Ellison: Debt Ceiling Deal Was a 'Hostage Situation'

In his most recent newsletter on Aug. 12 to his constituents, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) blamed Republicans for the United States nearly defaulting on its debt obligations . 

Last week, Republicans almost forced a default on America’s debt payments. Since March [2011], I’ve called on Congress to act responsibly and avoid a self-inflicted crisis. But the Republican Party didn’t listen and threatened to hold the U.S. economy hostage if its demands weren’t met.

He went on to say that the "Republican hostage situation," and the debt ceiling deal that resulted from it, doesn't do anything to address the largest problem facing the U.S. economy.

We should be doing everything we can to jumpstart our economy and create jobs, not taking money out of the economy, and therefore your pockets. The [debt ceiling increase] will mean fewer jobs rebuilding our roads and bridges, which Minneapolis residents know about firsthand, and less assistance for students and veterans. Avoiding default was crucial, but not in a way that compromises basic American values.

Ellison even quoted famed musician Willie Nelson to further his point about the need for .

Americans are sick and tired of these games. They want Congress to focus on the issues that matter to them. As singer/songwriter Willie Nelson said, Americans are "much more worried about ceilings over their heads these days than they are about the debt ceiling." He's right; nothing is more critical to our economy than good-paying jobs. With the debt ceiling debacle finally behind us, it is time for Congress to do everything in our power to end America’s unemployment crisis and put America back to work.