Tag: CD3

Rep. Dean Phillips: What did YOU think about the State of the Union?

Hi Neighbors,

Representation begins with listening, so I’d love to hear your thoughts after last night’s State of the Union address:

I attended the State of the Union with my guest, Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeff Lunde. Mayor Lunde and I are on opposite sides of the aisle, but we know that our core responsibility is to listen and to get things done for the people we both have the honor of representing. In an era of increasing partisanship and division, Mayor Lunde and I have worked together on light rail, job training, housing, and immigration – and in doing so, we hope to provide an antidote to what ails this country. That’s why I was proud to have him as my guest, to wear the color purple, and to sit with a bipartisan group of my colleagues during the speech last night.

And now, we’d like to extend a challenge to you… Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips: What did YOU think about the State of the Union?”

Rep. Phillips invites Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeff Lunde to the State of the Union Speech

Phillips and Lunde have worked together to protect Liberians on DED and to expand light rail and affordable housing in the north metro

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips (D, MN-03) announced today that Republican Mayor Jeff Lunde (Brooklyn Park) will be his guest at the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. on February 4, 2020.

Mayor Lunde was recently honored by The Hill as one of “Six Mayors Making A Difference” in America for his work to unite Brooklyn Park behind the push for a pathway to citizenship for the community’s flourishing Liberian community. Throughout 2019, Phillips and Lunde worked closely together to bridge the partisan divide and protect Liberians on Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). The two officials were part of a bipartisan coalition of local leaders, community activists, and members of Congress that advocated permanent residency solution for the community, an effort ending with an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act thatprovides a pathway to citizenship to Liberian DED holders for the first time, which President Trump signed into law on Dec. 20, 2019.

Phillips and Lunde are also collaborating on ongoing efforts to extend Blue Line light rail and expand access to affordable housing for their constituents in the north metro. Continue reading “Rep. Phillips invites Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeff Lunde to the State of the Union Speech”

Rep. Phillips hosts conversation on affordable housing

Discussion in Maple Grove featured a panel of experts

Affordable housing was the topic of a community conversation hosted by Dean Phillips, the U.S. representative for Minnesota’s Third Congressional District.

The Jan. 24 event at Maple Grove Government Center featured a panel of experts for a solutions-focused discussion on affordable housing.

During his first year in office, the congressman said, affordable housing is a topic that has come up many times during conversations with constituents, community leaders, businesses and advocacy organizations. In that time, Phillips said he’s seen how access to affordable housing impacts people and how it compounds complicated issues like domestic violence, achievement gaps and workforce shortages. Continue reading.

Rep. Phillips sends letter requesting coronavirus info

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Dean Phillips sent a letter (attached) today to the heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting information about contingency plans for air travel restrictions related to the recent coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China.

“I write with concern over the coronavirus and the five recently confirmed and several unconfirmed travel-related cases in the United States and its potential effects to air travel. While the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low, I write to inquire about contingency plans for air travel restrictions if the CDC, public health experts, and the FAA deem such restrictions necessary,” Phillips said. “Businesses in Minnesota and around our country rely on regular travel between our nation and many of those nations affected, including China. While I appreciate your work in protecting public health, I think it is important to remain calm while being vigilant. As soon as possible, please provide the Minnesota delegation with any contingency plans your organizations have in response to this growing public health concern.  As you know, an update would be helpful for the many companies and businesses that rely on air travel.”

Travel restrictions would potentially impact the work at The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, which is the 17th busiest U.S. airport for passengers and the second largest hub for Delta Air Lines. More than 100,000 average passengers travel through the airport every day, with over 38 million travelers annually.

Download the letter below:

20-01-27 Phillips Ltr Corona Virus

 

Rep. Dean Phillips to Convene Affordable Housing Community Conversation Tomorrow

MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA – Tomorrow, January 24th, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) will host a free and open-to-the-public community conversation on affordable housing at Maple Grove Government Center at 2:00 PM. Phillips will facilitate a solutions-focused discussion with a panel of experts before taking questions from the audience.

The event is Phillips’s seventh community conversation and 14th free public forum since his election. Past events focused on government reform, the opioid crisis, veterans services, workforce development, mental health issues, federal fiscal responsibility, and the environment and have resulted in Phillips taking direct legislative action in Congress.

WHAT:  Community Conversation on Affordable Housing

WHO:

WHEN:
Friday, January 24, 2020
Doors open: 1:30 PM
Conversation begins: 2:00 PM

WHERE:
Maple Grove Government Center, Emergency Operations Center
12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway North
Maple Grove, MN 55369

Rep. Dean Phillips: Clean up our campaign finance system

When I speak to groups visiting Washington, D.C. or to my constituents back home as I travel around my west metro district, I often start by telling them something that most find surprising: I love my job.

This usually elicits laughter — understandably, given the current state of affairs — but it’s true. As I reflect on my first year representing Minnesota’s Third District in Congress, I do so with deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve in these historic times. I have made lasting friendships, met people and visited places I never would have encountered before, and achieved several legislative successes along the way.

Still, there’s no denying the fact that Congress is broken, and our politics are in serious need of repair. I speak often about the deficiencies of the social and physical design of Congress, as well as the rules that govern our process and procedures. For now, however, I’d like to focus on the single most important impediment to meaningful progress at the federal level: money in politics. Continue reading.

Congressman Dean Phillips Update: January 17, 2020

Hi Neighbors,

I’m checking in as the snow hits to tell you more about my week in Washington – and I’m happy to report that it was full of bipartisan work. Before I share the details, I want to remind you about our community conversation on affordable housing coming up next Friday. I encourage you to spread the word and I hope to see you there.

STANDING TOGETHER TO PROTECT THE BWCA

On Wednesday I joined Rep. Betty McCollum and some of my extraordinary constituents as we introduced legislation to protect the BWCA by permanently removing roughly 234,000 aces of federal wilderness lands and waters from sulfide-ore and copper mining. I’m very grateful to Rep. Francis Rooney and Rep. Fred Upton, our Republican partners on this important legislation, who shared their own Boundary Waters stories and remind us all that preserving our precious waters is an American issue, not a partisan one. Continue reading “Congressman Dean Phillips Update: January 17, 2020”

Rep. Phillips’ Banking Regulator Oversight Bill Passes

WASHINGTON, DC—This week, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Prudential Regulator Oversight Act (H.R. 4841), authored by Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03). The legislation requires federal prudential banking regulators to provide annual testimony to the House Financial Services Committee, along with semiannual reports on their supervisory and regulatory activities. Reps. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), and Joyce Beatty (D-OH) are original co-sponsors.

Prudential regulators—the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)—are responsible for promoting bank solvency and avoiding bank failures, and thus protect taxpayers and the stability of the financial system.

“Congress has an important role to play in ensuring that Americans know that their government is doing everything it can to protect their savings and retirement. This bill does just that,” Phillips said. “Every American knows that banking is complicated, and no institution is too big for oversight.”

 

When the Dodd-Frank Act was passed in 2010 in response to the financial crisis, it became a requirement and an expectation that Congress would hear from the leaders at the Federal Reserve at regular intervals regarding its efforts, activities and plans with respect to their supervisory conduct. Yet there is no such requirement for regulators at the FDIC, the NCUA or the OCC—institutions that are charged with monitoring the safety and soundness of the U.S. financial system, as well as compliance with federal banking laws approved by Congress.

 

Rep. Dean Phillips (CD3) Update: January 10, 2020

Hi Friends,

I’m checking in as Congress ends our first week in session of 2020. Last night, the House of Representatives passed a joint resolution asserting the War Powers of Congress. I voted in favor of that resolution, and I want to let you know why. Here’s my full statement:

As a Gold Star son, I know the human cost of war is immeasurable. That’s why we need a vigorous, bipartisan debate before making the very grave decision of sending young American men and women to battle. Our founding fathers believed such deliberation was so essential that they mandated in our Constitution that a President cannot go to war by fiat – he or she must first consult with Congress.

In affirmation of the Constitution, I voted in support of yesterday’s War Powers resolution. However, I am disappointed with the decision to bring this bill to the floor at this time. If such resolutions are not bipartisan and unanimous, it can send the wrong message to the world and to our enemies. It’s my hope and intention to inspire a new generation of leadership in Congress that commits to enhanced collaboration and reduced division.

Image
Over Christmas, I traveled to American military bases in the Persian Gulf to meet with our military leaders, service members, and their families. They are all on my mind and in my prayers. Our men and women in uniform deserve to be supported by a leader with a steady hand, a well-conceived strategy, and a Congress willing to exercise its Constitutional duty with their safety in mind.

It’s my hope and intention to inspire a new generation of leadership in Congress that commits to enhanced collaboration and reduced division – particularly on issues of such gravity. To that end, a small, bipartisan group of us met yesterday evening to begin that process.

And this morning, the entire Minnesota congressional delegation reached consensus of a different kind…

Image
After no deliberation whatsoever, the Minnesota congressional delegation is pleased to announce bipartisan support for our Vikings tomorrow.

We’re in this together and I’d love to connect with you soon. Here are some opportunities to meet me and my staff in the coming weeks:

  • My team will continue hosting mobile office hours on Wednesdays in 2020. Next week they’re heading to Maple Grove Public Library – stop by between 3PM – 6PM on January 15th if you’re looking for assistance with a federal agency.
  • The 2020 Census is almost here and it’s incredibly important that everyone in Minnesota gets counted. In Hennepin County, Census workers will earn at least $27/hour. They’re hiring now, so check out this job fair in Minnetonka on January 15th.
  • I’m hosting our next free and open-to-the-public community conversation on January 24th. We’ll be talking about affordable housing, save the date!
  • With a pathway to citizenship for our extraordinary DED holders officially signed into law, my team is hosting a DED information session on January 29th at 5:30 at the Liberian Consulate in Brooklyn Park. We’ll cover what comes next and connect you with immigration attorneys. For more information, reach out to my Minnetonka office.
  • If you’ll be in Washington on a Friday when the House is in session, stop by Donuts with Dean and let me team know if we can help arrange tours while you’re in town.
  • I invite all middle and high school students to participate in our essay competition by submitting your piece before February 17th.

Finally, I invite you to ask your friends, family members and neighbors to let me know what issues they care about by answering these two quick questions. Representation begins with listening and I can’t do this job without you. Keep the faith and keep in touch.

Skol!

Image
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress

Rep. Dean Phillips Launches Student Essay Competition in 3rd Congressional District

MINNETONKA, MN – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) kicked-off his first student essay competition. Phillips invites all middle and high school students living or attending school in Minnesota’s Third Congressional District to submit a 600 word essay to the competition by February 17, 2020. In the essay prompt, Phillips asks:

Reflect on an unsung hero (living or dead) with a connection to Minnesota who made a positive impact on the lives of others. How did their work impact their community, and why should other people know their story?

A panel of expert judges will select one winning middle school essay and one winning high school essay. Winners will be invited to present their essays to Congressman Phillips and will receive assistance in submitting their pieces for publication in local newspapers. Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips Launches Student Essay Competition in 3rd Congressional District”