Tag: Rep. Phillips

After Phillips Leads Freshmen Letter, House Votes To Extend Select Committee On The Modernization Of Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House voted to extend the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress after Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) delivered a bipartisan letter signed by more than 30 freshmen members of Congress asking for the extension to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The bipartisan Select Committee was created at the beginning of the 116th Congress and tasked with making recommendations to update House procedures and policies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Congress. After months of hearings, the Select Committee released 29 recommendations, including ideas inspired by Rep. Phillips to overhaul the onboarding process for freshmen members so that newly-elected Republicans and Democrats have a chance to develop a strategy and learn how legislation works together. Continue reading “After Phillips Leads Freshmen Letter, House Votes To Extend Select Committee On The Modernization Of Congress”

Phillips and Stauber Staff Participate in First-Ever Congressional Depolarization Workshop

In an era of extreme polarization, Better Angels illuminates common ground

FOREST LAKE, MINNESOTA – Recently, 14 congressional staffers – eight from the Minnetonka office of Rep. Dean Phillips (D, MN-03) and six from the northern Minnesota field offices of Rep. Pete Stauber (R, MN-08) – gathered to participate in a day-long depolarization workshop facilitated by the non-profit citizens’ organization, Better Angels.

Phillips and Stauber are serving their first terms in Washington after flipping purple districts long-held by a party opposite their own. Phillips and Stauber have heard loud and clear from Minnesotans who want their elected leaders to put partisan politics aside and get things done, and when Better Angels co-founder Bill Doherty presented the opportunity to build a foundation of understanding and respect between their district offices, the two members jumped at the chance. Continue reading “Phillips and Stauber Staff Participate in First-Ever Congressional Depolarization Workshop”

Phillips Introduces Bill To Prohibit Federal Education Funds From Being Spent On Lobbying Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep Dean Phillips (MN-03) announced the introduction of his bill, the Higher Education Funds Integrity Act, to prevent federal education funds from being used by universities to lobby Congress.

Currently, the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 prohibits the use of federal funds received under the Higher Education Act of 1965 from being used by any higher education institution to fund lobbying activities in Congress. Phillips’s bill extends that prohibition to future federal education funding under the upcoming College Affordability Act.

“I’m on a mission to restore trust in our government and to build a system that works for the people,”said Phillips. “When it comes to education, that means ensuring universities are using taxpayer dollars to fund higher education for Americans, not lobbyists on Capitol Hill.”

 The House Education and Labor Committee passed the College Affordability Act favorably out of committee on October 31st, 2019.  The legislation seeks to halt rising tuition costs, increase the value of Pell Grants, and make student loans easier to pay off. Phillips’s bill underscores the importance of using those dollars for the purposes of education.

Phillips has championed government reform during his first term in Congress. His amendment to close lobbying loopholes passed the House as part of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, in March. Phillips is the only member of Congress who refuses campaign contributions from all special interest PACs, federal lobbyists and other members of Congress.

A Message from Rep. Phillips on Veterans Day

Veterans Day has always been an important day of reflection for me.

My birth father, Capt. Artie Pfefer, was killed in action in Vietnam when I was just six months old. His memory serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve — and by their families, too.

Capt. Artie PfeferCapt. Artie Pfefer

I hope you’ll join me today in honoring all who have served our country, both past and present. They put everything on the line to defend our freedom, our principles, and our values.

If you’re a veteran yourself — or if you’re serving today — thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

Dean

Rep. Dean Phillips Update: November 8, 2019

Hi Friends,

One of the greatest joys of my job is learning new things about the people and businessesthat make the Third District such a wonderful place to live and work. I’ve lived in Minnesota almost all of my life, but I’m still surprised and delighted by our community at every turn – here’s what that looked like this week…

TEAMING UP FOR SAFER ROADS 

Local elected leaders and safety officials in our community have been organizing and advocating for improvements along Highway 12 – the deadliest stretch of road in Minnesota – for many years. Yesterday, I joined them on the road and in the mission to erase its nickname, the “Corridor of Death.” It’s going to take a joint effort between federal, state and local representatives to bring the changes that are necessary to save lives, and I promise to do my part.

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Click here to watch my ride on the “Corridor of Death.”

Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips Update: November 8, 2019”

Dean Phillips to visit Edina to speak on clean elections

Third Congressional District Rep. Dean Phillips will speak on “Drawing Back the Curtain on Campaign Finance: How You Can Gain Control” at a free event 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina.

“MnCCE’s goal is to engage more Minnesotans on reforming campaigns,” said George Beck, chair of the non-partisan Minnesota Citizens for Clean Elections, which is sponsoring the event. “We wanted people to hear from Rep. Phillips since he’s made campaign reform a top priority since being elected in 2018.”

Phillips has refused to take contributions from special interest political action committees, federal lobbyists, and from other members of Congress and their committees. He is a co-sponsor of the bill HR1, which aims to reduce the influence of big money. Among other provisions, the bill would do the following:

View the complete November 6 article by Andrew Wig on The Sun-Current website here.

Phillips Bill To Increase Oversight of Banking Regulators Passes Unanimously Out of Committee

WASHINGTON, DC [11/5/2019] – Last week, the House Financial Services Committeeunanimously passed The Prudential Regulator Oversight Act (H.R. 4841), authored by Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03), in a 55-0 vote. The bipartisan 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. Representatives Anthony Gonzalez (R, OH), Joyce Beatty (D, OH), and Barry Loudermilk (R, GA) are original co-sponsors.

Prudential regulators – the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the National Credit Union Administration – are designed to promote bank solvency and avoid bank failures, and thus protect taxpayers and the stability of the financial system.

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Click here to watch Rep. Phillips introduce The Prudential Regulator Oversight Act Continue reading “Phillips Bill To Increase Oversight of Banking Regulators Passes Unanimously Out of Committee”

U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips: Congress is working to protect against election meddling

But those bills are sitting on Sen. Mitch McConnell’s desk collecting dust.

Recently, I sat in a crowded committee room on Capitol Hill and asked the witness before me a simple question: “Congress has released a trove of political ads on Facebook bought by agents acting on behalf of foreign governments. Some of those ads were even paid for in Russian rubles, is that correct?”

The answer from Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO, was, “Congressman, that is correct.”

While we deal in nuance frequently in public policy, on this there is no doubt: Our adversaries have found a way to interfere in our elections by discouraging, dividing, and disinforming the American electorate. A unanimous report from our nation’s intelligence community, the findings of Independent Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a bipartisan Senate Intelligence panel, and now the testimony of the CEO of one of the world’s most influential communication platforms have made that abundantly clear.

View the complete November 4 commentary by Rep. Phillips on The Star Tribune website here.

Phillips Statement On House Impeachment Procedure Vote

WASHINGTON, DC [10/31/2019] – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) released the following statement today after the House passed H. Res. 660 to establish procedures for the ongoing impeachment inquiry:

“Today, I voted to codify procedures for Congress’s constitutionally-mandated oversight of this Administration. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I have joined my Democratic and Republican colleagues at secure depositions as we seek facts. Together, we’ve had the opportunity to ask questions and hear compelling testimony from many credible witnesses. Each deposition has been fair, with equal time afforded to Democrats and Republicans, principled, and driven by the pursuit of fact. As we enter the public phase of the inquiry, Americans will have a chance to join the conversation – to bear witness, review evidence, and weigh in on the principles and conduct of elected leaders who will illuminate our country’s future.”

 

Phillips To Convene Community Conversation On Environmental Innovation Saturday

Saturday, October 26th at Hopkins High School. Phillips will facilitate a solutions-focused discussion with a panel of experts before taking questions from the audience. The conversation will be centered on climate and environment innovations happening in Minnesota in the face of Congressional inaction. All are invited to attend and share their perspectives and ideas.

In Congress, Phillips has championed the Climate Action Now Act and the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act and sits on the New Democrat’s Climate Change Task Force. 

WHAT:
Community Conversation on Environmental Innovation Continue reading “Phillips To Convene Community Conversation On Environmental Innovation Saturday”