Video & Transcript : 'lawmakers' :
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, June 25, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Because within days of that historic vote, Republican lawmakers in Ohio announced they would do everything
- Because within days of that historic vote, Republican lawmakers in Ohio announced they would do everything
- lawmakers in Ohio announced<01:24:38.080><c> they</c><01:24:38.320><c> would</c><01:24:38.560><c> do
- in Brooklyn Park and lawmakers in Brooklyn Park and Champlain,<06:20:53.280><c> Minnesota,</c><06:20
- ,</c> authorize or do not through lawmaking, authorize or do not through lawmaking, which<07:46:02.558
Keywords:
appropriations, military construction, veterans affairs, VA funding, USDA, agriculture appropriations, legislative branch appropriations, fiscal year 2026, omnibus, spending bill, rural development, rural housing, broadband, SNAP, WIC, school lunch, food safety, FDA user fees, veterans health care, toxic exposure
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 24, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, the gunman had documents listing dozens of additional lawmakers targeted for assassination or for
- targeted for assassination or lawmakers targeted for assassination or for<05:08:33.760><c> violence,
- and their families and and lawmakers and their families and and denounce<05:09:39.120><c> all</c><05
- ,</c> homes of two other Minnesota lawmakers, homes of two other Minnesota lawmakers, one<05:17:19.600
- The man who shot me on the ball field that day also had a list of lawmakers.
Keywords:
Minnesota lawmakers, political violence, domestic terrorism, assassination attempt, state legislators, Melissa Hortman, John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman, Mark Hortman, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, public safety, law enforcement response, civil discourse, democracy, gun violence, elected officials, House resolution, condemnation, bipartisan unity
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, December 11, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in Congress with Democratic lawmakers in Congress with execution.<02:37:22.000><c> President</c><02:
- , all of whom are currently lawmakers, all of whom are currently serving<02:37:27.600><c> in</c><02:37
- In their video, the Democratic<02:37:40.880><c> lawmakers</c><02:37:41.439><c> appropriately</c><02:37
- :42.160><c> urged</c> Democratic lawmakers appropriately urged Democratic lawmakers appropriately urged
- In another, he wrote of the lawmakers, "Seditious behavior punishable by death."
Keywords:
military funding, defense, appropriations, fiscal year, government, labor relations, collective bargaining, federal employees, workforce protection, executive order, federal labor relations, labor management, federal oversight, government reform, Clean Water Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, PERMIT Act, waters of the United States, WOTUS, EPA
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, December 10, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Keywords:
impeachment, presidential power, violence, judiciary, political climate, democracy, executive abuse, lawmakers, committee election, House of Representatives, governance, legislative process, representation, investment, private funds, economic growth, capital formation, small businesses, financial regulation, senior investors
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Gun Violence Apr 14th, 2025 at 01:04 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Lawmakers who have the most power of any of us to take action refuse to do so. to do that.
- We can't let our lawmakers make it easier for 18 to 20-year-olds... to obtain and carry handguns.
- Our lawmakers are asking us to teach armed students.
- Don't think that that's not what our lawmakers want for us.
- We're here today because our Texas lawmakers... are trying to do what they care most about: putting guns
Keywords:
gun violence, legislation, public safety, firearm access, community advocacy, testimony, survivors
Summary:
The committee meeting was dominated by discussions surrounding gun violence legislation and the implications of proposed bills aimed at easing access to firearms. Numerous advocates and survivors of gun violence shared their emotional testimonies, expressing concerns about the safety of children and communities in the aftermath of tragic incidents. Notable speakers included representatives and community leaders who condemned the proposals that would allow younger individuals to obtain handguns and reduce restrictions on firearm carry in schools. The meeting concluded with a rallying call for lawmakers to prioritize public safety over the interests of gun lobbying groups.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Stakeholders of the education policy decisions being made by lawmakers. It only makes sense.
- The lawmakers pushing for these policies don't truly recognize the harm that these policies cause to
- What some lawmakers would scoff at is a lifeline to people like me.
- The uncomfortable and unfortunate truth to many of these lawmakers is that you can't legislate us out
- Students deserve so much better than what certain lawmakers have given us.
Keywords:
student advocacy, SB12, SB13, public education policy, youth engagement, marginalized communities, legislative representation
Summary:
Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy event at the Texas Capitol focused on youth participation in policymaking and opposition to recent education-related legislation. Speakers, including student organizers and SEAT leaders, argued that students should have a direct voice in decisions affecting public schools, curriculum, and school governance. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended to support the group, praised their advocacy, and referenced the idea that if young people are not given a seat at the table, they should “bring your own chair.”
Several student speakers criticized the newly passed school vouchers bill as a threat to public education and said it would divert resources from public schools. Others opposed bills such as Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 13, describing them as harmful to LGBTQ+ students and inclusive education. One speaker also condemned book bans and library censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and truthful, inclusive curricula. The speakers framed these issues as matters of student rights, belonging, and free expression.
SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the organization’s history of student-led activism against book bans and exclusion from school policymaking. Samuels said the group had distributed challenged books, pursued legal action over blocked internet resources, and delivered a Student Bill of Rights to superintendents and legislators. The event ended without any formal legislative vote or committee action, serving instead as a press conference and advocacy rally urging lawmakers to listen to students.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- there's at least one person coming up on confirmation to one of our committees who was a former lawmaker
- session, so that it's not in the back of my mind when we're having to do our job putting former lawmakers
- /c><00:03:02.959><c> was</c><00:03:03.040><c> a</c><00:03:03.200><c> former</c><00:03:03.519><c> lawmaker
- </c> committees who was a former lawmaker. committees who was a former lawmaker.
- or even if the person former lawmakers or even if the person is<00:03:16.640><c> still</c><00:03:16.800
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Press Conference 4/8/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Now we need our lawmakers to be there for EMS.
- Now we need our lawmakers to be there for EMS.
- Now we need our lawmakers to be there for EMS.
- Now we need our lawmakers time of need.
- </c> is essential, and we're asking lawmakers is essential, and we're asking lawmakers uh<00:15:47.680
Summary:
The meeting focused on the financial and workforce crisis facing Minnesota emergency medical services, especially ground ambulance providers in rural areas. Michael Johnson of the Minnesota Ambulance Association said EMS serves more than 600,000 Minnesotans a year and argued that reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of readiness, staffing, and 24/7 response. He and others called for ongoing EMS sustainability funding of about $50 million, higher Medicaid reimbursement, and continued support for EMT/paramedic scholarships, first responder training, and high school EMS programs.
Senator Grant Hoschild and Representative Jeff Backer echoed the urgency, describing EMS as a moral imperative and emphasizing that rural communities cannot wait for ambulances when lives are at risk. Backer, who also volunteers as an EMT, described staffing shortages, reliance on volunteers, and a recent cardiac arrest response to illustrate the importance of local EMS coverage. Becca Hitch of PUM Area EMS said rural services are paid only when patients are transported, not for responding or treating on scene, and that one-time aid helped but did not solve underlying deficits.
Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said local governments that hold ambulance licenses are being forced to absorb unrecovered costs through property taxes, and that state support is needed to prevent service failures and rising local burdens. In response to questions, speakers said a 2023 statewide study found about $120 million in need, with roughly half tied to operational deficits and half to volunteer support; last year’s aid included about $24 million for rural services and some improvements in volunteer call pay and equipment needs. They also discussed a proposed 10% Medicaid increase, possible special tax district ideas, and the need to target any new funding toward rural services most at risk.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Unredacted Optum report for legislators 3/12/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- commissioned it, used its findings to inform proposals to rein in fraud, and then denied us, the lawmakers
- :44.800><c> about</c><00:07:45.039><c> fighting</c><00:07:45.360><c> fraud,</c><00:07:46.000><c> lawmakers
- </c> serious about fighting fraud, lawmakers serious about fighting fraud, lawmakers need<00:07:46.800
- > us,</c><00:08:01.680><c> the</c> fraud, and then denied us, the fraud, and then denied us, the lawmakers
- </c> lawmakers, access to the full report. lawmakers, access to the full report.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State official protective services 3/2/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- According to our own Minnesota State Patrol, threats against state agency commissioners, lawmakers, and
- In 2024 alone, nearly 9,500 threats against federal lawmakers were investigated, the highest number in
- In 2024 alone, nearly 9,500 threats against federal lawmakers were investigated, the highest number in
- Um, and I also think about future generations of lawmakers.
- </c><00:18:52.440><c> Like</c> generations of lawmakers. Like generations of lawmakers.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- our boards as well that the legislature will continue its efforts to restore policy to the elected lawmakers
- Its efforts to restore policy to the elected lawmakers and not unelected boards.
- We are the lawmakers. We create the policy. They enforce it.
- I'm just saying, we're the lawmakers, and we should be determining these things.
- I'm just saying, we're the lawmakers, and we should be determining these things.
Committee:
House Ways and Means
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Collection of criminal justice data provides lawmakers with a snapshot of how the state's criminal justice
- > with</c><00:09:16.040><c> a</c><00:09:16.120><c> snapshot</c><00:09:16.760><c> of</c> provides lawmakers
- with a snapshot of provides lawmakers with a snapshot of how<00:09:17.040><c> state's</c><00:09:17.440
- :09:36.760><c> helps</c> Collection of recidivism data helps Collection of recidivism data helps lawmakers
- <00:09:37.600><c> understand</c> lawmakers understand lawmakers understand how<00:09:39.120><c> often
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Republican Media Availability 12/4/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And as we move forward and as a state, as lawmakers try to take a more pragmatic and assertive stance
- Is there a reason that Republican lawmakers weren't at that event?
- </c><00:13:48.880><c> Do</c><00:13:48.959><c> you</c> lawmakers weren't at that event?
- Do you lawmakers weren't at that event?
- </c><00:16:04.800><c> are</c> session, I know that lawmakers are session, I know that lawmakers are looking
Summary:
Republican legislative leaders in Minnesota held a budget-focused press availability after the November forecast, thanking Minnesota Management and Budget staff while arguing the updated numbers show a much worse deficit outlook than expected. They said the state faces a structural spending problem, cited projected gaps in the 2028-29 biennium and over the four-year outlook, and blamed recent deficits on higher spending, tax increases, mandates, and what they described as fraud in state programs. They also criticized Governor Walz for focusing on federal issues and for not doing enough to control spending or address fraud.
Speaker Lisa Demuth, House Republican Leader Harry Niska, and Senate Finance lead Eric Pratt all said the forecast underscores the need for spending restraint, pro-growth policies, and stronger fraud prevention. They pointed to health care, long-term care, Medicaid-related programs, and local government mandates as major cost drivers, and said the legislature should examine those areas in the upcoming session. Demuth said the state should not ignore fraud and noted that the legislature had added staff to the Office of the Legislative Auditor and whistleblower protections, but had not passed an independent inspector general office.
A substantial portion of the exchange centered on fraud investigations and comments by President Trump about Somali Minnesotans. The Republican leaders said they disagreed with condemning any community as a whole, but also said they shared frustration over fraud and corruption and wanted accountability for those responsible. They said the state’s fraud problem is not about any one community, but about failures in administration and oversight. The lawmakers said they would return to session on February 17 and continue working on budget and fraud-related issues.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: State Public Safety Leaders Discuss Capitol Security - 07/29/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Many of these changes were already happening in the wake of June 14th lawmaker shootings, but we are
- Many of these changes were already happening in the wake of June 14th lawmaker shootings, but we are
- And we are standing with everyone taking this seriously, and that includes lawmakers calling for more
- The very people we serve, lawmakers, staff, and the public, are also the eyes and ears of this complex
- </c><00:04:25.040><c> and</c> relationships between lawmakers and relationships between lawmakers and
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate DFL Press Conference 2/16/26
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> lawmaker. And that is shameful. lawmaker. And that is shameful.
- How can state lawmakers hold the federal government accountable and make it enforceable?
- >> Practically<00:20:52.720><c> as</c><00:20:52.960><c> state</c><00:20:53.200><c> lawmakers,</
- >> Practically as state lawmakers, what can you<00:20:54.320><c> do?
- How<00:20:59.520><c> can</c><00:21:00.080><c> state</c><00:21:00.400><c> lawmakers</c><00:21:01.120><
Summary:
Witnesses and lawmakers discussed the impact of “Operation Metro Surge” and related federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, describing it as a severe constitutional and humanitarian crisis. John Beler of the ACLU of Minnesota said the organization had received more than 700 reports of constitutional violations and argued the state should protect sensitive spaces, create legal remedies, and limit state involvement in federal surveillance and enforcement. Sen. Erin Maye Quade and other speakers said the operation was still ongoing, caused family separations, economic harm, and trauma in communities, and called on Minnesota Republicans to break with the Trump administration and support accountability.
Several business owners testified about direct effects on restaurants and construction workforces. Hano JD Delgado, a restaurant owner, said ICE activity had frightened workers, led to closures and lost business, and recounted alleged mistreatment of employees and himself, including detentions and an incident involving a 15-year-old U.S. citizen. Sarah Lawitch, a Cottage Grove contractor, said her crews and projects were disrupted because workers feared leaving home and that lawmakers should protect constitutional rights and local businesses. Speakers repeatedly framed the issue as racial profiling and an attack on legal residents and citizens, not just undocumented immigrants.
Rep. Lee Fininky said she is carrying two bills aimed at federal and local law enforcement practices: one would prohibit officers from wearing masks on duty except for limited safety or health exceptions, and another would require vehicles used to detain people to be clearly marked and equipped with safety features. She and other DFL speakers also discussed a broader package of bills, including a proposal to let Minnesotans hold the federal government accountable and a bill requiring the BCA to investigate shootings. In response to questions, they said they were seeking Republican support but expected the measures to face legal challenges; no votes or formal committee action were taken in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Press Conference 3/25/26
Transcript Highlights:
- If lawmakers don't step in, big grocers like Walmart and tech companies will move full speed ahead with
- If lawmakers don't step in, big grocers like Walmart and tech companies will move full speed ahead with
- with lawmakers meeting with lawmakers on<00:15:21.680><c> both</c><00:15:22.000><c> sides</c><00:15:
- see a pass a path lawmakers actually see a pass a path forward<00:16:17.680><c> for</c><00:16:17.920
- </c> esteemed lawmakers to talk about. esteemed lawmakers to talk about.
Summary:
The meeting focused on proposed Minnesota legislation to ban surveillance pricing and restrict AI-powered electronic shelf labels in grocery stores. Speakers from UFCW 1189 and UFCW Local 663, along with Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, argued that these technologies could enable real-time price increases based on consumer data, undermine budgeting and privacy, and worsen affordability for families. They also said the technology could reduce hours or eliminate jobs for grocery workers who currently handle pricing and store knowledge, with UFCW Local 663 estimating about 500 affected jobs among its members alone.
Testimony emphasized examples such as baby formula, diapers, bananas, and milk to illustrate how fluctuating prices could hurt families, seniors on fixed incomes, and people in food deserts. Speakers also argued that grocery workers provide essential customer service and that automation should be introduced responsibly, not at the expense of workers or consumers. Murphy and Sencer-Mura framed the bill as a response to corporate greed and big tech surveillance, saying Minnesota should act proactively before the practices become widespread.
During questions, lawmakers and advocates discussed whether the issue was proactive or reactive, whether disclosure requirements like those used in New York would be sufficient, and how surveillance pricing differs from loyalty programs or coupons. Speakers said disclosure alone would not prevent tracking or price manipulation and that the goal was to stop the practice altogether. The transcript ended with the advocates saying they would continue meeting with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; no vote or final committee action was recorded in the excerpt, though one question referenced a related bill stalling in committee earlier that morning.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative POCI Caucus Press Conference 6/9/25
Transcript Highlights:
- And unfortunately, this means that there are enough lawmakers in this building who are evidently putting
- So today, I ask lawmakers not to turn your backs on our... compassion.
- So today, I ask lawmakers not integrity.
- So today, I ask lawmakers not to<00:16:11.519><c> turn</c><00:16:12.160><c> your</c><00:16:12.560><c>
- showcase that it's the first lawmakers showcase that it's the first bill<00:19:27.360><c> up</c><00:
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.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate DFL Press Conference 3/19/25
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> these apps these apps are<00:08:24.080><c> to</c><00:08:24.240><c> our</c><00:08:24.400><c> lawmakers
- again</c><00:08:25.360><c> thank</c><00:08:25.520><c> you</c><00:08:26.159><c> um</c> are to our lawmakers
- again thank you um are to our lawmakers again thank you um Senator<00:08:26.680><c> man</c><00:08:27.039
- and other leadership that they provided in the area of social media to parents and advocates and lawmakers
- </c><00:15:21.959><c> your</c><00:15:22.240><c> voice</c> and Advocates and lawmakers your voice and
Summary:
Rep. Zach Stevenson and Sen. Mann presented Minnesota legislation aimed at requiring warning labels on social media platforms, modeled on the Surgeon General’s recommendation, and adding pop-up notifications every 30 minutes to show users how long they have been on a platform. They argued that social media use is linked to serious mental health harms among youth, including anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, self-harm, and suicidal ideation, and said the bill is part of a broader effort to add guardrails on big tech. They also referenced related Minnesota efforts on deepfakes, child influencers, platform-use disclosures, and a separate effort to remove cell phones from classrooms.
The hearing featured emotional testimony from parents Bridget Noring and Tabitha Urbansky, who described losing sons to fentanyl poisoning after drugs were arranged through Snapchat. Both said social media platforms can function as drug markets and that warning labels and other restrictions could help prevent similar tragedies. Eric Mishy of SAVE and the Kids Campaign also testified in support, saying social media is contributing to anxiety, depression, suicide, sextortion, trafficking, bullying, and drug sales, and that companies have not done enough to stop these harms.
In response to a question about the pop-up feature, Stevenson said the idea is new in Minnesota but similar to “are you still watching” prompts on streaming services, intended to add friction and interrupt addictive use. He and others said no state had yet enacted similar warning-label laws, though several have proposed them, and they emphasized that regulating technology companies is difficult because of their resources and lobbying power. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the transcript, though the bill was scheduled for a House Commerce Committee hearing the next day.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House lawmakers advance bill to boost spending on Capitol security 4/27/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- or to even larger events and lawmakers or to even larger events and sporting<00:04:30.639><c> events
- willing to take steps to increase security here at the Capitol to keep Minnesotans safe, to keep lawmakers
- I would be willing to do so if we would like to mandate that lawmakers have to walk through the metal
- </c><00:09:07.279><c> have</c><00:09:07.440><c> to</c> like to mandate that lawmakers have to like to
- mandate that lawmakers have to walk<00:09:07.760><c> through</c><00:09:07.920><c> the</c><00:09:08.080
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Melissa Hortman State Office Building 3/12/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Many are surprised to find out there is even a need to petition lawmakers for tributes.
- 09:08.560><c> stellar</c><00:09:09.040><c> citizen</c><00:09:09.640><c> and</c><00:09:09.840><c> lawmaker
- </c> served as a stellar citizen and lawmaker served as a stellar citizen and lawmaker for<00:09:10.800
- </c><00:09:56.400><c> Please</c><00:09:56.880><c> also</c> lawmakers for tributes.
- Please also lawmakers for tributes.