Category: Dean Phillips

HOUSE MEMBERS CHALLENGE GOP LAWMAKERS TO VOTE AGAINST RESOLUTION THAT AFFIRMS PRESIDENTS DON’T HAVE ‘TOTAL AUTHORITY’

Several lawmakers in the House of Representatives introduced legislation Tuesday offering a direct rebuke of President Donald Trump’s claim his “authority is total” during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing hours earlier.

New Jersey congressman Tom Malinowski joined Minnesota Democrat Dean Phillips and Michigan Independent Justin Amash in filing the House Resolution that affirms the chamber’s members are in agreement “the president remains limited by the Constitution and laws of the United States.” The House resolution responds to Trump’s remarks Monday declaring he has “total” authority over state governors to reopen the economy when he decides to pull back on weeks of federal government social distancing guidelines. The president did not offer any details about how he plans to assert his power given the states’ rights restrictions present in the 10th Amendment of the Constitution.

And in a challenge to the president’s most ardent Republican Party supporters in Congress, the House members on Tuesday introduced a single-sentence resolution reaffirming that Trump, or any future U.S. president, does not have total authority over the states. Malinowski remarked in a tweet: “I’m curious if anyone will object” to a resolution which simply affirms what’s written in the Constitution. Continue reading.

Rep. Dean Phillips Update

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Dear Neighbors,

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced all of us to make unprecedented changes to our daily lives, but one thing remains the same – our government is at its best when we all participate, so I’m on a mission to bring every eligible voter to the table. That is why I want to hear from you:

Throughout our history, we have never failed to hold regularly scheduled elections regardless of war, disaster, or economic crisis – and this year is no different. Our elections must occur on November 3, 2020. But Americans shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their vote, and states across the country are considering a variety of ways to modernize their elections and keep voters and poll workers safe.

Valuing democracy, means doing everything in our power to ensure that our elections are safe, secure, accessible, and fair. That’s why I introduced the Voter NOTICE Act yesterday – a bill that requires states to inform voters of any upcoming changes to their elections and gives them states tools to effectively communicate those changes.

The 2016 elections were a 20-year low for voter turnout. With safety concerns and emergency process changes, we could be headed for even lower participation. With so much uncertainty as a result of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to ensure all Americans have the information necessary to participate in our democracy.

As always, my office is here to help you. If you feel you’ve been treated unfairly by a federal agency or you aren’t getting an answer about your benefits, my team will do their best to help you receive a fair and timely response. If you or someone you know needs help with a federal agency, please let us know.

Keep the faith, keep in touch, and stay safe,

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Dean Phillips
Member of Congress

CDC, FEMA have created a plan to reopen America. Here’s what it says.

Washington Post logoDocument is part of White House plan being drafted to allow Trump to reopen parts of the country within weeks

A team of government officials — led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — has created a public health strategy to combat the novel coronavirus and reopen parts of the country.

Their strategy, obtained by The Washington Post, is part of a larger White House effort to draft a national plan to get Americans out of their homes and back to work. It gives guidance to state and local governments on how they can ease mitigation efforts, moving from drastic restrictions such as stay-at-home orders in a phased way to support a safe reopening.

CDC and FEMA officials have worked on the public health response for at least the past week, and the resulting document has been discussed at the White House, including by members of the coronavirus task force, according to two administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

Rep. Dean Phillips: We’re All in This Together

Dear Neighbors,

It’s a special week for Minnesotans of all beliefs and backgrounds. This Good Friday, perhaps more than most, we remember the power of hope and community as we find new ways to connect with one another.

Speaking of connections, I’m checking in to share my gratitude for Minnesota’s leaders and extraordinary public health officials. Our elected officials, first responders, and frontline healthcare staff are working hard to ensure a transparent, effective, and efficient response to coronavirus (COVID-19). We’re all in this together.

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I have been listening to local leaders and converting those conversations into action. We’re working to improve the next COVID-19 relief package – together.

Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips: We’re All in This Together”

Rep. Dean Phillips Passover Greeting

Dear Deb,

Tonight I will be joining my family, and Jewish people across the world, in observing Passover. Our celebration will look different this year as people adapt, adjust, and find new ways to come together.

But even as we are physically distancing, we are not alone. No matter what you’re celebrating this week – be it Passover, Easter, Ramadan, birthdays, anniversaries, or just the return of spring – let’s find new ways to make connections. I’m struck by so many amazing people doing their jobs under difficult conditions, worried for their health and the health of those they love – yet with smiles on their faces and compassion in their voices. We are going to get through this.

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Click here to hear how my family will be counting our
blessings and finding the silver linings this Passover
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In the meantime, I wanted to provide you some updates: Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips Passover Greeting”

Rep. Phillips pushes for CARES Act fix and New Business Preservation Act to shield startups

Phillips led a bipartisan letter calling for changes to help startups in the short-term, and is leading legislation for long-term relief

WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Dean Phillips is working to strengthen and protect the country’s start-up businesses with a pair of legislative fixes designed to provide relief for new businesses across the country.

Today, Phillips released a bipartisan letter signed by ​54 of his colleagues calling on the Small Businesses Administration to update the definition of “small business” to include many of the country’s start-ups so that these companies can access relief included in $2.2 trillion CARES Act signed by President Trump last week. The SBA’s policy as written would exclude many of the nation’s startups from accessing the $350 billion small business loan program, which will lead to dire consequences for businesses across the country that are struggling along with the rest of the economy.

“We are being forced to significantly reduce our spending and extend cash runway to preserve the future of the company,” said Mike Kujak, President and CEO of Francis Medical, based in Maple Grove, Minn. “This language as written needs to be resolved immediately or companies like ours will be forced to furlough employees or take other drastic measures just to stay afloat.” Continue reading “Rep. Phillips pushes for CARES Act fix and New Business Preservation Act to shield startups”

Congressman Dean Phillips: Make Sure You Count

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Dear Neighbors,

In Article I of the Constitution, our Founding Fathers set forth a bold plan to hold our government accountable to the people by counting every person living in the United States. The Census ensures that everybody is adequately represented in our democracy. The results of the 2020 Census, which is active now, will impact Minnesota families for the next decade.

The 2020 Census is still moving forward during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, it’s even easier to make your voice heard – for the first time, you can take the Census online! Complete the Census online or by mail today to avoid the need for a Census worker to come to your home. Continue reading “Congressman Dean Phillips: Make Sure You Count”

Rep. Phillips Responds to President Trump’s Rejection of Oversight Language in Stimulus

Phillips helped secure key legislation that mandates a Congressional Oversight Commission for a $500 billion fund

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Just hours after signing a historic $2.2 trillion stimulus package, President Trump announced that he would attempt to reject certain elements the bill, including provisions introduced by Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) mandating oversight over the spending, including a five-person Congressional Oversight Commission for the $500 billion Treasury Department fund.

“This is the most significant distribution of taxpayer money in human history. Everybody in this country, Republicans, Democrats, and independents agree – we want to see our tax dollars used effectively, efficiently and with accountability and oversight,” Phillips said during an interview with Alex Witt on MSNBC.

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Click here to watch the full interview. Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Responds to President Trump’s Rejection of Oversight Language in Stimulus”

Rep. Dean Phillips Applauds Passage of CARES Act Stimulus Package

Phillips helped secure key oversight provision of a Congressional Oversight Commission

WASHINGTON, DC– Today, Congressman Dean Phillips applauded House passage of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act, which was subsequently signed into law by the President hours later. Phillips flew to Washington to ensure his presence in the event of a recorded vote, but the bill was ultimately voice voted for quick passage. The Senate passed the bill late Wednesday on a 96-0 recorded vote.

The legislation provides immediate support for our country’s most vulnerable and impacted populations, healthcare system, and small businesses. The package is the third in a series of bills passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump to respond to the growing coronavirus epidemic.

Congressman Phillips advocated for greater oversight and accountability over a $500 billion Treasury Department fund for large businesses and state and local governments, and introduced a bill, the COVID-19 Congressional Oversight Panel (COP) Act, that ultimately was included in the final legislation. The mechanism creates a five-person Congressional Oversight Commission and Special Inspector General to increase transparency, prevent corruption and ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively. Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips Applauds Passage of CARES Act Stimulus Package”

The House works from home

Lawmakers are scrambling to do their jobs remotely as the coronavirus outbreak threatens their constituents.

The shortage of supplies for front-line health workers is so severe in her district that Rep. Elissa Slotkin has started texting sewing patterns of DIY face masks to embroidery companies. In between, she’s calling nonstop the governor’s staff, hospitals and state leaders to seek help for her constituents from the coronavirus pandemic. And she’s doing it all from her family’s farm in Holly, Mich.

“The military would call this ‘discovery learning,’” said the freshman Democrat and former CIA analyst, who said she is spending as much as 13 or 14 hours a day on the phone. Slotkin has also held as many digital events as possible, including a virtual summit for 200 small-business owners, a conference call with 300 bankers and a teletown hall that drew 6,000 people.

As the outbreak threatens to overwhelm the nation, more than 400 House members are working to combat a mammoth crisis almost entirely from their living rooms — sometimes enduring the same daily indignities, like botched conference calls, that millions of other Americans are experiencing while working from home. Continue reading.