not old enough to buy beer.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, voting favorably on SB 1612, SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789. SB 1612 was reported favorably with objections to the local and contested calendar, while SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789 were reported favorably, with SB 1642 and SB 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council; SB 1642 would add an executive director to the Texas Department of Insurance structure; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards and clarify PUC authority and remedies. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from CEO Pablo Vegas on the updated long-term load forecast, which showed a much higher unadjusted growth projection driven largely by data centers. ERCOT described an adjusted forecast using historical delays and lower realized build rates, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, and the importance of SB 6 for demand response and flexibility. The committee then heard and left pending SB 2629, which would allow condominium and property owners’ association meetings and voting by electronic means; SB 2702, which would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies without a separate TCEQ license; SB 2167, which would let TDLR pause new license applications tied to human trafficking emergency orders or pending SOAH cases; SB 2349, which would exempt short-term leases and certain leasebacks from flood disclosure requirements; SB 2121, which would tighten the data broker registry law; and SB 2443, which would authorize TDLR electronic delivery of notices and other documents. Testimony generally supported these bills as cleanup, modernization, or workforce-streamlining measures, with some members expressing caution about electronic meetings and emphasizing in-person accountability. The committee also heard SB 2902 on coerced debt and identity theft, with testimony from a law professor and family violence advocates supporting stronger protections for survivors and suggesting a police report as an additional proof option. SB 512, a refiled bill restricting money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2145 on allowing certain TIF boards to meet virtually in narrow circumstances, SB 2268 on extending Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in some cases, SB 1495 creating an EV supply equipment advisory board, SB 2154 regulating delivery network companies under a statewide framework, SB 2184 lowering the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18, SB 2211 on combining data centers, power generation, and produced-water desalination projects, and SB 647 on title theft protections and clerk authority to refuse fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after brief testimony and questions, with members focusing on reliability, regulation, and safeguards against fraud.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Business and Commerce Apr 10th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • And as I thought about that concept, I realized that it's based on the Declaration of Independence, which
  • We've already established, for you know, we're sending kids to war at that age.
  • You know, we'd send them off to war and they can't vote.
  • They can't buy a beer, but they can vote and then go fight our wars for us, but they're not old enough
  • And then go fight our wars for us, but they're not old enough to buy a beer.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first voted out several pending bills. Senate Bill 1612 was reported favorably to the full Senate with objections sent to the local and contested calendar. The committee then adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported Senate Bills 2717, 1468, 1642, and 1789, with 1642 and 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council and add agencies to it; SB 1468 and SB 1642 were discussed as changes affecting utility and insurance-related structures; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards, with the author saying it would clarify PUC authority and create more practical statewide standards. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from Pablo Vegas, who said Texas load growth remains strong but ERCOT is adjusting its large-load forecast downward using historical delays and realization rates for data centers and other large loads. He said the adjusted forecast is still very high, but more realistic for planning, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, demand response, and the role of Senate Bill 6 in helping model large data centers as flexible load. The committee then took testimony on a series of bills and left most pending after public comment. SB 2629 would allow condominium and property owners associations to hold meetings and vote electronically; testimony supported it as a way to improve access, though some members expressed concern about overuse of virtual meetings. SB 2702 would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies instead of requiring a separate TCEQ license, and was supported as a workforce and public health measure. SB 2167 would let TDLR pause new massage-establishment license applications when an applicant is subject to a human trafficking emergency order or pending SOAH case. SB 2349 would exempt short-term residential leases and certain leasebacks from floodplain disclosure requirements while allowing the notice to be included in the lease packet. SB 2121 would tighten the data broker registry law from the prior session, and SB 2443 would allow TDLR to use electronic delivery for notices and contested-case documents. Additional bills focused on consumer protection, housing, and regulatory administration. SB 2902 would help victims of coerced debt and identity theft stop collection efforts by requiring proof such as a court order or FTC report; advocates said it would protect survivors while still preventing fraud. SB 512 would bar money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations in a way that forfeits account funds, and supporters framed it as a protection against private financial penalties. SB 2145 would allow public improvement districts and tax increment finance districts to meet virtually with at least one member physically present, while SB 2268 would give the PUC flexibility to extend Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in certain cases. SB 1495 would create an advisory board for electric vehicle supply equipment standards, SB 2154 would extend statewide regulation to delivery network companies, SB 2184 would lower the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display licenses from 21 to 18, SB 438 would expand confidentiality protections for SOAH administrative law judges, SB 2211 would treat digital products and desalinated water as industrial products to support combined energy-water projects, and SB 647 would strengthen title-theft protections by improving notice and clerk authority to reject fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after testimony, and several drew support from industry, consumer, or advocacy witnesses along with some member concerns about electronic meetings, licensing, and data accuracy.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because the US Army remained War.
  • War II where he participated in some of War II where he participated in some of the<01:07:27.520>
  • <02:08:21.040> on bless our troops as the global war on bless our troops as the global war
  • Revealing that war criminal strength.
  • The war on coal must end.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Election Law (02/17/2026)

Election Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Uh, secretary of state's office, they shall forward each declaration.
  • It's going to be probably a declaration of candidacy, my guess.
  • reading war articles for the first time. reading war articles for the first time.
  • Representative Lane said that under RSA 655:17, for declarations of candidacy, you have to declare, sign
  • >> Representative<01:13:42.880> Wars. >> Representative Wars.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Session (03/13/2025)

New Hampshire House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the stigmat of having people declaring the stigmat of having people declaring themselves themselves
  • This proposed method of declaring victory is clear disenfranchisement.
  • One is there when war breaks out; her home is destroyed, her life is in danger.
  • relatives on illegal visa when that War relatives on illegal visa when that War Began<07:05:38.638
  • <07:06:13.440> broke the war broke the war broke out<07:06:15.320> the<07:06:15.398
Keywords: 1189, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce Apr 10th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you. approach and don't offer electronic meetings if it's not specified in the declaration, even
  • And as I thought about that concept, I realized that it's based on our Declaration of Independence, which
  • We're sending kids to war at that age. So, you know, it is.
  • You know, we'd send them off to war, and they can't vote, they can't buy a beer, but they can serve in
  • Go fight wars for us, but they're not old enough to buy beer.
Summary: The meeting of the committee commenced with the establishment of a quorum, where members discussed and voted on five significant bills related to energy efficiency, insurance regulation, and public utility governance. Notably, Senate Bill 2717 was presented, incorporating feedback to foster collaboration among various state agencies for improved energy efficiency performance. This was followed by a detailed discussion on Senate Bill 1642, which proposed changes to the Texas Department of Insurance's executive structure to optimize management and consumer focus. Each bill saw active participation from senators who moved to adopt committee substitutes for clarity and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, indicating a proactive approach to legislative issues.
NJ

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

Senate Budget and Appropriations Jun 4th, 2026

Senate Budget and Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • sponsored by Senators Joseph and Diegnan, authorizing creation of the 250th anniversary Revolutionary War
  • The committee amendments would annually appropriate proceeds of the 250th Anniversary Revolutionary War
  • Fund created under the bill to support and preserve heritage tourism sites rather than Revolutionary War
  • The committee amendments would annually appropriate proceeds of the 250th Anniversary Revolutionary War
  • Fund created under the bill to support and preserve heritage tourism sites rather than Revolutionary War
Keywords: 1146, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Apr 1st, 2025

Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • A little background about the ship: it's one of only five operational World War II merchant vessels remaining
  • It served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War by transporting troops, equipment, and
  • It also played a pivotal role in the Marshall Plan, aiding in post-war recovery efforts.
  • programs in support of America 250 and celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration
  • This is a required declaration that the legislature has determined that providing such health care coverage
Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, many involving public records exemptions and government operations. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 342 on an Agency for Health Care Administration public records exemption for employees facing threats; SB 7018 preserving a public records exemption tied to parental consent/judicial bypass records for minors seeking abortions; SB 626 lowering quorum requirements and allowing remote participation for the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys; SB 710 protecting personal information of Crime Stoppers employees, board members, volunteers, and their families; SB 300 extending clerk personal-information protections to appellate court clerks; and SB 302 creating a similar exemption for Judicial Qualifications Commission employees. The committee also approved SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve and narrow public records exemptions related to the Department of Financial Services as receiver for insolvent insurers and the financial technology sandbox, respectively. The committee also heard and advanced several policy bills. SB 820 codifies the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor; Senator Polsky questioned whether the office was duplicative of existing services and raised concerns about religion in state governance, while supporters argued it complements existing networks and helps connect Floridians to services. SB 1144 codifies the Hope Florida program, with supporters describing it as a connector to community resources and critics again raising concerns about overlap, private donations, and accountability; both SB 820 and SB 1144 passed on largely party-line votes with Senator Polsky voting no. SB 804 would redesignate the SS American Victory as the state flagship, but Senator Rodriguez opposed giving up the current flagship designation for the Key West schooner, though the bill still passed favorably. SB 214 designates August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day and passed without opposition. SB 1088 requires certain state customer-service phone lines to offer callback features, and SB 576 makes technical fixes to service-of-process law; both were reported favorably. Additional bills included SB 1524, a broad Department of State measure with a strike-all amendment that revises grant-review procedures, adds an America 250 funding focus, and changes commission-fee and oath requirements; Senator Arrington and Senator Polsky expressed concerns about reviewer qualifications, grant criteria, and the impact on arts and cultural programs, and both voted no while the bill still passed. SB 1640, on confidentiality of lethality assessment forms in domestic violence cases, was amended to allow disclosure to domestic violence centers while barring disclosure to state attorneys, and it passed favorably. SB 1160 expands health insurance premium benefits for certain officers catastrophically injured or killed in the line of duty; supporters from the Fraternal Order of Police appeared in support, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also confirmed eight appointments to the Florida Commission on Community Service, the Investment Advisory Council, the Public Employees Relations Commission, and the State Retirement Commission. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded on specific bills, and the committee adjourned.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The president publishes his declaration.
  • continue the national emergency declared continue the national emergency declared in<07:29:11.200
  • We will mourn, but we will never forget. administration declaring a disaster administration declaring
  • disaster declaration was ready.
  • when the disaster declaration was ready. when the disaster declaration was ready.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Critics say a convention would just become another partisan war zone, but that's not how this works.
  • Convention would just become another partisan war zone. But that's not how this works.
  • So after the horrible shock of World War II, 22 states, including Massachusetts, adopted resolutions
  • nuclear weapons and the U.S. playing de facto world cop, and it takes very little to spark a world war
  • This body was part of a very important development after World War II, the Nuremberg Trials.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs was opened by Chair Joe McGonagle and Vice Chair Senator Mike Rush, who noted that Chair John Velis was deployed with the Massachusetts National Guard. The chairs explained the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, live streaming, and filing deadlines, and said the committee would hear 11 House bills and eight Senate bills dealing with federal and overseas issues. Much of the hearing centered on competing resolutions about Article 5 constitutional conventions, along with related resolutions on D.C. statehood, child labor, Citizens United, and Cambodia. Supporters of H. 4692 and S. 284, a joint resolution to rescind all prior Massachusetts Article 5 convention applications, argued that old resolutions from the 1930s and 1970s could be used to count Massachusetts toward the 34-state threshold for calling a federal constitutional convention. Testifiers from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, Reproductive Equity Now, labor groups, and others warned that a convention would have no clear rules, could not be reliably limited to specific topics, and could put civil rights, reproductive rights, labor protections, and other constitutional protections at risk. Several speakers also cited a recent federal lawsuit and said the safest course was to remove outdated applications from the books. A large opposing panel testified in support of H. 3888, a resolution calling for a Convention of States to propose amendments limiting federal power, imposing fiscal restraints, and establishing term limits. Supporters argued that Article 5 provides a lawful way to address federal overreach, debt, and congressional stagnation, and said the process would be limited by state applications and ratification by 38 states. Some committee members and witnesses raised concerns about a runaway convention, broad language in the resolution, and whether Congress could or should set rules for such a convention. Representative Gentile also testified in support of several related resolutions on overturning Citizens United, D.C. statehood, and the child labor amendment, while Representative Howard and Representative Tongue supported a Cambodia resolution condemning political oppression and urging free and fair elections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.