730 WORDS | 5.6 MINUTE READ

Hi John,

It was another busy summer week in Minnesota! From hosting a timely and important Community Conversation to honoring Vietnam-era veterans and going “On the Job” with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol Unit and more, my time at home was full of listening – and learning. Read on for more about what I was up to this past week:

Protecting Reproductive Health Care

When it comes to reproductive health, women and their doctors – not politicians – should have the right to make their own decisions. As I said last week, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strip women of that freedom is a blow to all of us who believe there should be limits on the degree to which the government can interfere with our bodies, bedrooms, and personal lives. That’s why I’m so thrilled that more than 100 Minnesotans joined our Community Conversation on Reproductive Freedom this past Thursday evening. Together with some extraordinary panelists - Allie Carlson-Stehlin of Planned Parenthood, Dr. Deepti Pandita, and State Representative (and practicing OBGYN) Kelly Morrison - we discussed the impact the recent Supreme Court ruling will have on reproductive health care in Minnesota, federal legislation to protect abortion rights, and what more we can do to protect women’s reproductive health and freedom at the federal, state, and local level.

Gratitude to our extraordinary panelists, and more than 100 Minnesotans who attended our Community Conversation on Reproductive Health. Watch our full conversation here.

Going "On The Job"

After a busy Fourth of July Weekend, I went On the Job with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol Unit on Lake Minnetonka. The Deputies and volunteers that make up the Water Patrol are responsible for water safety on all of Hennepin County’s lakes and waterways, performing search and rescue operations, patrolling for speeding and boating while intoxicated (BWI) incidences, helping stranded boaters, and everything else you can imagine. These hardworking men and women not only work to keep Hennepin County's waters safe for all of us, they help train teams in other counties to do the same - so say thanks next time you're out on the water (or ice)!

Stay tuned for another episode of “On the Job with Dean” and click here if you’d like to hire me for a day!

Honoring Our Veterans 

As a Gold Star Son, I know all too well the sacrifices millions of Americans in uniform and their families have made to keep our nation safe and free. To do my part to honor that service, I hosted our second Vietnam veteran commemoration ceremony last week, where we recognized 12 Vietnam-era veterans and surviving family members in Maple Grove with official lapel pins as a small token of our nation’s gratitude. I look forward to holding commemoration ceremonies in every corner of our community, and I invite you to nominate a Vietnam-era veteran in your life at phillips.house.gov/Vietnam. My team will reach out when there’s an event planned in your neck of the woods.

A entire generation of veterans that were not properly thanked for their service upon returning home, and I want to change that. Click here to nominate a Vietnam-era veteran for an official commemoration.

Post-9/11 Veterans Service Bonus

Speaking of veterans, I want to make sure everyone who served gets the support and benefits they deserve for the sacrifices they made to defend our country. This year, Governor Walz signed Minnesota’s first-ever Veterans Omnibus Bill that included funding for a service bonus, which is payable to eligible veterans who served between 9/11/01 and 8/30/21. If you or someone you know is a post-9/11 veteran, you or they may be eligible to claim a Veteran Service Bonus from the State of Minnesota. Applications for this program are open through July 30, 2024, or until funds have been exhausted, so check your eligibility and apply today! 

Did you serve our country between 9/11/01 to 8/30/21? See if you are eligible for a bonus and start your application today!

Please note that veterans service bonuses are administered by the State of Minnesota, not by the federal government, so for additional questions contact your local County Veterans Service Officer at MACVSO.org or call LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet.

Keep in touch, and keep the faith, 

Dean Phillips
Member of Congress

                                            Bill of the Week                

✔️ H.R. 2565, FDA Modernization Act of 2021

I am committed to supporting the FDA in its mission to protect Americans’ health and safety. I also believe we should criminalize acts of animal abuse and cruelty and ensure there is proper governmental oversight in FDA testing. That's why I cosponsored the FDA Modernization Act of 2021, which eliminates an FDA mandate that experimental drugs must be tested on animals prior to clinical trials with humans while allowing alternative methods for testing in early phases. 

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: 
                                                   Monday, July 18, 2022
                                                     3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

                                                             WHERE: 
                                     Eden Prairie Library (Green Foxtail Room)
                                 565 Prairie Center Dr. Eden Prairie , MN 55344

                                             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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