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 |
Based on 2 reviews
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(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) H Con Res 301 Directing the President to Remove Armed Forces from Pakistan
Outcome: Resolution Failed (38/372)
Summary: |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(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 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) H Amdt 672 Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" After Military Review and Certification
Outcome: Amendment Adopted (234/194)
Summary: -Repeals, after military review and certification, a provision of existing law 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 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. |
Kirk's Vote
N |
(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 |
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