I originally didn’t love that scene but I’ve grown to appreciate it. In the theatrical version, the fact that Padme is a senator and the leader of the opposition is constantly referenced but we never actually get to see that demonstrated in any way. The senate scene gives her character a bit more strength and establishes the political landscape nicely, and so I chose to leave it in my edit as well.

Agreed with Hal on the other lines as well. They’re certainly stilted but they establish a sense of progression that is missing in edits like l8wrtr’s that (in my opinion) overcut those scenes.