U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN), Golden Valley's representative in Congress, expressed support for the growing national movement centered on the Occupy Wall Street protests of recent weeks. On Facebook, Ellison wrote: Inspired by the growing grassroots movement on Wall St and across the country. I join in the calls for corporate accountability and support their peaceful means to achieve them. ... This is the beginning of a genuine movement on Wall St, K St, and Main St. At a Jobs Not Cuts rally on the east lawn of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday (see video), Ellison told a crowd: We are …

After extending the deadline for a government shutdown, Congress on Tuesday agreed to a stopgap solution that kept the government running for a few weeks more. Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN) voted against it, stating in a news release: I cannot in good conscience vote for a bill that hurts children by taking money out of education, slashes support for road and bridge repair, and ends essential medical research.  It takes away assistance from people hurt by the economic downturn, including many of our neighbors and family members. Most worrisome, it puts thousands more Americans out of work at …

While touring the Middle East, meeting the King of Jordan and the Egyptian military junta, Southwest Minneapolis' Rep. Keith Ellison lent his name to a letter calling for an investigation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' financial dealings.  Authored by Rep. Louise Slaughter, the letter accuses Thomas of earning around $700,000 from the conservative Heritage Foundation from 2003 to 2007 and benefitting from rides on a private jet and yacht owned by real estate magnate Harlan Crowe. At the same time, the letter says Thomas disclosed no outside income or conflicts of interest on his …

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) has continued to support President Barack Obama's jobs plan, and on Tuesday, the congressman had an op-ed published by the Huffington Post that said the plan is "our country's opportunity to seize today's moment, and put our country back to work." Ellison also criticized Republicans' stance on the issue: Times are tough. Most Americans are experiencing the greatest financial crisis of their lifetimes and many are still struggling to find work. In times like these, it is easy to despair. Instead of supporting legislation to solve the jobs crisis, right-wing pundits …

Golden Valley Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN) and Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, were quick to cheer Tuesday’s termination of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that banned openly gay men and women from serving in the military. The two released a statement praising the end of the ban: The end of the discriminatory "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy is a milestone for civil rights in America. The Congressional Progressive Caucus has long supported the LGBT community in the battle against this failed policy, which is responsible for the discharge of more …

President Barack Obama has undeniably miffed some of his more liberal supporters during his last three years in office. The Guantanamo Bay prison remains open, financial institutions blamed for the sub-prime mortgage mess are again living high on the hog, and, recently, the administration shot down proposed tougher regulations on carbon dioxide designed to fight global warming. Despite it all, though, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) said he still thinks a Progressive primary challenge to Obama would only hurt the president's reelection chances in 2012. Ellison, together with his fellow co-chair of …

The Congressional Progressive Caucus, which is co-chaired by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), released its alternative to President Barack Obama's jobs plan on Tuesday. The Huffington Post describes the plan as a "farther-left" proposal that "could provide a negotiating point as the president's bill moves through Congress in the coming weeks." Ellison said this about the plan: "We expect [Republicans] to be opposed," Ellison said at a press conference. "But we've got faith in the American people to rise up and demand that Congress pass a jobs bill. So we're fundamentally optimistic, but we're also …

Rep. Keith Ellison donated blood on Friday during a Sept. 11 memorial blood drive at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.The blood drive "is one of 200 blood drives scheduled as part of the 'Muslims for Life' campaign, which aims to collect 10,000 bags of blood across the country," according to Judy Kurtz, writing for The Hill. After giving blood, Ellison shared his thoughts on Twitter: "Gave blood today on Cap Hill. Drive organized by Muslim group in honor of victims and heros of 9-11. Reflect, pray, and give thanks." One of Ellison's Twitter followers, @cowsandsheep, …

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) applauded the Federal Transit Administration’s support for the Southwest Corridor light rail line linking Eden Prairie and Minneapolis. The agency’s approval gives the go-ahead to begin the preliminary engineering phase. Minneapolis Public Radio reported that the approval doesn’t come with federal money—but added that it’s important because the Metropolitan Council expects the federal government to pick up half of the project’s $1.25 billion dollar cost. In a news release, Ellison noted his long support for the Southwest line, including his help securing $534,000 for…

After six months of civil war in Libya, Fox News reported that rebel forces who wish to dispose of Libya's ruler Muammar Gadhafi met little resistance as they overran a major military base Sunday that defends the capitol of Tripoli. According to the Fox News article, Associated Press reporters with the rebels said they reached the Tripoli suburb of Janzour around nightfall Sunday, where they were greeted by civilians lining the streets and waving rebel flags. There are also reports that Gadhafi's son, Saif al Islam Gadhafi, was captured by rebel forces and a Politco article also reported that…

Violence has erupted in the Middle East, as Gaza militants and Israelis have engaged in a series of retaliatory attacks in the past 24 hours. U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) had this to say in response: “My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who were killed in Southern Israel last night and today. Senseless acts of terrorism like this, the worst against Israel in more than two years, needlessly harm innocent civilians and devastate families.  Further, these acts damage the efforts under way to pursue peace. “I urge restraint on all sides so that violence doesn’t …

Correction: The original version of this story listed the wrong show Rev. Al Sharpton was hosting on MSNBC.    On MPR's Capitol View, Tom Scheck reported Tuesday that the American Legion's national convention will be held from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1 in Minneapolis. President Obama, GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, Gov. Mark Dayton and Rep. Keith Ellison will be some of the speakers at the event.   Ellison was a guest Tuesday on MSNBC Live. Guest host Rev. Al Sharpton interviewed Ellison for a segment called "Town Haul."  Sharpton introduced several clips that showed GOP leaders being …