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Politics and Government News
Cathy Wurzer, Gracie Stockton and Mark Zdechlik

Rep. Dean Phillips speaks on Israel war, House Speaker election, potential run for president

A man sits in a U.S. Congress meeting room, listening.
Rep. Dean Phillips questions witnesses during a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing looking into the firing of State Department Inspector General Steven Linick, on Capitol Hill on September 16, 2020 in Washington, DC. The foreign affairs committee issued the subpoenas as part of the panel's probe into accusations that Linick was fired while investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's role in a controversial $8 billion weapons sale to Saudi Arabia.
Kevin Dietsch-Pool | Getty Images

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Minnesota 3rd District Rep. Dean Phillips has been one of the more vocal members of the state’s delegation in recent weeks: He's issued strong condemnations of the Hamas attacks in Israel, he's railed against dysfunction in the U.S. House and he's flirted for several months with the idea of challenging President Joe Biden, a fellow Democrat.

Phillips told MPR News he believes an urgent selection of a House Speaker is key to the U.S.’s response to the war, as the lack of leadership is barring lawmakers from conducting business. Congress also faces a government shutdown deadline of Nov. 17 without a spending agreement.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is Phillips’ top pick for speaker, but he acknowledges that Democrats wouldn’t succeed in electing Jeffries without Republicans crossing the aisle.

“I would support a principled Republican if he or she would make some concessions to Democrats around issues of importance to us,” he said. “I think we've got to set aside politics, put forward principle and get to work and it could be a historic opportunity if — and only if — there's a Republican willing to work with Democrats. I think that’s a responsibility, not an option”

Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer, the House Republican majority whip, has an opportunity to move up in House ranks. Republicans endorsed current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise to become speaker, meaning Emmer could slide into that second-in-command spot. Phillips said he’s on board not only for Emmer to become Majority Leader, but potentially speaker.

“I would love to see a Minnesota speaker of the House if Mr. Jeffries is not going to be that person. I think Mr. Emmer could be the bipartisan bridge to the future,” Phillips said. “As of now, none of us have received outreach from [Emmer] or others. But should that occur, I’ll be first in line to have that conversation.”

Phillips encouraged Americans to support the people of Israel while remaining empathetic to “the plight of the Palestinians.”

“We need a two-state solution. We need peace and prosperity and opportunity for both Palestinians and Israelis living side by side. But right now it is black and white,” Phillips told MPR News. “We need the United States to continue to support Israel. We need to eradicate Hamas. And we need to encourage Palestinians to elevate a leadership that can sit at the table with principle with good character, and with the intention for peace.”

Phillips said he is edging closer to a decision on a Democratic nomination challenge to President Joe Biden. In August, he told WCCO-TV and MPR News that he wasn’t in “the best position to run” at the time. However, he has repeatedly expressed concern that Biden would lose the general election to Donald Trump, who remains the clear leader in a field of GOP candidates.

“I will not sit on the sidelines and be quiet and stand down when I see the writing on the wall,” Phillips said. “It is to me about one thing: Who is best positioned to beat who is likely to be the next Republican nominee, Donald Trump?”

“I think we're in for a tragedy. I've been encouraging the president to pass the torch. I've been encouraging other candidates to enter the race. That call has not been heeded. So I will be thinking about it because I think it is essential for democracy, for the future and for our children. And in the next couple of weeks, that decision has to be made. And you'll be among the first to know.”