Through his record of accomplishment and leadership, as well as his commitment to quality constituent service, Congressman Dave Hobson has earned the respect and strong support of the people he represents in Ohio's 7th Congressional District and his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Congressman Hobson's career in public service is characterized by hard work to control government spending, improve access to quality health care, strengthen national defense, and create jobs.
As a former small business owner, Congressman Hobson understands how to apply common sense business principles to government. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee and an architect of the Balanced Budget Act, which created the historic budget surplus our country now enjoys, he is committed to controlling the growth and size of government in order to protect the hard-earned money of American taxpayers.
Continuing the work he began as chairman of the Ohio Senate Health Committee, Congressman Hobson has worked in Congress to preserve the basic values of American health care including access, security, affordability, choice and fairness. He also has supported legislation to ensure fair access to immunizations for low-income children and to help small business owners and farmers secure better prices on health insurance premiums.
In the 104th Congress (1995-96), Congressman Hobson helped win passage of comprehensive health care reform legislation to protect the health insurance of families that lose or change jobs. Additionally, he wrote a section of the new law to eliminate health care paperwork and fight fraud--both of which will help control costs.
As a member of the 105th Congress (1997-98) he was appointed to serve on the Speaker's Health Care Working Group, which created legislation allowing patients to appeal treatment coverage decisions made by their managed care companies to a third party medical reviewer or directly to the courts, give women and children direct access to specialists, and prohibit gag orders by insurers on physicians concerning certain treatment options.
As a veteran, Congressman Hobson has a firsthand understanding of our Armed Forces. As a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and a former Chairman of the House Appropriations Military Construction Subcommittee, he has fought to make sure our military has the resources it needs to defend American interests around the world. He has also supported using high-technology to enhance the capabilities of our military personnel. Because our troops and their families sacrifice so much for us, Congressman Hobson has worked to make sure they receive the pay, benefits, housing, and quality health care they deserve.
Congressman Hobson uses his experience as a small business owner to help communities in Ohio's 7th District retain and expand existing businesses as well as attract new businesses. The goal in all of this work is to create new jobs and improve local economies. He continues to help nurture the pro-business environment necessary for communities to prosper and he works hard to bring the public and private sectors together to strengthen area economic development efforts. Congressman Hobson worked with Miami Valley leaders to save the Springfield Air National Guard Base from closure by proving its value to the community and the high cost of closing it.
Additionally, Congressman Hobson supports needed transportation improvements in the 7th Congressional District, knowing that infrastructure is one of the main components of economic growth. Since his career in the Ohio Senate, Congressman Hobson has helped spearhead the completion of U.S. Route 35 through Greene, Fayette and Ross counties, as well as the U.S. Route 33 Lancaster bypass and State Route 256 improvements in Fairfield County. He also has been instrumental in focusing attention on U.S. Route 68 in Clark and Champaign counties. Recognizing the importance of continued rail service to the area economy, Congressman Hobson has promoted public/private partnerships to protect existing rail service and ensure that it remains a transportation resource available to 7th District businesses. Air transportation has also been a focus and he has secured funding for needed improvements to airports throughout the 7th District.
Congressman Hobson's top priority continues to be serving the needs of his constituents. He returns to the 7th District at every opportunity to meet with area residents and remain actively involved in community affairs.
To make sure that the needs of 7th District residents are met while he is in Washington voting, Congressman Hobson maintains offices in Springfield and Lancaster, and sponsors monthly "Open Doors" meetings so constituents may share their concerns directly with his staff.
As part of his efforts to reach out to students and support education, Congressman Hobson sponsors the annual 7th Congressional District Art Competition for high school students and military academy seminars for prospective students. He also regularly sponsors forums on issues such as health care, veterans affairs, agriculture, and national defense.
Now in his seventh term, Congressman Hobson's reputation for sound judgment and hard work has earned him key committee posts, including the chairmanship of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, and a seniors membership on the Defense and Veterans Affairs/Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittees.
Washington office: 2346 Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC 20515, 202/225-4324
Springfield office: 5 W. North St., Suite 200, PO Box 269, Springfield, OH
45501, 937/325-0474
Lancaster office: 212 S. Broad St., Lancaster, OH 43130-4389, 740/654-5149