Congressman “Dogged” by Constituents Who Want Him to Bring Troops Home and End War in Iraq

Americans Against Escalation in Iraq

http://www.IraqCampaign.org

Glenview – Eight fully-uniformed officers from the Glenview police department were on hand to protect Congressman Mark Kirk today when he visited a Humane Society event in the town’s Gateway Park. The officers joined multiple members of Kirk’s staff at “Pet Protection Day,” where local pet owners learned about local services, pet care issues and animal protection legislation.

Also at the event were seven local supporters of the Iraq Summer campaign, which has been calling on Congressman Kirk to take a stand against President Bush’s reckless Iraq war policies. The supporters – all residents of Kirk’s 10^th District – were on hand to present Kirk with a “Report Card” on his Iraq voting record.

Congressman Kirk spoke to the group about current efforts in Congress to protect animals, and was honored for his legislative efforts on behalf of animal rights. After he finished speaking and posing for pictures with pets, the Congressman avoided questions about his votes on the war from constituents as he hurried to his car.

Members of the Glenview Police present at the park – including Chief William Fitzpatrick – refused to answer questions about why so many were needed for an event attended by about 50 people. Village President Kerry Cummings, who was also on hand, said that everyone was welcome at the event and highlighted the park’s key role in the Glenview community.

Today marks the second time in two weeks that Congressman Kirk has been pressed in person by his constituents to answer questions about his position on the Iraq war. Despite signs that he may break step with the President, Kirk again voted with Bush on a July 12^th bill that would withdraw nearly all American troops from Iraq by next April.

“Why is Congressman Kirk willing to talk about protecting pet food but not our soldiers?” said Sharon Sanders of Northbrook. “We were a peaceful group that wanted nothing more than a straight answer from our Congressman. I was shocked that he called in that many police to a Humane Society event,” said Sanders.

More after the jump

Kirk voted to authorize the President to use force against Iraq. Congressman Kirk supported legislation that would allow the president to use the military “against the continuing threat” posed by the Iraqi regime. The resolution authorized Mr. Bush to use the armed forces “as he determines to be necessary and appropriate” to defend the nation against “the continuing threat posed by Iraq,” and to enforce “all relevant” United Nations Security Council resolutions on Iraq. It required him to report to Congress within 48 hours of any military action. The resolution encouraged the president to try to work through the United Nations before acting alone thought it left him with broad latitude. The resolution passed, 296-133. [HJ RES 114, Vote #455 (D 81-126, R 215-6), 10/2/02; New York Times, 10/11/02]

Kirk voted for requiring competitive bidding for Iraq contracts. Congressman Kirk voted for legislation that would require normal competitive bidding procedures for all government contracts relating to Iraq’s oil infrastructure. Against Bush’s position. [HR 3289, Vote #557 (D 200-0, R 47-179), 10/17/03]

Kirk voted against accounting for billions of taxpayer dollars spent on Iraq. Congressman Kirk voted against an amendment to provide $5 million to establish a select committee to investigate reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, including contracting procedures, protection against money laundering, and the allocation of contracts to foreign companies and small businesses. In October 2004, the International Advisory and Monitoring Board released an audit of the Bush Administration’s management of Iraqi oil proceeds and other funds in the Development Fund for Iraq. Problems found involved hundreds of millions of dollars, numerous sole source contracts and missing and nonexistent contract files. The amendment was rejected, 191-236. [HR 1268, Vote #72 (D 190-10, R 0-226), 3/15/05; Committee on Government Reform Minority Staff, http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/]

Kirk voted against supporting hearings on the Bush Iraq policy. Congressman Kirk voted to kill a bid by Democrats to ask the Republican leadership and the chairmen of the committees of jurisdiction to conduct an investigation and hold oversight hearings related to possible abuses in administration actions and policies related to the Iraq war. The motion to kill hearings on Iraq passed 220-191. [Vote #562, Iraq War Investigation — Appeal Ruling of the Chair; 11/3/05 (D 1-190, R 219-0); Washington Post, 11/6/05]

Kirk voted against setting timetables for withdrawing from Iraq. Congressman Kirk voted against a resolution declaring that setting an “artificial timetable” for withdrawing the U.S. military from Iraq would be “inconsistent with achieving victory.” The resolution also called Iraq’s December 2005 election a “crucial victory” for Iraq that would not have been possible without the presence of U.S. troops. [HRS 612, Vote #648 (D 59-108, R 220-0), 12/16/05]

Kirk voted For Non-Binding Iraq Resolution. Congressman Kirk voted for a resolution endorsing President Bush’s Iraq policy while declaring that the United States will prevail in the war against terrorism. The resolution also takes a stand against setting withdrawal dates. The resolution was written entirely by the GOP and Democrats were barred from proposing an alternative. Many Democrats felt the resolution unfair because it conjoined non-controversial measures, such as declaring support for the ongoing Global War on Terror, with controversial measures, such as joining the War in Iraq to the War on Terror. [HRS 861, Vote #288 (D 42-149, R 214-3), 6/16/06; CQ Today, 6/16/06]

Kirk voted for disapproving of Bush’s plan for escalation of troops in Iraq. Congressman Kirk voted for a resolution that would express support for U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq, while disapproving of the President Bush’s decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to that country. Against Bush’s position. [H Con Res 63, Vote #99 (D 229-2, R 17-180), 2/16/07]

Kirk voted against redeployment of troops and benchmarks. Congressman Kirk voted against the adoption of the conference report on the bill that provided $124.2 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency funding, it also set a goal for redeployment of troops in Iraq by the end of March 2008. If the president can not verify that the Iraq government is meeting benchmarks then the troops would redeploy by the end of 2007. The legislation also provides $95.9 billion for military operations, $6.9 for hurricane recovery and $3.5 billion for crop programs. [HR 1591, Vote #265, 4/25/07]

Kirk voted against a bill that required the withdrawal U.S. troops. Congressman Kirk voted against a bill that required the withdrawal of U.S. troops and contractors in Iraq with funds provided by the Defense Department within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. The withdrawal would have to be completed within 180 days. The bill would prohibit any funds made available to the Defense Department from being used to increase the number of U.S. troops serving in Iraq in excess of the number serving there as of Jan. 1, 2007, unless the increase has been specifically authorized in advance by Congress. [HR 2237, Vote #330, 5/10/07]

Kirk voted against the President reporting progress in Iraq and meeting benchmarks. Congressman Kirk voted against a bill that would provide $42.8 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency spending for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and require another congressional vote in late July to release the remaining $52.8 billion for the Pentagon. It would withhold funds until the president reports by July 13 on progress the Iraqi government has made toward meeting specified benchmarks and goals set by the bill and Congress has adopted a joint resolution releasing the “fenced off” funds. The measure would provide $6.8 billion for hurricane recovery and relief, $3.3 billion for military healthcare costs and $2.25 billion for homeland security anti-terrorism programs. It also would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years and provide $4.8 billion in small-business tax incentives. [HR 2206, Vote #333, 5/10/07]

Kirk voted against a bill to bring our troops home by April 2008. Congressman Kirk voted against bringing our troops home from Iraq to begin within 120 days of the bill’s enactment. It would be completed by April 2008, with the exception of “limited presence.” It also required the president to report to Congress a U.S. strategy for Iraq. This would include protection for the remaining forces, specific missions and cost. [HR 2956, Vote #624, 7/12/07]