RUBBER STAMP
Republican Mark Kirk
(IL-10)

Mark Kirk's rhetoric on the war in Iraq does not match his record. He claims that the mission in Iraq should be "winding down," but has repeatedly voted against legislation to redeploy our troops. And despite claiming that "reservists and our guardsmen should not suffer financially while serving on the front line," Kirk voted against a $1,500 bonus for our troops, National Guard and reservists. See more of Mark Kirk's "cheap talk" below.

Case #1: Different Choices

Mark Kirk's Rhetoric

  • Kirk: We Would Do Things Differently
    "Asked if he now regrets ever supporting the war, Kirk said he thinks 'a lot of policymakers would have made different choices.'" [Chicago Daily Herald, 3/19/07]

The Real Mark Kirk Record

  • 2002: Kirk Helped Write the Bush "Plan" for Iraq
    In 2002, Kirk was one of nine House members selected by Bush to work on the legislation authorizing the use of force against Iraq. [CQ Member Profile; www.cq.com]
  • 2002: Kirk Voted for War in Iraq
    In 2002, Kirk voted to allow the President to use the military force in Iraq. [HJR 114, Vote #455, 10/10/2002]
  • 2004: Kirk Advocated Staying the Course
    In 2004, the Chicago Daily Herald said that Kirk "advocates staying the course in Iraq to ensure future generations of soldiers don't have to return." [Chicago Daily Herald, 11/3/04]
  • 2006: Endorsed Bush Policy in Iraq
    In 2006, 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 took a stand against setting withdrawal dates. [CQ Today, 6/16/06; HRS 861, Vote #288, 6/16/06]



Case #2: Winding Up the Mission

Mark Kirk's Rhetoric

  • Kirk in 2007: Wind Up the Mission
    According to the Chicago Daily Herald, "The troops ended Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and protected Iraq through three elections, Kirk pointed out, but he adds that 'now I think we should look to winding up the mission.'" [Chicago Daily Herald, 3/19/07]

The Real Mark Kirk Record

  • 2007: Opposed Bringing Troops Home by August 2008
    In 2007, Kirk voted against a bill that would set in motion a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by August 2008. [CQ House Action Reports, No. 110-3, 3/20/07; HR 1591, Vote #186, 3/23/07]
  • 2007: Opposed Accountability in Iraq
    In 2007, Kirk voted against legislation to require the President to report on progress the Iraqi government has made toward meeting specified benchmarks and goals. [Congressional Quarterly; HR 2206, Vote #333, 5/10/07]
  • 2007: Opposed Accountability in Iraq, Redeployment of Troops
    In July 2007, Kirk voted against a bill to require the Defense secretary to begin redeploying U.S. troops and contractors out of Iraq within 120 days of the bill's enactment. [Congressional Quarterly; HR 2956, Vote #624, 7/12/07]



Case #3: Salary Bonus

Mark Kirk's Rhetoric

  • Kirk: Reservists Suffer Financially
    "Nearly forty percent of reservists suffer a loss of income when they go on active duty. When our country calls, reservists and our guardsmen should not suffer financially while serving on the front line." [Kirk Press Release, 5/26/05]

The Real Mark Kirk Record

  • 2003: Kirk Opposed A Salary Bonus For Our Troops, Guard, Reserve
    In 2003, Kirk voted against providing service members with a $1,500 salary bonus to every American service member serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, including National Guard and reserve forces. [HR 3289, Vote #554, 10/17/2003]



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