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900 WORDS | 7.0 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
Greetings from Washington, where the 118th Congress is now underway. After four days of votes and 15 ballots, the Republican Majority was finally able to agree on a candidate for Speaker of the House, and, as a result, we can now get on with legislative business. In my estimation, organizing the House is the first and most fundamental responsibility of any majority, and the dysfunction to which our nation was subjected was both damaging and dangerous. As you may have seen, I summed it up in one word: Wow.
I then went on to nominate my friend and colleague, Hakeem Jeffries, for Speaker of the House. As I said at the time, 14,421 Americans have served in Congress since our nation’s founding, and he is among the very finest. As it turns out, my description of Minority Leader Jeffries as a man of innovation, cooperation, and alliteration was prophetic; if you haven’t seen his historic speech, I hope you take some time to watch it as well. It was the honor of a lifetime to nominate Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the House last week, and, now that it’s behind us, I'm ready to get to work for the American people.
Speaking of getting to work, I’m pleased to report that the end of December was a productive one! If you tuned into the news over the holidays, you may have heard that we ended the year by passing a bipartisan omnibus funding bill, so I’ll be breaking down some of the details of what was included and telling you more about new bills, new constituent stories, and new representation at the State Capitol in the update below:
Securing Investments for Minnesota:
“Omnibus” is a term used to describe broad legislative packages. The bipartisan omnibus bill we passed in the final days of the 117th Congress isn’t perfect – nor was the process by which it came to a vote – but it included critical funding for our community and our state, which is why I voted in favor of it. Here are just some of the notable highlights included in that bill:
- Investing in Minnesota: Includes $22 million to fund 15 projects directly serving communities in every corner of our district
- Funding Public Safety: Provides $1 billion in grants to law enforcement, including funding to help public safety departments hire and retain qualified officers
- Supporting Working Families: Reduces costs and expands child care and early learning programs to more working families
- Creating American Jobs: Helps small businesses grow and thrive, fosters the green energy jobs of tomorrow, and supports job training and apprenticeship programs
- Honoring Veterans: Bolsters the VA health care system and housing assistance for veterans and their families
- Rebuilding American Infrastructure: Unlocks critical and historic investments in local and national infrastructure
- Protecting National Security: Includes robust funding for defense, diplomacy, and global development with a focus on cyber, border, and maritime security that keeps us safe and respects the rights and dignity of refugees
- Enhancing Election Security: Provides $75 million for grants to state election offices to improve and strengthen security of federal elections, and reforms the Electoral Count Act to ensure uninterrupted certification of future presidential election
- Confronting the Climate Crisis: Invests in clean energy and environmental protection
- Modernizing Public Health: Rebuilds our health care infrastructure to speed the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and preventive measures, and confronts urgent health crises like maternal health, mental health, and substance misuse and abuse
- Strengthening Democracy: Provides $45 billion in assistance for the people of Ukraine as they fight back against Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion
We've accomplished a lot, but our job is not complete. While this bill represents a compromise and does not include everything I would have wished to see, funding the government is one of Congress’ most important responsibilities and this bipartisan success is an example of what’s still possible when we prioritize principle over politics. What do you think about these investments, John?
Promoting a Green Economy
While the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act included an historic investment in preventing and combatting the effects of climate change, we must do even more to speed our transition to a green economy. I believe one important way to do so is by providing incentives for American families and businesses to adopt new, more efficient technologies. That's why I worked with Polaris, whose headquarters are right here in our community, to introduce H.R.9481, the Michael F. Donoughe Tax Credit for Off Road Electric Vehicles Act, in the final days of the 117th Congress. Our bill extends federal tax credits currently available for the purchase of electric automobiles to the purchase of off-road electric vehicles for work and recreation.
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| I’m grateful to bipartisan colleagues and local innovators like Polaris for being partners in that effort, and am looking forward to seeing more electric vehicles on, and off, the roads in Minnesota and across the country! |
Supporting Americans Abroad
Over the holiday break, my team heard from one of our former interns that his father, Tashitaa Tufaa - an Ethiopian-American businessman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Network, Inc. - had been detained at an airport in Ethiopia. My team and I, along with Senator Klobuchar and her office, immediately got to work with the State Department to get him home. I am thrilled to confirm that Tashitaa is now back in Minnesota with his family, and as always, I wish to thank my remarkable staff who made his safe return our highest priority over the holidays.
A Somber Anniversary
I believe that future generations must never forget the horrific events that took place at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th and the bravery displayed by those who risked their lives to help preserve our fragile democracy. That’s why, on the two-year anniversary of that violent insurrection, I introduced a resolution to permanently designate January 6th as “Democracy Day.” Annual observance of Democracy Day will help ensure that the American people never forget how fragile our democracy is or the vigilance required to maintain it.
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| It was a privilege to once again host Capitol Police officers and support staff, whose bravery and sacrifice preserved American democracy in the face of the unthinkable. |
For the second year in a row, and as a small token of gratitude, my colleagues and I in the "Gallery Group", those who were seated in the gallery as the violent mob approached on January 6th, provided lunch for Capitol Police officers and staff who protected American democracy on January 6th. I hope Americans of all political persuasions will join me in thanking the Capitol police and other first responders whose heroic actions helped preserve an over 220-year, unbroken tradition of democratic transitions of power – and in recommitting to its preservation for future generations.
Congressional Essay Competition
Calling all students passionate about writing! The Congressional Essay Competition is happening now and is an opportunity for high school students to express their creative writing skills. All contestants will have their essays collected into a book for display in my both my Minnesota and Washington, D.C. offices, and one winner will have their work published in a local newspaper. Visit phillips.house.gov/essay for deadlines and details, and spread the word to the student writers in your life.
Important Redistricting Information
Redistricting impacted parts of Minnesota’s Third Congressional District, but I’m honored to continue representing you in the House of Representatives – and I’m looking forward to listening to, learning from, and connecting with our extraordinary community for the next two years. I remain your representative in Congress, but your representatives at the state level may have changed. I invite you to verify your state representatives by entering your address here, and continue to share your perspectives with all of us in 2023 and beyond!
Keep in touch, and keep the faith,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
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:
- Congressional Essay Competition: Minnesota high school students passionate about writing are encouraged to apply by February 6th. More information can be found here.
- Apply for internships: Applications for summer internships in my Minnesota and Washington, D.C. offices are open now! It’s an exciting time to work in Congress, so click here to learn more and apply by April 8th.
- Become a blood donor: The American Red Cross is facing its worst blood shortage in over a decade. Visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ to make an appointment, check your eligibility, and learn more about the process.
- 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.
- Find help with utility bills this winter: Minnesota's Energy Assistance program helps pay for home heating and water costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households. Click here to learn more and apply today.
- Keep Minnesota safe and open for business: Keep yourself, and those around you, safe by getting tested if you’re feeling sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order four free at-home rapid by visiting www.covidtests.gov/. You can also find other testing options at mn.gov/covid.
- 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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