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1213 WORDS | 9.3 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
This Presidents’ Day, I hope you took time to reflect on the contributions that our elected leaders have made throughout our nation's history. I'm grateful for Presidents on both sides of the aisle who sought reconciliation instead of separation to ease the tensions that so often divide us. May we continue to learn from our past and work together towards a better future for all!
In the meantime, I'm checking in with updates from another busy week in Minnesota. From new committee leadership positions, to meeting incredible veterans, convening with mayors from all around our district, continuing my On the Job with Dean initiative, and of course, our first town hall meeting in Anoka, it was a memorable week. Read on for more on all of that below:
Leadership Positions in the 118th
I am excited to share that I have secured new leadership positions on every committee on which I serve, including being elected to serve as Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communication Committee (DPCC) in the 118th Congress. Read more about these positions below:
- Co-Chair, Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC): The DPCC serves as the communications arm of the House Democrats. I will be a loud and proud voice for America’s heartland, relying on a homegrown spirit of innovation, collaboration, and hard work to help revamp the Democratic Party’s brand and advance policies that are responsive to the concerns of hardworking American families.
- House Committee on Small Business: As I enter my second term on the House Committee on Small Business, I will now help lead the entire committee by serving as Vice Ranking Member or the second highest ranking Democrat on the committee. Additionally, I will serve on the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, and the Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development. I’ll have the voices of Minnesota’s small business owners and entrepreneurs in mind as we lay the groundwork for a prosperous future for small businesses.
- House Committee on Foreign Affairs: I will be serving my third term on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in a new leadership role as Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. I will pursue safety, security, and alliances in the region with a bipartisan approach, and look forward to helping rebuild our relationships with allies, reestablish American leadership, and ensure this century is one of peace and prosperity.
Valentines for Veterans
As a Gold Star Son, my gratitude to our veterans is immeasurable. This week, my team and I delivered valentines to Minnesota veterans to show our deep appreciation for their service, including one to a very special veteran named Harry Campbell. Harry served as a Sargent in the Army during WWII, leading a 12-man infantry squad fighting against the last of the Nazi forces in Italy. He and his infantrymen found a three-month-old baby in a bombed mountainside hay barn in Italy, and instead of immediately turning her in to the Red Cross, Harry and his squad cared for the baby for weeks amidst intense combat.
Thanks to all the remarkable kids and teachers from schools and childcare centers across our community for making this year's drive a success! As always, I hope you'll join me in honoring our veterans through acts of kindness and lots of gratitude all year long.
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| We shared a little love and a lot of gratitude with Minnesota veterans last week. |
I want to ensure that veterans and their families receive the benefits and services they have earned. That’s why my staff is teaming up with local County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) to host a virtual Veterans Benefits Information Session this Thursday, February 23rd. I will give remarks, and staff from my office will join our outstanding CVSOs to present information about the new benefits established by the PACT Act as well as the Post-9/11 Veterans Service Bonus, lay out the application process, and answer your individual questions. Pre-register here for access to the zoom link. Here are the details:
WHAT:
Veterans Benefits Information Session
WHEN:
Thursday, February 23, 2023
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
WHEN:
Zoom (link to be provided upon registration)
*due to weather conditions, this event will no longer be held at the Hopkins Center for the Arts and has been moved to Zoom only*
If you cannot attend but need assistance with a federal agency, my outstanding team of constituent advocates will review your case and work with you to try to resolve your problem, whatever it might be. In addition to regular mobile and virtual office hours, my team is available to help you online, by phone or in person at our Minnetonka office Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM.
On the Job at Yellow Brick Road Childcare
Last week, I had the opportunity to work a shift at Yellow Brick Road Childcare as part of my “On the Job with Dean” initiative. Between art projects and science experiments, I got a firsthand look at the essential work our child care providers do every day. Grossly underpaid and often underappreciated, our child care workers deserve better. Investing in equitable, quality care not only benefits children and those that care for them – it will help ensure their parents can enter or reenter the workforce.
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| Going On the Job at Yellow Brick Road, and doing science experiments with skittles, was one of the highlights of my week! |
Every “On the Job” visit is a chance for me to better understand the opportunities and challenges our employers and their employees are facing so I can better represent you on the House Small Business Committee in Washington, D.C. If you own or operate a business or nonprofit organization in our community, please click here to offer me a job!
Working Together
Local leaders know local issues best, which is why I prioritize creating spaces for us to listen and learn from one another on a regular basis. I was pleased to reconnect with mayors representing over a dozen communities from all corners of our district at our regular mayors' breakfast this past week. We are blessed to have such thoughtful, principled public servants leading our cities everyday. I left our meeting feeling grateful for this tradition and the spirit of teamwork that is still alive and well in our communities.
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| Solving problems requires working together, and I thank our mayors for their tireless work on behalf of our communities. |
Representation Begins with Listening
Representation begins with listening, so I’m grateful to everyone who joined the conversation and brought questions and ideas to my town hall meeting last Wednesday in Anoka. As always, I left the forum feeling thankful for the opportunity to represent this remarkable community in Congress.
Whether it’s at a future town hall meeting or community conversation, or by calling, writing, emailing, or dropping by my office here or in Washington, DC, please continue to share your ideas and concerns with me – and invite your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and loved ones to do the same.
Keep the faith, and keep in touch,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
Bill of the Week
✔️ H.R. 396, Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act
As a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I am committed to addressing our nation's gun violence epidemic. We have allowed this violence to continue for far too long, even as Americans from across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support reform. That's why I'm a proud cosponsor of H.R. 396, Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act, which would subject bump stocks - devices attached to semiautomatic weapons to rapidly increase the rate of fire - to the strictest prohibitions and codify a permanent ban into law.
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:
- 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.
- Savings for homeowners: The Inflation Reduction Act created new federal tax credits for homeowners seeking to make energy efficient upgrades. Click here for a list green tax credits.
- 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 tests 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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