Video & Transcript Research : 'Congressional action'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 17th, 2025

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Similarly, The Texas Democratic platform provides, and I quote, military action should only be used as
  • through collective state action or negotiation? Thank you for the question.
  • And since then, we've had no accountability, no congressional oversight, no debate on what we're doing
  • race for congressional district 32.
  • I think it's time to get back. to that action.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Senate and Governmental Affairs May 12th, 2026

Senate & Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • They just said that Congressional District 6 was unconstitutional. Yes.
  • Congressional districts are drawn... ...regionally, not statewide.
  • Pretending... ...through individual actions or attitudes.
  • And I am a very disgruntled constituent of Congressional District 2.
  • What they want tonight is action. Don't do it with your words alone. Do it with your action.
Bills: SB116, SB121, SB130, SB407
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Senate and Governmental Affairs May 8th, 2026

Senate & Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The reason why we're here today is because there's a suspension of ongoing congressional elections.
  • But there's already an ongoing election regarding congressional maps that are in place.
  • After the governor issued his suspension, you would agree with me that the congressional election...
  • ...issued his suspension, you would agree with me that the congressional elections have remained on the
  • I only asked like two questions. the congressional elections, are those votes going to be counted or
Bills: SB116, SB121, SB130, SB407
AL
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:48:20.840> elections and 30 congressional elections and 30 congressional elections as<
  • or other congressional or other congressional elections<00:48:29.120> prior<00:48:29.640>
  • This action This action is<00:51:18.880> taking<00:51:19.320> us<00:51:19.680> to
  • > >> In congressional district one, >> In congressional district one, two, Two, two, six,
  • look at the districts, congressional look at the districts, congressional districts<01:03:24.320
Bills: HB1
Summary: The Ways and Means General Fund Committee met in special session and took up only one bill, HB 1 by Rep. Chris Pringle, which would authorize a special election for certain congressional districts if the federal court lifts its injunction and allows the state to use the 2023 congressional map. Pringle said the bill only creates a pathway for that special election, and members were told the fiscal note estimates the election could cost about $4.5 million from the General Fund. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was tied to recent federal court and Supreme Court rulings, including Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the Purcell principle, and whether it would be too close to an election or create confusion. Several committee members pressed Pringle on whether the bill would reduce Black representation, whether Alabama had agreed not to revisit redistricting until 2030, and whether the 2023 map had previously been found discriminatory. Pringle repeatedly said he was not offering legal advice and that the matter was pending in federal court, while also saying the bill would simply allow voters to use the legislature’s 2023 map if the courts permit it. Rep. Ford raised concerns about the cost to the General Fund and competing budget priorities, and Rep. All questioned the timing and possible administrative confusion. Pringle responded that citizens would still be able to vote for candidates of their choosing. During the public hearing, speakers overwhelmingly opposed the bill. Jamaal Brown, Kenneth Sharpton, Eliza Jane Franklin, Pastor Richard Williams, Rep. Givan, Jacoby Bibbs, and Agnes Lover argued that the proposal would weaken Black voting power, revive a map they described as unfair or racist, and create unnecessary disruption so close to an election. Several speakers framed the issue as one of civil rights, fair representation, and trust in democracy, while others criticized the cost and said the legislature should focus on broader needs such as health care and mental health. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • To take up the congressional plan.
  • We have Two congressional districts, is that correct? Who has two congressional districts?
  • District with Congressman Al Green of the 9th Congressional District. congressional district because
  • Accept your actions, say otherwise.
  • Of the 38 congressional districts, 70% of our entire state's congressional delegation will be controlled
Bills: HB4, HB 4
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Aug 20th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am directed by the House to inform the Senate that the House has taken the following action.
  • the United States House of Representatives from the State of Texas to the Special Committee on Congressional
Bills: HB4, HB4, HB4
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • the midst of storms, we can see your hands of provision, encouragement, support, and love in the actions
  • midst of storms, we can see your hands of provision, encouragement, and support, and love in the actions
  • Tomorrow, and I know those of us present are eager to take action on them.
  • We took this as actionable intelligence, and DPS was dispatched immediately.
Bills: HB4, HB 4
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Yesterday, Attorney General Ken Paxton and I took action to domesticate the civil arrest warrants in
  • person to approve or in a Act, any of the following: requests for travel reimbursement, personal action
Bills: HB4, HB 4
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • They are real-world problems demanding immediate action. solutions.
Bills: HB4, HB 4
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Congressional Redistricting, Select Aug 1st, 2025

Congressional Redistricting, Select

Transcript Highlights:
  • With congressional districts...
  • And while I still live in the 18th Congressional District, large swaths of the 18th Congressional District's
  • You've stolen our congressional voice.
  • Congressional District 18.
  • The congressional maps.
Bills: HB4
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd also like to thank my colleagues; all of us have constituents in Congressional District 18.
  • All of us have constituents in Congressional District 18.
  • We are state representatives and senators who have constituents in Congressional District 18.
  • The people of Congressional District 18 are paying their taxes right now.
  • They deserve action. And they deserve a seat at the table now. Thank you.
Summary: State Rep. Jolanda Jones, joined by Sen. Molly Cook and Reps. Christina Morales, Charlene Ward Johnson, and Lauren Ashley Simmons, held a press event at the Capitol urging Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special election for Texas Congressional District 18. They said the district has been without federal representation since the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner and argued that more than 800,000 constituents are losing access to constituent services, federal assistance, and a voice in Congress. The speakers framed the delay as a constitutional and fairness issue, repeatedly describing the situation as “taxation without representation.” They said the vacancy affects Democrats and Republicans alike, and cited examples such as passport help, veterans’ issues, immigration concerns, and access to federal funding. Several speakers accused the governor of delaying for partisan reasons and called for immediate action so the district can elect a new representative. A letter from Sen. Borris Miles was read into the record, urging Abbott to set the earliest possible special election date and noting that the governor has acted quickly in past vacancies. The event ended with a unified demand that Abbott call the election immediately; no vote or formal legislative action was taken.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • the VSOs and the public about how it's implementing workforce changes and work to avoid or correct actions
  • In fact, one of his first actions was to close the VBA office of Equity Assurance, the office tasked
  • And now, as we continue to seek congressional action to provide GI Bill parity for National Guard and
  • As a doctor, I'm troubled and greatly disappointed by the actions taken by the VA to terminate nursing
  • We encourage, again, congressional oversight with respect to this situation because veterans are about
Summary: This meeting focused on veteran services, emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming rate of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. Numerous testimonies were presented detailing the impact of mass furloughs and cutbacks at the VA on personnel, notably veterans who were serving as employees. Various representatives expressed deep concern over how these firings could drastically affect the quality of care available to those who have served the nation. There was a strong call for Congress to bolster funding for existing programs aimed at alleviating veteran homelessness and improving overall care quality, especially in mental health services.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part I) May 22nd, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • not being present, we'll assemble a quorum as we proceed in the meeting and won't take any official action
  • We're excited about the ability to put some of this in action, and we urge the committee to vote for
Bills: HB4, HB20
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part II) May 22nd, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • But no action was taken.
  • But no action was taken.
  • through this civil action, that's what we...
  • Which is only really available through government action.
  • Civil action. Civil action. Yes. Right. Because normally it's two years. Thank you, Senator West.
Bills: HB4, HB20
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.