June 24, 2004

Kirk Stays Home, Criticizes Others for Not Going to Iraq

From safe inside the Capitol, Congressman Mark Kirk (Republican - 10th Dist. IL) today criticized the World Bank for sending its staff home when the U.S. occupation forces could not assure their safety in Iraq. Kirk, a Navy officer, did not go to Iraq when the reserves were called up, claiming he was more valuable here. Because he is a Congressman, the Navy cannot force him to go abroad as it can other reservists, so it has allowed him to fulfill his obligation on occasional weekends in Washington.

Although the law prohibits military personnel from serving in Congress, Kirk has been able to retain his seat in Congress because of a loophole. He claims the law does not apply to him because he is in the reserves."

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