Tag: MN03

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.”

Congressman Phillips: Critical Small Business Developments

It’s a rainy and unconventional Memorial Day Weekend, so I thought I’d check in with some good news. I just got word that we’re going to be voting on TWO of my bipartisan small business bills in the House on Wednesday. From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been clear to me that we need to do more to support our small businesses as they weather this economic storm. The relief programs that were hastily enacted back in March simply aren’t working as intended – and to make matters worse, there’s no accountability or transparency over how the Small Business Administration is spending that relief money (your tax dollars). Here’s how I have been working to fix that:

  • Representation begins with listening, so I’ve been talking with countless small business owners in Minnesota and around the nation about their experiences accessing relief. Their feedback has driven every step that follows…
  • Public advocacy builds support, so I petitioned Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and the House Small Business Committee to fix our small business relief programs
  • Bipartisan collaboration and action is what makes good ideas viable, so I teamed up with Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) to write the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, which fixes the problems we’re hearing about from small businesses once and for all
  • Voting turns policy ideas into law, so I went to bat for our small businesses and successfully secured a vote on TWO important, bipartisan reforms, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act and the TRUTH Act

Continue reading “Congressman Phillips: Critical Small Business Developments”

Wednesday Vote Set for Crucial Phillips Small Business Loan Reforms

WASHINGTON, DC — Votes are set for Wednesday, May 27 on two important reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program from Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) designed to save struggling small businesses and ensure necessary transparency for American taxpayers. The Payroll Protection Program Flexibility Act and the Transparency and Reporting for the Underbanked and Taxpayers at Home (TRUTH) Act will solve problems with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) an Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) facing millions of small business owners across the country.

“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,” Representative Phillips said. “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.”

The two bipartisan bills are the culmination of months of work by Phillips. After countless conversations with small business owners in Minnesota and across the nation, public advocacy to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, testimony before the House Small Business Committee, and bipartisan collaboration in Congress, votes on the two bills this Wednesday will put Congress closer to ensuring hastily-designed federal relief programs work better for American small businesses owners who so desperately need them.

The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
Co-led with Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX), this game-changing legislation will make urgent changes to the PPP, resulting in a more accessible and equitable relief program for vulnerable small businesses. The proposed reforms are the result of an outpouring of feedback from small business owners and restauranteurs, and include allowing forgiveness for expenses beyond the 8-week covered period, the removal of the 75/25 rule, the elimination of restrictions limiting the loan terms of two years and expanded forgiveness for businesses unable to rehire due to the continuing pandemic. These crucial fixes have been covered by Fox Business, endorsed by the Washington Post, and may mean the difference between survival and closure for small businesses across the nation as they attempt to weather the economic storm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The TRUTH Act
The bipartisan TRUTH Act would direct the SBA to publicly disclose details on how small business relief dollars are flowing and where they are going. The bipartisan legislation would require the SBA to provide details on loans made over $2,000,000 and justify policy decisions like the recent slashing of EIDL limits, ensuring transparency and accountability from the agency while protecting the privacy of recipients of smaller loans. We are experiencing the largest expenditure of taxpayer money in American history, and since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Rep. Phillips has been a leading advocate for transparency and oversight of those dollars. Previously, Phillips authored the bill which created a bipartisan Congressional Oversight Commission and Special Inspector General for the $500 billion Treasury Department fund for large businesses and state and local governments in the CARES Act.

Dean Phillips Endorsed for Second Term

Third District DFL Party votes by electronic ballot

EXCELSIOR, MINNESOTA – Today, Congressman Dean Phillips accepted the endorsement of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party in Minnesota’s Third Congressional District after delegates voted remotely by electronic ballot due to the Covid-19 crisis.

“I am honored and humbled to accept the nomination of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party to serve a second term in Congress,” said Phillips. “I take on the responsibility of serving the people during this pandemic with a sense of duty, urgency, and a commitment bringing an optimistic outlook to the challenging recovery ahead.”

“Our campaign in 2020 will look different from our previous effort – without the face-to-face conversations, hand shakes, hugs, and high-fives that I love so much. What will remain is the spirit of inclusion, and my commitment to extend an invitation to every person, regardless of ideology, to join together, repair our divisions, and help our country recover from the human and economic toll of the pandemic.” 

“Our campaign will be a robust and innovative effort of engagement and invitation through phone calls, text messages, digital strategies, and bold creative content to reinforce our key message: Everyone’s Invited.” 

Phillips Leads for Small Businesses, Secures Vote on Bipartisan Fix for Paycheck Protection Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) successfully secured a promise from Speaker Nancy Pelosi for a House vote on his bipartisan bill with Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) aimed at fixing the Paycheck Protection Program. The Phillips/Roy Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act seeks to amend Trump Administration rules that made the PPP program inaccessible for millions of small independent businesses and is based on feedback from small business owners and entrepreneurs in Minnesota, Texas, and around the nation.

The House will vote on the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (H.R. 6886) next week.

ICYMI, Politico, May 19, 2020:

 Pelosi moving to revamp small business rescue program
The House will vote on a bipartisan fix to the Paycheck Protection Program next week amid growing concern over its implementation.
By Zachary Warmbrodt and Heather Caygle Continue reading “Phillips Leads for Small Businesses, Secures Vote on Bipartisan Fix for Paycheck Protection Program”