Dean Phillips (DFL): 2022 Election Guide
Welcome to WCCO.com's 2022 Election Guide!
We reached out to all Minnesota candidates running for U.S Congress this fall, as well as all statewide contests. Candidates were asked to provide a two-minute video discussing their platform as well as answer a set of political questions.
3rd Congressional District candidate Dean Phillips did not submit a video. Below are his answers to the questionnaire.
This is not a paid advertisement nor does WCCO endorse any candidate.
Do you oppose or support abortion rights?
The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which my opponent called a "victory", was a blow to all who believe in limited government encroachment in our personal lives. I believe women, not politicians - and certainly not men - should be empowered to make decisions regarding their reproductive health care. In Congress, I voted for the Women's Health Protection Act, which would codify at the federal level the protections previously guaranteed by Roe, as well as the My Body, My Data Act which would protect women's personal reproductive health data. I will continue to fight for fundamental rights and freedoms - including a woman's right to choose - if re-elected.
Do you believe there should term limits be set for members of U.S. Congress? For Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court?
Yes. I am an original co-sponsor of H.J.Res.60, a resolution offered by my Republican colleague William Timmons which would limit Members of Congress to 12 years of service. I am also a co-sponsor of H.R. 5140, which would create staggered 18-year terms for Supreme Court Justices. Too often decisions are made out of self-interest and self-preservation in Washington, DC, and I believe term limits would help ensure that more elected officials are making decisions in the interest of the common good instead. It would also have the effect of ensuring that the best and the brightest are able to serve in critical leadership positions, rather than relying solely on those with the longest tenures.
In the wake of alleged fraud related to COVID relief funds, what needs to be done to continue investigating fraud of this kind and magnitude, and uncover just how much of it occurred?
Federal COVID relief, much of it passed during the Trump Administration, helped save tens of thousands of small businesses across the country and kept millions of employees on their payrolls. Anyone who misused or abused those funds did so at the expense of eligible businesses in need, and they must be held to account. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, as well as Chair of its Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I have participated in and called hearings on this very subject. I can assure you that Congress is taking this seriously, and we will not rest until these federal dollars are accounted for and bad actors are brought to justice. As part of that, I joined with my Republican colleague and ranking member of the Subcommittee I chair, Rep. Beth Van Duyne, in introducing the Restaurant Recovery Fairness Act, which would strengthen the oversight of a program that provided needed relief to scores of restaurants but unfortunately left too many others out.
Do you believe Joe Biden is the legitimately elected President of the United States?
Yes.
Do you support Biden for Democratic nominee in 2024? Do you support Trump If he seeks the Republican nomination in 2024?
I was the first Democrat in Congress to state publicly that I believe we need a new generation of leadership in both parties, and as part of that, I do not believe Joe Biden should seek reelection in 2024. He is a decent and thoughtful man with a strong record of accomplishment, from historic infrastructure investments to the first new gun violence prevention measures in three decades, and he has served as the bridge he promised to be. It is time for new voices, new ideas, and a new generation to carry the torch forward. Given the existential threat to democracy posed by Donald Trump, however, I will support and work for whomever is the nominee - and I invite all true patriots to join me when the time comes.
What is responsible for inflation and what steps do you advocate to stabilize and lower soaring prices?
Inflation continues to threaten our otherwise strong economic recovery. This is a global economic challenge made worse by COVID-19 related supply chain issues and the ongoing war in Ukraine, but we in Congress have a responsibility to do whatever we can to lower costs for working families and ensure economic security for seniors and retirees on fixed incomes. That's why we passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which President Biden signed into law this past August. Among its many positive provisions, the IRA will lower energy, healthcare, and prescription drug costs for millions of Americans while reducing the deficit by $300 billion. In the House, we also passed the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act as well as the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, both of which would combat the rising costs of gas and groceries - and now the Senate must do its job and pass both bills as well.
Should politicians be allowed to trade stocks?
No. I have never bought or sold a stock as a Member of Congress, nor have I directed anyone to do so on my behalf. In fact, I am one of only about 10 Members of Congress to have placed my assets into a Qualified Blind Trust, a rigorous process overseen by the House Ethics Committee. I believe everyone in Congress should do the same, which is why I am a proud cosponsors of the bipartisan TRUST in Congress Act, a bill which would require Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children to place their assets into a qualified blind trust, as I have done. In order to restore Americans' faith in their government, we must prevent even the perception of conflicted interests, and getting this bill signed into law would be a big step in the right direction.
What is the government's responsibility when it comes to climate change?
The Earth will survive the effects of global climate change, but humanity may not. Because the primary responsibility of government at every level is to keep its citizens safe, we must all play an active role in reducing emissions, mitigating the present effects of climate change, and building more resilient communities. As part of that, we must quickly transition to a clean energy economy, following and building upon the ambitious but achievable goals being put in place in the private sector, where major companies are leading the way because they understand the economic imperative - not to mention the moral one. I was proud to vote for and help pass the historic climate investments included in the Inflation Reduction Act - the largest-ever investment in combating climate change. I believe that incentives are the best way to change behavior, which is why I support production tax credits and other financial incentives to help individuals and families adopt more sustainable practices. I am also a co-sponsor and vocal advocate for H.R. 2307, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, which would incentivize the further reduction of carbon emissions by putting a price on carbon and returning the money collected to every single American citizen. Climate change threatens our health and wellbeing, our national security, and our economic future - and I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address it urgently.
Do you agree with President Biden's plan to forgive $10,000 of student debt for most Americans who have outstanding student loans?
I believe such efforts should be focused primarily on those in high-demand but underpaid fields, including nurses, teachers, police officers and other first responders, and care workers. Even then, forgiving debt is simply putting a bandaid on a much bigger problem: the exorbitant cost of obtaining a 2- or 4-year college degree. We must focus our efforts on college affordability, including by lowering or even eliminating interest rates on federal student loans and demanding that colleges and universities tap their substantial reserves to help hold tuition down and allow more Americans to pursue higher education.
Do you believe there should be laws enacted to put limits or ban automatic weapons sales in the U.S.?
Yes. I am a cosponsor of and voted for the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022. I am also a gun owner and supporter of the right to bear arms. I simply do not believe that unlimited access to weapons of war - including the kind of high-capacity assault rifles that have repeatedly been used to massacre innocent Americans, including children - is guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment any more than unlimited access to hand grenades, bazookas, or land mines is guaranteed by the Constitution. Large majorities of Americans agree, but when it came time to vote, just two of my Republican colleagues (out of 210 who voted) had the courage to support this commonsense measure. Still, I am proud that we were able to come together to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act this year, the first meaningful legislation to address gun violence in nearly 30 years - and I remain hopeful we will be able to build on it in the next Congress.