Video & Transcript : 'Democrat' :
Page 58 of 312
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Press Conference 5/11/26
Transcript Highlights:
- And just a few weeks ago, right here, Republicans and Democrats together passed a bill to help dairy
- 31.960><c> and</c> weeks ago, right here, Republicans and weeks ago, right here, Republicans and Democrats
- :04:33.440><c> a</c><00:04:33.480><c> bill</c><00:04:34.120><c> to</c><00:04:34.240><c> help</c> Democrats
- together passed a bill to help Democrats together passed a bill to help dairy<00:04:34.880><c> farmers
- One in the House, we just need one Republican to vote with all the Democrats.
Summary:
House and Senate DFL lawmakers held a Capitol news conference to press for a $100 million small business relief package in response to the economic fallout from Operation Metro Surge and related ICE enforcement activity. Representatives Cedrick Frazier and Jay Xiong, along with Senator Susan Pappas and other supporters, said the enforcement surge caused widespread fear, reduced customer traffic, lost wages, and closures for immigrant-owned and other small businesses in Minneapolis-St. Paul and greater Minnesota. They argued the state has a history of providing disaster-style aid when communities are harmed through no fault of their own and said this situation warrants similar action.
Business and community testimony described specific losses: a Willmar restaurant closed after both parents were detained, a North Mankato grocery store opening was delayed, The Coven reported a 33% revenue drop at two locations, and Lake Street businesses were said to have lost substantial revenue and staff. Speakers said the damage affected workers, landlords, suppliers, and neighborhood corridors statewide, and several emphasized that the relief should come as grants or forgivable loans rather than additional debt. They also criticized House Republican leaders for tying the relief to changes in paid family leave and for blocking a public hearing.
In response to questions, Frazier said negotiations were ongoing through committee chairs and conference committee, with the issue still being discussed in broader leadership talks. He said the House would need only one Republican vote in committee and on the floor to advance the measure, and identified Chair Baker as a possible supporter because of harm in his district. Speakers said the Senate has already passed the relief and urged the House to act quickly before the end of session.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Jan 30th, 2026 at 11:09 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- firsthand in the ...to bringing student leaders to the Roundhouse each year to engage firsthand in the democratic
- She currently serves as the president of the UNM College Democrats, who are here at the Roundhouse this
- He is here representing the UNM Democrats and is grateful for the opportunity to observe our legislative
- Madam President, the Senate Democrats will hold a caucus meeting immediately following the floor session
- President, the Senate Democrats will hold a caucus meeting immediately following the floor session in
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, so I think Republicans will go into that room and Democrats. We do have rooms available.
- I think Democrats can go down to B12. Okay. And we should be back within five to ten. Okay.
- But that means Democrats have to bust one, go quickly, walk quickly. All right, thanks.
- All right, and with that, we will close the hearing today, and I don't think that the Democrats will
- And I don't think that the Democrats will caucus.
Summary:
The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2537, which would change how energy-intensive, trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) are treated under the Climate Commitment Act. Committee staff and the bill sponsor explained that the measure would require Ecology to update its post-2034 report to include proposed allowance-reduction methods, leakage-risk adjustments, and consignment recommendations, and would add new reporting and decarbonization-planning requirements for EITEs to continue receiving no-cost allowances. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 2245, a separate Clean Energy Transformation Act bill, and later voted the proposed substitute out of committee on an 11-8 vote with 2 excused, after debate over exemptions for certain utilities and market customers.
Supporters of HB 2537, including The Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, Clean and Prosperous Washington, Ecology, and some utility representatives, said the bill would provide needed clarity, better data, and a path for long-term industrial decarbonization while helping prevent emissions leakage. They argued that EITEs receive substantial public value through free allowances and should be required to document emissions sources, energy needs, and feasible reduction pathways so the state can design a post-2035 policy consistent with climate goals. Ecology said it generally supports the bill, though it recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources not included in the governor’s budget.
Opponents, including the Association of Washington Business, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers, WISPA, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, Food Northwest, Simplot, Kaiser Aluminum, and Newcor Steel, warned that the bill could increase compliance burdens, expose sensitive business information, and worsen leakage risks by making Washington less competitive. They said many facilities have already made major investments and face high capital costs, limited clean electricity supply, permitting delays, and technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Several speakers pointed to recent plant closures and job losses in pulp and paper, food processing, and metals as evidence that leakage is already occurring, and urged the committee to preserve flexibility, protect confidentiality, and consider targeted funding or other incentives rather than new mandates alone.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- While there was a lot of effort to find new things to tax, an effort was led by Democrat Phil Donnelly
- So after 1945 and Governor Donnelly's efforts, Governor Wilson, another Democrat who served in 1974,
- in personal property taxes, it was in 1997 when an effort led by... 1997, when an effort led by Democrat
- So, this tax that was firmly driven into the hearts of Missouri by many different Democratic... ...was
- firmly driven into the hearts of Missouri by many different Democratic administrations still lasts today
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee Meeting Jun 25th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Elections & Government Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- minority representation, in particular in local government, and also lack of participation in the democratic
- We have long understood in Delaware that the right to vote is a fundamental democratic right that belongs
- And that can have a sort of effect on the campaign process and people trying to access our democratic
- you. and that can have a sort of effect on the campaign process and people trying to access our democratic
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee Meeting Jun 25th, 2026
Elections & Government Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- minority representation, in particular in local government, and also lack of participation in the democratic
- We have long understood in Delaware that the right to vote is a fundamental democratic right that belongs
- occurred, and that can have a sort of effect on the campaign process and people trying to access our democratic
- you. and that can have a sort of effect on the campaign process and people trying to access our democratic
Bills:
HB344
Keywords:
campaign finance, elections, transparency, political committees, reporting requirements, enforcement
Summary:
The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee heard several election- and campaign-related bills. House Substitute 2 for House Bill 155 would make Public Integrity Commission reports publicly available on the commission’s website, add a specific travel-expense reporting category, and remove the FOIA requirement for accessing reports; Senator Richardson said he supported the transparency measure and asked to be added as a co-sponsor. The committee also took up House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would create state protections against voter suppression and vote dilution, expand language access, prohibit intimidation and deception, and allow court remedies for violations. The bill drew strong support from advocacy groups including YWCA Delaware, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, and the Legal Defense Fund, and several senators voiced support and interest in moving it quickly.
House Bill 430, a constitutional amendment proposal, would make explicit that only natural persons may vote in Delaware elections, including municipal elections, in response to concerns about corporate or other artificial-entity voting in some towns. The discussion focused heavily on Fenwick Island, where the mayor testified that the town’s charter has long allowed certain artificial entities to vote in local elections and said the system is limited and has worked for years; other speakers argued the bill was needed to prevent corporate dilution of residents’ votes. Senator Richardson expressed concern about restricting entities with a local stake, while Senator Hoffner and others emphasized the principle of one person, one vote.
Senator Townsend presented House Bill 344, which would tighten campaign finance rules by requiring Delaware bank accounts for candidates and committees, recurring training, better documentation of candidate loans, longer record retention, automatic filing extensions, and inactive status for noncompliant committees; one public commenter opposed the bill on cost grounds. He also presented House Bill 448, which would allow campaign funds to be used for reasonable security expenses for candidates and elected officials, with guardrails, and a commenter suggested allowing electronic security systems without a cap. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 472, a local de-annexation measure for Noble’s Pond in Cheswold to remove scattered residential lots from town boundaries and resolve uneven tax treatment; Senator Hoffner noted local law enforcement supported the change. The committee adjourned after hearing no further public comment on HB 472, and the vote to adjourn was unanimous.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/12/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think that through the democratic representative process that we have here, the democratic republic
- There's been a systematic attempt to destroy our public schools over the past 15 years, and Democrats
- Attempt to destroy our public schools over the past 15 years, and Democrats are standing up and saying
Bills:
HCR2048
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House agriculture panel debates bill to ban burning of empty pesticide containers 4/13/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm speaking for our committee on the Democratic side.
- 00:15:25.960><c> committee</c><00:15:26.520><c> on</c><00:15:26.760><c> the</c><00:15:26.840><c> Democratic
- </c> our our committee on the Democratic our our committee on the Democratic side. side. side.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, the Democrats actually in D.C. shut down the government over that amount.
- so there were actually a few Republicans on there that were supporting with the majority of the Democrats
- Now, the Democrats actually in D.C. shut down the government over that amount.
- actually a few Republicans on there that were that were that were supporting with the majority of the Democrats
Summary:
The House convened, took roll, approved the journal, and received several communications, including notice that Randolph J. Hill was designated as a substitute member for District 14, Seat A. The chamber also received Senate messages on enrolled and passed measures, including Senate Bill 1396 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 127, and reported action on multiple House bills that had passed the Senate or been enrolled for signature. House Bill 969 and House Bill 970 were introduced and sent for printing, while Senate Bill 1436, relating to state procurement and cooperative/group discount purchasing, was introduced and referred to committee.
The main floor work focused on budget bills. The House suspended rules and passed Senate Bill 1432, the Health and Welfare indirect services/licensing and certification budget, after discussion of a modest increase tied to board repeals, replacement items, and IT modernization. The chamber then debated and passed Senate Bill 1433, the large Health and Welfare Medicaid budget, with extended debate over Medicaid expansion, child welfare, federal matching funds, provider rate cuts, supplemental costs, and whether policy changes should be made outside the budget process. Members also passed Senate Bill 1434, the Division of Welfare budget, which included changes for SNAP administration costs, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and eligibility system updates driven by federal law and prior state changes.
The House also passed Senate Bill 1437, a trailer appropriation for Idaho State Police to fund DNA and thumbprint sampling for certain misdemeanor offenses, and House Bill 968, a year-end transfer bill that moved funds to support the bottom line, including reversion language for payroll funds and transfers involving interest and other accounts. Debate on House Bill 968 included criticism that the legislature was leaving money in reserves while cutting services. Later, after recess, the House returned and passed Senate-amended House Bills 730, 758, and 928, which dealt respectively with SNAP eligibility timing, daycare licensing language, and merit-based health care/occupational hiring provisions. The House then adjourned until the next morning.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate Democratic Caucus will not be meeting tomorrow. All right.
- President.<00:14:22.360><c> The</c><00:14:22.440><c> Senate</c><00:14:22.760><c> Democratic</c><00:14
- The Senate Democratic Caucus President.
- The Senate Democratic Caucus will<00:14:24.120><c> not</c> will not will not will<00:14:25.800><c> not
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Melissa Hortman State Office Building 3/12/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- your packet today a petition that was signed by over 2,100 people around the state, Republicans and Democrats
- state,</c> around the state, around the state, Republicans<00:06:07.000><c> and</c><00:06:07.200><c> Democrats
- </c><00:06:08.120><c> and</c> Republicans and Democrats and Republicans and Democrats and Independents
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Democrats will caucus immediately. Senator Warnick.
- I move that the Senate now be at ease until 1:20 p.m. for the purpose of lunch and at least Democrat
- The Democrats will caucus in 30 minutes. Senator Warnick.
- moved that the Senate now stand at ease until 1:20 p.m. for purposes of lunch and caucus by the Democrats
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 10th, 2026
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Democrats will caucus immediately. Senator Warnick.
- I move that the Senate now be at ease until 1:20 p.m. for the purpose of lunch and Democratic caucus.
- The Democrats will caucus in 30 minutes. Senator Warnick.
- moved that the Senate now stand at ease until 1:20 p.m. for purposes of lunch and caucus by the Democrats
Summary:
The Senate opened with ceremonial activities, approval of the previous day’s journal, and adoption of Senate Resolution 8689 recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Senators spoke in strong support of the resolution, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, self-advocacy, family caregivers, and the principle of “nothing about us without us.” The resolution was adopted, and all members’ names were added as sponsors. The chamber also welcomed student visitors and later recognized individuals with developmental disabilities and caregivers in the gallery.
The Senate then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments. Charles G. Knutzen was confirmed to the Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board by a 48-0 vote. Noah Scartvet was confirmed to the Gambling Commission by a 43-5 vote, and Kelly K. Foucai was confirmed to the Spokane Colleges Board of Trustees by a 48-0 vote. The Senate also considered and confirmed additional appointments while excusing several members from attendance during parts of the day.
The chamber spent much of the meeting concurring in House amendments and passing a series of bills. Among the measures approved were bills dealing with clean energy exemptions for certain backup fossil fuel use, police data and body camera/ALPR distinctions, housing and rental assistance flexibility, creation of a cabinet-level Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs with Senate confirmation, school district interfund transfers under financial oversight, civic engagement and voting services, wildfire-resistant home-hardening materials, and technical corrections to prior tax and revenue legislation. Most of these bills passed with clear majorities, though some drew recorded opposition, including Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035 and Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6113.
The Senate also adopted a striking amendment and passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, creating a tourism self-supported assessment program. Supporters said the negotiated proposal would improve fiscal transparency and help fund statewide tourism promotion, while opponents raised concerns about the assessment structure. The bill passed after concurrence in the House amendments and final passage by a 43-5 vote. The Senate then returned to the fourth order of business and stood at ease for lunch and caucus.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate Democratic Caucus will meet tomorrow, February 24th, at 9 a.m. in the majority caucus room
- Uh, the Senate Democratic<00:19:35.440><c> Caucus</c><00:19:35.840><c> will</c><00:19:36.080><c> meet
- </c><00:19:36.320><c> tomorrow,</c> Democratic Caucus will meet tomorrow, Democratic Caucus will meet
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Preview of the Senate’s 2026 Session – Minority Leader Mark Johnson Feb 16th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, you know, Democrats have been very focused on guns, and that is their one solution that they have
- Yeah.<00:07:34.880><c> So,</c><00:07:35.520><c> you</c><00:07:35.599><c> know,</c><00:07:35.840><c> Democrats
- So, you know, Democrats have been Yeah.
- So, you know, Democrats have been very<00:07:37.440><c> very</c><00:07:37.680><c> focused</c><00:07:38.319
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Advancing Education in Minnesota – Senator Julia Coleman Apr 7th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have 2011 legislators in the state: 100 are Republicans, 101 are Democrats.
- /c><00:10:13.000><c> are</c> state 100 are Republicans 101 are state 100 are Republicans 101 are Democrats
- 14.279><c> have</c><00:10:14.680><c> never</c><00:10:15.240><c> been</c><00:10:15.800><c> this</c> Democrats
- we have never been this Democrats we have never been this divided<00:10:16.560><c> before</c><00:10:
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 3/27/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I'm sure a Democrat argument would be that we shouldn't be giving taxpayer dollars to private schools
- Um I I'm sure a Democrat<00:11:55.760><c> argument</c><00:11:56.240><c> would</c><00:11:56.480><c> be
- </c><00:11:56.720><c> that</c><00:11:57.600><c> we</c> Democrat argument would be that we Democrat argument
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State government committee hears anti-fraud bill, HF2 1/23/25
Transcript Highlights:
- For years now, Democrats and Governor Walz have ignored Republican pleas for accountability.
- power<00:01:59.240><c> for</c><00:01:59.439><c> years</c><00:01:59.960><c> now</c><00:02:00.159><c> Democrats
- </c><00:02:00.640><c> and</c> power for years now Democrats and power for years now Democrats and Governor
Summary:
The committee took up House File 2, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting and grant oversight. Representative Davis described the bill as a response to recent fraud scandals and said it would require state agencies to report suspected fraud immediately to law enforcement and legislative leaders, post organizational charts and staff contacts online, require unannounced site visits to verify grant recipients and financial stability, mandate reporting of grant-process violations to supervisors, the commissioner or designee, and the legislative auditor, and suspend or terminate grant agreements when recipients are charged with or convicted of related criminal offenses. He also said the bill’s concepts would apply to nonprofits through grant-making and oversight provisions.
Members asked several clarifying questions about whether reporting obligations were either/or or cumulative, whether whistleblower protections would cover those making reports, and whether contract employees should be included. One member suggested adding language for inspectors general or other appropriate law-enforcement contacts for clarity, and another raised the idea of halting funding immediately when fraud is reported; the author responded that section 10 already provides for immediate suspension upon criminal charges. Representative Joy supported the bill but suggested funding should stop during investigations, and Representative Anderson noted surprise that the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was listed as an opponent. The author said he was open to considering contract employees and additional wording.
The chair announced the bill would be laid over because a fiscal note was not yet available, stating a commitment not to move bills out of committee without one. He said members could continue refining the bill and that the committee administrator could help contact the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to seek more detailed concerns. The author closed by emphasizing the bill as a nonpartisan effort to address waste, fraud, and abuse in state spending.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- in, and there had only been 21 women before us, it is because Marion and I came in together—three Democrats
- Also, looking ahead, as soon as we adjourn, the Democratic Caucus will be meeting in House Room 1.
- The Democratic Caucus will be meeting in House Room 1 immediately upon recess, subject to the procedure
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- honoree, was named to the 2025 AAA All-State Star Team, was named the 2025 Arkansas River Valley Democrat-Gazette
- whereas Lady Tigers team member Miley Clopton earned all-state honors, was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- Daniel Laurie was named to the All-State Tournament Team, was named to the Arkansas River Valley Democrat-Gazette