Video & Transcript Research : 'Catholic'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Ong, we have you listed as the executive director of the, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.
- I'm the executive director of Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and we strongly support Senate Bill
- Program, so it's a critically important bill to protect all children in all settings and on behalf of Catholic
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 17th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- that goes against sincerely held religion. beliefs of Midi Texans. 8.5 million are a part of the Catholic
- Church in Texas and the Catholic Church has taken a strong stance against IVF.
- Three years ago, the Religious Almanac said that 3.7 million are a part of the Catholic million Texans
Keywords:
financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, HB 618, Texas insurance code, IVF, in vitro fertilization, fertility treatment, infertility coverage, government employee health benefits
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Mar 5th, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Are we talking about the Jewish phrasing and numbering system or the Catholic or the majority Protestant
- Catholic or the majority Protestant. Now, there may be other Protestant expressions; I don't know.
- There are at least three traditions: the Jewish tradition, the Catholic tradition, and the Lutheran tradition
Keywords:
education, diploma, adult education, dropout prevention, nontraditional high school program, driver's license eligibility, vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House State Government Committee Jan 14th, 2026
State Government
Transcript Highlights:
- 'Catholic protection well' and excavation drilled well—that's the wrong language.
- <00:03:04.720>
Catholic <00:03:05.280>protection <00:03:05.680>well <00:03:06.080 - Catholic protection well and the bill.
- Catholic protection well and excavation<00:03:06.959>
drilled <00:03:07.280>well.
Keywords:
firearms, possession, Class 1 municipalities, criminal penalties, federal law, stolen firearms, prohibited persons, HB114, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama, dental board, dental licensing, dentist regulation, professional licensing, occupational licensing, healthcare regulation, licensure board, state agency continuation, agency sunset review
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (3-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Roberts recognized Caleb West, a sophomore at Covington Catholic High School, who is serving
- sophomore recognize Caleb whest he is a sophomore at<00:02:09.080>
Covington <00:02:09.640>Catholic - <00:02:10.039>
High <00:02:10.200>School <00:02:10.440>has at Covington Catholic - High School has at Covington Catholic High School has come<00:02:10.759>
down <00:02:10.920>
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs met with a quorum, recognized a student page from Covington Catholic High School, and then took up House Concurrent Resolution 67, sponsored by Representative Emily Callaway. The resolution would create a Kentucky Restoration of Voting Rights Act task force to study restoration of civil and voting rights for people who have served their sentences and shown rehabilitation. Callaway said the task force would include legislators and representatives from state offices and advocacy groups, and she noted the issue should receive serious attention as part of civic participation and reentry.
Members asked about differences between the House resolution and a similar Senate measure. Callaway explained that her version was more specific about membership and included state agency representatives and advocacy organizations. Representative Blacket said he preferred the House version and noted expungement had also been discussed. Representative Marzian said she would vote no, arguing the Secretary of State already handles election integrity and that the proposal was unnecessary and costly. Representative Roberts supported the resolution, saying the current process for restoring voting rights can be expensive and lengthy. The resolution passed with favorable consideration.
The committee then heard discussion-only testimony on Senate Bill 126 from Senator Chris McDaniel, a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the governor’s pardon power. McDaniel argued the power has been abused and said the amendment would not eliminate pardons, but would restrict them to the 60 days before an election and the period between the gubernatorial election and inauguration so voters could weigh in. He cited high-profile pardons and commutations as examples and said the measure had previously been supported by law enforcement groups. Representative Lockard and another member expressed support, saying pardon power can be undemocratic and that the timing of mass pardons after elections is troubling. McDaniel said the 60-day window was chosen as a practical period for information to reach voters. No vote was taken on the bill, and the meeting adjourned after a visiting district judge was recognized.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/17/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Maggie Hangy and I'm here from the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the public policy voice
- of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, to share our support for House File 4138, the Stop the Harms of
- Catholic Conference, the public<00:55:58.720>
policy <00:55:59.119>voice <00:55:59.359> of <00:55:59.440>the <00:55:59.599>Catholic public policy voice of the Catholic- public policy voice of the Catholic Church<00:56:00.160>
in <00:56:00.400>Minnesota <00
Keywords:
foreclosure, mortgage, redemption period, homestead, Minnesota Statutes, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, vehicle surveillance, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, data privacy, government data practices, law enforcement data, surveillance technology, location data, vehicle tracking, warrant requirement, probable cause, exigent circumstances
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- delayed at all, uh, March 4th, uh, we are very pleased to have seminarian Ben Howler of Sacred Heart Catholic
- Joe High School in Baltimore and studied uh business at the Catholic University of America.
- Joe High School in Baltimore and studied uh business at the Catholic University of America.
- University of America of the Catholic University of America of America.<00:02:26.239>
Uh <00:02 - Uh we are honored to Catholic priest.
Summary:
The Senate convened, confirmed a quorum, and heard several ceremonial recognitions, including an invocation by seminarian Benjamin Oler and a resolution honoring Taiwan’s ambassador, Alexander Ui Tore, for strengthening Maryland’s partnership with Taiwan. Senators also welcomed the day’s doctor, Dr. Larry Green, AFCEA Central Maryland chapter members, Chesapeake Bay Foundation student leaders, and Salisbury University students visiting for committee work.
On legislation, the chamber referred Senate Bill 995 on cannabis licensing, labor peace agreements, and collective bargaining rules to the Rules Committee, and a bond initiative for New Market Town Hall to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 241, which would automatically restore voter registration for individuals released from state correctional facilities; the committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading.
The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 323, the Juvenile Court Jurisdiction Youth Charging Reform Act. One amendment to keep first-degree assault in automatic adult charging was offered and debated at length, with supporters arguing the offense is extremely serious and should begin in adult court, and opponents saying the bill allows judges to make individualized decisions and aligns Maryland with other states and federal juvenile practice. The amendment failed by a 27-vote negative roll call. A second amendment from the minority whip sought to exclude firearm-in-drug-crime offenses and firearm use with felony drug convictions from automatic juvenile court treatment; the sponsor argued these offenses involve serious armed drug activity and should remain in adult court, while the bill’s supporters emphasized juvenile services and judicial discretion. The transcript cuts off before the vote on that second amendment.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Thu Feb 6, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- > Charities<00:20:13.679>
Hawaii <00:20:14.679>epic <00:20:14.960>Ohana Catholic - Charities Hawaii epic Ohana Catholic Charities Hawaii epic Ohana Goodwill Goodwill Goodwill Hawaii<00
- I'm Shelley Niles on behalf of Catholic Charities, and I just want to stand on our written testimony
- I'm Shelley Niles on behalf of Catholic I'm Shelley Niles on behalf of Catholic Charities<00:24:
- Medical Center and of course at Catholic Medical Center and of course at<01:17:34.800>
hsh <01
Summary:
The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness met on February 6, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. HB 44, which would appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services to work with community-based organizations on social services needs, drew broad support from nonprofit providers and coalitions that said contracts and reimbursement rates have not kept pace with the actual cost of services, leaving agencies unable to retain staff or meet demand. DHS said it supported the bill’s intent but asked for clarification because the language was broad and did not specify which organizations or how funds should be allocated. Committee members and the bill’s introducer discussed how to make the measure more specific and equitable, including whether to set a percentage increase, use a baseline date, and direct DHS to distribute funds among different program areas; the True Cost Coalition and DHS agreed to follow up in writing with proposed language and a funding number.
The committee then heard HB 1349, which would authorize Medicaid/CHIP coverage for income-qualified pregnant persons and children regardless of immigration status. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, Aloha Care, and the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, said the bill would improve prenatal and child health, reduce the chilling effect of immigration enforcement on care-seeking, and help prevent premature or underweight births by ensuring earlier access to providers. DHS provided comments and the committee asked where the measure would fit in the budget; the department identified the relevant budget code. Written testimony in support came from multiple advocacy and health organizations and dozens of individuals.
Finally, the committee heard HB 613, which would appropriate funds to DHS for emergency shelter and services for unaccompanied homeless youth. The Office of the Public Defender, the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the Office of Youth Services, Rise, the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, and others supported the bill, emphasizing youth homelessness, the need for coordinated shelter and outreach, and the high share of LGBTQ+ youth among homeless minors. OYS asked that the committee consider funding its existing Safe Spaces pilot rather than creating a new program, while DHS said it supported the intent but wanted clarification because multiple department programs could be implicated. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair instead requested follow-up language and funding information for HB 44 and continued the measures for further consideration.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- The Catholic Church has been faced, and continues to face, a major priest shortage.
- The Catholic Church has been faced, and continues to face, a major priest shortage.
- The Catholic Church has been faced, and continues to face, a major priest shortage.
- I'm the president and CEO of Catholic Charities New Hampshire.
- And I just want to thank Catholic Charities.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I've seen him in the Catholic Church, I've seen him in action, I've seen him do the things that a deacon
- does in the Catholic Church.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota Latino Caucus Press Conference 4/29/26
Transcript Highlights:
- And I've always really took that to heart, and her being a very religious woman in the Catholic faith
- heart and her being a very religious woman woman woman in<00:18:48.640>
the <00:18:48.720>Catholic - <00:18:49.120>
faith <00:18:50.040>as in the Catholic faith as in the Catholic faith
Summary:
House Republicans announced the formation of the Minnesota Latino Caucus as a sub-caucus of the House Republican Caucus. Chair John Koznick said the group is intended to give Latino conservatives a voice, promote “common sense” and right-of-center policies, and reach Latino communities across Minnesota, especially around affordability, lower taxes, less regulation, and government accountability. Representatives Bedell Duran and Erica Schwartz joined Koznick as founding members and described the caucus as a response to the diversity of Latino communities and the need for representation beyond a single political viewpoint.
The members emphasized personal backgrounds and constituent outreach. Koznick discussed his adoption from Colombia and his long involvement with Latino advocacy groups, while Duran and Schwartz spoke about their districts, family histories, and experiences that shaped their politics. They said Latino Minnesotans live throughout the state, work in many fields, and should not be viewed as a monolithic voting bloc. They also highlighted issues such as education, postsecondary achievement, entrepreneurship, public safety, and the economic impact of immigrants and Latinos.
In response to questions, the lawmakers said the caucus was not created solely because of recent Latino voting patterns, but they acknowledged Republican gains among Latino voters and said they want to continue competing for Latino support. They also said immigration policy should be clearer and more transparent, while supporting secure borders and reform. Koznick said he has bipartisan relationships with Latino legislators and pointed to support for a Hispanic or Latino art museum in St. Paul as an example of possible cross-party cooperation. No formal votes were taken; the event was a caucus launch and press availability, and the members said they would hold a celebratory kickoff later that evening.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Judiciary Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- For many of the clients that I've served, their active faith, whether they're Protestant, Catholic, Muslim
- For many of the clients that I've served, their active faith, whether they're Protestant, Catholic, Muslim
- Catholic, Muslim, or Jewish, or some other, serves as a cornerstone for accountability, hope, learning
- important, but I'm going to take that a step further, where my wife is director of music at our Catholic
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part; supporters said it would expand provider options amid a shortage of certified programs, while opponents raised concerns about government speech and mixing religion with court-ordered programming. After debate, the bill was reported favorably 7-2. The committee also considered CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction preventing licensed insurance agents from marketing or selling health care sharing ministries; supporters framed it as restoring choice and free speech, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, commissions, and lack of insurance protections. It was reported favorably 8-2.
The committee next approved CS/SB 502, via a strike-all amendment, to give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in state juvenile court rather than federal court; the amendment and bill both passed unanimously. CS/SB 52 also passed unanimously after testimony from church leaders and security personnel supporting an exemption from Class D/G licensing for unpaid armed security volunteers at places of worship. Supporters said the bill would clarify legal gray areas and help churches afford security, while members noted the broader concern that houses of worship need armed protection at all.
Finally, the committee reported favorably SB 840, which revises last year’s emergency/local planning law by narrowing its application after storms from 100 miles to 50 miles of the storm track and exempting certain water, flood, and state/federal planning matters; local government representatives supported the clarification, and the bill passed 9-0. CS/SB 758, as amended, updated the membership of the Justice Administration Commission to better reflect the entities it oversees, and it also passed 9-0. The meeting ended with a recorded affirmative vote from Senator DeSigley on SB 624.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Across our Catholic school network, across the state, you see many children.
- Most of our Catholic private schools, and someone will be here later to speak to that. that their tuition
- Let's take Catholic schools. Especially if you only give them $10,000.
- offer scholarship. and financial aid to cover the difference on a lot of kids, especially in our Catholic
Keywords:
education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Aaron Fisk, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St.
- seniors as you will hear Catholic seniors as you will hear Catholic charity<01:30:46.560>
senior - So prior to being at Catholic Charities, I've been there about 10 months.
- So prior to being at Catholic Charities, I've been there about 10 months.
- models so prior to being a Catholic models so prior to being a Catholic Chari<01:34:56.800>
as
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/26/2026 - House Rural Economic Development #1
Transcript Highlights:
- That's why I think I'm the only one in District 2, Hashenko'ok, from one of the older ruins of the Catholic
- Currently, we're a Catholic-based tribe; however, that was adopted, so we have some...
- We're a Catholic-based tribe; however, that was adopted.
Summary:
The committee began with a series of presentations highlighting tribal communities as part of rural economic development. Representative Mae Peshlakai described Legislative District 6, emphasizing its large geographic size, the eight tribal nations within it, and the cultural and scenic importance of the Navajo Nation and other tribes. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis then presented on the Gila River Indian Community, focusing on its history, Hohokam heritage, water rights, the MAR-5 aquifer recharge project, cultural traditions, and the importance of collaboration with state lawmakers. Members praised the presentations and noted the need for greater attention to tribal issues in the legislature.
The committee then took up SB 1016, with a strike-everything amendment that moved the property-owner petition requirement earlier in the process for municipal improvement districts and allowed certain notice and protest requirements to be waived. Supporters, including the mayors of Camp Verde and Clarkdale, said the change would improve transparency, reduce financial risk for small towns, and help rural communities build needed infrastructure such as wastewater systems, water lines, and housing-related improvements. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and passed SB 1016 on a 5-0 vote, with one member present and one absent.
Next, the committee considered SB 1401, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, using a strike-everything amendment that would allow municipalities to create expedited plan review and permitting for qualified workforce housing projects and exempt project proceeds from the state portion of the prime contracting sales tax. Habitat for Humanity representatives said the measure would lower carrying costs and help build more affordable homes, while one member noted the tax exemption would reduce general fund revenue but supported the bill as a targeted tradeoff to address housing shortages. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1401 by a 5-1 vote.
The meeting concluded with Representative Myron Sosec’s presentation on barriers to economic development on the Navajo Nation and other tribal lands. He discussed lower workforce participation, higher unemployment and poverty, limited access to capital, trust-land financing barriers, dual taxation, infrastructure deficits, and delays caused by federal and tribal review processes. He also highlighted Navajo economic strategies such as loan guarantees, renewable energy development, and tourism investments, and urged state action on tax reform, matching funds, and annual tribal field hearings. The committee then adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Our student makeup is unique compared with other private Catholic schools, where the majority of our
- Our student makeup is unique compared with other private Catholic schools, where the majority of our
- Our student makeup is unique compared with other private Catholic schools, where the majority of our
- Our student makeup is unique compared with other private Catholic schools, where the majority of our
- Joseph's Catholic School in West St. Paul.
Keywords:
education funding, nonpublic schools, counseling services, guidance services, transportation for students, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice May 19th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- period, we just unfortunately experienced in Louisiana, in Caldwell Parish, the burning of the only Catholic
- card in support, not wishing to speak, from Tom Costanza on behalf of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic
- The survey went to pro-life voters, pro-choice voters, Democrat, Republican, Catholic, Baptist.
- The survey went to pro-life voters, pro-choice voters, Democrat, Republican, Catholic, Baptist.
- opposition, not wishing to speak: Mary Susie LaBrie, Tom Costanza with the Louisiana Conference of Catholic
Summary:
The committee heard a long agenda of criminal justice measures, with several bills and resolutions reported favorably and others rejected or deferred. Representative Baham’s HB 255, as substituted, would enhance penalties for certain felony or rioting offenses committed while wearing a mask to evade identification, with exceptions for religious, motorcycle, and medical coverings; it was reported favorably after opposition from the ACLU and support from law enforcement groups. His HB 378, as amended, narrowed a vehicle-obstruction offense to first responders and was also reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, was reported favorably with support from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HR 272, requesting a study of parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about confusion over current law. HB 479, the “Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act,” sought quarterly reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts; despite support from the ACLU and opposition from clerks of court over an unfunded mandate, it failed on a 4-7 roll call. HR 278, asking the Attorney General to review electronic monitoring laws and make recommendations, was reported favorably after testimony from advocates and supporters of tighter oversight. HR 273, creating a task force to study work-release programs, was also reported favorably, while SB 278 was voluntarily deferred.
The committee also considered several high-profile social policy measures. HB 261, by Representative Boyd, would create an exception to abortion restrictions for rape and certain sex offenses; the hearing featured extensive emotional testimony from survivors, clergy, and legislators on both sides, but the bill was rejected on a 2-10 vote. HCR 100, as amended, urged the Gaming Control Board to ensure due diligence in proposed casino acquisitions with attention to economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the amendment resolved industry concerns and the resolution was reported favorably. SB 448, concerning the Office of the State Public Defender, was amended to add procedures for expert-witness funding disputes, sealed contradictory hearings, and interlocutory review, then reported favorably. SB 135, which would redirect sports wagering revenue away from a capped sports fund and toward early childhood seats, drew opposition from university-related interests but no motion was made. Finally, HB 778 on kratom was presented as a narrower approach that would ban synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom while allowing regulated natural products; testimony included concerns about harm, business impacts, and claimed benefits for pain management and PTSD, and the discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. Jan 30th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Warnock asked you yesterday if you had compared America's vaccine program to the Catholic Church's
- With respect to the pedophilia scandal, you said, "The pedophilia scandal in the Catholic Church is a
- The vaccine program, it's the same reason we had a pedophilia scandal in the Catholic Church, because
- are administering the vaccine program to the Nazi executioners, to the people who covered up the Catholic
- The statement about the Catholic Church is almost identical to the findings of the Government Oversight
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- We have some cards and support not wishing to speak: Tom Constanza, Louisiana Conference of Catholic
- Tom Cassanza, Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, Kimberly Young, Father Chuck Swanson, who is
- It is a refusal to leave room for science, humility, and what my Catholic social justice teaching in
- It is a refusal to leave room for science, humility, and what my Catholic social justice teaching in
- So in this particular bill, of course, the Catholic Church is against the death penalty, but this is
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 213 Smith Street in Grants.
- Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, followed by internment at Grants Memorial Rail Park Cemetery, situated