The Local Delegation

U.S. Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia's 11th District was online Friday, Aug. 3 at Noon ET to take you behind the scenes and take your questions about Congress's soon-to-end session, and the one that will start after the August break.

The transcript follows.

Related Discussions: Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), Rep. Albert R. Wynn.

Rep. Davis has been a U.S. Congressman serving Northern Virginia since 1994. He spent was chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 1998 to 2002 and has been the head Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform since 1998. He led that committee's Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia subcommittee until 2000.

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Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: Good afternoon. This is Tom Davis. Thanks for participating in this discussion. First, I would like to take the opportunity to discuss today's Post article on the Dulles Project. We've been worried for some time that it might be too expensive to move forward under current cost-benefit criteria. Yesterday's meeting was an opportunity for state and federal officials to interface and address the project's shortcomings. Amy Gardner is a very able reporter and was on top of the meeting. However, some of her sources have mischaracterized the events that took place behind closed doors with only the governor and members of Congress. We're currently working to save the rail project yet again and to give the governor a full range of options -- both to meet FTA standards and community concerns. Any other characterizations are inaccurate.

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Fairfax, Va.: In prior legislative sessions, you have voted in favor of a bill that would remove federal court jurisdiction regarding challenges to the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Would you vote in favor of a similar bill if it were introduced during this legislative session, and do you believe that the federal courts should be stripped of jurisdiction over other constitutional questions?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III:"Under God" is as much a part of the Pledge of Allegiance as any other words in it. It should stay in the pledge.

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Washington: Representative Davis, you are a distinguished representative and learned man so perhaps you can help me understand a simple question. This year I will pay in excess of $20,000 to the federal government through a variety of taxes; I have no problem in doing so. However, I do have very strong opinions about the programs that are funded (or not funded) by these dollars. Can you tell me who the opponents of the D.C. voting rights bill believe I am to contact to have my views represented in the Committee of the Whole in the House and in the Senate? Is it Sen. McConnell's view that I should call his office to have my views expressed and represented in the Senate? Thank you for participating in this forum.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: That would be a good place to start. I think we'll have 60 votes to invoke cloture on the bill in September. I'm telling Republicans who oppose the bill to please not filibuster this civil rights act. I understand the opposition on the merits. But filibustering a civil rights bill is something this country outgrew 40 years ago.

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Reston, Va.: Please comment on the House Bill 3202. What, if any, steps are being taken to repeal it or modify it to remove the discrimination against Virginia residents?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: As you know, this was a State House bill, which was voted down in the Senate. However, it was part of a final package insisted on by the House that brings more than $450 million a year in transportation money for Northern Virginia. The governor amended the bill to exclude out-of-state drivers. I agree with my wife that the court decision in Henrico should be honored by the state. These fines should be suspended, and the General Assembly can fix this small part of the package in January -- if not before. Let me note that the demagogues trying to push this politically say they would have voted against the whole transportation bill because of this. That would take off the table $1 billion in transportation money over the next two years for Nova alone with no assurance there ever would be a bill in the future. It's taken 20 years to get more money for Northern Virginia from Richmond. To do so required compromises and an imperfect bill. But it's real money, and I congratulate Republicans and Democrats for recognizing that defeat of the bill probably would've delayed additional transportation funding for many years. Better to fix the faults than have no money. These faults will be fixed in January, I can assure you. Of course, this is not Congress; this is the state.

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Fairfax, Va.: Why wasn't Raphael Palmeiro referred for a perjury prosecution as a result of his testimony before the House panel you chaired to investigate steroid abuse among Major League Baseball players?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: In our investigation, which was thorough, we found individuals who lied about the chain of supplements taken by Palmeiro. But it was our thought that a perjury count was incidental to our main investigation. I believe Palmeiro took a drug given to him by another player which he thought to be a Vitamin B supplement. We'll never know for sure, and he's entitled to benefit of the doubt.

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Los Angeles: Were you satisfied with Gen. Meyers assertion that "this is the responsibility of the United States Army, not the office of the chairman" in response to a question at the hearing about what he did regarding Tillman's death? Is his response indicative of the way he did his job as Joint Chiefs Chairman?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: No, I'm not happy with his assertion. He passed the buck. This was a high-profile case, and everyone up the chain should take responsibility.

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Fairfax, Va.: Hello. With the upcoming BRAC to Ft. Belvoir and the traffic nightmare that will come with it, can we expect any money from the Federal government to help build new roads and/or expand the Blue line further south?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: Yes, we expect some contribution. I've already secured money to widen I-95 between the Fairfax County Parkway and the Occoquan, and completion of the Fairfax County Parkway will be under way soon. Just as importantly, we have moved the BRAC footprint from the EPG site to include the GSA warehouse at Franconia-Springfield Metro and, potentially, offices in the Eisenhower Valley.

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Fairfax, Va.: A Washington Post article reported that political appointees in the Food and Drug Administration gave themselves very large retention and merit bonuses, when rank-and-file federal workers in that agency got very minimal cash awards. Do you think there should be a congressional inquiry into these activities, and what steps should be taken by Congress to ensure that federal employees (many of whom live in your congressional district) share fairly in these bonuses?

washingtonpost.com: FDA's Retention Bonuses Rise to the Top (Post, Aug. 2)

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: I'm concerned when Schedule Cs get higher bonuses than the career people. Mr. Waxman and I share that concern, and we're looking into it.

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Richmond, Va.: Rep. Davis: When you were last here, a constituent lauded you for your work on House Bill 1108, the bill that would give the FDA authority over tobacco products. It's a great idea, and long overdue. Your lead co-sponsorship of the bill is welcome. But you were asked if you were going to get any more Republican cosponsors, and you said that you would. Since that time, I believe one member of your party has been added to this list. In the meantime, the Senate committee of jurisdiction has passed the bill with the support of two Republican members. Honestly, are you serious about regulating tobacco products? And if so, would you please find more Republican cosponsors of HR 1108 by the next time you come online to chat?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: There has been tremendous pressure from various groups on Republicans to stay off the bill. However, we're confident we'll deliver a majority of Republicans when the bill comes to the floor.

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Washington: How well do you feel MLB has responded to your hearing regarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs? Also, do you think other sports, such as the NFL or professional wrestling, should be more scrutinized?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: The inquiries continue. We're keeping abreast of the Mitchell Investigation and we've requested information from wrestling officials on steroid use among its participants. Remember, as a result of our inquiry, MLB and all major sports leagues tightened their testing policies and implemented far stricter penalties for violators without the need for legislation.

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Washington: Pick a side, congressman! Nationals or Orioles?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: Nats in 7 over the Orioles in the 2008 -- or 2009 -- World Series.

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Palm Springs, Calif.: If John Warner retires, will you run for his seat? Will your wife then run for yours?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: Definitely my wife won't run for mine. As for me, it's an option we're looking at. But I have urged Sen. Warner to run again. He's a senator's senator, and if he does leave, he will leave huge shoes to fill.

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Philadelphia: Ironically, I understand Sens. Dodd and Hagel introduced legislation on infrastructure repairs hours before the bridge collapsed. Yet, isn't that all pointing to a good point: we need to fix what we have before we build more new. I know it looks better for public officials to dedicate new projects, but aren't we placing too much into new construction and not enough into repairs and maintenance?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: We need both. We don't spend enough money on infrastructure. I'm the chief sponsor of a bill that has cleared committee in the House and Senate to provide $1.5 billion for Metro for new cars and repairs to keep the system safe and viable.

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Vienna, Va.: How can you justify giving Dulles Transit Partners the Dulles Metro project without competitive bids? Especially given that they will not provide a fixed price. The drivers on the toll road are going to pay a very steep price to cover the overages that undoubtedly will occur.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: I don't justify or defend it. The IG report said the cost would've been lower if it had been competitive. The decision was made by the county board and previous governor to go this route, and we are where we are.

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Washington: You've always seemed pretty credible, even on the Fairfax Board, but your defense of Lurita Doan at GSA was a stretch. Bad enough she has political briefings, but she says "let's get out and support the GOP" and all you can say is she doesn't remember?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: I find it ironic that the administration rallies around Gonzales and Scooter Libby and lets Lurita Doan hang out to dry over a presentation they originated. Doan did offer a vague comment at the conclusion of the presentation that, in retrospect, I'm sure she regrets. But she's been a good administrator, and she understands procurement. And there's no indication she's inappropriately used GSA resources to help any candidate anywhere.

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Fairfax, Va.: Could you tell me why you supported HR 980, which will be very costly to all local jurisdictions?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: We don't know that it's going to cost a nickel. There is no mandate for compulsory arbitration or right to strike. This is a basic meet-and-confer bill that was not opposed by the Fairfax Board of Supervisors or the governor's office -- both of whom we asked. I think talking to your employees is good business. When I was chairman of the board, we frequently sat down with our public employee groups, including unions, and our tax bills went down over three years. This does not violate the state's right to work law, which I strongly support.

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Prince William County, Va.: Hi Mr. Davis. What do you think about Prince William County's recent action against illegal immigrants?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: Localities across the country are increasingly frustrated by our inability to act in Washington. And whether it's jurisdictions such as Arlington, which is a sanctuary city, or Herndon or Prince William, localities are passing disparate resolutions to fill the vacuum of leadership. We need a national policy that starts with true enforcement of the laws already on the books.

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Woodbridge, Va.: Mr. Davis -- can you give us some insight about what happened on the floor last night? It seems to me the majority is trying to change a vote to an outcome they want, rather than what the outcome was.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: It clearly was an embarrassment for the majority and the institution. This is what happens when two sides don't talk to each other. The Senate, for all its dysfunction, requires that both parties consult with each other before major legislation moves. The House, in contrast, has been autocratic under both parties but even more so since the change of control in January. Republicans are not allowed to offer amendments to major legislation, such as Iraq war funding, children's health insurance, the energy bill and ethics proposals. But at a minimum, we ask that they at least count the votes right.

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Anonymous: Are current U.S. expenditures in Iraq still at approximately $6 billion a month? What effect does this have on the deficit and other projects one might want to fund, including upgrading bridges, etc.?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: My criticisms of the war go not just to the lives lost and the wounded veterans coming home to shabby treatment but to the cost to other programs, research and development, energy independence, education and a burgeoning deficit that threatens our economy. When the war is discussed in this context, instead of just winning or losing, you can see why we should have a robust debate with input from all stakeholders.

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Alexandria, Va.: It seems that the other side of your responsibilities is to constantly raise money for your own campaigns and to help your colleagues. How many nights do you spend during a typical week attending fundraisers?

washingtonpost.com: House Rules: Freshman congressman Joe Courtney, elected by a margin of 83 votes, is learning that the first requirement of power is self-preservation (Post, June 10)

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: One day/night a week at most. I raise a lot of money through the mail in small contributions, but I'm always looking for more. However, I'm at a federal computer and dare not go any further.

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Falls Church, Va.: This isn't your fight, but the abusive driver fee issue has supplanted immigration as the key local issue in our state leading into the November state elections. Given that there are now nearly 170,000 online signatures (including many from your district) to a petition urging that the measure be immediately rescinded, are you prepared to weigh in on the matter and get on the record?

washingtonpost.com: Henrico Judge Suspends Driver Fees (Post, Aug. 3)

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: The abusive driver fee originated in the State House and voted down by the State Senate. The governor limited it to Virginia residents only, and it came back for an up-or-down vote as part of a $450 million transportation package. Without this, we'd have no money for transportation. State senators, such as my wife, opposed this fee in the Senate but voted for the package and are now seeking to fix it with a special session. It's a very small piece. The court decision in Henrico overturning these penalties should be allowed to stand, and the General Assembly should focus on fixing it as quickly as possible. It is great for candidates to attack people for voting for this, but in so doing, they are saying they would've blown up the whole transportation package -- which means billions of dollars for Northern Virginia alone. Ain't politics wonderful?

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Bristow, Va.: Are there any plans for any public admonishment of the civilian and military leadership on their truly dishonest, unethical and immoral treatment of Pfc. Tillman? For the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to say this was an Army matter, and to not stand up and do what was right as the highest ranking military member and advisor to the president, simply stinks and is cowardly. From a retired Air force officer.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: I agree. It stinks. We're continuing our investigation and have subpoenaed more documents. I give you my word we'll leave no stone unturned.

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Washington: What are you doing to help the citizens of D.C. gain representation in Congress? This is a civil rights issue that needs changing -- Congress and the entire United States population should be embarrassed that a segment of citizens in this country do not have adequate representation in our government.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: I am the leading advocate in Congress for helping D.C. gain voting representation. I agree that it's the preeminent civil rights issue of our time. I wrote the legislation now before the Senate and shepherded it through the House. Momentum is on our side.

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Lorton, Va.: What will your office being doing to help with the building of a potential middle school in terms of a proposed land swap of federal property, as you have mentioned as a possibility at the past few public meetings in the area that I saw you at? Please let us know, we appreciate your support for this important issue and look toward your leadership in enabling a new school to be built with potential federal help.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: We are working to identify land in the Lorton area owned by the government that we can sell and dedicate the proceeds to the middle school. I'm working with the county to find the appropriate parcels.

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Bristow, Va.: Sir, thank you for you service. Although I'm not a supporter, I truly appreciate your responses to my e-mails and letters. I know all of you are busy, but do you respond personally? Just curious.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: I respond personally to as many as I can, but I get 1,000 e-mails a week.

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Ashburn, Va.: Rep. Davis -- when a side needs a vote in Congress, how do the party bosses "persuade" members to vote yea or nay? Is it something like, "you want that earmark for your district's road improvement measure, we're going to need your help on this one"?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: Sure they do. The children's health bill that just moved through the House singled out 10 hospitals in Democratic districts for enhanced payments for no ostensible reason other than to get the votes of those representatives. Although these tactics tend to pork bills up and make for bad policy, in a highly partisan atmosphere, leaders see it as the only way to muster majorities. That is the unfortunate truth.

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New York: Can you please clarify why you are going to use your power to stop the high-density development in proximity to the Vienna Metro station? It would seem more responsible to just let it be, because it only would encourage environmentally conscious activity. Just look at how booming and cohesive Arlington is because of the Orange Line!

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: Aside from the fact that the town of Vienna unanimously opposed the development, the development plan called for the elimination of 680 parking places as the Metro terminus. Ridership on the Orange Line going into Washington already is full. But Metro cars coming out from Washington are empty. I was for commercial density, not residential density, at this site, which already is choked with traffic going into Washington on I-66 and Nutley Street. Metro was shortchanged, because, in a hot real estate market at the time, they did not update their appraisals on the properties Metro was selling to the developer. I'm all for smart growth when it's smart, but not when it cheats taxpayers.

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Woodbridge, Va.: Rep. Davis, I really think that Northern Virginia is on the cusp or already is becoming a global economic powerhouse. ... The only thing I see getting in the way of this is our poor infrastructure. Why can't you bring home more money from Washington to improve this?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: How about $1.5 billion for the Wilson Bridge? $2 billion for the intersection of 395 and the Beltway? $1.5 billion for enhancements to the Metro system? Another $900 million pending for rail to Dulles? And tens of millions for VRE and other main transportation enhancements. Not exactly chump change.

And all of this at a time the state's transit contributions were going down.

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Centreville, Va.: Mr. Davis, do you still hold town meetings? I'm a constituent in your district and stopped receiving invitations two years ago.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: I still do Town Halls. I also do Tele Town Halls. Give us your number, and we can get you on the list to participate in those.

I did five Town Halls in March and April.

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Reston, Va.: Were changes made to the SAFETEA-LU act -- passed by the House on July 31 -- intended to give the Tysons tunnel effort on the Dulles rail project an extra push?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: Yes, it was provided to give the county board and the governor additional options.

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Bristow, Va.: What is your opinion about not allow sitting senators and representatives to vote themselves a pay raise? What about something like, if they do vote themselves a raise, it takes effect 2-3 years later? This would put some kind of avoidance of conflict of interest in place, because they really wouldn't know if they would be re-elected.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: Under current law, our COLA is tied to that of federal employees but at a lower increment.

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Alexandria, Va.:"Republicans are not allowed to offer amendments to major legislation, such as ... children's health..."

No way. I was at the Energy and Commerce markup and the Republicans wouldn't let anyone do anything. The clerk read 150 pages of the bill before Dingell adjourned. The closed rule on Ag was inappropriate, but not on SCHIP. Try some honesty.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: The reason Republicans made them read the bill was because they had not seen it. This is what happens when leaders don't talk to each other. In contrast, I would note my relationship with Henry Waxman. We frequently disagree, but we constantly communicate and have no surprises. As a result, we've run an orderly committee we hope can be a model for other committees. I believe the majority should rule but that the minority should be able to have its say.

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Fairfax, Va.: Rep. Davis, on the $1.5 billion for the Metro -- will it do anything to improve the reliability and frequency of the system, or just go to bloated overtime and pensions, to cover stolen parking revenues, etc.? This thought crossed my mind as I was stuck under the river in the stalled Blue Line train for 50 minutes last night.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: It is, in fact, to make the system run smoother. We require a federal IG and federal representation on the Metro board to assure adult supervision. In fact, the improvements are to be made to improve the system, not expand it.

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Minneapolis: In reference to the Oversight Committee's treatment of the Plame matter, are you aware that special prosecutor Fitzgerald has disclosed publicly that investigators determined early on that Valerie Wilson was indeed a "covert agent" according to the Intelligence Identities Protection Act, something you sought to cast doubt on at the hearing with Ms. Wilson and others?

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: I never questioned her covert status or that she was wronged. I think this matter was highly politicized, however, and I have raised questions about the inconsistencies in her testimony before us and others. That's still under investigation. I didn't do this in a sensational fashion but just to make the record clear.

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Rep. Thomas M. Davis III: Thank you for joining me for this chat. I always enjoy communicating with those who care about our country and how it is run. Have a good weekend.

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