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1042 WORDS | 8.0 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
Gratitude was on my mind as I celebrated my remarkable mom this past weekend. I hope however, and whoever, you honored this Mother’s Day, that it was filled with appreciation for the extraordinary women who selflessly love, nurture, and inspire us throughout our lives.
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| I am eternally grateful to my mom, DeeDee, and all extraordinary mothers like her. |
It has been another busy week with a lot of news - so let's get right to it:
Honoring our Financial Obligations
Let me be clear: I believe defaulting on our debt would have unimaginable consequences, and I remain committed to avoiding this unacceptable outcome. As we get closer to a possible debt downgrade and default, Congress must consider practical solutions to get us out of this, including:
- Raising and reforming the debt ceiling: Implement a short-term, clean increase of the debt ceiling followed by a comprehensive, good-faith, bipartisan review of all federal spending and revenues.
- Permitting reform: Pass substantive permitting reform that will secure our energy independence, lower energy costs, and power up our clean energy transformation.
- Raising corporate taxes to 25%: Ensure the largest companies pay their fair share by implementing a 25% tax to reign in the rampant corporate profiteering that undermines hardworking Americans.
- Rescinding the 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy: The GOP Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 set the federal corporate tax rate at a flat rate of 21%. This flat rate replaced the previously graduated system that ensured corporations who made more paid more. It was an irresponsible decision that blew a hole in the deficit, and it's time to get rid of it.
As I have said many times before, this is a problem devoid of a simple solution, especially because the political incentives are misaligned. We need to have an honest conversation about the true cost of our national debt and the impact it will have on our ability to fund our needs into the future. After all, inaction on our fiscal health presents a very serious threat to our children’s livelihoods, and those who follow. Ultimately, this is not a partisan problem, and both parties will have to provide the courageous leadership necessary to address this challenge.
Unveiling the Life Saving Leave Act
There is simply no reason for anyone to be at risk of losing their job when it comes to potentially saving a life. We can do more to protect the jobs of bone marrow and blood stem donors by ensuring that they have the flexibility to take time off without consequence. That's why, last week, I unveiled H.R. 3024, the Life Saving Leave Act, which would allow up to 40 non-consecutive, unpaid hours of leave for donors of life-saving bone marrow and blood stem cells, therefore creating a federal standard that allows more people to say yes to being a lifesaving match for a patient in need.
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| All my gratitude to the remarkable group at Be The Match for being the inspiration for this bipartisan legislation. |
Bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants can cure or treat over 75 otherwise fatal diseases or conditions; however, 70 percent of patients do not have a matching donor in their family. Currently, 38 states already have laws requiring employers to provide either paid or unpaid leave. Potential donors, no matter their state, should not have to choose between helping save a life and losing their jobs, and this bill would directly eliminate the need to make that choice.
My Vote on H.R. 2
Our immigration system is broken, and the blame for that rests on both Democrats’ and Republicans’ shoulders. I support commonsense reforms that improve our system of asylum processing, expand legal pathways to enter the United States, and allow us to maintain proper security along the southern border. I believe that H.R. 2, the so-called Secure the Border Act of 2023, would damage asylum processing, restrict legal pathways into the United States, commit taxpayer money to border security measures that have proven track records of failure, end the successful Ukrainian parole program, and lead to a labor crisis in American agriculture.
That’s why I voted against H.R. 2 and signed onto a letter to Speaker McCarthy and Leader Jefferies which rejects this legislation and calls for bipartisan, comprehensive solutions that will actually address the situation at the southern border. This letter calls for various reforms, such as implementing new legal pathways, legislating additional visa categories to support industries facing labor shortages, expanding in-country processing to ensure migrants are not forced to make the dangerous journey to the U.S. border, and more. I want to improve both border security and our broken immigration system in a comprehensive, humane, and thoughtful way - not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it will also strengthen our economy and national security.
Condemning Political Violence
Finally, I want to address the horrific attack on two of Rep. Gerry Connolly’s staff members in his district office this week. I believe that staffers in congressional offices are among the most patriotic, selfless Americans. Attacks of this kind, like the one on Paul Pelosi just months ago, are despicable and horrifying. The radicalization and mean-spiritedness in our politics must end. Democrats and Republicans can differ on policy, but we must come together and unify around our shared principles and values. Every elected official in America must condemn political violence unequivocally and start acting like people who are serious about preventing it.
Keep the faith, keep in touch,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
 Bill of the Week
✔️ FIGHT Crime Act
Even with the restrictions put forward by the United Nations, Iran’s missiles and drones are targeting U.S. troops, allies, and partners across the Middle East and increasingly fueling Vladimir Putin’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Without action, Iran's missiles and drones could wreak even greater havoc around the globe come October when the UN missile ban on Iran expires. That's why, I was proud to introduce the FIGHT Crime Act alongside several of my colleagues in the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week. This bill would constrain Iran’s arsenal, deter malign actors from supporting Iran and its proxies, and keep these dangerous weapons from proliferating onto new battlefields, regardless of whether UN restrictions remain in place.
 Resources For You
My team and I are here to serve every person and every corner of our community. I want to make sure you have the resources you need to succeed:
- Donuts with Dean: Welcoming Minnesotans to Washington is one of my favorite parts of this job. We'd love the opportunity share some conversation, and donuts, next time you’re in town! To reserve your spot at an upcoming please complete this form, including all attendee information and the date of your preferred session
- Energy Savings Hub: The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a one-stop shop for American families and consumers to access tools to cut energy costs through rebates and energy efficient upgrades. Click here for a list of green tax credits and other rebates.
- Look before you book: Do you have international travel plans on the horizon? Make sure you are prepared before you book! Visit https://travel.state.gov/ to check your passport expiration date, apply for a passport, and much more.
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