Congressmen Childers and Smith to Co-Chair Congressional Rural Caucus

Press Release

Congressmen Childers and Smith to Co-Chair Congressional Rural Caucus

Congressmen Travis Childers (D-MS) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) today announced their co-chairmanship of the bipartisan Congressional Rural Caucus. The Congressmen will work to reestablish the Rural Caucus and jumpstart initiatives to strengthen rural communities struggling under today's difficult economic conditions. The Rural Caucus currently includes 69 Republican and Democratic members.

"Rural communities have been hit especially hard by our current economic crisis," said Congressman Childers. "I am honored to work with Congressman Smith and a bipartisan group of my colleagues to address the significant challenges that are unique to rural communities like North Mississippi, including education, health care, and telecommunications. Together, we will work to provide creative solutions to these important issues."

"Rural interests need to have a unified voice in Congress which will help move discussions beyond partisanship to find workable solutions. The Republicans and Democrats who are part of the Rural Caucus want to strengthen the rural way of life, while at the same time working to help rural communities prepare for the future. I have a great deal of respect for Congressman Childers and I look forward to working with him and the other members of the Rural Caucus," Smith said.

The bipartisan Congressional Rural Caucus will bring together a working group of members to discuss and address the distinct issues facing America's rural communities. The body will serve to collectively address these challenges and promote legislation which includes sound rural policies.

In addition, the Caucus will host speakers and experts on a wide range of issues to help educate the members on the constantly changing face of rural America.

Congressman Childers and Smith are both members of the House Agriculture Committee, as are Congressman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Tim Walz (D-MN), who serve as Vice-Chairs of the Caucus.

The Congressional Rural Caucus includes the following task forces:

* Telecommunications
* Health Care
* Education and Economic Development
* Transportation and Infrastructure

Source