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"pro-defense, pro-personal responsibility, pro-[[environment]], and pro-[[science]]." In reality, it is a leftist agenda. He was one of only eight House Republicans who voted for the [[cap and trade]] climate legislation. Kirk voted against the 2009 economic stimulus package.

"pro-defense, pro-personal responsibility, pro-[[environment]], and pro-[[science]]." In reality, it is a leftist agenda. He was one of only eight House Republicans who voted for the [[cap and trade]] climate legislation. Kirk voted against the 2009 economic stimulus package.

Regardless of his campaign rhetoric, Kirk is very left-wing on numerous issues. He is very [[Gun control|anti-Second Amendment]];<ref>Hawkins, Awr (December 16, 2014). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2014/12/16/kirk-abandons-nra-second-amendment-joins-dems-to-confirm-anti-gun-surgeon-general/ Mark Kirk Abandons NRA, Second Amendment: Joins Dems to Confirm Anti-Gun Surgeon General]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Hawkins, Awr (August 22, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/22/gabby-giffords-endorses-pat-toomey-mark-kirk-for-caving-on-gun-control/ Gabby Giffords Endorses Pat Toomy, Mark Kirk for Caving on Gun Control]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> rivals leftist Democrats in his extremely strong support for the [[homosexual agenda]];<ref>Huston, Warner Todd (April 1, 2015). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/01/il-sen-mark-kirk-first-republican-to-slam-mike-pence-over-religious-freedom-law/ IL Sen. Mark Kirk First Republican to Slam Mike Pence over Religious Freedom Law]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> is a strong supporter for [[illegal immigration]], "[[Sanctuary City (Immigration)|sanctuary cities]]",<ref>[http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2016/07/will-mark-kirk-once-again-be-the-only-republican-to-support-sanctuary-cities.html Will Mark Kirk once again be the only Republican to support sanctuary cities?]. ''Illinois Review''. July 6, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> and amnesty for illegal immigrants;<ref>Boyle, Matthew (April 2, 2015). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/02/sen-mark-kirk-caves-to-obamas-executive-amnesty-plans-to-back-loretta-lynch-for-attorney-general/ Sen. Mark Kirk Caves To Obama’s Executive Amnesty: Plans To Back Loretta Lynch For Attorney General]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.ice-news.net/2016/02/03/alipac-endorses-james-marter-for-us-senate-against-amnesty-supporter-mark-kirk-r-il/ ALIPAC Endorses James Marter for US Senate against amnesty supporter Mark Kirk (R-IL)]. ''Illinois Conservative Examiner''. February 3, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref>

Regardless of his campaign rhetoric, Kirk is very left-wing on numerous issues. He is very [[Gun control|anti-Second Amendment]];<ref>Hawkins, Awr (December 16, 2014). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2014/12/16/kirk-abandons-nra-second-amendment-joins-dems-to-confirm-anti-gun-surgeon-general/ Mark Kirk Abandons NRA, Second Amendment: Joins Dems to Confirm Anti-Gun Surgeon General]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Hawkins, Awr (August 22, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/22/gabby-giffords-endorses-pat-toomey-mark-kirk-for-caving-on-gun-control/ Gabby Giffords Endorses Pat Toomy, Mark Kirk for Caving on Gun Control]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> rivals leftist Democrats in his extremely strong support for the [[homosexual agenda]];<ref>Huston, Warner Todd (April 1, 2015). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/01/il-sen-mark-kirk-first-republican-to-slam-mike-pence-over-religious-freedom-law/ IL Sen. Mark Kirk First Republican to Slam Mike Pence over Religious Freedom Law]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> is a strong supporter for [[illegal immigration]], "[[Sanctuary City (Immigration)|sanctuary cities]]",<ref>[http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2016/07/will-mark-kirk-once-again-be-the-only-republican-to-support-sanctuary-cities.html Will Mark Kirk once again be the only Republican to support sanctuary cities?]. ''Illinois Review''. July 6, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> and amnesty for illegal immigrants;<ref>Boyle, Matthew (April 2, 2015). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/02/sen-mark-kirk-caves-to-obamas-executive-amnesty-plans-to-back-loretta-lynch-for-attorney-general/ Sen. Mark Kirk Caves To Obama’s Executive Amnesty: Plans To Back Loretta Lynch For Attorney General]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.ice-news.net/2016/02/03/alipac-endorses-james-marter-for-us-senate-against-amnesty-supporter-mark-kirk-r-il/ ALIPAC Endorses James Marter for US Senate against amnesty supporter Mark Kirk (R-IL)]. ''Illinois Conservative Examiner''. February 3, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> very strongly supports the [[Abortion|legalized murder of unborn human beings]];<ref>Burke, Cathy (June 27, 2016). [http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/mark-kirk-abortion-supreme-court-texas/2016/06/27/id/735842/ Republican Sen. Kirk Praises SCOTUS Abortion Ruling]. ''Newsmax''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Ertelt, Steven (November 8, 2016). [http://www.lifenews.com/2016/11/08/mark-kirk-only-republican-to-vote-against-de-funding-planned-parenthood-loses-senate-race/ Mark Kirk, Only Republican to Vote Against De-Funding Planned Parenthood, Loses Senate Race]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>LaBarbera, Peter (November 8, 2016). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-pro-abort-republican-sen.-mark-kirk-loses-seat-to-democrat BREAKING: Pro-abort Republican Sen. Mark Kirk loses seat to Democrat]. ''Lifesitenews.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Bilger, Micaiah (November 4, 2016). [http://www.lifenews.com/2016/11/04/only-5-republicans-in-congress-are-pro-abortion-one-is-retiring-and-democrats-may-defeat-two-others/ Only 5 Republicans in Congress are Pro-Abortion. One is Retiring and Democrats May Defeat Two Others]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> and supports confirming other leftists into the judiciary and executive branch;<ref>May, Caroline (February 22, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/22/sen-mark-kirk-obama-supreme-court-nominee-due-fair-and-thorough-hearing/ Sen. Mark Kirk: Obama Supreme Court Nominee Due ‘Fair and Thorough Hearing’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>May, Caroline (April 2, 2015). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/02/gop-sen-mark-kirk-announces-support-for-loretta-lynch/ GOP Sen. Mark Kirk Announces Support for Loretta Lynch]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> among other leftist positions.

 

Kirk suffered a stroke on January 21, 2012, affecting the physical movement on his left side but not affecting his cognitive skills. He spent months in rehabilitation,  and returned home in May 2012, but as of June, has not yet returned to the Senate.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57430368-503544/mark-kirk-details-stroke-recovery-in-video/ Mark Kirk details stroke recovery in video] Madison, Lucy, May 8, 2012, cbsnews.com, retrieved June 29, 2012.</ref> One perk Kirk receives as a senator is unlimited sick leave.<ref>[http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2012/A-Senate-Perk-Unlimited-Sick-Leave/ A Senate Perk: Unlimited Sick Leave] Ford, Quinn, April 2012, chicagomag.com, retrieved June 29, 2012</ref>  

Kirk suffered a stroke on January 21, 2012, affecting the physical movement on his left side but not affecting his cognitive skills. He spent months in rehabilitation,  and returned home in May 2012, but as of June, has not yet returned to the Senate.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57430368-503544/mark-kirk-details-stroke-recovery-in-video/ Mark Kirk details stroke recovery in video] Madison, Lucy, May 8, 2012, cbsnews.com, retrieved June 29, 2012.</ref> One perk Kirk receives as a senator is unlimited sick leave.<ref>[http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2012/A-Senate-Perk-Unlimited-Sick-Leave/ A Senate Perk: Unlimited Sick Leave] Ford, Quinn, April 2012, chicagomag.com, retrieved June 29, 2012</ref>