Video & Transcript : 'Democrat' :

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/12/25

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • , now the Democrats’ deficit that we’re facing after a $10 billion tax increase on top of blowing the
  • I can see why you want to bring some of this to distract from those topics that the Democrats don’t have
  • , now the Democrats’ deficit that we’re facing after a $10 billion tax increase on top of blowing the
  • I can see why you want to bring some of this to distract from those topics that the Democrats don’t have
  • , now the Democrats’ deficit that we’re facing after a $10 billion tax increase on top of blowing the
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/25/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Democrats will caucus at 9:50 in Caucus Room 2. Excellent.
  • The Democrats will caucus at 8. Thank you, Mr.
  • President Pro Tem, the Democrats will caucus at 9.50 in caucus room 2. Excellent.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, electronic roll call, and approval of the March 24, 2026 journal. Several members used points of personal privilege to introduce guests, including visitors from Arizona Business and Professional Women for National Women’s History Month, advocates for women and families, guests connected to Audubon Day and Western Rivers Day, and a guest shadowing a senator who is running for LD17. The remarks highlighted women’s contributions to Arizona history, BPW’s advocacy for pay equity, health care, and equal rights, and the importance of water policy for recreation, tourism, birding, and the state economy. The chamber also handled routine floor business. Messages from the House were waived from reading, and Senate Bills 1010, 1023, 1029, and 1211 were transmitted to the governor. Second reading was taken up on House Bills 2344, 2375, 2680, 2750, and 2976, covering topics including the local government investment pool, housing and zoning in historic neighborhoods, workers’ compensation notice, the Arizona-Sonora Trade Commission, and a sexual abuse prevention pilot program. Committee announcements were made for the next day: Judiciary and Elections at 9:00 a.m., Rules at 9:45 a.m., and both Republican and Democratic caucuses at 9:50 a.m. The Senate then adjourned by motion until Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Less than five months later, the governor quietly signed the majority Democrats' bloated budget in the
  • Washington Budget Plan, which included property tax relief and a sustainable spending limit, the Democrats
  • The Democrats claim our regressive tax system is the problem, yet they introduce new and higher taxes
Keywords: 904, all
Summary: This transcript is a Republican response to the Governor’s State of the State address, delivered by Sen. Keith Wagoner. The speaker argues that Washington is facing an affordability crisis driven by state policy, citing high costs for housing, fuel, food, and living expenses, along with concerns about outmigration, crime, homelessness, drug overdoses, and declining student outcomes. He also criticizes recent budget decisions, saying the 2025 budget cut Medicaid funding for seniors and people with disabilities while raising taxes to record levels. A major theme is opposition to new taxes. The speaker says Democrats are proposing regressive taxes on items like cell phones, storage units, fuel, and employers, and warns these measures could lead to a state income tax, which he says voters have rejected 11 times. He contrasts this with Republican proposals for property tax relief and a sustainable spending limit, which he says were rejected by Democrats. He also criticizes Governor Ferguson for signing a budget with tax increases after previously promising not to do so. No formal votes or committee actions are described. The speaker instead urges the public to participate in the legislative process by testifying, emailing lawmakers, and pressing the governor to pursue more fiscally conservative policies. The closing message is a call for Republicans and citizens to work together to oppose new taxes and make Washington more affordable.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House debate on MN emergency powers bill Feb 28th, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the last few weeks in the Democratic Republic<01:01:20.079><c> of</c><01:01:20.319><c> Congo</c><01:
  • Unfortunately, House Democrats voted to exclude Republicans from the conversation and to stand by the
  • Unfortunately, House Democrats voted to exclude Republicans from the conversation and to stand by the
  • Unfortunately, House Democrats voted to exclude Republicans from the conversation and to stand by the
  • Democrats Democrats voted<01:21:02.880><c> to</c><01:21:03.199><c> exclude</c><01:21:03.679><c> Republicans
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 03/04/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • And um I'm wondering do so if indeed the claim of the author Democrats have done this here for the Democrats
  • They were scared to work, is what Democrats are saying. We have the paid family leave program.
  • And maybe Democrats believe in that.
  • And maybe Democrats believe in that.
  • </c><00:58:33.359><c> You</c><00:58:33.599><c> do</c> Democrats believe in that.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs (02/20/2026)

State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, HR 26, supporting peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Uh, HR 26, supporting peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • Uh, there's four people for two seats—two Moffetts spelled the same way, Republican and Democrat—and
  • While majorities of Islamic movements have engaged in the democratization process and their respective
  • While majorities of Islamic movements have engaged in the democratization process and their respective
Keywords: 1189, house, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/09/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Democrats will caucus at 9:30 in Caucus Room 2. Thank you, Senator.
  • I've heard my Democratic and Republican colleagues call for secure elections.
  • The Democrats will caucus at 9:30 in Caucus Room 2. Thank you, Senator.
  • I've heard my Democratic and Republican colleagues call for secure elections.
Keywords: 1182, all
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It is very unusual in a democratic society for law enforcement officers to cover their faces.
  • Representative Couture has introduced a bill that has Democratic co-sponsors that would change the removal
  • Republican leadership is claiming that Democrats aren't focused on affordability.
  • And affordability is a huge priority for the Senate Democrats, and we have had multiple bills on this
Summary: Senate and House Democratic leaders opened the week by saying the Trump administration and federal actions are a major focus of the session, alongside a push to advance Washington-specific priorities. They said floor action had begun with bipartisan bills and that more floor votes were expected later in the week. Among the measures highlighted were the law enforcement masking bill, a bill regulating flock cameras, a bill on preserving access to preventive health services, and a bill on land banking for housing. They also flagged upcoming hearings on regulating large energy-use facilities and other committee work. Leaders discussed several policy and budget issues. On revenue, they said broad-based tax increases were unlikely, but they were still considering targeted options such as closing tax exemptions, a tobacco tax increase, and a proposed millionaire’s income tax, with technical work still underway on the latter’s mechanics and offsets. They also said a payroll tax proposal was unlikely to advance in its current form. On affordability, they pointed to housing, health care, child care, and federal tariffs as major cost drivers, and cited bills on medical debt, preventive care, and public hospital support as part of their response. Other topics included child welfare, where leaders said they shared concerns about protecting children and were working on follow-up legislation tied to the Keeping Families Together Act and DCYF’s identified critical incidents. They also said they were open to reviewing bills on accountability for public funds and NGO spending, and noted that WSU’s request for funding to cover student worker collective bargaining agreements would be considered in the budget process. On the masking bill, leaders emphasized that Washington law enforcement is not the target and said the bill includes a private right of action because federal agencies may not comply; they described it as a response to federal overreach and said it was likely to move in committee soon. They also mentioned possible floor action on a firearms-in-sensitive-places bill, and said victim-protection bills and a 0.05 BAC bill were among other notable measures under discussion.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Rules (10/21/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, I did, uh, I had a request from the Democratic office that we made the times consistent for filing
  • request<00:03:44.239><c> uh</c><00:03:44.319><c> from</c><00:03:44.560><c> the</c><00:03:44.720><c> Democratic
  • </c><00:03:45.360><c> office</c> request uh from the Democratic office request uh from the Democratic
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The House Rules Committee met briefly to approve the prior meeting minutes, which were accepted on a voice vote. The committee then adopted an amendment to House Rule 66 setting second-year session deadlines, including a change requested by the Democratic office to make the last day to sign off 4:00 p.m. rather than noon. That amendment passed by roll call, 8-0, with Representative Sweeney absent. The committee next heard a request from Representative Thomas Opel for a waiver of House Rule 36E to allow late drafting and filing of a bill tied to education funding in response to the recent Conval decision. Opel said he initially sought the waiver for two bills but narrowed it to HB 503, arguing it was needed to help the General Court address constitutional education funding obligations and property tax relief. Committee members discussed the request only in procedural terms and expressed concern about setting a precedent for departing from drafting rules; no member moved to grant the waiver, so no action was taken. Finally, the committee considered its customary late-drafting authorization for majority reports from statutory or study committees. After the clerk suggested extending the filing deadline to Friday, November 7 because the reporting deadline falls on Saturday, November 1, the committee adopted the motion by roll call, 10-0, with Representative Sweeney absent. The committee then adjourned unanimously.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS-AEN, HHS Public Hearings 03-31-2025

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Alan Berdick, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, in support.
  • Environmental<00:18:23.760><c> Caucus</c><00:18:24.160><c> of</c><00:18:24.320><c> the</c><00:18:24.480><c> Democratic
  • </c> Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party<00:18:25.200
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Health, Human Services, and Agriculture and Environment heard testimony on SR 85, which requests the Department of Health to form a working group on solid waste management, and on SCR 19, which asks the Tax Review Commission to identify ways to implement Hawaii’s long-term care financing program. SR 85 drew broad support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, environmental groups, and numerous individuals, with one commenter asking that a military representative be added to address possible landfill use of military lands. For SCR 19, testimony came in support from the Executive Office on Aging and another supporter. For SR 85, the chair recommended passage with amendments. The amendments revised landfill-location language, removed certain lines, expanded the report’s scope to include materials management policies, environmental protections, and alternative technologies for waste that cannot be recycled or composted, and changed the working group membership language to include representatives from specified sectors. The committee also agreed to add invited participants such as Zero Waste USA, the reuse and deconstruction industries, a landfill leachate expert, a unit-based pricing expert, and a military representative, and to require the governor or designee to convene the initial meeting. The committee adopted the recommendation by vote, with members voting aye and one member excused. For SCR 19, the chair recommended passage with an amendment adding reference to findings in a 1991 report on financing long-term care. The committee approved the measure with amendments by vote, again with members voting aye and one member excused. The joint session then adjourned.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • radio is a haven for people to express differing viewpoints, allowing free speech and a robust democratic
  • I urge my colleagues To support all of the bills before us today, both Republican and Democrat, as we
  • Contrary to the Democrat opinion, there is no fourth branch of government known as the Administrative
  • hysterical doomsday scenarios of data tampering, privacy concerns, or payment delays touted by Senate Democrats
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CPN-EIG, CPN-HHS, CPN DEFER Public Hearings 02-11-2025

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • Bronson Silva, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, in support.
  • </c> caucus of the democratic caucus of the democratic P<01:38:46.280><c> we</c><01:38:46.400><c> stand
  • Next, we have Betus Dgo, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, education and support.
  • Next, we have Betus Dgo, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, education and support.
  • Next, we have Betus Dgo, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, education and support.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted. The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, January 9, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I just want to reiterate that for my Democratic colleagues.
  • ><c> about</c><00:57:20.640><c> the</c> my Democrat colleagues about the my Democrat colleagues about
  • But Democrats have allowed rural areas.
  • So do not now say that the Democrats are doing something. Just say Al Green.
  • </c><02:41:27.520><c> I</c> It's not the Democratic Party. I It's not the Democratic Party.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Municipal and County Government (01/30/2025)

Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • very democratic.
  • So when does a democratic process yield a non-democratic outcome?
  • So when does a democratic process yield a non-democratic outcome?
  • So when does a democratic process yield a non-democratic outcome?
  • </c> Democratic but didn't yield a democratic Democratic but didn't yield a democratic outcome<01:55:
Keywords: 1189, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members of the Democratic Caucus in the Members Lounge, please proceed to the Members Lounge now.
  • Members of the Democratic Caucus will meet in the Members Lounge right now. Recess under call.
  • Members of the Democratic Caucus will meet in the Members Lounge right now. Recess under call.
  • And it's already been mentioned by my Democratic colleagues.
  • I want to thank both our Democratic staff and our Republican staff.
Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, and then completed the roll call, prayer, and pledge. Members observed a moment of silence for the fatal B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base in Assemblymember Lackey’s district. The body then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of numerous Senate bills to different committees, suspending rules for committee notices, and taking up the budget bill, AB 109, without reference to file for concurrence in Senate amendments. Debate on AB 109, the 2026 budget act, centered on competing views of the state’s fiscal condition and policy priorities. Supporters said the budget balances the current and next year’s budget, reduces the structural deficit, builds reserves, protects health care, schools, housing, food assistance, and other safety-net programs, and responds to federal cuts under H.R. 1. Opponents argued the budget increases taxes and costs, shortchanges schools, underfunds Proposition 36, relies on gimmicks, and does not adequately address public safety, cost of living, or long-term sustainability. Several members also highlighted specific provisions such as hospital support, Medi-Cal and IHSS protections, child care, immigrant legal services, prison closure, and funding for courts and victim services. A motion by Assemblymember DeMaio to return AB 109 to the Senate failed on a roll call vote, 13 ayes to 45 noes. The Assembly then voted on concurrence in the Senate amendments to AB 109; the measure passed, and the Senate amendments were concurred in without objection, with immediate transmittal to the Governor. Afterward, the Assembly moved to the daily file and took up SCR 89, a resolution affirming diversity, equity, and inclusion. Supporters from several caucuses framed DEI as a core California value and a response to federal attacks, while opponents criticized DEI as divisive. The transcript ends during debate on SCR 89, before any final vote is shown.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, Democratic Caucus in the Members Lounge, please proceed to the Members Lounge now.
  • Members of the Democratic Caucus, Proceed to the Members Lounge now.
  • Members of the Democratic Caucus will meet in the Members Lounge right now. Recess under call.
  • And it's already been mentioned by my Democratic colleagues.
  • I want to thank both our Democratic staff and our Republican staff.
Keywords: 988, house, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Senate May 11th, 2026

Louisiana Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Democratic Party put out a statement that is provably false.
  • , all because of the social media that is drummed up and the statement put out by the Louisiana Democratic
  • And I've got lots of friends that are Democrats. I'm not castigating all Democrats.
  • Democrats. I'm not castigating all Democrats.
  • I've got Democrats in my family. I love dearly.
Bills: SCR63, SCR12, HB89, HB451, HB595, HB617, HB621, HB730, HB1064, HB1125, HB221, HCR58, SB106, SB206, SB248, SB441, SB104, SB122, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476, SCR9, SCR30, SB57, SB414, SB525, SB35, SB65, SB135, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB276, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB501, SB513, HCR31, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB691, HB712, HB720, HB723, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB29, HB39, HB58, HB67, HB73, HB76, HB77, HB82, HB112, HB121, HB125, HB132, HB134, HB151, HB154, HB155, HB161, HB166, HB187, HB191, HB207, HB211, HB224, HB238, HB241, HB242, HB250, HB260, HB265, HB275, HB300, HB320, HB338, HB339, HB349, HB379, HB399, HB427, HB463, HB464, HB468, HB545, HB550, HB551, HB565, HB588, HB639, HB725, HB782, HB805, HB808, HB834, HB847, HB853, HB858, HB861, HB883, HB916, HB937, HB977, HB1012, HB1027, HB1044, HB1054, HB1091, HB1117, HB90, HB127, HB138, HB150, HB201, HB268, HB273, HB285, HB315, HB354, HB355, HB360, HB376, HB445, HB506, HB606, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, HB23, HB136, HB17, HB21, HB51, HB55, HB74, HB106, HB108, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB168, HB215, HB226, HB263, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1033, HB1034, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1237, HB1239, HB36, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB677, HB726, HB789, HB850, HB956, HB966, SB149, SB382
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - Senate Government

Senate Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is a fundamental democratic safeguard.
  • It's a democratic one, really. I don't specifically remember.
  • I mean, look, I understand why Democrat, I mean, this is self-preservation for them.
  • I mean, look, I understand why Democrats... this is self-preservation for them.
  • I mean, look, I understand why Democrat, I mean, this is self-preservation for them.
Summary: The committee first heard SB 1036, which would tighten unemployment insurance eligibility by requiring five weekly work-search actions, weekly reporting, cross-checks against data sources for fraud or ineligibility, and employer reporting of refusals to return to work or accept suitable work. The sponsor argued the bill would reduce fraud and improve program integrity, while DES said it was neutral but warned of system-update costs, added workload, and more appeals; some members raised concerns about apprenticeship programs and administrative burden. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then recommended the bill do pass as amended on a 4-3 vote. Next, the committee considered SB 1054, a strike-everything amendment to make city and town emergency measures subject to referendum. Supporters, including Payson’s mayor, former mayor, and council members, said local governments had abused emergency clauses to push through tax increases and bond measures without voter input. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns opposed the measure, arguing it would undermine true emergency powers and slow city responses. The committee adopted the amendment and then recommended the bill do pass as amended on a 4-2 vote. The committee then heard SCR 1022, which would increase the House from 60 to 90 members beginning in 2033, with a later amendment delaying implementation to 2043. Senator Mesnard said the change would improve representation by reducing the number of constituents per member and nesting three House districts within each Senate district; some members and a public witness supported the idea, while others questioned cost, feasibility, and the effect on legislative power. The committee adopted the amendment and recommended the resolution do pass as amended on a 5-2 vote. Finally, the committee quickly passed SB 1271, barring municipalities from penalizing businesses based on the number of emergency calls or the value of stolen/damaged property, with exceptions for malicious or false calls, and SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive electronic format with fees limited to material costs. Both measures received unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief testimony, and the committee also began hearing SB 1439, a strike-everything amendment creating a Conservative Grassroots Network specialty plate, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/21/2026 - House Appropriations

House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • have supported this bill, and the Republican and Democrat governors have not signed this bill, even
  • I have to give credit to the consistency from the Democrats because even when Governor Ducey was in office
  • , Senator Stahl Hamilton voted no on this bill on the floor, and other Democrats.
  • No Democrats have supported this policy. Let's see. No Democrats have supported this policy.
  • And I think executives from Republican and Democrat executives, to the number.
Summary: The Committee of Appropriations met on January 21, 2026, and first considered House Bill 2116, which would appropriate $1 million in fiscal year 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The sponsor and Arizona Department of Water Resources both supported the bill, describing it as a backup measure to protect Arizona’s Colorado River entitlements if post-2026 negotiations among the basin states fail. Members discussed how the bill relates to the governor’s separate Colorado River Protection Fund proposal, and staff clarified the two funds serve different purposes. The committee approved HB 2116 on a 17-1 roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2053, which would provide $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping and expand the work beyond state trust lands to private lands. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to extend the coordination timeline, broaden the agencies involved, and revise language about mapped sites and appropriable surface water. The sponsor said the bill is intended to identify more places to capture stormwater for recharge rather than letting most rainfall evaporate. ADWR testified neutrally, supporting the mapping effort but raising a concern about language that could be read as requiring the department to determine whether water is appropriable, which it said is a legal question for the courts. The amended bill passed 11-7. House Bill 2148, as amended, was then heard and approved 11-7. The bill would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal monies and set requirements for those appropriations. The chair’s amendment excluded federal research grants to universities, university employees, and the Arizona Board of Regents. The sponsor framed the bill as a transparency measure, saying the legislature should know how federal funds are being spent. No outside testimony was offered, and the committee approved the measure after debate about legislative oversight of federal funds. After the bills, the committee received a lengthy JLBC presentation comparing the executive budget with the JLBC baseline. Discussion focused on revenue forecasts, tax conformity, sports betting, lottery and tourism revenue assumptions, SNAP administrative costs and error-rate penalties, developmental disability and Access caseload growth, and K-12 enrollment and ESA spending. Members repeatedly questioned the executive budget’s use of one-time funding for ongoing costs, especially for SNAP administration and DES staffing, and expressed concern about rising supplemental needs and the lack of long-term budget capacity. No votes were taken on the presentation.
PA

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Jun 25 2026)

Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Democrats will meet around the podium here for a brief caucus as well. Thank you.
  • Senator Kost asked the Democrats to meet around the podium.
  • And I think as many folks in this room know, our Senate Democratic Caucus for a good period of time has
  • And I think as many folks in this room know, our Senate Democratic Caucus for a good period of time has
  • But when we talk about affordability, I'm proud of our Senate Democratic Caucus that has been talking
Summary: The Senate returned from recess and first handled routine calendar matters, laying several bills on the table or over in their order without objection. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 1400, which addresses sentencing for second-degree murder in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Commonwealth v. Lee decision. Senator Street offered an amendment to replace mandatory life without parole with parole eligibility after 25 years and individualized review, but the Senate tabled the amendment by a 26-24 roll call. The bill then advanced to final passage after extended debate over whether it adequately met the court’s constitutional ruling and how it would affect victims, culpability, and retroactivity. It initially passed 31-19, then after reconsideration and a correction to one member’s vote, passed 30-20 and was sent to the House. The Senate next considered Senate Bill 1212, which tightens the handling of sexual assault evidence kits by removing discretionary language that had contributed to inconsistent testing practices. Supporters said it would improve statewide consistency, preserve a survivor’s right to decline testing, and help reduce the rape kit backlog. The bill passed unanimously, 50-0, and was sent to the House. The chamber then moved through additional calendar items, including re-referrals of several House bills to Appropriations and multiple bills being passed over. Later, the Senate took up House Bill 1667 on a supplemental calendar after suspending the rules. The bill became the vehicle for several amendments tied to affordability and tax policy. Senators adopted a back-to-school sales tax holiday amendment, a data-center tax exemption repeal amendment, and a school-choice-related amendment transferring EITC provisions and increasing scholarships by $25 million. Other proposed amendments, including a digital advertising tax and a combined reporting corporate tax reform, were tabled. After further debate on the bill’s impact on electric bills, data centers, and the state budget, House Bill 1667 was agreed to as amended and the Senate recessed.