Dear Neighbors,
I have a lot to share with you today, but first I wanted to address the major news from the week. This is a somber time for our country, but an important time for the Constitution and the rule of law.
On Monday, I endorsed an official impeachment inquiry into the conduct of President Donald Trump. As your representative in Congress, I am on a mission to clean up corruption and restore trust in our government. Central to that mission is ensuring that our elections are fair and free of foreign interference. The President’s own statements, along with the readout released by the President detailing his conversation with Ukraine’s president, have confirmed that he encouraged Ukrainian officials to investigate his political opponent — thereby inviting foreign interference into our democracy.
I have long been concerned with a pattern of behavior unbecoming of the President of The United States of America. It has been corrupt and unethical at best, and treasonous at worst. For me and many of my colleagues, the latest allegation represents a clear violation of our deeply-held principles and values and, very possibly, our laws. Furthermore, the reports were confirmed by the President himself and by documents released by the White House.
While the House of Representatives fulfills our Constitutional duty of executive oversight, I want to assure you that I will continue to work hard on legislation important to the country and all Minnesotans. Whether it’s lowering the cost of prescription drugs, protecting our environment, or long-overdue measures to prevent gun violence, there is much work to be done. Here’s some of the work we did this week:
THE SPEAKER, CARGILL, AND USMCA
On Wednesday, I was happy to attend a meeting I set up with Cargill CEO Dave MacLennan and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to discuss the USMCA Trade Agreement and bio-diesel tax credit. It is my hope that we can get to yes on a trade deal that works as well as it can for as many people as it can. I want to make sure that we can hold all countries involved in USMCA accountable, and that the agreement will not interfere with our efforts to lower prescription drug prices. We had a productive discussion, and I look forward to continue my work to ensure a USMCA that benefits Minnesota.
I hosted a meeting with Speaker Pelosi and Cargill CEO Dave MacLennan to discuss USMCA and the bio-diesel tax credit.
RECOGNIZING MEDICAL INNOVATION
Yesterday, my office sponsored the Medtronic Innovative Showcase Reception on Capitol Hill. I stopped by to learn more about the innovations in medical technology that are happening right here in Minnesota. There is some amazing research and development going on at the Medtronic Diabetes Headquarters in Plymouth. We need to ensure that we are encouraging and not stifling medical innovation, which is why I’m an original co-sponsor of a bill to repeal the Medical Device Tax. Our Congressional District is home to more medical technology businesses than any other in Minnesota, and our government should be supporting progress and new technology, especially in health care. The medical device tax is counterproductive to that mission, and that’s why we need to find a different source of revenue to support the ACA.
It was great to swing by the Medtronic Innovation Showcase Reception on Capitol Hill.
STANDING UP FOR VETERANS
Lastly, for all veterans, military members, military families and advocates — I would like to invite you to a listening session with my Veterans Advisory Council on October 7th at the Carver County Government Center in Chaska. The event will take place from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. As a Gold Star Son, it is deeply personal and important to me that we honor the sacrifices of our veterans by listening, learning and being your champion in Congress. While I cannot be there in person, my staff and Advisory Council will be on hand to hear your concerns and answer your questions.
In the meantime, I will do my best to keep you informed on the latest developments in Washington, and I remind you that hope is just as contagious as fear.
Keep the faith,
Dean Phillips