Video & Transcript Research : 'protected speech'
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Linda McMahon, of Connecticut, to be Secretary of Education. Feb 13th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Unfortunately aren't part of my speech. Bernie changed my speech for me.
- Now I believe in freedom of speech on campus, open debate, and we should encourage that.
- for discourse and for freedom of speech.
- It's to protect our students. I look forward to following up.
- are those that are protected by statute? I believe IDEA is. I think Title I is.
Summary:
The committee meeting engaged in discussions focused primarily on educational reform, the influence of federal grants on local education systems, and the growing disparities in wealth and access to quality education. Members expressed concerns about the bureaucracy surrounding federal funding that hampers schools' ability to obtain necessary resources for improvement. Several members highlighted personal anecdotes from constituents, emphasizing the urgent need for reform to help students succeed in both K-12 and higher education environments. The meeting included public testimonies that provided insights into various community perspectives on these pressing issues.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/23/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- protection under the law. protection under the law.
- sturdier protection against bias. sturdier protection against bias.
- protected, by the way.
- already protects religious liberty. already protects religious liberty.
- There was nothing done to protect me or to protect us.
NH
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Guard their speech that they may reflect the truth, be revealed in your holy will, and touch their hearts
- But they have certain protective equipment, and they have cooling stations and all that, and they're
- and Human Services Committee, then to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. enacting the Protect
- House Bill 175 is eligible for funding from the Forest Land Protection Revolving Fund.
- pathology assistance and repealing the Apprentice in Speech and Language License.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It doesn't restrict speech or interfere with legitimate child protection laws.
- It doesn't restrict speech or interfere with legitimate child protection laws.
- I urge you all to please protect the children. Protect the parents' rights. Please pass this bill.
- This bill does not protect girls.
- This bill does not protect girls.
Summary:
The committee first heard Superintendent Tom Horn’s State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, teacher pay, school choice, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools. Horn argued that students cannot learn unless schools are safe, cited increased funding for school police officers and a recent Tucson charter school incident as evidence for more officers, and said the department’s academic efforts have centered on Project Momentum, tutoring, cell phone restrictions, career and technical education partnerships, and support for Native American districts. He also urged direct teacher pay increases through Proposition 123 and said the state board should revise teaching standards and school grading practices. Members questioned him about DEI compliance, cell phone enforcement, ESA accountability, teacher preparation programs, school safety funding, and literacy outcomes; Horn said the department’s role is largely advisory in a local-control state, that it tracks school practices on a website, and that it lacks academic outcome data for ESA students because private schools are not tested by the state.
The committee then took up House Bill 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues or memberships to professional library associations that advocate for libraries and information services. Representative Cooper, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while arguing that membership could still be paid privately and that free professional development options exist. Opponents, including former librarian Judy Schweber, Marana board member Hunter Holt, and the ACLU of Arizona, argued the bill would undermine professional development, local control, and constitutional rights of association and petition, and that there was little evidence public funds were actually being used this way. Supporters, including Adrienne Johnson, said some library materials and associations promote political viewpoints and should not be funded with public dollars.
After public comment and debate, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2008 a do pass recommendation. Members who explained no votes said the bill targeted a non-issue, lacked data showing a problem, and would divert attention from funding and literacy needs. Members supporting the bill said it was a reasonable restriction on public spending and a way to keep school libraries ideologically neutral. The committee then announced it would move on to House Bill 2249, the Parents’ Bill of Rights and Remedies.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- It would create a chilling effect in which a public employee would be fearful that any speech, even speech
- Public Employee may not know what speech Public Employee may not know what speech is<01:28:19.360
- <01:28:26.239>
even <01:28:26.560>speech be fear ful that any speech even speech be - fear ful that any speech even speech protected<01:28:27.480>
by <01:28:27.639>the <01:28 - any absentee ballot these protections any absentee ballot these protections ensure<01:51:12.199>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Crime of residential protesting established 2/18/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Be this bill protects everyone equally.
- protected activity. Well, what changed? protected activity. Well, what changed?
- <00:10:13.040>
activity constitutionally protected activity constitutionally protected activity - <00:10:18.400>
for does not provide you with protection for does not provide you with protection - that constitutionally protected that constitutionally protected activities<00:14:33.640>
that
Summary:
House File 2809 was taken up, and Representative Hudson moved the bill with a recommendation to the General Register. The committee adopted the author’s amendment A1, which changed the effective date from 2025 to 2026. Hudson described the bill as a narrow prohibition on protests at or around a person’s dwelling, arguing that homes deserve special protection from coercive or intimidating conduct and citing Supreme Court precedent on focused residential picketing. He said the bill would not apply to residences that also function as businesses or public meeting places and emphasized that it would apply equally to private citizens and public officials.
Several members raised constitutional and drafting concerns. Representative Curran said the bill appeared too broad and could sweep in lawful expressive activity, including people standing on their own property with signs, and questioned whether it would survive constitutional scrutiny. Representative Pinto argued the bill either duplicates existing criminal laws or goes beyond the conduct Hudson described, stressing that the law should focus on conduct rather than the label of protest. Representative Bentele and Representative Hollins asked for clearer definitions of “protest,” “residence,” and whether the bill would reach sidewalks, streets, Airbnbs, and other public or mixed-use spaces. Representative Watson noted existing laws on targeted residential picketing, harassment, and stalking and asked what gap the bill was meant to fill.
Hudson responded that the bill was intended to address coercive, disruptive activity and said he was open to amendments to clarify that constitutionally protected activity in places where a person has a right to be would not be affected. He argued that current laws are not always enforced consistently and that the bill would clarify legislative intent for law enforcement and prosecutors. The discussion ended without a final vote on the bill itself, after members and the author indicated a willingness to continue working on the language.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 60 (4-15-26) - Part 2
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- speech and expressive conduct that is protected by Sections 1 and 8 of the Constitution of Kentucky
- <01:15:08.320>
speech <01:15:09.120>and to engage in protected speech and to engage - in protected speech and expressive<01:15:10.040>
conduct <01:15:10.720>that <01:15:11.000 - >
is <01:15:11.240>protected <01:15:12.400>by expressive conduct that is protected - That's protected.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-13 (11:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the armor that you can provide, that you wrap the men and women of our state and our country who protect
- And Country who protect us in your armor.
- It must be protected. And it must be handed on to future generations.
- We made a pledge to jumpstart Everglades restoration, protect our coasts from harmful discharges, and
- Upholding the rule of law includes protecting our nation's sovereignty.
Summary:
The House and Senate met in joint session to receive the Governor’s annual message. After the customary opening, prayer, pledge, and motions to notify the Governor, the Governor and First Lady were received and the Governor delivered a lengthy address reviewing his administration’s record and outlining priorities for the coming session.
The Governor highlighted what he described as major accomplishments over the past seven years, including stronger state reserves, debt reduction, tax relief, economic growth, school choice expansion, higher teacher pay, civics education, higher education reforms, Everglades restoration, hurricane response improvements, public safety measures, and immigration enforcement. He also discussed affordability concerns, especially rising local property taxes, and urged lawmakers to pursue a ballot measure for property tax relief. He called for legislation on informed consent in medical decisions, regulation of artificial intelligence, and bills already filed on issues such as eliminating DEI in local governments, further restricting illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking Sharia law.
No substantive votes were taken on legislation during the address. After the Governor concluded, the joint session approved a motion to dissolve, and the meeting adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Motion to take up HF5084, proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution 5/13/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill has<00:18:49.679>
the <00:18:50.000>protection has the protection has the protection - and it should be protected. and it should be protected.
- choice to protect life. choice to protect life.
- protected, too. Right. protected, too. Right.
- How do we best protect debating here. How do we best protect lives?
Summary:
The House debated Representative Long’s motion to suspend the rules so House File 5084 could be recalled from committee, given second and third readings, and brought to final passage. The bill was described by opponents as an extreme anti-abortion measure that would create a right to life from fertilization, potentially criminalize abortions except in narrow cases, and could affect IVF, miscarriage care, and treatment of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Supporters said the bill was about protecting unborn life and giving Minnesotans the chance to decide the issue themselves through the ballot box.
Several members spoke against the motion, arguing that Minnesota has already settled reproductive rights through court decisions and recent legislation, and warning that the bill would put government into deeply personal medical decisions. They cited stories from other states where women were investigated or arrested after miscarriages or self-managed abortions, and said the proposal could treat people as criminals for seeking reproductive care. One member emphasized that the bill could be especially dangerous in cases like ectopic pregnancy, where treatment delays could threaten the pregnant person’s life.
Members in favor of the bill framed the issue as one of conscience, democracy, and protection of human life from conception. They said every abortion is an act of violence against a distinct human being and argued that Minnesotans should be allowed to vote on the question. Some speakers also shared personal experiences with miscarriage, infertility, premature birth, or pregnancy loss to explain why they viewed the issue as morally serious and emotionally difficult.
The debate became broader and more partisan, with some members criticizing both sides for using the issue as a political weapon rather than focusing on legislative work. The transcript does not include the final vote result, but the motion was clearly under a roll call and the chamber proceeded with extended floor debate over House File 5084.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 041 Feb 24th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:30:17.840>
us constitution does in fact protect us constitution does in fact protect us - protect us all. protect us all.
- allowed to protect themselves. allowed to protect themselves.
- c><00:57:47.119>
is If protecting constitutional rights is If protecting constitutional rights - We talk about protection from federal overreach. I would just like protection in my neighborhood.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum, approved the February 20, 2026 journal, and then moved into Committee of the Whole for second reading of bills on the consent calendar. Senate Bill 85, concerning military protection orders in domestic violence cases, and Senate Bill 25, concerning land survey monumentation, were both adopted on the consent calendar and later reported out as amended and placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage. The chamber also briefly recognized the Denver Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and welcomed a visiting family member of a sergeant during moments of personal privilege.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 5, which creates a state court remedy for violations of federal constitutional rights during immigration enforcement. Senators Weissman and Gonzalez supported the bill, arguing it is meant to protect constitutional rights and provide a civil remedy when those rights are violated. Senator Gonzalez urged a strong vote in favor, while Senator Weissman explained the bill’s scope and later supported amendments as technical or clarifying changes.
Two amendments to SB 5 were debated at length and both were defeated. Amendment L004, offered by Senator Baisley, would have required that a violation be done “knowingly and intentionally”; supporters argued it would add fairness and guard against frivolous claims, while opponents said it would raise the burden for injured people and was unnecessary because the bill already concerns federal constitutional rights. Amendment L005, offered by Senator Lon, would have barred claims where the plaintiff provoked the conduct; supporters said it would protect self-defense and limit abuse of the bill, while opponents called it victim-blaming and said it would undermine accountability. Both amendments failed on voice votes, and debate on the bill continued.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Organizational business meeting to consider an original resolution authorizing expenditures by the committee during the 119th Congress; to be immediately followed by hearings to examine the real impacts of debanking in America. Feb 5th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I know that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a favorite whipping boy of the Republicans on
- Proud of is Old Glory Protect.
- Ring, you work hard to protect your customers' sensitive personal information, do you not?
- Of trying to protect people against debanking.
- So, is it dangerous for the Fed to serve as judge and jury on a particular banker's speech?
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine big fixes for big tech. Apr 1st, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Consumer choice must be protected.
- They are at the same time deplatforming, shadow banning, stifling speech.
- We want to protect our copyright. online.
- And so we very much thank your efforts to protect that.
- How would the transparency requirements help create competition and protect it?
Keywords:
antitrust, competition policy, digital advertising, monopoly, America Act, big tech, consumer rights
Summary:
The meeting, titled 'Big Fixes, Big Tech', marked the first hearing of the Senate antitrust competition policy and consumer rights subcommittee in the 119th Congress. Chairman Lee opened the session focusing on the urgent need for effective solutions regarding anti-competitive behavior among major tech firms like Google and Facebook, highlighting several ongoing court cases regarding monopolistic practices in the digital advertising and search markets. Key discussions included the limitations imposed on small businesses and innovation due to the dominance of these tech giants, with many testimonies advocating for stronger legislative measures, including the America Act. The act aims to disrupt the monopolistic capabilities of these firms and restore competitive integrity in the marketplace, which has suffered under their oppressive market control.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- only the armor that you can provide, you wrap the men and women of our state and our country who protect
- It must be protected. And it must be handed on to future generations.
- Seven years ago, Florida had a modest approach to civics education and limited availability for speech
- We made a pledge to jumpstart Everglades restoration, protect our coasts from harmful discharges, and
- Upholding the rule of law includes protecting our nation's sovereignty.
Summary:
The Florida House and Senate met in joint session to receive the Governor’s annual message. After opening formalities, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the appointment of a committee to notify the Governor that the Legislature was ready, the chamber recognized special guests and then received Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis.
In his address, the Governor reviewed what he described as seven years of major accomplishments in Florida, emphasizing fiscal restraint, tax relief, economic growth, education reforms, environmental restoration, disaster response, public safety, and immigration enforcement. He highlighted a larger rainy day fund, reduced debt, record job and business growth, universal school choice, higher teacher pay, Hope Florida, Everglades restoration, stronger hurricane response, and tougher laws on crime and illegal immigration. He also warned about property tax burdens, called for a constitutional path to property tax relief, urged informed consent in medical policy, and raised concerns about artificial intelligence.
The Governor pointed to several bills already filed and urged lawmakers to send him legislation eliminating DEI in local government, further discouraging illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking the spread of Sharia law. He closed by asking the Legislature to continue advancing his agenda. After the address, the joint session voted to dissolve.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- by strengthening our economy, protecting by strengthening our economy, protecting our<00:34:06.559
- <00:49:32.640>
our while our service members protect our while our service members protect - <02:20:33.960>
Agency by the Environmental Protection Agency by the Environmental Protection - occurrence in my various floor speeches. occurrence in my various floor speeches.
- god-given right and must be protected. god-given right and must be protected.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (03/17/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- [Unintelligible / no audible speech captured.] [Unintelligible / no audible speech captured.]
- [Unintelligible / no audible speech captured.] [Unintelligible / no audible speech captured.]
- [Unintelligible / no audible speech captured.] [Unintelligible / no audible speech captured.]
- [Unintelligible / no audible speech captured.] [Unintelligible / no audible speech captured.]
- [Unintelligible / no audible speech captured.] [Unintelligible / no audible speech captured.]
Summary:
The committee first took up a House Bill 2 amendment to remove a bail-related section that had already passed in another bill and was now considered duplicative. Members discussed the earlier change to how bail commissioners are reimbursed, concerns that the Judiciary was losing money collecting the fees, and whether the magistrate-related language would still be needed. They noted the bill had already crossed over to the Senate, that the section was obsolete, and that any remaining issue about magistrates’ five-year terms might need to be raised with the Criminal Justice Committee. Amendment 997H, deleting section one, was moved, seconded, and adopted unanimously.
The committee then reviewed a package of HB 1 position transfers involving the Department of Environmental Services, Fish and Game, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Staff explained that several positions were being shuffled to correct position numbers and align permitting functions, including one Fish and Game position moving back to Fish and Game, one DEES position remaining funded after ARPA money ends, and adjustments to hours for permitting and environmental services positions. Members discussed whether the Fish and Game position had been intended to be temporary, but ultimately agreed to accept the first four Environmental Services items and the last two Natural and Cultural Resources items as a package; that motion passed unanimously. They then also accepted sections 2 through 8 of HB 1 with the related amendments and footnote language.
The committee next turned to dredge-and-fill fee changes in section 11, where one member objected to a 50% fee increase for seasonal docks, arguing it could discourage permitted work and might apply to repairs that only require notification. Staff said the increase was intended to help cover the cost of additional positions in future biennia, but members decided to hold that section for more information, including how many seasonal dock repair fees are actually collected. Finally, the committee began discussing HB 215 and a proposed tipping-fee/surcharge structure to make a solid waste accounting unit self-funded, with members saying the fee could offset about $2.9 million in general fund costs and support the grant program, but no final action was taken on that item in the portion of the meeting provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I think we can protect our youth and also protect small business and business and community... ...know
- I think we can protect our youth and also protect small business and business and communities as well
- We support consumers' protection in terms of homeowners.
- Thank the committee and their staff for all the amendments and to continue protecting consumers of speech
- Andrea Ball here on behalf of the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association in support.
Summary:
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, consumer protection, and sunset-review bills. Early items included SB 1148, which would let aspiring security guards complete all required training before a guard card is issued; SB 342, which would soften the penalty for contractors who were licensed during part of a project but had a brief lapse; and several sunset bills for boards and bureaus, including the Board of Registered Nursing (SB 1302), the Board of Naturopathic Medicine (SB 1303), the Respiratory Care Board (SB 1304), the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (SB 1363), and the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (SB 1368). The committee also heard SB 1311, which makes various updates to DCA boards and programs, and SB 1314, which restricts new tobacco retailers from locating within 600 feet of schools or daycare centers and bans nitrous oxide sales and related paraphernalia.
Testimony was generally supportive on the training, sunset, and licensing cleanup bills, though several measures drew “opposed unless amended” or neutral positions over scope and implementation details. On SB 1314, supporters including prosecutors and school administrators argued it would reduce youth exposure to tobacco, while gas station, convenience store, cigar lounge, pharmacy, and business groups raised concerns about impacts on existing businesses, transferability of tobacco licenses, and possible de facto limits on future stations; some public health groups shifted to neutral after amendments. On SB 1302, nursing groups supported the board sunset bill, while the California Medical Association objected to allowing out-of-state nurse practitioner transition-to-practice experience to count without a California attestation process. On SB 1304, health facilities and long-term care groups supported the board extension but sought broader clarification so LVNs could perform respiratory tasks consistently across settings.
After quorum was finally established, the committee voted to send the consent calendar bills SB 1376, SB 1391, SB 1416, and SB 1315 to Appropriations, and then approved SB 342, SB 1148, SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1304, SB 1311, SB 1314, SB 1363, and SB 1368, all moving forward to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 1314 passed with some no votes, while the other measures advanced with broad support. The hearing ended after additional members were added on the record and the committee adjourned.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Address to Congress by the President of the United States (Tuesday, March 4, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- censorship and brought back free speech censorship and brought back free speech in<01:02:25.079>
- protecting the soul of our country.
- protecting the soul of our country.
- We want to be protected, and we're going to protect our citizens like never before. it other places have
- <02:07:14.679>
our protected and we're going to protect our protected and we're going to protect
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Smith, your speeches and arguments are always spot on.
- Does this override local environmental protections?
- You've done well to protect the rates of electricity.
- our state and to protect our community.
- It protects our residents, it protects our ratepayers, first and foremost.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no weekend conference. The chamber then took up a long special-order calendar of bills, generally moving each measure through third reading and final passage, often by substituting House companion bills. Early measures included trust law modernization (SB 786/HB 895), military affairs changes and Guard retirement corrections (SB 474), rounding rules for cash transactions as pennies phase out (SB 1074), podiatric medicine regulation and informed-consent requirements (SB 1092), veterans court expansion (SB 50/HB 199), RV park special assessment clarification (SB 118), concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile offenses on military installations (SB 502/HB 351), alcoholic beverage loss deductions (SB 678/HB 1137), and bail bond/pretrial release revisions (SB 600). Most passed unanimously or near-unanimously; SB 600 passed 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and an amendment aligning with the House version and prosecutors’ concerns.
The Senate also considered bills on portable electronics and eyewear insurance (SB 772), the linking industry to nursing education fund and health science workforce programs (SB 1246), recovery residences and behavioral health licensing (SB 1030, with a technical amendment on background checks and probationary licenses), felony battery enhancements for repeat offenders and offenses against law enforcement (SB 436), and child welfare changes including foster-home visitor screening, a permanent statewide Step Into Success program, and a best-practices repository (SB 1718). These measures were explained by sponsors as efforts to streamline regulation, improve workforce and health-care training, strengthen public safety, and reduce administrative burdens while preserving safeguards. Votes on these bills were overwhelmingly favorable, with final tallies typically 36-0 or 37-0.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell tribute to Senator Lori Berman. Members from both parties praised her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, and family law. Berman delivered a lengthy farewell reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her caucus leadership, and the importance of dignity, respect, and public service. The Senate adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and then recessed before returning to continue the calendar.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- is a provision that will help protect is a provision that will help protect our<00:13:35.959>
- This is not free speech. This is voters. This is not free speech.
- It protects our election integrity.
- Paying protects our election integrity.
- protections. To go through the bill, Mr. protections. To go through the bill, Mr.