Jon Kyl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jon Kyl
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2018
|
|
| United States Senator from Arizona |
|
| In office September 4, 2018 – December 31, 2018 |
|
| Appointed by | Doug Ducey |
| Preceded by | John McCain |
| Succeeded by | Martha McSally |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2013 |
|
| Preceded by | Dennis DeConcini |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Flake |
| Senate Minority Whip | |
| In office December 19, 2007 – January 3, 2013 |
|
| Leader | Mitch McConnell |
| Preceded by | Trent Lott |
| Succeeded by | John Cornyn |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 4th district |
|
| In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1995 |
|
| Preceded by | Eldon Rudd |
| Succeeded by | John Shadegg |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jon Llewellyn Kyl
April 25, 1942 Oakland, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Caryll Collins
(m. 1964) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent |
|
| Education | |
Jon Llewellyn Kyl (pronounced KYLE; born April 25, 1942) is an American politician. He served as a United States Senator for Arizona from 1995 to 2013. After the death of Senator John McCain in 2018, Kyl briefly returned to the Senate. His resignation later led to Martha McSally being appointed in 2019.
As a member of the Republican Party, Jon Kyl held both of Arizona's Senate seats at different times. He served alongside Senator McCain during his first time in the Senate. From 2007 to 2013, Kyl was the Senate Minority Whip. This meant he was a key leader for the Republican Party in the Senate. After leaving the Senate in 2013, he worked as an attorney and advisor. He rejoined this work in 2019.
Jon Kyl is the son of U.S. Representative John Henry Kyl. He grew up in Nebraska and lived for some time in Iowa. He earned his college and law degrees from the University of Arizona. Before becoming a politician, he worked as a lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona. He was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1986. He served there from 1987 to 1995.
In 1994, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He was re-elected easily until he retired in January 2013. In 2006, Time magazine named him one of America's Ten Best Senators. National Journal ranked him as the fourth-most conservative U.S. Senator in 2007. He held important leadership roles for Republicans in the Senate. He was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2010. This was for his important role in the Senate.
After leaving the Senate in 2013, Kyl worked as an attorney and advisor. He also helped with the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. In September 2018, Governor Doug Ducey appointed Kyl to fill the Senate seat left empty by John McCain's death. Kyl was the first person to return to the Senate by appointment since 1975. He resigned from the Senate on December 31, 2018. Martha McSally then took his place.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jon Kyl was born in Oakland, Nebraska. His mother was Arlene Griffith, and his father was John Henry Kyl. His father was a teacher and later a Congressman from Iowa. The family moved to Bloomfield, Iowa.
After high school in 1960, Kyl attended the University of Arizona. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1964, graduating with honors. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He then earned a law degree in 1966 from the University of Arizona's James E. Rogers College of Law. He was the editor-in-chief of the Arizona Law Review. Before entering politics, he worked as a lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona. He also worked for a legal foundation in Denver, Colorado.
Kyl is a Presbyterian. He is married to Caryll Collins. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Kyl served in the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995. He was first elected in 1986. He won against Philip R. Davis with 65% of the votes. He was re-elected several times by large margins.
For his first six terms, Kyl represented the northeastern part of Arizona. This area included parts of Phoenix. After the 1990 census, the voting districts changed. Kyl's new district was still very Republican. He easily won re-election in 1992.
Kyl voted for the Abandoned Shipwrecks Act in 1987. This law gave the United States ownership of certain abandoned shipwrecks. It then gave these shipwrecks to the states. This helped states protect these historical sites. It also aimed to stop treasure hunters from damaging them. President Ronald Reagan signed this law in 1988.
Serving in the U.S. Senate (1995–2013)
Jon Kyl was first elected to the Senate in 1994. He defeated Samuel G. Coppersmith with 54% of the vote. He was re-elected in 2000 with 79% of the vote. In 2006, he won his third term. He defeated Jim Pederson with 53% of the vote. This election was one of the most expensive in Arizona's history.
Important Senate Committees
During his time in the Senate, Jon Kyl served on several important committees:
- Committee on the Judiciary
- This committee deals with laws and the justice system.
- Committee on Finance
- This committee handles taxes and government spending.
- Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
- This committee worked on reducing the national debt.
Senate Leadership Roles
Kyl's fellow Republican Senators elected him to several leadership positions:
- He was the Policy Committee chairman from 2003 to 2007.
- He was the Conference chairman in 2007.
- In December 2007, he became the Senate Minority Whip. This made him a very important leader for the Republican Party in the Senate. He was the first person from Arizona to hold such a powerful Senate leadership role since 1953.
Judicial Nominees
As a Senator, Kyl voted on who should become judges. He voted to approve John Roberts as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He also voted for Samuel Alito to be an associate justice. However, he voted against the nominations of Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
Serving in the U.S. Senate (2018)
Appointment to the Senate
On September 4, 2018, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey appointed Jon Kyl to the U.S. Senate. This was to fill the seat left empty by the death of Senator John McCain. Kyl served until a special election could be held in 2020.
Kyl was only the sixth person to return to the Senate through an appointment since 1913. In 1913, the Seventeenth Amendment made it so U.S. Senators are directly elected by the people.
Kyl voted to approve Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He resigned from the Senate on December 31, 2018. Congresswoman Martha McSally then took his place.
Committee Assignments in 2018
During his brief return to the Senate in 2018, Kyl served on these committees:
- Committee on Armed Services
- This committee deals with military matters.
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
- This committee focuses on national security and government operations.
- Committee on Indian Affairs
- This committee works on issues related to Native American tribes.
Political Views
Jon Kyl is known as a conservative politician. In 2007, National Journal ranked him as the fourth-most conservative U.S. Senator. In 2006, Time Magazine named him one of "America's 10 Best Senators." They noted his work as head of the Senate Republican Policy Committee. He has a high score from the American Conservative Union, which tracks conservative voting records.
Kyl signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. This means he promised to oppose tax increases.
Arms Control
In November 2010, Kyl was against approving the New START arms control treaty. This treaty aimed to reduce nuclear weapons. Despite his opposition, the treaty was approved by the Senate.
Internet Gambling
Kyl worked with others to create laws about online gambling. In the late 1990s, he introduced bills to limit online gambling. These bills aimed to stop most online betting. However, some parts of his bill had loopholes. These loopholes might have allowed some forms of online gambling to continue.
In September 2006, Kyl strongly supported the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. This law was passed very quickly. It aimed to stop people from using credit cards and other payments for illegal online gambling.
Healthcare
Kyl voted against the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in December 2009. He also voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
Other Political Actions
.jpg)
In 2011, Kyl stated that the Republican Party had stopped opposing cuts to defense spending. In 2012, Kyl voted against approving the UN Treaty called the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He also opposed the FIRST STEP Act. This bill aimed to reform the criminal justice system. It passed in December 2018.
Activism and Public Statements
Zadroga Act
In 2010, Senate Leader Harry Reid wanted the Senate to work during the holidays. This was to pass important laws, including the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. This act would provide health coverage for 9/11 first responders. Kyl said that working during this time would disrespect "one of the two holiest of holidays for Christians." A 9/11 first responder, Kenny Specht, disagreed. He said no New York firefighter would feel disrespected working on New Year's Eve or Day. The Zadroga Act was passed on December 22.
Images for kids
-
Official portrait, 2018
-
Kyl during his first tenure as US Senator
-
Kyl at an event in Phoenix in April 2017.
-
Kyl and Senator Tom Cotton speaking at the Hudson Institute
See also
In Spanish: Jon Kyl para niños
