Tag: MN03

Rep. Phillips secures vote on bipartisan PPP bill in final heroes package

“After careful deliberation and meaningful conversations with Minnesotans, I have decided to vote in favor of the Heroes Act. This bill opens negotiations on the next bold legislative package America needs to protect the health of our citizens and economy. And while I have registered deep reservations about the process by which we reached this point, I am pleased to have secured from Congressional leadership a commitment for a vote on HR 6886, the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, a bill I am leading with Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) that will make much needed revisions to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Securing a bipartisan vote on this important and time-sensitive legislation makes me more comfortable voting in favor of the Heroes Act.

The problems before us are urgent ones, and I’m pleased that we are now one step closer to passing aid to states and local governments, hazard pay for frontline workers, PPP flexibility, and election safety funding. Earlier this week, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said that Congress needs to step up with bold, forceful policies to prevent the next wave of bankruptcies and prolonged joblessness. To achieve this goal, Republicans and Democrats in Congress and the White House must work together on good solutions and sound policy that gets us through this pandemic as healthy, economically-sound, and prepared for the future as possible. 

We will face immense challenges in the days ahead. Millions of small businesses are struggling, more than 20 million Americans are out of work, and the very real possibility of new waves of COVID-19 infections require that no time be wasted. I am optimistic that both parties will craft a compromise package in the coming days, a process in which I intend to participate.”

CD3 Convention Ballot – Candidate Information

CD3 DFL Convention Delegates:

The CD3 Virtual Convention ballots have been delivered to your email inboxes. Below you will find links to the candidate information for those running for Presidential Elector & National Delegate.

Candidates for Presidential Elector: http://dfl.org/cd3elector/

Candidates for National Delegate (Sanders): http://dfl.org/cd3sanders/

Candidates for National Delegate (Biden): http://dfl.org/cd3biden/

Rep. Phillips Earns High Marks for Working Across the Aisle

Newly announced 2019 Bipartisan Index ranks Phillips among Congress’s most bipartisan lawmakers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University and the Lugar Center released their 2019 Bipartisan Index rankings of members of Congress (the first year of the 116th Congress). Freshman Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) earned high marks for his first year, ranking in the top 7% for his bipartisan work in the House.

“In these divided times, good ideas must generate support from the center to stand any chance of becoming law,”said Phillips.“The corrupting influence of special interests has broken our politics, but I’m on a mission to inspire a new era of collaboration in Congress and restore Americans’ faith in our government. Trust is earned by action – not words – which is why I’m committed to working with colleagues of all ideologies to generate ideas, build bridges, and produce results.”

The Bipartisan Index measures how often a member of Congress introduces bills that succeed in attracting co-sponsors from members of the other party, and how often they in turn co-sponsor a bill introduced from across the aisle. The Index excludes non-binding resolutions and ceremonial bills, seeking to encourage lawmakers to be more bipartisan when writing or co-sponsoring meaningful policy. The metrics give Phillips high marks for top-tier bipartisan legislating: Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Earns High Marks for Working Across the Aisle”

Two Bills and Two Questions

Hi Neighbors,

This week, Congress is considering another round of coronavirus legislation for small businesses, workers, and families in need of relief. We’re experiencing the largest distribution of taxpayer dollars in our history, so I want to hear from you:

Do you believe taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent?

Image
Image(Thanks for letting me know. By answering you are opting-in to receive occasional email updates from my office)

While we’ve managed to help millions of small businesses keep their lights on, millions more remain on the outside looking in. it won’t matter how much money we appropriate if the system distributing it is inaccessible to those who need it the most. Continue reading “Two Bills and Two Questions”

Representatives Phillips, Roy introduce bipartisan fix to Paycheck Protection Program

WASHINGTON, DC — On Monday, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, which will make urgently needed changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a vital initiative for small businesses struggling in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.

Rep. Dean Phillips:

“We must redesign the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to make it accessible to everyone, from food trucks, to four-star restaurants, to your favorite music venue. While the PPP has helped millions of small businesses keep their lights on, millions more remain on the outside looking in. It won’t matter how much money we appropriate if the system by which it’s distributed is inaccessible to those who need it the most. As an entrepreneur and small business owner myself, I understand the challenges facing businesses struggling to survive this crisis. These common-sense solutions will provide the flexibility necessary to weather the storm and prepare for uncertain times ahead. I am pleased to work with Congressman Roy on a bipartisan solution supporting small businesses; the backbone of the U.S. economy.” Continue reading “Representatives Phillips, Roy introduce bipartisan fix to Paycheck Protection Program”

Rep. Phillips introduces TRUTH Act to ensure SBA transparency

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Rep. Dean Phillips introduced the Small Business Transparency and Reporting for the Underbanked and Taxpayers at Home (TRUTH) Act. The TRUTH Act would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to explain and justify all disbursements of coronavirus relief funds, ensuring transparency and accountability from this critical agency. Original co-sponsors include Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Lou Correa (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Debra Haaland (D-NM) , John Garamendi (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Gregorio Sablan (I-MP)

The CARES Act, Payroll Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act together allocated more than $2 trillion to address the devastating coronavirus pandemic. However, to date, SBA has not provided full transparency over its administration of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL). This has led many to question the distribution of millions of dollars to well-financed institutions like the Los Angeles Lakers, while small businesses across the country remain without relief as their companies approach insolvency.

“The CARES Act was the largest distribution of taxpayer dollars in our nation’s history, and Americans deserve to know where their money is going,” Phillips said. “While we’ve managed to help millions of small businesses keep their lights on, millions more remain on the outside looking in. It won’t matter how much money we appropriate if the system by which it’s distributed is inaccessible to those who need it the most. As an entrepreneur and small business owner myself, I will be relentless in the pursuit of transparency and reforms necessary to ensure these programs work for all who need them to survive.” Continue reading “Rep. Phillips introduces TRUTH Act to ensure SBA transparency”

Problem Solvers show how Congress can work from home with virtual floor debate

Bipartisan caucus used Zoom to host a mock floor session debating state and local aid

Two dozen members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus hosted a virtual floor debate on state and local funding Thursday, hoping to illustrate that the House can conduct official proceedings remotely. But the experimental session was not without a few technological hiccups.

Caucus members used the Zoom videoconferencing app to connect with one another for the mock debate, telecasting the proceedings to the public through Facebook Live.

Most of the problems seemed to occur with the Facebook Live feed cutting off even as the Zoom debate continued. The first video showing the beginning of the mock proceedings cut out after three-and-a-half minutes and a second after just 33 seconds. A third video remained functional through the end of the debate, which lasted an hour in total. Continue reading.

For rebuilding after COVID-19, Rep. Dean Phillips proposes six-fold increase in AmeriCorps volunteers

As U.S. governments deal with COVID-19 at every level, there’s a feeling that this period of time is about simply getting through it — finding enough money to pay for city, county, and state services. But some are also planning for when the work of rebuilding starts.

AmeriCorps, a voluntary service program run by the U.S. government, could be instrumental in rebuilding the country in the wake of coronavirus. To that end, the organization established an Emergency Response Member program set to start next month that will recruit new volunteers for this work. ServeMinnesota, the organization that organizes AmeriCorps in the state, has already announced summer opportunities in communities to help with COVID-19 around the state, including Alexandria, Bemidji, Minneapolis, and Duluth.

But capacity is limited. Each year, in total, AmeriCorps only sends 75,000 people around the country to more than 21,000 locations. Rep. Dean Phillips, Democrat of Minnesota’s Third District, wants to rapidly increase the size of the organization. Continue reading.

Rep. Phillips: How has coronavirus impacted YOU?

Image

Dear Neighbors,

I know that times are tough. As Congress crafts our next round of coronavirus legislation, I want to make sure I’m fighting for the relief that Minnesotans need most. Will you take a moment to tell me how the pandemic is impacting you?

Continue reading “Rep. Phillips: How has coronavirus impacted YOU?”

Rep. Phillips introduces bill to support evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers due to COVID-19

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Reps. Dean Phillips (MN) and Don Young (R-AK) announced the introduction of the Utilizing and Supporting Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Act to help returned Peace Corps volunteers get back on their feet. Recently announced in the Senate by Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), the Utilizing and Supporting Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Act would support Peace Corps volunteers evacuated due to the coronavirus public health emergency by expanding health insurance coverage, creating an expedited reenrollment process, and developing additional domestic employment opportunities. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) were instrumental in development of the legislation, along with Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA).

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN):  “The sudden dismissal of Peace Corps volunteers has left these vital American ambassadors with nowhere to turn in an economy in turmoil. We must come together and support them in their time of need. I am thankful for the leadership of Congressman Young, Senator Murphy and our core group of supporting legislators. The Peace Corps represents the very best in American leadership on a global stage, with volunteers serving alongside communities in their fight against sickness, hunger, and economic insecurity. We must honor their commitment by protecting these public servants now and charting a path toward redeployment in the future.” Continue reading “Rep. Phillips introduces bill to support evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers due to COVID-19”