Tag: Rep. Phillips

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.”

 

 

Rep. Phillips Pays Tribute to Pulse Nightclub Shooting Victims, Calls For Senate Action to Prevent Gun Violence

Phillips: “Thoughts and tweets do not save lives. Action saves lives. And in honor of all the Pulse Nightclub victims, we need action and we need it now.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, in honor of Gun Violence Awareness Month, LGBTQ Pride Month and the third anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) paid tribute to victims on the House Floor.

Phillips called on the Senate to pass the historic, bipartisan gun violence prevention measures taken up by the House in February. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which Rep. Phillips co-sponsored, would require all gun sellers – including private vendors, online sellers, and sellers at gun shows – to conduct background checks on potential buyers. The measure is supported by overwhelming majorities of Americans and gun owners. Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Pays Tribute to Pulse Nightclub Shooting Victims, Calls For Senate Action to Prevent Gun Violence”

Rep. Phillips to Host Town Hall Saturday, June 15

MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) will host a free and open-to-the-public town hall meeting this Saturday, June 15 in Mound. This is Rep. Phillips’s third town hall since his election to Congress. He has also held three public community conversations on specific legislative issues – government reform, the opioid crisis and veterans services. These conversations have resulted in Phillips taking direct legislative action in Congress.

Rep. Phillips to host Town Hall Meeting
Who: U.S. Representative Dean Phillips
What: Town Hall Meeting
When: Saturday, June 15th, 2019 at 10:00 AM
Where: Gillespie Center – Lost Lake Room, 2590 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN 55364

U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips sees need to help cities lacking state funding

Formula for local aid means nearly 100 Minnesota cities don’t make the list.

U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips says the most common topic that came up on recent visits with municipal officials in his suburban congressional district was the lack of state funding to improve aging infrastructure.

So in an effort to bridge the gap left by cuts in state aid to local governments, Phillips, a Democrat, is sponsoring a bill seeking federal funding for a suburban water treatment center.

Only eight of his district’s 36 cities this year received a cut of the $560 million Local Government Aid (LGA) funding approved by the Legislature. Most of the cities with goose eggs are in western Hennepin County.

View the complete June 4 article by David Chanen on The Star Tribune website here.

Phillips Convenes Veterans, Military Members and Advocates for Community Conversation

MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA – Last Thursday, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) convened more than 50 veterans, service members, military families and advocates for a community conversation on veterans issues. Phillips and four members of his Veterans Advisory Council led a lively and informational discussion about the challenges Minnesota’s military and veteran communities face and the services that are available to support them. The group also fielded open testimony from attendees.

Full video of the event can be seen HERE.

“This is the first of many conversations to come,” said Phillips. “As a Gold Star Son, veteran and military issues are personally important to me. America seems to always find the means to send young men and women overseas to fight, and it is imperative that we also find the means to support them when they come home. I look forward to carrying these stories to Washington and continuing to work hard for our veterans and service members.” Continue reading “Phillips Convenes Veterans, Military Members and Advocates for Community Conversation”

ICYMI: Phillips Speaks Out in Support of American Dream and Promise Act Before House Passage

Phillips: “I am proud to help lead the Dream and Promise Act to give Liberians, Dreamers and TPS holders a road to citizenship so the American Dream can, at long last, be their reality.”

WASHINGTON, DC –  Last night, the House passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, which was co-led by Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03). The bill includes a pathway to citizenship for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Delayed Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients who meet certain criteria. Before the vote, Phillips spoke on the House Floor in support of the bill and its impacts on Minnesota’s Liberian and immigrant communities.

Click here to watch Rep. Phillips’s remarks

Continue reading “ICYMI: Phillips Speaks Out in Support of American Dream and Promise Act Before House Passage”