Budget Issues

Heritage Ranked Several Republicans Reluctant to Cut The Heritage Foundation-affiliated Heritage Action for America ranked several Republicans as reluctant to cut. The report was based on votes on 21 amendments to the continuing resolution passed by the House on February 19, 2011. Reluctant to cut Republicans included Biggert, Dold, Kinzinger, and Stivers. [The Hill, 2/24/11] Said She Still Supports Argonne Lab Despite Voting to Slash Its Budget In February 2011, a spokeswoman for Biggert said that despite proposing a failed amendment to cut ARPA-E funding by $50 million and voting for slashing by 50 percent the federal energy-efficiency programs that fund Argonne Lab, Biggerts votes do not signal a change in her level of support for the labs research. Biggert spokeswoman Abby Milone said Friday in an e-mailed statement to the Lemont Patch that H.R. 1 is designed to curb federal spending and help restore the U.S. economy but that in terms of science funding, Biggert is targeting duplicative and wasteful programs, like ARPA-E, or Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy. [Lemont Patch, 2/26/11] ARPA-E Funds Nontraditional Energy Research Projects According to the Lemont Patch, Biggerts proposal to cut $50 million in funding is directed at a program created in 2007 to fund nontraditional energy research projects focused on efficiency and reducing dependence on foreign energy. The amendment failed in the House by a vote of 170-262. [Lemont Patch, 2/26/11] Sen. Durbin: 1,000 Jobs Will Be lost at Fermilab The proposed cuts could cost Argonne 1,000 jobs, according to a Feb. 18 letter from Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL, denouncing the move. Another 435 jobs could be lost at Batavias Fermilab, Durbin wrote. [Lemont Patch, 2/26/11] Biggert Fought to Maintain Federal Funding to Keep Shipping Locks Open In February 2011, Biggert voted against an amendment to the Houses Continuing Resolution that would have eliminated federal funding for the maintenance and operation of two shipping locks near the Great Lakes. The amendment would have cut off the funds needed for the Army Corps of Engineers to keep the locks open. Biggert said she was glad it didnt happen as closing the locks would have been devastating to Chicagos economy and would have cost thousands of jobs. [Pierce County Herald, 2/18/11] Floor Speech: Supported an Across-the-Board Cut of Discretionary Programs In February 2011 on the House floor, Biggert spoke of her support for the LaTourette Amendment, an amendment to the House Republicans continuing resolution that approved of an across-the-board budget cut to discretionary spending. Biggert said, By reducing our discretionary programs at the same rate across the board, we dont risk alienating future priorities or vulnerable constituencies that may receive funding which is at risk of being terminated. [Biggert Floor Remarks on LaTourette Amendment to HR1, 2/18/11] Note: The LaTourette Amendment was later withdrawn. [The Hill, 2/23/11] Biggert spent $363,537.36 in Q4 2010 In the fourth quarter, Biggert spent $363,537.36 in her congressional office. [Statement of Disbursements, 3/01/11]

Biggert spent $8,722.07 on Franked Mail in Q4 2010 In the fourth quarter, Biggert spent $8,722.07 in her congressional office solely on franked mail. [Statement of Disbursements, 3/01/11] Said She Voted for Continuing Resolution Despite Knowing Its Negative Provisions At a March 2011 town hall with US Senator Mark Kirk, Biggert admitted fault for voting for the continuing resolution that included items with which she did not agree, including tax subsidies for Big Oil and the defunding of Planned Parenthood. In response to a question asking why she voted for final approval of the House Republicans continuing resolution for FY 2-011, Biggert said, Let me just say first of all, that I am with you on the Planned Parenthood. The problem with some of these things that comes up and I dont, in these continuing resolutions, are not always things that we have voted for, but are in the bill and we need to pass the continuing resolution but, with BP, and we, we are trying to do, you know, become independent, and we have to do everything to do that and so if, if I voted for that, then that was the reason, but I voted for the continuing resolution which had that in it. [Orland Park Patch, 3/21/11] Was Unwilling to Compromise on Budget In March 2012, Biggert said she was unwilling to compromise on the national budget. According to the Daily Herald, she believes when it comes to budgeting there may be no room to budge. [Daily Herald, 03/03/12] Proposed Extending Bush Tax Cuts, Repealing Obamacare, and Throwing Out Dodd-Frank In March 2012, Biggert said she was in favor of extending the Bush tax cuts, repealing Obamacare, and throwing out DoddFrank in order to cut the debt. [Daily Herald, 03/03/12] Supported Elimination of Earmarks

In March 2012, Biggert told the Beacon News that she was in favor of eliminating federal earmarks. [Beacon
News, 3/11/12]

Business and Consumer Issues Campaign Finance Issues

Fundraised to Prevent Redistricting In June 2011, Illinois Republicans, including former Speaker Denny Hastert, former Labor Secretary Lynn Martin and former Rep. Tom Ewing, held an event to raise funds for an anticipated legal challenge to the Illinois redistricting map. Under the name The Committee for a Fair and Balanced Map, the Republicans planned to file a federal lawsuit and urged Gov. Quinn not to sign off on the map. Suggested contributions from individuals was $250 and either $500, $1,000 or $2,500 for a sponsorships. [Chicago Sun-Times, 6/14/11]

Member of the NRCC Patriot Program Biggert was named to the NRCC Patriot Program in September 2011, the Republican campaign committees list of vulnerable members who need additional financial assistance.

Debt Ceiling
Wanted Spending Cuts With Debt Ceiling Vote In May 2011, Biggert revealed she wanted significant budget cuts to accompany the debt ceiling vote. Many of us in the House want significant spending reform to be attached to any debt vote. Im hopeful Senator Reid will soon realize that the only way Congress will approve a change in the debt ceiling is if it comes with budget cuts that will help us dig our way out of our debt, she said. [Rep. Judy Biggert Press Release, 5/09/11]

District Issues
Important Flood Study Failed to Move Forward In February 2011, the Herald News that local efforts to have a comprehensive study of flooding on the DuPage River stalled, despite support from Biggert. Property owners said they had noticed an increase in the frequency and severity of floods and while the Will County Board considered the study a top federal legislative issue, the funding has not materialized. [HeraldNews, 2/24/11] Sent President Obama a Letter to Discourage the Transfer of Gitmo Detainees to Thomson In March 2011, Biggert sent a letter to President Obama urging the administration to make a statement promising Gitmo detainees will not be moved to the Thomson Correctional Center. The signees said Thomson should rather be purchased by the federal government and used as a maximum-security federal prison. The Illinois Bureau of Prisons closed Thomson Correctional Center in April 2010 to make way for the purchase of the facility by the federal government. [Freeport Journal Standard, 3/10/11] Biggert Fought to Maintain Federal Funding to Keep Shipping Locks Open In February 2011, Biggert voted against an amendment to the Houses Continuing Resolution that would have eliminated federal funding for the maintenance and operation of two shipping locks near the Great Lakes. The amendment would have cut off the funds needed for the Army Corps of Engineers to keep the locks open. Biggert said she was glad it didnt happen as closing the locks would have been devastating to Chicagos economy and would have cost thousands of jobs. [Pierce County Herald, 2/18/11] Biggert spent $363,537.36 in Q4 2010 In the fourth quarter, Biggert spent $363,537.36 in her congressional office. [Statement of Disbursements, 3/01/11] Biggert spent $8,722.07 on Franked Mail in Q4 2010 In the fourth quarter, Biggert spent $8,722.07 in her congressional office solely on franked mail. [Statement of Disbursements, 3/01/11] Biggert voted to terminate the FHA Refinance Program In March 2011, Biggert voted to eliminate the FHA Refinance Program, a bill offered by Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL). [HR 830, Vote #171, 3/10/11] Did Not Know the Number of Underwater Mortgages in Her Own State

In March 2011 on the House floor, when asked if she knew how many underwater mortgages there were in your home state, Biggert responded that she did not know. [Biggert Floor Remarks on Lynch Amendment to HR 830, 3/10/11]

Over 480,000 Illinois families are facing foreclosure According to Corelogic, there are 480,627 mortgages in Illinois that are currently Negative Equity Mortgages and could be in danger of foreclosure. [CoreLogic Q4 2010 Negative Equity Report]
Supported Repeal of Farm Subsidies In March 2012, Biggert said she supported the repeal of current farm subsidies. Biggert said she would repeal farm subsidies, since they often go to megafarms instead of smaller, family-owned ones. [Naperville Patch, 3/07/12]

Economic and Financial Issues

Promised Focus on Jobs In a June 2011 e-newsletter to her constituents, Biggert promised my colleagues and I remain laser-focused on creating jobs. She touted the Republican plan to make the tax code flatter by lowering the corporate tax to no more than 25%; eliminate costly federal regulations that drive up the cost of doing business; reform the patent process to help entrepreneurs; and advance the free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama & South Korea to increase exports. [Biggert E-Newsletter, 6/17/11] Said Shed Lead Opposition to Closing Chicago Locks in Asian Carp Debate In February 2011, Biggert promised to fight against a GOP-introduced amendment to the continuing resolution that would cut funding from the Army Corps of Engineers in their attempt to open and close locks to Lake Michigan while also keeping Asian carp from entering the lakes. Biggert called the amendment short-sighted and ineffective measure that would cost the Chicago economy billions. [Associated Press, 2/16/11] Floor Speech: Opening Chicago Locks Not Worth the Cost to Chicagos Economy In February 2011 on the House floor, Biggert urged a no vote on an amendment to the continuing resolution that would have defunded the Army Corps of Engineers work on controlling the fish, particularly Asian carp that enter Lake Michigan through the Chicago locks. She said closing the locks is not the answer because it would devastate the city of Chicagos economy and any industry that uses the locks to transport goods from Illinois down to the Gulf of Mexico. She said those in Chicago estimate that closing the locks will cost at least $29 billion in economic damages. She also said, This bill was to make sure that we can get the economy back, that we can create the jobs. This will destroy jobs. [Biggert Floor Remarks on Camp Amendment to HR1, 2/17/11]

Education Issues
Supported a Re-Authorization of No Child Left Behind In February 2011, Biggert said that although she believes the No Child Left Behind law has numerous problems and needs changes, it should be re-authorized. She said the law stifles creativity within children by putting too much emphasis on math and reading.

She also said, Ive heard nothing but complaints about it, except that there has been some accountability. [Oakbrook Suburban Life, 2/05/11] Floor Speech: Gainful Employment Should Be Defunded Because It Has Lost Jobs and Hurt Education In February 2011 on the House floor, Biggert spoke in support of the Kline amendment to the continuing resolution that would have defunded the gainful employment rule claiming that the measure has already led to job loss and uncertainty in the proprietary college sector. She claimed the rule only incentivizes institutions to pursue only those repayment plans which satisfy arbitrary government goals rather than the plans that best fit students needs. Biggert claimed that the administration chose to discriminate against the for-profit educational institutions. [Biggert Floor Remarks on Kline Amendment to HR1, 2/17/11]

Energy Issues
Floor Speech: ARPA-E Funding Is Duplicative and Stretches Resources In February 2011 on the House floor, Biggert claimed she had long advocated against a direct line of funding to ARPA-E and would rather it have remained under the jurisdiction of the Department of Energy. Biggert said that her amendment cuts ARPA-E funding by $50 million and that although one of her two priorities is Energy R&D and her colleagues know it is not easy for me to cut funding for energy research, the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment stimulus bill funded ARPA-E and created duplicative projects and stretched resources. [Biggert Remarks on Biggert Amendment to HR 1, 2/15/11] Denied Stock Ownership in TransCanada Influenced Her Support of Keystone Pipeline Biggert denied her support for the Keystone Pipeline had anything to do with her ownership of stock in TransCanada. According to the Naperville Patch, Biggert said that stock was purchased in 2004 by a broker, as part of her husbands 401k, and has nothing to do with her support of the pipeline. [Naperville Patch, 3/07/12]

Environmental Issues
Said Shed Lead Opposition to Closing Chicago Locks in Asian Carp Debate In February 2011, Biggert promised to fight against a GOP-introduced amendment to the continuing resolution that would cut funding from the Army Corps of Engineers in their attempt to open and close locks to Lake Michigan while also keeping Asian carp from entering the lakes. Biggert called the amendment short-sighted and ineffective measure that would cost the Chicago economy billions. [Associated Press, 2/16/11] Floor Speech: Opening Chicago Locks Not Worth the Cost to Chicagos Economy In February 2011 on the House floor, Biggert urged a no vote on an amendment to the continuing resolution that would have defunded the Army Corps of Engineers work on controlling the fish, particularly Asian carp that enter Lake Michigan through the Chicago locks. She said closing the locks is not the answer because it would devastate the city of Chicagos economy and any industry that uses the locks to transport goods from Illinois down to the Gulf of Mexico. She said those in Chicago estimate that closing the locks will cost at least $29 billion in economic damages. She also said, This bill was to make sure that we can get the economy back, that we can create the jobs. This will destroy jobs. [Biggert Floor Remarks on Camp Amendment to HR1, 2/17/11] To Propose Draft Legislation to Overhaul National Flood Insurance Program

In March 2011, Biggert announced she would be presenting draft legislation at the March 11 hearing of the House insurance subcommittee on overhauling the National Flood Insurance Program while excluding wind damage coveragea point of contention that wrecked the last overhaul effort in 2009and also neglects addressing the debt incurred by the NFIP from hurricanes in 2004 and 2005. As for wind damage, Biggert said she was not sure that somebody will bring it up and said simply that on the programs debt, the committee had not reached a conclusion on a debt strategy. [Reuters, 3/03/11] Biggert Has Received Nearly a Half Million in Contributions from Insurance Interests Big insurers with a stake in the NFIP debate include Allstate Corp, Travelers Cos Inc, Hartford Financial Services Group Inc and Fidelity National Financial Inc. and Biggert has received $416,101 in campaign contributions since from the insurance industry. [Reuters, 3/03/11; Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 4/07/11] Sent Dear Colleague Letter Urging Support for Great Lakes Restoration In July 2011, Dold and Biggert co-wrote a letter to colleagues in the House of Representatives urging them to restore half of the proposed funding cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The letter continued, The purpose of our amendments is to restore half of this cut, by transferring $24.7 million to the GLRI. This is done through a two-step amendment process: (1) the first amendment we will offer will transfer the $24.7 million in funds from the Departmental Offices account to the Geographic Programs account within Environmental Programs and Management; (2) the accompanying amendment will increase the allowable transfer authority for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. [Dold/Biggert Dear Colleague Letter, 7/26/11] Supported Investment in Green Energy In March 2012, Biggert said she supported investment in green energy. [Naperville Patch, 3/07/12]

Ethics Issues
Owned Stock in Oil Company Whose Controversial Pipeline She Also Supported In December 2011, Chicago Business reported that Biggert was one of four Members of Congress who own stock in TransCanada Corp., the company whose plans to lay the Keystone XL Pipeline across several Midwestern states. According to her financial disclosure, Biggert's owns TransCanada stock valued between $1,000 and $15,000. In a November tweet, Biggert wrote, WH caves to anti-American energy lobby, delays job-creating Keystone XL Oil Pipeline. Additionally, she ridiculed a bill to ban members of Congress from insider trading saying of the bill, I hope we don't overreact here and pass legislation with overly onerous requirements for the reporting of financial trades. Biggert claimed the stock was acquired in 2004 by her husband. A spokesman said, Neither Mr. Biggert nor Mrs. Biggert takes an active role in the purchase or sale of the assets in their account. . . .For many years, their broker has been under standing orders to use his own judgment in trading decisions. [Chicago Business, 12/12/11] Note: Biggert voted in favor of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 that included a provision to restart the Keystone XL pipeline [HR 3630, Vote #923, 12/13/11]

Foreign Policy Issues Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea

Called for End to Afghan War

According to the Beacon News, Biggert said she was in favor of ending the Afghan War. One other expense Biggert would like to end is the war in Afghanistan. Biggert said, I think we belonged there and weve done a good job, but I think theres military fatigue with the American people. [Beacon News, 3/11/12]

Health Care Issues

Supported Ending Medicaid Payments to Out-of-State and Higher Income Families In July 2011, Biggert supported Illinoiss move to require Medicaid recipients to provide two pay stubs to prove they meet the residency and income requirements. The eligibility checks had been dropped under Gov. Blagojevich. Biggert contended the move would free up funds for the needy families for whom it is intended, but the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said federal law prevents Illinois from dropping people from Medicaid eligibility. [Chicago Sun-Times, 7/18/11] Co-Sponsor of Bill to Eliminate 1099 Provision In January 2011, Biggert signed onto Republican legislation to eliminate a provision of health care reform that required companies to file tax forms for any purchase or service transaction of $600 or more. [Chicago Daily Herald, 1/18/11] Told Seniors Not to Believe Democrats or There Were Changes to Their Medicare and Social Security At an April 2011 appearance with about 100 seniors, Biggert promised the seniors they would be able to keep their Medicare and Social Security unchanged. [Daily Herald, 4/20/11] She said, This is the most important thing I'm going to say today: We made no changes. There will be no changes to Medicare for those who are 55 and older. No changes to Social Security. The president and Nancy Pelosi have said Medicare is gone as you have known it. It is not true. [Daily Herald, 4/20/11] Supported Republican Budget to Deny over 160,000 Illinois Seniors Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage After voting for the 2012 Republican budget, Biggert claimed, There will be no changes to Medicare for those who are 55 and older. Yet, under the Republican budget, 163,630 Illinois seniors will pay $92 million more for prescription drugs next year alone. [Daily Herald, 4/20/11; Senate Democrats on the Donut Hole Provision, 4/14/11]

Immigration and Border Issues Israel Labor and Working Family Issues LGBT Issues Other Social Issues
Sponsored Legislation to Expand Governments Role in Schools for Eating Disorder Awareness

In April 2011, the Naperville Sun reported that Biggert had sponsored a bill to expand the federal governments role in educating teenagers about eating disorders. Biggert spokesman Zachary Cikanek: Rep. Biggerts bill allows states and localities to use federal funds to develop and design their own awareness and prevention programs, which include role modeling, teacher training and mentoring. [Naperville Sun, 4/3/11]

Second Amendment Rights Stem Cells Tax Issues

Called Over-Regulation a De Facto Tax Biggert said over-regulation is a de facto tax on employers that can stifle investment in sustainable growth. [Chicago SunTimes, 3/14/12]

Tea Party Technology Issues

Said She Still Supports Argonne Lab Despite Voting to Slash Its Budget In February 2011, a spokeswoman for Biggert said that despite proposing a failed amendment to cut ARPA-E funding by $50 million and voting for slashing by 50 percent the federal energy-efficiency programs that fund Argonne Lab, Biggerts votes do not signal a change in her level of support for the labs research. Biggert spokeswoman Abby Milone said Friday in an e-mailed statement to the Lemont Patch that H.R. 1 is designed to curb federal spending and help restore the U.S. economy but that in terms of science funding, Biggert is targeting duplicative and wasteful programs, like ARPA-E, or Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy. [Lemont Patch, 2/26/11] ARPA-E Funds Nontraditional Energy Research Projects According to the Lemont Patch, Biggerts proposal to cut $50 million in funding is directed at a program created in 2007 to fund nontraditional energy research projects focused on efficiency and reducing dependence on foreign energy. The amendment failed in the House by a vote of 170-262. [Lemont Patch, 2/26/11] Sen. Durbin: 1,000 Jobs Will Be lost at Fermilab The proposed cuts could cost Argonne 1,000 jobs, according to a Feb. 18 letter from Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL, denouncing the move. Another 435 jobs could be lost at Batavias Fermilab, Durbin wrote. [Lemont Patch, 2/26/11] Emphasized Her Communication with Argonne National Lab In an April 2011 official e-newsletter, Biggert said that she has fought to protect Argonne National Laboratory as a member of the Science Committee.

She wrote, As a member of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, I have worked for years with scientists at Argonne National Lab to advance new, safer nuclear recycling technologies that will allow us to continue to tap this important domestic resource while minimizing waste. [Rep. Judy Biggert E-Newsletter, 4/22/11] Facing the Demise of Fermilab, Biggert Said Shed Take the Facilitys Proposals Back to Washington to Make Its Funding a Priority In September 2011 in the face of the shutdown of the Tevatron at Fermilab in Batavia, IL, Biggert said she would take the scientists proposals for $1.2 to $1.5 billion for the construction of a South Dakota facility that would receive beams of Fermilab-produced neutrinos from a deep underground detector, called the Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE), back to Washington and convene a meeting of the Science, Space and Technology Committee to make the LBNE project a funding priority. She called the project, the basic type of research that can have a dramatic effect on the world. It can change our understanding of matter, antimatter, and what we know about our universe. The Director of Fermilab warned, Facilities like the one based on neutrino experiments take a decade to get developed. Im worried if we dont do something now, by the end of the decade, its a business plan to go out of business. [Beacon News, 9/28/11]

Trade Issues
Biggert Fought to Maintain Federal Funding to Keep Shipping Locks Open In February 2011, Biggert voted against an amendment to the Houses Continuing Resolution that would have eliminated federal funding for the maintenance and operation of two shipping locks near the Great Lakes. The amendment would have cut off the funds needed for the Army Corps of Engineers to keep the locks open. Biggert said she was glad it didnt happen as closing the locks would have been devastating to Chicagos economy and would have cost thousands of jobs. [Pierce County Herald, 2/18/11]

Transportation Issues
Called for Amendments to Republican Transportation Bill In February 2012, Biggert called for amendments to the Republican-backed transportation bill. I think that [Republican leadership is] responsive to what we have said, and hopefully we can find a way to have them change the bill, said Biggert. [WBEZ, 2/21/12] Later Denounced Transportation Bill According to the New York Times, Biggert and Reps. Dold and Lipinski denounced the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012, a bill championed by John Boehner. She said Suburban commuters and motorists, who pay millions in federal fuel taxes, deserve a transportation bill that is responsive to their needs. [New York Times, 2/24/12]

Womens Issues
Said Vote to Pass H.R. 3 Vote Did Not Compromise Her Pro-Choice Stance

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In May 2011, Biggert voted to end taxpayer funding for abortions but believed her decision went along with her pro-choice platform. She had been a co-chair of the House pro-choice caucus. "Rep. Biggert is pro-choice. She supports a women's right to chose, but she does not support public funding for abortion," her spokesperson said. "Abortion is a private decision, and it should be paid for with private dollars - without government involvement. That's why she voted for H.R. 3." [Talking Points Memo, 5/07/11] Warned Against Being Sidetracked by Contraception Debate According to the New York Times, More than 200 House members have signed up as co-sponsors of the House version of Mr. Blunts [proposal to allow employers to refuse to pay for coverage that violates their religious beliefs]. But Representative Judy Biggert, Republican of Illinois, said lawmakers should focus on the economy and job creation, instead of getting sidetracked by issues that can divide us. [New York Times, 2/28/12]

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