Congressman Manzullo Voted 79 More Times To Cut Spending Than His New Opponent

Manzullo voted 79 more times to cut $209 billion more than Adam Kinzinger who whill be Manzullo's opponent in the upcoming March election due to redistricting. 

 

An analysis of Congressional votes shows that U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-16) continued his strong conservative record of voting against wasteful Washington spending in 2011 while his opponent voted much more often for big government.

Manzullo, who maintains a lifetime 96 percent rating with the American Conservative Union, voted 79 more times to cut spending in 2011 than Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-11), who says he came to Washington in 2010 to cut spending. An analysis of all 949 roll call votes cast in 2011 shows Kinzinger voted to spend $209 billion more than Manzullo. Click here to view the full analysis.

In addition, Manzullo voted in 2011 for an alternative budget bill that would have cut $9.1 trillion over 10 years, reformed and saved Social Security and Medicare, kept taxes low, funded defense sufficiently, and eliminated the budget deficit in 9 years. Kinzinger voted against the conservative Republican Study Committee’s budget alternative, supported by the 60 Plus Association, Citizens Against Government Waste, Heritage Action, National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Prosperity, and many other conservative organizations. Instead, Kinzinger voted for Rep. Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity that cut $5.8 trillion over 10 years. Manzullo also supported Ryan’s plan.

“An analysis of last year’s Congressional votes clearly shows that Congressman Manzullo is much more serious than his opponent when it comes to cutting wasteful spending, reducing America’s debt and strengthening our economy,” said Manzullo spokesman Rich Carter. “In 2011, Congressman Manzullo voted 79 more times to cut $209 billion more in spending than Congressman Kinzinger. When presented with a clear choice, Kinzinger voted to fully fund dozens of government agencies and programs. In addition, Manzullo supported a budget alternative that would have cut $3.3 trillion more over 10 years than the legislation his opponent supported. It’s easy to see why Manzullo is getting so much support from those who want to see Congress get serious about cutting wasteful spending.”

Manzullo was recently endorsed by the Illinois Conservatives, a statewide organization of about 4,000 young conservatives under 35. He was endorsed last month by Family PAC-Federal, Illinois’ leading pro-family political action committee, and he is consistently recognized for his efforts to cut wasteful spending by many national conservative organizations.

Heritage Action, the sister organization of the conservative Heritage Foundation, shows a wide disparity in conservative rating in its Legislative Scorecard, with Manzullo receiving an 83 percent rating and Kinzinger receiving a 60 percent rating. 

Manzullo, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and the co-Chair of the House Manufacturing Caucus, is running for re-election to continue his mission to cut wasteful Washington spending, reduce the deficit, strengthen our economy, and help put Americans back to work. Under the Democrats' redistricting gerrymander last year, the 16th District changes dramatically. It will now include the counties of Boone, Ogle, Lee, Bureau, Putnam, La Salle, Grundy, Livingston, Iroquois, and parts of Winnebago, DeKalb, Stark, Will and Ford counties.

To learn more about Manzullo, visit www.manzullo.org.

Manzullo Upsets His Primary Opponent

Oregon, IL – Following the Illinois Conservatives’ endorsement of Congressman Don Manzullo, Congressman Adam Kinzinger, Manzullo’s primary opponent, made an attempt to downplay not only the endorsement, but the group itself.

“It is important to note that that the Illinois Conservatives Facebook Group is run by a 20 year old from Congressman Manzullo’s home county and is not an influential voice within the Republican electorate,” a statement issued by Kinzinger’s staff said.

The Illinois Conservatives reject the claims that their endorsements are not influential, citing their previous endorsees as possible evidence.

“I believe Lennie Jarratt, John Bambenek, Michael Harn, Jason Plummer, Don Manzullo, and other conservatives would disagree that our endorsement means nothing,” Illinois Conservatives President Zach Oltmanns said. “If we are not influential then why has [Congressman Kinzinger] spent the last couple days attacking us?”

The statement from Kinzinger’s camp also suggested that the group was falsely claiming to have endorsed the Congressman in 2010. Oltmanns said this is not quite the truth.

“We tried to endorse him in the general election in 2010 but just like most of the tea party groups are numerous calls were not returned by Kinzinger,” Oltmanns said.

The Illinois Conservatives are also disappointed that Kinzinger, at 33 years old, would have such harsh words for a group that consists of a lot of young members.

“We are very disappointed to see a sitting congressman go after our group like this,” Illinois Conservatives Vice President Andrew Spitzer said. “Especially when he started in politics when he was only 20 years old and our group prides ourselves in getting young people involved in politics. But obviously our endorsement was important to him. Although he must be disappointed, I am sad to see that he took a negative way towards a group with so many young members.”

In addition to staying on the defensive against Kinzinger’s remarks, the Illinois Conservatives would also like to thank the many Tea Party groups who have come to their aid and defense in the recent days.

The Illinois Conservatives, a leading conservative grassroots organization in Illinois, believe in conservative ideologies and supports political candidates who share in those beliefs for the betterment of the State of Illinois.

Note: Congressman Manzullo will not be representing voters in McHenry County after the March 20 Primary. That is not to say he will not receive the nomination for the 16th District. It is just that the 16th District no longer will cover McHenry County following the redistricting we have been presented.

Congressman Manzullo Continues In A New Sixteenth District

The Bureau-LaSalle Tea Party will welcome Congressman Don Manzullo to its meeting on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Congressman Manzullo was first elected in1992 and has been a Conservative mainstay winning reelection since and will this year be challenged by Adam Kinzinger.

Manzullo has an enviable voting score from the American Conservative Union; has been the recipient of numerous awards from the National Federation of Independent Business; the United States Chamber of Commerce and many others while building an outstanding record championing good policies; economic growth; fiscal responsibility; a commonsense approach to legislation and much more.

The meeting will be at The Elks Lodge (800 E. Walnut St., Oglesby IL).
Doors open at 6:30; meeting begins at 7:00.

This is open to the general public and will provide a great opportunity to learn what this Congressman stands for.

Note: Congressman Manzullo still represents the 16^th Congressional District. However, the redistricting maneuvers took McHenry County out of the 16^th District. 

Congressman Manzullo Has A New Campaign Website

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today unveiled a new campaign website to enhance communications with supporters and share the latest news on campaign activities, events and how to get involved with his campaign.

Supporters can also sign up and receive email updates through the campaign website at www.manzullo.org. The new website also features links to the campaign's social media pages -- he is active on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Manzullo’s campaign website also provides readers with an expanded solutions section that features his position and initiatives on issues and his legislative agenda. Rep Manzullo formally announced the start of his re-election campaign in front of a crowd of 500 supporters in Rockford on November 13 and the site features highlights of that event.

“My new campaign website will offer people who live in the 16th District of Illinois the opportunity to become involved with my campaign in many different ways. Freda and I are grateful for the ongoing support of the people of Illinois and I am ready and excited to continue to represent our region in the U.S. Congress. I encourage everyone to visit my website, sign up for my email updates, connect with me on Facebook and Twitter so we can keep you updated on the campaign.”

EPA Proposes More Rules

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today said a proposed EPA rule to classify livestock manure as hazardous waste would heap new, costly regulations on Illinois farmers, making them less competitive and opening them to huge lawsuits.

Manzullo, who raised beef cattle on his Ogle County farm for 30 years, is cosponsoring the Superfund Common Sense Act (HR 2997) to prevent the EPA from adding livestock manure to the list of substances regulated by the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation  and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA or Superfund Law). CERCLA was enacted by Congress in 1980 in response to the Love Canal environmental disaster as a way to ensure responsible parties pay for hazardous waste cleanup sites.

Prior to running for Congress, Manzullo was an attorney who represented farmers in their run-ins with the EPA and other agencies. Manzullo pointed out that the EPA already has strict procedures in place for regulating waste from large agricultural operations to protect streams and underground wells from run-off. In fact, Manzullo worked with the Illinois EPA, U.S. EPA, and Illinois Dept. of Agriculture this past year to clarify existing waste run-off regulations for northwest Illinois farmers, who were receiving conflicting information from the state and federal EPA on their responsibilities under the run-off regulations.

“It’s ridiculous to think our family farms are as dangerous as toxic waste sites, and it’s outrageous to regulate them the same way,” Manzullo said. “The EPA already stringently regulates waste runoff from livestock operations and there is absolutely no need to tighten the regulatory screws any further. Classifying livestock manure as hazardous waste under CERCLA would open our family farms up to huge legal liabilities and make them less productive and competitive. This is the last thing we should be doing when we are trying to help put Americans back to work.”

Congressman Manzullo Not Pleased with Failure of Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) tonight issued the following statement upon hearing the news that the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction failed to reach an agreement, thereby triggering $1.2 trillion of automatic federal spending cuts over the next 10 years

“It’s disappointing that the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction couldn’t reach an agreement to significantly reduce spending and federal debt. With the federal government continuing to borrow 42 cents of each dollar it spends, the national debt surged past $15 trillion this week with no end in sight to the rampant spending. The historic debt our nation now owes threatens our economic recovery and job creation.

“Fortunately, the American people still win today as the lack of agreement triggers an automatic $1.2 trillion spending cut, which exempts Social Security, over the next 10 years. We must make sure that the total dollar value of these spending cuts, which are not scheduled to take place until October 2012, are not undermined in the coming year. But we must do much more. And we must focus more of our efforts on policies to help put Americans back to work. If we can get Americans working again, they will be paying more taxes and consuming less federal benefits. My American Jobs Agenda offers a plan to help our employers thrive again and create jobs.”

Northern Illinois In Running For Third Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

A Congressional leader who will help determine America’s transportation priorities has accepted Congressman Don Manzullo’s invitation to come to northern Illinois, tour the Chicago-Rockford International Airport, and speak to a group of regional transportation officials in Rockford on Monday.

U.S. House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL), who lives in Daytona Beach and represents the Daytona Beach headquarters of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, will begin the day’s events at 8:45 a.m. by joining Manzullo and other local officials on a tour of the airport. Rockford is in the running to become the third residential campus for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, joining campuses in Daytona Beach and Prescott, Arizona. After the tour, Mica and Manzullo will speak at the Tri-State Alliance Summit at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Rockford. A media availability will follow.

“We are extremely honored that Chairman Mica has agreed to come to Rockford and share his vision of America’s future transportation network and how northern Illinois fits into the plan,” Manzullo said. “We are excited that Chairman Mica will visit our international airport and see firsthand the untapped capabilities of our world-class facility. It’s a huge bonus that Chairman Mica represents the home of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, and we expect he will have great things to say about Rockford the next time he visits with Embry-Riddle’s President, Dr. John Johnson.”

Congressman Manzullo Issues Statement Regarding Shooting of Congresswoman

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) issued the following statement in response to the shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and many others during an open house she was hosting at a supermarket in Tucson. Giffords is listed in critical condition at an Arizona hospital and at least five are dead, including U.S. District Judge John Roll and a 9-year-old girl.

“We are shocked and saddened by the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others this morning during a meeting she was hosting with her constituents at a local supermarket,” Manzullo said.

“Congresswoman Giffords and I serve together on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and she is well liked and well respected by all who know her. We pray for a speedy recovery for Congresswoman Giffords and the other injured as we mourn those who lost their lives today in this senseless tragedy.” 

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Congressman Don Manzullo IL-16- both serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Manzullo said in a statement regarding the recent shooting of Congresswoman Giffords, "We are shocked and saddened by the shooting of the Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others during a meeting she was hosting with her constituents at a local supermarket,"

Congressman Manzullo noted that she is well like and well respected by all who know her. "We pray for a speedy recovery for Congresswoman Giffords and the others injured as we mourn those who lost their lives in this senseless tragedy."

Congresswoman Giffords is listed in critical condition at an Arizona Hospital.

Manufacturing In Northern Illinois Gets A Boost

The top Republican in the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL-16), sends thanks to Frank Mochuzuki, President of Nippon Shayo U.S.A. for investing in Rochelle.

The company recently announced its plans to locate its new $35-40 million passenger railcar plant in Rochelle and bring up to 300 new jobs to northern Illinois

Congressman Manzullo says, "Companies like Nippon Shayo are exactly what he envisioned when he worked with State Sen. Brad Burzynski (R-Rochelle) and city officials to help convince Union Pacific in 2002 to open a new $180 million intermodal Hub in Rochelle. That unique rail infrastructure is a major attraction for new industries and a perfect fit for Nippon Sharyo, says Manzullo.

Manzullo, top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, arranged for Mr. Mochizuki to spend an evening with Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Ichiro Fujisaki when the Ambassador visited Rockford this past April. Manzullo also arranged for Mr. Mochizuki to meet with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood during a visit to Rockford last November.

“I am excited about what Nippon Sharyo means for our regional manufacturing community. Not only will hundreds of direct manufacturing jobs be created, but many local companies will be suppliers to this new manufacturing operation, and that will spawn even more good paying jobs,” Manzullo said. “I consider Frank Mochizuki a friend, and I want to thank Frank for his faith in our area workforce, and his commitment to this region. Today’s announcement is the result of a lot of people working together at the local, state and federal level for more than a year. And the people of northern Illinois are the big winners.”

Manzullo said companies like Nippon Sharyo are exactly what he envisioned when he worked with State Sen. Brad Burzynski (R-Rochelle) and city officials to help convince Union Pacific in 2002 to open a new $180 million Intermodal Hub in Rochelle. The unique rail infrastructure in Rochelle is a major attraction for new industries and a perfect fit for Nippon Sharyo, Manzullo said.

“There is absolutely no better place than Rochelle for a company like Nippon Sharyo to locate in the United States,” Manzullo added.

GE Aviation Bringing More Jobs To Northern Illinois Area

 GE Aviation and local economic development groups will partner to create new jobs and an expanded supply base in the Rockford, Illinois area.

U.S. Rep Don Manzullo and GE Aviation leaders Mike Chanatry and Elliott Liddle joined economic development leaders to make the announcement today during a ceremony at the Rockford facility.

The Rockford facility was part of GE’s 2007 acquisition of Smiths Aerospace. Since that time, the team has utilized the GE engineering resources to expand its product offerings and markets. In addition, machining work is transitioning in from various parts of the GE supply base due to growth of the GEnx and the F136 programs.

Plans are to expand machining at Rockford over the next year, which means plans for approximately up to 20 new jobs at the GE Aviation facility.

Working closely with the Rockford Area Economic Development Council and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, GE Aviation will host a supplier symposium on Thursday, Nov. 4 at the Rockford Airport. The symposium is structured around coaching and mentoring local small businesses in doing business with GE.

“I want to commend GE Aviation for growing jobs in the United States and centering them here in Loves Park. This is exactly what we envisioned several years ago when we passed our bill to give manufacturers a 9 percent tax rate reduction on the products they make in the United States,” said Rep. Manzullo. “The supplier symposium will help create badly needed jobs for our area and expand our aerospace network even more as we continue to compete for an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus in Rockford.”

“GE Aviation is thrilled with the workforce in Rockford, which has demonstrated its ability to meet commitments and engage in the GE culture of compliance, quality and integrity that is so vital in the aviation industry,” said Mike Chanatry. “We also value the relationship GE Aviation has with government in Rockford. Rep. Manzullo has continued to create a business environment here that can help U.S. manufacturers like GE become more competitive in places like Loves Park.”

GE Aviation employs approximately 38,000 employees and operates more than 50 manufacturing and service facilities around the world. The company invests $1 billion annually in jet propulsion R&D programs. This long tradition of commitment to new technology has helped GE establish its leadership position in the industry with a proud list of "firsts" in both the military and commercial jet propulsion, tracing back to 1942 with America's first jet engine.

GE Aviation, a GE operating unit based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft.

Created by Thomas Edison, GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide.

GE Aviation Has Expansion Plans For Loves Park Plant

GE Aviation at Loves Park, IL is planning to expand with the assistance of local area vendors and development groups, including one from McHenry County.

Congressman Don Manzullo, R-16th, advised that a plan is being unveiled Monday afternoon at the Loves Park plant. Those included in the group announcement is Pam Cumpata, President of the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation. She is joining Congressman Manzullo, GE Aviation General Manager Mike Chanatry, and Janyce Fadden, President of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. This is expected to grow jobs and expand use of local vendors.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.

Fed Up Americans Express Ideas

“Americans are fed up with the job-killing, big-spending agenda in Washington that is delaying our return to prosperity,” says Congressman Don Manzullo, R-16th District.

Manzullo explains, “At the 10 citizens meetings I held this summer, the people spoke loudly of their desire for a new way forward. One young man summed up the frustration of most when he said ‘I just want the government to leave us alone.

"These ideas were among the 16,000 submitted nationwide that were used to develop our Pledge to America, a set of bold and immediate solutions that renews a commitment to our founding principles and offers a new way of doing business in Washington," says Manzullo.

A Pledge to America, a new governing agenda authored by House Republicans, was compiled following thousands of America Speaking Out town hall meetings this summer designed to seek the ideas of the people for returning our nation to prosperity. Manzullo alone held 10 citizen meetings across northern Illinois. Nationwide, citizens offered more than 16,000 ideas at the meetings and online that were used to develop the new agenda for America. The full agenda can be viewed here

"Because the American people cannot endure any more of Washington’s misguided agenda, we pledge to begin fighting for these solutions today. Having enlisted the voices of the American people, we are now well prepared to move America forward and restore our founding principle of accountability to the people.