Video & Transcript : 'Republican' :
Page 7 of 298
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Press Conference: Special Session Jul 31st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Under Republican leadership. Donald Trump ordered Governor Greg Abbott.
- Instead, Republican politicians want to choose their voters.
- It has not taken its orders from presidents, Democrat or Republican.
- Republicans and Democrats alike.
- There was a Republican that testified in Houston that he didn't want them to do it either.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Republican Media Availability 2/27/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Minnesota Republicans are continuing to fight for program integrity.
- Minnesota Republicans over the years.
- </c> plans are uh provisions that Republicans plans are uh provisions that Republicans have<00:05:04.639
- </c><00:14:53.760><c> Minnesota,</c> Republicans in Washington DC.
- Minnesota, Republicans in Washington DC.
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Jul 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Republicans, with deadly environmental issues without a voice.
- Republicans, There's really no polite way to say this. Republicans, we see you.
- Republicans hold 25 of them. Democrats hold 12.
- We have very good candidates for the Republican Party here.
- Republican conservative living in the Rio Grande Valley.
Summary:
The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its first regional hearing, focused on South and Central Texas, including Bexar County, Travis County, and the Rio Grande Valley. After establishing a quorum, the committee adopted its rules on a 6-3 roll-call vote, with Senators Alvarado and Miles voting no. Chair Phil King explained the regional-hearing format, the use of 2020 census data, the online testimony process, and the availability of written comments and future hearings. Several members then gave opening remarks, with Republicans emphasizing public input and Democrats arguing the special session and mid-decade redistricting were unnecessary and aimed at minority districts.
A major procedural issue arose over whether the committee should invite or subpoena the DOJ attorney who authored the July 7 letter that prompted the redistricting discussion. Senator Miles moved to subpoena the attorney; the motion was seconded but then set aside after the chair said the committee could not take formal action on a non-procedural matter during a regional hearing under the adopted rules. The chair said he would consult legal counsel about issuing an invitation, and members discussed the August 7 deadline referenced in the DOJ letter. The committee then moved on to public testimony.
Witnesses, including Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, law professor Ellen Katz, and Texas NAACP president Gary Bledsoe, argued that the DOJ letter misread the law and that the targeted districts were lawful opportunity or coalition districts. They said the Fifth Circuit’s Pettway decision was limited to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and did not declare coalition districts unconstitutional, and they cited Bartlett v. Strickland as warning against intentionally dismantling effective minority districts. Garcia and Bledsoe said the hearing was politically motivated and would harm Black and Latino representation; Katz said Texas would act illegally if it followed the DOJ letter’s instructions. Members asked questions about the legal status of coalition districts, the 2021 map-drawing process, and the difference between opportunity, coalition, and crossover districts. The hearing continued with additional public witnesses, including labor representative Emily Amps, who said workers and communities of color were being harmed by the proposed redistricting effort.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 2/16/26
Transcript Highlights:
- House Republicans want to competitive.
- ><c> we</c><00:06:54.560><c> are</c> Right now, as Republicans, we are Right now, as Republicans, we
- With the exception of the fraud committee, which has the Republican chair and a Republican majority,
- /c><00:21:04.080><c> in</c> >> Well, Republicans are absolutely in >> Well, Republicans are
- I wonder if you have Republicans will.
Summary:
House Republican leaders outlined their agenda for the tied legislative session, saying their priorities are to stop fraud, make Minnesota more affordable, safer, and more competitive, and reduce mandates while raising education standards. They highlighted several planned bills, including an independent inspector general (HF 1), a “Fraud Isn’t Free” measure to impose consequences on agencies and commissioners that allow fraud, and statutory guidelines for high-fraud-risk programs. They also said they want to lower health care costs through a permanent reinsurance program and cost defrayal for new mandates, study property tax increases, conform state tax law to federal changes on tips, overtime, and scholarship tax credits, and avoid any tax increases.
On public safety, Republicans said they will pursue tougher penalties for repeat offenders and repeat gun crimes, judicial accountability, and a school safety package that would support public and nonpublic schools, school safety personnel, and facility improvements. In education, they emphasized school choice tax credits, reading proficiency, and curriculum focused on basic academic fundamentals. They also said they want to protect and expand mining, reform permitting, end the nuclear moratorium, and make the state more attractive to businesses. On housing, one member said they are working on a more targeted affordable housing package rather than a broad sweeping bill.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on immigration and cooperation with federal authorities. Republicans said they want a statewide framework for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, referencing House File 16 and saying they are open to changes and bipartisan work. They argued that local and state cooperation would improve safety and prevent situations where criminal suspects are released into the community. They also said Democrats have blocked similar efforts in committee and on the House floor.
In response to questions, leaders said there is no current appetite for sports betting, bonding will be discussed but there are no promises, and they do not support the 2024 omnibus bill model. They said they are not interested in vaccine mandates, but will consider Medicaid funding impacts and other health-related proposals if bills are introduced. They also said election integrity measures such as voter ID, provisional ballots, and voter-roll cleanup will remain priorities. Throughout, leaders said they expect a bipartisan process in the tied House and expressed hope that both parties can work together on some issues.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Republican members of this budget.
- </c> Republican leadership. How do we know? Republican leadership. How do we know?
- ><c> all</c> Republican posturing is all Republican posturing is all performative?
- </c><03:43:03.359><c> And</c> Republicans rejected them all. And Republicans rejected them all.
- </c> trading, both Republican and Democrat. trading, both Republican and Democrat.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, February 26, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> worked Democrats know that Republicans worked Democrats know that Republicans know<00:13:48.000>
- </c><02:14:49.360><c> budget</c> were part of the Republican budget were part of the Republican budget
- </c> actual literal waste and Republicans actual literal waste and Republicans want<02:38:57.640><c>
- Republicans have spent years getting M Republicans have spent years getting M about<02:59:21.600><c>
- </c><07:36:37.240><c> our</c><07:36:37.558><c> Republican</c> doing and our Republicans our Republican
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 14, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A Republican House and Republican Senate are backing them.
- A Republican House and Republican Senate are backing them.
- A Republican House and Republican Senate are backing them.
- A Republican House and Republican Senate are backing them.
- </c> Republican House and this Republican Republican House and this Republican Senate<03:06:17.120><c
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Jan 27th, 2026 at 09:15 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to our Republican media availability. We appreciate you joining us today.
- With us from the House Republican Caucus are House Republican Deputy Leader Chris Corey of the 15th District
- From the Senate Republican Caucus, we have Senate Republican Leader John Braun of the 20th District and
- As John mentioned, I'm Deputy Republican Leader Chris Corey.
- And then he's denying Republican bills, which... ...to go anywhere, and then he's denying Republican
Summary:
House and Senate Republican leaders used the media availability to argue that the Democratic majority is making Washington less affordable through new taxes and fees. They cited measures including a utility surcharge bill, expanded producer responsibility costs for clothing, a tire fee bill, proposed tobacco and pharmaceutical taxes, and speculation about an income tax, saying these would raise the cost of living and burden working families and small businesses. They also criticized a bill affecting initiative procedures, calling it an attack on direct democracy, and said Republicans would continue to oppose measures they view as adding costs or limiting voter input.
A major portion of the discussion focused on immigration-related bills and public safety. Republicans condemned Governor Ferguson’s comments about events in Minnesota as inflammatory and said the incidents there should be investigated without political escalation. They also opposed a bill to restrict face coverings for federal immigration officers, arguing it would not be enforceable and would not affect federal law enforcement. Another bill they criticized would allow the state health department to fine the Northwest Detention Center if inspections are blocked; Republicans said the state lacks authority to regulate the federal government in that way. They also rejected a proposal to bar ICE agents hired under the second Trump administration from future law enforcement jobs in Washington, saying it was political messaging and inconsistent with the state’s public safety needs.
The caucuses also discussed several other bills and policy areas. They said they were generally supportive of restoring College Bound and Washington College Grants funding for private nonprofit colleges, but only if done through the budget without new taxes. They backed a proposal to increase accountability and reporting for nonprofit organizations involved in state programs, citing concerns about fraud in mortgage assistance and other state programs. On a housing bill that would limit local enforcement of anti-camping ordinances, House Republicans said the measure was delayed for further work and that cities were worried about implementation and liability. In closing, Republicans said they would keep pushing solutions centered on affordability, transparency, and public safety while continuing to oppose what they described as politically driven bills from the majority.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Special Session D Apr 29th, 2026
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- than there are Black Republicans.
- than there are black Republicans.
- And I am not persuaded, as a Republican, as a lifelong Republican, as a partisan Republican, I am not
- And I am not persuaded, as a Republican, as a lifelong Republican, as a partisan Republican, I am not
- This isn't about making a Republican-leaning map more Republican-leaning.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, April 30, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There is an uprising in the Republican caucus and somehow my Republican colleagues from Midwest states
- There is an uprising in the Republican caucus and somehow my Republican colleagues from Midwest states
- in the Republican party, both factions in the Republican party,<00:56:08.480><c> uh</c><00:56:08.640
- I mean, hell, Republican party.
- </c> Republicans refuse to let that happen. Republicans refuse to let that happen.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Republican Caucus: we have House Republican Deputy Leader Chris Corey, of the 15th District, and Floor
- And from the Senate Republican Caucus, we have Senate Republican Leader John Braun, of the 20th District
- So, you know, as House Republicans and also Senate Republicans, we're working to address a lot of the
- So is this a victory for Republicans in rolling back the Democrats’ agenda?
- So is this a victory for Republicans in rolling back the Democrats' agenda?
Summary:
House and Senate Republican leaders held a press availability focused on the late-session legislative agenda, with repeated criticism of Democratic proposals they said would raise costs and expand state control. Their main targets were a proposed state income tax on high earners, which they described as an unconstitutional income tax likely to expand over time, and an anti-initiative bill they said would make it harder for voters to use direct democracy. They also objected to bills they said would restrict local authority over camping bans and housing permits, and to a series of tax and fee increases affecting bottles, tires, groceries, food, health care, energy, labor, and licensing costs.
The Republicans said the income tax proposal drew more than 60,000 opposition sign-ins and argued that the level of opposition showed Washingtonians broadly reject it. They said any legal challenge would likely come from outside the Legislature, not from caucuses, and cited former Attorney General Rob McKenna’s testimony as support for their view that the measure violates the state constitution. They also discussed capital flight and said prior tax increases, including the estate tax and capital gains tax, were already prompting businesses and wealthy residents to leave the state.
The caucus highlighted several Republican-backed affordability bills they said remain alive, including a diaper tax exemption, a prepared-food tax exemption, repeal of last year’s services tax, and sales tax exemptions for certain continuing education and licensing fees. They also said they had helped block or weaken several Democratic bills, including proposals involving grocery stores, wildfire utility costs, college encampments, plastic bag fees, and a juvenile justice bill they said would have allowed earlier release of violent offenders. On child welfare, members criticized a bill addressing the Keeping Families Together Act as insufficient and said they would keep pushing to change the “imminent harm” standard, while also supporting a separate bill to add fentanyl exposure to the child endangerment statute. No formal votes were taken in the press event itself.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Governor Tim Walz Media Availability 2/27/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Democrats, Republicans<00:02:45.920><c> working</c><00:02:46.319><c> together</c><00:02:47.040><c> to
- </c><00:02:47.280><c> make</c> Republicans working together to make Republicans working together to make
- The package I gave you, many of these are Republican ideas in that.
- </c> to to my friends in in the Republican to to my friends in in the Republican caucuses.<00:17:33.039
- </c><00:18:20.000><c> ideas</c> you, many of these are Republican ideas you, many of these are Republican
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Jul 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I respect the Republicans and the voice that they have.
- It's all Republican. And again,...
- I've not been able to vote for any Republicans because the current Republicans do not share my values
- the actual number. of Republican voters in Texas.
- Please, Republicans, don't try to take over.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
November 2025 State Budget and Economic Forecast Presentation - 12/04/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Congress after the longest shutdown, Congress led by a Republican president, a Republican House, Republican
- </c> to see an elected official, a Republican to see an elected official, a Republican elected<01:03:
- </c> Um is there a reason that Republican Um is there a reason that Republican lawmakers<01:19:04.880
- </c><01:33:28.080><c> who</c> this grift and demand Republicans who this grift and demand Republicans
- </c> we are certainly grateful for Republican we are certainly grateful for Republican partnership<01
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- If Republicans move swiftly, these bills can pass. We do have time for them.
- Any Republican bill that's on the five-yard line today will only fail to become law because Republicans
- Republicans run the chamber; we can pass these laws.
- Texas voters chose the Republican Party to lead the Texas Legislature.
- Republicans will be forced to hold him accountable. Thank you to my colleagues.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Legislative Update May 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Here today There's been a lot of good Republicans that have uh passed this session and we're really proud
- If Republicans move swiftly, these bills can pass. We do have time for them.
- Any Republican bill that's on the five yard line today will only fail to become law because Republicans
- Republicans run the chamber, and we can pass these laws.
- about are bills that Republican voters would celebrate as huge wins in Texas.
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Jul 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Specifically directed at the Republicans on the committee and just Republicans in general.
- In 2003, when the Republicans took majority, we held every statewide Republican office and yet held a
- took a majority, it's very evident that Republican, Republicans, uh, votes were suppressed by the Democrats
- In 2003, when the Republicans took majority, we held every statewide Republican office and yet held a
- Republican districts to add support to the Republican majority in the U.S.
Summary:
The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met virtually for its West Texas regional hearing, established a quorum, and explained that the hearing was part of a series of statewide information-gathering sessions before any map was filed. The chair outlined the Zoom procedures, the two-minute testimony limit, and the availability of written comments through the committee’s public portal. Senators also discussed the logistics and transparency of the process, including the expectation that any proposed map or amendment would be made public once filed and that additional hearings would follow.
Senator Blanco, whose district includes West Texas and the border region, said the area’s communities of interest should be kept together and warned against repeating the loss of representation that followed the last redistricting cycle. Senators Alvarado, Hinojosa, Miles, and others debated the value of virtual hearings versus in-person hearings, the number of people who had testified, and whether the committee could subpoena witnesses after the regional hearings ended. The chair said he was awaiting legal guidance and would consider a subpoena motion at a formal meeting the next day. A lengthy exchange also occurred over the tone of public testimony and the chair’s view that some comments directed at Republicans and the president had been offensive or historically inaccurate.
Invited witnesses and public commenters largely opposed mid-decade redistricting and argued that any new map should reflect population growth, especially among Latino and other minority communities, and comply with the Voting Rights Act. Nina Perales of MALDEF said the hearings were not meaningful without a draft map and testified that Texas has a long history of discriminatory redistricting; senators questioned her about litigation, DOJ’s July 7 letter, and the 2021 congressional map. Tania Chavez Camacho, Luis Figueroa, and several El Paso residents emphasized that maps should preserve communities of interest, avoid cracking and packing, and be transparent and participatory. A smaller number of witnesses supported redistricting, including one El Paso resident who said the current districting leaves the area underrepresented and another who argued that some communities want to return to a map closer to the earlier District 16 configuration. Several witnesses also criticized the DOJ letter as inconsistent with the state’s position that the 2021 maps were drawn race-blind, while others said the current process was too rushed and lacked sufficient public input.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- As John mentioned, I'm Deputy Republican Leader Chris Corey.
- And I want to be clear, this isn't like a Republican priority.
- And then he's denying Republican bills, which... ...to go anywhere, and then he's denying Republican
- And that's, you know, not where the Republicans want to go.
- And that's, you know, not where the Republicans want to go.
Summary:
House and Senate Republican leaders opened by criticizing several Democratic-backed measures they said would raise costs for Washington residents, including a utility surcharge in House Bill 2275, expanded producer responsibility for clothing, and a new tire fee in House Bill 2421. They framed the session around affordability concerns and argued that the majority was advancing taxes and fees that would make living and doing business in Washington more expensive. They also said the state should focus on transparency and accountability rather than new charges and restrictions.
Much of the question period focused on immigration-related issues and public safety. The leaders condemned recent comments by Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown about events in Minnesota, saying the incidents should be investigated carefully without inflaming tensions. They opposed a Senate bill addressing face coverings for law enforcement and another proposal to fine the Northwest Detention Center if state inspectors are denied access, arguing both were attempts to regulate or pressure federal authorities. They also criticized a bill that would bar certain ICE agents from future law enforcement jobs in Washington, saying it would not improve public safety and would distract from the state’s shortage of officers.
The leaders also discussed several other bills and policy ideas. They said a House bill limiting local anti-camping enforcement was delayed and expected back next week, with cities concerned about implementation and liability. They expressed general support for restoring College Bound funding for private universities, but said it should be handled through the budget without new taxes. They backed a bill to increase reporting and accountability for nonprofit and housing-related programs, citing concerns about fraud and misuse of public funds. They also strongly opposed a bill they said would make the initiative process harder, calling it undemocratic and a continued effort to reduce voter influence.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Special Session 2026 May 8th, 2026
Alabama Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Republican voters. Republican voters.
- Republicans? Republicans? >> No.
- Republican? Republican?
- Republican<03:01:24.319><c> DEI.</c> Republican DEI. Republican DEI.
- </c> under Republican control. under Republican control.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 35 senators. The journal was adopted without objection, absent senators were excused, and there were no house messages, committee reports, motions, or resolutions before the first bill was called.
The main item of business was House Bill 1, described as a conditional measure to set a process for electing U.S. House candidates in Alabama’s congressional districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 if a federal court order lifts current injunctions. The sponsor said the bill would only take effect if the court order is issued and would allow quick compliance with federal rulings. Debate centered on whether the bill was truly responsive to the court or instead an attempt at mid-decade redistricting; opponents argued it would violate Alabama’s constitutional limits on elections and ignore the court’s redistricting orders, while supporters said they were trying to comply with the court and that the issue was partisan rather than personal.
Much of the discussion focused on Allen v. Milligan, the Voting Rights Act, and the meaning of the court’s injunctions. One senator argued the bill would dilute Black voting strength and was being driven by national Republican politics, while the sponsor and others insisted the legislature was acting only conditionally and that the court had not ordered the specific action being debated. The exchange became lengthy and contentious, but no final vote or other action on HB1 was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative POCI Caucus Press Conference 6/9/25
Transcript Highlights:
- And today, of course, is the day the Republicans are going to kill people.
- Republicans have lied responsibility.
- MAGA Republicans claim to uh the least.
- These MAGA Republicans healthcare.
- </c><00:19:50.240><c> in</c> cheering and jeering of Republicans in cheering and jeering of Republicans
Summary:
Minnesota lawmakers and advocates held a press event focused on a special-session budget agreement that would repeal health coverage for undocumented immigrants. Speakers, including Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, Sen. Lieman, labor leaders, immigrant advocates, faith leaders, and other DFL/POCI caucus members, argued the repeal would harm about 17,000 people, increase uncompensated care costs, worsen ER and clinic wait times, reduce productivity, and ultimately raise costs for taxpayers and employers. They also said undocumented immigrants contribute significant tax revenue and that the measure was motivated by cruelty and scapegoating rather than fiscal responsibility.
Testimony emphasized moral, public health, labor, and faith-based objections. Unidos Minnesota, SEIU Local 26, the Minnesota AFL-CIO, and Pastor Ingred Ramson all framed health care as a human right and said the policy would punish working families, immigrants, and communities of color. Several speakers linked the repeal to broader attacks on immigrants, labor rights, and other social protections, and warned that the compromise budget framework included a “poison pill” tying the health bill to the repeal.
POCI caucus members said they had tried unsuccessfully to negotiate alternatives, including changes to paid leave, earned sick and safe time, non-compete bans, premiums, enrollment caps, and protections for children, elders, and people with chronic conditions. They said leadership was not part of the negotiations and expressed disappointment with DFL and governor-level decisions, while also saying they would continue to fight the policy and hold leaders accountable. No vote was taken in the event itself, but speakers repeatedly said the repeal was expected to pass and that they would oppose it and continue organizing in future sessions.