Geoff Davis (R-KY-4)i
Geoff Davis, Congressman District 4, retiring at end of current term.
House links: Geoff Davis (R-KY-4)i 
Geoffrey C. “Geoff” Davis
Biography of Geoff Davis from House.gov
United States Congress
Geoff Davis is the U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Kentucky. The twenty-four county district in Northern Kentucky borders West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana.
Congressman Davis’ priorities in Washington include regulatory reform, providing tax relief to working families, fighting for small businesses, promoting energy independence, supporting American service members and veterans, and reining in wasteful Washington spending.
In the House of Representatives, Congressman Davis has become a leader for defense reform and is co-chair of the National Security Interagency Reform Caucus. His article on interagency reform was published in the July/August 2008 issue of Military Review and is now mandatory reading at the U.S. Army War College.
In 2009, Congressman Davis was appointed to the House Committee on Ways and Means. The Ways and Means Committee is the oldest standing committees in the House. The Constitution requires every tax bill to originate in the House of Representatives. With jurisdiction over revenue measures, the Ways and Means Committee is responsible for initiating all tax legislation. In addition to taxes, the Committee has authority over trade, Social Security, health care, Medicare, Medicaid and social welfare issues. Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) called Congressman Davis “a valued legislator who will bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to the Ways and Means Committee.”
In 2011, Congressman Davis was named Chairman of the House Ways and Means’ Subcommittee on Human Resources which has jurisdiction over the public assistance provisions of the Social Security Act, including temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), child care, child and family services, child support, foster care, adoption, and Supplemental Security Income. The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee also includes the federal-State unemployment insurance program, including the recent federal programs for extended and emergency unemployment benefits.
Congressman Davis also serves on the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee.
Legislation
Since being elected in 2004, Congressman Davis has sponsored several important legislative initiatives that provide real solutions to America’s challenges. You can read more about Congressman Davis’ major initiatives here.
One of his greatest accomplishments is the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act, a bipartisan bill that improves the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) definition of “homeless,” increase local flexibility and streamline the Homeless Assistance Grants Program.
During the 112th Congress, Congressman Davis introduced the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act that was signed into law by President Obama on September 30, 2011. This bipartisan bill reauthorizes and improves two important child welfare programs to continue serving children and families in need without adding to the deficit.
Congressman Davis has also been a champion of our nation’s military heroes. As a soldier, Congressman Davis was taken advantage of by predatory sales tactics. Congressman Davis was determined to put an end to this deceiving practice. The fist bill he offered in Congress was the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act. The bill was signed into law on September 29, 2006. This law will help protect service members from companies selling risky financial products, including expensive and unnecessary life insurance, as well as mutual funds with excessive fees.
While visiting wounded troops, Congressman Davis discovered an inequality between active and reserve service members in regard to disability retirement pay. Driven to act, Congressman Davis made sure the House-passed version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 included an important provision that would have increased disability retirement pay for some reservists/veterans who are severely and permanently disabled from being wounded in action. Congressman Davis knows bullets do not discriminate, and neither should we.
After recognizing the increased pressure that our troops are experiencing in the current economy, Congressman Davis offered an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 that doubled Hardship Duty Pay for service members to a maximum of $1500 per month, from the previous maximum of $750 per month. Congressman Davis is determined to protect and serve the dedicated military professionals who sacrifice so much for our nation.
To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal government’s national and homeland security missions, Congressman Davis introduced the Interagency Personnel Rotation Act of 2011 along with Congressman John Tierney (D-MA), Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI). This legislation provides for greater collaboration and professional development of those critical to our security so that these personnel will be able to more effectively participate in the planning and execution of national security interagency operations when the need arises.
To learn more about the Congressman Davis’ legislation, click here.
Education and Military Experience
Congressman Davis worked as a janitor during high school to help pay the family’s bills. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and later received a rare appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. While at West Point, Congressman Davis studied Arabic language and the cultures of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. He focused his studies on national security and international affairs.
During his Army career, Congressman Davis served as an Assault Helicopter Flight Commander in the 82nd Airborne Division and later served in the Middle East where he ran U.S. Army aviation operations for peace enforcement between Israel and Egypt. Congressman Davis is a former Army Ranger and Senior Parachutist.
Work Experience
In 1992, Congressman Davis started his own business, a consulting firm specializing in lean manufacturing and high technology systems integration. During its twelve years in operation, the firm earned the respect of CEOs and competitors alike. Congressman Davis’ role as a small businessman has assisted him in Congress as he works to support policies that will encourage economic growth, create jobs and keep our nation’s businesses competitive in the global marketplace.
Service to the Commonwealth
Congressman Davis has served his community in Kentucky’s Fourth District in many ways, including sitting on the board of the Regional Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA). CASA assists children struggling to deal with the emotional and physical problems arising from abuse and neglect. Congressman Davis and his oldest daughter have worked as mentors and tutors in inner-city Cincinnati schools. Additionally, Congressman Davis spent eight years as a volunteer Chaplain for the Kentucky Corrections Cabinet.
Awards and Honors
Congressman Davis has been recognized as a results-oriented problem solver by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), Americans for Tax Reform and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, among others. He has also been awarded the Housing Assistance Council’s Henry B. Gonzales Award for his work to improve low-income housing in rural communities. In October, 2009, Congressman Davis was honored as an Outstanding Advocate by the Women’s Crisis Center of Northern Kentucky for his work to fight domestic violence in Kentucky.
At the 2008 Army Aviation Association of America convention, Congressman Davis was inducted into The Honorable Order of Saint Michael, Silver Award, for lifetime achievement and a conspicuous contribution in support of the Aviation Branch. The award was presented by LTG James D. Thurman, the U.S. Army Chief of Operations.
A recipient of the “Order of Saint Michael” must have served Army Aviation or the civilian aviation community with distinction and have demonstrated a significant conspicuous contribution in support of the Aviation Branch; must represent the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence, and dedication to duty.
In 2010, Congressman Davis was recognized with the Friend of the Farm Bureau award for his strong support of issues important to agriculture. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, “the Friend of Farm Bureau award is given at the end of each Congress to those members of Congress who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors.”
Family
Congressman Davis and his wife, Pat, live in Hebron, Kentucky. They are the proud parents of six children and recentlly welcomed their first grandchild.
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