Nationally syndicated conservative talk radio host and best selling author Laura Ingraham called Mark Kirk “part of the RINO Republican class that got Republicans into trouble in the first place.”
Mark Kirk’s extremely liberal voting record in Congress has satisfied only the most liberal Democrats.
Learn More: MARK KIRK THE LIBERAL EXTREMIST
MARK KIRK • PRO CAP & TRADE
Mark Kirk was one of only eight Republicans on Friday to vote YES on the “American Clean Energy and Security Act” – also known as “Cap-and-Trade.”
One of the largest campaign contributors to Mark Kirk would reap huge financial benefits after passage of the Waxman-Markey climate control legislation (Cap-and-Trade).
MARK KIRK • JUST ANOTHER DISHONEST POLITICIAN
Mark Kirk was a leading sponsor of congressional legislation that has meant $5.3 million for two clients of his onetime congressional staffer, and backing another bill that could bring millions of dollars to a third group she represented.
Mark Kirk admitted to inaccurately claiming he received the U.S. Navy’s Intelligence Officer of the Year award for his service during NATO’s conflict with Serbia in the late 1990s.
Mark Kirk acknowledged yet another misrepresentation of his service record, admitting that his Web site falsely claimed that he was “the only member of Congress to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
Mark Kirk acknowledged his statement that he came under fire while flying aboard an intelligence reconnaissance plane in Iraq was not true.
Mark Kirk acknowledged a constituent letter sent out by his North Shore congressional district office in 2009 which described him as a member of Operation Desert Storm was inaccurate. He did not participate in that effort.
Mark Kirk says he repeatedly “deployed” to Afghanistan. Navy Cmdr. Danny Hernandez said there is a difference between annual training and being deployed, which can sometimes last more than a year.
The Pentagon confirms Mark Kirk twice violated military policy. When this issue arose, Kirk denied that he had ever mixed politics with his Navy duties.
Mark Kirk claimed China was drilling for oil off the coast of Cube. Not true.
Mark Kirk got a whole lot wrong talking about pirates attacking ships off Africa.
During an interview with Chuck Sweeney of the Rockford Register Star in July 2009, Mark Kirk falsely referred to himself as a “combat veteran” and further claimed “We’ve sent three armies to the Middle East and I’ve fought in two of them.”
Mark Kirk claimed credit for lining up every single House Republican against President Barack Obama’s $787-billion economic-stimulus bill last year.
Mark Kirk claims credit for being a driving force behind a bill signed into law this year that requires the president to crack down on companies doing business with Iran.
MARK KIRK • PRO DEMOCRAT
Mark Kirk supports President Obama’s choice of liberal Elena Kagan for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mark Kirk voted YES on a homeland security bill that contained a provision authorizing the transferring of prisoners out of Guantanamo Bay.
Mark Kirk voted NO on troop surge in Iraq.
Mark Kirk voted NO on allowing school prayer.
Mark Kirk voted YES on raising CAFE standards.
Mark Kirk voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling and development in ANWR.
Mark Kirk co-sponsored signing on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Here was Mark Kirk back in 2008 weighing in on John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as running mate: “I would have picked someone different.” And when asked whether he thought Palin could step into the job, Kirk said, “Quite frankly, I don’t know.”
In 2009, Chicago Public Radio reported that Mark Kirk could be open to endorsing John Fritchey, the liberal Democratic candidate in the upcoming special election in the 5th Congressional District. “I told him I would either condemn him or endorse him, which ever helps,” stated Kirk.
MARK KIRK • PRO ABORTION
Mark Kirk voted NO to prohibit partial-birth abortion.
Mark Kirk voted NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions.
Mark Kirk voted NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime.
Mark Kirk voted NO on funding for health providers who don’t provide abortion info.
Mark Kirk voted NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad.
Mark Kirk voted NO on making it a federal crime to harm a fetus while committing other crimes.
Mark Kirk voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines.
Mark Kirk voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research.
Mark Kirk voted NO on an amendment that would stop federal taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood through the Title X Family Planning programs. Planned Parenthood received more than $350 million in taxpayer money from federal, state, and local governments in fiscal year 2007-2008.
Mark Kirk was the only Republican in either the House or Senate to receive a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood in 2008 and 2006.
Mark Kirk supports making permanent President Barack Obama’s executive order opening federal funds to research using cells recently derived from human embryos.
MARK KIRK • GUN GRABBER
In 2006 and 2008 the National Rifle Association (NRA) gave Mark Kirk a grade of F in its candidate scorecard.
In 2002 and 2004 the National Rifle Association (NRA) gave Mark Kirk a grade of D in its candidate scorecard.
Gun Owners of America gave Mark Kirk a grade of F- in 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
In 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, Gun Owners of America gave Mark Kirk a grade of F.
MARK KIRK • PRO HOMOSEXUAL
Mark Kirk voted YES on repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy banning gay men and women from serving openly in the military. (December 2010)
Mark Kirk voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Mark Kirk voted NO on constitutionally defining marriage as between one-man-one-woman.
Mark Kirk voted NO on constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Mark Kirk voted YES to expanding current hate-crime laws to include attacks based on a victim’s sexual orientation.
Mark Kirk is a sponsor of the anti-family, anti-faith ”hate crimes” bill.
MARK KIRK • TAX & SPEND LIBERAL
Mark Kirk was one of only six Republican senators to vote AGAINST an amendment to permanently extend the expiring Bush-era tax cuts. (December 2010)
Mark Kirk voted YES on the Wall Street bailout bill of 2008.
Mark Kirk secured more than $30 million for 19 pet projects including money for an aquarium, a planetarium and a church outreach project. According to the Association Press, “In some cases, people linked to the projects reciprocated with thousands of dollars in campaign donations for Kirk’s re-election bids.”
Mark Kirk voted to approve nearly $200 million for the Air Force to purchase three luxury aircraft for ferrying top government officials and Members of Congress.
Mark Kirk recently claimed to have sworn off earmarks, but not before voting YES on Dennis Hastert’s pork packed transportation bill in 2005. The $286 billion transportation measure contained a record 6,371 projects worth more than $24 billion inserted by members of Congress from both parties - including Mark Kirk. Kirk not only voted for the earmarked laden bill, he bragged about his efforts in securing the funds. This is the same bill that contained the controversial “Hastert Highway” boondoggle.
Mark Kirk voted YES to approve a $140,000 earmark for ACORN’s New York office.
Mark Kirk voted YES to increase the federal minimum wage to $7.25 by July of 2009. Once again, Kirk helps the Democrats pass their liberal, big government agenda.
Mark Kirk voted YES to help Pelosi Democrats expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program subjecting American working families to a tax increase amounting to tens of billions of dollars.
Mark Kirk loved earmarks before he declared war on them.
MARK KIRK • PRO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Mark Kirk OPPOSES Arizona’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
Mark Kirk voted NO on a bill that would require hospitals to gather and report information on possible illegal aliens before hospitals can be reimbursed for treating them.
Mark Kirk voted FOR Section 245(i), a form of amnesty for illegal aliens that rewards illegal immigrants with residency by allowing certain illegal aliens to pay a $1,000 fine, to apply for a green card in this country, and to stay without fear of deportation.
Mark Kirk has voted IN FAVOR of sanctuary policies for illegal aliens:
Mark Kirk voted NO on House Amendment 138 to HR 2360 that would deny federal homeland security funding to states and local governments who refuse to share information with Federal immigration authorities.
Mark Kirk voted NO on House Amendment 288 to HR2862 that would have created an incentive for states and cities to follow federal law prohibiting policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and, potentially, terrorists.
Mark Kirk voted NO on House Amendment 655 to HR 4754 that would have increased funding to the Justice Department for enforcing current federal law against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens.
Mark Kirk voted NO on House Amendment 583 to HR4567 that would prohibit homeland security funding from going to states or cities that have violated Federal law by enacting sanctuary policies.
MARK KIRK • THE UNREFORMER
On January 21, 2010, Mark Kirk accepted a $2,000 donation from James Bruner, President of United Contractors Midwest. Bruner was identified as “Individual S” in the 78-page federal court filing that outlined the charges against Tony Rezko.
Mark Kirk took in more than $63,000 from 2000 to 2008 from campaign donors with ties to nearly $5 million in earmarks.
Mark Kirk accepted a donation on June 26, 2009 from Anthony Bruno. Bruno was charged with filing a false federal corporate income tax return for allegedly under-reporting his firm’s taxable income, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Federal and state prosecutors were asked to investigate whether a staffer for U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk violated laws when she tried to get a prominent backer of Kirk’s opponent to back down. Click here to read Mikva letter.
FEC records show Mark Kirk received $20,000 from Americans for a Republican Majority, a PAC formed by former Republican Congressman Tom DeLay.
Mark Kirk received $1,000 from Republican Congressman Bob Ney, who pled guilty to bribery.
Mark Kirk received $1,000 from American Prosperity PAC, which was controlled by former Republican Congressman Duke Cunningham, who pled guilty to federal charges.
Mark Kirk accepted $1,000 from Tony Rezko who was convicted on several counts of fraud and bribery in 2008.
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