Danny Davis
202-225-5006
2159 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1307
773-638-1998
P.O. Box 51267
Chicago, IL 60651
2159 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1307
773-638-1998
P.O. Box 51267
Chicago, IL 60651
Biography
DAVIS, Danny K., a Representative from Illinois; born in Parkdale, Ashley County, Ark., September 6, 1941; graduated from Savage High School; B.A., Arkansas A.M. & N. College, 1961; M.S., Chicago State University, Chicago, Ill., 1968; Ph.D., Union Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1977; clerk, Chicago, Ill., Post Office, 1961-1965; teacher, Chicago Public Schools, 1962-1968; executive director, Greater Lawndale Conservation Commission, 1969; director of training, Martin L. King Neighborhood Health Center, 1969-1971; executive director, Westside Health Center, 1975-1981; alderman, Chicago, Ill., city council, 1979-1990; commissioner, Cook County, Ill., board, 1990-1996; unsuccessful candidate for the United States House of Representatives in 1984 and 1986; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Fifth and to the four succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1997-present).
Committees
- Member, House Committee on Education and Labor
- Member, Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
- Member, Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness
- Member, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
- Member, Subcommittee on Domestic Policy
- Chairman, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Compare Innovation & the Elections 2008 responses for IL-7.
SEA and eighteen other science organizations have come together to ask the 2008 congressional candidates seven questions on science and technology policy. See what Danny Davis has said:
Innovation
Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America’s continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?
I support provisions which would prevent censorship of the work of our scientists. We need to maximize global exchange of scientific work.
I support expanded funding for research especially civilian sector research.
I support vastly expanding opportunity for our children to acquire a college education by helping to remove financial barriers.
I support the development of new technologies by removing barriers in the tax code to start-up companies.
I support expanded funding for research especially civilian sector research.
I support vastly expanding opportunity for our children to acquire a college education by helping to remove financial barriers.
I support the development of new technologies by removing barriers in the tax code to start-up companies.
Climate Change
The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?
I support cap-and-trade with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050. This will require increased fuel economy standards, increased efficiency throughout the economy including housing, reduction of waste and recycling, research and development of clean safe alternative technologies and improvement and expanded use of public transit.
Energy
Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?
I support research into demand reduction and efficiency along with research into clean safe alternatives to hydrocarbons. Such alternatives should not threaten our supply of inexpensive foodstuffs, increase global climate change or add to the threat of long lived toxic or radioactive waste products.
Education
A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?
We need to address the crisis in our primary and secondary schools to ensure that every child finishes high school and has the opportunity to attend college or trade school. This starts with smaller class sizes, support for our teachers, developing family support strategies which involve parents in their children's education. It must include additional funding for our schools, funding which enhances a progressive tax structure. We should ensure that graduating from college does not leave the graduate with a lifetime of debt. We should undertake special measures to address barriers to women and minorities entering scientific fields.
Water
Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?
This requires action on two fronts. First the conservation of our water resources. Wise use of water, with an emphasis on preventing pollution. New standards for home and industrial use of water. Conversion of agricultural use of water to newer, more efficient technologies.
Second, a national commitment to preventing the privatization of our water supplies both in the US and abroad and the redevelopment of public sector water infrastructure.
Second, a national commitment to preventing the privatization of our water supplies both in the US and abroad and the redevelopment of public sector water infrastructure.
Research
For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?
I support investment in basic research as a high priority.
Health
Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?
I believe that science, research and technology continue to revolutionize the practice of medicine and I support continued research and development into both basic science and applied research. However, the heart of the crisis with the cost, quality and availability of health care revolves around our system for delivering health care. I support a national single payer system of health care for all of our people and I am a co-sponsor of legislation to implement such a program.
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Education
- Educational Training
- With a vote of 416-0 the House of Representative approved the Green Energy Education Act of 2007 (H.R. 1716) in June of 2007. The bill will allow the Secretary of Energy to contribute research and development funds to the National Science Foundation for the purpose of supporting graduate education that is related to energy technology. It also authorizes the Secretary to provide funds for the improvement of undergraduate and graduate engineering and architecture curriculum on the design and construction of "high performance buildings." Representative Davis voted for this bill. H.R. 1716 was ultimately integrated into the America COMPETES Act (H.R. 2272) which is now law, but was not fully funded in the budget.
- Educational Funding
- Representative Davis voted for the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act (H.R. 362). The legislation will require the National Science Foundation to increase its funding of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program with the goal of increasing the number of math and science teachers by up to 10,000 per year. The Noyce program provides scholarships to math, science, technology, and engineering students who commit to becoming teachers upon graduation. The legislation passed with a vote of 389-22.
- Teaching Evolution/Intelligent Design
- Nothing posted to date
Energy
- Fuel Economy Standards
- See discussion of CLEAN Energy Act under Renewable Energy section.
- Nuclear Power
- Nothing posted to date
- Renewable Energy
- In January of 2007, the House of Representatives passed the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 (H.R. 6). This legislation is intended to address a royalties oversight that occurred when the Department of the Interior issued leases for off-shore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from 1998 to 1999. The bill would also deny income tax deductions for oil and gas companies. Revenues generated from these provisions would be used for the development of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources. Opponents of the bill claimed that the legislation would raise costs for the domestic production of oil and could increase foreign oil imports. Representative Davis voted for this legislation, which passed with a vote of 264-163.
During consideration of H.R. 6 in June of 2007, the Senate changed the focus of the legislation into developing a more comprehensive energy bill that focused on the development of renewable fuels, energy conservation, and increased Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. In the face of a veto threat from President Bush, the House passed the Senate version of H.R. 6 with amendments by a vote of 235-181 on December 6, 2007. Representative Davis voted for this bill. The final Senate rendering of the bill, which passed with a vote of 86-8, still included language raising CAFE standards to 35 mpg by 2020. The final version of the bill passed in the House with a vote of 314-100 and was signed into law by President Bush on December 19, 2007. - In August 2007, Representative Davis voted for the final passage of the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 3221). The legislation would provide tax incentives to promote the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency, including guaranteeing up to $1 billion in loans for the development of biorefineries and biofuel production facilities. The measure also would repeal tax deductions to income attributed to the domestic production of oil and natural gas. It passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 241-172 and was sent to the Senate.
A controversial amendment to the bill was H. Amdt. 748 sponsored by Representative Udall. This amendment would require retail electric suppliers to provide 15% of their electricity through a renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) by 2020. Representative Davis voted for the amendment, which was adopted with a vote of 220 to 190.
- In January of 2007, the House of Representatives passed the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 (H.R. 6). This legislation is intended to address a royalties oversight that occurred when the Department of the Interior issued leases for off-shore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from 1998 to 1999. The bill would also deny income tax deductions for oil and gas companies. Revenues generated from these provisions would be used for the development of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources. Opponents of the bill claimed that the legislation would raise costs for the domestic production of oil and could increase foreign oil imports. Representative Davis voted for this legislation, which passed with a vote of 264-163.
Environment
- On his website, Danny Davis said, “I voted 91% in favor of environmental legislation supported by the League of Conservation Voters, the National Parks Conservation Association and the American Lands Alliance while also receiving the endorsement of the Sierra Club in 2002.”[1]
- On May 24, 2006, Davis voted YES on prohibiting a website which promoted the Yucca Mountains as a nuclear waste dumping site H.AMDT.919 (A008).[2]
Climate Change
- On February 12, 2008, Davis voted YES on tax incentives for renewable engergy. This bill (H.R.5351) was to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation.[3] This bill specifically would:
• Production Incentives: Extends through 2011 the tax credit for the production of electricity from renewable resources (e.g., wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower). [4]
• Extends through 2016 the energy tax credit for investment in solar energy and fuel cell property. [5]
• Allows a new tax credit for the production of plug-in hybrid vehicles. [6]
• Extends through 2010 the tax credits for biodiesel (including agri-biodiesel). [7]
• Allows an alcohol fuels tax credit for the production of qualified cellulosic alcohol fuel. [8]
• Denies the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production of oil, gas, or any related products.[9] The bill passed in the House, 236-182. [10]
- Davis voted YES on the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act (H.R.3221). By voting yes, Davis voiced his support of investment in homegrown biofuels.[11]
- Davis voted NO on Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5254) to set schedules for the consideration of permits for refineries(H.RES.842). [12]
- Davis voted NO on the passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy, also known as H.R.4503.[13]
Health
- Healthcare
- In April of 2007, the House of Representatives passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 (H.R. 493) with a vote of 420-3. Representative Davis voted for this bill. If enacted, GINA will prevent health insurance companies from adjusting premiums on the basis of genetic information and forbid requiring individuals to undergo genetic tests. The bill will also prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of genetic information. This legislation was passed by the Senate in a vote of 95-0. The House passed the Senate amended version of the bill on May 1, 2008, by a vote of 415-1. Rep Ron Paul was the only representative to vote against the bill. President Bush signed GINA into law on May 21, 2008.
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research
- In April of 2007, Congress passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (S. 5), which would have overturned President Bush's ban on the use of federal funding for research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001. Representative Davis voted for the legislation. The bill passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 247-176 and the Senate with a vote of 63-34. President Bush vetoed both this legislation and an identical bill that was passed by Congress in 2006.
- Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Research
- In December 2005, Congress passed the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 (H.R. 2520), which President Bush signed on December 20, 2005. The law "creates a new Federal program to collect and store cord blood, and expands the current bone marrow registry program to also include cord blood." Representative Davis voted for this bill. The legislation passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 431-1 and passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
- On September 25, 2007, the House passed the final version of the “Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act” (H.R. 976) with a vote of 265-169. This bill would have increased funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $50 billion dollars over five years. Opponents saw the bill as too costly and were critical of the funding methods for the program, including a cigarette tax increase (read the floor debate). Representative Davis voted for this legislation.
- On October 3, 2007, President Bush vetoed H.R. 976, citing that the bill moved too many children towards federally funded healthcare. The House attempted to override the President’s veto, but the measure failed to pass with a vote count of 273-156. Representative Davis voted for the veto override. On December 29, 2007, President Bush signed the Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (S. 2499) which extends funding for SCHIP through March of 2009, but does not significantly increase the program.
- On January 23, 2008, the House once again failed with a vote of 260-152 to pass H.R. 3963 to override President Bush’s veto of SCHIP. Representative Davis did not vote on this legislation.
Innovation
- On August 9, 2007, President Bush signed the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (H.R. 2272) into law. The law authorizes the doubling of funding for the National Science Foundation over the next seven years, increased funding for the National Institute of Standards and Technology and competitive grants for teachers and schools with the goal of strengthening the quality of education in science, math, and critical foreign languages. The bill was passed with unanimous consent in the Senate and was agreed to by a vote of 367-57 by the House after being reconciled in a conference committee. Representative Davis voted for this legislation. The America COMPETES Act was not fully funded in 2008.
Research and Research Management
- Funding
- In May of 2007, Representative Davis voted for the final passage of the National Science Foundation Funding Authorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1867), which authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation for the fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010. The final vote count was 399 to 17.
During debate on this legislation, H. Amdt. 128 was offered by Rep. Honda that will allow the NSF to support the creation of K-12 curriculum focused on global warming, climate change, and actions people can take to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Rep. Sullivan of Oklahoma offered a secondary amendment, H. Amdt. 129, that would have required the education materials referenced in Rep. Honda’s amendment to "reflect the diversity of scientific opinion, including the diversity of opinion regarding the impact of human activities on climate change." Congressional Democrats criticized the Sullivan amendment as seeming "to suggest that there is an equal weight of evidence against that perspective [that humans are causing climate change] as there is in favor of it" (read the full debate). The Sullivan amendment failed by a vote of 166 to 250. The Honda Amendment passed by a vote of 252 to 165.
Representative Davis voted against the Sullivan amendment and voted for the Honda Amendment.
- In May of 2007, Representative Davis voted for the final passage of the National Science Foundation Funding Authorization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1867), which authorizes appropriations for the National Science Foundation for the fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010. The final vote count was 399 to 17.
Endnotes
- ↑ Davis for Congress. http://davisforcongress.us/news/news_categories.php?section=ACM&categoryid=3&page=1&seq=4
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Environment.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
- ↑ OnTheIssues.org. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Danny_Davis_Energy_+_Oil.htm
