Tag: CD3

Amid peaking pandemic and attacks on Americans’ care, Phillips votes to lower RX prices, reduce premiums, protect pre-existing conditions

Phillips: “We tolerate – even condone – a system that places profit over people. It’s costing us billions of dollars, bankrupting thousands of families, and surely costing lives. Americans are getting ripped off and we can do

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As COVID-19 cases reach record numbers and the Trump Administration continues its attempt to gut existing health care law, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) joined a bipartisan House majority in voting to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. The legislation represents the largest overhaul of American health care in more than a decade and expands Medicaid coverage, caps premiums for American families, negotiates lower prescription drug prices, strengthens protections for pre-existing conditions, bans junk plans, and promotes equity in health care.

After the vote, Phillips took to the House Floor, urging the Senate to join in protecting Americans’ access to affordable, high-quality health care and lifesaving medications. In a passionate speech, Phillips shared the story of his daughter’s battle with childhood cancer, and invited his colleagues in Congress to do their jobs and build a health care system that places people over profit and benefits every American no matter their age, race, gender, zip code, income, or condition:

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Click here to watch Phillips’s remarks about the urgent, personal, and patriotic need for Congress to fix our health care system. Continue reading “Amid peaking pandemic and attacks on Americans’ care, Phillips votes to lower RX prices, reduce premiums, protect pre-existing conditions”

CD3 DFL Will Elect Directors at Our July 29 Virtual Meeting

At our July virtual meeting, we will be electing Directors to serve for the next 2 years.

Those interested are asked to complete a screening form the Nominations Committee will review and then arrange a screening. Here’s a link to the form. (Deadline for submission is Friday, July 17, 5:00 PM CDT.)

The election will take place at our July 29, 2020, 7:00 PM. We will provide more information on the virtual meeting as details come together.

Rep. Dean Phillips: In Honor of Juneteenth

Hi Neighbors,

I’m writing to let you know that my offices are closed today in observance of Juneteenth. My team and I are spending the day learning more about the history of racism in America, and reflecting on the role we play in creating a more equitable and just future for all Minnesotans – and we invite you to join us, read on to find out why…

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This Juneteenth, I’m dropping in to extend a thank you, an announcement, and an invitation. Click here to watch.
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Why June 19th?
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, celebrates freedom, and highlights the ongoing fight for racial equality. Here’s the history of this important date in American history:
 Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips: In Honor of Juneteenth”

Phillips PPP Fix Becomes Law, Urgent Aid Now More Useful for Small Businesses

Forgivable PPP Loans Are Available for a Limited Time, Small Businesses Should Act Now to Access Relief

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 5, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (H.R. 7010), authored by Reps. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Chip Roy (R-TX), into law. The bipartisan legislation immediately makes Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) more accessible and useful for small businesses as millions around the country face economic uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“When I heard from Minnesotans that hastily-designed, one-size-fits-all PPP rules weren’t working for their businesses, I knew Congress had to act quickly,” said Phillips. “Our corner stores and neighborhood restaurants are suffering – I listened to their stories, wrote thoughtful legislation, built a coalition, and am pleased that the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act is now the law of the land. These are the changes our small business owners were asking for, and thanks to some meaningful teamwork, their futures are a little brighter.” Continue reading “Phillips PPP Fix Becomes Law, Urgent Aid Now More Useful for Small Businesses”

Appreciative of Rep. Phillips’ work

To the editor:

It seems so long ago and yet just yesterday. Friday, March 13, kicked off an economic crisis that’s impacted nearly everyone in Minnesota and across the country.

States started imposing business restrictions and stay-at-home orders to slow the Covid-19 outbreak. The coronavirus has been brutal and deadly across all 50 states. That’s why I am thankful that Rep. Dean Phillips understands the situation facing small businesses in struggling to stay afloat and re-open in the face of adversity.

Thanks to Rep. Phillips’ leadership and authorship, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act passed Congress last week. Continue reading.

Senate unanimously passes Rep. Phillips small business loan bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the United States Senate unanimously passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, authored by Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN). The bill will head to President Trump’s desk, and if signed, will provide urgent reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a critical source of aid for small businesses during the coronavirus epidemic. The bill, co-authored by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), passed the House of Representatives last week by a margin of 417-1.

“At its core, Representation begins with listening,” Dean Phillips said in a speech on the House floor. “Our small business owners, the institutions of our main streets and the glue of our communities, are asking us to take actions to solve problems and engage in some good old fashioned teamwork … This bill will help people in the ways that they need, and we haven’t a moment to lose.”

The bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (H.R. 7010) was endorsed by a coalition of 55 organizations and will create more flexibility for small businesses by: Continue reading “Senate unanimously passes Rep. Phillips small business loan bill”

Rep. Phillips Small Business PPP Flexibility Act Passes in Overwhelming Bipartisan Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House of Representatives passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, authored by Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), in a strong bipartisan vote of 417-1. Phillips and co-author Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) praised the passage of his bill, which will provide critical reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a critical source of aid for small businesses during the coronavirus epidemic.

“At its core, Representation begins with listening,” Dean Phillips said in a speech on the House floor.“Our small business owners, the institutions of our main streets and the glue of our communities, are asking us to take actions to solve problems and engage in some good old fashioned teamwork … This bill will help people in the ways that they need, and we haven’t a moment to lose.”

The bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (H.R. 7010) was endorsed by a coalition of 55 organizations and will create more flexibility for small businesses by: Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Small Business PPP Flexibility Act Passes in Overwhelming Bipartisan Vote”

House passes bill to grant flexibility for small business aid program

The Hill logoThe House on Thursday passed bipartisan legislation to provide struggling small businesses with more flexibility while using loans provided through the Paycheck Protection Program, in the latest effort by lawmakers to help limit the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The bill passed easily by a vote of 417-1.

The legislation, authored by Reps. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and Chip Roy (R-Texas), expands the terms of the loans from the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created by the $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package that Congress and the Trump administration enacted in late March.

But lawmakers say that additional changes to the program are needed following complaints from small businesses that they’re not able to take advantage of the loans under the current terms. Restaurants and hair salons, for instance, largely still face coronavirus-imposed safety restrictions and aren’t in a position to rehire all their employees in the time currently required to qualify for loan forgiveness. Continue reading.

Reps. Phillips, Roy announce coalition of support behind the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Reps. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Chip Roy (R-TX) have released a diverse list of national and regional organizations supporting the passage of the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act (PPFA). This bill will solve problems with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a critical source of aid for small businesses during the coronavirus epidemic that has come under fire from critics in both parties.

Representative Dean Phillips:

“Representation begins with listening, and I am hearing from too many Minnesota small business owners who have received PPP loans but are afraid to use the money because of the inflexible, one size fits all rules – and others who are not applying for aid at all out of fear and confusion. It won’t matter how much money we appropriate if the distribution mechanisms are broken. Congress now has an opportunity to fix what’s broken and make this important relief program more accessible and useable to the small businesses that need it the most. I am encouraged by the bipartisan cooperation of my colleagues in the House and Senate, and look forward to working with them to push these reforms over the finish line without delay. Every day counts, and time cannot be wasted.” Continue reading “Reps. Phillips, Roy announce coalition of support behind the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act”

Rep. Phillips statement on the death of George Floyd

MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA – Rep. Dean Phillips released the following statement today:

“As I stated after news first broke of his death, I’m saddened, I’m angry, and I’m horrified by the brutality that needlessly ended George Floyd’s life on May 25th. There can be no justification for the actions taken by the officer shown in the video, and I thank Minneapolis Police Chief Arradondo for his swift action in firing him and the others who stood by while Mr. Floyd struggled to breathe and repeatedly cried for help.

I also join my colleagues in the federal delegation, led by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, in calling for a swift and exhaustive investigation at all levels of law enforcement – including at the federal level. Mr. Floyd’s family deserves justice. My hope is that by fully prosecuting this case in pursuit of that, we can also begin to seriously address the inequities in our criminal justice system and focus on saving lives, including the lives of black people who have suffered disproportionately under it for centuries.

George Floyd’s life mattered. We as Minnesotans cannot tolerate the kind of behavior that was on display in that video, nor can we tolerate any behavior that demeans and devalues human beings based on the color of their skin. Tragically, it is too late for George Floyd and his family – but may his memory be a blessing, and may it inspire us all to do whatever in our power to ensure that this never happens again.”