** FILE ** In this Dec. 18, 2012, file photo, Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois speaks about his recovery from a major stroke a year ago at his home in Highland Park, Ill., In a post on his blog Tuesday, April 2, 2013, (AP Photo/Daily Herald, Bill Zars, File)
** FILE ** In this Dec. 18, 2012, file photo, Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois speaks about his recovery from a major stroke a year ago at his home in Highland Park, Ill., In a post on his blog Tuesday, April 2, 2013, (AP Photo/Daily Herald, Bill Zars, File)
Senators line the steps to the Senate door of the Capitol to watch Sen. Mark Kirk, Illinois Republican, (second from left), accompanied by Sen. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, as he returns to Congress on the first day of the 113th Congress on Thursday after suffering a stroke last January. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called Mr. Kirk “an inspiration.” (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
Senators line the steps to the Senate door of the Capitol to watch Sen. Mark Kirk, Illinois Republican, (second from left), accompanied by Sen. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, as he returns to Congress on the first day of the 113th Congress on Thursday after suffering a stroke last January. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called Mr. Kirk “an inspiration.” (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
Vice President Joseph R. Biden (left) watches as Sen. Mark Kirk (center), Illinois Republican, accompanied by Sen. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, waves to applauding crowds as he walks up the steps to the Senate door at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Mr. Kirk returned to Congress after suffering a stroke last January. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
Vice President Joseph R. Biden (left) watches as Sen. Mark Kirk (center), Illinois Republican, accompanied by Sen. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, waves to applauding crowds as he walks up the steps to the Senate door at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Mr. Kirk returned to Congress after suffering a stroke last January. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)
Members of Congress line the steps to the Senate door of the Capitol building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, as Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., second from right, accompanied by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., right, and Vice President Joe Biden, waves as he walks the steps to mark his return to Congress. Kirk said he often visualized climbing the 45 steps of the U.S. Capitol as a source of inspiration during his months of grueling physical therapy after suffering a major stroke last year. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
Members of Congress line the steps to the Senate door of the Capitol building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, as Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., second from right, accompanied by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., right, and Vice President Joe Biden, waves as he walks the steps to mark his return to Congress. Kirk said he often visualized climbing the 45 steps of the U.S. Capitol as a source of inspiration during his months of grueling physical therapy after suffering a major stroke last year. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
Vice President Joseph R. Biden watches at left as Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., second from left, accompanied by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., second form right, and Senate Majority whip Richard Durbin of Ill., right, walks the steps to the Senate door of the Capitol building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
