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   12-28-07 - Congressman Kirk, Northbrook Village President Gene Marks, Northbrook firefighters and the wife of the Mayor of Tonatico, Mexico gather to handover the keys of a Northbrook ambulance to the people of Tonatico.
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Issues Read about the issues Congressman Kirk is working on:
Education Health Care for All Fighting Crime and Illegal Drugs Transportation Foreign Policy Retirement Security Congressional Integrity and Fiscal Responsibility
Congressional Integrity and Fiscal Responsibility "As elected representatives we have a duty to uphold the integrity of the Congress and the laws of the United States."- Congressman Mark KirkCongressman Kirk believes that elected officials should hold themselves to a higher standard because they have pledged to defend the Constitution and uphold the laws of the United States. A breach of law by a Member of Congress is a serious offense that should have serious consequences. Taxpayers should not pay for the retirement benefits of a Member of Congress convicted of a felony. Congressman Kirk introduced legislation which would deny a congressional pension to any Member convicted and denied final appeal for crimes directly relating to their public duties including bribery, fraud, and acting as a foreign agent. The Congressional Integrity and the Pension Forfeiture Act of 2007, H.R. 14, was introduced on January 4, 2006. Read what the National Taxpayers Union wrote about this legislation. Watch Congressman Kirk on CNN discussing the bill. Congressman Kirk's long-standing commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency in federal government has made him a leader on diverse federal accounting initiatives. Congressman Kirk supports a balanced budget amendment, the line item veto, and earmark reform. In his role as a leading moderate, he is able to build consensus with other members of the House of Representatives who have a similar passion for complete disclosure of how the federal government is spending $3 trillion every year. As an original cosponsor of the "Truth in Accounting Act," a bill that mandates detailed disclosure of the federal government's long-term obligations, he advocates holding the government to the same standards required of large corporations. Congressman Kirk gained national attention for his successful fight against "The Bridge to Nowhere," a $223 million earmark to build a bridge to an Alaskan island that is home to only 50 people, who have hourly ferry service that costs taxpayers nothing.
Environment "I am committed to protecting our environment - we hold it in trust for our children and future generations." - Congressman Mark Kirk Congressman Kirk believes that protecting our environment is critical to preserving our way of life. That's why the League of Conservation Voters recognized him as one the top 13 "Environmental Champions" in the Congress in 2003. He has been an independent voice on environmental issues in Washington. Among Congressman Kirk's top environmental priorities in Congress is the protection and restoration of Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes. With support from over 200 fellow members of Congress, Congressman Kirk is leading bipartisan efforts to design environmental legislation to address threats like mercury pollution, invasive species, toxic pollutants, and decreasing wetlands to the Great Lakes ecosystem. Congressman Kirk is a strong advocate for environmental protection on both local and national issues through his work with the Sierra Club, Lake Michigan Federation, National Wildlife Federation and the League of Conservation Voters Saving Lake Michigan Last December, local, state and federal officials met to endorse the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration process. This important step ensures the Great Lakes are a national priority. Congressman Kirk is an original co-sponsor of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act (H.R. 5100). The Collaboration Act increases funding for clean-up programs and creates a new Great Lakes Mercury Product Stewardship Strategy Grant Program. The Great Lakes are also under attack from invasive, non-native species, such as the zebra mussel and fish hook flea. Congressman Kirk is working to protect the lake against these and other threats. To further these efforts, Congressman Kirk co-sponsored two bills that seek to strengthen and reauthorize the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA) (H.R. 1591 and H.R. 1592), because they address the existing loopholes and authorize much needed funding to upgrade the fight against aquatic invasive species. The bill includes a mandatory national ballast water exchange program and rapid response program to prevent potential new invasions by non-native species. Congressman Kirk has also introduced the bipartisan Great Lakes Invasive Species Control Act (H.R. 4771). This important legislation closes a gaping loophole in current ballast water policy and ensures that no ships entering the Great Lakes bring invasive species in through their ballast water tanks. This Act also fills a recommendation of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration. One of the greatest long-term threats to the Great Lakes comes from mercury pollution. Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin that is especially harmful to pregnant women and children. In the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 Commerce Department appropriations bill, Congressman Kirk commissioned the first federal study of mercury levels in the Great Lakes. The report indicates that the Chicago-land area is a mercury "hotspot," in large part due to all the coal-powered plants in the area. Recently, Congressman Kirk met with Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) to form a group of bipartisan House and Senate Members to introduce a version of Senator Carper's bill that would cut air pollution using an innovative cap-and-trade system. The Senate bill was endorsed by the Environmental Defense Fund and would become the first federal legislation to cut greenhouse gas emissions - including carbon dioxide and mercury. Another threat facing our Great Lakes comes from sewage. Chicago dramatically improved their sewer infrastructure to prevent the dumping of partially-treated raw sewage into Lake Michigan by building the Deep Tunnel. However, other cities along Lake Michigan have been slow to upgrade their sewer infrastructure and continue to pollute the lake. People drink from this source and children swim along the shores of Lake Michigan. Poisoning of our water supply leads to health risks and beach closures. Congressman Kirk, along with Congressman Lipinski, introduced the Great Lakes Water Protection Act (H.R. 5734). The legislation imposes fines on persons who violate the Act to be paid into each state's Clean Water Revolving Fund. The fund promotes the construction of sewer infrastructure to protect the Great Lakes. Through this bill and other efforts, such as thwarting the EPA's proposed "blending" of clean and sewage water to dump into the lakes, Congressman Kirk continues to work towards ensuring our Lakes remain free from sewage and our beaches remain open. As a co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, Congressman Kirk is working with government and environmental groups to improve funding and protection of the Great Lakes. The task force has focused on federal appropriations for vital Great Lakes programs, including fighting exotic or invasive species, and publicizing and holding briefings on important environmental issues facing the Great Lakes. Cleaning Up Waukegan Harbor Congressman Kirk is working with Lake County leaders to clean up polluted sediment in Waukegan Harbor. Harbor cleanup is vital to Waukegan's economic prosperity and to Lake Michigan's environmental health. According to a report by the University of Illinois and the Northeast-Midwest Institute, cleaning up Waukegan Harbor will increase average home values by $53,000. The report concluded that harbor cleanup could add over $800 million to Lake Country property values. Kirk is working with local, state and federal officials to facility harbor cleanup by obtaining needed federal matching funds to complete this project important to the $1.2 billion redevelopment plan for Waukegan's business district and lakefront. Restoring the Des Plaines River Joined by members of the Sierra Club and other local environmentalists, Congressman Kirk led an expedition down the Des Plaines River to call attention to water pollution and toxic hot spots which threatens the river's health. Congressman Kirk has made the river a congressional priority by helping to secure funding from the Army Corps of Engineers to address flooding and water quality problems. Preserving Lakeshore Bluffs Concerned that Fort Sheridan's lakeshore bluffs and beaches would fall victim to developers looking to build high rise condominiums on what is now Navy land, Congressman Kirk helped negotiate a conservation agreement signed on August 1, 2006, between the Navy, Opens Lands and Forest City, to transfer the Navy's ownership of these key Lake Michigan bluffs to an environmental trust. Under Kirk's plan, the bluffs will become a migratory bird sanctuary and lakefront park open to the public. Provisions for the transfer will be part of the defense authorization bill soon to be finished by Congress. Emerald Ash Borer Containment On July 14, 2006, one day after the Illinois Department of Agriculture confirmed that the highly destructive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) had been found in Wilmette, Congressman Kirk contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture, requesting federal support for state and local efforts to contain the Emerald Ash Borer. This tiny metallic-colored beetle came into the U.S. in 2002, and is already responsible for the death or destruction on 15 million ash trees in Michigan. On July 21,2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made a commitment to provide $7.6 million to local authorities for EAB eradication efforts in Illinois. Concerned citizens can find the latest news about the Emerald Ash Borer in the Tenth District on Representative Kirk's website at http://www.house.gov/kirk/Emerald.Ash.Borer2.shtml Congressman Kirk is working to protect the environment beyond Lake Michigan's shores: - Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Congressman Kirk continues to vote to protect Alaska and opposed opening ANWR to oil drilling and leases for oil and gas exploration, development, and production in the refuge. - Energy Independence Congressman Kirk believes America must gain energy independence and end our addiction to oil. Congressman Kirk is an original cosponsor of a bill to raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for cars and trucks (H.R. 3762). He also voted in favor of an amendment to raise the CAFÉ standards. He cosponsored legislation (such as H.R. 626 and H.R. 4774)), which will enhance research and development funding for renewable fuels, such as bio-diesel, wind, and solar power. Congressman Kirk also cosponsored H.R. 6203 which promotes the development and widespread use of advanced technologies in all energy sectors, including solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, and clean coal and hydrogen technologies. This legislation recently passed the House of Representatives by unanimous consent. He is also working to advance ethanol based gasoline (E-85). Congressman Kirk is a member of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus. - Protecting National Forests Congressman Kirk is an original co-sponsor of legislation, H.R. 3563, introduced by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) protecting the Roadless Rule to save our national forests. He voted to ban logging and phase out snowmobiles in Yellowstone.
Transportation "Preserving our quality of life depends on upgrading our transit and highway infrastructures to relieve traffic gridlock and reduce air and noise pollution." - Congressman Mark Kirk
Building Metra's North Central Line To fight traffic gridlock and improve our community's quality of life, Congressman Kirk is working to expand Metra rail service. As part of a $52 million federal transportation package to double track this commuter rail line and expand service, Metra's North Central rail line - serving Arlington Heights, Vernon Hills, Mt. Prospect, Prospect Heights, Vernon Hills, and Libertyville - has dramatically upgraded its service from four to 20 trains a day. Double tracking the North Central Line will relieve traffic congestion and help meet our Clean Air Act obligations by reducing air pollution. This year, Congressman Kirk also helped appropriate funding for Metra's new STAR line. This $1.2 billion project will connect O'Hare International Airport with western suburbs, including, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, and Rolling Meadows. The western suburbs continue to grow at a rapid rate and deserve a commuter rail system that models the North Line. Expanding the Route 60 Bridge The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed bi-partisan legislation to boost transportation funding to fight traffic gridlock. Congressman Kirk secured House approval for $8 million to widen the Route 60 Bridge over Interstate 94 in Lake Forest. The bridge across the toll way at Route 60 is one of the worst suburban traffic hotspots. In a novel public-private partnerships combining federal funding with contributions from local employers, the funding will support widening the bridge across the tollway. Ending Train Whistle Noise Pollution In 2000, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) drafted a rule that would force trains to blow their horns at all hours of the day and night, regardless of quiet zones. Congressman Kirk opposed the original rule and invited FRA Administrator Allen Rutter to visit our communities twice to hear from people concerned about unnecessary noise pollution caused by train horns. In December of 2003, the FRA redrafted its proposed rule, reducing the noise pollution it would create. The revised rule would still trigger too much noise pollution and would impose overwhelming costs on local villages to meet arbitrary FRA standards. Recent estimates put the cost of upgrading just one railroad crossing in Northbrook at $800,000. Thirteen Republican and Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation wrote several letters to transportation officials urging changes to the proposed federal train horn rule. These letters highlighted the work of the Illinois Commerce Commission that decreased train accidents by more than 72 percent since 1989, and outlined cost/benefit analysis of implementing the Proposed Rule. On April 22, 2005, the FRA released its Final Rule. Taking the concerns outlined by Illinois congressmen to heart, the agency decided to arrange for an independent peer review of its conclusion on this issue before issuing an amendment to the Final Rule that will address Chicago Region crossings. Deploying Intelligent Transportation Systems Included in the recently passed bi-partisan legislation to boost transportation funding is $500,000 to implement an Intelligent Transportation System demonstration project on Lake-Cook Road. The system will provide drivers with real-time travel information between U.S. 12 and U.S. 41. Once operational, the system will suggest alternate routes, time traffic signals to compensate for traffic volume and weather conditions.
Education "Our children deserve safe, drug-free schools with world-class teachers." - Congressman Mark Kirk Saving Impact Aid The Impact Aid program for children of military families is especially important in the 10th district and directly affects the schools in North Chicago, Glenview and Highland Park who educate children of parents serving at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Congressman Kirk is a leading member of the Congressional Impact Aid Caucus, a bipartisan organization of Senators and Representatives whose districts and states are affected by Impact Aid. The legislative goal of the Caucus is to secure adequate federal aid levels for school districts facing challenges similar to those experienced in North Chicago. Consistent with this goal, in the 109th Congress Congressman Kirk authored H.R. 390, the Government Reservation Accelerate Development for Education Act (GRADE-A), to fully fund the Impact Aid program for local schools. In the 110th Congress, the Congressman introduced bipartisan legislation that he wrote, H.R. 12, an education compact bill to allow North Chicago, Highland Park and Glenview to enter into a tuition agreement, allowing North Chicago to maintain its ‘heavily impacted’ status funding. Senators Obama and Durbin introduced the same bill in the Senate. In March of 2006, working with the Department of Education (DOE), Congressman Kirk secured an agreement from the Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, to maintain the ‘heavily impacted’ status for schools during the new Navy public-private housing project continued. Under this provision, aid for North Chicago school children will be protected until 2011. Congressman Kirk’s success in securing funding for North Chicago schools averted a funding crisis in the near future. He will continue to work with the local communities and our Illinois Senators on securing a long term solution. Health Care for All "No medical relationship is more important than the one between you and your doctor." - Congressman Mark Kirk Medicare Modernization and the Prescription Drug Benefit In the 108th Congress, Congressman Kirk supported the Medicare Modernization Act, which created the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. Back in 1965 when Medicare was founded, the federal government promised to pay for senior hospital care and doctors' visits. Very few prescription drugs were allowed outside of the hospital. The original Medicare did not pay for lifesaving prescription drugs bought at a local pharmacy. Today, doctors practice medicine in ways not thought of in 1965. In designing a plan to update Medicare, Congress sought to give seniors the opportunity to leave their program as it was designed in 1965. Many seniors need more. Seniors fighting diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes need outpatient medicines that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The original Medicare law did absolutely nothing to help seniors with these costs. Congressman Kirk believes seniors ought to have the option to update their Medicare to give peace of mind should they ever face a need for expensive medicine outside the hospital. He visited dozens of senior centers and civic gatherings to discuss the details of the Prescription Drug Program and savings seniors can receive. The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit began on January 1, 2006. As of May 2006, more than six months after coverage began, over 37 million seniors, including 1.7 million seniors in Illinois, received their prescription drugs through the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program. The average senior saves $1,100 per year in reduced drug costs. However, there are some seniors who have not yet decided whether to participate. That is why Congressman Kirk became original cosponsor of H.R.5399, Medicare Drug Benefit Enrollment Fairness Act of 2006, introduced by Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT) on May 17, 2006. This bill waives the one percent penalty beneficiaries must pay for each month they sign up beyond the May 15, 2006 deadline. Waiving this penalty will give seniors who now realize the benefits of this plan the opportunity to sign up without paying a burdensome fee. Medical Malpractice Reform Securing access to quality health care and keeping doctors in Illinois is one of Congressman Kirk's highest priorities in Congress. Unfortunately, many health care specialists are being forced to scale back or abandon their practices as a wave of unreasonable lawsuits caused insurance premiums to soar. Today, we face a health care crisis in Illinois because of an exodus of doctors leaving the state, restricting effective care and jeopardizing patient safety. To help protect patients, Congressman Kirk co-sponsored H.R. 5, the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low Cost, Timely Health Care (HEALTH) Act, which takes several steps to ensure that health care liability, does not cripple physician care. The HEALTH Act discourages frivolous lawsuits by capping non-economic damages, limits lawyer's contingency fee, and increases the share of court awards that go to injured patients. President Bush indicated he would sign this legislation which is currently stalled in the U.S. Senate. Federal Funding for Stem Cell Research Congressman Kirk believes that the federal government must support the groundbreaking promise of stem cell research. Pluripotent stem cells have the ability to develop in nearly any cell in the human body, providing real hope for the millions of Americans suffering from a wide-range of diseases, including diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and even spinal cord injuries. Congressman Kirk is a leader in gaining passage of reasonable legislation expanding the current restrictive stem cell policy. He was an original co-sponsor of H.R.3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. This bill would allow the federal government to fund research on stem cells derived after August 2001 that have been derived with the following requirements: originally created for fertility treatment purposes, in excess of clinical need, and otherwise would have been discarded, written consent provided by donor. Congressman Kirk was proud to support the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act when it passed the House of Representatives on January 11, 2007. Click here to see the Powerpoint Presentation Congressman Kirk gave to Biomedical Industry Convention at McCormick Place on April 11, 2006. On May 16, 2005, Congressman Kirk chaired an Ad Hoc Congressional Hearing on Stem Cell Research with Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Congressman Joe Schwartz (R-MI) with three of the world's leading experts on embryonic and adult stem cell research, and three patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, juvenile diabetes, and spinal chord paralysis. Saving our Veteran's Hospital As veteran, Congressman Kirk understands the sacrifices made by those who wore their country's uniform. Congressman Kirk believes the federal government must honor its commitments to our nation's veterans. To ensure quality healthcare for the Greatest Generation and all veterans, Congressman Kirk helped save the North Chicago Veterans Hospital from closing by pioneering a plan to combine our northern Illinois veterans hospital with a new naval hospital planned for Naval Station Great Lakes. The Navy now plans to build a $100 million Joint Ambulatory Care Center right next to the North Chicago Veterans Hospital, offering medical care for both veterans and active duty patients. On July 10, 2006, Congressman Kirk joined Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield at the ribbon cutting ceremony opening the newly renovated joint Navy/VA Operating Rooms and Emergency Room at the North Chicago VA Hospital. Strengthening Illinois Hospitals When Lake County hospitals were administratively separated from the higher reimbursing Chicagoland area, Congressman Kirk secured an agreement with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue paying Lake County hospitals the lucrative Cook County "wage index." This agreement saved Lake County hospitals upwards of $6 million through 2009. Congressman Kirk is also working with his colleagues in the Illinois delegation to increase Illinois Medicaid dollars. In December 2004, CMS approved the Illinois Hospital Assessment Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005, which brought the state an additional $430 million in much needed Medicaid funding, including nearly $8 million for 10th district hospitals. Congressman Kirk is now working in a bipartisan manner with the Illinois delegation to approve more federal Medicaid funds for Illinois. Click here to see Congressman Kirk's letter to CMS Administrator Mark McClellan urging approval of the Illinois Hospital Assessment Program. Accelerating Fully Electronic Medical Records As a member of the 21st Century Health Caucus, Congressman Kirk is committed to supporting health information technology a means to reduce medical errors and save taxpayer dollars. He is a cosponsor of H.R.4157, The Health Information Technology Promotion Act of 2005, introduced by Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT), which creates an Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and establishes electronic health record standards to make systems across the country interoperable. H.R. 4157 passed the House of Representatives on July 27, 2006. Improving Physician Reimbursement Physicians are the cornerstone of our health care system. We must ensure Medicare reimburses physicians at a level that allows them to continue to provide services to Medicare patients. Physicians are currently reimbursed based on a complex dysfunctional formula called the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). Under current law, the SGR formula would cut physician reimbursements by 4.8 percent on January 1, 2007. With no congressional intervention, this cut would cause more physicians to opt out of the Medicare system, resulting in diminished access to care. Last year, Congressman Kirk supported legislation, known as the Deficit Reduction Act, which erased the proposed 4.4 percent cut in 2006. Congress should intervene again to undo the cuts to physician reimbursement proposed for 2007. Recently, Congressman Kirk joined over 80 colleagues in signing a letter to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urging them to immediately address these drastic cuts.
Foreign Policy "Our country needs strong, decisive leaders as we face challenging times. I was proud to be named one of 28 emerging leaders in Congress for my military and intelligence experience." - Congressman Mark Kirk
Congressman Kirk served in the State Department as the Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs and as Counsel for the House International Relations Committee developing diplomatic and foreign policy initiatives. His extensive experience includes participation in numerous International Treaty Conferences including: - The Kyoto Climate Change Conference - The Buenos Aires Climate Change Conference - Attending over 200 meetings regarding foreign policy since being sworn into Congress. Meeting official representatives of over 20 different countries including: - Israel, Ambassador David Ivry - China, President Hu - Iran, Representative to the UN, Javad Zarif - Jordan, King Abdullah and Queen Rania - Egypt, Special Assistant Minister of Defense, Major General El-Asr - India, President of Congress Party, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi - Pakistan, Ambassador Dr. Maleeha Lodhi - Armenia, Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan - Korea, President Kim Dae Jung - Colombia, President Uribe - Guatemala, Ambassador Ariel Rivera-Irias - Equador, Foreign Minister Dr. Heinz Moeller - Taiwan, President Chen Shui-bian - Tunisia, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Habib Ben Yahua Support our Allies in Israel Congressman Kirk is an acknowledged leader of bi-partisan efforts to enhance the security of Israel. Kirk traveled to Israel in an official capacity many times before being elected to Congress and continues to actively lead on Israel issues. With Hamas' rise to power within the Palestinian Authority, Congressman Kirk has led efforts to ensure American taxpayer dollars are not reaching terrorists. Congressman Kirk was a cosponsor of H.R. 4681, The Palestinian Anti-Terror Act of 2006, introduced by Representative Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). This bill restricts funding to the Hamas led Palestinian Authority until Hamas agrees to recognize Israel, renounce violence, disarm, and accept prior agreements. Click here to read Congressman Kirk's speech on the floor of the House of Representatives when the bill passed on May 25, 2006. Congressman Kirk has also been greatly concerned with American taxpayer assistance to Palestinian refugees through The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA is the United Nations agency dedicated to providing humanitarian relief and social services to Palestinian refugees. On May 4, 2006, Congressman Kirk, along with Tom Lantos (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5278, the UNRWA Integrity Act. This bill calls for an outside independent audit of UNRWA's $400 million annual budget, a fourth of which is contributed by the United States. Congressman Kirk revealed that UNRWA does not check if recipients of humanitarian aid are terrorists, and that there has never been an outside audit of UNRWA's finances. Click here to read Congressman Kirk's remarks when he introduced this important legislation. Congressman Kirk also: Authored a letter on December 17, 2005, signed by eight other Illinois Members of Congress to Governor Rod Blagojevich urging State of Illinois to re-open its Middle East Trade Office in Israel. Just days later the administration announced the office would be reopened. Wrote a letter on January 18, 2006, signed by nine other Members of Congress to the Chicago Presbytery urging the group not to meet with members of the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Co-authored House Resolution 438, a resolution calling on United Nations member states to stop castigating Israel. The resolution passed the by a vote of 400-1 on December 6, 2005. Authored the letter signed by 23 other Members to Ambassador John Bolton urging him to vote against any United Nations budget that did not include serious reforms, including an end to egregious discrimination against Israel and an abolition of UN bodies that drive that discriminatory treatment. Authored letters to European Union Ambassador John Bruton urging EU officials and election monitors not to meet with members of the Hamas terrorist organization. Authored letter signed by 34 other Members to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (November 4, 2005) urging him to cancel his trip to Iran in the wake of anti-Semitic and genocidal comments by the Iranian President. After hearing about the circulating letter, Annan announced he would delay his trip just an hour before the deadline for signatures. Authored letters to the Indian and Chinese governments urging leaders to not oppose referral of Iran to the United Nations Security Council by the IAEA Board of Governors. Better Relations with China Congressman Kirk founded the bi-partisan U.S. China-Working Group in June 2005 with co-chair Rick Larsen (D-WA). Link to this website here. Much of this century's history will be written between Washington and Beijing. To protect American interests and avoid future conflict, 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. The group hosts regular meetings to hear from key business, academic and political leaders about U.S.-China issues ranging from trade and economic policy to space exploration. Based on the findings from a number of these meetings, Congressman Kirk and Congressman Larsen introduced the U.S. China Engagement Act of 2006, H.R. 5199. This bill would increase the availably of Chinese language training for U.S. students, increase exchange programs between the U.S. and China, and promote U.S. exports to China. The Iran Working Group Congressman Kirk is the co-Chairman of the Iran Working Group. With Democratic co-Chair Representative Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Congressman Kirk works in a bipartisan fashion to organize monthly briefings to educate Members of Congress on one of the most important foreign policy issues. Iran Working Group briefings have focused on Iran's nuclear ambitions, Iran's influence in Iraq, and women's rights in Iran. Congressman Kirk is the sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 177, also cosponsored by Rep. Andrews. Due to Iran's reliance on imports of gasoline, this legislation suggests a quarantine of Iran's oil imports should negotiations over its nuclear program fail. Supporting Peacekeepers in Darfur Congressman Kirk is greatly concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Congressman Kirk is working with a number of his colleagues to address this issue. Congressman is a co-sponsor of Chairman Henry Hyde's (R-IL) Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (HR 3127), which calls the atrocities in Darfur genocide, would intensify sanctions on the Government of Sudan, and states the need for U.S. and international involvement in Darfur. The Darfur Peace and Accountability Act passed the House on April 5, 2006. Congress Kirk has also called for President Bush to appoint a Special Envoy to Sudan. He wrote a letter to President Bush expressing his support for a Special Envoy and he is a co-sponsor of Congressman Frank Wolf's (R-VA) bill, House Resolution 992, Urging the President to appoint a Presidential Special Envoy to Sudan. Finally, as a Member of the Appropriations committee, Congressman Kirk has worked to secure funding for the relief programs for Darfur. Recently, the Congress aided the humanitarian disaster in Darfur through the funding in H.R. 4939, which provides for emergency supplemental spending. H.R. 4939 called for an additional $390 million in aid to Darfur. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA) offered an amendment to add $50 million in Darfur peacekeeping operations, raising the total Darfur spending level to $440 million. Congressman Kirk supported the Capuano Amendment because the United States should be a leader in funding United Nations peacekeepers to supplement the difficult stability operation performed by African Union troops. The Capuano Amendment passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 213 to 208. Congressman Kirk supported final passage of H.R. 4939 when it passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 348 to 71. This bill was signed into law on June 15, 2006. Winnning the Global War on Terror Congressman Kirk is greatly concerned that the rise of the heroin crop in Afghanistan is financing global terrorism, and feels fighting these drugs should be a key part of the Global War on Terror (GWOT). He has traveled to Afghanistan and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to investigate this issue. He has worked as a Member of the Appropriations Committee to secure funding for counter-narcotics in Afghanistan. In the Fiscal Year 2005 supplemental, Congressman Kirk offered an amendment to increase funding for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for counter-narcotics activities in Afghanistan. This amendment passed the House on March 15, 2006, by voice vote to H.R. 4939 and was signed into law on June 15, 2006, as P.L. 109-234. Congressman Kirk authored legislation (H.R. 2894, 107th Congress) to amend the State Department's reward program to increase rewards for information related to terrorist attacks. Kirk's bill increases rewards from $5 million to $25 million to any individual who provides information regarding those responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks. He was led sponsor of a bill (H.R. 3782, 108th Congress) to increase the maximum amount of an award for a terrorist and to increase flexibility in offering reward payments which passed the House March 18, 2004, by a vote of 414-0. Advancing Human Rights Congressman Kirk has worked for and with the Congressional Human Rights Caucus since it was founded 22 years ago. Freedom for Shoaib Congressman Kirk led the effort to free Bangladeshi journalist Shoaib Choudhury. Shoaib was imprisoned by Bangladeshi security services for promoting an inter-faith dialogue between Bangladesh and Israel. He was charged with sedition, a crime punishable by death, and was in jail for 18 months without any legal recourse. Congressman Kirk met with top Bangladeshi officials and corresponded with State Department diplomats urging Shoaib's release. Within two months of Congressman Kirk's intervention, Shoaib was released on bail. He is now publishing his weekly newspaper freely. Shoaib received the American Jewish Committee's prestigious Moral Courage Award in May 2006. Congressman Kirk remains concerned that a Bangladeshi court ruled to proceed with sedition charges. Kirk is working with the State Department and the American Jewish Committee to closely monitor all legal activities and bring international attention to Shoaib's case. A Voice for Baha'is in Iran Congressman Kirk is a leader in protecting religious freedom for the Bahá'í community. He is especially concerned with the Government of Iran's persecution of the 350,000-member Bahá'í community. The Ayatollahs recently instructed Iranian intelligence services to identify all Iranian Bahá'ís and collect any and all information about their activities. Iranian security forces have been imprisoning Bahá'ís without charges and Bahá'í youth in Iran have been denied access to universities. Congressman Kirk introduced House Concurrent Resolution 415, which condemns the Government of Iran's persecution of Bahá'ís and calls for the protection of all religious minorities in Iran. House Concurrent Resolution 415 passed the House of Representatives by vote of 392-2 on September 19, 2006. Click here to read Congressman Kirk's speech he gave on the House floor. Additional Actions to Advance Human Rights On July 15, 2005, Congressman Kirk authored a letter to the President of Eritrea signed by 56 Members of Congress to request the release of many of the country's leading independent journalists, who have been held in secret detention since September 2001. Click here to read the letter. Congressman Kirk, along with 68 Members of Congress, wrote to the President of Indonesia signed by of Congress expressing concern about the murder and subsequent investigation of renowned Indonesian human rights lawyer, Munir Said Thalib. Click here to read the letter. Congressman Kirk is the leading congressional sponsor of U.S. Congress-Korean National Assembly Youth Exchange Program and the leading congressional liaison with U.S.-based representatives of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Promoting Free Trade Congressman Kirk's supports free trade policies as a means to opening markets, promoting economic development and growing our economy. Congressman Kirk supported H.R.3045, Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (CAFTA), which passed the House of Representatives on July 28, 2005, and became law shortly thereafter. Congressman Kirk continued his commitment to promoting open markets in the Middle East and rewarding two of our closest strategic allies by supporting H.R. 4340, United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, and the Oman Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 5684. Additional Foreign Policy Initiatives Congressman Kirk sponsored or co-sponsored over 50 bills related to foreign policy in the 109th Congress including: - Condemning President Ahmadinejad for his threats against Israel - Relief for victims of torture - South Caucus Integration and Open Railroads Act - Increased funding for international HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, increased family planning funding for the United Nations Population Fund, debt relief for developing nations which protect coral reefs Congressman Kirk co-sponsored three bills in support of international family planning, H.R. 755, H.R. 1117 and H.R. 3916 and was named 'Legislator of the Month' by The Population Institute for April 2002.
The Economy and Retirement Security "I am leading efforts to spark economic growth and spur small business investment - but there is more work to be done funding key infrastructure projects and creating jobs." - Congressman Mark Kirk While the U.S. economy has shown robust growth and over a million jobs have been created this year, Congressman Kirk is working hard to ensure the security and stability of investments that serve as the basis of retirement security
The federal Social Security program is one of the towering achievement of the 20 th century. Under its operation, millions of Americans in the Greatest Generation who worked hard and played by the rules found greater peace of mind because the program existed. Given the expected demands on this program, Congressman Kirk believes that every member of Congress should be a fiscal conservative. Before creating new programs, Congress must cut spending and restrain growth of government to ensure Social Security meets the retirement needs of Americans. Economic GrowthCongressman Kirk supported the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (H.R. 2), comprised of several bills he co-sponsored, that reduced the tax burden on all Americans, removed more than 3.9 million low-income Americans from the tax rolls completely, eliminated the death tax, eliminated the marriage penalty, increased family tax credits, and increased the contribution limits for Education Savings Accounts. He will continue to support legislation that eases intrusive government regulations that unnecessarily increase the cost of doing business. The current regulatory structure impedes small business growth and costs the American economy more than $800 billion annually. Congressman Kirk will also continue to champion policies that enhance job training programs and allow businesses to increase investment in their workforce. To further stimulate the economy and create jobs:
Retirement SecuritySocial Security is the most important federal senior program providing financial backing to millions of Americans who worked hard for their retirement. Our nation's seniors built their retirement security on a foundation of benefits earned throughout their career. Future retirees deserve the same confidence in a solvent Social Security system. 1. Current retirees must receive their full entitled benefits, If a proposal does not fulfill the promise of these principles, I will not support it. Over the coming months, I will work with my colleagues in Congress to develop a sustainable system that keeps Social Security in tact for retirees and assures financial stability for younger workers. To further protect retirement savings, Congressman Kirk:
Government SpendingCongressman Kirk believes that in a time of war and economic recovery, we must set priorities and cut spending in lower priority accounts. To assure the federal government spends within its means, Congressman Kirk led efforts to enact a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, change federal accounting standards by introducing the Good Government Accounting Act (H.R. 5094), and strengthen budget rules using his "12 Consensus Principles to Limit Federal Spending." Among these principles: automatic spending reductions; accounts for emergency spending; and a line-item veto. As a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Kirk led efforts to fight government waste by voting against ten amendments to increase government spending by $24.4 billion, voting against the $274 billion Farm Bill (H.R. 2646), and offering legislation to reform the wasteful sugar subsidy program (H.R. 2081) that costs taxpayers over $500 million annually. Congressman Kirk will continue to support meaningful federal investments in infrastructure, defense, education, and job creation. He will also work to curtail wasteful spending that takes money away from investment in new jobs and economic growth and threatens to increase the federal deficit. Corporate ResponsibilityCongressman Kirk believes the values of Main Street must govern the business of Wall Street. That's why he voted for the toughest corporate crime law in a generation to help restore investor confidence and strengthen retirement savings. The congressman:
Congressman Kirk will continue to support reforms to the criminal code and the regulatory structure that ensure the accuracy of financial statements, protect the interests of investors, preserve the benefits of stock option and 401 (k) plans, and prohibits executives from fraudulently profiting at the expense of rank and file workers. For more information, please visit the following websites: - Employee Retirement Benefits
Fighting Crime and Illegal Drugs "I am fighting to extend the assault weapons ban, close gun show loopholes, require trigger locks, enforce the Brady Bill and protect our children from drugs and gangs." - Congressman Mark KirkCongressman Kirk supports sensible gun control measures that end gun violence. We need to improve safety for police officers and reduce crime. One of the principle engines behind crime is the drug trade and gangs that control it. Congressman Kirk is leading efforts to cripple the national drug gangs and stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Continue the Assault Weapons Ban The 1994 assault weapons ban expired on September 13, 2004. Congressman Kirk supports extending the assault weapons ban. On July 8, 2004, he joined three of members of the House of Representatives in a letter requesting that Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert, bring this critical piece of legislation up for a vote. He also urged the Administration to push for renewal of the assault weapons ban. On May 5 and June 18, 2004, he co-signed letters to the President and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge urging action on the assault weapons ban. Close the Gun Show Loophole Congressman Kirk co-sponsored H.R. 3540 to close the gun show loophole. This bill requires criminal background checks on all firearms transactions occurring at events that provide a venue for the sale, offer for sale, transfer, or exchange of firearms. An evaluation of gun trafficking investigations showed that gun shows rank as the second leading source of illegal guns recovered by federal law enforcement. In 1994, Congress passed the Brady Bill, which required gun stores to perform criminal background checks on all gun buyers. In just five years, these background checks have blocked 536,000 convicted felons and other illegal buyers from purchasing a gun. Congressman Kirk supports the Brady Bill because it keeps guns out of the hands of criminals. Because the Brady Bill does not apply to private gun dealers, criminals who cannot buy at a gun store can skirt the law and obtain guns from private sellers at gun shows with no questions asked. Congressman Kirk supports closing this loophole in the law. This legislation would close the gun show loophole nationally. Fighting Illegal Drugs and Gangs Congressman Kirk hosted several roundtable discussions on drugs and gangs, bringing together 10th District police and representatives from federal law enforcement including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Attorney's Office. In 2005, he secured a $100,000 grant to help the Waukegan Police Department's gang unit fight the growing number of gang members in the suburbs. The Chicago Crime Commission recently estimated that more than 3,000 gang members operate in Waukegan, the largest concentration in any Chicago suburb. One of the fastest growing threats to young Americans is posed by 'club drugs' such as ecstasy. To help stop the flow of these dangerous drugs into our communities, Congressman Kirk convened an International Summit for the Elimination of Club Drugs at Wheeling High School. He was joined by the Belgian and Dutch Ambassadors along with the White House Drug Czar, to unveil an international anti-club drug strategy designed to stop these illegal drugs from entering the United States . Congressman Kirk is a member of Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert's Drug Task Force and co-sponsor of the 'Ecstasy Prevention Act,' and has established his own Drug Task Force in the 10th District. Deleting Internet Predators The Department of Justice estimates that one in five children are approached by a online predator. With 50,000 predators online at one time, the internet is now a virtually hunting ground for sexual predators. One of Congressman Kirk's top priorities is to protect children is to protect children from this 21st century threat. On April 11, 2006, Congressman Kirk and Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) sent a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) expressing their shared concern that Internet predators are using social networking websites like MySpace.com to target and abuse children. The Congressmen called on the FTC to issue a consumer alert for parents, warning them of the dangers posed by these websites and encouraging them to play an active role in monitoring their children's activity on the Internet. The FTC issued their alert on May 9, 2006. Congressman Kirk also co-authored the Deleting Online Predators Act, H.R. 5319, with Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick. This legislation would require schools and libraries to block children's access to social networking websites unless they have a parent's permission or are under direct adult supervision. Websites like these are rapidly becoming a happy hunting ground for online predators, as evidenced by a Justice Department study showing that 1 in 5 children have received unwanted sexual advances online. This bill overwhelmingly passed the House on July 26, 2006, by a vote of 410-15. Congressman Kirk held several meetings with school children this year to talk about the dangers of online predators. His Student Leadership Advisory Board recorded PSA's on the subject to alert students and parents of this immerging threat. Border Control Congressman Kirk is committed to reforming the immigration system so that we discourage illegal immigration and accelerate the process for individuals who are here legally and wish to become American citizens. Securing the border must be our first priority. Congressman Kirk voted in favor of H.R. 4437, the House Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act, which passed the House in December 2005. H.R. 4437 included language that would increase the number of border patrol agents, end the "catch and release" policy and introduce technological advances in border surveillance. This bill does not include a guest worker program or provide amnesty and is an important first step in securing America's borders. In addition to H.R. 4437, Congressman Kirk voted in favor of several narrowly focused immigration reform bills that the House passed in September of 2006. To address concerns regarding border tunnels that provide illegal pathways into the United States, the House passed H.R. 4830, The Border Tunnel Prevention Act, which strengthens penalties for individuals caught using or constructing a tunnel into the country. The House also passed H.R. 6094, The Community Protection Act of 2006, which gives the Department of Homeland Security the authority to detain dangerous aliens beyond six months, rather than requiring that they be released into society. H.R. 6094 also renders alien gang members, such as members of MS-13, deportable. In addition, the House passed H.R. 6061 The Secure Fence Act, which provides for over 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing along the southwest border with prioritized placement at critical, highly populated areas. Introducing new technology along the borders plays a crucial role in securing our country. A key section of the Secure Fence Act requires that in addition to building a physical structure along the southern border, the Department of Homeland Security must maintain operational control over the entire southern border through a virtual fence. This requires the use of surveillance technology such as cameras, ground sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Congressman Kirk also supports employer verification. This program requires that employers run each new employees name through a database operated by the Department of Homeland Security via telephone or computer to determine work eligibility. The implementation of this program would create a disincentive for employers to hire undocumented workers and limit the job opportunities for those seeking to work here illegally. Congressman Kirk believes that in addition to securing the border, it is important to improve upon the legalization process to encourage gaining citizenship. Making the process simpler and more efficient is necessary so that those seeking to share in the American Dream are not left in bureaucratic limbo for years on end.    |
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