Tag: CD3

ICYMI: Kendall Qualls Can’t Say Why He’s Running for Congress

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Yesterday, Kendall Qualls filed paperwork to run for congress in Minnesota’s 3rd congressional district. In a story published in the Star Tribune, Qualls refused to answer any questions from the press about his run for congress, instead directing all inquiries to political consultant Gregg Peppin.

EXCERPT FROM THE STAR TRIBUNE:

Republican Kendall Qualls declared his intention to seek the suburban House seat in a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission Tuesday.

Qualls declined to comment when reached by phone by the Star Tribune, saying he is referring all inquiries to his political consultant. The consultant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement in response:

Continue reading “ICYMI: Kendall Qualls Can’t Say Why He’s Running for Congress”

Rep. Phillips Votes to Pass Raise the Wage Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) today voted in favor of H.R. 582, the Raise the Wage Act, which passed the House by a vote of 233 to 199. The bill increases the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour gradually over seven years. It also includes a requirement, supported by Phillips, that the Government Accountability Office continue to monitor the impacts of the rising minimum wage, ensuring accountability for Congress and transparency for the American people.

“After Congress failed to act on wages for nearly a decade, I’m proud to be a part of the 116thCongress that is again taking meaningful action to help people who are struggling to get by,” said Phillips. “This bill would ensure that, as we move from $7.25 to $15 per hour, we remain vigilant in observing the impacts on our economy, on workers, and on small businesses. It also included a longer phase-in than originally proposed. For those reasons, I voted yes. Still, the legislation before us today was not perfect. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure any bill that ultimately becomes law is good for both workers and small businesses here and across the country.”

The Raise the Wage Act would deliver a long-overdue pay-raise to millions of working families who are currently experiencing the longest period in history without an increase in the federal minimum wage. As with nearly every other major piece of legislation passed by the House in this Congress, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to block a vote in the Senate.

 

Phillips to Lead Problem Solvers Caucus on a Bipartisan Visit to the Southern Border

WASHINGTON, DC – Members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus will be visiting the southern border of the United States in the Rio Grande Valley on Friday, July 19, 2019. Among the facilities the Caucus members will be inspecting are points of entry, a border patrol station, and a centralized processing center. Caucus members will also be inspecting the physical U.S.-Mexican border and will participate in briefings and discussions with experts on the ground. Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) and Dean Phillips (D-MN) are co-leading the Problem Solvers Caucus’s visit.

“Like so many Americans, I remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis at our border that is affecting so many children and families. It’s important that members of the Problem Solvers Caucus are able to speak with experts on the ground during their inspection of the facilities there,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer.

“We care deeply about the people caught up in the broken immigration system.  As a result, we need to come together to find a solution to this crisis that can be signed into law,” said Rep. Tom Reed.  “We, as a caucus, and more broadly, as a nation, need to have the hard discussions on this matter in order to find consensus that ensures the safety of our border and fair treatment of all immigrants, legal and illegal.” Continue reading “Phillips to Lead Problem Solvers Caucus on a Bipartisan Visit to the Southern Border”

Rep. Phillips and Dem House colleagues stand up for clean water

There’s a reason that Minnesota is called the Land of 10,000 Lakes: Our waterways form an unmistakable part of our Minnesotan identity. For generations, Minnesota’s waters and natural resources have provided us clean water to drink, unpolluted air to breathe, and beautiful landscapes that we enjoy with our families and friends. But now these resources are under attack in Washington.

Last week President Donald Trump tried to greenwash his record by claiming that he wants America to have “the cleanest water.” In reality, his administration has launched a relentless assault on Minnesota’s waters, outdoors and communities. Seeking to boost the profits of corporate polluters, Trump and his industry-friendly cronies have gutted crucial protections for our natural resources.

Thankfully, Minnesota and our elected representatives are not standing idly by. Just last month Reps. Dean Phillips, Angie Craig, Betty McCollum and Ilhan Omar stood up against Trump’s reckless agenda by supporting strong funding for programs that strengthen our outdoors and communities. The budget passed by the House of Representatives protects our clean water, and seeks to ensure that communities across Minnesota can enjoy safe drinking water, vibrant lands and wildlife, and beautiful waterways in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

View the completeJuly 17 commentary by Deanna White on the MinnPost website here.

Rep. Phillips Statement On Emergency Aid Package To Address Humanitarian Crisis At The Border

Phillips: “Partisanship can wait. These children cannot.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) released the following statement today after the House passed emergency funding to address the humanitarian crisis at the border:

“Earlier this month, I visited the border at McAllen, TX and saw the humanitarian crisis there in person. I saw children and families kept in overcrowded cages and sleeping on the floor. I saw mothers with infants sitting on concrete in 107 degree heat. I saw limited access to restrooms, and kids without blankets or toothbrushes. Even worse, our Administration is arguing in court to keep it that way. With such ineffective and failed leadership, it falls on Congress to act.

Since I returned from the border, I have spent every day working to inspire colleagues on both sides of the aisle to take action and provide aid to these suffering children. Today, Congress did just that. This is an urgent crisis and the funding bill that passed today was the quickest and best way to make sure these children get relief.

Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Statement On Emergency Aid Package To Address Humanitarian Crisis At The Border”

Rep. Phillips Statement On Humanitarian Crisis At The Border

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) released the following statement today on the humanitarian crisis at the southern border:

“Earlier this month, I visited McAllen, TX on a bipartisan mission to see conditions at our southern border with my own eyes. What I saw was a very real and urgent humanitarian crisis. I witnessed children and families kept in overcrowded fenced cages, sleeping on concrete floors and with limited access to restrooms. I witnessed mothers with infants in outdoor fenced pens gathered under water misters that provided little relief from 107 degree heat. I witnessed young people fighting the flu and chicken pox held in overcrowded cells that all but guaranteed the rapid spread of both diseases. As a parent, I’ve seen little in my life that has horrified me more than the conditions on our southern border. As an American, I am appalled by the lack of leadership and action. Instead of taking accountability and working to fix these shocking problems, the Administration is arguing in court that children don’t need toothbrushes or soap to live in sanitary conditions. It is wrong, it is un-American, and it cannot be tolerated any longer.

 Nobody I spoke with at the border wants this to be the norm. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol treated the migrants they received with compassion. They simply do not have the resources, or oftentimes the training, to adequately handle the number of migrants entering the country. Our existing facilities were not designed to accommodate the number of people being processed. That’s why it is vital that the House pass this necessary emergency funding to provide relief. When people are suffering in inhumane conditions, we have a responsibility to act. Thus, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support today’s funding package in the House and begin the hard work of addressing our broken immigration system — so such human tragedy never occurs again.”

 

Rep. Phillips Calls for Cohesive, Responsible Strategy on Iran

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) released the following statement today after the President’s decision to approve and then cancel a military strike on Iran:

“I am growing increasingly concerned about the potential for conflict with Iran and the likelihood of miscalculations by the leaders of both countries. Our President has lost credibility with our most valued allies, and is proving to be an ineffective leader by leaving the Secretary of Defense post vacant for six months, withdrawing from our diplomatic agreement with Iran, sending mixed signals about potential military action, and sharing tactical information on Twitter. I am determined to ensure Congress reasserts itself as a co-equal branch of government, and that no offensive military action be taken without our explicit approval.”

Phillips Says Education Key to Combat Aquatic Invasive Species

Spring and summer in Minnesota means boating, and lots of it. And with boating comes talk about aquatic invasive species contaminating our lakes.

“Everything from mussels to every kind of weed that you can think of is fouling our lakes,” says Three Rivers Park District’s John Gunyou. “It’s something that we have to be concerned about.”

That’s why U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Third District, hosted a roundtable discussion on Monday. He talked with experts about what the problem is and what to do about it. One takeaway for Phillips? Education.

View the complete June 18 article on the CCX Media website here.

Rep. Phillips Secures Education Funding Increases That Benefit Minnesota Schools In House-Passed Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) announced House passage of more than $2 billion in funding he requested that will allow Minnesota schools to serve more students from diverse backgrounds, and expand Career and Technical Education programs in the region. The funding bill is for Fiscal Year 2020, which is October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020.

Congressman Phillips played a key role in securing the funding by formally requesting the House Appropriations Committee include the following items in the funding bill that passed the House today – and all with substantial increases from their Fiscal Year 2019 levels:

  • Federal TRIO programs: $1.1 billion, an increase of $100 million.
    • These programs are designed to identify and provide services to low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities.
  • Career and Technical Education: $1.32 billion, an increase of $47.4 million.
    • Federal funding helps community and technical colleges keep tuition rates low, and supports the talent pipeline to local companies in manufacturing, health care, IT and other industries.

These Federal dollars will benefit Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Hennepin Technical College, Normandale Community College, and North Hennepin Technical College.

“As Minnesotans, we value education and preparing the next generation for success in their careers and their lives,” said Phillips. “Our public schools and community and technical colleges ensure that more students have access to the tools and training they need for the 21st century. This funding helps even more people in our region create better lives for themselves and their families, and takes us one step further toward building a stronger Minnesota.”