Minnesota Independent

Bachmann, King fight discrimination claim for black farmers

By Andy Birkey | 11.30.10 | 3:13 pm

Even though a settlement for black farmers who were systematically discriminated against from 1983 to 1997 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has broad bipartisan support, Rep. Michele Bachmann along with Iowa’s Steve King came out against the Pigford II settlement on Monday. The agreement passed the Senate just before Thanksgiving by a voice vote and will be considered in the House this week. Bachmann called the settlement fraud, while King said it amounted to slavery reparations.

Bachmann says transportation projects shouldn’t count as earmarks

By Andy Birkey | 11.17.10 | 1:07 pm

Rep. Michele Bachmann said on Tuesday that transportation earmarks shouldn’t be called earmarks. In an interview with the Star Tribune, Bachmann said there should be a “redefinition” of the concept of earmarks. Bachmann has been a vocal opponent of earmarks and praised Sen. Mitch McConnell’s pledge on Tuesday to forgo the earmarking process.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar was defeated Tuesday.

Where do Minnesota’s transit projects stand without Oberstar?

By Andy Birkey | 11.10.10 | 12:14 pm

Rep. James Oberstar, chair of the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, had big plans for transportation in the nation, and in Minnesota in particular: a proposed high-speed rail line from St. Paul to Chicago and a high speed rail line from Minneapolis to Duluth, to name but two. But how well will these projects fare after the 18-term congressman’s defeat last week and a shifting of leadership in Congress?

‘Under God’ becomes campaign issue in 4th District race

By Andy Birkey | 10.26.10 | 2:49 pm

An 8-year-old video of Rep. Betty McCollum leading the U.S. House in the Pledge of Allegiance has become campaign fodder for her Republican opponent, Teresa Collett. Collett says the video shows McCollum omitting the phrase “under God” from the pledge, and she uses it to assert that McCollum doesn’t respect “our heritage of Judeo-Christian values.” McCollum says she’s said the words “under God” many times when she’s led the pledge on the House floor and called Collett’s questioning of her Christian faith “blatantly anti-American.”

New Paulsen ad criticizes Meffert

By Andy Birkey | 09.27.10 | 8:14 am

Rep. Erik Paulsen released a new television ad late last week that attacks DFL opponent Jim Meffert for supporting “high taxes” and health care reform. The ad asks, “Why is Jim Meffert running a negative campaign?” It then goes on…

Bachmann founds and chairs new House Tea Party Caucus

By Andy Birkey | 07.16.10 | 7:49 am

Rep. Michele Bachmann filed paperwork on Thursday to create the House Tea Party Caucus, formalizing the movement within the federal government. The caucus will “promote American’s call for fiscal responsibility, adherence to the Constitution, and limited government.” The caucus…

In wake of Gulf disaster, Oberstar introduces oil spill bill

By Andy Birkey | 06.30.10 | 11:13 am

Rep. James Oberstar introduced the Oil Spill Accountability and Environmental Protection Act of 2010 today. The bill would remove liability caps for oil spills, add new safety regulations for oil operations, and beef up the federal government’s response to…