Video & Transcript : 'African Americans' :
Page 8 of 500
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- They're here advocating on behalf of African American Legislative Day tomorrow, as well as my cousin
- They're here advocating on behalf of African American Legislative Day tomorrow, as well as my cousin
- Just a quick reminder, members, tomorrow is African American Legislative Day.
- While you're here tomorrow on African American Day for the special, you can also stop on the second floor
- I rise to make an announcement in honor of African American History Month. Thank you.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions and proclamations, including International Mother Language Day, Arizona Nurses’ Day, Environmental Day, Teamsters Local 104, and Arizona Aerospace Day. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and three excused. The chamber also announced committee meetings, bill referrals, and later adjourned until Thursday, February 12, 2026.
The main floor action centered on House Bill 2785, a taxation measure tied to federal tax conformity. Members debated whether Arizona should conform to federal tax changes, with supporters arguing it would validate current tax forms and provide tax relief, and opponents warning it would mainly benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations while reducing state revenue. The bill passed 32-26 with two not voting. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole for two calendars of bills.
In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced HB 2190, HB 2206, HB 2396, HB 2442, and HB 2448, all on health and human services topics, with amendments adopted on the first three. HB 2206 drew extended debate over SNAP payment error rates and whether the bill would impose an unfunded mandate and make benefits harder to access; supporters said it would reduce waste and save money, while opponents said it would set DES up for failure. HB 2396, which would restrict certain SNAP purchases, drew testimony over whether it would improve nutrition or unfairly limit low-income families and create a “food police” system. HB 2442 and HB 2448 also drew criticism over added SNAP work requirements and limits on agency waiver authority during recessions. The Committee later advanced HB 2688, HB 2689, HB 2690, HB 2796, and HB 2797, including bills on government staffing, hospital immigration-status data collection, unemployment benefits, SNAP eligibility/redeterminations, and fraud reporting. HB 2689 prompted sharp opposition over fears it would deter immigrants and mixed-status families from seeking medical care, while HB 2796 and HB 2797 were criticized as adding administrative burdens and duplicative SNAP checks. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, and a motion to amend the report to show HB 2689 failed was rejected 24-32.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- One congressional representative for... ...every 2 million African-Americans, meaning two seats for their
- African Americans, who comprise 5 percent, would hold 5 percent, and Asian Americans, who comprise 5
- When you begin to look at where we are right now, addressing African Americans...
- We have, what, 38 congresspersons and four African Americans?
- But if you're Black, it's going to take two million African Americans.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- American students... ...institutions that serve underserved and Black and African American students
- , including Black and African American students.
- American, Black or African American.
- , African Americans... ...has done to many groups of people, including Native Americans, African Americans
- I guarantee you it's Native Americans and African Americans, right?
Summary:
The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee.
The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations.
AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Working Group 1/15/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Health equity programs include the Office of African-American Health and the Office of American Indian
- Health equity programs include the Office of African-American Health and the Office of American Indian
- Health equity programs include the Office of African-American Health and the Office of American Indian
- Health equity programs include the Office of African-American Health and the Office of American Indian
- Health equity programs include the Office of African-American Health and the Office of American Indian
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Feb 9th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- as white Americans in this country.
- All of us, not just African Americans.
- , not African Americans, Africans who had been captured on a boat.
- The American people, they see through that.
- The American people, they see through that.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 01/29/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, about 5.5% of Black or African-American workers are unemployed, 4.2% of Latino workers, 2.9% of
- as African-American and uh Native<00:42:32.720><c> Americans</c><00:42:33.720><c> um</c><00:42:34.280
- and then I also or African-American and then I also heard<00:51:04.920><c> Senator</c><00:51:05.359>
- American, I'm sure Black also includes, you know, Africans from, you know, Somali, um, and other great
- who are descendants of African-Americans who are descendants of slaves<00:53:51.839><c> right</c><00
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: For the Love of Texas Feb 27th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- We offer courses to our Texas high school students in African American studies and Mexican American studies
- studies and African-American studies.
- There are more African Americans in Texas than any other state. And so Gary, you're right.
- This is un-American. We're all in this together. And that is.
- We're promoting these values, and it's not only for Mexican-Americans and African-Americans, we represent
Keywords:
education, curriculum, HB178, diverse history, equity, testimony, higher education crisis, representation
Summary:
The meeting was characterized by impactful discussions focused primarily on education and the representation of diverse histories in Texas's curriculum. Notably, Representative Christina Morales advocated for HB178, a bill aimed at ensuring that all Texas high school students have access to Mexican-American and African-American studies as part of their graduation requirements, moving from elective-only status. This bill garnered support from both sides of the aisle, highlighting a cooperative effort to improve educational equity in Texas. Several representatives shared personal stories reflecting on the importance of inclusive education, showcasing the bill's far-reaching implications for students' sense of identity and history.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Aug 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- There are too many African Americans there, so instead, you pack us into one district.
- They have taken Senate District 9 and Congressional District 9, which were African-American districts
- The largest African-American district, the only African-American and the largest African-American congressional
- These are three-judge panels that had African-American...
- You eliminate, so three African-American congresspersons— all three were removed from their district.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 31, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- One such woman, Alma Thomas, an African-American artist, is a major American painter and went to Howard
- ONE SUCH WOMAN ALMA THOMAS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN ARTIST IS A MAJOR AMERICAN PAINTER AND WENT TO HOWARD
- OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ARE ARTISTS IN THE WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM.
- In fact, the last African American left Congress in 1897, and there was not another African American
- IN FACT, THE LAST AFRICAN-AMERICAN LEFT CONGRESS IN 1897, AND THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER AFRICAN-AMERICAN
Keywords:
House of Representatives, code of conduct, suspension of rules, time zone clocks, rules reform, legislative efficiency, hospital, healthcare, anniversary, Sisters of Mercy, community outreach, American cowboy, cattle trails, historical recognition, 250th anniversary, cultural heritage, economic impact, tourism, agriculture, disaster relief
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 024 Feb 6th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:39:49.119><c> veterans</c> benefits for African-American veterans benefits for African-American
- Let us celebrate the courage and resilience of African-American service members and all veterans.
- </c><01:12:48.080><c> is</c> >> Being an African-American veteran is >> Being an African-American
- African Americans have served in our military from the very beginning of our American history.
- Perry, the first African-American to enlist in the U.S.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Duncan was elected by 68% of the vote in a city that's majority African-American.
- She's African-American, but I don't know.
- The current clerks of court, both of them, are both African-American.
- The current clerks of court, both of them, are both African-American.
- Napoleon was elected, and she was African-American. And Mr.
Bills:
SB256
Committee:
House Judiciary
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Congressional Redistricting, Select Aug 1st, 2025
Congressional Redistricting, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- While it is an African American opportunity seat, it is an opportunity for African Americans to choose
- African-Americans are 21%, Asians are 7%, and the rest is a little bit of everything.
- percent African-American, but like, for instance, where I am, I have a Black Republican party chair.
- When we talk about it as Black people, African Americans, we're often told, "Well, that was 200 years
- It has, you know, whether you are Caucasian working class, African-American, Latino, or Asian.
Bills:
HB4
Committee:
House Congressional Redistricting, Select
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 20th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As a Mexican American and Native American player, his career shows us that sports are for everyone and
- As a Mexican American and Native American player, his career shows us that sports are for everyone and
- American heritage as well.
- American heritage as well.
- American sheriff, Well, introduce. broke barriers as Monterey County's first African-American sheriff
Summary:
The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, including a remembrance of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The chamber then took up Senate Resolution 87 by Senator Archuleta, which recognized April 24 as the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and emphasized historical remembrance, support for Armenian communities, and concern over ongoing threats and humanitarian issues affecting Armenians. Several senators spoke in support, and the resolution was adopted by a 37-0 vote. Senator Archuleta then introduced members of the Armenian community in the gallery.
The Senate also adopted several other resolutions honoring communities and causes. Senator Cortese presented SR 93 honoring Jim Plunkett’s football career and his role as a trailblazing Latino athlete; senators highlighted his Heisman Trophy, Super Bowl wins, and pending Hispanic Football Hall of Fame recognition, and the resolution passed unanimously. Senator Wiener presented SCR 124 on transportation access for Californians with epilepsy, focusing on how seizure-related driving restrictions can limit employment, education, and medical care; it was adopted unanimously. Senator Allen presented SCR 158 declaring April Arts, Culture and Creativity Month and marking the 50th anniversary of the California Arts Council, with remarks celebrating the state’s arts economy and longtime arts leaders; it also passed unanimously.
Later, Senator Alvarado-Gil presented SCR 159 designating April as California Rodeo Appreciation Month, describing the history, cultural significance, diversity, and economic role of rodeo in California. Supportive remarks followed from another senator, and the resolution was adopted unanimously. The author then introduced rodeo guests, including athletes and rodeo association leaders. The Senate also heard multiple privileges-of-the-floor introductions, including arts figures such as Luis Valdez, Cheech Marin, and Ruth Asawa’s son Paul Lanier, as well as student and community guests. The chamber approved the consent calendar by a 38-0 vote, noted committee meetings for Human Services, Military and Veterans, and Privacy, and adjourned with the next floor session scheduled for April 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- We refer to it as Mother Bethl, the oldest independent continuously operating African-American church
- community and then the African-American community and then the old<01:34:32.080><c> fourth</c><01:34
- Would this bill do African-American.
- <01:34:58.719><c> districts</c><01:34:59.199><c> under</c><01:34:59.520><c> this</c> African-American
- districts under this African-American districts under this bill?
Summary:
The Senate opened with an invocation by Reverend Dr. Patrick Claybourne of Bethl AM Church in Baltimore, introduced by the senator from the 40th district, who highlighted the church’s long history, community work, scholarships, food pantry, school partnerships, and a planned rise center. The Senate journalized the invocation and then recognized several guests, including the Bethesda Roosters U16 rugby team, which was congratulated for winning the Maryland state title and the 2025 National U16 Championship, and members of the Joint Veterans Committee of Maryland. The chamber also welcomed a Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board appointment letter, which was referred to the Executive Nominations Committee, and later a delegation from the Ghana Parliament legislative staff visiting with the Department of Legislative Services and NCSL representatives.
The main floor business centered on Senate Bill 1, which would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings. The minority whip argued against the bill, saying it was unenforceable, an improper use of legislative time amid other state crises, and could create a system where local officers detain federal officers for a civil violation; he also said officers mask themselves because of threats and doxxing. Senators in support argued the bill was needed to address masked ICE agents, protect public safety, and respond to concerns about civil rights abuses and intimidation. After debate and vote explanations from senators, including one emphasizing immigrant heritage and another supporting the bill as a protection measure, SB 1 passed with 31 affirmative votes.
The Senate then passed Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill on alcoholic beverages related event promoters permits, by unanimous affirmative vote. It next took up Senate Bill 245, an emergency bill prohibiting immigration enforcement agreements. The minority leader questioned whether the bill would eliminate formalized 287(g) agreements and replace them with county-by-county policies, arguing that this could reduce uniformity, weaken safety, and create a patchwork of local practices. The bill’s sponsor responded that counties would still be bound by constitutional and legal limits, that the agreements provide minimal training and resources, and that the state should stop formally cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. The sponsor also said the bill would not increase profiling and that public safety would remain intact. The debate continued with concerns about Montgomery County’s evolving policy and the impact on smaller counties, but the transcript ends before final action on SB 245.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- They're here advocating on behalf of African American Legislative Day tomorrow, as well as my cousin,
- Just a quick reminder, members, tomorrow is African American Legislative Day.
- I rise to make an announcement in honor of African American History Month.
- I rise to make an announcement in honor of African American History Month. Thank you.
- Of African American History Month. It's proceed. Thank you.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- So, it's about natural hair braiding, which is an African and African-American tradition.
- African-American tradition. Many of us have learned how to braid since we were about 5 years old.
- African-American tradition. Um many of African-American tradition.
Committee:
House Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Keywords:
tribal police, law enforcement, reservation safety, Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe, indigenous rights, sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax, local tax exemption, county tax, municipal tax, county commission, municipal ordinance, resolution, Alabama Department of Revenue, tax administration, fiscal year, September 1 effective date, local government, tax exemption
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on the Census Jul 7th, 2026
Senate Committee on the Census
Transcript Highlights:
- In 1975, Public Law 94-171 revolutionized American democracy by legally requiring the Census Bureau to
- Originally, the tabulation groups included white, Black, American Indian...
- ... ...making the categories white alone, Black or African American alone, American Indian or Alaska
- That's now the American Community Survey.
- Another big question mark that's never happened before in modern American history.
Committee:
Senate Senate Committee on the Census
Summary:
The Senate Committee on the Census held a hearing on July 7, 2026 focused on how the census defines and tabulates race and ethnicity for redistricting. The sole witness, Professor Jeffrey Weiss, reviewed the history of Public Law 94-171, the Voting Rights Act, and Census Bureau race categories, explaining how block-level census data has been central to one-person, one-vote compliance and to enforcing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. He described the evolution from separate race and Hispanic-origin tabulations to multiracial reporting, the addition of voting-age and citizen voting-age data, and the increasing complexity created by coalition districts and multiracial populations.
A major theme was uncertainty about Census 2030. Weiss said the federal government is considering changes to race and ethnicity questions, possible elimination of the MENA category, reduced multiracial detail, and discontinuation of differential privacy, while also discussing a possible citizenship question and other procedural changes coming through the Commerce Department rather than the Census Bureau. He warned that these shifts, combined with staffing cuts, reduced outreach, and scaled-back testing, could affect the availability and granularity of redistricting data and may trigger litigation. Committee members pressed him on the Biden-era revisions, the Trump administration’s current actions, and whether future data might have to be reported at a higher geographic level if block-level privacy protections are removed.
Weiss also summarized Supreme Court redistricting doctrine, describing the move from Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims to the Gingles framework, then to later decisions limiting race-conscious districting, including Shelby County, Rucho, and the recent Louisiana v. Calais decision. He said Calais significantly narrowed federal Section 2 protections but does not directly preempt state voting rights acts, which he noted are being adopted in several states and may still allow coalition-based protections. The hearing ended after questions from the chair and vice chair, with no votes or formal committee actions taken, and the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 18th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Russell Lowry, California African American Water Education Foundation, which works to increase awareness
- Juneteenth is also a day for us to celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions of African Americans
- I wanted the African American population to know that I cared about them.
- So I would go to the African American churches. And I went to over a dozen of them.
- And I'm telling you that even as a white Republican, I'm very proud of the African American population
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved procedural motions, and recognized several guests and honorees, including CAUSE leadership academy participants, retiring FCMAT CEO Michael Fine, a Capitol intern, environmental leaders celebrating Black Conservation Week, family members of members, and NASA astronaut Captain Victor Glover Jr. The body also took up a number of routine file items and committee referral requests, with several bills referred to committees by unanimous consent and multiple items passed or retained on file.
The main floor debate centered on ACR 214, the Juneteenth resolution. Members from the Black Caucus and other caucuses spoke in support, describing Juneteenth as both a celebration of emancipation and a reminder that freedom and equality remain unfinished work. Speakers emphasized Black history, civil rights, solidarity across communities, and ongoing issues such as education, housing, health, incarceration, and economic inequality. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 66 coauthors were added.
The Assembly also considered AB 2285 on blockchain staking and crypto regulation. The author argued the bill would provide consumer protections and clear rules for banks, credit unions, and crypto exchanges, while an opponent warned it could weaken securities oversight and consumer safeguards. The bill passed 45-1, and the author requested immediate transmission to the Senate. Later, SB 1036 on mitigation fee credits for redevelopment passed 55-0 after brief support for clarifying fee rules and reducing duplicative costs.
The chamber then adopted the second-day consent calendar, including resolutions for Women’s Equality Day and the International Day of Yoga, along with several Senate bills, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Assembly announced it would not meet on Friday, June 19, would reconvene Monday, June 22 at 1 p.m., and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 4, 2026 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Then you Martinez, Americans for Prosperity, waives in support.
- years ago through the creation of the Representative Driskell: statewide task force on abandoned African-American
- So about 7 years ago, a Tampa Bay Times reporter uncovered Zion Cemetery, which was an abandoned African-American
- Historically, African-American cemeteries were not subject to the same regulations, upkeep and other
- Representative Driskell: And you know, I'm hearing this bill on behalf of every African-American Floridian
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- American men on December 4th, 1907.
- Alpha Phi Alpha is a fraternity established by African-American men on December 4th, 1906, at Cornell
- American men on December 4th, 1907.
- Alpha Phi Alpha is a fraternity established by African-American men on December 4th, 1906, at Cornell
- Alpha Phi Alpha is a fraternity established by African-American men on December 4th, 1906, at Cornell
Committee:
Senate Insurance
Keywords:
automobile repairs, insurance transparency, repair shop liability, non-OEM parts, policyholder rights, automobile insurance, appraisal process, insurance policyholders, dispute resolution, claim valuation, behavioral health, crisis services, mental health care, insurance coverage, healthcare access, pharmacy benefit managers, reimbursement standards, local pharmacies, drug pricing, regulation