Travis Childers calls for investigation into oil speculation

Travis Childers who is a member of the House Agriculture Committee, called on the committee to investigate speculation on the oil markets. Travis made a point to always mention that he would do whatever was in his power to fight the rising cost of fuel in his stump speeches during the special election and primaries. Now he is following through on that campaign promise.

From the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal:

The newly elected congressman from Prentiss County participated Wednesday in the first of three hearings on the topic. In his opening statement to the group, Childers said he’s committed to finding out why energy costs have reached "exorbitant" levels.
"When I was elected, the price of gasoline was $3.61 per gallon. Barely a month later the price of gasoline per gallon has jumped to over $4," Childers said. "Recently, I met with sweet potato farmers from my district who are facing increased production costs as the prices of diesel fuel, fertilizer and gasoline all rise.

Travis Childers named to House Agriculture Committee

Travis Childers was named to the House Agriculture Committee on Monday. We reported in the weeks leading up to the special election runoff that Speaker Pelosi had saved a spot on this important committee for Travis if he should win.

Childers says he believes his quest for the ag committee seat helped him with the election, which he won by 8 percentage points, defeating a Republican, Southaven Mayor Greg Davis.

“About a week before the election, a member of the House leadership called me and asked what they could do to help me,” Childers said in an interview. “I told them I thought naming me to the Agriculture Committee probably would be the best thing they could do.”

MS-01 Politico: A seat on the Ag Committee awaits Childers

From Politco, posted just minutes ago.

Should Childers beat Republican Greg Davis, the newest member of Congress would come to Washington as lawmakers finish work on a massive farm bill, legislation loaded with subsidies for farmers across the country - including those in the rural parts of the district Childers needs most to pick up the GOP seat. Lawmakers wrapped up work on that farm bill on Thursday, but Childers could still get some easy headlines if Congress approves it next week. It might even be one of his first votes, should he be successful on Tuesday.

Childers and Davis are locked in a tight race to replace Republican Sen. Roger Wicker in the northeastern Mississippi district. GOP lawmakers in the House fear another special election loss could spark a wave of infighting that will make it more difficult to hold seats - or pick them up - in November.

A Democratic leadership aide confirmed Thursday that Childers would be appointed to the Agriculture Committee if he wins next week. That news could give him a boost where he needs it most; the Democrat is trying to play the rural parts of the district against the more suburban communities outside Memphis, where Davis resides. Even Republicans have acknowledged their candidate has come from the "wrong" part of the district politically.