Todd Tiahrt is a champion of taxpayers and those who believe in the traditional American values of integrity, faith and family.

Todd's Kansas roots go back to 1893, when his ancestors settled near Whitewater, Kansas. Although Todd's parents did not raise him on that homestead, Todd did grow up on his family's farm where he learned the values of hard work and frugality. Working his way through college, Todd earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration following an undergraduate degree in engineering. Before his service in Congress, Todd was employed by the Boeing Company in Wichita for nearly 14 years, where he worked on various aerospace projects including the Space Station, Air Force One and the Comanche Helicopter.

Todd was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. He was appointed to the powerful House Appropriations Committee in 1997 and to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in 2005. He was elected to his seventh term with 64 percent of the vote in 2006.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Todd is in a unique position to fight for the interests of all Kansans and for fiscal responsibility in the federal budget process. All discretionary spending bills pass through this important committee. Todd sits on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee where he serves as the Ranking Republican.

Todd has leveraged his seniority on the powerful panel to secure federal funding for important airport runway upgrades throughout the 4th District, as well as research grants for Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research. He has been a tireless advocate for the aviation industry that employs so many of his constituents. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Todd worked with the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee to include accelerated depreciation for general aviation aircraft - a measure that immediately led to increased aircraft orders in South-central Kansas.

Todd serves as chairman of the Economic Competitiveness Caucus and co-chairman of the House Jobs Action Team. He is leading the effort to help keep and create high-quality, high-paying jobs in Kansas and the U.S. Under Todd's leadership in advancing the House competitiveness initiative, the House of Representatives passed more than 60 pieces of legislation directly related to increasing the ability of U.S. workers to compete in a global economy.

As a member of Congress, Todd has received numerous honors for his voting record on behalf of taxpayers, seniors and American families, including the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, being named a Super Friend of Seniors, a Champion of Private Property Rights and a Taxpayer's Hero.

Todd attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and later transferred to Evangel College where he graduated and met his wife Vicki. Todd went on to earn his MBA from Southwest Missouri State. Todd and Vicki were blessed with three children, Jessica, John and Luke.