Press Releases

News reports this week indicate that the draft legislation being considered by the Committee would significantly reduce funding for these initiatives.

Health Care Policies Will Help Minnesota Children and Seniors

Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) announced the winner of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge, congratulating Jack Hong, a student at Edina High School. Jack created an app called Pomo Timer, which helps students enhance their productivity by blocking distracting websites on the user's computer for short periods of time.

On the floor of the House of Representatives, Congressman Paulsen (MN-03) spoke on addressing the student-debt crisis by expanding access to higher education. One method is through encouraging income-share agreements, or ISAs. Through ISAs, students pay back a small portion of their loan depending on their income only if they are employed and receiving an income that meets a certain threshold. Rather than have to keep up with fixed, high-interest payments, which can be particularly stressful amid job uncertainty for recent graduates and pressure them to take jobs just to repay their loans, the freedom and flexibility that ISAs provide students allows them to pursue careers that put their degrees in to practice.

Legislation cosponsored by Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) to strengthen, expand, and modernize a popular college savings program passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 401-20. H.R. 529 makes important changes to 529 plans that are used by seven million American families to save for their children's college education. The legislation allows computers – a necessity for current students – to be purchased with funds from a 529 plan. In addition, the bill also eliminates outdated paperwork requirements.

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation today that would modernize and streamline existing charter school programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03), co-chair of the Charter School Caucus, voted in favor of the bill, the Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act.

In a reception held at the Bloomington Theatre and Art Center Monday evening, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) announced that Carly Koch was the Grand Prize winner of Minnesota's Third Congressional District Art Competition. Koch, a student at Mound Westonka High School, won the top prize for her piece, "The Great Northern Loon." The artwork will be displayed at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. for the upcoming year.

Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) today announced the launch of the 2014 Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Competition for high school students in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. Participants are asked to create an innovative software application, or "app," for a computer, tablet, or mobile device. Apps must be submitted by April 30, 2014 and be accompanied by a YouTube or Vimeo video explaining how the app works and what the student learned during the competition.

For this week's Correspondence Corner, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers a question from Vi from Bloomington who is concerned about cuts to Medicare Advantage. Ian in Eden Prairie emailed in to update Erik on the first robotics team at Eden Prairie High School.

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03), a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, released the following statement in response to President Obama's State of the Union Address:

Washington, D.C. Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) announced today that his guest for this year's State of the Union address will be Vednita Carter, Founder and Executive Director of Breaking Free. In 1996, Carter founded the non-profit organization which advocates on behalf of women and girls involved in exploitation and sex trafficking. In addition, Paulsen sent a letter to President Obama asking him to address sex trafficking in his speech on January 28th before a joint session of Congress.

Washington, D.C. – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) visited third graders at Clover Ridge Elementary School in Chaska today to talk about his work as a Member of Congress, and how a bill becomes a law. Paulsen has now visited 150 schools from every school district in the Third Congressional District.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) issued the following statement after the house passed a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open and ensure all Americans are treated fairly under the president's healthcare law.

Washington, D.C. – In this week's edition of Erik's Correspondence Corner, Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers a question sent in from Lori in Independence on the continuing Congressional investigation into the IRS targeting scandal. Also this

Washington, D.C. – In this week's edition of Erik's Correspondence Corner, Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers an email question sent in from Loriann in Chaska regarding Rep. Paulsen's work to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Washington, D.C. – In this week's edition of Erik's Correspondence Corner, Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers an email question sent in from Wendy in Bloomington on developments in the unfolding IRS scandal. Also, Rep. Paulsen takes a questio

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand and enhance educational options for Minnesota families. The ALL-STAR Act gives current federal programs the flexibility needed to support the f

Washington, D.C. – This week on Erik's Correspondence Corner, Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers questions sent in from Lindsay in Wayzata and Allen in Chaska. Lindsay joined Rep. Paulsen on his live telephone town hall on Monday, and although sh

Brooklyn Park, MN – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) today joined Google, and students, teachers, friends, and family at Maranatha Christian Academy in Brooklyn Park, to announce that 3rd grader Carlson Nelson was the Minnesota winner of the ‘Doo

Eden Prairie, MN – Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) awarded the grand prize in this year's Third District Congressional Art Competition to Park Center senior, Virginia Yang. Representative Paulsen, who organizes the annual competition, presented award

Eden Prairie, MN – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) joined 65 employers and close to 1,000 job-seekers Friday at Normandale Community College for his 4th annual job fair. The first hour of the job fair was open solely for veterans and military me

Washington, D.C. – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03), member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement upon the passage of the Path to Prosperity, the House Republican fiscal year 2014 budget resolution.

Washington, D.C. – This week on Erik's Correspondence Corner, Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers a question sent in from David in Maple Grove on the SKILLS Act and phone calls from Ray in Mound and Charles in Edina on the ranking of the new Disti

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) and Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05) today introduced the Stopping Trained in America Ph.D.s from Leaving the Economy Act (STAPLE Act) which would exempt foreign-born individuals who have earned an American Ph.D

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) released the following statement following the passage of the bipartisan Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act. The legislation streamlines 35 ineffective and duplicative prog

Washington, D.C. – This week on Erik's Correspondence Corner, Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers questions from students at Rogers Middle School on the issue of conservation, and discusses the President's State of The Union Address after hear

Washington, D.C. – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03), joined the House and Senate Congressional Coalition on Adoption in pressing President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin for action on Russia's recent ban on U.S. adoptions. The bip

Washington, D.C. – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03), released the following statement after the President signed the "Protect our Kids Act of 2012," into law. The legislation, which Paulsen co-sponsored and held hearings on as Acting Chairman of

Washington, D.C. – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03), Acting Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources, issued the following statement after the House passed the Protect Our Kids Act, legislation which establishes a commission

Eden Prairie, MN – On Wednesday, Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) presented Blake graduate Paimon Pakzad with the prestigious Congressional Award Medal. Youth Congressional Awards for Volunteer Services recognize young people who exemplify the principles o

Eden Prairie, MN – On Wednesday, Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) presented Hopkins High School junior Britta Hanson with the prestigious Congressional Award Medal. Youth Congressional Awards for Volunteer Services recognize young people who exem

Washington, D.C. – In the most recent installment of his weekly video conversation with neighbors, Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) took time to answer questions sent in from around the district regarding important initiatives currently before Co

Washington, D.C. – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) today was awarded the 2012 Best of Congress Award by Working Mothers Media and Corporate Voices for Working Families. The Award is given to select members of Congress for their leadership in sup

In the 25th installment of his weekly video series "Erik's Correspondence Corner", Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) directly answers questions from constituents across the district. Grant in Bloomington wrote in asking what Congress is doing to hel

Eden Prairie, MN – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) spent Monday at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center talking with over 50 businesses looking to connect with hundreds of potential employees in attendance.

Eden Prairie, MN– With the economy slow to recover and many Minnesotans still looking for work, Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) today announced that he will be hosting his third-annual job fair to help Minnesotans looking for work connect with b

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Empowering Parents Through Charter Schools Act (H.R. 2218) this afternoon by a vote of 365-54. The bill contains key elements of the All Students Achieving through Reform (All-STAR) Act, which was introduced and co-sponsored by Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) in 2009. Today's House-passed bill includes an amendment authored by Rep. Paulsen which helps successful and eligible charter schools replicate and expand faster by giving them the ability to receive grant money after three years rather than the current five years.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the Lifelong Learning Accounts Act (LiLA) today to encourage continued education as a way to improve job skills and promote individuals' marketability. The bill, reintroduced by Congressmen John Larson (CT-01), Peter Roskam (IL-06), Erik Paulsen (MN-03) and Jared Polis (CO-02), creates worker-owned, employer-matched savings accounts similar to 401Ks for ongoing learning.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) joined Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO) and Erik Paulsen (R-MN) today to introduce legislation that would expand the Charter School Program at the Department of Education (DOE) making the expansion and replication of successful charter school models eligible for federal funding. The bill – the All Students Achieving through Reform (All-STAR) Act – also takes several steps to strengthen public charter school accountability, transparency, and governance.

A bi-partisan group of U.S. House lawmakers has launched a major effort to spur job creation and innovation by modernizing and making permanent the Research and Development tax credit. "Innovation drives America's future," said U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the author of The American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2011. "To keep from falling behind our global competitors and to make sure America is the first choice for R & D jobs we need to modernize the tax credit, strengthen it to encourage companies to make greater investment in research and jobs and make the credit permanent so businesses have the confidence to make long-term investment decisions here in the United States." Other leaders of the effort are Democratic representatives John Larson of Connecticut, Anna Eshoo of California and Doris Matsui of California. Joining Brady are Republican sponsors Erik Paulsen of Minnesota and Michael McCaul of Texas. "Research and development is imperative to our country's competitiveness in the global marketplace," added Rep. Paulsen. "We need a tax code that spurs innovation and promotes sustainable job growth in industries like medical technology, which provide thousands of high-paying jobs in Minnesota. These companies often face high start up costs and this credit will help them create the next life-saving technology. We must make the R & D credit permanent and encourage businesses to continue the pursuit of new ideas."

Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) issued the following statement this evening in response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address: "I appreciate President Obama's call for bipartisanship; we need to work together as a country if we're going to tackle this looming debt crisis and put this country back to work" said Paulsen. "However, we must learn from past mistakes and realize that we can't simply spend our way to prosperity. Despite new government programs designed to stimulate our economy, Americans watched as our deficit, debt and unemployment rate skyrocketed over the past two years."

Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) released the following statement regarding the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010: "Today I joined with the National School Boards Association and the American Association of School Administrators in opposing this legislation because of the new, costly unfunded mandate on school districts that will add an additional 11-25 cents to the cost of a meal while only reimbursing 6 cents. This difference has to be made up somewhere and it will likely become an additional burden on families and schools that are already struggling."

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) today introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives calling for full funding of Pell grants, the single largest source of federal grant aid for post-secondary education. The Pell grant program currently faces an estimated $5 billion budgetary shortfall, which threatens critical financial aid for students across the nation. Paulsen's legislation (H.R.5198), introduced with five original co-sponsors, expresses the Sense of Congress that the federal Pell Grant Program should be a high funding priority.

Congressman Erik Paulsen is pleased to announce the 2010 Congressional Art Competition, Artistic Discovery, is now underway. High school students who reside in the 3rd Congressional District may submit original artwork to Congressman Paulsen's office for the opportunity to have their work displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the United States Capitol for one year, as well as in Paulsen's Congressional offices in Minnesota and Washington.

Marja Holm, a resident of Champlin, has won this year's Congressional District Art Competition – an annual art contest for high school students - for Minnesota's Third District.