Political Quotes

John Shimkus

The Public Record

John Shimkus is a former U.S. Representative from Illinois, serving in the House from January 7, 1997, until January 3, 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Illinois's 15th congressional district. During his tenure, Shimkus was known for his work on issues related to energy, environment, and agriculture, often advocating for policies that supported these sectors. He served on several committees, including the Energy and Commerce Committee, where he focused on energy policy and environmental regulations.

Quotes by year · 1997–20231,838 total · peak 2013 (242)
1997: 15 quotes1998: 35 quotes1999: 34 quotes2000: 3 quotes2001: 37 quotes2002: 18 quotes2003: 16 quotes2004: 22 quotes2006: 1 quote2008: 59 quotes2009: 2 quotes2010: 21 quotes2011: 217 quotes2012: 188 quotes2013: 242 quotes2014: 109 quotes2015: 178 quotes2016: 66 quotes2017: 89 quotes2018: 150 quotes2019: 213 quotes2020: 122 quotes2023: 1 quote

★ Featured Quote

November 17, 2023

the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must promptly continue with the legally mandated licensing process

— John Shimkus

Most widely reported

by number of sources
  1. I would like to take this time to commemorate the historic Hazel Dell farm.3 sources1999congress.gov
  2. It is great to be on the floor today. It was an awesome opportunity to be a conferee on the National Defense Authorization bill. As a veteran, 5 years active Army Infantry, 23 in the Reserves, I don't get a chance to do that very often because I am on the best committee in Congress, which is Energy and Commerce. But to be able to be in that process, I am very appreciative to you and to the other conferees. It was then that you learn what you learn, and the military had a problem. They had a long-delayed issue on freeze-dried plasma that is inexcusable, and they took action in the legislative language to rectify that delay, and we would, too. But the legislative process worked. I also want to commend my colleagues on the minority side and Ranking Member Pallone because what we want for our men and women in uniform, we want them to get an expedited pathway to lifesaving devices and drugs. But we also want to make sure that those things are safe, and the premier institution for safety and efficacy is the Food and Drug Administration. Now, we have a new administration that probably wouldn't have had an 8-year delay on freeze-dried plasma, and we have a new administrator of the FDA who has committed to reform these processes. But good intentions are not all that we need. We need legislative language.…2 sources2017govinfo.gov
  3. I appreciate my colleague bringing that up. I taught high school for 4 years, so education is key. This whole provision of moving to the Paris accord was done without education of the Members of Congress. It was an executive branch decision. We can debate whether the President had the authority or didn't have the authority, but we think what happened was that there was not total buy-in. Had it been presented as an agreement or had it been presented as a treaty, it wouldn't have passed either Chamber. I do agree that education is very, very important. However, I also believe in local control. Republicans will always have a challenge with the Federal Government directing, dictating, and telling our local schools what their curriculum should be. Mr. Chair, that is why I oppose this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse). The amendment was agreed to. Amendment No. 26 Offered by Mr. Van Drew The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 26 printed in House Report 116-42.2 sources2019govinfo.gov
  4. as an American of Lithuanian descent, I always come down to the floor around this time of year to commemorate Lithuanian Independence Day. The 16th of February is the most important national holiday for Lithuanians. Eighty-four years ago Lithuania declared their independence from Germany. At this time its government held two main principles, restore statehood and the right to national self-determination. Even after 50 plus years of Soviet occupation, these principles still hold true for Lithuania today. As soon as they established their independence in 1991, they have been working towards their goal towards NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. I am pleased that Lithuania has shown as much tenacity and discipline in its membership action plan program as it did towards achieving freedom. All indications show it will be a significant contributor towards the Alliance. Since 1994, over 1,000 Lithuania troops have served in NATO-led missions in the Balkans. Lithuania has expressed strong political and diplomatic support for the U.S. antiterrorist campaign, and it is ready to contribute its military and medical unit as part of the Czech hospital to the operation in Afghanistan and a military security unit within the Danish contingent to Kyrgyzstan as its practical contribution to the 'Enduring Peace' operation.2 sources2002govinfo.gov
  5. it is no secret that the Tax Code hurts our economy. We all know that Americans who try to save get penalized and that most Americans need a tax attorney to help them file their returns. I want to speak briefly, however, on a part of the Tax Code that is particularly mettlesome to constituents in my district: The death tax, which was first enacted in 1916 on estates larger than $50,000, which in today's dollars would be about $720,000 at a top tax rate of 10 percent. Today, under the tax and spend policies of the past, this tax has grown to include estates valued as low as $600,000 with a top tax rate of 55 percent. The goal of this tax is to prevent families from amassing huge estates and to promote wealth redistribution. That may sound like a good goal on paper, but in practice this tax does not have that effect. In fact, the estate tax hurts middle class, family owned businesses and farms by making it harder for the business to be passed on to the next generation. Back in my district, in Illinois, the Buesinger family, from Christian County, have recently found out how terrible this tax can be.2 sources1997govinfo.gov
Dec 4, 2020

As ranking member on the Subcommittee of Environment and Climate Change, I want to thank Chief Counsel Mary Martin, Deputy Chief Counsel Jerry Couri, and senior professional staff member, Peter Spencer, for their tremendous support of me…

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Dec 3, 2020

Another group that I would like to pause and thank is my campaign team and supporters. It is amazing how diverse this group is. They are young and old; they are rich and poor; they live in towns, villages, and isolated country roads. While…

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Nov 18, 2020

Many of us know that the House could not function without the professional nonpartisan personnel who ensure that we can do our job. We do at times as an institution pause and thank them, but now it is time for me to do it personally. I…

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Oct 2, 2020

Since last Friday, I have been working in good faith to find a path forward on a bill to ban asbestos. Democrats ended that effort yesterday evening. The bill passed the Energy and Commerce Committee with bipartisan support last November…

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Sep 23, 2020

Today, I rise to thank those young men and women who have served the people of Illinois and the country as staff assistants, legislative correspondents, and legislative assistants. I include in the Record a list of their names. Blanford…

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Sep 23, 2020

Staff assistants are the first person a visitor sees or hears in my D.C. office. First impressions are lasting impressions, so even though they are the lowest on the totem pole, they are very important. Staff assistants welcome visitors…

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Sep 23, 2020

I thank the gentleman for yielding. It is great to be with my friends on the floor. I saw an E&E story earlier this week titled ``House divided over impact, wisdom of clean energy bill.'' Where but in D.C. can you take an 8-page bill and…

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Sep 21, 2020

Ms. Julie Fisher is our nominee to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus. A confirmation vote is scheduled for tomorrow in the committee. Once confirmed, she leaves for her post. Upon arrival, she is to present her credentials…

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Sep 17, 2020

As folks in the Chamber know, I have been taking some time to thank friends, family, and staff, for supporting me these 24 years as a Member of the House. Today, before I go down the organizational chart and mention caseworkers…

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Sep 15, 2020

It is our responsibility as policymakers to closely examine the costs, the effectiveness, and other impacts of the environmental policies that affect energy.

congress.gov
Sep 15, 2020

The American people overwhelmingly agree. Recent polling found Americans prioritize affordability and reliability over emissions reductions.

congress.gov
Sep 15, 2020

I don't think we want to impose California's green new normal on the rest of the Nation.

congress.gov
Sep 15, 2020

I would hope in our discussions we would work with the majority to try to make sure we somehow incentivize nuclear baseload because of zero-carbon emissions.

congress.gov
Sep 15, 2020

there have been some people, a Senator friend of mine, who says the next energy revolution would not come from a mine. And I would beg to argue in that all of these precious minerals in that are coming from a mine.

congress.gov
Sep 15, 2020

I want to take this time to thank the panelists. They did a great job.

congress.gov
Sep 15, 2020

For any community to be prosperous and healthy, it takes energy.

congress.gov
Sep 15, 2020

This new round of sanctions should send a clear and direct message that any attempts to interfere with the Belarusian people's inalienable rights to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law will not be tolerated. Mr. Speaker, let it be…

govinfo.gov
Sep 15, 2020

I think nuclear power is a huge piece of the puzzle, if you will.

congress.gov
Jul 31, 2020

I thank my colleague and next-door neighbor from Kentucky for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, the legislative director, together with the legislative staff, advises congressmen on legislative issues. This position assists in the development…

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Jul 30, 2020

Deb Detmers Fansler, Steve Tomaszewski, and Rodney Davis were all with me politically and governmentally for 24 years. It is now my time to thank them. All three have been great public servants. All three are political addicts. Deb is…

govinfo.gov
Jul 29, 2020

I have heard it said that being a chief of staff to a Member of Congress is one of the best jobs on the Hill. It takes a special person to keep the staff performing at the high level required of them. Burnout could easily occur because of…

govinfo.gov
Jul 29, 2020

I thank my colleague for yielding me the time. We should at least comply with the law. I would think that a law- writing body, Congress, and the Appropriations Committee should at least follow the law. Well, again, this rule doesn't do…

govinfo.gov
Jul 29, 2020

What if we don't do this? Here is a chart. Here is Yucca Mountain, secure, in the desert, underneath a mountain, 90 miles from Las Vegas. Right here in this Chamber, we are 44 miles from the nearest nuclear power plant. It just happens to…

govinfo.gov
Jul 27, 2020

Thirty-five years ago, Congress decided EPA was not regulating enough contaminants in drinking water.

congress.gov

Politicians like John Shimkus