Category: Dean Phillips

Freshman Democrats to chairs: Follow PAYGO, get CBO scores before markups

Letter led by Rep. Sharice Davids asks House committee chairs to ensure legislation does not add to deficit

Ten moderate Democratic freshmen are sending a letter Wednesday to House committee chairs asking that their panels better adhere to the chamber’s rule for offsetting legislation that would add to the deficit.

Back in the majority for the first time in eight years, Democrats kicked off the 116th Congress by reinstating a pay-as-you-go, or PAYGO, provision in House rules. Under the provision, legislation that would increase the deficit must be offset by spending cuts or revenue increases.

(When Republicans took the majority from Democrats in 2011, they replaced PAYGO with cut-as-you-go, or CUTGO, which required deficit-increasing legislation be offset with only spending cuts, preventing the use of revenue increases as pay-fors.)

View the complete September 4 article by Lindsey McPherson on The Roll Call website here.

Rep. Dean Phillips Update: August 30, 2019

Dear Friend,

I want to make sure you know what I’ve been up to after another week in Minnesota. We’re enjoying the best time of year — the weather is beautiful, the Twins are in first place, and the State Fair continues to brighten our days and bring our community together. Here’s a snapshot of my week:

CELEBRATING MINNESOTA AT THE STATE FAIR

We are fortunate to live in the most extraordinary state in the nation, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than seeing so many friends and neighbors at our State Fair. I’ve spent many days here having conversations with Minnesotans, listening to your thoughts and concerns, and sharing good times and great food. I’ve had enough corn on the cob and turkey sandwiches to last me a lifetime — and I’m hearing from you about the need for Congress to move past partisan bickering and take meaningful action on so many issues. I’m dedicating my time in Congress to restoring your trust in our government, and that means we need reform. We need to stop the tug-of-war between the will of voters and the demands of big special interests, and we need to create ways for members of both parties to work together again. I’m inspired by my time with all of you and look forward to hitting the ground running on bipartisan solutions when Congress returns to session in September. Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips Update: August 30, 2019”

Eden Prairie will receive $250,000 federal grant for affordable housing

Eden Prairie will receive around $250,000 in a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips’ office said in a news release on Aug. 28.

The funding will come from a Community Development Block Grant program and fund housing development and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income families, the release says.

“As I talk with members of our community on the front lines of some of our biggest challenges – from domestic abuse advocates to opioid addition specialists and employers to educators – it is clear that having a safe place to live is the foundation on which we build a stronger, healthier and more prosperous community,” Phillips said in the release. “I’m pleased to welcome this funding into Eden Prairie and will do everything I can to ensure that all Minnesotans have a place to call home.”

View the complete August 28 article by Eden Teller on the SW News Media website here.

Rep. Dean Phillips’ Newsletter: August 23, 2019

Hi Friend,

The air is cooling and the Pronto Pups are sizzling. At the State Fair, at local businesses, and around the table in my Minnetonka office, so many of you have shared your ideas, feedback and perspectives with me. It’s my favorite time of the year in Minnesota, and I’m dropping a line to let you know how I spent my week:

PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH

On Monday, Senator Tina Smith and I joined representatives from the law enforcement, education, medical and non-profit sectors for a conversation about mental health issues and their effect on our community. Mental health issues touch every state, town and congressional district in our nation, and Senator Smith and I are committed to working with all of our colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to make sure Americans have access to the mental heath services they need in our hospitals, in our schools, and in our criminal justice system. Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips’ Newsletter: August 23, 2019”

ICYMI: Rep. Dean Phillips Delivers Weekly Democratic Address

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dean Phillips of Minnesota delivered the Weekly Democratic Address.  In this week’s address, the Congressman highlighted progress House Democrats have made For The People, including the passage of H.R. 1, the For The People Act, an historic reform package to restore the promise of our nation’s democracy, end the culture of corruption in Washington and reduce the role of money in politics.  Video and audio of the Weekly Democratic Address can be downloaded here.

Below is a full transcript of the address:

“Hi, I’m Dean Phillips, and I’m joining you from my home state of Minnesota, where I’ve spent the past month visiting with members of our community, both Democrats and Republicans, about what they want fixed in Washington. Continue reading “ICYMI: Rep. Dean Phillips Delivers Weekly Democratic Address”

Phillips Statement On Planned Parenthood Title X Exit

More than 53,000 Minnesotans rely on services from Planned Parenthood and other reproductive providers that are funded by Title X

MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA –Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) issued the following statement on Planned Parenthood being forced out of Title X funding by the Trump Administration. The White House’s gag rule denies this crucial funding to organizations that refer their patients to safe and legal abortion options.

“This is dreadful news and I continue to be appalled by the Trump Administration’s assault on the health care of Minnesotans. More than 6,000 friends and neighbors in our Congressional District now risk being denied access to critical health care needs. Hardened ideological politics have no place in an exam room, especially when they prevent care providers from giving their patients sound medical advice. We must forcefully oppose this gag rule and work to ensure that every American has access to the health care they need.”

Planned Parenthood has two Title X-funded clinics in MN-03: in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie. About half of patients at the two clinics directly rely on Title X funding to afford their care.

Title X funding – a grant program that funds family planning for low-income families – was passed by Congress in 1970. The funding provides a range of essential preventive health services including contraception, STD testing and treatment, HIV testing, and breast and cervical cancer screenings. Title X funds are never used to pay for abortions. 53,000 patients received Title X support in Minnesota in 2018.

Sen. Smith, Rep. Phillips to Host Mental Health Event Monday August 19

Monday in Coon Rapids:  U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Rep. Dean Phillips Will Hold a Mental Health Listening Session at Mercy Hospital

Event to include experts from the health care, law enforcement, school, and non-profit sectors who care for Minnesotans affected by mental illness

COON RAPIDS, MN – On Monday, August 19th, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips will convene a free and open-to-the-publiclistening session on mental health issues at 9:30 AM in the auditorium of Mercy Hospital. Smith and Phillips will hear personal stories from individuals directly affected by mental illness and moderate a solutions-focused conversation with local experts before taking questions from constituents.

In May, Phillips and Smith teamed up to introduce a bill that would support family mental health services. Smith has also introduced the Mental Health Services for Students Act, which would provide funding for comprehensive mental health services in schools. Both legislators are committed to protecting and expanding resources for mental health care under the Affordable Care Act.

WHAT: Listening Session on Mental Health

WHO:

U.S. Senator Tina Smith
U.S. Representative Dean Phillips (MN-03)
Dr. Paul Goering, Vice President-Mental Health, Allina Health
Scott Boerboom, Chief, Minnetonka Police Department
Sandra Lewandowski, Superintendent, Intermediate School District 287
Dr. Richard Oni, Behavioral Health Consultant, Village Wellness Center
Sue Abderholden, Executive Director, NAMI Minnesota

WHEN: Monday, August 19, 2019, 9:30 – 10:30 AM

WHERE:  Mercy Hospital – Auditorium, 4050 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433

Rep. Dean Phillips Statement on Israel Barring Entry to Reps. Omar, Tlaib

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement in response to Israel denying entry to Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13).

“I am appalled by Israel’s decision to bar entry to sitting members of the United States Congress. This action sets a damaging precedent for a free and democratic nation and our most important ally in the region. It will harm Israel’s standing among Americans and the entire free world, and sacrifices an opportunity to build bridges of understanding. I urge Israel’s leaders to reverse this dangerous decision immediately.” 

Rep. Phillips’s Congressional District is adjacent to Rep. Omar’s. Phillips, a Jewish American, is a consistent voice of support for the Jewish state of Israel.

LETTER: Phillips advocates for lower insulin costs, Paulsen is lobbying for big pharma

To the editor:

Oh, how times have changed. Reading about how Rep. Dean Phillips has been advocating for lowering insulin costs in Congress with H.R. 4010, has me both excited and astounded.

A year ago, with Erik Paulsen we would have never seen our District Three representative working for such an important bill. In fact, Paulsen is now lobbying for big pharma. The ones who are trying their hardest to make life saving medicine inaccessible to people who do not have the means to pay the ridiculously high prices. But, Rep. Phillips is acknowledging how high insulin prices are and the inaccessibility with working on The Emergency Access to Insulin Act (H.R. 4010).

The bill will not only help people get emergency supplies now, but also plan for the future with how to continue having access to insulin.

We have long needed a solution to this crisis and with a person like Phillips in office we are finally seeing one start to arise.

Madeline Pukite, Minnetonka
August 13, 2019

Hundreds rally against gun violence; Gov. Tim Walz calls Minnesota Republicans ‘island of resistance’ in debate

The crowd in St. Paul cheered calls to action by the governor as well as U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, others.

Gov. Tim Walz branded Minnesota Republicans on Wednesday as an “island of resistance” to increased gun safety in the state.

Speaking to reporters at the State Capitol, Walz said that GOP leaders in Florida, Ohio and other states have supported versions of expanded background checks and “red flag” laws. But there have been few cracks in the GOP’s longstanding opposition to new gun restrictions in Minnesota.

“There has been one island of resistance, and that is the Minnesota Republican Senate, on having a conversation,” Walz said.

View the complete August 8 article by Liz Sawyer and Jessie Van Berkel on The Star Tribune website here.