Mark Kirk Lies About Supporting Jobs Bill

Press Release

Just yesterday, while in Chicago, Congressman Mark Kirk told the media he would support the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act being brought to a vote in the House of Representatives today. Just 24 hours later and back home in Washington, D.C., Congressman Kirk broke that promise and voted against saving thousands of teachers' jobs and critical state education funding.

"After today's vote it is clear that Congressman Kirk didn't just lie about being a teacher, he lied about supporting them. I am stunned that he would vote against an emergency bill to keep teachers in the classroom - a bill that is completely paid for and will save at least 5,700 teaching jobs right here in Illinois. Congressman Kirk's vote today proves he is a typical Washington politician who will always side with the corporate special interests and against Illinois families and Illinois teachers," said Illinois State Treasurer and U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias.

Today, Congressman Kirk voted against Senate Amendment to H.R. 1586, Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which would appropriate $10 billion for teacher job retention and $16.1 billion for Federal Medical Assistance Percentage [FMAP] payments. Under the legislation, Illinois would receive $415,397,841 in education assistance, which would support 5,700 teaching jobs, and $545,000 in FMAP funds.

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