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Press Releases
The Truth about Mark Kirk's Clean Water Record
Monday, June 26, 2006
Wilmette, Ill. - Dan Seals, Democratic congressional candidate in the 10th District, today issued a fact sheet on Congressman Mark Kirk's real clean water record, in response to Kirk's press conference this morning that claimed his support for a legislative proposal that would limit sewage dumping in Lake Michigan - but not until the year 2026 at the earliest.
"This is a blatant election year bid to tie his name to the same programs he's been voting against for five years," said Patrick Mogge, Seals' campaign manager. "The truth about Kirk's record on cleaning up pollution in Lake Michigan is far different than his too little, too late rhetoric. It's taken Kirk five years in office to sign on to a plan that doesn't even address the problem until at least 20 years from now," he continued. Rising levels of pollution in Lake Michigan, the reduction in Clean Water and Air standards, and the under-funding of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund can be tied directly to Mark Kirk through his anti-environment votes. These facts show Kirk's consistent disregard for the bedrock protections that Illinoisans have relied on to protect our drinking water and keep Lake Michigan clean.
FACT - Over the last 3 years, funding for the federally-financed Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) has been reduced nationwide and specifically in Illinois by 37.6%, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (http://www.nrdc.org/media/docs/050211.pdf) - due to cuts in funding by the Bush Administration and the Republican congressional leadership. As Assistant Majority Whip, Mark Kirk has supported those cuts and lined up votes to ensure passage of his party's legislation. The CWSRF provides funding for sewage treatment facilities and helps to upgrade water treatment plants. It is a vital funding source to help keep our water supply clean and healthy and for protecting Lake Michigan that has been gutted by these funding cuts.
FACT - Mark Kirk voted against legislation that would have restored funding to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The Obey Amendment (http://clerk.house.gov/evs2005/roll194.xml) proposed restoration of $100 million in funding to the CWSRF and failed on a largely party-line vote. Kirk did not join moderates from his party in voting for the funding.
FACT - Kirk received a 39% failing grade in the League of Conservation Voters' latest 2005 scorecard (http://www.capwiz.com/lcv/bio keyvotes/?id=40130&congress=1092&lvl=C).
The 10th District Race
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan Washington political publication, recently upgraded the 10th District race between Dan Seals and Mark Kirk to its Competitive House Race chart. In a district that has voted for a Democrat in every presidential race since 1996, incumbent Congressman Mark Kirk votes with his party 91.49% of the time (from the nonpartisan Congressional Quarterly). Additionally, Kirk holds the Republican leadership position of Assistant Majority Whip, which gives him the responsibility of enforcing party discipline and lining up members on critical party votes.
About Dan Seals
Seals lives in Wilmette with his wife, Mia, and three young daughters. Born in Chicago, he received a master's in public policy from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and served as a Presidential Management Fellow during the Clinton Administration in both the Department of Commerce and on Capitol Hill. Seals went on to earn his MBA from the University of Chicago. He is currently on leave from his position as Director of Marketing at GE Commercial Finance while he campaigns full time.
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