Shimkus, J Rep

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=House_Committee_on_Energy_and_Commerce" title="House Committee on Energy and Commerce">House Committee on Energy and Commerce</a> - Ranking Member

<ul>

<li>Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality</li>

<li>Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials</li>

<li>Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

=<div>=</div><div><a href="https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/some-gop-lawmakers-are-thawing-on-climate-change">https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/some-gop-lawmakers-are-thawing-on-climate-change</a></div><div>
</div><div>2/19?</div><div>Congressional Republicans seem to be thawing on climate.Rep. <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?44624&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">Mark Meadows</a>, the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus who has denied the science behind climate change, told reporters Wednesday he was open to confront the peril of the warming planet.“There are some things I’m willing to look at,” the North Carolina Republican said of addressing climate change. While he remains skeptical of climate science, he said, “I think that greenhouse gas emissions is certainly something that we need to look at.”Last week, Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?2484&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">John Barrasso</a> of Wyoming said America can cut its carbon output. It’s a business opportunity for U.S. firms, he said. “You know, as other countries grow their economies, they should be using the best possible technology to capture carbon emissions.”And Illinois Republican Rep. <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?175&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">John Shimkus</a>, who in 2008 called a carbon tax “the only intellectually honest way to move forward on global climate change,” said Wednesday, referring to a possible climate bill, that there are “areas of agreement where Republicans can be supportive so that you might have a legislative solution that actually gets signed into law.”As the long-set Republican opposition to addressing climate change recedes on Capitol Hill, even highly conservative members in the House and Senate are indicating they view greenhouse gases as a problem and are open to climate measures that would emphasize an expanded role for the private sector rather than the federal government.While no deal is imminent or likely in this Congress, Republicans have set out areas they might be willing to compromise on or use as bargaining chips in negotiating climate legislation, including carbon-capture technology, energy efficiency, nuclear power, battery storage and funding for basic energy research and development.In a column published Wednesday, a trio of top Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee — ranking member <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?402&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">Greg Walden</a> of Oregon, Rep. <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?245&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">Fred Upton</a> of Michigan, and Shimkus — offered an “innovation” pitch to address the issue with what they called “bipartisan solutions”: renewable energy development, carbon capture and utilization, hydropower and nuclear power.“These are bipartisan solutions we must seize on to deliver real results for the American people,” they wrote.That type of offer may have an audience with Democrats who may view a proposal with more federal involvement, like the Green New Deal resolution from Rep. <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?118914&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez</a> of New York and Sen. <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?220&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Edward J. Markey</a> of Massachusetts, as less politically palatable. The resolution aims to overhaul the U.S. energy system and swiftly pull away from carbon-heavy sources.House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?404&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Peter A. DeFazio</a> of Oregon, who opposed cap-and-trade legislation Democrats narrowly passed when they last had control of the House, said he was interested in what Republicans had to offer.“Renewable energy, R&D, energy efficiency, research into new battery technology, massive federal investments in those areas? Sure, I’m interested in that,” DeFazio said.He said that before he’s willing to work with Republicans on these efforts, they must acknowledge the science behind climate change and the related risks presented to the planet.“They have to acknowledge there’s a problem if they want to spend a bunch of money to solve it,” he said. “If they’re going to spend a bunch of money on a problem they say doesn’t exist, it doesn’t make a lot of sense.”Shimkus said that he, with Walden and Upton, was trying to move beyond the topic of climate science, which “we all agree with,” to a strategy of “how we can move forward.”Republicans are considering “where are there areas of agreement where Republicans can be supportive so that you might have a legislative solution that actually gets signed into law,” he said.<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.1; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">‘No-regret solutions’</h2>At a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing last week, Sen. <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?17262&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Lisa Murkowski</a>, who chairs the committee, laid out similar grounds for compromise.“I have often spoken about clean energy innovation policies as ‘no-regret solutions,’” the Alaska Republican said. “But in reality, these are just those first steps.”Deploying low-carbon energy infrastructure worldwide requires research and cost-cutting, she said, underscoring carbon capture technology, which is still in its infancy.“It is time to push hard to bring down the cost of clean energy technologies like renewables, advanced nuclear, next-generation energy storage and carbon capture,” Murkowski said. “If we want credible technological solutions that are cost-effective and deployable globally and at-scale, we must ensure that the policies we put in place propel those efforts.”Energy and Natural Resources ranking member <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?2120&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Joe Manchin</a> III said at that hearing that a comprehensive measure like the Green New Deal could be a way for lawmakers of both parties to “come together and understand that it’s a really lofty goal.”“We get these divides where our caucuses, whether it be within the Democrat or Republican, or divide within the whole Senate or the whole Congress,” the West Virginia Democrat said. “We don’t want to drink dirty water. We don’t want to breathe dirty air. We want our kids to have a future. We really do. They also realize they have to have a job to sustain themselves.”Shimkus agreed with the sentiment that Democrats’ Green New Deal created an opportunity to craft a more politically-moderate approach to addressing climate that could receive buy-in from his party.“I think that’s helpful in getting us to look at something ... that we might be willing to consider,” he said.In an interview, Rep. <a shape="rect" class="memberLink" title="Click to view member info in a new window" href="https://www.rollcall.com/members?29506&utm_source=memberLink?utm_source=memberLink" target="blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Paul Tonko</a>, who is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce’s Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee, lauded the Republicans’ willingness to address climate change but said their push for innovation falls short of what is needed to tackle such as sprawling threat."Innovation and research are important but again that's only picking two tools out of the kit,” the New York Democrat said. “And if we’re going to get to this very lofty ambitious goal with urgency, we’re going to need to have many more elements to be part of the equation for success.”Tonko, whose subcommittee would be the first stop for legislation in the House to address climate change and energy issues, said there are opportunities to work out a deal between both chambers and parties.He mentioned energy efficiency, weatherization, conservation, research and upgrading the electric grids as areas of collaboration — points Republicans have broadly said they would be open to.“I applaud they're coming around,” Tonko said. “It appears as though the denial syndrome or the delay syndrome has been abandoned and that people are now talking solutions.”<div style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Trump: Green New Deal sounds like a ‘high school term paper that got a low mark’]</div></div><div></div>vice
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">American nuclear power plants produce a lot of radioactive waste, more than 2,000 tons each year, and there’s a lot of controversy over where to put it.<p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">For now, it's spread out in temporary storage casks at about 70 sites across the country, but the Trump administration is eyeing a site in Nevada as a permanent solution.<p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">The U.S. Department of Energy decided in 1987 that the best place to put the waste is inside a mountain in the Nevada desert, about 100 miles from Las Vegas. But that project — the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository — has been tied up in permitting red-tape and politics, as Nevada’s elected leaders have aimed to protect their state from catastrophe if something goes wrong. Pressured by powerful then-U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, the Obama administration stopped funding for the Yucca Mountain project’s license in 2010.<div class="odd-unitcontainercontainer" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" bold="Bold" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" px="px"><p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">But Reid is gone. And President Trump’s Department of Energy has expressed interest in restarting research and development at Yucca Mountain. Seeing an opening, Illinois Republican Rep. John Shimkus, chair of the Environment Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has plowed ahead with a bill passed through the House that would bring Yucca Mountain much closer to opening its doors.<p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">But another Nevada senator is standing in the way. This time, it’s U.S. Sen. Dean Heller, a Republican, who has pledged that Nevada will never be the nation’s nuclear waste dumping ground.<p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">“Under my watch, I will not let one more hard-earned taxpayer dollar go toward this failed project,” Heller said in<a href="https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2018/5/heller-blasts-house-panel-for-advancing-yucca-mountain-funds" target="blank" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700; position: relative; margin: 0.67em 0px; transition: all 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1) 0s; text-decoration-line: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0px 0.15em; border-bottom: 3px solid rgb(255, 215, 0);"> a statement</a> this spring. “Yucca Mountain is dead; it is that simple.”<p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">In a Washington rarity, something trumped partisanship: geography. Illinois has more nuclear waste than any other state, and Shimkus is prepared to fire on members of his own party if it means winning the fight to get nuclear waste out.<p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">“When it was Obama and Reid, I could do some righteous anger, partisan-wise,” Shimkus said. “But now it’s [Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell and [Republican House Speaker] Paul Ryan."<p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">Without a permanent solution for storing nuclear waste -- which is dangerous some 10,000 years after it’s considered spent fuel -- the nuclear plants themselves store the waste onsite, in so-called concrete “casks,” arranged on the edges of properties. That spent nuclear fuel is piled up in more than 80 locations across the country.<div class="odd-unitcontainercontainer" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" bold="Bold" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" px="px"><p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">At a nuclear power plant outside Rockford, Illinois, Shimkus said his state of 13 million people shouldn’t bear the risk of radioactive waste.<p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">“If [casks] stay here, they'll stay here forever,” Shimkus said from the Byron Generating Station, about 100 miles from Chicago. “And the nuclear regulatory commission says these [casks] are safe.<p style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: " founders="Founders" grotesk="Grotesk" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" calibri="Calibri" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" font-size="font-size" em="em" line-height="line-height" max-width="max-width" px="px" margin="margin" auto="auto" padding="padding">“But it's only safe for about 40 or 50 years. Let's find a permanent repository. If completed, Yucca Mountain will be safe for this type of storage for a million years.”=<a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2017/3/14/alec_for_profit_health_industry_embrace" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none;">https://www.democracynow.org/2017/3/14/alec_for_profit_health_industry_embrace</a><div class="story_summary" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" background-color="background-color" rgb="rgb" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="text" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 27px; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">As the Congressional Budget Office projects 24 million people will lose health insurance coverage by 2026 under the Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, we look at who stands to benefit from the law. Lee Fang, investigative journalist at The Intercept, talks about how the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the for-profit medical industry is backing the plan despite opposition from health providers. Plus, we look at how the bill is just the first of a three-part plan to repeal Obamacare.</div><hr style="box-sizing: content-box; height: 1px; margin: 40px 0px; border: none; clear: both; background: rgb(236, 238, 239);" /></div><div class="transcript" helvetica="Helvetica" neue="Neue" arial="Arial" sans-serif="sans-serif" background-color="background-color" rgb="rgb" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box;"><h5 style="box-sizing: border-box; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-transform: uppercase; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">TRANSCRIPT</h5><div class="grey_description fine_print" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;">This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.</div><div class="text" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 27px; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">AMY GOODMAN: As we continue to talk about healthcare, I also want to bring in investigative reporter Lee Fang of The Intercept. He recently wrote a <a href="https://theintercept.com/2017/03/10/gop-repeal-strategy/" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; outline: none; box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; border: 0px;">piece</a> headlined "Next Phase of Obamacare Repeal Will Target Mandate Requiring Prenatal Coverage, GOP Leader Tells Allies." The article begins, "When Republican Congressman John Shimkus expressed outrage during a House committee hearing Wednesday 'about men having to purchase prenatal care' in their health insurance—the video clip of which caught fire on social media as an example of misogyny and cluelessness—he wasn’t going rogue. He was just getting ahead of party leaders, who haven’t publicly announced their next steps quite yet." This is Shimkus making the comment after being questioned by Democratic Congressman Michael Doyle....</div></div>

Roskam, with Rep. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus" title="John Shimkus">John Shimkus</a>,

has proposed the Energy VISION Act that promises to all-but end

America's foreign energy addiction within 15 years. According to the

Baltimore Sun, "The plan mixes conservation and alternative fuel

production with aggressive domestic energy exploration, including

drilling offshore and in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_National_Wildlife_Refuge" title="Arctic National Wildlife Refuge">Arctic National Wildlife Refuge</a> and opening vast swaths of land to oil shale development." <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Roskam#cite_note-34">[34]</a>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Roskam#cite_note-34">http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/gop_reps_oil_independence_by_2.html</a>2008<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Roskam#cite_note-34">
</a>A pair of Republican congressmen from Illinois are

set to unveil a plan that promises to all-but end America's foreign

energy addiction within 15 years.

Reps. Peter Roskam and John Shimkus will detail the proposal - which

they dub the Energy VISION Act - at a Chicago press conference this

morning. It seeks to cut American oil imports by 9.5 million barrels a

day, which would theoretically allow the country to run only on oil

produced in Canada, Mexico, and the United States and its territories.

The plan mixes conservation and alternative fuel production with

aggressive domestic energy exploration, including drilling offshore and

in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and opening vast swaths of land

to oil shale development. Democrats have criticized similar domestic

production proposals in other Republican energy bills, saying they will

do little to reduce gasoline prices in the short- or medium-term.

In a press release, Roskam and Shimkus say the time has come for energy independence.

"Soaring energy prices place an enormous financial weight on our

family's budget today, far greater than any time in this nation's

history," Roskam says. "Energy costs now consume nearly one-fifth of

the after-tax incomes of low and middle-class families - double that of

just 10 years ago. It has come time for a national energy policy that

places us on a path to independence. This is a common goal to all

Americans - Republican and Democrat. For our economic security, our

national security and environmental security we must be energy

independent within the next 15 years."

"It is past the time to take action," Shimkus says. "There are

concrete solutions available. We need to develop our own oil supplies

in places like Alaska and off our coastlines that are currently

off-limits. We must continue to advance our technology in ethanol,

biofuels, wind, and solar power. And even more importantly for the

economy of Illinois, we need to use available technology to convert our

vast supplies of coal to environmentally safe liquid fuels. No single

source is going to be a magic bullet, but by diversifying our efforts we

can go a long way toward energy self-sufficiency."

Read on for details from the VISION plan, which is based on the

calculation that America needs to replace 9 million barrels of oil a day

to wean itself from non-U.S./Mexico/Canada oil.

Oil Import Replacements in the Energy VISION Act:

· Total: 9.5M barrels per day*

· Savings from a tax credit for trading in old cars for newer, more fuel efficient models:

· 2M barrels per day

· Savings from replacing current conventional aviation fuel with an aviation fuel prize winner:

· 1.5M barrels per day

· Arctic coastal plain production:

· 1.5M barrels per day

· Outer Continental Shelf production:

· 2.4M barrels per day

· Oil Shale development and production:

· 2M barrels per day

· Savings from the use of anti-idling technology:

· 100,000 barrels per day

Specifics of the Energy VISION Act:

CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY PROVISIONS

ANTI-IDLING

l Creates a grant program within the U.S. Department of Transportation

(DOT) for research and development of a solid oxide fuel cell capable of

being retrofitted on trucks and buses, and incorporated into new

vehicle designs to prevent wasted fuel and emissions during vehicle

idling

TAX INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY

l Creates a tax credit to turn in fuel inefficient vehicles more than 15

years old at the purchase of new, more fuel efficient vehicles

l Extends numerous tax benefits for improving the efficiency and sustainability of homes and appliances

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROVISIONS

CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BONDS

l Authorizes $2 billion in Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) to

finance the construction of alternative and renewable sources of energy

EPACT2005 and EISA2007

l Funds authorized programs of research and development of advanced and

alternative sources of energy like solar, wind, oil shale, tar sands,

geothermal and others

DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTION PROVISONS

AMERICAN OIL

· Opens the Arctic Coastal Plain, the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and

domestic lands with oil shale to exploration and production to free up

the more than 2 trillion barrels of American oil

· With the estimated $350 billion in resulting federal revenues:

· Share 45% with the states

· Commit 5% to an environmental protection fund

· Use 50% through the Energy VISION Fund to bring the U.S. to energy independence

FUTUREGEN

l Establishes $2B in funding to develop a near-zero emissions coal-fired power plant in Illinois

l Develop carbon sequestration technology and commercial applications for carbon emissions

COAL LIQUID FUEL ACT

l Authorizes the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy to enter

into loan and profit sharing agreements for the development of

coal-to-liquid technology to serve as an advanced alternative to

conventional gasoline

SAFE AND CLEAN NUCLEAR POWER

l Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to consider licensing and

permitting applications in a timely manner, providing predictability to

the process and furthering the application and usefulness of nuclear

power

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROVISIONS

THE AVIATION FUEL PRIZE

l $177.6M prize for a direct drop-in replacement aviation fuel

l The aviation fuel must be usable in existing engines and

infrastructure, reduce emissions, be domestically derived, and provide

stability to the airline industry

THE NEW CAR PRIZE

l $177.6M prize for a new generation of cars

l The new car must go 750 miles between refueling and maintain size and

performance characteristics while remaining within 110% of the cost of

current comparable models

ENERGY FRONTIER RESEARCH

l Establishes a funding stream ($100M annually) for the U.S. Department

of Energy's Energy Frontier Research Centers that will provide the

fundamental scientific breakthroughs that can lead us to a new energy

economy

THE ENERGY VISION COMMISSION

· Creates a blue-ribbon commission of agency heads and Congressional

appointees to further implementation of the Energy VISION Act and make

additional recommendations to complement the VISION and ensure energy

independence within 15 years

###

*Estimates of savings and replacements derived from figures provided by

the Energy Information Administration, the U.S. Department of the

Interior, the Bureau of Land Management, the Minerals Management

Service, and the Congressional Research Service==

<a href="http://www.salon.com/news/global_warming/index.html">http://www.salon.com/news/global_warming/index.html</a>

Back in March 2009, when Nancy Pelosi ruled the House of Representatives with an iron fist, one could chuckle at Republicans who came to committee hearings quoting scripture as the rationale for their positions on energy policy.

But now, when one of those very same Republicans is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1110/Shimkus_seeks_Energy_and_Commerce_chairmanship.html">in the running for the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce committee,</a> it just doesn't seem so funny.

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<li><a class="continue_reading" href="http://www.salon.com/technology/how_the_world_works/2010/11/09/john_shimkus_god_and_noah/index.html" onclick="return (read_story('mps2038605') && false);">Continue reading</a></li>

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</div><div class="story_full" id="story_full_mps2038605" style=" display: block;">

Juan Cole <a target="_blank" href="http://www.juancole.com/2010/11/energy-committee-chairman-candidate-says-god-promised-no-more-catastrophic-climate-change-after-noah.html">does us the unpleasant service</a> of bringing back to life the comments of John Shimkus, R-Ill., a year and a half ago.

Shimkus starts by quoting Genesis 8, Verses 21 and 22, in which God makes Noah a promise.

Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though all inclinations of his heart are evil from childhood and never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.

As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will never cease.

</blockquote>

Shimkus continues: "I believe that is the infallible word of god, and that's the way it is going to be for his creation... The earth will end only when God declares its time to be over. Man will not destroy this earth. This earth will not be destroyed by a flood."

I'm glad that John Shimkus can sleep at night, faithful that that God's word is "infallible, unchanging, perfect." But for those of us who are less confident in humanity's ability to keep from massively screwing up, the thought that the Bible will be determining government energy policy is massively ulcer-inducing.

</div>

politico:

Rep. John Shimkus is standing by a controversial comment that global warming isn't something to worry about because God said he wouldn't destroy the Earth after Noah's flood.

The Illinois Republican running for the powerful perch atop the House Energy and Commerce Committee told POLITICO on Wednesday that his understanding of the Bible reaffirms his belief that government shouldn't be in the business of trying to address rising greenhouse gas emissions.

"I do believe in the Bible as the final word of God," Shimkus said. "And I do believe that God said the Earth would not be destroyed by a flood.

“Now, do I believe in climate change? In my trip to Greenland, the answer is yes. The climate is changing,” he added. “The question is more about the costs and benefits and trying to spend taxpayer dollars on something that you cannot stop versus the changes that have been occurring forever. That's the real debate."

Shimkus drew snickers from the left in March 2009 when he <a target="blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7h08RDYA5E">quoted an exchange</a> between God and Noah in Genesis during a subcommittee hearing on adaptation policies for dealing with climate change. His critics have rehashed the congressman's remarks now that he's entered the internal GOP campaign to take charge of the House panel with direct oversight of global warming and other environmental and energy policy issues.

"I'm glad that John Shimkus can sleep at night, faithful that that God's word is 'infallible, unchanging, perfect,'" Salon blogger Andrew Leonard wrote on Wednesday. "But for those of us who are less confident in humanity's ability to keep from massively screwing up, the thought that the Bible will be determining government energy policy is massively ulcer inducing."

Steve Tomaszewski, a Shimkus spokesman, said the congressman cited the Bible during the hearing because two ordained ministers testifying on the panel included their own Bible passages as part of their prepared remarks.

Shimkus is one of four Republicans seeking the Energy and Commerce gavel — Joe Barton, Fred Upton and Cliff Stearns are the others — in what has become an <a target="_blank" href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/44924.html">increasingly nasty campaign</a>. Barton is seeking a waiver from GOP leaders he’s unlikely to get, and he and other conservatives are attacking Upton for not being conservative enough. Shimkus would not have that problem, and at the every least he is well-situated for a subcommittee chairmanship.

Echoing Upton, Stearns and Barton, Shimkus pledged to aggressively pursue repeal and oversight of the health reform law, a significant piece of which falls under the Energy and Commerce Committee’s jurisdiction.

Read more: <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/44958.html#ixzz1ANUUUqhF">http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/44958.html#ixzz1ANUUUqhF</a>

</div>

Read more: <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/44958.html#ixzz1ANULXFtu">http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/44958.html#ixzz1ANULXFtu</a>

</div>

===TOSCA
Two years after Train’s announcement—and after significant

negotiation between the government and industry—the TSCA was finally

signed into law by President Ford on Oct. 11, 1976, authorizing the EPA

to test and regulate new and existing chemicals. In a statement

accompanying the signing of the bill, Ford said, “I believe this

legislation may be one of the <a href="http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=6445" target="_blank">most important</a>

pieces of environmental legislation that has been enacted by the

Congress.” He may have been right, but important does not equal

effective.

Fixing “Fundamental Weaknesses”

A large part of the problem with the TSCA is its fundamentally

Sisyphean nature. In 1994, former EPA Assistant Administrator Lynn

Goldman testified to Congress, saying, “Our available tools for

gathering testing data about these chemicals are <a href="https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/policy/acsonthehill/briefings/tscareform/crs-tsca-implementation-2008.pdf" target="_blank">cumbersome</a>.”

Later, she explained that under the provisions of the TSCA, “It’s

almost as if … we have to, first, prove that chemicals are risky before

we can have the testing done to show whether or not the chemicals are

risky.” Since the TSCA was enacted, some 62,000 chemicals have never

been tested by the EPA because they were grandfathered in and remain on

the market.

In 2009, Michael Wilson and Megan Schwarzman, environmental health scientists at UC Berkeley, published a damning <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19672398" target="_blank">analysis</a>

of U.S. chemical policy, identifying “fundamental weaknesses” in the

way the government protects Americans from toxic substances—weaknesses

that not only leave the public unprotected, but hamstring the

development of a chemical marketplace that is less toxic and more

sustainable. “These policies have <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19672398" target="_blank">largely failed</a>

to adequately protect public health or the environment or motivate

investment in or scientific exploration of cleaner chemical

technologies,” they wrote in the paper, which was published in

Environmental Health Perspectives, a peer-reviewed journal. “On this

trajectory,” they warned, “the United States will face growing health,

environmental and economic problems related to chemical exposures and

pollution.”

Two bills, a House and Senate bill, which passed their respective

chambers last year, represent Congress’ first serious attempt to

“reauthorize and modernize” the TSCA. The Senate bill, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr2576/BILLS-114hr2576eas.pdf" target="_blank">S. 697</a>

(the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act), has

been hailed as the result of bipartisan compromise on Capitol Hill led

by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), who

co-sponsored a bill in May 2013. A month later, Lautenberg died. Sen.

Tom Udall (D-NM) picked up the reins and worked with Vitter—an ally of

the chemical companies—to improve the bill, which eventually secured

enough support in the Senate to be filibuster-proof. Now dubbed the

“Udall-Vitter chemical safety bill,” it <a href="http://saferchemicals.org/newsroom/12774/" target="_blank">passed</a> on Dec. 17 by unanimous consent.

New York Times columnist Joe Nocera sees a rare quality in the

Udall-Vitter bill: “In this era of polarized politics,” he writes, “it

is something of a miracle.” He said Udall told him that the bill stood

as “an example of good, old-fashioned legislating.” Nocera also <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/opinion/the-case-for-compromise.html?r=0" target="blank">relayed</a> the opinion of Dominique Browning, a co-founder of the grassroots green group known as Moms Clean Air Force:

“Browning, an old friend of mine,

describes herself as an environmental pragmatist. She concluded that

whatever the flaws in the bill, it was a vast improvement over the

status quo—a status quo in which the Environmental Protection Agency

can’t even <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/04/business/energy-environment/the-uphill-battle-to-better-regulate-formaldehyde.html" target="_blank">regulate formaldehyde</a>.

She and her brain trust decided that their 570,000-member group would

work to improve the bill instead of oppose it. This is also the position

taken by the ever-pragmatic Fred Krupp of the Environmental Defense

Fund, with which Moms Clean Air Force is affiliated.”

The House bill, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2576/text" target="_blank">H.R. 2576</a>

(TSCA Modernization Act), was introduced in May 2015 by Rep. John

Shimkus (R-IL-15) and passed in June. The next step is for the bills to

be assessed in a conference committee to reconcile the two versions.

(Richard Denison, lead senior scientist at the nonprofit Environmental

Defense Fund has published an excellent side-by-side <a href="http://blogs.edf.org/health/2015/06/29/comparing-the-senate-and-house-tsca-reform-legislation-a-side-by-side/" target="_blank">comparison</a> of how the two bills address 12 of TSCA’s key limitations).

As the first major overhaul of the 40-year-old TSCA, the bills have

several laudable goals and fix glaring omissions in the old law. For

example, the TSCA gives no special consideration to segments of the

population that may be more susceptible to toxins, such as infants,

children, pregnant women, workers and the elderly. This is a striking

oversight. Less than <a href="http://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/service-areas/children/areas-of-care/childrens-environmental-health-center/childrens-disease-and-the-environment/children-and-toxic-chemicals" target="_blank">20 percent</a>

of HPV chemicals have been studied for their ability to impact child

development. The Senate bill addresses this omission, expressly

requiring protections for these vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the TSCA

gives the EPA the authority, but regrettably no mandate, to restrict

chemicals deemed to present an “unreasonable risk.” The new legislation

closes this breach by requiring restrictions on such substances.

Another target of reform is the “safety standard.” Under the TSCA, a

substance of unreasonable risk requires the EPA to conduct a

cost-benefit analysis, an unwieldy requirement that is ultimately not

necessary—if the bottom line is protecting public health. Both bills

address this by prohibiting the EPA from considering costs and other

non-risk factors in making safety determinations, eliminating an onerous

requirement of the TSCA that Denison characterized as a “<a href="http://blogs.edf.org/health/2015/06/29/comparing-the-senate-and-house-tsca-reform-legislation-a-side-by-side/" target="_blank">paralyzing regulatory hurdle</a>.”

The final bill will likely meet one of the threshold principles for

the Obama administration: that the safety standard is a “health only”

standard and not a “cost-benefit” standard. In their analysis, Wilson

and Schwarzman note three key “gaps” caused by the weaknesses in the

TSCA:

<ul><li>Data gap: “Producers are not required to

investigate and disclose sufficient information on chemicals’ hazard

traits to government, businesses that use chemicals or the public.”</li></ul>

<ul><li>Safety gap: “Government lacks the legal tools it

needs to efficiently identify, prioritize and take action to mitigate

the potential health and environmental effects of hazardous chemicals.”</li></ul>

<ul><li>Technology gap: “Industry and government have invested only marginally in green chemistry research, development and education.”</li></ul>

The bills address these gaps to varying degrees. Regarding the data

gap, the new legislation mandates a greater level of transparency,

requiring an upfront justification from companies for all or most new

claims. Regarding the safety gap, the bills, as stated earlier, prohibit

the EPA from considering costs in risk evaluations. Regarding the

technology gap, the Senate bill mandates that, no later than two years

after the bill’s enactment, an Interagency Working Group—comprised of

representative from several agencies, including the U.S. Department of

Agriculture, EPA, National Institutes of Health and the National Science

Foundation—must submit “a summary of federally funded sustainable

chemistry research, development, demonstration, technology transfer,

commercialization, education and training activities.”

Whether or not these changes survive the final combined version of the bill remains to be seen.===

<h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading">John Shimkus</h1>

<div id="siteSub">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedi</div>

<table class="infobox vcard" style="width: 22em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="n" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">John Shimkus</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style=" text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rep._John_Shimkus.jpg" class="image" title="John Shimkus"><img src="/b5c85564-e5d3-5f0a-9b56-ec67cf17f2f6.jpg"/></a>

</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">

<hr />

<div style=" background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender; font-weight: bold;">Member of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_of_Representatives" title="United States House of Representatives">U.S. House of Representatives</a>

from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois" title="Illinois">Illinois</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois%27s_19th_congressional_district" title="Illinois's 19th congressional district">19th</a> district</div>

</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style=" text-align: center; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% lavender;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incumbent" title="Incumbent">Incumbent</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style=" text-align: center;">Assumed office

January 3, 2003</td></tr><tr><th>Preceded by</th><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_D._Phelps" title="David D. Phelps">David D. Phelps</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">

<hr />

from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois" title="Illinois">Illinois</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois%27s_20th_congressional_district" title="Illinois's 20th congressional district">20th</a> district</div>

</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style=" border-bottom: medium none; text-align: center;">In office

January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2003</td></tr><tr><th>Preceded by</th><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_J._Durbin" title="Richard J. Durbin" class="mw-redirect">Richard J. Durbin</a></td></tr><tr><th>Succeeded by</th><td>District Eliminated</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">

<hr />

</td></tr><tr><th>Born</th><td>February 21, 1958 (age 52)
(1958-02-21)

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collinsville,Illinois" title="Collinsville, Illinois">Collinsville, Illinois</a></td></tr><tr><th>Political party</th><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party%28United_States%29" title="Republican Party (United States)">Republican</a></td></tr><tr><th>Spouse(s)</th><td>Karen Shimkus</td></tr><tr><th>Residence</th><td class="label"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collinsville,_Illinois" title="Collinsville, Illinois">Collinsville, Illinois</a></td></tr><tr><th><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alma_mater" title="Alma mater">Alma mater</a></th><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Military_Academy" title="US Military Academy" class="mw-redirect">US Military Academy</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concordia_University_Irvine" title="Concordia University Irvine" class="mw-redirect">Concordia University Irvine</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Illinois_University_Edwardsville" title="Southern Illinois University Edwardsville">Southern Illinois University Edwardsville</a></td></tr><tr><th>Occupation</th><td>High school teacher</td></tr><tr><th>Religion</th><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheran" title="Lutheran" class="mw-redirect">Lutheran</a> - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheran_Church%E2%80%93Missouri_Synod" title="Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod">LCMS</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style=" background-color: rgb(176, 196, 222); text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Military service</td></tr><tr><th>Service/branch</th><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army" title="United States Army">United States Army</a></td></tr><tr><th>Years of service</th><td>active 1980-1986, reserves 1986-2008</td></tr><tr><th>Rank</th><td><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_Colonel" title="Lieutenant Colonel">Lieutenant Colonel</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

John Mondy Shimkus (born February 21, 1958) is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_of_Representatives" title="United States House of Representatives">U.S. Representative</a> for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois%27s_19th_congressional_district" title="Illinois's 19th congressional district">Illinois's 19th congressional district</a> (numbered as the 20th from 1997 to 2003), serving since 1997. He is a member of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_%28United_States%29" title="Republican Party (United States)">Republican Party</a>.

The district includes much of the southern portion of the state, taking in part of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield,_Illinois" title="Springfield, Illinois">Springfield</a> and a portion of the "Metro-East" area (the Illinois side of the Greater St. Louis, Missouri region).

<h2>Contents</h2>

[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#" class="internal" id="togglelink">hide</a>]</div>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#Personal_life">1 Personal life</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#U.S._House_of_Representatives">2 U.S. House of Representatives</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#Committee_assignments">2.1 Committee assignments</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#Controversies">3 Controversies</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#2006_House_page_scandal">3.1 2006 House page scandal</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-6"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#2007_Comments_on_Iraq_War">3.2 2007 Comments on Iraq War</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-7"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#2009_Speech_Walkout">3.3 2009 Speech Walkout</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-8"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#Political_campaigns">4 Political campaigns</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-9"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#Electoral_history">5 Electoral history</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-10"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#Political_positions">6 Political positions</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-11"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#References">7 References</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-12"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#External_links">8 External links</a></li>

</ul>

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<h2> Personal life</h2>

Shimkus is a lifelong resident of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collinsville,_Illinois" title="Collinsville, Illinois">Collinsville</a>, a suburb of St. Louis. Shimkus earned his bachelor's degree at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Military_Academy" title="United States Military Academy">United States Military Academy</a>. After serving his five-year <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army" title="United States Army">Army</a> commitment, he entered the reserves, retiring in 2008 as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_colonel" title="Lieutenant colonel" class="mw-redirect">lieutenant colonel</a>.

Shimkus earned a teaching certificate from Christ College Irvine (now <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concordia_University_Irvine" title="Concordia University Irvine" class="mw-redirect">Concordia University Irvine</a>) and began teaching at Metro East Lutheran High School in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwardsville" title="Edwardsville">Edwardsville</a>. He earned an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBA" title="MBA" class="mw-redirect">MBA</a> from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Illinois_University_Edwardsville" title="Southern Illinois University Edwardsville">Southern Illinois University Edwardsville</a> in 1987.

Shimkus first ran for office in 1989, when he was elected a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collinsville_Township,Madison_County,Illinois" title="Collinsville Township, Madison County, Illinois">Collinsville Township</a> trustee. A year later, he was elected as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_County,_Illinois" title="Madison County, Illinois">Madison County</a> treasurer, becoming the first Republican county officeholder in 10 years. He was reelected in 1994, becoming the first Republican reelected countywide in Madison County in 50 years.

Shimkus has been married to the former Karen Muth since 1987. They have three children. They are members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LCMS" title="LCMS">LCMS</a>) in Collinsville.

<h2>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Shimkus&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: U.S. House of Representatives">edit</a>] U.S. House of Representatives</h2>

<h3>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Shimkus&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Committee assignments">edit</a>] Committee assignments</h3>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Committee_on_Energy_and_Commerce" title="United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce">Committee on Energy and Commerce</a>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Energy_Subcommittee_on_Energy_and_Environment" title="United States House Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Environment">Subcommittee on Energy and Environment</a></li>

<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Energy_Subcommittee_on_Communications,_Technology_and_the_Internet" title="United States House Energy Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet">Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet</a></li>

<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Energy_Subcommittee_on_Health" title="United States House Energy Subcommittee on Health">Subcommittee on Health</a> (Ranking Member)</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Parliamentary_Assembly" title="NATO Parliamentary Assembly">NATO Parliamentary Assembly</a></li>

</ul>

<h2>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Shimkus&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Controversies">edit</a>] Controversies</h2>

<h3>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Shimkus&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: 2006 House page scandal">edit</a>] 2006 House page scandal</h3>

</div>

Main article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Foley_scandal" title="Mark Foley scandal" class="mw-redirect">Mark Foley scandal</a>

</div>

Shimkus said that in late 2005 he learned — through information passed along by the office of Representative <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_Alexander" title="Rodney Alexander">Rodney Alexander</a> (R-La) — about an e-mail exchange in which Foley asked about the well-being of a former page, from Alexander's district, after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina" title="Hurricane Katrina">Hurricane Katrina</a>, and requested a photograph.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-AP1-0">[1]</a> Shimkus and Jeff Trandahl, the Clerk of the House, responsible for administering the program, met with Foley in 2005 after learning of the emails. Foley was ordered to cease all contact with the former page and assured Shimkus he would do so.

Shimkus did not share the information with Rep. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_E._Kildee" title="Dale E. Kildee">Dale E. Kildee</a>, the only Democrat on the three-person Page Committee,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-1">[2]</a> or Representative <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelley_Moore_Capito" title="Shelley Moore Capito">Shelley Moore Capito</a> (R-W.Va), the other Republican. "I became aware of it this afternoon [September 29th] when [Shimkus] came by my office. I think we should have had a page meeting right away," Kildee said, referring to the 2005 discovery of Foley's e-mails. When asked if he was upset about being excluded, Kildee said yes, adding, "I've been on the page board for 20 years."

"I'm the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_Page_Board" title="House Page Board">chairman of the page board</a>," Shimkus said when asked why he didn't include Kildee. "The Clerk and I addressed this issue." Shimkus said on October 2 that "I think, based on the information I had, what I did was fine. If I regret something, maybe I should have had Dale [Kildee] with me because now it’s going to be a political football."<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-2">[3]</a>

Shimkus was also quick to point out that he was the only person who took any action to confront Foley in any manner, including media, the FBI, and others on the Republican leadership.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-3">[4]</a>

Mr. Shimkus spoke with the current house pages the evening of the news break. He came with the Clerk of the House and Ms. Capito (fellow board members). In his dialog, he talked to the pages about how adults make bad choices. He encouraged the pages to talk to mentors in the system about any concerns they might have. He also told the pages that he had not known anything about the scandal, and that if he had known about it, he would have acted. He later came out with information that he had known about e-mails sent by Mr. Foley to young pages.

<h3>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Shimkus&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: 2007 Comments on Iraq War">edit</a>] 2007 Comments on Iraq War</h3>

In May 2007, Shimkus was ridiculed on many blogs for comparing the war in Iraq, during a speech on the floor of the House, to a baseball game between "my beloved St. Louis Cardinals" and "the much despised Chicago Cubs."<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-4">[5]</a>

<h3>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Shimkus&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: 2009 Speech Walkout">edit</a>] 2009 Speech Walkout</h3>

On September 9, 2009, Shimkus was criticized for walking out while President Barack Obama was delivering a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_speech_to_joint_session_of_Congress,_September_2009" title="Barack Obama speech to joint session of Congress, September 2009">speech to a joint session of the House and Senate</a>. When asked why he walked out, Shimkus' spokesperson noted that the congressman was frustrated by the tone of the speech. Shimkus' actions were overshadowed by an earlier outburst, during the same speech, when Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) yelled "you lie" at the President. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-5">[6]</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-6">[7]</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-7">[8]</a>

<h2>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Shimkus&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Political campaigns">edit</a>] Political campaigns</h2>

In 1992, while still serving as Madison County treasurer, Shimkus won the Republican nomination in what was then the 20th District. He was soundly defeated by 10-year <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_%28United_States%29" title="Democratic Party (United States)">Democratic</a> incumbent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Durbin" title="Dick Durbin">Dick Durbin</a>.

Four years later, Durbin gave up the seat to make what would be a successful run for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate" title="United States Senate">United States Senate</a>. Shimkus handily won a crowded six-way primary, and faced <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_House_of_Representatives" title="Illinois House of Representatives">State Representative</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_C._Hoffman" title="Jay C. Hoffman">Jay C. Hoffman</a> in the general election. Despite Durbin's presence atop the ballot, the election was one of the closest in the nation, with Shimkus prevailing by only 1,200 votes out of 240,000 cast--a margin of 0.5 percent. However, Shimkus has never faced another contest nearly that close, and has been reelected six times.

Shimkus has only faced one credible opponent since his initial reelection, in 2002. That year, Illinois lost a district as a result of the 2000 census, and Shimkus' district was merged with the 19th District of two-term Democrat <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_D._Phelps" title="David D. Phelps">David D. Phelps</a>. The new district retained Phelps' district number, but geographically and demographically was more Shimkus' district. Despite a Democratic wave that swept through most of the state, Shimkus was convincingly reelected, with 55 percent of the vote.

Shimkus announced in September 2005 that he would run for reelection in 2008, despite making a <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external/pre-election/bios/1285.html" class="external text" rel="nofollow">pledge</a> when first elected in 1996 not to stay in office for more than 12 years. "It was a mistake at the time," he said about his 1996 campaign promises. "Unless everyone plays by the same rules, term limits don't make sense."

FEC records show that the John S. Fund, the PAC for John Shimkus, contributed to former Republican House Majority Leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_DeLay" title="Tom DeLay">Tom DeLay</a> in 2005. The fund also made contributions to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Roskam" title="Peter Roskam">Peter Roskam</a>, a Republican candidate for the House from Illinois's 6th district, from 2005 to 2008 and to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_McSweeney" title="David McSweeney" class="mw-redirect">David McSweeney</a>, a Republican candidate for the House from Illinois's 8th district, in 2006.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-8">[9]</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-9">[10]</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-10">[11]</a> Recently the funds treasurer, lobbyist Mark Valente, resigned. Shimkus earlier said he was considering removing Valente, but he didn't want to act too quickly because it might suggest there was something improper about their relationship.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-11">[12]</a>

</div>

...

<h2>Political positions</h2>

Shimkus has expressed skepticism about proposed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emissions_trading" title="Emissions trading">emissions trading</a> legislation. On March 25, 2009, in introductory remarks made to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Monckton,_3rd_Viscount_Monckton_of_Brenchley" title="Christopher Monckton, 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley">Christopher Monckton, 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley</a> during a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Energy_Subcommittee_on_Energy_and_Environment" title="United States House Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Environment">United States House Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Environment</a> hearing, Shimkus made the following statement regarding the role of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide" title="Carbon dioxide">carbon dioxide</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming" title="Global warming">global warming</a>:

"It's plant food ... So if we decrease the use of carbon dioxide, are we not taking away plant food from the atmosphere? ... So all our good intentions could be for naught. In fact, we could be doing just the opposite of what the people who want to save the world are saying."<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-13">[14]</a>

</blockquote>

In a later hearing in which a theologian and leaders of the Lutheran church were invited to testify as witnesses, Shimkus quoted from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah%27s_Ark" title="Noah's Ark">Biblical flood narrative</a>: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood, and never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Referring to this account, he went on to state:

<blockquote>"...the earth will end only when God declares it's time to be over. Man will not destroy this earth. This earth will not be destroyed by a flood.... I appreciate having panelists here who are men of faith, and we can get into the theological discourse of that position, but I do believe God's word is infallible, unchanging, perfect. Today we have about 388 parts per million in the atmosphere. I think in the age of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaurs" title="Dinosaurs" class="mw-redirect">dinosaurs</a>, when we had the most flora and fauna, we were probably at 4,000 parts per million. There is a theological debate that this is a carbon-starved planet — not too much carbon. And the cost of a cap-and-trade on the poor is now being discovered."<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-14">[15]</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_note-15">[16]</a></blockquote>

<h2>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Shimkus&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: References">edit</a>] References</h2>

<li id="cite_note-AP1-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-AP1_0-0">^</a> <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20061021180930/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/09/29/national/w123452D40.DTL&type=politics" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"Sixteen-Year-Old Who Worked as Capitol Hill Page Concerned About E-mail Exchange with Congressman"</a>. The San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. September 29, 2006. Archived from <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/09/29/national/w123452D40.DTL&type=politics" class="external text" rel="nofollow">the original</a> on 2006-10-21. <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20061021180930/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/09/29/national/w123452D40.DTL&type=politics" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://web.archive.org/web/20061021180930/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/09/29/national/w123452D40.DTL&type=politics</a>. Retrieved 2006-08-18.<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Sixteen-Year-Old+Who+Worked+as+Capitol+Hill+Page+Concerned+About+E-mail+Exchange+with+Congressman&rft.jtitle=The+San+Francisco+Chronicle&rft.date=September+29%2C+2006&rft.series=Associated+Press&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.archive.org%2Fweb%2F20061021180930%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfgate.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Farticle.cgi%3Ff%3D%2Fn%2Fa%2F2006%2F09%2F29%2Fnational%2Fw123452D40.DTL%26type%3Dpolitics&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John_Shimkus"> </li>

<li id="cite_note-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-1">^</a> <a href="http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061002/POLITICS/610020338/1022" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"Michigan Dem who oversees pages was kept in the dark"</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Detroit_News" title="The Detroit News">The Detroit News</a>. 2006-10-02. <a href="http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061002/POLITICS/610020338/1022" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061002/POLITICS/610020338/1022</a>. Retrieved 2006-10-02.<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.btitle=Michigan+Dem+who+oversees+pages+was+kept+in+the+dark&rft.atitle=&rft.date=2006-10-02&rft.pub=%5B%5BThe+Detroit+News%5D%5D&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.detnews.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D%2F20061002%2FPOLITICS%2F610020338%2F1022&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John_Shimkus"> </li>

<li id="cite_note-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-2">^</a> Scott Finn, <a href="http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/200610021?pt=0" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"E-mail case ‘disgusting,’ says Capito, 1 of 3 in House who oversee pages"</a>, Charleston Gazette, October 2, 2006</li>

<li id="cite_note-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-3">^</a> Deirdre Shesgreen (October 26, 2006). <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20061026070948/http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15680059.htm" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"If Hastert resigns, Shimkus may suffer from the fallout"</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose_Mercury_News" title="San Jose Mercury News">San Jose Mercury News</a>. Archived from <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15680059.htm" class="external text" rel="nofollow">the original</a> on Oct 26, 2006. <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20061026070948/http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15680059.htm" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://web.archive.org/web/20061026070948/http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15680059.htm</a>. Retrieved 6 April 2009.<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=If+Hastert+resigns%2C+Shimkus+may+suffer+from+the+fallout&rft.jtitle=%5B%5BSan+Jose+Mercury+News%5D%5D&rft.aulast=Deirdre+Shesgreen&rft.au=Deirdre+Shesgreen&rft.date=October+26%2C+2006&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.archive.org%2Fweb%2F20061026070948%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.mercurynews.com%2Fmld%2Fmercurynews%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F15680059.htm&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John_Shimkus"> </li>

<li id="cite_note-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-4">^</a> William Neikirk (2007-05-02). <a href="http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/blog/2007/05/shimkus_beaned_for_likening_ir.html" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"Shimkus beaned for likening Iraq to Cubs-Cards game"</a>. Sun-Sentinel. <a href="http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/blog/2007/05/shimkus_beaned_for_likening_ir.html" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/blog/2007/05/shimkus_beaned_for_likening_ir.html</a>. Retrieved 2007-10-27.<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.btitle=Shimkus+beaned+for+likening+Iraq+to+Cubs-Cards+game&rft.atitle=&rft.aulast=William+Neikirk&rft.au=William+Neikirk&rft.date=2007-05-02&rft.pub=Sun-Sentinel&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fweblogs.sun-sentinel.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fblog%2F2007%2F05%2Fshimkus_beaned_for_likening_ir.html&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John_Shimkus"> </li>

<li id="cite_note-5"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-5">^</a> Fitzgerald, Mike (2009-09-10). <a href="http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/918027.html" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"Shimkus walks out on Obama's speech - Breaking news"</a>. bnd.com. <a href="http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/918027.html" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/918027.html</a>. Retrieved 2010-08-23.<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.btitle=Shimkus+walks+out+on+Obama%27s+speech+-+Breaking+news&rft.atitle=&rft.aulast=Fitzgerald&rft.aufirst=Mike&rft.au=Fitzgerald%2C%26%2332%3BMike&rft.date=2009-09-10&rft.pub=bnd.com&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bnd.com%2Fbreaking_news%2Fstory%2F918027.html&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John_Shimkus"> [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot" title="Wikipedia:Link rot">dead link</a>]</li>

<li id="cite_note-6"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-6">^</a> <a href="http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/09/shimkus_walked_on_obama_frustr.html" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Shimkus walked on Obama: 'Frustrated'</a> Mark Silva, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chicago_Tribune" title="The Chicago Tribune" class="mw-redirect">The Chicago Tribune</a>, September 10, 2009</li>

<li id="cite_note-7"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-7">^</a> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/10/rep-john-shimkus-walked-o_n_282563.html" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"Rep. John Shimkus Walked Out On Obama Speech Out Of "Frustration""</a>. Huffingtonpost.com. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/10/rep-john-shimkus-walked-o_n_282563.html" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/10/rep-john-shimkus-walked-o_n_282563.html</a>. Retrieved 2010-08-23.<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.btitle=Rep.+John+Shimkus+Walked+Out+On+Obama+Speech+Out+Of+%22Frustration%22&rft.atitle=&rft.pub=Huffingtonpost.com&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2009%2F09%2F10%2Frep-john-shimkus-walked-o_n_282563.html&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John_Shimkus"> </li>

<li id="cite_note-8"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-8">^</a> <a href="http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00390831/" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/C00390831/</a></li>

<li id="cite_note-9"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-9">^</a> <a href="http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/H6IL06117" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/H6IL06117</a></li>

<li id="cite_note-10"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-10">^</a> <a href="http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/H8IL08044" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/H8IL08044</a></li>

<li id="cite_note-11"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-11">^</a> Meinert, Dori. <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20070927001051/http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/80614.asp" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Lobbyist who raised funds for Shimkus resigns</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_State_Journal-Register" title="The State Journal-Register">The State Journal-Register</a>, March 9, 2006</li>

<li id="cite_note-clerkresults-12">^ <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-clerkresults_12-0">a</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-clerkresults_12-1">b</a> <a href="http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"Election Statistics"</a>. Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. <a href="http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html</a>. Retrieved 2008-01-10.<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.btitle=Election+Statistics&rft.atitle=&rft.pub=Office+of+the+Clerk+of+the+House+of+Representatives&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fclerk.house.gov%2Fmember_info%2FelectionInfo%2Findex.html&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John_Shimkus"> </li>

<li id="cite_note-13"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-13">^</a> Doster, Adam (2009-03-27). <a href="http://www.progressillinois.com/2009/3/27/shimkus-carbon-emissions-plant-food" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"Shimkus: Capping C02 Emissions Will "Take Away Plant Food""</a>. Progress Illinois. <a href="http://www.progressillinois.com/2009/3/27/shimkus-carbon-emissions-plant-food" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://www.progressillinois.com/2009/3/27/shimkus-carbon-emissions-plant-food</a>. Retrieved 2009-04-16.<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.btitle=Shimkus%3A+Capping+C02+Emissions+Will+%22Take+Away+Plant+Food%22&rft.atitle=&rft.aulast=Doster%2C+Adam&rft.au=Doster%2C+Adam&rft.date=2009-03-27&rft.pub=Progress+Illinois&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.progressillinois.com%2F2009%2F3%2F27%2Fshimkus-carbon-emissions-plant-food&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John_Shimkus"> </li>

<li id="cite_note-14"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-14">^</a> Cole, Juan R. I.. <a href="http://www.juancole.com/2010/11/energy-committee-chairman-candidate-says-god-promised-no-more-catastrophic-climate-change-after-noah.html" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"[VIDEO</a> Energy Committee Chairman Candidate Says God Promised no More Catastrophic Climate Change after Noah"]. <a href="http://www.juancole.com/2010/11/energy-committee-chairman-candidate-says-god-promised-no-more-catastrophic-climate-change-after-noah.html" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://www.juancole.com/2010/11/energy-committee-chairman-candidate-says-god-promised-no-more-catastrophic-climate-change-after-noah.html</a>. Retrieved 11 November 2010.<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.btitle=%5BVIDEO%5D+Energy+Committee+Chairman+Candidate+Says+God+Promised+no+More+Catastrophic+Climate+Change+after+Noah&rft.atitle=&rft.aulast=Cole&rft.aufirst=Juan+R.+I.&rft.au=Cole%2C%26%2332%3BJuan+R.+I.&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.juancole.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fenergy-committee-chairman-candidate-says-god-promised-no-more-catastrophic-climate-change-after-noah.html&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John_Shimkus"> </li>

<li id="cite_note-15"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus#cite_ref-15">^</a> Schoenburg, Bernard (2009-04-02). <a href="http://www.sj-r.com/archive/x180621374/Bernard-Schoenburg-Shimkus-food-for-thought-at-hearing-prompts-snickers" class="external text" rel="nofollow">"Bernard Schoenburg: Shimkus’ food for thought at hearing prompts snickers"</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_State_Journal-Register" title="The State Journal-Register">The State Journal-Register</a>. <a href="http://www.sj-r.com/archive/x180621374/Bernard-Schoenburg-Shimkus-food-for-thought-at-hearing-prompts-snickers" class="external free" rel="nofollow">http://www.sj-r.com/archive/x180621374/Bernard-Schoenburg-Shimkus-food-for-thought-at-hearing-prompts-snickers</a>. Retrieved 2009-04-16.<span class="Z3988" title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.btitle=Bernard+Schoenburg%3A+Shimkus%E2%80%99+food+for+thought+at+hearing+prompts+snickers&rft.atitle=&rft.aulast=Schoenburg%2C+Bernard&rft.au=Schoenburg%2C+Bernard&rft.date=2009-04-02&rft.pub=%5B%5BThe+State+Journal-Register%5D%5D&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sj-r.com%2Farchive%2Fx180621374%2FBernard-Schoenburg-Shimkus-food-for-thought-at-hearing-prompts-snickers&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:John_Shimkus"> </li>

</ol>

<h2>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Shimkus&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: External links">edit</a>] External links</h2>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://shimkus.house.gov/" class="external text" rel="nofollow">U.S. Congressman John Shimkus</a> official U.S. House site</li>

<li><a href="http://www.volunteersforshimkus.org/" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Volunteers for Shimkus</a> official campaign site</li>

<li><a href="http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=s000364" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Biography</a> at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biographical_Directory_of_the_United_States_Congress" title="Biographical Directory of the United States Congress">Biographical Directory of the United States Congress</a></li>

<li><a href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/s000364" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Voting record</a> maintained by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post" title="The Washington Post">The Washington Post</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=246" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Biography</a>, <a href="http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=246" class="external text" rel="nofollow">voting record</a>, and <a href="http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=246" class="external text" rel="nofollow">interest group ratings</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Vote_Smart" title="Project Vote Smart">Project Vote Smart</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/John_M._Shimkus" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Biography</a> at WhoRunsGov.com at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post" title="The Washington Post">The Washington Post</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400373" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Congressional profile</a> at GovTrack.us</li>

<li><a href="http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/400373_John_Shimkus" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Congressional profile</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participatory_Politics_Foundation" title="Participatory Politics Foundation">OpenCongress</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.c-spanvideo.org/person/30623" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Appearances</a> on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-SPAN" title="C-SPAN">C-SPAN</a> programs</li>

<li><a href="http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/John_Shimkus.htm" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Issue positions and quotes</a> at On The Issues</li>

<li><a href="http://www.statesurge.com/members/227832" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Current Bills Sponsored</a> at StateSurge.com</li>

<li><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?CID=N00004961" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Financial information</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Responsive_Politics" title="Center for Responsive Politics">OpenSecrets.org</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.legistorm.com/member/477/Rep_John_Mondy_Shimkus.html" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Staff salaries, trips and personal finance</a> at LegiStorm.com</li>

<li><a href="http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/H2IL20042" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Campaign finance reports and data</a> at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Election_Commission" title="Federal Election Commission">Federal Election Commission</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.followthemoney.org/database/uniquecandidate.phtml?uc=8263" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Campaign contributions</a> at the National Institute for Money in State Politics</li>

<li>

</li><li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Profile</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SourceWatch" title="SourceWatch">SourceWatch</a></li>

</ul>

John Shimkus has been a <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Republican_Party_U.S.A." title="Republican Party U.S.A." class="mw-redirect">Republican</a> member of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=United_States_House_of_Representatives" title="United States House of Representatives" class="mw-redirect">United States House of Representatives</a> since 1997, representing the 19th District of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Category:Members_of_the_U.S._Congress_from_Illinois" title="Category:Members of the U.S. Congress from Illinois">Illinois</a>. (<a href="http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/il19_109.gif" class="external text" title="http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/il19_109.gif" rel="nofollow">map</a>)

<h2>Contents</h2>

[<a href="javascript:toggleToc()" class="internal" id="togglelink">hide</a>]</div>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Record_and_controversies">1 Record and controversies</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Environmental_record">1.2 Environmental record</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Climate_change">1.2.1 Climate change</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Rep._Mark_Foley_congressional_page_scandal">1.3 Rep. Mark Foley congressional page scandal</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Background">2.1 Background</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Congressional_career">2.2 Congressional career</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#2006_elections">2.2.1 2006 elections</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Money_in_politics">3 Money in politics</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Committees_and_Affiliations">4 Committees and Affiliations</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Committees">4.1 Committees</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Committee_assignments_in_the_109th_Congress_.282005-2006.29">4.1.1 Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Coalitions_and_Caucuses">4.2 Coalitions and Caucuses</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Boards_and_other_Affiliations">4.3 Boards and other Affiliations</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#More_Background_Data">5 More Background Data</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Contact">6 Contact</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Twitter">6.1 Twitter</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Articles_and_Resources">7 Articles and Resources</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Sources">7.1 Sources</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#External_resources">7.2 External resources</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#External_articles">7.3 External articles</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#Local_blogs_and_discussion_sites">7.4 Local blogs and discussion sites</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<h2>Record and controversies</h2>

<div style=" margin: 0.5em 0.75em; border-collapse: collapse; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(220, 232, 248); border: 1px solid rgb(92, 121, 181); padding: 0.25em;">General information about important bills and votes for can be found in Congresspedia's <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Category:U.S._legislation" title="Category:U.S. legislation">articles on legislation</a>. You can add information you find on how John Shimkus voted by clicking the "[edit]" link to the right and typing it in. Remember to <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Help:References" title="Help:References">cite your sources</a>!</div>

Shimkus voted for the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Authorization_for_Use_of_Military_Force_Against_Iraq_Resolution_of_2002" title="Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002">Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002</a> that started the Iraq War.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a>

<div style=" margin: 0.5em 0.75em; border-collapse: collapse; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(220, 232, 248); border: 1px solid rgb(92, 121, 181); padding: 0.25em;">For more information see the chart of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=U.S._House_of_Representatives_votes_on_the_Iraq_War" title="U.S. House of Representatives votes on the Iraq War">U.S. House of Representatives votes on the Iraq War</a>.</div>

<h3>Environmental record</h3>

For more information on environmental legislation, see the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Portal:Energy_and_Environment_Policy_%28U.S.%29" title="Portal:Energy and Environment Policy (U.S.)">Energy and Environment Policy Portal</a>

<h4>Climate change</h4>

As Shimkus was running to head the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=House_Energy_and_Commerce_Committee" title="House Energy and Commerce Committee" class="mw-redirect">House Energy and Commerce Committee</a> in November 2010, he publicly stated that the Bible reaffirms his belief that government should not regulate <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Greenhouse_gas" title="Greenhouse gas">greenhouse gas</a> emissions: "I do believe in the Bible as the final word of God. And I do believe that God said the Earth would not be destroyed by a flood. Now, do I believe in climate change? In my trip to Greenland, the answer is yes. The climate is changing. The question is more about the costs and benefits and trying to spend taxpayer dollars on something that you cannot stop."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#cite_note-ds-1" title="">[2]</a>

In March 2009, Shimkus quoted an exchange between God and Noah in Genesis during a subcommittee hearing on adaptation policies for dealing with climate change. Democrats cited the congressman's remarks once he entered the internal <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=GOP" title="GOP" class="mw-redirect">GOP</a> campaign to take charge of the House panel with direct oversight of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Global_warming" title="Global warming">global warming</a> and other environmental and energy policy issues. Shimkus has said he wants to permanently block the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Environmental_Protection_Agency" title="Environmental Protection Agency" class="mw-redirect">Environmental Protection Agency</a> from regulating <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Greenhouse_gas" title="Greenhouse gas">greenhouse gas</a> emissions.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Shimkus#cite_note-ds-1" title="">[2]</a>

<h3>Rep. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Mark_Foley" title="Mark Foley">Mark Foley</a> congressional page scandal</h3>

In October 2006, Shimkus became swept up in the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Mark_Foley_page_scandal" title="Mark Foley page scandal">Mark Foley page scandal</a>. Shimkus served as the head of the Page Committee, which oversees the program by which dozens of teenagers work on Capitol Hill each year assisting in the administrative tasks of Congress. On September 30, 2006, Rep. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Mark_Foley" title="Mark Foley">Mark Foley</a> (R-Fla.) resigned following the public revelation of “over-friendly” emails and sexually suggestive instant message conversations he had with pages. Shimkus was first notified about the emails in late 2005 from the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Clerk_of_the_House" title="Clerk of the House">Clerk of the House</a>. Shimkus claimed that at that point he advised Foley to immediately stop contacting the boy, and Foley agreed. Shimkus never informed Rep. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Dale_Kildee" title="Dale Kildee">Dale Kildee</a> (D-Mich.), the lone Democrat on the Page Committee, about the situation.

Following Foley’s resignation, Shimkus was asked by Speaker <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Dennis_Hastert" title="Dennis Hastert">Dennis Hastert</a> (R-Ill.) to look into the situation regarding Foley.

<ul>

<li>Read a full account of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Mark_Foley_page_scandal" title="Mark Foley page scandal">Mark Foley page scandal</a></li>

</ul>

<h3>Background</h3>

Shimkus was born February 21, 1958 in Collinsville, Illinois, was educated at West Point Military Academy at West Point, New York and Southern Illinois University, served in the United States Army, and was a teacher before entering the House in 1996.

<h3>Congressional career</h3>

Shimkus has announced that he will run for reelection in 2006 and 2008, despite making a pledge not to stay in office for more than 12 years.

<h4>2006 elections</h4>

In 2006, the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Democratic_Party" title="Democratic Party" class="mw-redirect">Democrats</a> nominated <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Danny_Leroy_Stover&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Danny Leroy Stover (page does not exist)">Danny Leroy Stover</a> to face Shimkus in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=U.S._congressional_elections_in_2006" title="U.S. congressional elections in 2006" class="mw-redirect">U.S. congressional elections in 2006</a>) <a href="http://opensecrets.org/states/election.asp?State=IL&year=2006" class="external autonumber" title="http://opensecrets.org/states/election.asp?State=IL&year=2006" rel="nofollow">[1]</a> Shimkus retained his seat.

<h2>Money in politics</h2>

This section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases.

<table class="prettytable"><tbody><tr><th colspan="3">Links to more campaign contribution information for John Shimkus

from the Center for Responsive Politics' <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org" rel="nofollow">OpenSecrets.org</a> site.</th></tr><tr><td>Fundraising profile:</td><td><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?cycle=2006&cid=N00004961" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?cycle=2006&cid=N00004961" rel="nofollow">2006 election cycle</a></td><td><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allsummary.asp?cid=N00004961" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allsummary.asp?cid=N00004961" rel="nofollow">Career totals</a></td></tr><tr><td>Top contributors by organization/corporation:</td><td><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?cycle=2006&cid=N00004961" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?cycle=2006&cid=N00004961" rel="nofollow">2006 election cycle</a></td><td><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allcontrib.asp?cid=N00004961" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allcontrib.asp?cid=N00004961" rel="nofollow">Career totals</a></td></tr><tr><td>Top contributors by industry:</td><td><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/indus.asp?cycle=2006&cid=N00004961" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/indus.asp?cycle=2006&cid=N00004961" rel="nofollow">2006 election cycle</a></td><td><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allindus.asp?cid=N00004961" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allindus.asp?cid=N00004961" rel="nofollow">Career totals</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/search_result.asp?mem=Shimkus%2C+John+M" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/search_result.asp?mem=Shimkus%2C+John+M" rel="nofollow">Revolving door profile for John Shimkus</a> from the Center for Responsive Politics' <a href="http://www.OpenSecrets.org" class="external text" title="http://www.OpenSecrets.org" rel="nofollow">OpenSecrets.org</a> website.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/travel.asp?CID=N00004961" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/travel.asp?CID=N00004961" rel="nofollow">2006 privately funded travel profile for John Shimkus</a> from the Center for Responsive Politics' <a href="http://www.OpenSecrets.org" class="external text" title="http://www.OpenSecrets.org" rel="nofollow">OpenSecrets.org</a> website.</li>

<li><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/candlook.php?CID=N00004961" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/candlook.php?CID=N00004961" rel="nofollow">Personal finance profile for John Shimkus</a> from the Center for Responsive Politics' <a href="http://www.OpenSecrets.org" class="external text" title="http://www.OpenSecrets.org" rel="nofollow">OpenSecrets.org</a> website.</li>

</ul>

<h2>Committees and Affiliations</h2>

<h3>Committees</h3>

<ul>

<ul>

<li>Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality</li>

<li>Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials</li>

<li>Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<h4>Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)</h4>

<ul>

<ul>

<li>Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality</li>

<li>Subcommittee on Health</li>

<li>Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<h3>Coalitions and Caucuses</h3>

<ul>

<li>Co-Chair, Congressional E-911 Caucus</li>

<li>Grand Old Party Cyber-Security Team</li>

<li>Co-Chair, House Baltic Caucus</li>

<li>Co-Chair, House Page Board</li>

<li>United States Delegate, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly</li>

</ul>

<h3>Boards and other Affiliations</h3>

<ul>

<li>ABATE of Illinois</li>

<li>American Legion, Post 365</li>

<li>Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture</li>

<li>Community Hope Center</li>

<li>Adult Sunday School Teacher/Basketball Coach, Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School</li>

<li>Member, Kaskaskia Area Partnership</li>

<li>Member, Kaskaskia College Area Literacy Council</li>

<li>Kiwanis</li>

<li>Madison County Farm Bureau</li>

<li>Senior Companion Program</li>

<li>Fiscal Officer, Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission</li>

<li>State and National Associations of County Treasurers and Finance Officers.</li>

</ul>

<h2>More Background Data</h2>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=BC031155" class="external text" title="http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=BC031155" rel="nofollow">Background information on John Shimkus from Project Vote Smart</a></li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=BC031155" class="external text" title="http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=BC031155" rel="nofollow">Interest group scorecard ratings for John Shimkus from Project Vote Smart</a></li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/s000364" class="external text" title="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/s000364" rel="nofollow">Voting record for John Shimkus from the Washington Post database</a></li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/cgi-bin/newmemberbio.cgi?lang=&member=IL19&site=congressmerge" class="external text" title="http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/cgi-bin/newmemberbio.cgi?lang=&member=IL19&site=congressmerge" rel="nofollow">Information on John Shimkus from Congress Merge</a></li>

</ul>

<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Wikipedia" title="Wikipedia">Wikipedia</a> also has an article on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus" class="external text" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shimkus" rel="nofollow">John Shimkus</a>. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GFDL" class="external text" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GFDL" rel="nofollow">GFDL</a>.

</div></div></div>