Minnesota congressmen react to debt ceiling agreement

by Brett Neely, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Minnesota's lawmakers in Washington are reacting with questions regarding the president's and Republican leaders' agreement to raise the debt ceiling.

The possibility of automatic cuts to defense spending if both parties don't reach a longer-term deal to reduce spending concerns Congressman John Kline, R-Dist. 2.

Still, Kline says he supports the bill.

"This product is frankly much better than I was afraid it could be," he said.

Congressman Keith Ellison, DFL-Dist. 5, said the bill's spending cuts will make the job market worse and that the bill goes against some of his core values.

"So, bottom line is that it's a bill that I can't support."

Leaders in the House and Senate are still rounding up votes to pass the measure.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 08/01/2011, 5:20 p.m.