June 23, 2010: Meet Rep. Travis Childers, a Blue Dog Democrat from Northern Mississippi

HIS TOP PRIORITIES:

Jobs and the economy.

HEALTH CARE:

Childers did not support the bill, but he is going to “try to work on the bad and make it good,” since his experience tells him that efforts to repeal the bill will not be successful. “This town doesn’t repeal anything. This town doesn’t shrink anything.”

MID-TERM ELECTIONS:

Historically speaking in American politics, the president’s party is virtually guaranteed to lose seats in the mid-term election. Childers believes this year’s mid-term will not be an exception to the trend. “No question [the Democrats] will lose seats. The question is ‘how many?’” He added, “If you’re a Democrat, you just hope you aren’t one of them.”

ENERGY:

Childers asked the group: “Which administration passed the last energy bill?” ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie responded with the correct answer, “Carter.” Childers continued, “For thirty years we haven’t had an energy bill.” He applauded the Obama Administration's effort to have an energy bill, however, in the current Congressional session, he said “I don’t think anything will pass.”

MICHELLE OBAMA'S OBESITY INITIATIVE:

“She’s trying to bring attention to [obesity] and that’s a start,” adding that he does not believe the initiative has any underlying intent to demonize or harm food companies.

CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES

Agriculture; Financial Services

VOTING RECORD ON ABA KEY VOTES:

Childers, Travis (D)
Mississippi Congressional District 1

100%

BACKGROUND:

Rep. Childers is a small business owner, and a realtor by trade. He took office in May 2008, and he is up for re-election this November. Learn more about him and his positions at http://childers.house.gov/

Heath care reform dominated discussion of the ABA Meet and Greet in honor of Freshmen House Member Glenn Thompson (R-PA-12) held on May 20. Rep. Thompson believes that while repeal is not realistic he hopes we can surgically repair the damage done to the system after the 2010 mid-term elections.

Rep. Thompson criticized the White House for its lack of attention to job creation and discussed his bi-partisan legislation introduced with Democrat Bobby Bright (D-AL-2) to provide for tax-deferred savings accounts for businesses toward capital purchases.

Additionally, Rep. Thompson commended the business community, and ABA’s leadership role, in bringing awareness, educating the American people and Members of Congress about the importance of defeating card check legislation, also known as The Employee Free Choice Act. Rep. Thompson strongly opposes the legislation in any form – and no compromises are possible.

Currently, Rep. Thompson is running unopposed this November.

Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)

Rep. Lummis Discusses Healthcare, Nutrition Issues

ABA Government Relations Team Members Lee
Sanders and Cory Martin with Rep. Lummis (center)

Rep. Lummis with Meet & Greet Cohost Heather Doucet, International Foodservice Distributors Association

March 25, 2010 — Rep. Lummis discussed the health care vote, believing that members of Congress who voted for reform will face a tough re-election come November. The Representative also discussed nutrition issues, citing the need for the baking industry to help educate members of Congress regarding the benefits of a diet rich in nutritious grain products.

“Representative Lummis's strong experience in Wyoming's legislature has prepared her well for her service on three key committee assignments in her first term in the House,” said ABA Senior Vice President Government Relations & Public Affairs Lee Sanders. “Her common sense perspectives on nutrition, trade and critical business issues, including health care, will serve her well as she tackles these priorities moving forward. ABA especially looks forward to working with Rep. Lummis on nutrition and obesity initiatives as policy in this area moves into the spotlight this spring."

To learn more about ABA’s Meet & Greet Series, or to suggest the next freshman member of Congress for ABA to host, please contact ABA Director of Political Affairs Kelly Knowles at (202) 789-0300 or kknowles@americanbakers.org.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr. (R-CA)
Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL)*

Jim Anderson, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors;
Rep. Duncan Hunter; and ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie

Jill Davidsaver, National Cattlemen’s Beef
Association with Rep. Griffith (D-AL)

ABA Rounds Out 2009 Meet and Greet Series

ABA’s Political Involvement Department hosted the final two Meet and Greets of 2009 featuring freshmen members of the U.S. House of Representatives – Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr. (R-CA) and Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL).*

Rep. Hunter serves on the House Education & Labor Committee. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, immigration reform, mandatory paid leave and child nutrition were topics of discussion at the Dec. 9 breakfast with the Congressman and members of his staff.

Rep. Hunter identified himself as a strong conservative who is committed to strengthening national security, creating opportunities for American workers and protecting the interests of taxpayers. He serves on the House Education & Labor Committee.

On Wednesday, Dec. 16, Rep. Parker Griffith, a member of the House Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, visited ABA headquarters to meet with ABA staff and members of the business community to discuss health care reform, cap and trade legislation and the Congressional agenda for 2010.

"I voted against Leader Pelosi’s health care bill in the House because I am against the inclusion of any public option," said Rep. Griffith. "I support an incentive-based plan to encourage young people to enter the medial profession and I also believe Congress should pass legislation that would allow businesses to band together across state lines to purchase health insurance."

Rep. Griffith is a physician, former member of the state legislature and restaurant franchise owner. He sits on the House Transportation and Small Business Committees.

"This year ABA hosted an outstanding line-up of freshmen House members in one of the most aggressive ‘meet and greet’ schedules in the association’s history," said ABA Director of Political Affairs Kelly Knowles. "Forming key relationships with new members of Congress is a critically important step toward achieving the industry’s public policy goals and raising the association’s visibility on Capitol Hill," said Knowles.

*A few days following the ABA meet and greet, Rep. Griffith changed his party affiliation to Republican.

Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL)

Rep. Schock (left) meets with a participant at the ABA office.

ABA hosted Freshman Member of Congress Aaron Schock on Oct. 30, with a record turnout of Washington representatives from the food industry and broader business community.

“Representative Schock is a terrific new member of Congress,” said ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie. “His command of the issues, pro-business agenda and position on key legislation makes him a valuable ally to the baking industry,” said MacKie.

Congressman Schock, 28, is currently the youngest member of Congress and serves on the House Transportation, Government & Oversight Reform and Small Business Committees. He was also chosen by GOP Leadership to serve as a Deputy Republican Whip. Prior to his election in 2008, Schock served in the Illinois State Legislature and is a former member of the Peoria School Board – one of the largest school districts in Illinois. You may visit Rep. Schock’s Web site at: www.house.gov/schock.

To learn more about ABA’s Meet & Greet Series, or to suggest the next freshman member of Congress for ABA to host, please contact ABA Director of Political Affairs Kelly Knowles at
(202) 789-0300 or kknowles@americanbakers.org.

Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)

Amber Landis, Retail Industry Leaders Association;ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie; Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)

ABA hosted Freshman Member of Congress Brett Guthrie (R-KY) on Sept. 18 at a meeting with other members of the food industry and broader business community.

“Representative Guthrie is a dynamic new member of Congress,” said ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie. “With a seat on the important House Education & Labor Committee, Rep. Guthrie is closely involved in legislative issues that are extremely important to the baking industry including health care reform and the so-called Employee Free Choice Act,” said MacKie.

Congressman Guthrie graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, in 1987 with a degree in economics. Guthrie later earned a Master’s Degree from Yale University in public and private management. Following his military service, Congressman Guthrie joined Trace Die Cast, the Bowling Green, Ky.-based manufacturing business that was started by his father. The company began with only five employees and has grown to employ more than 500 workers.