Wide Range of Topics Discussed by Shimkus at First Friday Luncheon

(CONGRESSMAN JOHN SHIMKUS WAS RECOGNIZED WITH A "SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE" FROM THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DURING THE CHAMBER FIRST FRIDAY LUNCHEON IN EFFINGHAM. FLANKING SHIMKUS ARE RANDY NEHRT WITH THE ILLINOIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENERGY COUNCIL SINCE SHIMKUS IS A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND MAGGIE SHEELY WHO IS MANAGER OF CONGRESSIONAL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE U.S. CHAMBER'S GREAT LAKES REGION)

Congressman John Shimkus touched on a wide variety of topics during his First Friday Luncheon address to members of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce.

The Congressman shared about a surprise meeting with House Speaker John Boehner...in Effingham. Each had a meeting with local officials and contributors, and each showed up at Firefly Grill, unbeknowst to each other. He said it was one of those, "Shimkus, what are you doing here?" and "Speaker, what are you doing here?" Shimkus said Boehner takes time to travel much of the nation in a SUV to meet with people on various issues.

Shimkus made note of what he termed "an emergency meeting" at The Equity in Effingham Thursday afternoon. Equity and other agriculture officials are concerned about requirements to comply with greenhouse gas and other guidelines. The officials told Shimkus that there are new requirements that they usually have three years to follow that are now to be complied with within six months, and that two months are gone on that six-month requirement.

Shimkus said, "I'm not sure we can do anything for them. Maybe in a spending bill, we could extend that compliance time."

As to concerns over the President being authorized to negotiate trade agreements, Shimkus said Congress gave President Obama the same authority as has been granted every president, but stressed Obama was only authorized to negotiate; no agreement has been approved by Congress.

Asked about long-sought reductions in regulations, Shimkus said any reduction must be part of a law, which does not become law until signed by the President. He did note that the budget for the EPA has been cut by 30% in the past five years, asking of the audience, "Who knew that?", indicating that some victories are being won for fans of less regulation.

On the international front, Shimkus said the landscape is "very scary", and termed the Iran nuclear deal "a disaster".

Saying he tried to stay out of state-level dealings, Shimkus nonetheless said Governor Bruce Rauner is "doing exactly what he said he would do, I have to applaud that", but doesn't know how things will turn out.

As to information learned in recent weeks about practices by Planned Parenthood, Shimkus said, "some have termed it a 'modern day Holocaust'" and said, "it's deeply troubling." He said some are in favor of revisting the whole issue of legal abortion.