Press Releases

Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) released the following statement after Congress voted to end the government shutdown and fund the federal government through Thursday, February 8:

A provision authored by Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) to require the Department of Defense to return all military working dogs to the United States after their service is complete was signed into law by President Obama. The legislation was included in the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed both houses of Congress with bipartisan support. Paulsen introduced the bill, the Military Working Dog Retirement Act, in June. Military working dogs are often retired overseas despite a list of over 1,200 people, including many veterans and active duty troops, waiting to adopt them. Service members often must spend their own money and resources to be reunited with dogs they served next to.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation, authored by Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03), to return military working dogs to the United States after their service is complete. The legislation, the Military Working Dog Retirement Act, was included in the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House Thursday by a bipartisan vote of 370-58. Under current law, the Department of Defense is not required to bring military working dogs home after their service is finished. Despite a waiting list of more than 1,200 people, many of whom are veterans and active duty soldiers, dogs are still routinely retired overseas. Military members that have formed strong bonds with dogs they served alongside are often forced to spend their own money to bring the animals home.

The House passed legislation, the VA Accountability Act, in a bipartisan vote, to expand the ability of the Veteran Affairs (VA) Department to hold employees responsible for poor performance or misconduct. Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) voted in favor of the legislation that also protects VA whistleblowers against retaliation, modifies the performance review process, and limits the length of time VA employees may be placed on paid leave.

Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) and Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) introduced legislation, the Military Working Dog Retirement Act, requiring military working dogs to be retired in the United States. Under current law, the Department of Defense is not required to bring these dogs home, and service members are often forced to spend their own money to transport the canines to the U.S. for adoption. Despite a military dog adoption waiting list of more than 1,200 people, many service dogs are still retired overseas after their service ends. The U.S. military has used working dogs on battle frontlines since World War II where they have saved countless American lives.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert McDonald, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) asked for clarification on recent allegations that the Minneapolis VA falsified medical records in order to decrease the size of their appointment backlog.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation with broad bipartisan support to make reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and provide better care for veterans. The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act would also ensure more oversight by requiring independent assessments of VA medical care.

Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) met with the Director of the Minneapolis Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, Patrick Kelly, and the rest of the leadership team to discuss the current status at the Minneapolis VA. Nationally, the VA has been mired in scandal with over 57,000 veterans waiting more than 90 days to see a doctor. An Inspector General report also found widespread cases of fraud from ‘secret waiting lists' meant to make facility wait times appear shorter than they actually were. Locally, the Minneapolis VA has fared much better with 80% of initial appointments scheduled within 14 days.

Today, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) participated in the groundbreaking of the Minnesota Military Family Tribute taking place at the State Capitol. The project was undertaken by the Minnesota Military Family Tribute Committee which spent two years raising over a million dollars to fund its construction. Joining Congressman Paulsen in speaking were Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, Major General (Ret.) Larry Shellito, Major General (Ret.) Harry Sieben, and representatives from Gold Star Families, Ken and Julie Drevnick. The military family tribute is set to be dedicated in June, 2015.

Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) released the following statement regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General's report on the investigation into the Phoenix VA hospital:

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to provide more flexibility to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary to dismiss executive officials for poor performance. Congressman Paulsen (MN-03), a cosponsor of H.R. 4031, the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act, voted in favor of the bill. The legislation grants the VA Secretary the authority to fire employees of the Senior Executive Service–one of the highest ranking classifications in federal civil service–for mismanagement.

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. – Today, Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) released the following statement regarding the new measures announced by the Department of Defense aimed at combating sexual assault in the U.S. military. In June, legislation (H.R. 1864)

Washington, D.C. – In this week's edition of Erik's Correspondence Corner, Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers a question sent in from John in Bloomington regarding Rep. Paulsen's work to combat high energy costs and bring down gas prices

Legislation Strengthens Military Sexual Crime Whistleblower Protection Laws

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. – The House of Representatives passed this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today that included a provision co-sponsored by Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) to strengthen assault prevention and whistleblower p

Washington, D.C. – This week on Erik's Correspondence Corner, Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) answers questions sent in from Kate in Maple Plain regarding the Keystone Pipeline and from Terry in Independence on veterans issues.

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) 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, DC- Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) today remembered Cold Spring Officer Tom Decker in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives. Officer Decker was shot twice and killed last week while responding to a welfare check. He leaves

Washington, D.C. – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) took to the floor of the House of Representatives on the 11th anniversary of the September 11th attacks to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives that morning and to the men and women of

Washington, D.C. – Continuing his effort to keep the lines of communication open with constituents, Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) took time to answer questions sent in from around the district regarding important initiatives currently before C

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 - Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) is holding a free Seniors Fair on Wednesday, May 2, 2012, for area seniors. The Seniors Fair will include representatives from area organizations (listed below) that will be on hand to answer question

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. – Since 1919, the nation has set aside November 11th as a day to remember all those who have worn the uniform of our armed forces. This week, Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03), released a message urging constituents to join him i

Eden Prairie, MN – Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) released the following statement regarding the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the year:

Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) released the following statement after it was announced that Osama bin Laden, architect of the 9/11 terror attacks, had been killed by American military personnel in Pakistan:

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."

Since the founding of our Republic 234 years ago, American men and women have time and again taken up arms in our defense when the nation has called.

Today the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 6058, the "Wounded Warrior and Military Survivor Housing Assistance Act of 2010," authored by Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03). This legislation directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Veterans Administration to account for the special needs of members of the Armed Forces with service-connected injuries. It also extends to survivors and dependents of these veterans by taking into account their housing and mortgage insurance program needs. After recently meeting with a widow of a serviceman from Eden Prairie, MN Rep. Paulsen introduced this legislation.

On Monday, we will celebrate one of America's most sacred holidays. On Memorial Day we remember the millions of heroes who, for generations, have given their lives for our great nation. Today we are free to choose our leaders and live our lives without oppression because of their sacrifices.

For far too long, members of the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Infantry division – known as the "Red Bulls" – have been caught in a bureaucratic nightmare that delayed bonus pay they'd earned during their deployments in Iraq. After many months and continued pressure from members of Congress in both parties, it appears as though this long-overdue problem is finally headed toward a solution.

Congressman Paulsen recently traveled to Iraq as part of a Congressional delegation visit, meeting with several Minnesota troops.

Veteran's Day is truly a day in which we remember the cost of freedom. The freedoms we enjoy today are the result of over two centuries of sacrifice by our men and women of the Armed Forces. Each time our nation has called, our veterans have stood up and shown the world the very best of America. Many have given their lives in the defense and protection of freedom. While this ultimate sacrifice is something we can never truly repay, it is something we must honor each and every day.

WASHINGTON –Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) today praised the passage of funding he requested and secured with members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation for two key Minnesota National Guard programs, one aimed at strengthening reintegration services for soldiers returning home and another for improving communications and response capabilities during state emergencies such as floods or other natural disasters. These appropriations were part of the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations bill that passed the House of Representatives today on a vote of 400 to 30.

Congressman Erik Paulsen released a statement expressing disappointment in the FY 2009 War Supplemental Conference Report that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last night.

Today, Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) announced his co-sponsorship of bipartisan legislation honoring the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The resolution, introduced by Congressman John Kline (MN-02), supports the goals and ideals of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day and commends the organization's mission.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed an amendment authored by Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) aimed at strengthening veteran-owned businesses. The amendment, which was approved by voice vote and added to the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act (H.R. 2352) passed today, requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the effect of the Act in growing and assisting veteran-owned business. Paulsen's amendment also requires the GAO offer suggestions to Congress as to how we can better assist veteran-owned business.

While they are serving overseas, we must ensure their voices are heard by strengthening the absentee voting system they depend on each election.