Sunday, Southwest Minneapolis' Rep. Keith Ellison told a national talk show that a controversial conservative pastor and supporter of Texas governor and presidential candidate Rick Perry "needs to read the constitution." Appearing on "UP with Chris Hayes," he said, host Chris Hayes asked Ellison about the controversy about Mitt Romney's religion; he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Specifically, Hayes showed a clip of Rev. Robert Jeffress saying Romney belongs to "a cult." Hayes asked Ellison, as a "non-Christian": What is your opinion when you hear someone …

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN), Southwest Minneapolis' 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. Kieth 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 may have benefited 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 …

Last week, Rep. Keith Ellison appeared with fill-in host David Schuster on "Countdown with Keith Olbermann." Shuster asked for Ellison's reaction to President Barack Obama's jobs and debt plan. Ellison said: I like it. I'm feeling good about the tone. I think the president has stepped it up at the right time and I'm definitely in support of the American Jobs Act. I think that it is past time, actually, so I'm really excited. Indicating he disagrees with some aspect of the president's plan, he added: You know, I like the tax proposal, as well. There are a few things that I'd like to talk with …

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN), Fridley's representative in Congress, advocated for Palestinian statehood in a column published in the New York Times Friday. His opinion piece comes as Palestinians present a bid for statehood to the United Nations. The Palestinian people are a distinct group that desires, and deserves, to have a homeland that is internationally recognized as a state. The international community has a formal process for recognizing states, and the Palestinian Authority is following that process. As it seeks to join the community of nations this month, world leaders should …

Southwest Minneapolis' 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 …

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, …

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Southwest Minneapolis' representative in Congress, made his views on President Obama's speech to Congress Thursday—before and after the speech. First Ellison co-wrote a column that appeared at Politico calling for "A Big, Bold Jobs Plan." An excerpt: It’s an article of faith among most economists that a recession calls not for belt-tightening but for an increase in federal investment to stimulate consumer demand and give the economy the jolt it needs. It was not all talk from Ellison. He also introduced a bill he called the “Emergency Jobs Now Act” (see PDF …

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 theMetropolitan Council expects the federal government to pick up half of the project’s $1.25 billion dollar cost. In a press release, Ellison noted his long support for the Southwest line, including his help securing $534,000 for …

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) and a group of "high profile U.S. Muslims" recently sent a letter to Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal urging him to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held captive since 2006, according to a Tuesday Star Tribune article. The letter is a direct plea to Hamas: "Hamas' inhumane detention of Shalit undermines the Palestinian people's legitimate aspirations for human rights and a state of their own," the letter said. "We believe Hamas' harsh treatment and five-year detention of Shalit is wrong." The letter coalition was made up of 11 Muslim leaders, including …

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Fridley's representative in Congress, hit the Great Minnesota Get-Together on Friday to meet constituents and discuss economic issues: Speech on Jobs and Job Creation, 1:30-2 p.m., AFL-CIO Booth; Cooper Street and Dan Patch Avenue Speech at DFL Booth, 2-2:30 p.m., Cooper Street and Dan Patch Avenue Visit with Veteran Service Groups, 2:30-3 p.m., Dan Patch Avenue and Cosgrove Street CNN CommentaryEllison penned a commentary about Libya that appeared at CNN.com Friday morning. An excerpt: America had to get involved. Without U.S. and NATO engagement, Gadhafi …

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) has been making the cable news rounds to discuss how the United States should respond to recent rebel progress in Libya. On Monday, he spoke on Countdown with Keith Olbermann and The Ed Show. The following day he appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to continue his commentary: “I think the United States should make it clear that where there are basic needs of food, clothing, shelter that the United States aid agencies are there for the Libyan people. We should also be at the ready and continue to work with NATO to deal with this last portion of Tripoli, which is still …

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 underway to pursue peace. “I urge restraint on all sides so that violence doesn’t …

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 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 heckled in town hall meetings. "You see, actual voters were very unhappy," Sharpton said. "Turns out the GOP…

La Crosse, WI, TV station WXOW reported that Rep. Ellison (D-MN) is pleased with President Barack Obama’s decision to let 3,600 Liberians stay in the United States for an additional 18 months.  The Minnesota Democrat has introduced legislation that would [enable] Liberian nationals living in the United States under special immigration status to apply for permanent residency. Blogger Les Phillips had an account of an Ellison town hall Monday following the representative’s trip with the president. Keith began by speaking at length about the need for job creation and the difficulty of working …

Rep. Keith Ellison is pushing for what he calls a “Putting America Back to Work Act.” On Hardball With Chris Matthews, he said the country should spend more on infrastructure. “You know, bridges are falling down, we need fiber optic cables, transit, roads and we need people to do this work.” The pitch got a cold reception from Matthews, who said he didn’t like the word “infrastructure” and thought progressives should be more aggressive in taking the message to Republican territory. President Barack Obama also pushed for infrastructure spending on his bus tour, which included a stop in Cannon …

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 prior to the decision to raise the debt ceiling.  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 …