11th District Congressman says ‘Congress Must Wrestle ‘Mighty Deficit’

Washington needs to get spending under control, says Rep.-elect Adam Kinzinger. The Illinois Republican is an Air National Guard pilot. Kinzinger defeated first-term Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson in Illinois’ 11th congressional district. He received heavy backing from Tea Party activists and an endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Fresh from a sweeping victory in which he won with nearly 58 percent of the vote, Kinzinger spent a week appearing on various Chicago news stations and calling supporters and donors before flying to Washington. The 11th district has been largely Republican. It stretches south from Chicago to Bloomington.

He said he has yet to talk strategy with top Republicans and does not plan to stall President Barack Obama’s agenda unless the nation’s leader does not reach across party lines.

Kinzinger favors repealing and replacing health care reform with something less expensive, extending the Bush-era tax cuts without restrictions and giving businesses greater access to overseas markets to sell their goods.

Kinzinger says that besides help from the tea party and a nod from Sarah Palin, he thinks many Democrats who lean conservative helped him win.

“They understand when we talk about not spending more money than you take in, and ultimately its noon on Wednesday and they’re watching Oprah,” Kinzinger said. “They’re not out working, so they’ve finally woken up a bit and said, ‘You know what, the Democrats haven’t done much for us despite all the promises.’”

Republicans have asked Kinzinger and Rep. Tim Scott of South Carolina to help lead the GOP’s transition to power in the House.

Kinzinger and Scott both were endorsed by Sarah Palin and received support from Tea Party activists, are part of a 22-member team charged with crafting new rules and smoothing the GOP’s shift from minority to majority.

The team includes several seasoned veterans and influential members: 15-term Rep. David Dreier of California, in line for his second stint as head of the powerful Rules Committee; Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, in line to head the Budget Committee; and Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas, the campaign committee chief.

Its clear Republicans are aware that the grass-roots movement that helped propel them to big wins in the midterm elections will be an important part of their new House majority and bolstered Senate minority.