Video & Transcript : '119th Congress' :
Page 33 of 237
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Feb 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- program is part of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which was passed by Congress
- As your smartest staff member and my favorite, David Munake, just told us, in 2022, Congress extended
- This bill would allow Sound Transit to utilize the tools that Congress has granted.
- And to Representative Zahn's question, the Congress approved this additional bond term in 2022.
- And to Representative Zahn's question, the Congress approved this additional bond term in 2022.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Second Substitute Senate Bill 5690, which would require WSDOT to improve coordination with utilities on fish barrier removal projects and utility relocations, provide advance notice when feasible, and seek to maximize federal funding for relocation costs. Staff described the bill’s background, including the federal culvert injunction and WSDOT’s fish barrier work, and noted fiscal impacts tied to grant monitoring and possible revenue changes. Senator McEwen said the bill was narrowed from a prior version to reduce fiscal concerns and cited a district example where poor coordination allegedly wasted public and ratepayer funds. Utility representatives from PUDs testified in support, emphasizing better communication, advance notice for budgeting, and access to federal funds; no opposition was presented on this bill before the public hearing was closed.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 6148, which would extend the maximum term for regional transit authority bonds from 40 years to 75 years and remove eligibility for regional mobility grant funds if an RTA uses bonds longer than 40 years. Staff and committee fiscal discussion focused on how longer terms reduce annual debt service but increase total interest paid over time, with examples comparing 25-, 40-, 50-, and 75-year bonds. Supporters, including Sound Transit board members, local officials, labor, and transit advocates, argued the bill would give Sound Transit flexibility to manage inflation, preserve project schedules, and align financing with long-lived infrastructure and the federal TIFIA loan program. Opponents argued the bill would increase long-term costs, shift burdens to future generations, and is premature because Sound Transit is still revising its plan and already has substantial cash and bonding capacity. The hearing ended after questions about debt safeguards, refinancing, and how the proposed authority would interact with TIFIA loans.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- This memorial encourages the Congress of the United States to reaffirm the Federal Land Policy and Management
- So basically what this memorial does is ask Congress to act and preserve the intent with this passage
- So Congress spent a lot of time putting it together; for 50 years it stood.
- And in that judgment, it was noted that Congress needs to reiterate that.
- We're established by an act of Congress in 1964.
Committee:
Senate Resources and Environment
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- House of Representatives, and the Congressional Delegation representing the State of Idaho in the Congress
- On line 18, it says, with IDEA's passage, Congress committed to provide up...
- With IDEA's passage, Congress committed to provide up to 40% of the national average per pupil expenditure
- is should we be mandating, or maybe mandating isn't the correct word, but should we be requesting Congress
- So I don't know how it's responsible... ...to ask Congress to provide even more federal funding and dig
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs (10/17/2025)
State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- He said the bill's objective is more or less pointing the finger at Congress already, and that is why
- He said that if we pass this and multiple states start following this template, Congress could say, "
- But only Congress can send the militia to war.
- </c><00:34:36.399><c> It</c> passed from Congress or either body.
- It passed from Congress or either body.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate DFL Media Availability 4/23/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- c> passed</c><00:10:24.959><c> um</c><00:10:25.040><c> that</c><00:10:25.279><c> we</c> that the congress
- has passed um that we that the congress has passed um that we face<00:10:26.240><c> and</c><00:10:26.640
- I know some of our members of Congress are pretty convinced that we're going to be back here in special
- out against the things that Trump is doing that are harming people and to implore our members of Congress
- to the Republicans in the Minnesota House and Senate who sent correspondence to their members of Congress
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine optimizing longevity from research to action. Feb 12th, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Aging (Special) Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Congress has to do more to ensure that all people are able to meet their basic needs so that they can
- It's why I've introduced the Strategic Plan for Aging in the last Congress.
- Congress must support promising, innovative policies to address health-related social needs, such as
- To support and improve the quality of life for all patients and in all communities, I urge Congress to
- Advancing research on healthy aging is key to helping seniors live longer lives and Congress must ensure
Committee:
Senate Aging (Special) Committee
Summary:
The committee meeting was marked by discussions surrounding health policies aimed at enhancing the lifespan and quality of life for the community members. The chairperson initiated the session with personal reflections on the importance of extending not just the years of life but also the quality of those years, especially from the perspective of parents and grandparents. Members engaged in thoughtful dialogue regarding potential legislative measures that could address public health in a more holistic manner, emphasizing the need for community outreach and effective health education programs.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So you can see what Senate Joint Memorial 114 is doing: there are six things that we're asking Congress
- You're even, I mean, they had coaches like Nick Saban testifying before Congress a couple of weeks ago
- When an industry is unwilling or unable to govern itself, we are forced to ask Congress to step in before
- When an industry is unwilling or unable to govern itself, we are forced to ask for Congress to step in
Committee:
House State Affairs
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 19 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M.
Veterans and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Congress, 60-plus years ago, enacted a law that said that the Mississippi National Guard can establish
- Uh,<00:04:19.600><c> Congress</c> Uh, Congress Uh, Congress 60<00:04:21.600><c> years</c><00:04:21.840
Committee:
Joint Veterans and Military Affairs
CA
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
Committee:
House Elections
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities And Communications Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislature to implement full-time daylight saving time by a two-thirds majority if authorized by Congress
- This bill will accomplish those sentiments as it will move California to standard time, and if Congress
- administration hasn't given any clear direction either, but still it would have to originate in Congress
- Well, he does a lot without Congress, so I tell you, go for it. That's certainly true.
- but this bill specifically states it so that there isn't any confusion that that's what we'd do if Congress
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Two - Tuesday, February 17 -Morning Session-
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Congress passed and the president signed H.R. 5371.
- Some exceptions will apply if Congress delays that action. November 12, 2026.
- Some exceptions will apply if Congress delays that action. Discussion on House Amendment No. 1.
- After November 12th, if Congress made a change or put an extension on it, then beverages would be allowed
- on that,' which made... ...until Congress makes a decision on that, which meant that our law would be
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 126-0. Members then offered several points of personal privilege and introductions, including recognition of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, a tribute and moment of silence for the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, and greetings to various visiting groups such as manufacturers, FFA students, university graduate students, and the Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps for an America 250 event.
The chamber then moved through first reading of several bills and took up multiple measures for perfection and printing. House Bill 2596, dealing with multiple employer self-insured health plans for small businesses, received supportive testimony from members who said it would help small employers recruit and retain workers and modernize outdated law; it was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1644, establishing a franchise-specific joint employer standard, drew extensive debate over liability, franchisor control, and whether it would protect small franchise businesses without limiting legitimate claims; it was also adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 2423, updating consumer credit licensing fees for the fee-funded Division of Finance, was presented as a way to keep the agency self-funded and maintain consumer protection staffing, and it too was ordered perfected and printed.
The House also considered House Bill 2641, which would regulate intoxicating hemp products and align state law with federal changes set to take effect on November 12, 2026. The bill’s sponsor said it was intended to protect children, provide clarity, and create a coordinated enforcement framework, while opponents argued it was unconstitutional because it would effectively reclassify hemp products under the marijuana framework in Article 14 of the Missouri Constitution and could harm lawful hemp businesses. An amendment and a technical amendment were adopted, and the bill was then adopted and perfected and printed as amended. The House later announced committee meetings and other notices before voting to recess until 2 p.m.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And so it would be up to Congress to determine whether or not they want to sustain, reduce. reduce or
- federal side that is out of the jurisdiction obviously of of the state of Texas, but it is set by Congress
- The federal government, Congress, passes what's called a surface transportation bill.
- And what that bill does is it is set by Congress.
- So not only that Congress has recognized. still got a problem, like we do, with the gasoline tax. growth
Committee:
House S/C on Transportation Funding
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Governor Tim Walz Media Availability 3/6/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So the president, a couple nights ago in the address to Congress, seemed to minimize the effect of the
- So the president, a couple nights ago in the address to Congress, seemed to minimize the effect of the
- I was there with members of Congress. I've been here at the State Fair. I get an earful.
- </c><00:19:50.720><c> I've</c><00:19:50.840><c> been</c> was there members of Congress I've been was
- there members of Congress I've been here<00:19:51.120><c> in</c><00:19:51.240><c> this</c><00:19:51.559
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 3rd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We were here a few months ago talking about this, where we called on President Trump and Congress to
- We hope that they will do it, and we hope that AJR is like this asking Congress and the President.
- We hope that they will do it, and we hope that AJR is like this asking Congress and the President. the
- We hope that they will do it, and we hope that AGR is like this asking Congress and the president.
- We hope that they will do it, and we hope that AJRs like this asking Congress and the President to do
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with a Native American prayer/song and a moment of silence for former staff member Eric Washington, then proceeded through a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor ceremonies. Members also recognized Assemblymember Ward’s birthday and welcomed several guests, including family members, business and community leaders, firefighters, and students.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Native American Day ceremony and adoption of ACR 208 by Assemblymember Ramos, which recognized California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Multiple caucus leaders spoke in support, emphasizing Native history, sovereignty, cultural preservation, missing and murdered Indigenous people, and the need to tell California’s history honestly. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 61 coauthors were added, followed by a ceremonial honoring of tribal elders and leaders.
The Assembly also adopted several other resolutions and concurred in Senate amendments on multiple bills. These included ACR 126 designating the Captain Vida Anderson Memorial Highway, AB 1651 requiring disclosure of AI use in bar exam development, AB 2789 on mediation, AJR 27 urging federal disaster aid for Eaton and Palisades fire victims, and AB 2134 protecting local officials taking parental leave. Later, ACR 213 designated September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, HR 102 recognized Filipino American History Month, and ACR 230 proclaimed California Firefighter Appreciation Month and California Firefighters Memorial Day; all were adopted with broad support and many coauthors. The Senate file also began with SCR 136 on coastal protection and SJR 12 opposing offshore drilling, with debate reflecting strong environmental opposition and a dissenting view that the resolution was too absolute and could raise energy costs.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming
Transcript Highlights:
- During the Biden administration, Congress passed two major laws establishing tax credits for EVs and
- What tax credits will Congress repeal? What might survive? Again, it changes from day to day.
- So they've submitted those to Congress through the CRA.
- So they've submitted those to Congress through the CRA.
- The Trump administration has been doing other things, and so has the Republican Congress.
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on the impact of the Trump administration’s federal climate policy changes on Massachusetts, with a focus on threatened grants, regulatory rollbacks, and state options to continue climate work. Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts still has a 2050 net-zero mandate and needs contingency plans for clean energy, transportation electrification, offshore wind, resilience, and financing if federal support is reduced or withdrawn.
Executive branch witnesses said Massachusetts has already experienced disruptions to more than $1 billion in climate-related federal funds, though many suspended grants were restored after litigation by the Attorney General’s office. EEA reported continued uncertainty around a $389 million Grid Innovation Program award and a FEMA dam-safety reimbursement, while MassDOT said its NEVI fast-charging program remains on track with about $50 million obligated, but a $14.4 million competitive charging grant is on hold and future unobligated NEVI funds remain uncertain. Senators also discussed EV rebates, charging infrastructure, the role of the Community Climate Bank, and whether the state can expand independent financing and support for municipalities, higher education, and nonprofits.
The Attorney General’s office described successful multi-state litigation that won a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the federal funding freeze, restoring access to many EPA, DOE, USDA, and Interior funds, while noting continued enforcement actions over FEMA manual reviews and other barriers. The office said it is also preparing to defend the endangerment finding, California vehicle-emissions waivers, offshore wind permits, and other federal climate protections. Outside advocates warned that federal tax-credit rollbacks, tariffs, and possible repeal of IRA and infrastructure funding could slow EV adoption and raise costs, while offshore wind testimony said federal permitting pauses and legal challenges are delaying projects and could leave Massachusetts far short of its 2030 offshore wind goals. Nonprofit witnesses also described canceled or delayed grants for wetland restoration and urban heat mitigation, and urged the Legislature to increase state funding, including for the environmental bond bill and municipal vulnerability preparedness work.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EIG-TCA, EIG Public Hearings 03-25-2025
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, and I'd just like to ask you all to prioritize the citizens of Hawaii over, um, uh, pushing Congress
- Um, and I'd just like to ask you all to prioritize the citizens of Hawaii over, um, uh, pushing Congress
- hearing my testimony. citizens of Hawaii over um uh pushing citizens of Hawaii over um uh pushing Congress
- 47.679><c> more</c><00:21:47.919><c> funds</c><00:21:48.240><c> for</c><00:21:48.480><c> the</c> Congress
- for uh any more funds for the Congress for uh any more funds for the Ukrainian<00:21:49.360><c> war.
Committee:
Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Summary:
The joint Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Committee on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard several resolutions, with most public testimony focused on Senate Concurrent Resolution 159 and Senate Resolution 129, which urge continued U.S. support for the Ukrainian military. Testimony on those measures was largely opposed, with witnesses arguing Hawaii should prioritize local needs such as homelessness, infrastructure, and cost of living over additional aid to Ukraine; one support testimony was noted from the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Despite the opposition, both committees recommended passage with technical, nonsubstantive amendments, and the recommendations were adopted.
The committees also considered transportation-related resolutions. Senate Concurrent Resolution 182 and Senate Resolution 152 would initiate a summer streets pilot program, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 200 and Senate Resolution 180 would ask AMPO to coordinate a transportation management training program. Testimony on the summer streets proposal included support and opposition, with one witness saying community input should be gathered through existing district and community meetings rather than creating a pilot. The training-program measure drew opposition from a witness who argued it would add unnecessary bureaucracy. Both pairs were recommended for passage, with the summer streets resolutions passed unamended and the training-program resolutions passed with technical amendments.
In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee, Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 and Senate Resolution 14, concerning relocation of the Pearl City post office to Navy property, were recommended for passage with technical amendments. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate Concurrent Resolution 136 and Senate Resolution 150, which call for a geothermal energy working group. Supporters included the State Energy Office, PUC, consumer advocate, and others, though the energy office asked to move the report deadline to 2027. Opponents raised concerns about cost, health impacts, environmental risks, and Native Hawaiian representation. The chair proposed amendments to add a Native Hawaiian member, the consumer advocate, and the House and Senate energy committee chairs, clarify participation by utility, geothermal, and nonprofit representatives, and extend the report deadline to 2027. The resolutions were then recommended for passage with amendments, and all recommendations were adopted before adjournment.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- that can't be was passed by Congress that can't be changed<00:10:12.079><c> it's</c><00:10:12.480><c
- My understanding is that most of the federal funds that we receive for education is passed by Congress
- But right now I don't know if the EO's legality or not, whether Congress can do it or not, is going to
- The EO's legality or not, whether Congress can do it or not, is going to matter that much.
- Madam Chair and Senator Rarick, it's based upon the enacting of legislation from Congress.
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- restricted, a lot restricted in some ways, from speaking critically about any sitting member of Congress
- it's against both Arizona law and federal law for me to speak critically of any sitting member of Congress
- Well, Congress hasn't declared it a war, so it's not technically... ...a war.
- Under the Constitution, the Congress has not declared war yet.
- Thankfully, a Republican Congress came in and forced the DOD to rescind that regulation.
Committee:
Senate Director Nominations
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 16th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health & Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- Rather, it is a recognition that all 340B stakeholders need to work together with Congress on balanced
- You know, you just spoke about Congress, and we've been waiting for Congress to do work on 340B for a
- This is something Congress is uniquely suited to solve.
- If Congress or HHS lawfully mandates a rebate model in the future, this bill yields.
- Deduplication does require data, but if data is required, it must be required by Congress or HRSA with
Committee:
Senate Health & Long-Term Care
Keywords:
nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Rules Apr 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Only Congress gets to implement that amendment, not the states.
- Also, as I pointed out, Section 2 of the 15th Amendment is giving exclusive power to Congress, not the
- This was a provision that said there should be term limits for members of Congress, and there should
- This was a provision that said there should be term limits for members of Congress, and there should
- Now, the part about members of Congress was struck down because it violated the qualifications clause
Summary:
The Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a presentation from the Governor’s office on proposed congressional reapportionment. Executive Office of the Governor counsel Mo Jazeel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be used in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection principles and, in the executive branch’s view, are inseverable. Jason Parada then presented the proposed map, explaining that it was drawn using 2020 census block data, with county growth estimates used only as a guide, and that the plan was designed to be race-neutral while also considering compactness, county and municipal boundaries, and other traditional redistricting criteria. He said the map keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores comparable to the current map, and makes the largest changes in South Florida, with some districts remaining unchanged and others reconfigured around population shifts and geographic boundaries.
Members questioned both presenters extensively about the legal basis for disregarding the Fair Districts Amendment, the use of partisan data, the absence of racial analysis, and whether the map truly reflects population growth. Jazeel said the executive branch’s position is that race-based provisions in the state constitution cannot be used if they conflict with the U.S. Constitution, and that the forthcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Calais could further clarify the law. Parada said he did not use race in drawing the map, did use partisan information as one of several traditional criteria, and relied on 2020 census data for population equality. Senators also pressed him on who reviewed the map, why the public and legislators had limited time to review it, and whether the plan was intended to favor Republicans; Parada denied partisan intent and said he was the only person who moved lines on the map, though he consulted with other Executive Office of the Governor staff and counsel.
Several senators raised concerns that the map did not clearly reflect Florida’s recent population growth, that some districts remained highly irregular, and that the plan appeared to be based on a legal theory contingent on future court rulings. The presenters responded that congressional districts must be equal to the person, that growth estimates can only guide orientation rather than replace census data, and that the map was designed to preserve as much of the existing structure as possible while making the largest adjustments in South Florida. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting, and the committee continued with questions and discussion.