Ellison Opposes ‘Grand Bargain’ If It Includes Entitlement Cuts

Fifth District Rep. Keith Ellison is among congressional liberals pushing back against entitlement changes in President Barack Obama’s proposed “grand bargain” to end the sequester.

Last month, Ellison and more than 100 House Democrats sent the president a letter stating their opposition to any proposal that would cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid as part of a deal to end sequestration.

But Obama, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders have recently signaled their willingness to adopt a so-called “chained consumer price index” that would grow Social Security benefits at a slower rate than they grow under the current formula.

Ellison and others say that amounts to a cut to Social Security benefits.

When the Washington Post asked Ellison which is worse, continued sequestration or a grand bargain that cuts entitlement benefits, Ellison said: “It’s like saying, `Which of your kids do you want to sacrifice to the monster?’ Neither one.”

934th Airlift Wing

Ellison and Minnesota U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken announced last week that the Air Force has decided to retain the 934th Airlift Wing through 2014.

The legislators had sent a letter to Michael Donley, the secretary of the Air Force, urging him to retain the air wing.

"I am thrilled that the 934th Air Wing will continue to provide essential supplies and evacuations for our troops in the U.S. and around the world,” a release quoted Ellison. “Members of the Minnesota congressional delegation and I have been very engaged with Air Force leaders to retain the 934th Airlift Wing, and we are proud the Air Force has recognized and reaffirmed the service the 934th provides to Minnesota and our nation."

Defense Procurement

On March 26, Ellison will host a small business forum and resource fair focused on defense procurement opportunities.

Ellison will be at the forum with Andre Gudger, the Department of Defense’s director of small business programs, to discuss opportunities for local businesses.

The forum takes place from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at BAE Systems (4800 East River Road Minneapolis).  Those who would like to RSVP are asked to contact Bass Zanjani at (612) 522-1212 or Bass.zanjani@mail.house.gov.