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1307 WORDS | 10.5 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
I'm checking in with updates from a busy week in Washington. There’s a lot to share, so I invite you to read on for more information, and RSVP for my next town hall meeting, happening at 6:00 PM in Edina next Thursday, June 1st - I hope to see you there!
Boosting Employee Ownership in Small Business
As Vice Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, I’m on a mission to ensure America’s small businesses are in a position to innovate and grow. That's why I introduced the Employee Equity Investment Act (EEIA) alongside my colleagues Senators Van Hollen and Rubio, and Representatives Blake Moore, Chrissy Houlahan, and Dusty Johnson, last week. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation reduces cost barriers small business owners currently face when transferring ownership to their employees, empowering them to preserve family legacies and community jobs – even after their retirement.
I was raised in a family that believed business was a means to an end; and that end was not how much wealth we could accumulate, but rather, how much we could share with those who made it possible. Over the coming years, millions of small business owners will reach retirement age and sell to competitors or other buyers in the mergers and acquisitions market potentially resulting in jobs leaving the communities that rely on them. Expanding opportunities for employee ownership will help keep businesses and jobs in local communities, allow American workers to build wealth for their families, and result in more sustainable and resilient communities.
Restoring Faith in Government
Americans’ trust in governmental is painfully low, and it’s no surprise why. Between the gerontocracy that controls our governing bodies, the corrupting influence of money in politics, a thriving anger-tainment industry, and a political culture that places self-preservation over principle, it’s imperative that we repair our broken politics and restore people’s faith in government. Restoring that faith sometimes requires translating popular will into action, including:
- Tenure: adopt term limits for our judicial and legislative branches, committee chairs, and party leaders to bring new and different perspectives to Capitol Hill and fulfill the framers’ vision of a true representative democracy.
- Competency: subject elected officials to scrutinous background checks before obtaining security clearance to access classified material and intelligence. Doing so is in America’s best interest, and I’ll soon be reintroducing legislation to require it.
- Ethics: raise standards of ethical behavior for all public officials, enhance transparency and reporting requirements, empower the Ethics Committee, and reform campaign finance and stock trading laws to ensure elected officials serve the people, not their own interests.
- Respect: break bread, share personal stories, and seek to understand perspectives of people who think, eat, pray, and vote differently. Through this we can repair distrust, political division, and discord in our society and encourage the American people that cooperation and collegiality is possible.
I encourage you to read my Op-ed, published last weekend in the Daily Beast, which goes into further detail about the reforms above. Improving our democratic systems will require courage: the courage to acknowledge our deficiencies and to say publicly what most discuss privately to challenge the status quo. I commit to demonstrating that courage inside of Congress, and I invite you to join me in that pursuit, and together we can build a healthier, more united, and more truthful America.
Supporting Law Enforcement
Every Minnesotan deserves to enjoy the same sense of safety and security as many families in our community do. To achieve that, we need to ensure law enforcement has the training, equipment, and resources to do their jobs safely, effectively, and compassionately. That's why, in honor of National Police week last week, I took to the House floor to implore my colleagues to support law enforcement by voting on my Pathways to Policing Act, a bipartisan bill that would expand the pipeline of service-oriented individuals to ensure agencies have the resources they need to protect our communities, with a focus on nontraditional and underrepresented officer candidates.
I remain as committed as ever to getting it to a vote in the House, as it is critical to repopulating our police departments with a diverse new generation of principled public servants. We must provide the tools and support for law enforcement agencies to attract and retain the best and brightest Americans to serve and protect the communities in which they live. Only then can we hope to ensure the safety and security of all Americans, no matter where they live.
As Debt Negotiations Continue...
Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have a duty to fulfill our financial obligations – and to together avoid a disastrous debt downgrade and default. When McCarthy won the speakership, he reinstated the "motion to vacate the chair", a procedure that allows anyone to challenge his position at anytime. I am among those having discussions with fellow Democrats willing to place principal over politics if our counterparts are willing to do the same thing. That means protecting Speaker McCarthy from his extreme MAGA members if a demonstration of courage results in an attempt to remove him. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it, this is not a partisan problem, and both parties must provide the leadership necessary to address this impending challenge.
Honoring Vietnam Veterans
As a Gold Star Son, I’m on a mission to honor the sacrifice millions of Americans in uniform have made to keep our nation safe and free. That’s why I've partnered with the Vietnam War Commemoration Program to recognize and celebrate Vietnam-era veterans and their families at pinning ceremonies throughout our community. The next ceremony will be on Wednesday, May 31st, at 2:30 PM in the Anoka area. Are you, or another Vietnam-era veteran or surviving spouse you know, interested in joining us? Click here to nominate a Vietnam-era veteran or surviving family member in your life for an official commemoration. If selected, a member from my team will reach out to you with more details.
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Hearing veterans’ personal stories has been an honor and serves as a constant reminder of the heavy burden carried by those sent off to fight for our country. I look forward to continuing my efforts to ensure that ALL veterans are appropriately recognized for their service, and I remain committed to being a voice for them in Washington.
Save the Date!
I am excited to be hosting another open-to-the-public town hall meeting at the Southdale Library in Edina on Thursday, June 1st. Doors open at 5:30 PM and our conversation will begin at 6:00 PM. If you are interested in attending our town hall, please sign in here to save some time at the door – and as always, if you cannot make it in person, feel free to follow along on Facebook!
Youth Advisory Council
Applications are now open to high school students interested in joining my youth advisory council this summer! I learn so much from the perspectives and analysis of these bright students each year, so check out the opportunity and let the young people in your life know to apply by June 15th.
Keep the faith, keep in touch, and I hope to see you June 1st!
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
 Bill of the Week
✔️ Foreign Policy Through Pet Policy Act
As a Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, I understand and am grateful for the contributions and sacrifices of American federal employees working overseas. When these employees return from abroad, our government should ensure they are able to return with ALL of their loved ones. That's why I was proud to introduce the Foreign Policy Through Pet Policy Act. This bill would permit Federal employees stationed abroad to return to the United States with their pet dogs and demonstrate our commitment to and gratitude for the hardworking overseas federal employees by ensuring that bond is not broken.
 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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