Minnesota Independent

Bachmann, Ellison, McCollum vote against continuing resolution

By Andy Birkey | 03.15.11 | 4:01 pm

Reps. Michele Bachmann, Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum voted against a resolution on Tuesday that would continue federal spending for the next three weeks and avoid a government shutdown. The resolution passed with the support of both Republicans and Democrats. Bachmann opposed the bill because it did not defund health care reform while McCollum and Ellison have opposed it because of defense spending they view as wasteful.

Democrats hit Bachmann on foreclosure vote

By Andy Birkey | 03.11.11 | 9:30 am

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting Rep. Michele Bachmann following a vote to defund the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Though the Democrats are targeting Bachmann, her Democratic colleagues, Reps. Tim Walz and Collin Peterson, joined the Republicans on the vote Thursday. Bachmann and Rep. Chip Cravaack both represent districts with a high rate of foreclosures.

IRS complaint filed against Norm Coleman’s American Action Network

By Andy Birkey | 03.08.11 | 11:42 am

Citizens for Ethics in Washington filed an IRS complaint against former Sen. Norm Coleman’s American Action Network Tuesday alleging that the group violated its 501(c)4 status by working to elect Republicans. CREW posits that AAN used its tax status to protect Republican donors from disclosure and spent the majority of its resources on political campaigns instead of educational activities, as required under the law.

Walz, Paulsen join calls to lift Minnesota’s nuclear moratorium

By Andy Birkey | 03.03.11 | 9:07 am

DFL Rep. Tim Walz and Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen (pictured) have joined together to urge Gov. Mark Dayton to sign a bill that would lift Minnesota’s moratorium on new nuclear power plants. The moratorium repeal is currently in conference committee after passing the House and is likely to end up on Dayton’s desk this legislative session.

Protesters in Madison, Wis., on Feb. 19 want to see Gov. Scott Walker's budget bill killed. Photo: Marnie Gamble Henderson

Minnesotans react to Wisconsin labor protests

By Andy Birkey | 02.22.11 | 9:28 am

As protests in Wisconsin continue over a proposed scaling back of collective bargaining for the state’s public employees, Minnesota’s elected leaders are weighing in on both sides. Reps. Keith Ellison and Tim Walz have sent their support, while Gov. Mark Dayton said that curtailing workers rights would not happen in Minnesota. Potential presidential contenders Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann have sided with Wisconsin’s Republican governor, Scott Walker.

House passes health care reform repeal

By Andy Birkey | 01.20.11 | 9:00 am

House Republicans passed a repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by a vote of 245-189, mainly along party lines — only three Democrats joined with the Republicans. The vote prompted sharp reactions from all sides of Minnesota politics: Rep. Michele Bachmann called for the repeal of President Obama, while Rep. Keith Ellison said that Republicans voted dump 32 millions Americans’ health coverage.

Minnesotan DFLers call for civility in wake of Arizona shootings

By Andy Birkey | 01.10.11 | 9:00 am

At the inauguration ball celebrating newly elected Gov. Mark Dayton on Saturday night, DFL members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation weighed in on the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the deaths of six people at a constituent meeting at a Tucson, Ariz., grocery store. The members sent their prayers to Giffords and the other victims of alleged shooter Jared Loughner and called for civility in political rhetoric. None blamed specific political movements or ideologies for the shooting.

Minnesota politicians send wishes to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

By Andy Birkey | 01.08.11 | 5:36 pm

Reps. Bachmann, McCollum and Walz have begun issuing statements and posting online updates in response to the shooting of the Arizona Democrat.

Walz donates part of salary to the deficit

By Andy Birkey | 12.28.10 | 1:53 pm

Rep. Tim Walz is one of three members of Congress to return his congressional pay raise to the U.S. Treasury, ABC News reported Tuesday. According to quarterly disbursement reports, Walz has returned his raises to the treasury each year since he came to Washington. Walz, along with Republican Reps. Spencer Bachus of Alabama and Frank Lobiondo of New York, are the only ones who have rejected raises in Congress despite intense rhetoric from tea partiers and Republicans regarding the growing national debt.

Tim Walz to head House National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus

By Andy Birkey | 12.22.10 | 10:57 am

Rep. Tim Walz will be the new co-chair of the National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus at the start of the new Congress in January. Walz, the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in the House, will share the post with Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of California. Walz will join several other members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation who also serve as chairs of caucuses in the House.