Video & Transcript : 'Democrat' :
Page 24 of 312
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Senate and Governmental May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So tell me what happens now if the Republicans say that they can and the Democrat said that it cannot
- I think you said that if the Republicans allowed them to vote in it and the Democrats did, but I can't
- Way, I think you said that if the Republicans allowed them to vote in it, and the Democrats didn't, I
- I'm sorry to hear that my Democratic colleagues don't trust their own leadership to decide whether to
- It is popular in both Democratic and Republican districts.
Summary:
The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 20, 2026, with a quorum present and no minutes available for approval. The committee first heard HB 181, which would let the legislative auditor review income tax data to verify eligibility for Medicaid and, at LDH’s request, SNAP. The auditor said the work would be limited to internal data testing under sharing agreements and not disclosed to third parties. After questions about privacy and duplication, the bill was reported favorably to the floor without objection.
The committee then took up HB 906 on presidential preference primaries and party nominating petitions. The Secretary of State and bill author said the measure would let major parties decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in their primaries, with 180 days’ notice to the state, and would keep party rules consistent within presidential years so elections can be programmed properly. Several senators raised concerns that the bill would disenfranchise no-party voters and give parties too much control, but supporters said both major parties had approved the approach. The committee voted 4-3 to report the bill favorably.
Members also advanced HB 398, which would require the judiciary to use the federal GSA meal per diem rate instead of the current higher state judicial rate; HB 1052, which strengthens confidentiality protections for child abuse investigations handled by child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams; HB 1245, which protects witness criminal history records from unintended public release in clerk of court records; HB 202, which requires state civil service or hiring agencies to notify applicants when a vacancy is filled or they are rejected; HB 540, which requires disclosure of paid digital election advertising; HB 9, designating stuffed shrimp as a Louisiana specialty; HB 1057, extending the validity of absentee-by-mail applications for military voters from one year to two; HB 225, proposing a constitutional amendment to limit governors to two lifetime terms; HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to contract with former public employers; and HB 459, requiring disclosure when campaign materials use AI, with amendments adopted after discussion of First Amendment and campaign finance concerns. The committee also rejected an amendment to HB 1057 that would have expanded Sunday early voting in certain parishes. After the bills, the committee held confirmation hearings for James Kelly and Charles Wilkinson to the Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, both of whom described education and workforce development backgrounds and were favorably received.
IA
Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 02:10 pm
Iowa Senate Floor Meeting
IA
Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 9th, 2026 at 01:16 pm
Iowa Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Democrats will caucus in room 24. Chair recognizes the senator from Winneshiek, Senator Klemish.
- You all will excuse me for missing Caroline, and the Senate will be at ease for Republicans and Democrats
- Democratic caucus room 24. Republican caucus room 22, both starting immediately.
- Democratic caucus room 24. Republican caucus room 22, both starting immediately.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Apr 23rd, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I spoke to both the chairman of the Democratic Party. This has been run by both parties.
- So we can have a Republican primary that allows no-party voters and a Democrat...
- A Republican primary that allows no-party voters and a Democrat primary that doesn't.
- The Republican Party does not have to match the Democratic Party's option and vice versa.
- We do have that green card, Secretary, from the entire Democrat Party.
Keywords:
travel expenses, reimbursement, state officials, US General Services Administration, disaster management, nominating petitions, unaffiliated voters, party primaries, political participation, elections, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, boards and commissions, public records, contact information, email addresses, phone numbers
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/10/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #5
Transcript Highlights:
- Leader, I'll just note that the Democrats and the Rules Committee did pull this from consent.
- I know we had Democratic bills put on Transportation and Infrastructure. Becca, do you happen?
- I just wanted to make sure that we have Democratic bills that will come from our constituents, I just
- I did not see that we had a Democratic bill.
- I did not see that we had a Democratic bill.
Summary:
The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged.
Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source.
The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Prioritizing Public Safety / Proposed Civil Commitment Changes / Supporting Education Pension Reform Apr 13th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now, Democrats seem to be leaning more in a less restrictive, less incarceration mode than what
- Uh right now uh<00:02:16.800><c> Democrats</c><00:02:17.360><c> seem</c><00:02:17.680><c> to</c><00:02
- seem to be leaning more in uh Democrats seem to be leaning more in a<00:02:20.160><c> less</c><00:02
- Democrats have a hard time its citizens.
- in the Senate, uh Democrats have a one<00:09:44.399><c> vote</c><00:09:44.640><c> majority.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Concurrent House Standing Comm on Elec, Const Amnd & Intergovernmental Affairs & State Gov (2-18-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- We've had Democrats in in office spend.
- But some people Democrat, three split.
- Twenty of those were Democrat-controlled legislatures.
- And I think Democrats did become alienated.
- </c> I think Democrats did become alienated. I think Democrats did become alienated.
Keywords:
Concurrent meeting of the House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs and the House Standing Committee on State Government.
Title of video has been shortened due to YouTube length restrictions.
Discussion of HCR 45: 00:04:14, 958, all
Summary:
The joint meeting of the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and the House State Government Committee was called to consider House Concurrent Resolution 45, sponsored by Representative Jason Petri. The resolution would support calling for a federal balanced budget amendment through the Article V process. Petri argued that Kentucky’s own constitutional balanced-budget requirement shows the value of fiscal restraint, and he said decades of federal deficit spending and rising debt make a constitutional amendment necessary. Governor Ron DeSantis and Lauren Ends of the National Campaign for a Balanced Budget Amendment also testified in support, emphasizing the growth of federal debt, the risk of a future debt crisis, and the view that Congress is unlikely to solve the problem on its own.
Members asked about the mechanics and risks of an Article V convention, including whether the convention’s “sole purpose” language would be enforceable and whether a convention could become a “runaway” process. DeSantis and Ends said states can impose guardrails on delegates, including criminal penalties and delegate-limitation laws, and noted that any proposed amendment would still require ratification by 38 states. They also said that if Congress chose to draft the amendment itself in response to state pressure, that would be acceptable. One witness said 18 states have passed faithful-delegate or delegate-limitation laws.
Representative Callaway asked what would happen if the debt issue is not addressed. Witnesses responded that continued borrowing could lead to economic dislocation, higher interest costs, and a debt crisis that would crowd out other federal spending. They said the current debt burden is already more than $100,000 per U.S. citizen and roughly $300,000 per taxpayer, and that a balanced budget amendment would be a first step toward stopping the growth of debt before any long-term paydown could occur. The transcript provided does not show a final vote or other committee action on the resolution.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A lot of the Democrats are having town halls. I had a town hall back in the Tampa Bay area.
- A lot of the Democrats are having town halls. I had a town hall back in the Tampa Bay area.
- </c> then we should you know every Democrat then we should you know every Democrat should<05:08:41.958
- Republicans doubled it without a single Democrat vote in 2017.
- </c> their rightful place in the Democratic their rightful place in the Democratic process<05:28:46.718
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Democrats simply ignore it.
- The Democrats simply Shall be detained. The Democrats simply ignore<00:25:50.640><c> it.
- </c> of the Democratic Party in Connecticut. of the Democratic Party in Connecticut.
- </c> Democratic leader. Democratic leader.
- </c> somehow that left the Democrat party. somehow that left the Democrat party.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- member of Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender.
- Jean Chadbourne from Oakland, California, a high school teacher, lifelong Democrat, member of FIRE, the
- Courage Coalition, Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender, and as a supporter of the Foundation
- I serve on the board with Kara Dansky of Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender.
- I'm also a lifelong Democrat, and I oppose this bill. Hi, Lisa Disbrough.
Summary:
The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee.
The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony.
AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- member of Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender.
- Jean Chadbourne, from Oakland, California, a high school teacher, lifelong Democrat, member of FIRE,
- Courage Coalition, Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender, and as a supporter of the Foundation
- I serve on the board with Kara Dansky of Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender.
- I'm also a lifelong Democrat, and I oppose this bill. Hi, Lisa Disbrough.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 May 13th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- At the time, he was dealing with an obstructionist Southern Democrat caucus that was doing everything
- He was a Democrat and served as one of Minnesota's first U.S.
- The happy warrior, Humphrey was vice president from 1965 to 1969 and was a Democratic standard bearer
- Humphrey first made his mark on the national stage when he attended, as mayor of Minneapolis, the 1948 Democratic
- program is an infringement... on states' rights, I say this: the time has arrived in America for the Democratic
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session - Part 1 - 05/09/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And it's unfortunate that we're here once again, basically our third year of the Democrats running the
- We're here once again, basically our third year of the Democrats running the committee here, where the
- </c><00:47:46.960><c> want</c> of our portfolio, but the Democrats want of our portfolio, but the Democrats
- Democrats vote no on free green energy.
- Democrats vote no on free green energy.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/18/2026 - Senate Government
Senate Government Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- That's just anti-democratic, so, you know, money well spent. Thank you.
- Chair, it's Democratic representation. It's Democrat. It's fine. It's not.
- We saw in 2010 there was maybe more of a Democratic-leaning independent.
- in the democratic body that makes decisions.
- don't like the outcome of in the democratic body that makes decisions.
Summary:
The committee first considered SB 1825, which would shift the precinct committeeman vacancy application and nomination process from county party chairs to legislative district chairs where established, and require applicants to submit to the authorized chair within five days. Supporters said the change would streamline appointments, reduce bottlenecks in large counties, and strengthen grassroots, bottom-up party organization. County supervisors’ association staff said they had no objection to the district-chair process but raised concern that the five-day deadline for boards to act was too short. The committee adopted a do pass recommendation on SB 1825, with members noting the five-day issue should be worked out later.
The committee then heard SB 1566, as amended, which targets malicious delays by municipalities, counties, the state, or state agencies in licensing and permit decisions, with a civil penalty and Attorney General enforcement. The amendment narrowed the bill to statutory licensing timeframes for single-family residential construction and clarified definitions and certificate-of-occupancy authority. The sponsor and home builders argued the bill would deter intentional delays that add to housing costs, while questions focused on how malice would be proven and whether the language was too broad. The committee adopted the amendment and gave SB 1566 a do pass as amended recommendation.
Next, SB 1571, as amended, would bar monopoly utilities from passing marketing, sponsorship, community relations, and similar costs through to ratepayers, require annual reporting and attestation, and define the covered utilities. Supporters said ratepayers should not fund utility advertising or sponsorships, especially amid rising rates, while opponents from municipal and public-power utilities warned the language could sweep too broadly and interfere with legitimate customer communications, especially for smaller not-for-profit systems. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and gave the bill a do pass as amended recommendation. The committee also advanced SB 1501, expanding Administrative Rules Oversight Committee review to include whether agency actions exceed statutory authority, and SB 1805, requiring county recorders to verify the notary status on quitclaim deeds before recording them; both received do pass recommendations despite some concerns about scope and administrative burden.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Justice, fair representation, and the democratic process weighed into your decision.
- That's just a happy accident, but actually a couple of the 25 white members are Democrats.
- How many Democrat votes? How many Republican elected officials?
- How many Democrat elected officials?
- Look, Democrats, we have to refuse to make this easy for them.
Keywords:
redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes
Summary:
The meeting centered around the discussion of congressional redistricting, where the committee established the procedures to ensure a fair and transparent process. Led by Senator King, the session focused on adopting a resolution that authorized a special committee dedicated to congressional redistricting and allowed for regional hearings to gather public input via videoconferencing. Concerns were raised about ensuring adequate notice for public participation, especially from marginalized communities potentially affected by proposed changes. Disagreements emerged regarding the timeline for regional hearings and how to address the implications of the redistricting process on minority districts. Overall, participants acknowledged the complex nature of redistricting and the importance of engaging constituents in the legislative process.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> $100,000 was 20 2012 right the Democrat $100,000 was 20 2012 right the Democrat the<00:16:16.800
- This was shared with your research and Democrat research prior to the hearing today.
- </c> the last 16 years have been Democrat the last 16 years have been Democrat governors<01:46:23.280
- </c> they're going to likely be Democrat they're going to likely be Democrat appointees.<01:46:35.760
- </c> be involving this body of Democrat be involving this body of Democrat judges<01:46:45.440><c> and
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that a Republican governor or Democratic governor? You know, Indiana.
- Is that a Republican governor or Democratic governor? You know, Indiana.
- You can, the key rule on the states is three Republican, two Democrat, you know.
- It can't even be four Republican and just us as a Democratic state, right? But whatever, you know.
- I mean, everybody is affected by this, whether you're a Republican or a Democrat, if you happen to have
Summary:
The subcommittee met to approve the April and May minutes, welcome a new member, and hear an update from Gina Frey of EOHHS on statewide health and human services workforce development efforts. Frey described cross-secretariat initiatives under the Workforce Skills Cabinet, including MA Repay loan repayment awards, expanded community college and tuition supports, ESOL/work-readiness programming for immigrants, and efforts to build career pathways and reduce attrition in nursing, behavioral health, direct care, and primary care. She also reviewed a $46 million ARPA-funded home and community-based services grant program that supported 82 grantees, led to hiring 8,752 new staff, over 1,000 interns, 2,000 new certifications, and a drop in vacancy rates from 22% to 12%.
Members raised concerns about the impact of immigration policy changes on the direct care workforce, including losses of trained workers in provider agencies, and asked whether any exemption or other relief efforts were underway. Frey said EOHHS is tracking the issue closely but did not identify a specific exemption effort. The discussion also touched on Medicaid and related program changes, with Frey noting the administration is focused on understanding potential impacts to eligibility and work requirements. Rep. Howard asked about initiatives for direct support professionals and wraparound supports, and Frey said those efforts are often led by individual agencies such as MassAbility and DDS, with EOHHS coordinating across them.
The latter part of the meeting shifted to planning FY26 subcommittee goals and possible events. Members discussed using the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center and possibly asking for a study comparing compensation in DDS and related direct care roles against health care and education jobs. They also discussed a possible cross-state public event on immigration’s impact on the workforce, especially for people with disabilities and direct support services, and agreed to continue refining goals and event ideas by email and at the next meeting. Frey provided a website link and contact information for Amy Doyle at the Health Policy Commission to facilitate future presentations.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JDC, JDC Public Hearings 04-02-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- For the Democratic Party of Hawaii, good morning. Thank you, Senator RHS.
- Um, so this is—we, the Democratic Party of Hawaii, stand in strong support of this resolution.
- LDUha for Environmental Caucus of Democratic Party of Hawaii also in support.
- Abby Simons, Stonewall Cox, Democratic Party of Hawaii in support.
- Abby Simons, Stonewall Cox, Democratic Party of Hawaii in support.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 158, which had been amended from an automatic voter registration-related request to a resolution urging the administration to follow the law and comply with federal court orders. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, the Democratic Party of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Hawaii women lawyers, and others. One witness spoke against automatic voter registration, warning it could be exploited by bad actors, though the chair clarified that the amended resolution was focused on court orders rather than AVR.
Members asked questions about whether states or Congress can enforce compliance with court orders and whether there were historical examples of presidents refusing to follow them. The response emphasized separation of powers, checks and balances, and the importance of state support for the rule of law. The committee then voted to accept the proposed SD1 for SCR 158; the measure passed with one no vote recorded from Senator Awa.
The committee also took up SCR 154, a resolution supporting implementation of applicable United Nations Human Rights Council universal periodic review recommendations. No testimony was received on that measure, and it was deferred. In a later decision-making agenda item, the committee considered a measure directing the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to include circuit and district court facilities in planning new correctional centers and to establish a release procedure away from residential communities and public spaces; the committee recommended passage as amended, and the measure passed without objection.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 17th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- From the Democrat Asian Caucus, from the Democrat LGBT Caucus, from the Democrat Jewish Caucus, from
- the Democrat African-American Caucus, I hear no speech from the Democrat Latino Caucus.
- My Democrat colleague from the liberal bastion of San Francisco, who has the respect for the Irish as
- He broke barriers that had long excluded communities from democratic participation in our governance,
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Media Availability 1/30/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, Democrats, not even one in the state, chose to join us to serve their constituents and do what
- You know, that's up to the Democrats, and it is a disservice to the taxpayers and the constituents, the
- party, because they don't like the fact that there is an open seat that happens to be in a more Democrat
- district, but to have an open seat so Republicans have 67 and Democrats have 66 for an entire caucus
- choose to join us unless the Democrats choose to join us earlier<00:09:49.120><c> and</c><00:09:49.240