The Daily Digest (Bachmann says Ellison has Muslim Brotherhood ties, 8th CD DFLers Debate, Dayton apologizes)
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann isn't backing down from her controversial comments about federal officials being linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. In fact, she's now suggesting DFL Rep. Keith Ellison, a fellow member of Minnesota's Congressional delegation, is linked to the group. She made the comments on Glenn Beck's radio show. Listen to what she said about Ellison here:
Ellison denied the charges to CNN's Anderson Cooper. He has said Bachmann has engaged in dishonesty and McCarthyism.
Bachmann made the comments even as a growing number of top officials from both parties criticized her for making the initial suggestion that an aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. GOP House Speaker John Boehner added himself to the list of critics.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Politico says Republicans are lining up to take a shot at Bachmann.
Bachmann will be in Rochester tonight to raise money for Allen Quist, a Republican running for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District.
Under the Dome
Court records show that a Dakota County Prosecutor knew about the problems at the St. Paul crime lab for four months.
A senior commander has been tapped to put the St. Paul crime lab in order.
The state's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.6%.
A committee in the Minnesota Senate will hold a hearing today on the wording of the proposed constitutional amendments.
Voter ID backers filed a lawsuit calling for a change to how Secretary of State Mark Ritchie titled the amendment.
Governor Dayton will travel to northeastern Minnesota today to get a status update on the flood damage there. A state-federal flood recovery office opened in Duluth
MnDOT also received funds to repair northeastern MN roads.
Dayton says he used a poor analogy for comparing wounded war vetarans to NFL football players. He apologized for the statement.
Health officials say whooping cough cases have doubled.
Congress
CNN reports that Congressional Insider Trading ban, which was authored by DFL Rep. Tim Walz, may not apply to families.
Members are pushing House leaders for a vote on the Farm Bill.
The House is working to complete the defense spending bill.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered the Pentagon to monitor media for information leaks.
DFL Rep. Betty McCollum's amendment forbidding the U.S. military from sponsoring NASCAR teams crashed on the final lap.
GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen wrote an op-ed saying he doesn't want the tax rates to go up on January 1. Paulsen says the House will vote on a bill to extend the Bush-era tax cuts and create a "pathway toward comprehensive tax reform." He has declined to specify that that pathway would look like.
Senate Republicans killed a bill that would "curb outsourcing."
Several lawmakers want to protect privacy from drones at home.
Amendment that would ban Same-Sex Marriage
AP has a profile over the California based political strategist that is working to amend the state's constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Race for Congress
TPT's Almanac will feature the DFL candidates running in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District on tonight's show.
GOP Sen. Mike Parry is declining a Debate Minnesota invitation to debate Republican Allen Quist.
TCF Bank's PAC gave money to Americans for Prosperity.
Race for President
President Obama visits Florida to campaign before older voters.
The two are sparring over Romney's claim that Obama said "You didn't build that" to small business owners.
Obama is focusing on Romney's "secrecy."
Mitt Romney is hoping his overseas trip will show him as a statesman.
The Washington Post says President Obama has strained ties to business.
A poll says most Americans believe Romney should release additional tax returns.
Politico says rich candidates play hide and seek with their taxes.
Ron Paul says he's not sure he'll vote for Romney.
Pawlenty for VP Watch
Tim Pawlenty is scheduled to appear at a New Hampshire Young Republicans event on August 11.
NPR takes a look at Pawlenty's VP prospects.
CBS News asks whether Pawlenty is "defender in chief" of the Romney family.