Tag: Rep. Phillips

American Dream And Promise Act, Led By Rep. Phillips, Passes House

Bill includes pathway to citizenship for DED holders

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, The American Dream and Promise Act, which was co-led by Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03), passed the House of Representatives. 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.

“In Minnesota, we are living proof that immigrants make our communities stronger,”said Phillips. “This bill gives the most hardworking, driven and educated immigrants a chance to fully live the American Dream. They have earned that right. I am especially pleased that it provides a long overdue pathway to citizenship for DED holders in our Liberian community. When President Trump extended DED for one year in March, I promised to work to find a legislative fix that would prevent the need for more extensions. This bill would do just that. It is critical to Minnesota’s future, and I urge the Senate to pass it. I remain committed to pursuing all options to find a legislative fix for DED, in addition to a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, DACA recipients, and those here under Temporary Protected Status.”

The bill gives a pathway to permanent resident status for DED and TPS holders who have been in the United States for three years and do not have any felony convictions or more than one misdemeanor. After five years as a permanent resident, they can apply for citizenship.

Earlier today, Rep. Phillips spoke on the House Floor in support of the bill and its impact on Minnesota’s Liberian and immigrant communities.

In March, Phillips introduced the bipartisan Protect Our Liberian Community Act with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), a bill that would give Liberians a three year reprieve as Congress works toward a permanent solution for their immigration status.

Liberians on DED have lived in the United States for 16 years or more and have demonstrated that they are law-abiding and taxpaying. Many own homes and businesses, are parents of American children, and are hardworking employees for health care employers that are already facing critical workforce shortages.

Against the odds, select committee aims to push Congress into the 21st century

It’s one of the most important committees in Congress, yet it has only temporary office space. It has just two full-time legislative staff members. And it borrows other committees’ rooms to hold hearings.

But against those odds, the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress is pushing ahead with a bipartisan approach that could produce some of the most important work of the 116th Congress. On Thursday, the panel presented its first set of recommendations, on making the House more transparent, and committee members are poised to dig into other, more in­trac­table problems, such as increasing funding to hire and retain a better, more diverse staff and adopting a calendar that allows for real legislative results.

If their colleagues agree to some of these changes, this committee could end up making the place function in a way that produces dividends for years to come.

View the complete May 25 article by Paul Kane on The Washington Post website here.

Minnesota Congressional delegation pens letter supporting homeless vet registry

The Minnesota Congressional delegation sent a letter Thursday, May 23, to Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie highlighting Minnesota’s efforts to address veteran homelessness and urging him to examine if the VA could benefit from implementing similar programs at the federal level.

The delegation includes Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Reps. Jim Hagedorn, R-Minn., Angie Craig, D-Minn., Dean Phillips, D-Minn., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Tom Emmer, R-Minn., Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Pete Stauber, R-Minn.

According to a news release, the Minnesota Homeless Veteran Registry was created in 2014 to identify all known homeless veterans in an effort to ensure they have access to appropriate housing and social services. The registry helps to recognize the underlying factors contributing to veteran homelessness, including mental health issues, substance abuse and economic hardship. In the letter, the members asked Wilkie about the VA’s efforts to address veteran homelessness and urged him to consider implementing Minnesota’s registry program.

View the complete May 24 article from The Brainerd Dispatch on their website here.

ICYMI: Phillips Responds to President Trump’s Cancelled Infrastructure Meeting, Decries “Woeful Lack of Leadership”

Phillips: “Whatever prompted his change of heart today in the Rose Garden. I’m not sure. But if that’s all it took, that’s a woeful lack of leadership, I’m afraid.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, Congressman Dean Phillips (MN-03) joined Jake Tapper on CNN to discuss the cancelled infrastructure meeting at the White House, decrying President Trump’s “woeful lack of leadership.”This morning, Phillips announced his completed 36-city tour where infrastructure was raised as a top concern for every city in Minnesota’s 3rd District.

Below is a transcript of the interview:

TAPPER: Joining me now from Capitol Hill is Minnesota Democrat Congressman Dean Phillips. He’s a freshman. He’s on both the House Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees. Continue reading “ICYMI: Phillips Responds to President Trump’s Cancelled Infrastructure Meeting, Decries “Woeful Lack of Leadership””

Rep. Phillips Tells Chuck Todd Minnesotans Are Focused On Kitchen Table Issues, Not Impeachment

Phillips: “I just completed a 36-city tour of my district just last week, and I asked people all around my district, what do you want me focusing on? And they said infrastructure, reducing prescription drug pricing, health care.”

WASHINGTON, DC –  Last night, Congressman Dean Phillips (MN-03) appeared on MTP Daily with Chuck Todd to discuss what he’s hearing from Minnesotans on impeachment. Phillips recently concluded a tour of all 36 cities in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District where infrastructure and health care were listed as top concerns – not impeachment.

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Click here to view Rep. Phillips’s segment

Below is a transcript of the interview:

CHUCK TODD: Now I want to talk to one Democrat who’s not there yet. Joining me now is Minnesota Democratic Congressman Dean Phillips. He won in a swing district, took over a Republican seat, won a Republican seat in 2018. So, Congressman, welcome to the show. Continue reading “Rep. Phillips Tells Chuck Todd Minnesotans Are Focused On Kitchen Table Issues, Not Impeachment”

Phillips, Staff Visit all MN-03 Cities, Convert Conversations into Action

MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA – Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) today announced that his office has completed introductory visits to all 36 cities and towns in Minnesota’s Third District. Phillips and senior staff met with mayors, city administrators, and local leaders in every corner of the district, which spans 583 square miles west and north of the Twin Cities and is home to more than 700,000 constituents.

“Representation begins with listening, and we’re converting that guiding principle into action,” said Phillips. “We set an ambitious goal to convene meetings with all 36 cities and towns in the 3rd District in my first six months of service, and I’m proud that we did so ahead of schedule. Local leaders know the issues facing their communities best, and it was an honor to both learn from them and invite their participation in identifying opportunities to work together to generate results for the Minnesotans we serve.”  

“It was so refreshing to be able to meet with a member of Congress who reaches out to local officials as partners who serve the same constituents,” said Eden Prairie Mayor Ron Case. “Congressman Dean Phillips is authentic, committed to finding solutions, and willing to work with anyone to get something accomplished for the good of his District and the American people. He’s living out his ‘Everyone is welcome’ mantra.” Continue reading “Phillips, Staff Visit all MN-03 Cities, Convert Conversations into Action”

Family Fishing Day is June 1 in downtown Chaska

Chaska Area Fishing with Friends and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fishing in the Neighborhood program co-host a Family Fishing Day at Firemen’s Park in Chaska on June 1. All events are free of charge.

This year the annual youth clinic has been changed to “Family Fishing Academy” and is designed for youth ages 6 to 12 and their parents.

Children and their parents will learn about fish species and their environment; important water and boat safety practices; and will learn how to tie fishing knots, rig tackle, what bait to use, cast a lure and similar fishing skills.

View the complete article by Mark Olson on the Southwest Media website 

After Opioid Community Conversation, Phillips Takes Action In Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) announced a series of legislative actions that he has taken based on discussions from the opioid community conversation he hosted last month.

Phillips joined the Bipartisan Heroin and Opioids Task Force, a group of Congressional lawmakers focused on writing and supporting bills that address the opioid crisis. He also co-sponsored a series of bipartisan bills that would prevent the spread of opioid addiction and overdose.

“The opioid crisis is not a distant problem,” said Phillips. “It is affecting families right here in our backyard. Our recent community conversation brought together state lawmakers, law enforcement, addiction experts and advocates for a powerful discussion about how we can build a safer, healthier community. We need to invest in prevention, the treatment of addiction, and support for those in recovery. Representation begins with listening, and I’m honored to do my part in Congress based on the stories and concerns I hear at home.”

Phillips has signed on as a cosponsor of the following bills: Continue reading “After Opioid Community Conversation, Phillips Takes Action In Congress”

Rep. Phillips Votes in Favor of Equality Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) voted in favor of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which passed the House today and ensures LGBTQ Americans are guaranteed the full protections of various civil rights laws.

“Every day in our nation, an American is discriminated against because of their gender identity or sexual orientation,” said Phillips. “In Minnesota, we have already enshrined the protections included in the Equality Act, and it has made our state stronger. It’s in that spirit that I proudly voted today for civil rights protections for every member of the LGBTQ family throughout our country.”

The Equality Act amends existing federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in education, employment, housing, credit, Federal jury service, public accommodations, and the use of Federal funds.

The bill has the support of more than 200 of the nation’s leading businesses, including Minnesota-based Best Buy, Cargill, Ecolab, General Mills, Target and U.S. Bancorp.