Mike Quigley

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

At every level of government, Mike Quigley has been a strong advocate for rethinking and reinventing government to create the conditions for a healthy and growing economy. As a Cook County Commissioner, he authored eight reports on ways to streamline the operations of the County and eliminate the need for job-killing taxes on hotels, restaurants and other small businesses.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As a Cook County Commissioner, Mike produced real change that has endured. In 2007, he sponsored and passed a package of ethics reforms mandating greater transparency in the property tax appeal process. Mike also authored and passed amendments to the Inspector General Ordinance granting the County’s Inspector General wider authority, greater independence, and increased resources to root out corruption. Mike also sponsored many of the accountability measures contained in the County’s current Vehicle Policy Ordinance, which regulates County departments purchase and operation of vehicles.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

In Congress he has continued the fight to reinvent government, and has been an outspoken advocate for constructive infrastructure spending. He points out that in 2009, only 4 percent of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act focused on infrastructure spending, but that 4 percent produced over a quarter of the resulting jobs. He believes the time is now to reinvest in our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and create good paying jobs.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As a Congressman, Mike continued the fight for accountability and good government. In one of his first actions, Mike introduced legislation banning corporate earmarks, a policy which would subsequently become a rule in the House of Representatives. 16 months after taking office he achieved House passage of the State Ethics Law Protection Act, legislation to allow state governments to ban pay-to-play corruption in highway contracting. He has also introduced the Public Officials Accountability Act, legislation to address recent Supreme Court rulings that currently block prosecutors from using “honest services” standards in prosecuting public corruption.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As the Ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services and Bailouts, Mike works to provide effective oversight of government operations and public funds. He was a proud supporter of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which changed many of the egregious abuses which lead to the 2008 financial crisis. He is committed to ensuring effective implementation of this and other reforms, while also ensuring that community banks and other institutions have the resources and capability to continue creating jobs and adding value to the neighborhoods of the Fifth District.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

One of Mike’s first actions upon arriving in Congress was to support legislation repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Mike consistently supported the repeal of this discriminatory policy and was honored to be present when President Obama signed legislation repealing it in late 2010. He marked the occasion by visiting the grave of Leonard Matlovich, an early gay rights advocate. Matlovich’s gravestone reads: “When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men, and a discharge for loving one.” Throughout his time on Capitol Hill, Mike consistently opposed the Defense of Marriage Act and advocated for its eventual repeal.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike is leading the fight against the FDA blood ban deferral policy, which unfairly excludes men who have sex with men from donating blood. Having worked on this issue with then SenatorJohn Kerry, and now partnering with Senators Tammy Baldwin and Elizabeth Warren, Mike has continued to push the FDA to change this policy.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Mike has his finger on the pulse of the threats facing Americans every day. He continues to advocate for a diplomacy first foreign policy and aims to ensure our foreign interventions are always pursued withAmerica’s best interests front and center. He believes in a strong and strategic national defense that is focused on defending the nation and providing American leadership and collaboration abroad.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As the Co-Chair of the House Transparency Caucus, Mike has pressed for greater public access to the legislative process. The Caucus supports President Obama’s Open Government Directive and facilitates communication between lawmakers and experts in public access initiatives. The Caucus has received national as well as international attention. In recognition of his efforts with the Transparency Caucus, Congressman Quigley was consulted by the Government of Chile in its efforts to promote greater transparency.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike has introduced several significant bills to provide taxpayers with greater knowledge and insight on the actions of their elected representatives. He has authored the Transparency in Government Act, which calls for records, votes and disclosure reports from every sector of government to be made available to the public in a searchable, sortable and downloadable format. He has also introduced the Congressionally Mandated Reports Act, which provides the general public with unimpeded access to taxpayer-funded reports produced by federal agencies.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike opposes any effort to privatize Medicare. As part of his Reinventing Federal Government study, he proposed several long-term steps that can be taken to shore up Medicare and ensure the long-term viability of the program. He has also cosponsored legislation to allow price negotiation in the Medicare prescription drug program, and legislation to increase transparency and combat fraud in Medicare.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike trusts women to make their own healthcare choices and is a stalwart champion for women’s reproductive rights. He understands that doctors, not politicians, should help women make the decision that is best for their families. He supports a full repeal of the HydeAmendment and was active in the fight against anti-choice measures being included in theAffordable Care Act.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

In 2005, as Cook County Commissioner, Mike proposed and passed a secondhand smoke ban, which prohibited smoking indoors throughout Cook County. This legislation led to a similar state-wide ban that prevented smoking in public places, places of employment, government vehicles and within 15 feet of any entrance to a public place. Mike also worked to expand health care services and provide funds to Access to Care, a primary health care program serving low-income uninsured individuals in suburban Cook County, Illinois and in Northwest Chicago.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Mike has fought for full NIH funding, increased research and development grants and has worked to streamline the FDA drug approval process. He is committed to supporting Chicago’s world-class hospital systems and local community health centers.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike is passionate about supporting unions throughout our country. Most recently, he strongly opposed legislation that would undermine efforts to streamline the unionization process. He has also been outspoken in his opposition to so-called right to work laws, which do nothing more than drastically reduce the budgets of unions and weaken their ability to negotiate fair contracts for their members. Additionally, Mike has written on the importance of empowering workers and supports legislation to increase the minimum wage, combat gender wage discrimination, and guarantee paid sick leave.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike has worked closely with the Administration demanding that all modern trade agreements include strong, enforceable labor and human rights provisions that protect American workers from competing against countries with low standards. He also successfully fought in support of legislation to expand and extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which provides workers who have lost their jobs due to trade with job training services, income support, reemployment and relocation benefits, and health benefits.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike fought against the 1% sales tax increase, which would eventually be repealed and led the fight against lease, hotel, restaurant and fuel taxes. He was the only Democratic Commissioner to vote against the Cook County Parking Tax in 2000. Year after year, Mike identified questionable expenditures, unrealistic revenue projections, and no-bid contracts, while also proposing alternative solutions to the County’s financial and management problems.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As a member of Congress, Mike has focused on passing long-term bipartisan budgets that reduce our unsustainable debts and deficits without unduly burdening the most vulnerable in our society. He believes that bipartisan solutions exist, but Members of Congress must be willing to take the hard votes. For any plan to succeed, it must include the three “B’s” he believes are necessary for any deficit plan – big, balanced, and bipartisan.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike has also introduced legislation to eliminate unfair tax loopholes; cut millions from outdated defense programs; and create a mechanism to allow taxpayers to track how the federal government is spending their money. In addition, Mike has written two reports on “Reinventing Federal Government.” The first report presents methods for accurately assessing the overall fiscal condition of the United States, and the second details how to fix it, with 60 concrete recommendations for saving $2 trillion over ten years.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

In Congress he has continued the fight to reinvent government, and strongly believes that now more than ever we need to spend taxpayer dollars wisely and make smarter investments that will grow our economy and create jobs. In particular, Mike understands that without serious transportation investments the U.S. will simply not be able to compete in today’s global economy. Furthermore, given that every billion dollars invested in our infrastructure creates 30,000 jobs, Mike has made it a top priority to modernize our crumbling infrastructure and support critical investments in the Chicago area.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As the only Illinois Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Mike has championed robust funding for vital infrastructure projects that will help ensure that Chicago remains a hub for transportation and business. In addition, Mike was proud to support and fight for passage of the FAST Act, which is the first bill in over a decade to provide long-term funding for transportation infrastructure planning and investment.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike meets regularly with small business owners in Chicago, working hard to eliminate red tape and financial barriers to increased hiring, and seeking new and creative ways to increase opportunity. He has also made it a priority to help Fifth District residents enter the workforce and gain the skills to advance their careers.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike recognizes that our country is facing a gun violence epidemic and believes we must enact sensible reforms. He is an outspoken proponent of legislation that requires mandatory background checks on all gun sales, including firearms sold at gun shows and online. These loopholes allow unscrupulous gun dealers to circumvent required background checks and licensing restrictions, ultimately flooding our streets with illegal guns. He has also cosponsored legislation to ban the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; bolster local gun buy-back initiatives and pushed for a federal law making gun trafficking illegal. Moreover, he is a vocal opponent of congressional efforts to impose a national concealed carry mandate that would reduce all state and local firearms laws to the lowest common denominator.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

The failures of our legal immigration system have forced millions of undocumented immigrants in this country to live in the shadows. One of Mike’s first actions upon arriving in Congress was to stand with Representative Luis Gutierrez as a cosponsor of the Comprehensive ImmigrationReform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act. This comprehensive immigration reform bill would establish workable parameters to fix our broken immigration system and give law-abiding residents the opportunity to achieve a better life for themselves and their children. Mike also pressed for the inclusion of LGBT bi-national couples in the legislation, as he believes that comprehensive immigration should include everyone.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike has also been a force on behalf of the Polish community, pressing for inclusion of Poland in the Visa Waiver Program. This would end the status quo where visitors from this vital Eastern European ally are forced to secure visas for travel to the United States, while Americans visiting Poland are permitted to travel freely.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

America’s strength as a nation is jeopardized by our broken immigration system. We need comprehensive immigration reform that will secure our borders, grow our economy, and provide hardworking immigrants an earned pathway to citizenship.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike has a long history of fighting for crime victims and working to prevent the conditions that breed violence and crime. He was the leading advocate on the Cook County Board for a new Domestic Violence Courthouse that would be safe for women and their children. His efforts led to the construction of the new Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse, which has been open since 2005. While serving in Congress, Mike championed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which is a comprehensive approach to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. More than ever, policies like the Violence Against Women Act ensures victims are receiving vital support and have the resources they need to report domestic and sexual violence to the police.

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Mike has worked closely with the Administration demanding that all modern trade agreements include strong, enforceable labor and human rights provisions that protect American workers from competing against countries with low standards. He also successfully fought in support of legislation to expand and extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which provides workers who have lost their jobs due to trade with job training services, income support, reemployment and relocation benefits, and health benefits.