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837 WORDS | 6.4 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
Before I fill you in on my week, I want to make one thing very clear: I’m devastated by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn decades of precedent by reversing the Roe v. Wade decision and undoing the essential freedoms that were established and protected by it. This decision is a blow to those of us who believe that in a free society, there should be limits to how much the government can encroach on our personal lives. Women and their doctors – not politicians – should have the right to make their own decisions about their bodies.
Standing with the more than 60% of Americans who support the protections long guaranteed by Roe v. Wade, I have taken the following actions to help protect access to comprehensive reproductive health care at the federal level going forward:
- Cosponsored and helped pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to codify abortion rights at the federal level
- Helped introduce the My Body My Data Act to protect Americans living in states seeking to criminalize abortion by making sure technology firms only collect reproductive health data that is strictly necessary for their services and give users the right to demand their information be deleted
- Signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Schumer urging the Senate to abolish the filibuster and protect reproductive rights by passing the Women’s Health Protection Act
- Joined 122 of my colleagues in support of a resolution opposing the criminalization of essential sexual and reproductive health care
I can only imagine how millions around the country are feeling as a result of this decision. I want you to know that under current state law, Minnesotans will continue to have access to abortion and reproductive health care. However, all four of our neighboring states have laws on their books which eliminate or severely restrict access to abortion. That’s why I will be working harder than ever to codify a woman’s right to reproductive health care into law using every tool our founders afforded us.
Read on for more updates – including an invitation to a Community Conversation on Reproductive Health, where I hope to see and hear from many of you!
Breaking the Gridlock
Since coming to Congress, I have been committed to advancing thoughtful, evidence-based policies to reduce gun violence and make our community – and our country – safer. That's why, after inexplicable opposition and nearly three decades of partisan gridlock, I was proud to vote for and help pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This new law provides support for state crisis intervention orders and protections for victims of domestic violence, clarifies the definition of 'federally licensed firearms dealer', enhances the review process for buyers under 21, creates penalties for straw purchasing, which makes it illegal to purchase a firearm on behalf of someone who cannot purchase one themselves, invests in mental health services, and provides funding for violence interruptions. As I've said before, thoughts and tweets don't save lives, but courage and action will – and while this bill does not include everything we may have hoped for, it signals a crucial step towards a safer America for all.
Make It In America
Since its launch in 2010, the Make It In America plan has been focused on gathering the best bipartisan ideas to make our economy more competitive by bolstering opportunities for American businesses and workers alike. With 21 bipartisan Make It In America bills signed into law, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, I was proud to join my House Democratic colleagues to announce new policy recommendations for supply chain resilience and discuss the progress made on Make It In America's education, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure priorities last week.
America's entrepreneurial spirit is strong, but becoming an entrepreneur in the 21st century is becoming too difficult for too many. In my estimation, being pro-business and pro-labor are not mutually exclusive; they are mutually mandatory. We must ensure that new businesses – and the jobs they bring – stay rooted in local communities as they grow and mature. There is simply nothing more American than encouraging entrepreneurialism and growing jobs here at home.
Everyone's Invited
I’ll be back in Minnesota next week and am excited to invite you to a free, open-to-the-public Community Conversation. We'll be discussing Reproductive Health and the recent Supreme Court ruling with a panel of experts at 6:00 PM on Thursday, July 7, at the Ridgedale Library. I invite you to attend, ask questions of our expert panelists, and learn more about what we can do to protect women’s health, freedom, and choice.
Keep in touch, and keep the faith,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
Bill of the Week
✔️ H.R. 4766,The Supreme Court Ethics Act
The Supreme Court's decision to dismantle Roe v. Wade is the result of one branch of government overstepping the bounds of the Constitution. It also serves as a reminder that we must do more to preserve and strengthen our system of checks and balances and ensure our government remains accountable to the people. That's why I was proud to cosponsor the Supreme Court Ethics act which would eliminate a loophole that has left Supreme Court justices exempt from any formalized code of conduct. The legislation requires the Judicial Conference to enforce an ethics code for the entire judiciary, including SCOTUS, within a year of enactment.
 Mobile Office Hours
If you’re struggling with a federal agency, or just not getting an answer from one, seek assistance from my team of constituent advocates online at phillips.house.gov/help or in person:
WHEN:
Tuesday, July 5, 2022
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
WHERE:
Crooked Lake Library (Meeting Room)
11440 Crooked Lake Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
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:
- Register to vote: Democracy doesn’t work without engaged citizens like you. Registering to vote in Minnesota is simple and secure. Check your registration status, see who is on your ballot, and make a plan to vote at MNvotes.org.
- Claim your Frontline Worker Bonus Check: Minnesotans who worked in essential jobs at the onset of the pandemic can now apply for one-time bonus checks. Applications are open until July 22nd, visit frontlinepay.mn.gov for more information.
- Find savings near you: From gas to groceries, and childcare to healthcare, I’m hearing from Minnesotans who are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of essentials. Visit phillips.house.gov/inflation to find lower prices near you.
- Nominate a Vietnam-era veteran: As a Gold Star Son and Member of Congress, I’m honoring Vietnam-era veterans in our area. Visit phillips.house.gov/Vietnam to nominate the veteran in your life for an official commemoration.
- 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.
- Order FREE COVID-19 tests: Keep yourself, and those around you, safe by getting tested if you’re feeling sick or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Order eight FREE at-home tests for your family from USPS here.
- Get your FDA-approved vaccine: Your decision to get a safe, free, and effective COVID-19 vaccine impacts our entire community. Everyone 5+ is eligible, so visit mn.gov/covid to find yours.
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