Representative Tom Davis

Representative Tom Davis
Name	Tom Davis
Birth date	1954-07-18
Birth place	Falls Church, Virginia
Occupation	Lawyer, politician, lobbyist
Party	Republican Party (United States)
Alma mater	University of Virginia School of Law, Virginia Commonwealth University
Office	U.S. Representative from Virginia's 11th and 8th congressional districts
Term start	1995
Term end	2008

Representative Tom Davis

Thomas M. Davis III (born July 18, 1954) is an American lawyer, politician, and lobbyist who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia from 1995 to 2008. During his tenure he was active on issues relating to healthcare, taxation, transportation, and ethics, and later founded a public affairs and lobbying firm in Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, D.C..

Early life and education

Davis was born in Falls Church, Virginia and raised in the Northern Virginia suburbs near Arlington County, Virginia and Fairfax County, Virginia. He attended public schools in Fairfax County Public Schools before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. While a student he was exposed to regional political figures such as Chuck Robb, John Warner, Gerald Baliles, and staffers from the offices of Governor Linwood Holton and Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr..

Business and legal career

Before entering elective office, Davis worked as an attorney and policy advisor in the Washington area, interacting with institutions such as the Federal Communications Commission, United States Department of Transportation, and regional authorities like the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. He practiced law at firms that engaged with clients including contractors from Dulles International Airport projects and firms involved with Amtrak contracts and regional infrastructure initiatives. Davis also held positions in corporate relations and advocacy with ties to organizations such as the United Way of the National Capital Area, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, and consulting groups that worked with the National Association of Realtors and the American Hospital Association.

U.S. House of Representatives

Davis was first elected to the 104th United States Congress in 1994, part of the Republican wave that brought leaders like Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey to prominence. He represented Virginia's 11th congressional district and, after redistricting, the 8th district, serving on panels and caucuses alongside members such as Steny Hoyer, James Moran, Jim Moran, John Boehner, and Nancy Pelosi. In Congress he engaged with national debates during periods including the presidencies of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and events such as the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the passage of legislation like the No Child Left Behind Act and the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act.

Legislative priorities and policy positions

Davis emphasized fiscal issues and regional development, often aligning with proposals from the Republican Study Committee and negotiating with members of the Blue Dog Coalition on budgetary matters. He supported tax policies reflective of debates over the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and later sponsored measures related to Internal Revenue Service administration and small business tax provisions promoted by groups such as the National Federation of Independent Business. On transportation, Davis worked with entities like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Transit Administration to secure funding for projects linked to Washington Metro expansions and Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. In healthcare he engaged with stakeholders including the American Medical Association, Kaiser Family Foundation, and regional hospital systems over reimbursement, Medicare, and prescription drug access. Davis also took positions on ethics and congressional reform, participating in debates influenced by reports from the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and interacting with watchdogs like Public Citizen and the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Committee assignments and leadership roles

During his tenure Davis served on influential panels including the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (formerly the Committee on Government Reform), where he worked with chairmen such as Dan Burton and vice chairs like Tom Lantos. He also served on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, coordinating with members such as James Oberstar and Sam Graves on surface transportation and aviation policy. Davis held leadership roles within the Republican Main Street Partnership and was active in the Republican Policy Committee, interacting with Republican leaders including Rudy Giuliani (as national figures) and state-level leaders like George Allen and Jim Gilmore.

Post-congressional career and lobbying

After resigning from Congress in 2008, Davis founded and led a government affairs, public relations, and lobbying firm based in Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, D.C., representing clients ranging from healthcare providers like Inova Health System to technology firms with interests before the Federal Communications Commission and transportation developers working with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. His post-congressional work included board directorships and advisory roles with organizations such as the American Council of Life Insurers, the National Coalition for Capital, and regional institutions including George Mason University and the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce.

Personal life and legacy

Davis is married and has family roots in Northern Virginia; his community engagements have involved partnerships with United Way of the National Capital Area, local civic associations in Alexandria, Virginia, and veterans' groups such as the American Legion. His legacy is reflected in regional transportation projects like the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, legislative work on tax and healthcare matters, and the broader post-1994 Republican reshaping of the 104th United States Congress. He remains a figure in discussions about the revolving door between Congress and lobbying in Washington, D.C. and the role of former members in public affairs and regional development.

Category:1954 births Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia Category:Virginia lawyers