Category: Dean Phillips

Rep. Phillips Signs on a Original Sponsor of Bill to Reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban

Phillips joins gun violence prevention experts and a majority of Americans in call for commonsense reform on anniversary of Parkland tragedy

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) today announced that he is an original sponsor of a bill to reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban (H.R. 1296). Phillips, a gun owner himself, has been a strong advocate for commonsense measures that would help save lives.

“Thoughts and tweets don’t save lives,” said Phillips. “Courage and action saves lives. The facts are staggering, and the need is clear; thousands of Americans, including children, are being massacred at an alarming rate by weapons that were designed for the battlefield. Data shows that an Assault Weapons Ban saves lives. I believe the science, and that’s why I’m taking action to prevent weapons meant for military combat from appearing on our streets and in our schools.”

This week marks the first anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which claimed seventeen lives, injured seventeen more, and refocused attention on the nation’s gun violence crisis. The shooter legally purchased his military-style assault weapon. Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Signs on a Original Sponsor of Bill to Reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban”

Rep. Phillips on the Trump Declaration of Emergency

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips released this statement on President Trump declaring a national emergency today:

“For generations, the Statue of Liberty has stood as the symbol of our nation; a beacon of hope and comfort to the tired, the sick and the weary. That’s the America I know and love, and the America I have sworn to protect and defend as a member of Congress. An imposing wall stretching from sea to shining sea on our southern border is antithetical to those ideals and a gross misuse of precious resources. Instead, a multi-faceted approach to border security, including human resources, technologies, enhanced port security, and physical barriers where appropriate and necessary should comprise our comprehensive strategy.

“From climate change to the gun violence epidemic, our nation faces many pressing problems. We – the President and Congress – were elected to fix them, not to circumvent the very principles that ground our exceptional democracy. The Constitution is clear; appropriations powers sit with the legislature. The President’s overreaching, and possibly illegal, declaration would make us less safe. He should respect the compromise reached by representatives of both parties and in both chambers and we should move forward on the work that the American people expect of us”

 

Phillips to Host Community Conversation on H.R.1

 

Rep. Dean Phillips will host a free and open-to-the-public community conversation focused on H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a sweeping campaign finance, ethics, and electoral reform package he sponsored on his first day in Congress.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON H.R. 1 – THE “FOR THE PEOPLE ACT”

WHEN:  Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Doors Open: 6:15 PM
Events Start: 6:30 PM

WHERE:  Hopkins High School Little Theater, 2400 Lindbergh Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305

WHO:

Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03)
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon
Tiffany Muller, President, End Citizens United
Prof. David Schultz, Hamline University

Rep. Phillips Leads on Legislation to Protect Liberian Refugees

As March deadline approaches, Phillips offers permanent solution for thousands of families

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) announced today that he is an original sponsor to the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act, H.R. 1169, aimed at providing legal status and a pathway to citizenship for qualifying Liberian refugees. Phillips represents a large and vibrant Liberian community and has been a consistent advocate for Liberian Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders.

“Minnesota is home to the largest Liberian population in the United States, and I’m proud to represent the vast majority of them,” said Phillips. “They are our extraordinary neighbors, friends, care givers, and local business owners. Minnesota is their home. Uprooting them after decades of living and working in our community would be inhumane and would cause extraordinary disruption to our local economy. If Pres. Trump does not reverse his Executive Order, it is incumbent upon Congress to quickly ensure that our Liberian neighbors are protected from deportation.”

President Trump terminated DED by Executive Order last year. On March 31, 2019 over 4,000 Liberian DED holders, many of whom have called the United States home for more than 20 years, will become undocumented citizens and subject to deportation unless legislation is passed to protect them. Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Leads on Legislation to Protect Liberian Refugees”

Rep. Phillips Response to Anti-Sematic Comments

Phillips reiterates commitment to fostering understanding and collaboration

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) had an impassioned, face to face conversation with Rep. Ilhan Omar this evening during which he expressed offense to her recent anti-Semitic tropes and extended an invitation for future discussions aimed at fostering a better understanding between Jewish and Muslim members of Congress. Rep. Phillips offered a statement following that conversation:

“I strongly condemn anti-Semitism in all its forms, including comments made by my colleague that – purposefully or not – have propagated dangerous and destructive stereotypes of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. As elected leaders, it is our collective responsibility to set standards of respect and elevate understanding between the communities we represent.

I spoke privately with Rep. Ilhan Omar today before issuing a statement in the hopes of converting a painful experience into a learning opportunity and a mutual commitment to pursue understanding. We agreed to move forward with a shared goal of working collaboratively to combat hatred and intolerance towards all persecuted communities, and commit to respectful debate of the issues important to each of us. Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Response to Anti-Sematic Comments”

ICYMI: Rep. Phillips at the State of the Union

With Trump deadline on Liberian immigrants’ status looming, February declared ‘DED Awareness Month’

It’s been almost one year since President Donald Trump ordered an end to special legal status for certain immigrants from Liberia, and with that March 31 deadline fast approaching, the Minnesota Liberian community — the largest Liberian population outside of war-torn and poverty-stricken Liberia — is sounding the alarm.

“All hands on deck,” Liberian community leader Erasmus Williams implored a crowd of about 50 Friday evening at the Liberian Community Center in Brooklyn Park, where state Sen. John Hoffman, D-Champlin, and others spoke about the urgency of the situation. Trump has threatened to end the program, called Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), which has allowed natives of the West African country to live and work in the United States since 2007. If the edict goes through, it could mean the deportation of hundreds if not thousands of the estimated 30,000 Liberians living in Minnesota.

“Today, we are here to witness history,” Williams told the gathered dreamers and would-be new Americans. “A history that we look forward to being duplicated by all states throughout the United States. And we know if this duplication takes place, definitely our result will come sooner than later. Last night, we had a very good teleconference with member chapters across the United States. So everything you see going on in Minnesota now, pretty soon you will hear people in Iowa having a meeting, people in Philadelphia having a meeting, seeing what they can do. With just a little faith, we can get it done.”

View the complete February 4 article by Jim Walsh on the MinnPost website here.

Rep. Phillips Co-Sponsors Joint Resolution to Overturn Citizens United by Constitutional Amendment

Phillips leads on sweeping campaign finance reform, calls for a national rejection of dark money in politics

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03)today announced that he has co-sponsored the Democracy for All Amendment, HJRES2, to overturn Citizens United. This January marks the ninth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, which opened American elections to a flood of unlimited anonymous spending by corporations, labor unions and wealthy individuals.

“Ours is a system of checks and balances, and in times of great consequence, duty falls on Congress and the states to rectify unintended outcomes of the Supreme Court’s decisions,” said Phillips. “Now is one of those momentous times in American history. In order to preserve our democracy we must come together to end the corrupting influence of money in politics — and we cannot do that until the Citizens United decision has been overturned.” Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Co-Sponsors Joint Resolution to Overturn Citizens United by Constitutional Amendment”

U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips is excited to represent a purple district. And he’s eager for your input

Credit: Lara Bockenstedt

U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips says the accessibility that framed his campaign is translating into work in Washington, D.C.

On Jan. 21, he sat down with Southwest News Media to talk about what it’s like being among the freshman class, and how purple districts are fueling collaboration at the nation’s capital.

Eyes around the country watched the 3rd Congressional District’s campaign with interest. Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Eden Prairie, had glided through elections since 2008, but Phillips’ promise to change how campaigns are financed, by turning down PAC and lobbyist money, sparked attention.

View the complete January 24 article by Lara Bockenstedt on the Southwest Media website here.