As the 117^th Congress begins its work on behalf of the American people, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) today announced his committee assignments along with new leadership positions for his second term. At his request, Phillips will now serve on the Small Business Committee – where he’ll Chair the Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations Subcommittee – along with the Foreign Affairs and Ethics Committees and the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. He will also help lead the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus as Vice Chair. Taken together the assignments reflect an ambitious undertaking for Phillips, who has made it his mission to restore Americans’ faith in government and America’s standing the world. His leadership role on the House Small Business Committee will also allow him to continue his efforts to ensure federal COVID relief dollars are reaching those who need it most.

NEW: HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS

As an entrepreneur and small business owner himself, Phillips will bring valuable experience and a proven bipartisan record of results to the committee, and will remain focused on supporting those small businesses most impacted by the COVID pandemic. In his first term, Phillips authored the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act which helped thousands of small businesses access much-needed PPP funds and avoid further closures and layoffs. Minnesota’s Third Congressional District has more small businesses – generating more in payroll at $11.2 billion annually – than any other District in the state, according to the Small Business Administration.

“Small businesses in our community – from local burger joints to barbershops – are the glue that hold our communities together and power our economy, and they’re in crisis. We must do everything in our power to help them weather the storm so that they can help lead the economic recovery once we are through this pandemic. I’ll have the voices of Minnesota’s small business owners and entrepreneurs in mind as we provide the oversight necessary to ensure federal funds are accessible and equitably distributed and as we lay the groundwork for a prosperous future for our main street businesses,” said Phillips.

Phillips will Chair the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations and serve on Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development.

NEW: SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE MODERNIZATION OF CONGRESS

The bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress was created in 2019 and tasked with making recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Congress. After months of hearings, the Select Committee released 29 recommendations, including one inspired by Rep. Phillips to overhaul the onboarding process for freshmen members so that newly-elected Republicans and Democrats – who are normally separated by political party – spend more time together. As a new member of the Select Committee, Phillips will advance ideas, processes, and technologies that foster cooperation and restore Americans’ faith in government.

“Over my 30-year career in business and philanthropy, I observed hundreds of organizations, institutions, and enterprises throughout the world. I have never encountered one so utterly dysfunctional and in need of reformation as our Congress. A system that elevates dividers and ignores uniters, that promotes those who raise the most money for their party and sidelines those who raise the best ideas for their country, and that over appreciates tenure and under appreciates talent, makes a mockery of our Founders’ greatest contributions. It’s time for Congress to value winning policies over winning elections,” said Phillips.

NEW: VICE CHAIR, PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS

Phillips will build on the bipartisan successes from his first term by helping to lead the Problem Solvers Caucus as co-Vice Chair. As too many in Congress and across our country retreat to partisan corners, the Problem Solvers Caucus enters the 117^th Congress with 56 members – 28 Republicans and 28 Democrats – seeking to initiate debate, ignite optimism, and elevate the best ideas from both sides of the aisle.

“At a time America needs leaders who practice civility and decency more than ever, I’m honored to work alongside my fellow Democrats and Republicans on a shared mission of using common sense to find common ground in pursuit of the common good,” said Phillips.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

Phillips will remain on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for a second term. In an increasingly interconnected world, and after four years of increased tensions with allies around the world, his work on the committee will be far-reaching.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the spread of disinformation are global issues that won’t be solved with outdated, isolationist thinking. I look forward to working with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and my colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to rebuild our relationships with allies, reestablish American leadership in the world, and ensure the 21^st century is one of expanding peace and prosperity,” said Phillips.

Phillips will serve on Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, Environment, and Cyber and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS

Phillips will remain on the House Ethics Committee for a second term. Committee members are tasked with supervising and enforcing ethics rules for the House of Representatives. It is the only standing committee with membership divided evenly between political parties; five Democrats and five Republicans serve on the Committee.

“Restoring Americans’ faith in our government begins with cleaning up corruption and holding elected leaders accountable to the highest standards of ethics,” said Phillips.

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