Video & Transcript Research : 'Congress'
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KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (3-10-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- It was created by Congress in 1981. It went into place in 1982."
- 34.440>
LIHEAP They Congress appropriated more LIHEAP They Congress appropriated more LIHEAP money - But again, that would be up to Congress. >> It would be, and the expectation that Congress passes legislation
- >> That's a question for Congress. >> That's a question for Congress.
- up to Congress. up to Congress.
Summary:
The committee first approved a motion and then deferred a large batch of 246 contracts totaling about $187.8 million until the April 2026 meeting. It then moved through the agenda and reviewed several pulled items, beginning with four Attorney General contingent-fee contracts. Committee members questioned why the contracts were new, what the $20 million maximums meant, and how the fees would work; the AG’s office explained they were new awards from a September RFP, that the $20 million was an outside estimate tied to a full recovery, and that one contract would require a $380 million recovery to pay out the maximum. The committee voted to consider those contracts reviewed without objection.
The Department of Highways then explained an “alternative delivery support” contract, describing it as a procurement method different from the usual design-bid-build model and noting it can help with innovation, speed, timeliness, or cost reduction. After that explanation, the committee again voted to consider the contract reviewed without objection. The Kentucky Horse Park/Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation presented eight legal services contracts; members focused on differing hourly rates and retroactive approval. The corporation said it had selected four firms through an RFP to maintain flexibility and avoid conflicts, would use in-house counsel first, and did not expect to use the maximum rates. Senator Thomas argued the committee’s statutory hourly rate cap is outdated and should be revisited. The committee then approved the contracts.
One Transportation Office of the Secretary contract was deferred to the April meeting, consistent with the agency’s prior request. The committee then reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services items from the Department of Community Based Services: three contract amendments and one memorandum of agreement. Members asked about funding sources, service outcomes, and whether the programs reduce future need; the agency said one amendment was a $55,000 increase offset by reductions elsewhere, that the total contract amount with the agency did not change, and that follow-up data show over 90% of children remain in the home after services. The committee approved those items.
Finally, the committee reviewed a LIHEAP contract amendment from the Division of Family Support, which the agency said used federal funds, not state general funds, to add newly appropriated federal money for low-income home energy assistance and crisis heating support. Members asked about future funding and were told that continuation depends on Congress. The committee approved that item. It then began reviewing Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities memoranda of agreement tied to Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center staffing; members asked for a count of personnel, and the agency said it would provide that information, after which the discussion continued.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Douglas Collins, of Georgia, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Jan 21st, 2025
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome, everyone, to the first hearing of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs for the 119th Congress
- He knows the intent of Congress.
- Of the Congress in which I passed, that was my intent as well.
- The greatest accomplishments since in the eight years that I've served in Congress.
- You have indicated earlier that you're going to be very responsive to Congress.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Protecting Public Trust / Prioritizing Infrastructure Projects / Offering Students More Choices Mar 27th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But as Congress had heard when this bill passed and the testifiers talked about it, ironically there's
- the federal level when Congress the federal level when Congress considered<00:20:14.080>
this - >
when <00:20:37.440>this <00:20:37.679>bill Congress um had heard when this bill - Congress um had heard when this bill passed<00:20:38.320>
and <00:20:38.559>the <00:20: - <00:21:31.360>
that York had testified to Congress that York had testified to Congress that
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report, focusing on the DCA midair collision. Mar 27th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation
Transcript Highlights:
- This committee worked tirelessly to pass... an FAA reauthorization bill last Congress that prioritized
- responds to the January 29th ought to be deliberate and not executed in a knee-jerk fashion, Congress
- Congress deserves answers.
- They gave me a list of actions they hope Congress can take to improve safety. Mr.
- Certainly if Congress passes a law, we would, as we did with.
Keywords:
aviation safety, midair collision, American Airlines Flight 5342, Army Black Hawk helicopter, NTSB, FAA, ADS-B technology, safety protocols
Summary:
The meeting focused on the discussions surrounding the tragic midair collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which resulted in the loss of 67 lives. Testimonies were provided by key figures including NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and FAA Acting Administrator Chris Richelieu. The committee expressed grave concerns regarding the existing safety protocols, questioning why the FAA failed to act on numerous warnings and data indicating potential collision risks. Members emphasized the need for urgent reforms in aviation safety to prevent such tragedies in the future. Specific highlights included the recognition of the importance of ADS-B out technology and concerns about the operational practices of military helicopters in controlled airspaces.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine stemming the tide of antisemitism in America. Mar 5th, 2025 at 09:15 am
Senate Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Last Congress, protesters shouted profanities about Jewish people in our hate crimes hearing, so we shouldn't
- In the face of questions like these, Congress had a duty to shed light on this issue and to confront
- Congress has spent more time in press conferences and hearings than voting on funding for substantial
- But Congress and the Trump administration are abandoning the most effective tools the government has
- The office has consistently been underfunded and consistently up for cuts by Congress.
Keywords:
anti-Semitism, hate crimes, college campuses, civil rights, public safety, protests, intimidation
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on addressing the rising tide of anti-Semitism across the nation. Among the discussions, members expressed concerns about the disturbing acts of hate witnessed on college campuses, with instances of harassment and intimidation targeting Jewish students being highlighted. High-profile incidents, including vandalism and the display of extremist symbols, prompted urgent calls for investigations and measures to protect civil rights. The importance of moral clarity in confronting such hate crimes was emphasized as well, outlining the responsibilities of leaders to ensure safety and uphold justice.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- And on January 6, 2021, members of Congress were pressured to challenge slates of electors during the
- In 2022, Congress passed the bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act, which eliminates the risk of alternate
- across our... when your presidential electors convene, and when your electoral votes are received by Congress
- So your voters can rest assured that Congress will never be given an excuse,... ...so your voters can
- rest assured that Congress will never be given an excuse to reject your state's electoral votes for
Summary:
The Committee on Election Laws held a hearing with House and Senate chairs and several members participating in person and online. The main bill discussed was House Bill 5086, the Electoral Count Reform/Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act, which would require presidential electors in Massachusetts to sign a faithfulness pledge, automatically replace any elector who casts a vote contrary to the state’s popular vote, and update state procedures to meet federal Electoral Count Act deadlines and paperwork requirements.
Testimony in support came from Public Citizen, the Uniform Law Commission, and Protect Democracy United. Witnesses argued the bill would protect against coercion, threats, and “faithless electors,” and said it would help ensure Massachusetts’ electoral votes reflect voters’ choices and cannot be rejected on technical grounds. One witness noted the bill is already enacted in many states and has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, and several organizations endorsed the model approach.
Members asked about how the bill would interact with Massachusetts’ participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The witness said the bill is compatible with the compact and suggested a minor clarifying amendment to avoid any implication that the state is stepping away from it. After testimony and questions, the chair noted that testimony had also been received on the other two bills from Representative Breguire, the governor’s office, and Representative Hogan, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote in the hearing.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, September 18, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
away <01:13:46.960>while Congress cannot keep looking away while Congress cannot keep - We don't just We're in Congress.
- <03:38:09.439>
And halls of Congress. It's not fair." And halls of Congress. - tell you we have here in this Congress tell you we have here in this Congress the<04:05:01.120><
- United States Congress. United States Congress.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/10/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- The memorial also asks Congress to provide funding for a system study and for needed improvements to
- The memorial also asks Congress to provide funding for a system study and for needed improvements to
- We have to have a bill passed in Congress. We did this in 1992.
- a long time to get it done, and we would appreciate your support in getting this passed to show Congress
- a long time to get it done, and we would appreciate your support in getting this passed to show Congress
Keywords:
groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, irrigation, active management area, domestic use, stock watering, water rights, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use, industrial users, water storage, recovery well, Arizona Revised Statutes, water management
Summary:
The Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water held a brief meeting and considered several water and energy measures. Senate Bill 1202, which would require the Arizona Department of Water Resources director to include additional information about each groundwater basin in the five-year water supply and demand assessment, was described as similar to a bill vetoed in a prior session. After a motion for a do pass recommendation, the committee approved it on a 6-3 vote with one absence.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1418, which limits county regulation of small modular nuclear reactors in certain circumstances, expands the definition of “plant” for siting purposes, and allows replacement of existing thermal units with SMRs without a new certificate of environmental compatibility in specified cases. Members noted that parts of the bill were similar to previously vetoed measures. The committee passed the bill 6-3 with one absence, with some members explaining their votes and one member saying they would support it for now but might reconsider on the floor.
Senate Concurrent Memorial 1007 urged Congress to divest the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the San Carlos Irrigation Project Electric System and fund a system study and improvements. Supporters said the system is old, unreliable, and difficult for the federal government to manage, and that local public power entities could do a better job if divestiture were authorized. The memorial passed unanimously, 9-0 with one absence. Finally, Senate Bill 1785, which would codify a one-mile area-of-impact safe harbor for certain recovered stored water wells unless a separate hydrologic study is submitted, received testimony from a water attorney and an ADWR representative describing it as a codification of long-standing department policy. The committee passed SB 1785 on a do pass recommendation by a 9-3 vote with one absence.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Elections Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Certainly, decades of Supreme Court decisions have significantly limited the ability of Congress and
- Congress to do.
- Unfortunately, Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is set to expire in 2032 unless Congress
- Congress amended the Voting Rights Act in 1975 to add Section 203, which guarantees that all election
- Congress deemed its protections necessary to enforce the 14th and 15th Amendments after finding that
Summary:
The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 1, 2026, heard a full agenda of election-related measures, and took final votes on several bills and one resolution. The committee also adopted two consent items, SB 1429 and SB 1430, without opposition. Members and the chair repeatedly noted committee membership changes and the final meeting of the session, and the chair emphasized the committee’s focus on protecting democracy and election integrity.
Among the bills heard, SB 1369 would shorten the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls in larger counties and require paid gatherers to disclose they are compensated; supporters argued it would protect judicial independence, while the chair and some members noted the need to balance recall rights with county differences. SB 900 would reformat campaign disclosure language on large print ads and billboards to improve readability while preserving transparency, with broad support from outdoor advertising, clean money, and good-government groups. SJR 18, which condemns Citizens United and urges action against corporate spending in elections, drew support from reform advocates but also concerns about the resolution’s focus and scope; it was advanced on a party-line split with some members voting no.
The committee also advanced SB 1164, a major voting-rights measure expanding California protections against vote dilution and voter suppression, adding preclearance-style review for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to interpret election laws in favor of voting access. Local government representatives opposed it unless amended, citing uncertainty, loss of safe-harbor protections, and implementation concerns, while civil-rights and labor groups strongly supported it. SB 1360, which expands language-access requirements for voters with limited English proficiency and lowers coverage thresholds, was supported by voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups but opposed by elections officials unless amended; the committee acknowledged the need for further work on county-level implementation and data standards.
The committee also approved SB 1418, which extends protections against seizure of election records and voting systems beyond voted ballots, and SB 884, which creates a buffer zone around polling places and vote-by-mail drop locations to prevent interference with voting and ballot custody, though sheriffs and police groups opposed the arrest restrictions. SB 46, which would give the Secretary of State clearer authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the ballot, and SB 715, which moves candidate ballot-designation challenge deadlines earlier, also advanced. Most measures were sent to Appropriations or otherwise held on call for absent members, and the meeting ended with final roll calls and adjournment.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine bridging the gap, focusing on enhancing outreach to support veterans' mental health. Apr 29th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It was the goal of Congress in this committee specifically for the VA to work more seamlessly.
- Let me start by asking you as as Congress looks to reauthorize, and it's it's really pleasing.
- I think this has broad support in Congress and certainly strong support from the Department.
- I have never seen this sort of blatant barrier of outreach. before in my entire time of Congress.
- What metrics would VA likely identify as important to collect and share with Congress?
Keywords:
veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources
Summary:
The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Troy Meink, of Virginia, to be Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Duffey, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment, Emil Michael, of Florida, to be Under Secretary for Research and Eng Mar 27th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- Should I be fortunate enough to get this job, I look forward to working with this committee, this Congress
- If confirmed, I will be accountable to President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, this committee, the Congress
- If confirmed, I will work closely with Congress, military leaders, health care professionals, and our
- , which I found throughout my time working in national security, a good relationship with Congress is
- States and with Congress to make sure that stays so.
Keywords:
Air Force modernization, fighter aircraft, autonomous systems, air superiority, national security, recapitalization
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on military procurement and modernization, with significant discussions surrounding the Air Force's capabilities and strategic needs. Key topics included the urgent need for recapitalization of the Air Force's fighter squadrons, as well as the importance of integrating new technologies like autonomous systems to bolster military effectiveness. Several senators raised concerns about the current resources available to the Air National Guard and the potential loss of skilled service members if recapitalization plans are not swiftly developed. There were also discussions on the importance of maintaining air superiority in light of evolving threats, particularly from adversaries like China.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine interdicting illicit drug trafficking, focusing on a view from the front lines. Feb 26th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- That is why I respectfully urge Congress to pass the Stop Smuggling and Illicit Synthetic Drugs on U.S
- Cantwell and Senator Cruz again this Congress to continue that work.
- This country and this administration and the majority that had control of Congress over the last four
- I'm committed to having Congress provide for you, not just chainsaw solutions to problems.
- So I think so often here in Congress, we get caught up on just the tech, but remembering that.
Keywords:
Coast Guard, maritime drug enforcement, illegal drugs, fentanyl crisis, legislative reforms, public testimony
Summary:
The meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation addressed critical issues surrounding maritime drug enforcement and the Coast Guard's role in stopping the influx of illegal drugs. The chairman highlighted the alarming consequences of current policies allowing drugs to cross borders, emphasizing the need for legislative reforms, such as the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2025. There was an intense discussion regarding the operational challenges faced by the Coast Guard, which has recently made significant drug seizures, indicating progress but also revealing gaps that need addressing. Several witnesses, including victims of the drug crisis, shared their compelling testimonies, which underscored the urgency for stricter controls and comprehensive support for law enforcement agencies involved in drug interdiction efforts.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance May 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- One are structural changes that Congress is working on enacting right now to big programs like Medicaid
- So, In the early 70s, Congress Passed legislation to try to reform how it did, uh, budgeting.
- May, uh, worked in Congress on this stuff.
- So, the resolutions that were already passed by Congress are those broad instructions.
- Is Congress going to come out and say, because you've done that, we're going to cut your regular FMAT
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House health committee OKs omnibus finance bill that complies with Medicaid changes Apr 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Republicans in Congress did this. Democrats did not do it.
- Republicans in Congress did this. Democrats did not do it.
- Republicans in Congress did this. Democrats did not do it.
- Republicans in Congress did this. Democrats did not do it.
- They in Congress without much thought.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4466, the sub health supplemental budget bill, and moved it to the Ways and Means Committee after a walkthrough of the fiscal spreadsheet and the DE1 amendment. Nonpartisan staff explained that the bill produces general fund savings of about $2.4 million in FY27 for the 2026-27 biennium and about $97.7 million in the next biennium, with most savings tied to HR1-related Medical Assistance changes affecting adults without children. The Department of Health provisions were described as largely cost-neutral, with some increases for implementation, data, and IT work.
Staff then reviewed the DE1, which combines several bills into four articles. The bill includes health licensing board changes, Department of Health provisions such as all-payer claims database fees, newborn screening fee exceptions, loan forgiveness and scholarship program extensions, workforce shortage grant changes, and reciprocal licensure and mortuary science provisions. The federal conformity article makes changes related to MA work and community engagement requirements, six-month renewals, retroactive eligibility limits, contact information updates, cost sharing for MA expansion enrollees, and related provider tax and disability-notice provisions. Article 4 and Article 5 were described as forecast adjustments for DHS and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Public testimony focused largely on the federal conformity and eligibility provisions. Legal aid testified that the work requirements and retroactive eligibility changes would be confusing, could expand requirements beyond intended groups, and would increase uncompensated care. The Minnesota Hospital Association said shortening retroactive eligibility would increase uncompensated care and strain hospital finances, and Unidos Minnesota criticized the immigrant eligibility changes as harmful to lawfully present immigrants and Native communities. Blood Cancer United supported the all-payer claims database provisions and urged attention to fertility coverage. Representative Elkins offered an amendment to add $55,000 for the Department of Health to include denied-claims data in the all-payer claims database; Department of Health staff said the idea was useful and provided a one-time setup cost, but the amendment was not acted on in the portion of the transcript provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House fraud prevention panel considers motion to issue subpoena to U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar May 5th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I noted that a number of Republicans in Congress voted for the Meals Act.
- I'm just" "Whoever authored it in the first place, the fact is that it was something that passed Congress
- Congress voted for the Meals Act. Congress voted for the Meals Act.
- passed Congress with Republican support. passed Congress with Republican support.
- We have been absolutely ignored by a sitting member of Congress, and it is, as you see, the public is
Summary:
The committee debated whether to issue a subpoena to Representative Ilhan Omar for documents and communications related to the Feeding Our Future investigation and the federal U.S. v. Aimee Bock trial exhibits. The chair argued that Omar’s office had been named in trial exhibits, that prior requests for testimony and documents had gone unanswered, and that the committee needed the materials to understand the role of the Meals Act and related communications in creating conditions for fraud. Supporters said the request was part of a broader effort to examine Minnesota’s larger fraud problems and to obtain records they believed were relevant and public despite a court protective order; opponents questioned the timing, the committee’s need for the information, and the precedent of subpoenaing a sitting member of Congress, while also arguing federal authorities could pursue any wrongdoing themselves.
Members discussed whether the committee had first requested the materials in April 2026 or earlier, whether the documents could be obtained directly from the court or the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and how the information would be used given that the committee was nearing the end of its work. The chair said staff had tried PACER and the federal court, but that the exhibits themselves were under a protective order binding the parties, not the legislature or Omar. Critics said the subpoena was unnecessary and politically motivated; supporters said it was needed for transparency and accountability in the Feeding Our Future probe and related fraud patterns.
A roll call was taken on the motion to issue the subpoena. The committee voted 5-3 in favor, but the chair noted that Minnesota law required a two-thirds vote, so the motion failed and the subpoena was not issued. The chair said she would continue trying to contact Representative Omar’s office and hoped for a response.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- It states that no state shall, without the consent of Congress, enter into any agreement or compact with
- I've come to the conclusion the United States Congress can't agree that this is Tuesday.
- The job of Congress and it was unconstitutional, if I understood you right, then the opening summary
- So I think that the key word here, or words, is without consent of Congress.
- And do you know if Congress has consented to these compacts?
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm now going to turn it over to a strong fighter in the United States Congress representing the 35th
- I'm proud to represent the heart of Texas in the United States Congress.
- Companies who just so happened to fund Republican members of Congress' campaigns, who just so happened
- And what Republican members of Congress and Republican members of the State House want to do is take
- We are so grateful to have you as a strong advocate for Texas in Congress.
Keywords:
public education, Department of Education, funding, Trump, Kassar, Elon Musk, education policy, youth advocacy, billionaire influence
Summary:
This was a press conference organized by student advocates and Texas Democratic lawmakers to oppose efforts by the Trump administration and allies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and to criticize Texas voucher proposals. Speakers argued that the department and its Office for Civil Rights are essential for enforcing civil rights protections, supporting special education, Title I, Pell Grants, career and technical education, and other federal education programs. They said eliminating the department would weaken oversight, shift power to states that have a poor record on student protections, and harm marginalized, low-income, disabled, and rural students.
Congressman Greg Casar framed the issue as a transfer of public money from schools to billionaires, tying the department fight to federal budget and tax-cut debates and to Texas voucher efforts. State Representative Gene Wu said Texas public education is already near collapse and warned that losing federal support would worsen school closures, staffing shortages, and class-size increases. Representative Gina Hinojosa highlighted Texas’s past special education cap and attacks on Section 504, and said she filed bills to route federal block grants directly to schools if federal policy changes move forward.
Representative Vicki Goodwin said the state should fund schools rather than vouchers and noted underfunding of special education and inflation pressures. Round Rock ISD trustee Melissa Ross and Texas AFT president Zef Capo emphasized that federal oversight protects students and that Texas has a history of underfunding and mishandling special education, meals, and other services. The final speaker, Westwood High School senior Eliza Abert, said the loss of federal education support would most harm low-income and middle-class students and called on attendees to oppose the changes. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for public pressure on lawmakers and continued advocacy.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Congressional Redistricting, Select Jul 28th, 2025
Congressional Redistricting, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- members and one Latino Congress member?
- Right to vote, to our right to our voice in Congress.
- This plan risks erasing our voices in Congress as well.
- Trump will lose his majority in Congress in 2026, regardless of what you do.
- Congress. Gerrymandering is prettied up a little bit, but this is blatant.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
The 94th Legislature Ends / Senate Leaders Reflect on their Successes and their Setbacks May 22nd, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This administration is eroding the relationship between itself and the Congress, and the Congress is
- ,<00:07:19.720>
and <00:07:19.840>the <00:07:19.880>Congress <00:07:20.280> and the Congress, and the Congress is and the Congress, and the Congress is rolling<00:07:20.720- > is
- The federal government and the Congress um took away a lot of those tools when they passed that bill
- The federal government<00:12:51.360>
and <00:12:51.440>the <00:12:51.520>Congress
Summary:
The program reviewed the end of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Minority Leader Mark Johnson about the session’s major outcomes. Murphy said Senate Democrats used their one-seat advantage to advance priorities including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilization of HCMC, gun violence prevention, and a $1.2 billion infrastructure/bonding bill. She also highlighted a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, some property tax and business tax relief, and the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General, while saying more should have been done on lead pipe replacement and that some work was delayed by House inaction and federal policy changes.
Murphy argued the session was shaped by a divided legislature and by negotiations that often happened late and behind closed doors, which she said made the process frustrating and left some Senate proposals without House counterparts. She said the Senate also worked on protecting Medicaid and SNAP from federal cuts and on stabilizing hospitals, especially HCMC and rural facilities. She described the gun violence and immigration debates as examples where bipartisan demands did not match what she saw as the needs of Minnesotans, and said the state should return to more public conference committee negotiations next session.
Johnson said Senate Republicans focused on fraud prevention, affordability, and education. He pointed to the Inspector General bill and the “Take It Back Act” as major bipartisan wins, and said Republicans used their leverage to secure the tab fee reduction and other tax relief. He also said the caucus wanted stronger protections against fraud without harming legitimate service providers, and criticized DFL priorities on government growth and education outcomes. Both leaders said relationships across the aisle improved over the session, though they differed sharply on how much was accomplished and what should be prioritized next year.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee, July 13, 2026
Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- >
and <00:43:58.079>Free Congress enacted the Wild and Free Congress enacted the Wild and - <00:48:19.119>
has wild horses and burrows, Congress has wild horses and burrows, Congress - I know in and working with Congress.
- understanding I was told that Congress understanding I was told that Congress added<01:13:13.199
- blocked by a budget writer by Congress blocked by a budget writer by Congress uh<01:19:50.320>