Power Players | 6 - Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.)

Ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Davis was first elected to the House in 1995.2006 Power Player position: Tied for No. 1 with Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) Davis’ position on this list slipped because of leadership changes in the House after the 2006 elections. He moved from being chairman of the Government Reform Committee to become ranking member of the renamed Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Davis remains an effective legislator and one of the most knowledgeable when it comes to government information technology issues. He was a vocal defender of Lurita Doan, administrator of the General Services Administration, during her two contentious appearances before the committee. Davis faces some big decisions in the coming year. At the top of the list, he must decide whether he will continue to represent his Northern Virginia district or run for the Senate seat that retiring Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) will vacate. Davis would likely face a formidable opponent in former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, who has announced that he will run as the Democratic candidate for that seat. Davis must also tackle the ongoing challenges of trying to legislate as a minority member. Davis is a powerful backbencher, but much depends on where he ends up.