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900 WORDS | 7.0 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
Last week, I reflected on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and the work that still remains to make justice a reality for all. Dr. King’s unyielding pursuit of freedom and justice inspires me and guides my service in Congress everyday – including some of the work I’m highlighting below. So, read on for updates regarding ethics reform in Congress, reproductive rights, and mail delivery in our state:
USPS Mail Delivery
The USPS provides a vital service to all Americans, especially to those who rely on postal delivery for their health and well being. I’m deeply troubled to hear that members of our community have noticed a decline in the frequency of mail delivery, with many saying that they have gone between ten days to over two weeks without a delivery at all. From my conversations with Minnesotans like you, it’s clear this is not an isolated issue concerning a few routes or post offices, but a systemic problem that’s affecting the USPS’s ability to offer quality delivery service across Minnesota.
While widespread staffing shortages certainly have played a role, this level of service is unacceptable – especially after Congress passed the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act in April of 2022, a bill that shored up USPS’s finances and included mechanisms to ensure ongoing, reliable service. That’s why I wrote a letter to Postmaster General Louis Dejoy, imploring him to urgently find a solution to this problem so that everyone in our community receives the mail delivery service they both need and deserve.
TRUST in Congress Act
I am on a mission to restore Americans’ faith in government. Elected officials should serve the people, not their own interests. While Members of Congress are currently prohibited from using nonpublic information for financial gain, this prohibition is not properly enforced and still permits Members of Congress to trade stocks in companies they regulate as long as they disclose those trades. This is a blatant betrayal of the public trust, and it must be prohibited immediately.
My assets are in a blind trust, which means I can’t see nor can I direct which stocks are bought and sold on my behalf. Unfortunately, I'm one of only about ten people in Congress to have taken that step. I believe it should be the norm, which is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the reintroduced, TRUST in Congress Act. This bill would require Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children to place their tradeable investments into blind trusts while in office.
This legislation is an important step toward ensuring Members of Congress are held to the highest ethical standards possible. I remain optimistic that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in supporting this bill in order to inspire a new era of transparency in Congress and a restoration of faith in the institution among the American public.
Protecting Reproductive Freedom
I believe that hardened ideological politics have no place in an exam room, especially when they interfere with a care providers’ ability to advise and support their patients. That’s why, I voted no on H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, legislation that would require medical professionals to exercise the same degree of care provided to any other living child for a child that survives an abortion or attempted abortion and impose criminal penalties on those who fail to do so. Today, there are already state and federal laws in place that protect newborn children, such as H.R. 2175, the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which was signed into law in 2002 and guarantees full legal rights to infants born at any gestational stage. I believe that reintroducing this bill with the additional criminal penalties on our health care practitioners is both dangerous and damaging.
To that end, I also voted no on H.Con.Res 3, Expressing the sense of Congress condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches. This resolution condemns acts of violence perpetuated against pro-life facilities and calls upon the Administration to utilize law enforcement to safeguard these facilities. Though the bill addresses attacks on pro-life facilities, it intentionally omits any reference to violent attacks taking place at abortion centers and pro-choice organizations. For that reason, I am a proud cosponsor of H.Res.27, Condemning All Political Violence and Attacks on Health Care Facilities and Personnel. This resolution condemns all attacks of political violence directed at health care facilities, personnel, and patients, while also affirming that everyone has the freedom to access reproductive health care services and medical advice without fear of violence, intimidation, or harassment.
While we may not always agree, I believe that there is much more common ground on this subject – and any number of contentious issues facing our country – than cable news and political pundits would have us believe.
Keep in touch, and keep the faith,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
Bill of the Week
✔️ H.R. 328, Jim Hagedorn Memorial Post Office
Representative Hagedorn and I had different political views but a respectful friendship and a shared love for Minnesota and our country. That's why I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 328, Jim Hagedorn Memorial Post Office, which will rename the Blue Earth post office as the “Jim Hagedorn" Post Office. I thank Representative Finstad for leading this fitting tribute and look forward to working together for our state in a spirit that honors Jim’s memory.
 
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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