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House Republicans are bringing “Trump Agenda” to Minnesota

Thursday, May 5, 2016

SAINT PAUL, MINN. – House DFL representatives gathered this morning for a press conference to call out House Republicans for bringing Donald Trump’s extreme agenda to Minnesota. This session House Republicans have taken votes that put them squarely in line with the Republican Party’s presumptive Presidential nominee, including efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and restrict access to basic health care for women. And despite the economic challenges facing Minnesota families, they have blocked progress on things like paid family leave and efforts to reduce the cost of child care.



“House Democrats have been working for two years to increase access for basic health care for women and to support Minnesota families who are being squeezed, but this House Republican Majority has shut us down and instead pushed a divisive agenda that puts women and Minnesota families at risk,” said State Rep. Erin Murphy (DFL – St. Paul), House Deputy Minority Leader. “House Republicans may want to distance themselves from Donald Trump, but the reality is they can’t distance themselves from the Trump agenda they are trying to force on Minnesotans.”



Donald Trump has laid out an extreme agenda that would take health care access away from women and make children and families less safe. He said, “Planned Parenthood should absolutely be de-funded.” Trump has refused to support paid family leave. Trump opposes universal background checks, even saying he will ban gun free zones at schools on his first day in office. And Trump’s tax plan includes massive tax breaks for the ultra-rich. On each of these issues, House Republicans have closely aligned with Donald Trump’s extreme and divisive agenda.



“Minnesotans do not like Donald Trump’s extreme policy positions, but that’s exactly what House Republicans have embraced this session,” said State Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL – Brooklyn Park), House Deputy Minority Leader. “We suggest that House Republicans use the remaining weeks of the session to listen to Minnesotans and to stop being a roadblock to the kind of priorities that will actually improve the health and well-being of all Minnesotans.” 



The House Republican “Trump Agenda”



 



RESTRICTING ACCESS TO WOMENS’ HEALTH CARE




  • Defunding Planned Parenthood: Voted to defund Planned Parenthood which would jeopardize access to health care for 45,000 Minnesotans, including birth control, clinical breast exams, and cancer screenings.

  • Blocking access to contraceptive care: Avoided a vote on legislation to ensure women have access to contraceptive care without interference by their bosses five times over the past two years through procedural rulings or by simply pulling bills from the floor.

  • Denying access to basic care: Blocked a plan to require insurance companies to cover a 12-month supply of birth control.



PUTTING WEALTHIEST MINNESOTANS AHEAD OF CHILDREN AND FAMILES




  • Blocking Paid Family Leave: Refused to move forward on paid family leave, a key economic security issue for Minnesota families.




  • Denying equal pay for women: Republicans voted against a proposal to help close the gender pay gap by supporting women of color-owned small businesses and increasing women’s participation in high-wage, nontraditional jobs.

  • Cutting taxes for the ultra-rich: Passed a tax bill that included billions in permanent tax breaks, including elimination of business property taxes for the owners of skyscrapers, some that live out of the state.



IGNORING CHILDCARE COSTS




  • Blocking universal pre-K: House Republicans have blocked progress on universal pre-K access for all of Minnesota’s four-year olds.  

  • Refusing to address high cost of child care: Rep. Knoblach pulled a bill from consideration in the HHS Reform committee rather than accept an amendment to increase access to affordable child care across the state of Minnesota.



BLOCKING EFFORTS TO KEEP WOMEN AND CHILDREN SAFE




  • Blocking sexual assault prevention: Blocked a plan to improve prevention of campus sexual assaults and a plan to require college campus student health services to provide emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault.

  • Opposing Toxic Free Kids Act: Voted against informing parents about toxic chemicals in children's products

  • Opposing Universal Background Checks: Voted against requiring universal background checks for gun purchases and transfers.



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