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834 WORDS | 6.4 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
I’m checking in from a brief but consequential trip back to Washington. Last night, the House voted on a bipartisan basis to avoid a catastrophic default. While the deal wasn’t perfect for Republicans or Democrats, it was an essential compromise for America. As we await a vote in the Senate, I urge you to keep the faith – the spirit of compromise is still alive in Congress.
I’m on my way back to Minnesota, and looking forward to seeing many of you at our town hall meeting tonight in Edina – we have a lot to talk about, so read on for updates:
Honoring my Dad, Army Captain Arthur “Artie” Pfefer
In 1979, my mother told me that my biological father, U.S. Army Captain Artie Pfefer, had been killed in the Vietnam War when I was just 6 months old. Since that day, I've been on a mission to learn everything I could about him, hoping that one day I would have the chance to visit the place where he spent his final moments. This past spring, I fulfilled that lifelong mission and travelled to Vietnam alongside some of my closest friends to pay tribute to my father by visiting Dragon Mountain – the site of the helicopter crash that killed him and seven other soldiers 54 years ago. The trip was remarkably liberating. Instead of being heavy and sad, it was just the opposite and served as a reminder that every day is a gift.
I celebrated Memorial Day by commemorating the sacrifices made by my dad and more than 1.2 million Americans who have died in service to our nation. They gave their lives so that we may be free, so let’s honor their memories by healing our divisions, recognizing our shared interests, and reuniting in a spirit worthy of their sacrifices.
Supporting Gold Star Families
We are a nation that seemingly always finds the resources necessary to send young men and women to war, but we have not done enough to ensure that the families of those who die in service receive unending respect and support when they return. I'm on a mission to ensure our Gold Star Families have access to every single resource available to them. As part of that mission, I introduced the Love Lives On Act, a bipartisan bill that will allow spouses of deceased servicemembers to retain survivor benefits upon remarriage, including surviving spouses of active-duty, veteran, and retired military personnel. Our work here is not done, and I will continue to push to eliminate remarriage benefit reductions for anyone who dies in service to their country, civilian or military.
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| Gold Star Families have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country, and it’s time that our nation supports them accordingly. |
Minnesota Legalizes Marijuana
On Tuesday, Governor Walz signed an adult-use cannabis bill into law, making Minnesota the 23rd state in the country to legalize it. Starting on August 1, 2023, Minnesotans 21 and older can buy and use marijuana, and those with misdemeanor marijuana charges will see their records cleared. I have long supported marijuana legalization, expunging prior convictions related to cannabis, and decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level. I am proud of my colleagues in the Minnesota legislature for getting this done, and I believe it's time for Congress to de-schedule cannabis, allow every state to control it as they see fit, and ensure responsibly operated enterprises and their employees are treated the same as any American business. The state has already established a one-stop information hub for Minnesotans, so click here to learn more.
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Lastly, I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at our next town hall meeting at 6 PM in Edina TONIGHT. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP 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.
Keep the faith, keep in touch, and I hope to see you there!
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
 Bill of the Week
✔️ H.R. 1644, the Small Business 7(a) Loan Agent Oversight Act
The 7(a) Loan Program is an invaluable resource for small business owners who would otherwise be left without access to capital. As the role third party loan agents play in connecting small businesses with 7(a) lenders continues to grow, we must ensure the SBA’s Office of Credit Risk Management maintains diligent oversight over intermediaries. That's why I was proud to help introduce H.R. 1644, the Small Business 7(a) Loan Agent Oversight Act. This bipartisan bill will require the SBA to develop and publish an annual portfolio risk analysis for Congress on loan agents that operate within the program. Understanding the impacts and potential risks of loan agent activity within the 7(a) portfolio will strengthen the SBA’s flagship lending program, and in turn, protect the interests of small businesses across our nation.
 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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