Kirk named to Committees on Appropriations, Banking, Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP), and Aging
Kirk: “These Senate Committee assignments line up perfectly with an economic growth agenda for Illinois.â€
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Washington, DC —  U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) announced he has been appointed to four U.S. Senate committees that deal with issues ranging from federal expenditures to the elderly.
“These Senate Committee assignments line up well with an economic agenda for Illinois,†Kirk said.  “As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will fight to reduce the size and spending of the federal government.  My position on Banking will provide Illinois a stronger voice in expanding jobs in the financial centers of our state, while the Health and Education Committee could help repeal and replace the heath care law while making our students ready to win against competitors from Asia and Europe.  On the Committee on Aging, I will be able to advocate on behalf of our 1.6 million Illinois seniors.â€Â
Appropriations: Â One of the most powerful committees in the U.S. Congress, the Appropriations Committee has authority over all discretionary expenditures made by the federal government. Senator Kirk will be an advocate for ending earmark spending and cutting overall spending. Â Â
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Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs:  The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs plays a major role in crafting legislation on banks, credit unions, and credit cards.  Senator Kirk will be a strong avocate for expanding small business employement, especially through improved access to credit.  Illinois is one of the nation’s largest hubs of commercial banking with approximately 437 state-chartered commercial banks with assets in excess of $200 billion.  Â
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP):Â Â This Committee has jurisdiction over a wide range of concerns, including health care, education, employment, and retirement policies. Â Senator Kirk will set a priority on repealing/replacing the health care law as well as finding ways to boost education performance. Â Illinois has 500,500 residents employed in the health care sector, 143 hospitals, 24,300 active patient-care physicians and 126,000 licensed registered nurses. Â Â Â
Special Committee on Aging:  With the Baby Boom population now hitting retirement age, the Special Committee on Aging studies issues, conducts oversight and investigates reports of fraud and abuse.  The Committee also reviews Medicare’s performance, pension coverage and employment opportunities for older Americans.  It also has conducted oversight of major programs such as Social Security.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates more than 1.5 million Illinois residents—or 12 percent of the state’s population—are over the age of 65. By  2020, the agency estimates the over-65 population will grow to 31 percent of the state’s population.  Â