Hi Neighbors,
I’m checking in to tell you a little more about my week in Washington and to extend an invitation…
ONGOING GRATITUDE
After spending an extraordinary Thanksgiving week in Minnesota, I returned to Washington with a renewed sense of gratitude – especially for Americans of all colors, religions, beliefs and backgrounds who risk their lives everyday to keep us safe. I want to take a moment to honor the three Minnesota National Guard crew members who lost their lives in a Black Hawk helicopter crash yesterday afternoon. I recently flew with a St. Cloud-based crew on a Black Hawk from the Twin Cities up to Fort Ripley, and they were remarkable. I’m absolutely heartbroken and sending love to their families, friends, and fellow service men and women.
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| On Wednesday, I took some time to write thank you cards to our service members as part of the American Red Cross Holidays for Heroes program. |
PASSING LEGISLATION FOR THE PEOPLE
The House of Representatives got right back to work this week, passing two excellent bills that will benefit all Americans.
Stopping predatory robocalls: Yesterday, we passed the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act in a 413-3 vote. This common-sense, bipartisan, bicameral bill will stop bad robocalls and crack down on predatory scam phone calls that we all know too well.
Defending the right to vote: Today, we passed H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, to ensure that all Americans have an equal right to the ballot box. One of the most sacred rights as an American is the right to vote and we must do everything we can to encourage full participation in our democratic process. Passing such important legislation alongside civil rights legend Congressman John Lewis is a moment I will never forget.
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT
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| I met another excellent group of Minnesotans at Donuts with Dean in Washington this morning. |
Here are a few opportunities to connect with my office in December:
- Tomorrow, December 7th, I’ll be speaking at a financial literacy event in Brooklyn Park.
- If you’re looking for help with a federal agency, my outstanding team of constituent advocates is holding mobile office hours at the Penn Lake Library in Bloomington on Wednesday, December 11th.
- I hope you’ll join me for my 13th free public event of the year – a community conversation on fiscal responsibility on Monday, December 16th.
- If you’re a student with a story to tell, consider participating in our essay competition!
- Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to tell me what issues are most important to them by sharing this quick survey.
Keep the faith and keep in touch,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress