As a House select committee begins its investigation into the Capitol insurrection, a new ad from the conservative Lincoln Project targets corporations and CEOs who allegedly “helped financed the very structure that led to the murderous violence on Jan. 6.”
“Who funds the politicians trying to cover up the assault on America’s Capitol?” the ad’s narrator asks, following a clip of former president Donald Trump falsely claiming that insurrectionists were “hugging and kissing the police.”
The answer, according to the ad, includes “leaders of the most respected and successful companies in America,” such as Koch Industries, Cigna, AT&T, and R.J. Reynolds. Continue reading.
Legislation honors the former statesman, who previously represented Minnesota’s Third District
WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill authored by Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) to rename the Wayzata Post Office in honor of former Minnesota Rep. Jim Ramstad. The bill was previously passed in the House with unanimous support and now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature. The legislation was cosponsored by the entire Minnesota Delegation and was led in the Senate by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN).
“Through his decades of selfless public service, Jim Ramstad left an indelible mark on our nation. His tireless advocacy and willingness to reach across the political aisle to expand access to treatment for mental health and addiction, an issue of personal importance borne from his own life experiences, exemplifies the broader approach he took to helping make lives better,” said Phillips. “The unanimous support exhibited by the U.S. House and Senate in approving my legislation to honor Congressman Ramstad’s legacy is a fitting tribute to this giant of Minnesota politics. While this is a small gesture in comparison to the impact that Congressman Ramstad had on our community, our state, and our country, it is my hope that this physical tribute serves as an enduring reminder of the Congressman’s legacy.”
The U.S. Dept. of Justice arrested and charged over 500 people who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, many in a coordinated effort to overturn a free and fair election. DOJ expects to charge about 100 others as well.
“The investigation and prosecution of the Capitol Attack will likely be one of the largest in American history, both in terms of the number of defendants prosecuted and the nature and volume of the evidence,” the U.S. attorney’s office in D.C. wrote in March, when the list of people to be charged was estimated at about 400, The Washington Post reported at the time.
On Tuesday, as the newly-minted U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack launches, holding its first day of events, four far right wing House Republicans – some of whom has been linked to white nationalists – will be holding a different type of event. Continue reading.
In between committee hearings and constituent meetings, I’ve been cheering on the 17 incredible Minnesotans making us proud at the Olympics this week. Of course, while passing bills requires far less athletic ability, creating consensus in Washington sometimes feels like an Olympic marathon. Like you, I’m looking forward to more meaningful progress – and Team USA victories – in the days to come. Here’s what else I’ve been up to:
Honoring Gold Star Children
As a Gold Star son, issues affecting veterans, members of the military, and their families are deeply important to me. Last week, I introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to mark August 1, 2021, as Gold Star Children’s Day, recognizing the sacrifices of children of fallen servicemembers. I understand firsthand the sacrifices made by some so that ALL may enjoy the freedoms we hold dear as Americans – and so that we may continue to be blessed to live in the oldest and most successful continuous democracy in the world.
The thousands of sons and daughters of military families that have lost loved ones serving in the Armed Forces deserve national recognition for the unique burden and legacy they carry. Until now, the unimaginable sacrifices of Gold Star Children have not been recognized with a dedicated day for reflection – and that ends here.
Climate Solutions for Small Businesses
As Chairman of the Oversight, Investigations and Regulations Subcommittee of the House Small Business Committee – and a longtime business owner myself – I’m on a mission to ensure America’s small businesses are in a position to innovate and grow. Last week, I convened a hearing to examine the role the Small Business Administration (SBA) can play in fighting climate change.
The climate crisis has the potential to cost our nation 10.5 percent of GDP by 2100. I believe this issue can be addressed through bold legislation and green energy initiatives that will benefit not only small businesses and their employees, but the economy as a whole. Climate change is an existential crisis, but it is a crisis that presents numerous opportunities. By crafting programs that provide proper support for small businesses as they adapt and innovate, we can help protect our planet and lay the groundwork for small businesses to not only survive, but thrive.
Celebrating Entrepreneurs in our Community
Minnesota is home to many innovative, smart, and compassionate entrepreneurs working to make a difference in our community and beyond. We are so lucky to have one of these remarkable people right in our back yard. During her time in the healthcare industry, Hilal Ibrahim noticed a lack of hijabs in the workplace. Through ingenuity and hard work, she created a hijab with slits to accommodate stethoscopes and masks – something that has never been done before. Today, Hilal is the owner of Henna and Hijabs, and has expanded her business to provide Muslim women all over the nation with durable, breathable, sustainable, and functional hijabs.
Enjoying a Shared American Tradition
My colleagues and I at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation annual clays competition
Last week, I joined a group of my Democratic and Republican colleagues for an afternoon of friendly trap, skeet, and sporting at the annual Congressional Clays Competition. As a proud Minnesotan, I value the outdoor sporting and recreational traditions of our great state and nation.
I hope that we can take the bipartisan spirit from this gathering back to Washington. It’s so important that we continue to work together to advance environmental protections, wildlife conservation, and access to the great outdoors for these and future generations of sportsmen and women.
A furious Amanda Carpenter ripped into the senior leadership of the Republican Party for tearing the GOP apart over fears of former president Donald Trump.
The conservative CNN commentator who once served as speechwriter to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) was responding to a report from CNN’s Melanie Zanona that states that rank and file Republicans want Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) punished for taking part in the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6th Capitol riot.
According to the conservative commentator, Republicans are “screwed” unless someone in leadership stands up to Trump. Continue reading.
Officers testifying ask for answers on which public officials were involved
After hearing hours of gripping testimony from four police officers who endured grave physical and emotional wounds during the Capitol attack, the Jan. 6 select committee members will have time to digest those accounts before the next hearing, which could happen at some point in August.
“It sets the right tone for the work of this committee,” Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said of the four officers’ stories. “But it also says that there is significant work that we have to do over the next few months.”
It’s unclear what the exact focus of the panel will be in the second hearing, but when Thompson asked the officers what they need to see from this inquiry, they relayed that they wanted to know what role elected officials had in it. Continue reading.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) attacked an Air Force Lt. Colonel on Sunday, telling him that he’s a “traitor.”
She made the comment after Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) agreed to join the Jan. 6 special select committee as one of the Republicans willing to examine the attack on the U.S. Capitol in a bipartisan way. Greene didn’t feel that Kinzinger was right for the job because he already voted to impeach Trump for the Jan. 6 attack.
Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) attempted to put two members on the committee who are the biggest firebrands in the caucus. One of the two may also have been involved in the attack. Continue reading.
On Friday, The Daily Beast reported that Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) posted screenshots of an angry argument between him and Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who wanted to get him on the phone for a call.
“Tucker, I’m hesitant to do that. You falsely smeared my wife on Tuesday and she’s getting death threats,” said Swalwell, referring to a retracted Fox News story alleging that Swalwell’s campaign funneled money to a business employing his wife. “That’s way out of bounds. She’s a pregnant mom of a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old. Hit me all you like. But to go after her. That’s just wrong.”
“Carlson responded by calling the Democrat a ‘coward’ and then apparently phoning him a few minutes later,” reported Blake Montgomery. “Swalwell tweeted, ‘I’m just not that into you.'” Continue reading.
Donald Trump is laser focused on punishing Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) in a Republican primary race.
The ex-president’s advisers have been pressing potential challengers on their ability to raise money and the strength of their campaign organizations, hoping to find a single candidate to take down Cheney, reported Politico.
“Trump’s analysis is correct that we need to get it down to a two-person race, and at that point, the challenger is likely to win, based on the polling we’ve done,” said David McIntosh, president of the conservative Club for Growth. Continue reading.
U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) is demanding the media hold the Democrats’ “feet to the fire” and find out “how many” Democrats in the House and Senate “are willing to say whether or not they’ve been vaccinated?”
When told by a reporter every Democrat in the House and Senate is fully vaccinated, Jackson wanted “evidence.”
The press, especially CNN, has kept a running tally for months of every member of the House and Senate and their vaccination status. Continue reading.
