Travis Childers

Travis Childers, a Democrat, represented the 1st District of Mississippi in the United States House of Representatives from 2008 to 2011.

Energy
On Childers' official U.S. House Web site, he offers plan to address energy issues that includes punishing gasoline price gouging, the creation of diesel fuel tax credits, expansion of drilling for oil in the United States, increased tax credits for consumers conserving energy, investment in alternative fuels and the extension of hybrid vehicle tax credits.

Guns
In 2008, Childers proposed a bill (H.R. 6691) to allow residents of the District of Columbia to purchase and keep guns in their homes for protection. “The Second Amendment right is a long-standing pillar in our system of government, and I believe law-abiding citizens should have the right to defend their homes in the District of Columbia, just like they have the ability to do so in the First Congressional District of Mississippi,” Childers said of the bill.

Iraq war
Childers has been quoted in favor of a withdrawal of troops.

Gay rights
Childers opposes same-sex marriage.

Abortion
Childers opposes abortion.

Bio
Childers was born March 29, 1958, in Booneville, Miss. He has an A.A. from Northeast Junior College (now Northeast Mississippi Community College) and a B.A. from the University of Mississippi. Childers has worked as a realtor, and he also owns Landmark Community, a personal care home, and the Landmark Nursing Center, an 80-bed skilled care facility and Alzheimer's unit. In 1991, he was elected Prentiss County (Mississippi) Chancery Clerk, a position he held until 2008. He and his wife, Tami, have two childeren.

2008 elections
On April 1, 2008 Childers won a run-off election for the Democratic nomination to replace Rep. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). On April 22, Childers received 49.4 percent of the vote in a special election, necessitating a run-off with Republican candidate Greg Davis, who had 46.3 percent. Childers won the run-off on May 13, 2008; he received 54 percent of the vote, while Davis received 46 percent.

Childers faced Davis again in the 2008 general election on November 4. Childers won again, this time with 54 percent of the vote to Davis' 44 percent.

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)
Childers will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.

Health
“Congressman Childers' Health Care Reform Principles” http://childers.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=27&amp;Itemid=34

Congressman Travis Childers lists his approach to health care on his House.gov site in the form of his health care principles. These principles consist of cost and affordability, access to care, and competition in the marketplace. He also lists various pieces of health care legislation that he was involved in, whether as voter or sponsor.

“Congressman Childers’ Statement on House Health Care Reform Bill” http://childers.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=241&amp;Itemid=42 November 4, 2009

While it was still in its somewhat early stages, Congressman Childers announced his intention to vote against the health care reform bill. He cites his reasons as being that the bill presented to great an amount of government spending given the current economic situation and his opposition to legislation that would provide federal funding for abortions, stating that the bill does not contain strong enough language prohibiting this. Additionally, Childers states he does not feel the bill contains strong enough language for providing equal access to care for small rural communities.

"Science policy tracking by Christopher Ince Jr, SEA National Security Intern"

Innovation
“Travis Childers on the Issues” http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Travis_Childers.htm January 27, 2010

Congressman Childers’ campaign page lists his stances on a number of issues. Of interest here are his votes on several science and technology related bills. His votes include a yes on legislation calling for funding for green public schools, a yes on the Cash-for-Clunkers program, and a number of other hot science and technology topics. Other issues that are non-science policy related are listed also.

“Congressman Childers Helps Spur Small Business Innovation, Create New Jobs in High Unemployment Areas”

http://childers.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=208&amp;Itemid=42 July 8, 2009

Congressman Childers helped create legislation as part of the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009 (H.R. 2965) to provide funding and support for small businesses in high unemployment areas. This legislation was intended to facilitate innovation and research in small business by providing them with grants. The grants that are the focus of this legislation are the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants.

"Science policy tracking by Christopher Ince Jr, SEA National Security Intern"

Research and Development (R&amp;D)
“‘Fiscally conservative’ Travis Childers announces $1 million in funds for Ole Miss”

http://www.wpmpradio.com/?p=1851 June 8, 2010

Congressman Childers gave the announcement that the University of Mississippi would receive $1 million in funding from the Department of Energy for its National Center for Physical Acoustics. The purpose of the grant was to help the university’s research and development programs into energy alternatives and decreasing dependence on foreign oil. The university is working on infrasound technology for a variety of applications including prediction of wind velocity profiles and a monitoring system for rotor blades on wind energy generators.

"Science policy tracking by Christopher Ince Jr, SEA National Security Intern"

Related SourceWatch articles

 * 2008 U.S. congressional elections
 * 2008 U.S. congressional election dates
 * Portal:Mississippi and the U.S. Congress

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Mississippi's 1st Congressional District
 * "Runoffs set for 1st District race," Clarion Ledger, March 12, 2008.