Overview
Committees:
House Committee on Agriculture - Subcommittees: Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research (Chair); Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit; and Nutrition
House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure - Subcommittees: Aviation, Highways & Transit, Water Resources & Environment.
Committee on House Administration
13th District: 14-county district covering both urban and rural areas of Central and Southwestern Illinois
Elected: Assumed office January 3, 2013, 2nd Term
Prev. Political Exp.: Projects Director for Rep. John Shimkus (IL-15)
Education: Millikin University, 1992
Family: Married, 3 Children
Full Biography
Rodney Davis was recently sworn into his second term in Congress serving the 13th District of Illinois, a 14-county district covering both urban and rural areas of Central and Southwestern Illinois. Prior to being elected, Rodney served as Projects Director for Congressman John Shimkus (IL-15) for 16 years helping Illinois citizens and communities cut through government red tape and secure federal funding.
For the 114th Congress, Rodney serves on the House Agriculture Committee, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the House Administration Committee. He has also been appointed to serve as the Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research.
During his first term in Congress, Rodney has established himself as an effective lawmaker who is able to work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation. Serving on both the House Agriculture Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has allowed Rodney to be a leader on issues essential to commerce in Illinois. He was the only member of the 113th Congress to serve on two conference committees tasked with bridging the gap between the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill and water resources legislation.
Rodney’s work on the Farm Bill helped Congress produce a five-year bill that provides certainty to our farmers, strengthens crop insurance and cuts $23 billion in spending. Additionally, Rodney led the way to ensure farmers, who understand agriculture better than anyone, have a seat at the table when the EPA creates new rules and regulations impacting the agriculture industry.
While working to reform the Water Resources and Development Act, Rodney was successful in including language that allows the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to partner with private businesses to complete projects needed to improve our waterways. This initiative and other streamlining provisions to cut the approval process for projects from 15 years to 3 years will save millions of taxpayer dollars and significantly improve our nation’s ability to move goods and products to market.
Rodney’s first term in Congress has demonstrated his ability to lead even in a divided government – being the first freshman this Congress to have legislation signed into law. Furthermore, the Hire More Heroes Act, his bill to help small businesses hire more of our nation’s veterans by rolling back Obamacare, overwhelmingly passed the House with more than 400 supporting votes and was signed into law in July 2015. Rodney has worked with his colleagues to ensure a more efficient, effective government for generations to come.
Rodney resides in Taylorville with his wife, Shannon, and their three children, Toryn, Clark and Griffin.