Committees and Caucuses

Rep. Kirk during a committee hearing.

House Committees
House Committee on Appropriations

            Congressman Kirk is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.  This Committee appropriates discretionary funding, amounting to one-third of total federal spending each fiscal year. Of the twelve Appropriation Subcommittees, Congressman Kirk sits on the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, and the Subcommittee on Financial Services.

House Caucuses

Chairman, Suburban Agenda Caucus

The Suburban Agenda is designed to meet the needs of families in four key areas: education, health care, conservation and the economy.

Co-Chairman, Albanian Issues Caucus

The Albanian Issues Caucus is an informational group that seeks to focus congressional attention on the concerns of Albania and ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and other regions of the former Yugoslavia.

Co-Chairman, Congressional Kidney Caucus

To educate Members of Congress and the public about the problem kidney disease poses for our society.

Co-Chairman, Electronic Warfare Working Group

The Electronic Warfare (EW) Working Group is a bipartisan task force of Members of Congress working in coordination with the Armed Services, public policy organizations and defense industries to educate the defense community at-large about the importance of EW and work together to strengthen EW capabilities and assets to maintain the highest level of military readiness today and into the future.

Co-Chairman, Global AIDS Emergency Task Force

Co-Chairman, Great Lakes Task Force

The Great Lakes Task Force works to improve research organization dedicated to economic vitality, environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states.

Co-Chairman, U.S.-China Working Group

The U.S.-China Working Group seeks to build diplomatic relations with China and to make the Congress more aware of U.S.-China issues.

Co-Chairman, Iran Working Group

Congressman Kirk formed the Iran Working Group in 2004 with Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) with the mission of educating Members of Congress on issues pertinent to Iran. The IWG meets on a monthly basis, bringing in high-ranking government officials and experts on Iran to give briefings primarily focused on, but not limited to, national security. Iran Working Group sessions are informal, off-the-record, discussions with Members of Congress and senior staff.

Past Iran Working Group briefings have included:

- R. Nicholas Burns: Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs
- Steven Rademaker: Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Security and  Nonproliferation
- Paula Dobriansky: Under Secretary, Democracy and Global Affairs on Women and Children in Iran
- Jean-David Levitte: The French Ambassador to the US on the EU3 Negotiations
- Mr. Jeremy Issacharoff - Deputy Chief of Mission, Israeli Embassy
- Think Tank experts on Iran’s Influence in Iraq

Members of the Iran Working Group include:

Mark Steven Kirk (Co-Chair) Rob Andrews (Co-Chair) Howard Berman Tim Bishop Charles Boustany Henry Brown Chris Cannon Eric Cantor Wayne Gilchrest Steve Israel Nancy Johnson Mark Kennedy Joe Knollenberg Nita Lowey

Stephen Lynch Jeff Miller Rick Renzi Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Steven Rothman Dutch Ruppersberger Jim Saxton Adam Schiff Brad Sherman Vic Snyder Henry Waxman Curt Weldon Robert Wexler Frank Wolf

21st Century Health Caucus

The House 21st Century Health Care Caucus is a bipartisan organization of Representatives committed to realizing this transformation of the health system to deliver higher quality, safer, more efficient, and better-coordinated care. 

Air Power Caucus

The nonpartisan Air Power Caucus was formed in January 1997 to provide its members a forum to advocate the relevance of air power in each of the military services and to educate their colleagues on the role of air power in the nation's defense.

Army Caucus

The House Army Caucus is a group of bipartisan Members that support Army policies in Congress

Coalition for Autism Research and Education (CARE)

Coalition for Autism Research and Education works to increase research and general awareness of autism among Members of Congress and policy analysts in federal government.

Congressional Andean Region Caucus

The Andean Region Caucus works to heighten awareness of the political, social, and economic issues that affect the nations of the Andean Region on a daily basis.

Congressional Arts Caucus

The Congressional Arts Caucus educates members on supporting the arts and promotes legislation that benefits the arts. 

Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus

The Biomedical Research Caucus invites biomedical professionals to the Hill in an effort to be educate Members of Congress about the future and possibilities of biomedicines.         

Congressional Biotechnology Caucus

The group acts as a resource for information about biotechnology and encourages committee hearings on the topic. The caucus regularly hosts educational forums for members and staff about a broad scope of biotech issues, from the increasing availability of genetically-engineered products to research, trade, and bioethics.

Congressional Boating Caucus

The Congressional Boating Caucus is a informal, bipartisan group concerned with issues affecting the recreational marine industry. The caucus seeks to improve the economic viability of the industry and support the protection of the environment, boating safety and the creation of international trade opportunities for the industry.

Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues

Works on promoting issues which effect Armenia and the Armenian-American community.

Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues

The purpose of this bi-partisan caucus is to foster and improve relations between the United States and Greece. The members of the Caucus act together to promote legislation, monitor and arrange briefings on current events, and disseminate information to interested parties. Some of the topics on which the Caucus focuses include U.S. aid to Greece and Cyprus, the conflict on Cyprus, U.S. relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and recent developments in the Aegean.

Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans          

            Works to support issues effecting India and the Indian-American community.

Congressional Caucus on Korea

This bipartisan caucus addresses the increasingly important political, social and economic issues that have emerged on the Korean peninsula.

Congressional Climate Change Caucus

The purpose of this caucus is to pursuing an educational and policy agenda in order to bring climate change issues to the attention of all Members of Congress.

Congressional Diabetes Caucus

The mission of the Caucus is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and support research to find a cure.

Congressional Human Rights Caucus

Advocates and supports human rights across the globe.

Congressional Spina Bifida Caucus

Educates Members on issues facing the Spina Bifida community.

Congressional Taiwan Caucus

The Caucus aims to promote closer ties between Taiwan and the United States, promoting issues of mutual concern such as trade, democracy, and defense.  The caucus tries to promote an American foreign policy that recognizes the strong ties of the two countries, prosperous free market economy, human rights, and free trade.  

Congressional Task Force Against Anti-Semitism

            Works to combat Anti-Semitism.

Congressional Task Force on International HIV/AIDS

The Congressional Task Force on International HIV/AIDS is committed to helping alleviate the suffering of millions who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. 

House Commuter Caucus

The House Commuter Caucus works to raise awareness of issues impacting mass transit systems and their riders, and to serve as a resource for Members of Congress interested in the preservation and expansion of public transportation as a means of commuting to work, providing access to jobs, and economic advancement

House Navy-Marine Corps Caucus

Promotes the importance of the Department of the Navy/Marine Corps.

House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus works to increase awareness of the various forms of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in the United States.

House Republican Israel Caucus

To educate Members on the importance of U.S./Israel relations and to act as a clearinghouse for information on the Middle East peace process.

Impact Aid Coalition

This bipartisan group of House Members is concerned with the drop in funding to Impact Aid (the government’s commitment to assist school districts on military bases and Indian reservations). 

International Conservation Caucus

The mission of the Caucus is to act on this conviction by providing the strong U.S. leadership necessary to conserve the world’s most biologically rich and diverse places.

Intelligent Transportation Systems Caucus

The Intelligent Transportation Systems Caucus, works to focus attention in the House of Representatives on intelligent transportation systems, which are technologies with significant applications for relieving traffic congestion, reducing accidents and increasing homeland security.

Medical Technology Caucus

The House Medical Technology Caucus works to increase awareness among members and staff of the issues facing the medical technology sector.

National Landscape Conservation System Caucus

The National Landscape Conservation System includes 26 million acres of national monuments, wilderness areas, conservation areas, wild and scenic rivers, and historic trails in the West. Caucus members will explore steps Congress and the Department of the Interior can take to protect and enhance the Bureau of Land Management’s Conservation System for all Americans.

Special Operations Forces Caucus

The Special Operations Forces (SOF) Caucus serves as a platform for advocating on behalf of our SOF forces in addition to functioning as an education arena Members of Congress to learn more about the history and current outlook for SOF from those in command.

US Bangladesh Caucus

To heighten Congressional awareness of the political, social and economic issues affecting Bangladesh.

US-UK Caucus

Works to foster a stronger US-UK relationship.