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HOME: Politicians >> Illinois-IL >> Kirk >> Budget, Spending and Taxes
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Voting Record for Kirk of Illinois-IL
Voting Record on Legislation that Involves Budget, Spending and Taxes
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House of Representatives
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Mark Kirk
U.S. Senate: Senator
Republican
Next Election Year: 2016
Education: JD, Georgetown University, 1992
MS, London School of Economics, 1982
BA, Cornell University, 1981
Profession: Commander, United States Naval Reserve, 1989-present
Counsel, International Relations Committee, United States House of Representatives, 1995-1999
Attorney, Baker and MacKenzie, 1993-1995
Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs, United States Department of State, 1992-1993
Officer, World Bank, International Finance Corporation, 1990
Administrative Assistant, United States House of Representatives, Representative John Porter, 1984-1990
Parliamentary Assistant, British House of Commons, Office of Julian Critchley, Member of Parliament, 1982-1983
Teacher, The Milestone School, 1982-1983
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Overall Politican Rating |

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(2010) HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (254/152)
Summary: |
Kirk's Vote
- |
(2010) HR 6419 Extension of Certain Unemployment Benefits
Outcome: Bill Failed (258/154)
Summary: |
Kirk's Vote
- |
(2010) HR 3081 Continuing Appropriations
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (228/194)
Summary: -Appropriates for a portion of fiscal year 2010-2011 not to extend past December 3, 2010, "such amounts as may be necessary," at the same rate for operations and under the same authority and conditions as provided in the applicable fiscal year 2009-2010 appropriations Acts, to continue projects and activities for which appropriations, funds, or authority were provided in Acts that include, but are not limited to, the following (Sec. 101):-The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-80);
-Division A of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-118, Div. A);
-The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-85);
-The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-83);
-The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-88);
-The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-68); and
-The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-117). -Specifies that for mortgages for which credit approval is issued for the borrower during fiscal year 2010-2011, if the dollar amount on the principal obligation determined under the National Housing Act (12. U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)) for any size residence for any area is less than the corresponding limitation that was in effect for 2008 pursuant to Sec. 202 of the "Stimulus Act" (Public Law 110-185), the maximum dollar limitation shall be considered to be the amount in effect for 2008 (Sec. 145).
-Specifies that if the limitation on the maximum original principal obligation of a mortgage originated in fiscal year 2010-2011 that may be purchased by the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac") for any size residence for any area is less than the corresponding maximum that was in effect for 2008 pursuant to Sec. 201 of the "Stimulus Act" (Public Law 110-185), the limitation on the maximum principal obligation shall be the amount in effect for 2008 (Sec. 146).
-Allows for a rate of operations of up to $20 billion for commitments to guarantee loans incurred under the General and Special Risk Insurance Funds as authorized by Sections 238 and 519 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-3 and 1735c) (Sec. 142).
-Provides amounts at a rate for operations of $7.01 billion for Department of Energy weapons activities, notwithstanding Section 101 of this bill (Sec. 122).
-Provides amounts at a rate for operations of $5.16 billion for the Foreign Military Financing Program, notwithstanding Section 101 of this bill, of which no less than $2.78 billion shall be available for grants only for Israel, no less than $1.3 billion shall be available for grants only for Egypt, and no less than $300 million shall be available for assistance for Jordan (Sec. 137).
-Provides amounts at a rate for operations of $2.35 billion to the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005, notwithstanding Section 101 of this bill (Sec. 135).
-Provides amounts at a rate for operations of $964.32 million to the Bureau of the Census for expenses related to collecting and publishing census data, notwithstanding Section 101 of this bill (Sec. 117).
-Provides amounts at a rate for operations of $700 million to the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund, notwithstanding Section 101 of this bill (Sec. 138).
-Provides amounts at a rate for operations of $365 million to the Minerals Management Service, notwithstanding Section 101 of this bill (Sec. 128). |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (237/187)
Summary: -Establishes the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) within the Department of Treasury in which the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to appropriate up to $30 billion for capital investments to the following (Sec. 4103):-Financial institutions with assets of $1 billion or less, provided that such investment does not exceed 5 percent of risk-weighted assets; and
-Financial institutions with assets of more than $1 billion but no more than $10 billion, provided that such investment does not exceed 3 percent of risk-weighted assets. -Requires the Department of Treasury to purchase preferred stock and other financial instruments from financial institutions to finance capital investments from the the SBLF, and specifies that such preferred stock and other financial instruments shall be repaid within 10 years, or be subject to additional terms as determined by the Secretary, including, but not limited to, that the stock carry the highest dividend or interest rate payable (Sec. 4103).
-Requires the funds received in connection with the investments made from the SBLF shall be paid into the General Fund of the Department of Treasury for reduction of the public debt (Sec. 4103).
-Requires a financial institution to submit with an application for a capital investment from the SBLF a "small business lending plan" that describes the strategy and operating goals to "address the needs of small businesses in the areas it serves, as well as a plan to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate outreach, where appropriate" (Sec. 4103).
-Authorizes financial institutions that are community development loan funds to apply to receive capital investments from the SBLF, provided such investment does not exceed 5 percent of total assets (Sec. 4103).
-Prohibits financial institutions from receiving capital investments from the SBLF if they are on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) "problem bank list" (current rating of 4 or 5 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System, or other designation as determined by the FDIC), or have been removed from such list in the last 90 days (Sec. 4103).
-Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to consider the following when considering applications for capital investments from the SBLF (Sec. 4105):-Increasing the availability of credit for small businesses;
-Providing funding to minority-owned eligible institutions and other institutions that serve small businesses that are owned by minorities, veterans, and women, and that serve low to moderate-income, minority, and other "underserved" or rural communities;
-Protecting and increasing American jobs;
-Increasing the opportunity for small business development in areas with unemployment rates that exceed the national average;
-Ensuring that financial institutions may apply for capital investments without discrimination based on geography;
-Providing transparency with respect to the use of funds;
-Minimizing the costs to taxpayers;
-Promoting and engaging in financial education to would-be borrowers; and
-Providing funding to financial institutions that serve small businesses directly affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, particularly states along the Gulf of Mexico. -Establishes the Small Business Credit Initiative (SBCI) within the Department of Treasury through which the Secretary of the Treasury is required to allocate $1.5 billion to states for capital access programs for small businesses, and specifies that the amount of SBCI funds allocated to states is contingent on the state's employment declines in 2008 and 2009 (Secs. 3003 & 3009).
-Requires state capital access programs to meet the following criteria to receive funding from the SBCI (Sec. 3005):-Provides portfolio insurance for business loans based on a separate loan-loss reserve fund for each financial institution;
-Requires insurance premiums to be paid by the financial institution lenders and by the business borrowers to the reserve fund to have their loans enrolled in the reserve fund;
-Provides for contributions to be made by the state to the reserve fund in amounts at least equal to the sum of the amount of the insurance premium charges paid by the borrower and the financial institution to the reserve fund for any newly enrolled loan; and
-Provides its portfolio insurance solely for loans that do not exceed $5 million for borrowers that have 500 employees or less at the time the loan is enrolled in the program. -Requires states to submit with an application for SBCI funding for a capital access program, a report stating how the state plans to use the funds to provide access to capital for small businesses in low to moderate-income, minority, and other "underserved communities," including women and minority owned small businesses (Sec. 3005).
-Limits insurance premium charges for loans approved by state capital access programs and funded by the SBCI to a range of 2 percent to 7 percent of the amount of the loan (Sec. 3005).
-Expands the income tax exemption for small business stock from 50 percent of any sale or gain such stock to 100 percent for stock acquired after the date of enactment through January 1, 2011 (Sec. 2011).
-Authorizes self-employed individuals to deduct their health insurance costs from their tax liability for the 2010 taxable year (Sec. 2042).
-Authorizes the Administrator of the SBA to provide open-end extension of credit under the Floor Plan Financing Program to small businesses for the purchase of automobiles, recreational vehicles, boats, and manufactured homes for another 5 years, provided an extension of credit is between $500,000 and $5 million (Sec. 1133).
-Expands the participation of the SBA in small business loans (15 USC 636) as follows (Sec. 1111):-For loans in which the balance of the financing outstanding at the time of disbursement exceeds $150,000, the rate is increased from 75 percent to 90 percent of the balance; and
-For loans in which the balance of the financing outstanding at the time of disbursement is less than $150,000, the rate is increased from 85 percent to 90 percent of the balance. -Increases the maximum amount of loans the SBA is authorized to issue for plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or expansion (15 USC 696) as follows (Sec. 1112):-For small businesses, the limit is increased from $1.5 million or $2 million, depending on the purpose of the loan, to $5 million;
-For small manufacturers, the limit is increased from $4 million to $5.5 million;
-For projects that reduce a borrower's energy consumption by at least 10 percent, the limit is increased from $4 million to $5.5 million; and
-For projects that generate renewable energy or renewable fuels, the limit is increased from $4 million to $5.5 million. -Increases the maximum amount of business property ("Section 179 property" - 26 USC 179) that may be deducted from income tax liability from $125,000 (set to go back to $25,000 in 2011) to the following (Sec. 2021):-$250,000 for 2008-2009;
-$500,000 for 2010-2011; and
-$25,000 for 2012 and subsequent taxable years. -Increases the threshold to reduce the aforementioned income tax deduction for business property from the amount by which the property exceeds $500,000 (set to go down to $200,000 in 2011) to the amount which the property exceeds the following (Sec. 2021):-$800,000 for 2008-2009;
-$2 million for 2010-2011; and
-$200,000 for 2012 and subsequent taxable years. -Increases the maximum amount of business startup expenditures that may be deducted from income tax liability from $5,000 to $10,000, and increases the threshold to reduce the deduction from the amount by which the expenditures exceed $50,000 to the amount by which expenditures exceed $60,000 (Sec. 2031). |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 5982 Tax Law Amendments
Outcome: Bill Failed (241/154)
Summary: -Repeals Section 9006 of HR 3590 (the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act"), a provision that requires corporations to report the amount of any payments (and the name and address of the recipients) made to another entity, including other corporations, in amounts that total $600 or more in any taxable year (Sec. 101).
-Repeals foreign tax credits until related income is taken into account in accordance with United States tax laws, and denies foreign tax credits with respect to foreign income not subject to United States taxation by reason of covered asset acquisitions (Sec. 201).
-Authorizes separate application of foreign tax credit limitations if an item of income would be treated as derived from sources within the United States without regard to a treaty obligation, such item would be treated as arising from sources outside the United States under a treaty obligation, and the taxpayer chooses the benefits of such treaty obligation (Sec. 203).
-Defines a foreign corporation as a member of an affiliated group for purposes related to the allocation and apportionment of interest if more than 50 percent of the corporation's gross income for the taxable year is connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States and at least 80 percent of either the vote or value of all its outstanding stock is owned directly or indirectly by members of the affiliated group (Sec. 206). |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (308/114)
Summary: -Appropriates $33.29 billion (including appropriation increases and rescissions) for the Department of Defense for military purposes, including, but not limited to, the following (Ch. 3):-$24.59 billion for operation and maintenance;
-$4.95 billion for procurement; and
-$1.79 billion for military personnel. -Appropriates $13.38 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs for compensation and pensions, and specifies that the funds may not be obligated or expended until the expiration of the period for Congressional disapproval of the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a service connection between exposure of veterans to Agent Orange during service in the Republic of Vietnam during "the Vietnam era" and hairy cell leukemia, other chronic B cell leukemias, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease (Ch. 9, Sec. 902).
-Appropriates $6.18 billion for the Department of State, including, but not limited to, the following (Ch. 10):-$3.17 billion for bilateral economic assistance;
-$1.41 billion for administration of foreign affairs;
-$1.13 billion for international security assistance; and
-$96.5 million for international organizations. -Appropriates $5.1 billion for the Department of Homeland Security for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief (Ch. 6). |
Kirk's Vote
Y |
(2010) HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (272/152)
Summary: -Requires states to determine whether an individual is eligible for emergency unemployment compensation or regular compensation if the individual meets the following criteria (Sec. 3):-Has been eligible for emergency unemployment compensation;
-The benefit year for which the individual was eligible for emergency unemployment compensation has expired;
-Has remaining entitlement to emergency unemployment compensation with respect to that benefit year; and
-Would qualify for a new benefit year in which the weekly benefit amount of regular compensation is at least either $100 or 25 percent less than the weekly benefit in the aforementioned previous benefit year. -Prohibits states from reducing the average weekly benefit amount of regular compensation payable during the period of the agreement occurring on or after June 2, 1010 to an amount that is less than the average weekly benefit amount of regular compensation which would otherwise have been payable during such period, as in effect on June 2, 2010, in order to ensure eligibility for emergency unemployment compensation (Sec. 4).
-Establishes emergency designations for sections 2 and 3 of this Act, related to extending unemployment benefits, for the purposes of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (Sec. 5). |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 4899 Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Supplemental Appropriations
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (239/182)
Summary: -Appropriates $10 billion for the Department of Education for an Education Jobs Fund, which shall award grants to local educational agencies to finance the retaining, rehiring, and hiring of elementary and secondary education employees (Title IV, Ch. 1).
-Appropriates $4.95 billion for student financial assistance, including Federal Pell Grants (Title IV, Ch. 1).
-Rescinds $500 million in appropriations for the Department of Education to be allocated for state education incentive grants, as provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("stimulus bill") (Sec. 4158).
-Appropriates $500 million for the Department of Homeland Security for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Title IV, Ch. 1).
-Appropriates $163 million for the Department of Defense for the construction, renovation, repair, or expansion of elementary and secondary public schools on military installations (Title IV, Ch. 1).
-Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, upon being instructed to do so by the President, to provide oil spill unemployment assistance, in an amount deemed appropriate by the Secretary, to an individual whose unemployment is caused by an oil spill "of national significance," and specifies that such assistance shall not be extended beyond 26 weeks after the individual became unemployed (Sec. 4152).
-Appropriates $50 million for the Department of Defense for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (Sec. 4101).
-Appropriates $16.5 million for the Department of Defense for a "soldier readiness processing center" (Title IV, Ch. 1). |
Kirk's Vote
Y |
(2010) HR 4899 Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Failed (100/321)
Summary: -Specifies that nothing in this portion prohibits or restricts use of funds by any department or agency of the U.S. to carry out diplomatic efforts or humanitarian activities in Afghanistan, including security related to such efforts and activities. |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 4899 Requiring Timetable for Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Failed (162/260)
Summary: -Requires the Director of National Intelligence, not later than January 31, 2011, to submit to the President and Congress a new national intelligence estimate on security and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including an assessment of the following (Sec. 309):-The ability, performance, intent, and commitment of the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to work with the U.S. in implementing the strategy announced in December 2009;
-The security forces of Afghanistan and Pakistan, including their ability to maintain security in areas where they are deployed, and the timing of full deployment as envisioned by the December 2009 strategy;
-Whether continuing U.S. military presence in Afghanistan contributes to Afghan and Pakistani support for, or sympathy toward, the Taliban, al Qaeda, or other insurgents;
-The effect of continuing U.S. military presence on the strength of al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and neighboring countries; and
-The effect of the continuing U.S. military presence on the ability of al Qaeda and related terrorist organizations to obtain resources, recruit personnel, and continue operations targeted at the U.S. and its allies. -Requires the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment, to do all of the following (Sec. 309):-Issue recommendations on measures to increase oversight of contractors engage in activities related to Afghanistan that have a "record of engaging in waste, fraud, or abuse";
-Report on the status of the Department of Defense, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Department of State to implement existing recommendations regarding oversight of such contractors; and
-Report on the extent to which military and security contractors or subcontractors engaged in activities related to Afghanistan have been responsible for the deaths of Afghan civilians. |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) H Res 1500 Deeming Supplemental Military Appropriations Passed and Allowing Divided Question
Outcome: Bill Passed (215/210)
Summary: -Appropriates $33.29 billion (including appropriation increases and rescissions) for the Department of Defense for military purposes, including, but not limited to, the following (Ch. 3):-$24.59 billion for operation and maintenance;
-$4.95 billion for procurement; and
-$1.79 billion for military personnel. -Appropriates $13.38 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs for compensation and pensions, and specifies that the funds may not be obligated or expended until the expiration of the period for Congressional disapproval of the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a service connection between exposure of veterans to Agent Orange during service in the Republic of Vietnam during "the Vietnam era" and hairy cell leukemia, other chronic B cell leukemias, Parkinson's disease, and ischemic heart disease (Ch. 9, Sec. 902).
-Appropriates $6.18 billion for the Department of State, including, but not limited to, the following (Ch. 10):-$3.17 billion for bilateral economic assistance;
-$1.41 billion for administration of foreign affairs;
-$1.13 billion for international security assistance; and
-$96.5 million for international organizations. -Appropriates $5.1 billion for the Department of Homeland Security for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief (Ch. 6).
-Appropriates $1.15 billion for the Secretary of Agriculture to carry of the settlement agreement dated February 18, 2010 between certain plaintiffs and the Secretary of Agriculture to resolve the claims raised or that could have been raised in the cases consolidated in In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, No. 08-511 (D.D.C.) if such settlement agreement is approved by a court order that is or becomes final and nonappealable (Sec. 5001).
-Appropriates $1 billion for grants to states for youth activities, including employment for youth (Sec. 5002). |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 5297 Small Business Lending Fund and Tax Law Amendments
Outcome: Bill Passed (241/182)
Summary: -Establishes the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) within the Department of Treasury in which the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to appropriate up to $30 billion in capital investments to the following (Sec. 103):-Financial institutions with assets of $1 billion or less, provided that such investment does not exceed 5 percent of risk-weighted assets; and
-Financial institutions with assets of more than $1 billion but less than $10 billion, provided that such investment does not exceed 3 percent of risk-weighted assets. -Requires the Department of Treasury to purchase preferred stock and other financial instruments from financial institutions to finance capital investments from the the SBLF, and specifies that such preferred stock and other financial instruments shall be repaid within 10 years, or be subject to additional terms as determined by the Secretary, including, but not limited to, that the stock carry the highest dividend or interest rate payable (Sec. 103).
-Specifies that the funds received in connection with the investments made from the SBLF shall be paid into the General Fund of the Department of Treasury for reduction of the public debt (Sec. 103).
-Requires financial institutions to submit with an application for a capital investment from the SBLF a "small business lending plan" that describes the strategy and operating goals to "address the needs of small businesses in the areas it serves, as well as a plan to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate outreach, where appropriate" (Sec. 103).
-Authorizes financial institutions that are community development loan funds to apply to receive capital investments from the SBLF, provided such investment does not exceed 10 percent of total assets (Sec. 103).
-Prohibits financial institutions from applying to receive capital investments from the SBLF if they are on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) "problem bank list" (current rating of 4 or 5 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System, or other designation as determined by the FDIC), or have been removed from such list in the last 90 days (Sec. 103).
-Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to consider the following when considering applications for capital investments from the SBLF (Sec. 105):-Increasing the availability of credit for small businesses;
-Providing funding to minority-owned eligible institutions and other institutions that serve small businesses that are owned by minorities, veterans, and women, and that serve low to moderate-income, minority, and other "undeserved" or rural communities;
-Protecting and increasing American jobs;
-Increasing the opportunity for small business development in areas with unemployment rates that exceed the national average;
-Ensuring that financial institutions may apply for capital investments without discrimination based on geography;
-Providing transparency with respect to the use of funds;
-Minimizing the costs to taxpayers;
-Promoting and engaging in financial education to would-be borrowers; and
-Providing funding to financial institutions that serve small businesses directly affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, particularly states along the Gulf of Mexico. -Establishes the Small Business Credit Initiative (SBCI) within the Department of Treasury in which the Secretary of the Treasury is required to allocated $2 billion to States for credit support programs for small businesses, and specifies that the amount of SBCI funds allocated to states is contingent on the state's employment declines in 2008 and 2009 (Secs. 203 & 209).
-Requires state capital access programs to meet the following criteria to receive funding from the SBCI (Sec. 205):-Provides portfolio insurance for business loans based on a separate loan-loss reserve fund for each financial;
-Requires insurance premiums be paid by the financial institution lenders and by the business borrowers to the reserve fund to have their loans enrolled in the reserve fund;
-Provides for contributions to be made by the state to the reserve fund in amounts at least equal to the sum of the amount of the insurance premium charges paid by the borrower and the financial institution to the reserve fund for any newly enrolled loan; and
-Provides its portfolio insurance solely for loans that do not exceed $5 million for borrowers that have 500 employees or less at the time the loan is enrolled in the program. -Requires states to submit with an application for SBCI funding for a capital access program, a report stating how the state plans to use the funds to provide access to capital for small businesses in low to moderate-income, minority, and other "underserved communities," including women and minority owned small business (Sec. 205).
-Limits insurance premium charges for loans approved by state capital access programs and funded by the SBCI to a range of 2 percent to 7 percent of the amount of the loan (Sec. 205).
-Requires the Administrator of the SBA to establish an Early Stage Investment Program (ESIP) to provide up to $1 billion in equity investment financing to support early-stage businesses that have not generated annual sales revenues exceeding $15 million in any of the previous 3 years (Sec. 302).
-Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to consider the following when considering applications for equity investment financing under the ESIP (Sec. 302):-The likelihood that the applicant will meet the goals of the business plan;
-The likelihood that the investments will create or preserve jobs, both directly and indirectly;
-The character, fitness, experience, and background of the management of the applicant;
-The extent to which the applicant will concentrate investment activities on early-stage small businesses;
-The likelihood that the applicant will achieve profitability;
-The experience of the management of the applicant with respect to establishing a profitable investment track record; and
-The extent to which the applicant will concentrate investment activities on small business concerns in targeted industries. -Defines "targeted industries" as any of the following business sectors (Sec. 302):-Agricultural technology;
-Energy technology;
-Environmental technology;
-Life science;
-Information technology;
-Digital media;
-Clean technology;
-Defense technology; and
-Photonics technology. -Authorizes the Administrator of the SBA to approve equity financing for an investment company, provided that such financing does not exceed $100 million and the investment company makes all of the investments in small business concerns, of which 50 percent shall be early-stage small businesses (Sec. 302).
-Expands the income tax exemption for small business stock from 50 percent of any sale or gain such stock to 100 percent for stock acquired after March 15, 2010 through January 1, 2012 (Sec. 501). |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 4213 Unemployment Benefits Extension and Tax Law Amendments
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (215/204)
Summary: -Extends various unemployment compensation provisions authorized by existing law through November 30, 2010 (Sec. 501).
-Extends a provision of law that allows for the deduction of state and local sales taxes in lieu of income taxes so that it shall expire on January 1, 2011 rather than January 1, 2010 (Sec. 223).
-Extends a provision of law that allows for tax-free distributions from individual retirement plans for qualified charitable purposes so that it shall expire on January 1, 2011, rather than after January 1, 2010 (Sec. 226).
-Extends the standard deduction for state and local real property taxes so that it applies for any taxable year beginning in 2010 (rather than expiring after the taxable year that begins in 2009) (Sec. 222).
-Extends the "above-the-line" deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses so that it expires on January 1, 2011 rather than January 1, 2010 (Sec. 225).
-Extends the tax credit for "increasing research activities" so that it expires on January 1, 2011 rather than January 1, 2010 (Sec. 241).
-Includes various revenue offset tax provisions, including, but not limited to, the following (Secs. 401, 402, and 412):-A requirement that, in the case of a foreign tax credit splitting event, the relevant tax and credits (U.S. Code Title 26, Subpart A) shall be suspended until related income is taken into account;
-A requirement that, in the case of a covered asset acquisition, the disqualified portion of foreign income tax attributable to income from relevant foreign assets shall not be taken into account under U.S. Code Title 26, Sections 901(a), 902, or 960; and
-A requirement that, in the case of an investment partnership interest, any net income or loss with respect to such interest shall be treated as ordinary income or an ordinary loss. -Establishes the Trust Land Consolidation Fund in the Treasury of the United States, to be made available to the Secretary to conduct the Land Consolidation Program and for other costs specified in the Indian Money Account Litigation Settlement, and directs the Secretary of the Treasury, upon final approval (as defined in the Settlement), to deposit $2 billion in the Fund (Sec. 607).
-Appropriates to the Secretary of Agriculture $1.15 billion to carry out the terms of the Settlement Agreement regarding the Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, if the Settlement Agreement is approved by a court order that becomes final and non-appealable (Sec. 608).
-Appropriates $1 billion for grants to States for youth activities, including summer employment for youth (Sec. 605).
-This concurrence with amendment vote applies to the entire bill text as passed the previous chamber except for Section 523, which was voted on in a subsequent vote. |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 5136 2010-2011 Defense Appropriation Authorizations
Outcome: Bill Passed (229/186)
Summary: -Repeals, after military review and certification, a provision of existing law (commonly referred to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell") that requires individual be removed from the armed forces if one or more of the following findings is made (Sec. 5):-That the member has engaged in (or attempted to engage in) a homosexual act, unless further findings show that the member has demonstrated that:-Such conduct is a departure from his/her usual behavior;
-Such conduct is unlikely to recur;
-Such conduct was not accomplished by coercive means or intimidation;
-The member's continued presence is in the interests of the armed forces in "proper discipline,
good order, and morale;" and
-The member does not have "a propensity or intent" to engage in homosexual acts; -That the member has stated that he or she is homosexual or bisexual, unless a further finding shows that the member has demonstrated that he or she does not engage in, attempt to engage in, intend to engage in, or have a "propensity" to engage in homosexual acts; or
-That the member has married or attempted to marry a person known to be of the same biological sex. -Prohibits the aforementioned repeal from taking place until 60 days after the military certification is complete, and specifies that the certification shall be considered complete when the last of the following events occurs (Sec. 5):-The Secretary of Defense has received the report detailing the findings of the military review; and
-Written certification is provided to Congress by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that all of the following are true:-The President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have considered the recommendations in the report;
-The Department of Defense has prepared necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by the repeal; and
-The implementation of policies and regulations associated with the repeal is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces. -Prohibits funds authorized by this Act from being used to transfer, release, or assist in the transfer or release to or within the United States of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who is characterized by the following (Sec. 1032):-He or she is not a United States citizen or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and
-He or she is or was held on or after January 20, 2009, at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by the Department of Defense. -Prohibits funds authorized by this Act from being used to transfer any individual detained at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the custody or effective control of the individual's country of origin or other foreign country, unless the Secretary of Defense submits to Congress certification of the following (Sec. 1033):-The country is not designated as a state sponsor of terrorism or designated foreign terrorist organization;
-The country maintains control over each detention facility in which the individual is to be detained;
-The country is not, as of the date of certification, facing a threat that is likely to substantially affect its ability to exercise control over the individual;
-The country has agreed to take effective steps to ensure that the individual cannot take action to threaten the U.S., its citizens, or its allies in the future;
-The country has take such steps as the Secretary determines are necessary to ensure that the individual cannot engage or reengage in any terrorist activity; and
-The country has agreed to share any information with the U.S. that is related to the individual or any associates of the individual and could affect the security of the U.S., its citizens, or its allies. -Expands dependent coverage under TRICARE to include individual's under 26 years of age and is not eligible for a qualified employer-sponsored plan (Sec. 702).
-Increases the rates of monthly basic pay for members of the uniformed services by 1.9 percent, effective January 1, 2011 (Sec. 601).
-Requires the Secretary of Defense to designate the F135 and F136 engine development and procurement programs as major subprograms of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft major defense acquisition program (Sec. 802).
-Authorizes the appropriation of $32.42 billion for the Defense Health Program for fiscal year 2010-2011 (Sec. 1516).
-Authorizes the appropriation of $3.42 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles for fiscal year 2010-2011 (Sec. 1509).
-Authorizes the appropriation of $3.46 billion for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund for fiscal year 2010-2011 (Sec. 1503).
-Authorizes the appropriation of $71.2 million for the operation of the Armed Forces Retirement Home (Sec. 1421). |
Kirk's Vote
Y |
(2010) HR 5116 Science and Technology Funding
Outcome: Bill Passed (262/150)
Summary: -Authorizes specific appropriations of $43.97 billion for the National Science Foundation, including the following (Sec. 212):-$7.48 billion for fiscal year 2010-2011;
-$8.13 billion for fiscal year 2011-2012;
-$8.76 billion for fiscal year 2012-2013;
-$9.44 billion for fiscal year 2013-2014; and
-$10.16 billion for fiscal year 2014-2015. -Authorizes specific appropriations of $30.17 billion for the Department of Energy Office of Science, including the following (Sec. 611):-$5.25 billion for fiscal year 2010-2011;
-$5.61 billion for fiscal year 2011-2012;
-$6.01 billion for fiscal year 2012-2013;
-$6.43 billion for fiscal year 2013-2014; and
-$6.88 billion for fiscal year 2014-2015. -Authorizes specific appropriations of $5.38 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including the following (Sec. 402):-$991.1 million for fiscal year 2010-2011;
-$992.4 million for fiscal year 2011-2012;
-$1.08 billion for fiscal year 2012-2013;
-$1.13 billion for fiscal year 2013-2014; and
-$1.19 billion for fiscal year 2014-2015. -Authorizes specific appropriations of $3.15 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), including the following (Sec. 622):-$300 million for fiscal year 2010-2011;
-$450 million for fiscal year 2011-2012;
-$600 million for fiscal year 2012-2013;
-$800 million for fiscal year 2013-2014; and
-$1 billion for fiscal year 2014-2015. -Authorizes specific appropriations of $860 million for the Energy Innovation Hubs Program, including the following (Sec. 632):-$110 million for fiscal year 2010-2011;
-$135 million for fiscal year 2011-2012;
-$195 million for fiscal year 2012-2013;
-$210 million for fiscal year 2013-2014; and
-$210 million for fiscal year 2014-2015. -Authorizes specific appropriations of $500 million for federal loan guarantees for "innovative technologies in manufacturing," including the following (Sec. 502):-$100 million for fiscal year 2010-2011;
-$100 million for fiscal year 2011-2012;
-$100 million for fiscal year 2012-2013;
-$100 million for fiscal year 2013-2014; and
-$100 million for fiscal year 2014-2015. -Authorizes specific appropriations of $176 million for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education programs at the Department of Energy, including the following (Sec. 303):-$30 million for fiscal year 2010-2011;
-$32 million for fiscal year 2011-2012;
-$36 million for fiscal year 2012-2013;
-$38 million for fiscal year 2013-2014; and
-$40 million for fiscal year 2014-2015. -Establishes the Regional Innovation Program, through which Regional Innovation Cluster Grants may be awarded on a competitive basis for activities related to the formation and development of regional innovation clusters, and authorizes the appropriation of "such sums as are necessary" for each of fiscal years 2010-2011 through 2014-2015 for purposes related to the program (Sec. 503).
-Defines "regional innovation cluster" as a geographically bounded network of similar, synergistic, or complimentary entities that meet the following criteria (Sec. 503):-Are engaged with a particular industry sector;
-Have "active channels" for business transactions and communication;
-Share specialized infrastructure, labor markets, and services; and
-Leverage the region's "unique competitive strengths" to "stimulate innovation and create jobs." |
Kirk's Vote
Y |
(2010) H Amdt 661 Removing Funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's Alternate Engine Program
Outcome: Amendment Rejected (193/231)
Summary: -Requires the Secretary of Defense to certify that the development and procurement of the alternate propulsion system will do the all of following (Sec. 212):-Reduce the total life-cycle costs of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program;
-Improve the operational readiness of the fleet of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft;
-Not disrupt the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program during the research, development, and procurement phases of the program; and
-Not result in the procurement of fewer F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft during the life-cycle of the program. -Reduces Joint Strike Fighter F136 Development appropriation authorizations by the following amounts (Sec. 212):-$242.5 million for Navy Joint Strike Fighter F136 Development; and
-$242.5 million for Air Force Joint Strike Fighter F136 Development. |
Kirk's Vote
Y |
(2010) HR 5325 Science and Technology Funding
Outcome: Bill Failed (261/148)
Summary: |
Kirk's Vote
- |
(2010) HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies
Outcome: Bill Failed (268/147)
Summary: -Requires the head of each executive agency, within 1 year of the date of enactment, to establish a policy that authorizes employees to telework "to the maximum extent possible without diminishing agency operations and performance" (Sec. 2).
-Exempts agencies from the aforementioned requirement in the case of employees whose duties and responsibilities require daily direct handling of classified information or require on-site activity which cannot be carried out from a site removed from the employee's regular place of employment (Sec. 2).
-Authorizes agencies to temporarily revoke permission for an employee to telework if the employee is needed to respond to an emergency, as determined by the head of the agency (Sec. 2).
-Prohibits agencies from making distinctions between telework and non-telework employees with respect to any of the following (Sec. 2):Job performance appraisals;
-Training, rewarding, reassigning, promoting, reducing in grade, retaining, or removing employees;
-Work requirements; and
-Other acts involving managerial discretion. -Requires agencies to establish the position of Telework Managing Officer, and establishes the duties and responsibilities of the Officer, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):-Providing advice on teleworking to the head of the agency and the Chief Human Capital Officer;
-Serving as a resource on teleworking for supervisors, managers, and employees;
-Serving as primary point of contact on telework matters for agency employees, Congress, and other agencies;
-Working with senior management to develop and implement a plan to incorporate telework into regular business strategies;
-Establishing a system for receiving feedback from agency employees on the the telework policy; and
-Ensuring that employees are notified of grievance procedures avaliable to them with respect to disputes related to telework. -Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to do the following (Sec. 2):-In consultation with the Administrator of General Services, establish regulations necessary to establish the government-wide telework policy within 180 days after the date of enactment;
-In consultation with the Administrator of General Services, maintain a central, publicly avaliable telework website; and
-Provide advice, assistance, and any necessary training to agencies to fulfill the telework requirements. -Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to submit to the Comptroller General and appropriate committees of Congress annual reports evaluating the extent to which each agency is in compliance with the provisions of this Act and an evaluation of other factors, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):-Degree of participation by employees of the agency in teleworking;
-Whether the total number of employees who telework is at least 10 percent higher or lower than the previous reporting period and the reason for such change;
-Agency's goal for increasing the number of employees who telework and the extent to which the agency has met this goal;
-The best practices in agency telework programs; and
-The extent to which specific agencies (31 USC 901(b)) are incorporating telework in its continuity of operations plans and in response to emergencies. |
Kirk's Vote
Y |
(2010) HR 5146 Prohibiting 2010- 2011 Congressional Cost-of-Living Pay Increase
Outcome: Bill Passed (402/15)
Summary: |
Kirk's Vote
Y |
(2010) HR 4851 Unemployment Benefits Extension
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (289/112)
Summary: -Extends unemployment insurance provisions in the following Acts by approximately 2 months (Sec. 2):-The "Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008;"
-The "Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act;" and
-The "Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008." -Extends the expiration date of the eligibility period for COBRA benefits from March 31, 2010 to May 31, 2010 (Sec. 3).
-Increases the Medicare physician payment update by extending the date through which the update to the single conversion factor shall be 0 percent from March 31, 2010 to May 31, 2010 (Sec. 4).
-Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from publishing updated poverty guidelines for 2010 before May 31, 2010, and specifies that the 2009 guidelines shall be in effect until updated guidelines are published (Sec. 6).
-Appropriates $80 million to the Business Loans Program Account of the Small Business Administration for fee reductions and eliminations and loan guarantees (Sec. 10).
-Designates this Act (with the exception of Section 4) an emergency with regard to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (Sec. 12). |
Kirk's Vote
Y |
(2010) HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill")
Outcome: Concurrence Vote Passed (217/201)
Summary: -Specifies that most employers will not be required to pay an excise tax for the second, third, and fourth calendar quarters of 2010 on wages for employees who began employment between February 3, 2010 and December 31, 2010, with the following conditions (Sec. 101):-The employer must provide a signed affidavit that employees have not worked more than 40 hours a week in the 60 days prior to employment;
-The employee was not hired to replace a worker that was fired; and
-The employee is not a corporation, nor owns either directly or indirectly more than 50 percent of the company's capital. -Specifies that, on payroll taxes paid during the first quarter, amounts that could have otherwise been credited shall be treated as payments against first quarter payroll taxes (Sec. 101).
-Specifies that Railroad Retirement taxes shall apply to any employee who began employment between February 3, 2010 and December 31, 2010 at a rate of 1.45 percent of wages paid by the employer (Sec. 101).
-Increases the current year business tax credit for employers that have retained workers for at least 52 consecutive weeks by the lesser of the following (Sec. 102):-$1,000; or
-6.2 times the amount of wages paid by the employer to workers. -Specifies that issuers of qualified zone academy bonds and qualified school construction zone bonds may elect to apply for a tax credit, and a credit shall be the lesser of (Sec. 301):-The amount of interest payable under the bond; or
-The amount of interest that would have been payable under the bond if such interest is subject to an applicable credit rate under Section 54A of the Internal Revenue Code. -Specifies that issuers of clean energy bonds and qualified energy conservation bonds may elect to apply for a tax credit, and that the credit shall be 70 percent of the amount of interest payable under the bond (Sec. 301).
-Requires 10 percent of funds made available for projects funded under Titles I, III and V of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) and any conforming provisions in this act shall go to businesses owned and controlled by "socially and economically disadvantaged individuals" (Sec. 451).
-Requires states to compile a list of businesses owned and controlled by "socially and economically disadvantaged individuals" (Sec. 451).
-Specifies that a "socially and economically disadvantaged" individual includes, but is not limited to, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and women (Sec. 451).
-Specifies corporate estimated tax for corporations with $1 billion or more in assets shall be calculated as follows (Sec. 561):-Any required installment that is otherwise due in July, August, or September of 2009 shall be 123.25 percent of such amount;
-Any required installment that is otherwise due in July, August, or September of 2015 shall be 121.5 percent of such amount;
-Any required installment that is otherwise due in July, August, or September of 2019 shall be 106.5 percent of such amount; and
-Any future installments shall be reduced appropriately. -Specifies that PAYGO compliance for this act is required (Sec. 562). |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) HR 2701 Intelligence Appropriations Fiscal Year 2010
Outcome: Bill Passed (235/168)
Summary: -Authorizes appropriations specified in the classified Schedule of Authorizations, a document made available to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the President, to the following agencies (Sec. 101, 102): -The Office of the Director of National Intelligence;
-The Central Intelligence Agency;
-The Department of Defense;
-The Defense Intelligence Agency;
-The National Security Agency;
-The Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force;
-The Coast Guard;
-The Department of State;
-The Department of the Treasury;
-The Department of Energy;
-The Department of Justice;
-The Federal Bureau of Investigation;
-The Drug Enforcement Administration;
-The National Reconnaissance Office; 6652
-The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; and
-The Department of Homeland Security. -Appropriates $672.81 million for the Intelligence Community Management Account (Sec. 104).
-Prohibits the authorization of any "Congressional earmarks", defined as a specific amount of discretionary spending for a contract, loan, loan guarantee, grant, loan authority, or other expenditure targeted to a specific state, locality, or Congressional district (Sec. 105).
-Appropriates $290.9 million to the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability Fund (Sec. 201).
-Authorizes an increase in appropriations for salary, pay, retirement, and other benefits as necessary (Sec. 301).
-Authorizes the Director of National Intelligence to carry out a grant program designed to increase ethnic and cultural diversity within the intelligence community (Sec. 312).
-Authorizes $2 million in appropriations to establish a five-year pilot program for intensive African language instruction (Sec. 314).
-Requires the President to provide all information necessary for the Congressional intelligence committees to assess the lawfulness, effectiveness, cost, benefit, intelligence gain, budgetary authority, and risk of an intelligence activity, not limited to the following (Sec. 321): -The legality of the intelligence activity, including any legal issues upon which guidance was sought in the activity's planning and implementation, as well as any dissenting legal views;
-Specific operational concerns, including the risk of disclosing intelligence sources or methods;
-The likelihood that the intelligence activity will exceed authorized expenditures; and
-The likelihood that the intelligence activity will fail. -Establishes the Office of Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, a position appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, whose purpose is as follows (Sec. 406): -To be an independent and objective office, accountable to Congress;
-To conduct investigations, inspections, and audits on matters controlled by the Director of National Intelligence;
-Recommend administrative policies and detect fraud on matters controlled by the Director of National Intelligence;
-To keep the Director of National Intelligence and Congressional intelligence committees informed on the Office's problems, deficiencies, and the need for corrective actions; and
-To serve as the Chair to the Intelligence Community Inspectors General Forum. -Prohibits the use of private contractors to interrogate suspects detained by the Central Intelligence Agency, unless there is no one within the CIA capable or available to conduct the interrogation, and requires all interrogations to be video recorded (Sec. 412, 416).
-Repeals the authority of the National Counterintelligence Executive to enter into any contract, lease, cooperative agreement, or any other transaction the Executive considers appropriate to carry out the functions of that office (Sec. 423).
-Specifies that no appropriations shall be used to provide suspected terrorists and detainees who are not United States citizens with Miranda rights (Sec. 504). |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(2010) HJR 45 Reinstating PAYGO Budget Rule
Outcome: Motion Agreed (233/187)
Summary: -Reinstates the Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) budget rule, a rule that applies to bills or joint resolutions that affect direct spending or revenue relative to the baseline and that requires such bills to be budget-neutral (Sec. 2).
-Requires PAYGO legislation to include an estimate of its budgetary effects, as provided by the Congressional Budget Office, at one of the following times (Sec. 4):-Prior to a vote on passage in a chamber;
-Prior to the first action by a chamber on a conference report or an amendment between the chambers; or
-Upon enactment of the legislation. -Requires the Office of Management and Budget to maintain and make public on every piece of PAYGO legislation two sets of scorecards, which shall measure the budgetary effects of such legislation over 5 years and over 10 years (Sec. 4).
-Requires the Office of Management and Budget at the end of every Congressional session to publish and make public a PAYGO report, which shall include the following (Sec. 5):-Current PAYGO scorecards on all PAYGO legislation;
-Any current policy adjustments;
-Information about any emergency legislation;
-Sequestration orders that show how direct spending will be adjusted to offset any costs shown on PAYGO scorecards; and
-Other data that would "enhance public understanding" of the above items. -Requires the Office of Management and Budget to calculate the uniform percentage of funds that are to be seized in order to balance spending, and specifies that any uniform percentage exceeding 4 percent shall result in Medicare spending reductions of 4 percent, as well as spending reductions in other nonexempt direct spending programs (Sec. 6).
-Lists several federal programs and activities that would be exempt from payment reductions, including, but not limited to, Social Security Benefits and Tier I Railroad Retirement Benefits, Veterans Programs, and Refundable Income Tax Credits (Sec. 11).
-The text of this resolution was replaced by a substitute amendment sponsored by Sen. Harry Reid.
-This vote follows an agreement pursuant to the passage of House Resolution 1065, which requires the House of Representatives to vote on a motion to concur with the Senate amendments to HJR 45 relating to PAYGO and various government programs as a divided question, separate from the provision raising the debt limit. The provision raising the debt limit was concurred with pursuant to the passage of House Resolution 1065. |
Kirk's Vote
N |
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