Rep. Kirk on Fiscal Responsibility

What He Says

"We should pay down the national debt, removing the tax burden on future generations. Congress must also hold the line on wasteful government spending and insist on a balanced budget. Like any family or business, the government must live within its means."
(Rep. Kirk, www.kirkforcongress.com, September 9, 2000)

"Service in Congress is about making tough choices. For too long we have said, You get yours, I get mine and the kids get the bill. This must end."
(Rep. Kirk, 3/2/04)

"We should all be worried, in the history of democracies, that while it is the best form of government on the planet, there is a troubled record of democracies spending their way into dictatorship."
(Rep. Kirk, 6/22/06, Congressional Record)

His Votes

Rep. Kirk supported the creation of 4 of the 5 largest deficits in the nation's history by voting for ALL of President Bush's budgets.

Budget votes include: H.Con.Res.83 03/28/01, H.Con.Res.353 03/20/02, H.Con.Res.95 3/21/03; S.Con.Res.95 5/19/04, H.Con.Res.95, 3/17/05; H.Res. 653, 2/1/06, H.Con.Res 376 5/17/06).

The Office of Management and Budget projects this year's deficit will be $260 billion. (OMB) The prior three budget deficits were $318, $378 and $413 billion ('05,'04,'03). The surplus at the close of President Clinton's 2nd term was $284 billion.

Citizens Against Government Waste gave Rep. Kirk a 55% failing grade in 2004.

The Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan grassroots organization that is dedicated to informing the public about the need for generationally responsible fiscal policy, gave Rep. Kirk a 55% failing grade in 2002 and a 10% failing grade in 2001.