Ellison: Republicans Are Playing Politics with Jobs Legislation

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) praised Friday’s announcement that the economy added 227,000 jobs in February—even as he implied Republicans are stalling on jobs legislation for political gain.

“Republicans in Congress need to work with the President to create jobs,” a news release from Ellison’s office quoted the 5th District congressman. “The President’s American Jobs Act contains job-creation measures that Republicans and Democrats have supported in the past, yet Republicans refuse to even vote on it. Half of Americans believe Republicans are intentionally stalling efforts to jumpstart our economy. Good news on jobs is only bad news if you’re trying to sabotage our recovery.”

Ellison called for Congress to approve a package of emergency jobs legislation called the “Restore the American Dream for the 99% Act” proposed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Provisions include the creation of direct-hire programs, grants for on-the-job training, $50 billion for transportation and infrastructure projects and unemployment insurance extensions.

“All we have seen from Republicans in Congress are partisan ploys to cut Medicare services or defund our roads and bridges,” he said. “It’s long past time to invest in an economic recovery that works for all Americans, not just corporations and their lobbyists.”

Ellison Joins Campaign Against Asian carp

Ellison is signing on to the fight against Asian fight.

Following news that commercial fisherman caught Asian carp near Winona on March 1, Ellison backed legislation that asks the Army Corps of Engineers to close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Dam in Minneapolis in order to stop the fish from spreading.

Gov. Mark Dayton, Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar and Reps. Tim Walz and Erik Paulsen all back the legislation, as well.

Lawmakers Ask SEC to Implement CEO Pay Reporting Rules

Ellison and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) are pushing the Securities Exchange Commission to begin drafting rules that would require companies to report the ratio of CEO pay to median worker pay.

Although the reporting requirement was included in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act passed 18 months ago, the SEC has not yet implemented it. Ellison was one of 20 House members and five Senate members who signed on to a letter asking the agency implement the rules.

“A company’s treatment of their average workers is not just a reflection of their corporate value system, but is material information for investors,” the letter states.  “Several companies already calculate such figures for public disclosure and a number of investors have requested information similar to what Section 953(b) will reveal, but companies have denied it.”