874 WORDS | 6.2 MINUTE READ 

Hi John,

As 2022 comes to a close, I’m reflecting on the exceptional progress we’ve made – and I hope there's even more to come before we ring in the New Year! In the past week alone, we passed a bipartisan defense package that included several provisions I authored and officially made love the law by codifying marriage equality. Read on for more on this and my continued efforts to support employee-owned businesses too:

Delivering For Our Community and Nation

Congress passed the annual defense spending package, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with broad bipartisan support last week. I’m pleased to report that several amendments I authored were in the final bill, including measures to support U.S. efforts to bring a World Expo to Bloomington and to enhance electronic medical recordkeeping for the families of our veterans – but the one of which I’m most proud was inspired by a remarkable Minnesota family who turned tragedy into lifesaving action. 

I was honored to have Dan Schink in Washington to see the passage of the Aqua Alert Act. Watch his family's story here.

One day before Valentine’s Day last year, Minnesota resident David Schink set out in a kayak off the coast of Florida and never returned. Once they realized he was missing, David’s son Dan, his wife Judy, and the entire Schink family alerted the Coast Guard and local authorities, but they lacked sufficient resources and capabilities to locate David and bring him home safely. That's when the Schink family realized that search and rescue missions in coastal regions and on major waterways were not taking advantage of an important resource: the many recreational boaters, kayakers, beach goers, and other people who live on or near the water and could assist the Coast Guard and other first responders when someone goes missing.

The Schinks soon turned the pain of their loss into action in the hopes of preventing a tragedy like David’s disappearance from happening to another family, reaching out to me and my office to share their ideas. Following their advocacy, I introduced the Aqua Alert Act to require the Coast Guard to establish a pilot program for AMBER Alert-style messages to facilitate public cooperation in aiding and rescuing distressed individuals on the water. It passed as part of the national defense bill last week, with Dan watching in the House Gallery.

Protecting Marriage Equality

Every person in the United States is entitled to the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. With fundamental freedoms at risk of infringement by the Supreme Court, it falls to elected leaders to ensure that the law guarantees equal protection for all Americans – including when it comes to the freedom to marry. That’s why I was so proud to cosponsor, vote for, and help pass the Respect for Marriage Act last week.

This new law repeals the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) entirely, which had defined marriage for federal purposes as the union of one man and one woman and allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages granted under the laws of other states. The Respect for Marriage Act enshrines marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples for purposes of federal law and will provide them additional legal protections. This historic achievement was built on decades of advocacy, and I honor all those who made it possible.

Empowering Employee Owned Businesses

As Chairman of the Small Business Oversight, Investigations and Regulations Subcommittee – and a longtime business owner myself – I’m on a mission to ensure America’s small businesses are in a position to innovate and grow. Last week, I ​convened ​a hearing to examine the challenges employee-owned businesses, including those with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), face when trying to access U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) lending programs.

Watch me promote compassionate capitalism through employee stock ownership programs (ESOPs).

Minnesota is home to 265 employee-owned businesses, the most per capita of any state. In many cases, workers at these businesses boast higher pay, greater job security, and better benefits, including higher retirement savings. Given the long list of benefits associated with this model, it’s vital we ensure these businesses have equal access to the federal initiatives meant to support small businesses. Cooperatives and ESOPs are a part of Minnesota’s legacy, and I’ve had the privilege of spending time with many of them right here in our community. These visits provide me with the stories and information I need to better support the businesses who wish to do good in addition to doing well, and I will continue advocating for them in Washington, DC.

Keep in touch, and keep the faith,

Dean Phillips
Member of Congress

✔️ H.R. 3648, the Equal Access to Green cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act of 2022

Our immigration system is woefully outdated, inefficient, and in need of fundamental reform. I support streamlining and modernizing our immigration laws in order to afford hardworking immigrants a fair pathway to citizenship and opportunity to live the American Dream. That's why I'm a proud cosponsor of H.R. 3648, the Equal Access to Green cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act of 2022. This bipartisan bill modifies requirements related to employment-based visas. Instead of allocating employment visas by country, the EAGLE Act increases family-based immigrant visas, and establishes rules for employment visas. In particular, the bill prioritizes workers with advanced degrees and other skilled workers, and reserving visas for physical therapists and professional nurses.  

                                        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:

1. 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.
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. Get your FDA-approved bivalent booster shot: Your decision to get a safe, free, and effective COVID-19 vaccine impacts our entire community. Everyone 12+ is eligible for the new booster, so visit https://mn.gov/booster to find yours.
5. Donuts with Dean: Welcoming Minnesotans to Washington is one of my favorite parts of this job. Let my office know if you'll be traveling to Washington, we'd love the opportunity share some conversation, and donuts, next time you’re in town!  

Click here to tell me what issues are most important to YOU.
Click here to sign-up for my newsletter updates.