Editor's Note: The Ellison Report offers a look at coverage of Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), who represents five Patch communities. U.S. Reps. Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum wrote a "Dear Colleague" letter to other House members in hopes of blocking the Stillwater Bridge bill (H.R. 850) from being brought to the floor. The new bridge would replace the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge as the main traffic vein. The bill, authored by presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann, is a $700 million project, according to a Morning Take tip sheet. Ellison and McCollum argued in their letter that the …

U.S. Rep Keith Ellison (D-MN) on Monday praised the deal struck between Israel and Palestine that will release a young Israeli soldier in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. As previously reported by Patch, that young solider, 24-year-old Gilad Shalit, was captured by Hamas militants more than five years ago, and since then, Israelis have rallied for his freedom. On Sunday, Israel released the names of the first 477 Palestinian prisoners to be freed. Ellison said in a statement that the deal demonstrates "mercy and compassion." This is a great day for Gilad Shalit and his …

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) on Sunday said regulations do not kill jobs. Appearing on "UP with Chris Hayes," he said: When we talked about increasing fuel efficiency standards, the industry responded, and they need engineers and designers and manufacturers, and they need actually more people to help respond to the new requirement. I believe if the government says, look, we have got to reduce our carbon footprint, you will kick into gear a whole number of people that know how to do that or have ideas about that, and that will be a job engine. I understand what you mean, because if anything adds …

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Richfield'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 experiencing a …

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, Richfield's 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 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 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 …

Last week, Rep. Keith Ellison appeared with fill-in host David Shuster 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), Richfield'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 …

Richfield Rep. Keith Ellison (D-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 than 13…

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) joined Rep. Betty McCollum in urging the IRS to provide same sex couples with assistance when filing their tax returns, according to an article in The Minnesota Independent. Same-sex couples who have legal relationships in at least 15 states through marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships aren’t recognized by the federal government because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) , according to the article. This makes filing taxes much more complicated for those couples because of the inconsistencies between the states and federal laws. The letter stated: “The …

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), Fridley's representative in Congress, made his views on President Barack Obama's speech to Congress Thursday—before and after the speech. First Ellison co-wrote a column that appeared in 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 summary …

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 press release, Ellison noted his long support for the Southwest line, including his help securing $534,000 …

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) once again sounded off about the lack of job growth in a press release after the U.S. Department of Labor's hiring report was released Friday. "This month’s jobs report again sounds an alarm that Republicans have been ignoring for months: it is time to focus on jobs," he said in the release. "For almost 250 days, Republicans have been running the House of Representatives, yet they have not offered a single proposal to put Americans back to work. Instead, they have further damaged our economy by seeking to end programs that support middle-class Americans." Further, …

CNN's Belief Blog had a long piece Thursday about Rep. Keith Ellison's Muslim faith. Ellison (D-MN) was the first Muslim elected into Congress when he won Minnesota's fifth district seat in 2006. At the time, he said he was surprised that his faith was discussed so much. “When I started running for Congress it actually took me by surprise that so many people were fascinated with me being the first Muslim in Congress,” said Ellison, who is now serving his third term in the House. “But someone said to me, ‘Look Keith, think of a person of Japanese origin running for Congress six years after …

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 …

On Friday, Rep. Keith Ellison wrote an opinion piece for CNN on the U.S.'s role in Libya. He laid out the reasons why getting involved was the right thing to do. "Without U.S. and NATO engagement, Gadhafi would have hunted protesters, as he threatened, 'house by house' in Benghazi. He would have squashed the rebels and sought revenge against those who dared to question his rule. A Gadhafi victory would have been tragic for the people of Libya, and it would have dimmed hopes for greater freedom in the Middle East." He acknowledged the contributions of NATO and the U.S., but ultimately praised …