Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Finding common ground among federal lawmakers to approve critical legislation on Capitol Hill has been a mantra of U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) in fighting to bring her Washington state constituents the benefits they want and need.
Rep. McMorris Rodgers, chair of the House Republican Conference, has found the strategy especially vital this term in having 10 of her bills approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, with five of them signed into law.
“All of them are bipartisan and all of them make a real difference in the lives of the people I have the honor of representing,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers told the Ripon Advance. “It’s about building relationships and finding common ground.”
The congresswoman recently discussed her work to support constituents in Washington’s 5th Congressional District with The Ripon Advance.
Of the five bills you’ve successfully championed into law this year, which ones will positively impact the most people in Washington state? In America? How?
All of them. My bill to reauthorize the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program will help bring more doctors to eastern Washington and to rural communities. My ABLE to Work Act and ABLE Financial Planning Act will make it easier for people with disabilities in eastern Washington to explore the possibility of work and save that money into a tax-free account so it doesn’t jeopardize their benefits. My legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools programs will bring funding directly to rural, timber-dependent counties in my district, and my Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act will allow people with ALS and other degenerative diseases in eastern Washington to access life-changing speech generating technology so they can communicate with their loved ones.
Which bill that you’ve sponsored has been your biggest policy success for your home state during the 115th Congress?
My legislation to reauthorize the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program. In eastern Washington, this program focuses on primary care, mental health, psychiatric, and OBGYN services in rural and underserved areas.
It’s estimated that we could have a nationwide doctor shortage of 23,000 by 2025. The physician-to-population ratio in rural communities, like my district in eastern Washington, is especially stark. Only about 10 percent of physicians practice in these areas, even though almost a quarter of the population lives there.
By reauthorizing this program and doubling funding, we allow for the creation of new residency programs in communities all across the country. We know that doctors are more likely to practice in the area where they do their residency, and those involved in the THCGME program specifically are 82 percent more likely to practice primary care; 20 percent more likely to work in rural communities; and 55 percent more likely to work in underserved areas. This legislation will help get doctors out to rural communities and meet our doctor shortage.
You recently said, “Farmers want trade, not aid,” regarding President Trump’s $12 billion support package for them. What are Washington state farmers and producers telling you they want? How have the trade tariffs affected their bottom lines? What should the administration be doing differently to better serve farmers in your home state?
Farmers are hard working Americans, and at the end of the day, they want to be able to stay in business. They can’t do that unless we have open markets for them to sell their products. In eastern Washington, we export 90 percent of the wheat we grow and 70 percent of the potatoes. When these markets close, farmers are left to look elsewhere for business.
What I would like to see the administration do is take a more targeted approach on tariffs — one that rightly holds China accountable for unfair trade practices but doesn’t alienate our friends and allies. I’d also like to see them get moving more quickly on negotiating new trade deals. The recent news of a potential trade deal with the European Union is a great start, but we need to get moving on more trade agreements so we can open up markets for our farmers.
To what do you attribute your leadership style, ability, and success? What keeps you motivated to stay in public office and why do you want to be re-elected?
I’m often reminded how life is all about relationships. My leadership style is about building relationships and finding common ground. My focus on results, not rhetoric, has allowed me to fight through the toxic political environment and build bridges to get things done for the people I represent.
I am so honored to serve the people of eastern Washington, and they are who motivate me to keep working hard and getting things done for families all across my district. My record of results and my kept promises are also motivating because I want to keep this great progress going.
Please update us on the results of your Better Way Agenda and how it has served your district’s residents, families, and businesses. What are the next steps to maintain its momentum?
Our Better Way Agenda laid out pro-growth policies that we would champion alongside a Republican president. Because of these policies — like our work to reduce the regulatory burden and cut taxes for middle-class families — people in my district in eastern Washington are Better Off Now.
For example, wage increases in Washington state just hit a 10-year high. We are seeing record unemployment rates and for the first time in our history, there are more job openings than there are people looking for jobs.
My goal is to continue building upon our success to grow our economy and create more jobs for people in eastern Washington.
You’ve been on a mission to restore trust in the federal government and the rule of law. What is the status of your efforts overall and what strategies are you planning as you look ahead beyond the mid-term elections?
For me, building trust starts with listening. I’ve made it a point this year to work to restore trust in government by holding numerous meetings across my district to hear directly from the people I represent. I have also been doing unity dinners in my district to bring together people of all different backgrounds and political beliefs, from all different walks of life, to listen to each other and talk about the issues on their minds.
I also believe that in order to build trust, I have to take what I am hearing from people in my community and then go and lead on their behalf and get results. That’s why I am focusing on results, not rhetoric.