A Senator in Beijing?

Press Release

A previously undisclosed campaign fundraising document obtained by the Capitol Fax political blog reveals that Congressman Mark Kirk held a Beijing fundraiser with corporate executives on May 27, 2010. The very next day, he voted against closing the tax loophole that rewards corporations for shipping American jobs overseas to countries like China.

U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias today challenged Congressman Mark Kirk to explain how much corporate money he raised in China and to disclose the donors. Giannoulias also highlighted the conflict of raising money from foreign-based corporate executives and then voting multiple times -- including the day after the fundraiser -- to protect their corporate tax loopholes. This comes after Congressman Kirk told the Chinese government not to trust American budget numbers and voted against cracking down on China's currency manipulation.

"Congressman Kirk is acting like he's running to represent Beijing in the U.S. Senate. He raised money from corporate executives in Beijing and the next day sold out American jobs to China to return the favor. This is the clearest example yet that Congressman Kirk will trade his votes to the highest bidder. Only this time that bidder put Chinese interests ahead of the American economy," said Giannoulias. "This is politics at its worst. Congressman Kirk should be ashamed of himself and immediately return all of the money he raised in China."

Source