Biography

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is Eastern Washington’s chief advocate in Congress and one of the rising stars in American politics. Since first being elected to the House in 2004, she has earned the trust of her constituents and praise on Capitol Hill for her hard work, conservative principles, bipartisan outreach, and leadership. She is currently serving as the Chair of the House Republican Conference, a position making her the fourth highest-ranking Republican, and the highest ranking female Republican in the House of Representatives.  As someone who grew up on a family farm, worked at a small business, and later became a wife and mom, Cathy McMorris Rodgers has lived the American Dream, and she sees her chief goal in Congress as rebuilding that Dream for our children and grandchildren.

Early Life

Cathy is the descendant of pioneers who settled in Walla Walla in 1853. Growing up, Cathy worked on the family orchard side-by-side with her parents and younger brother. She worked in the family owned and operated business, the Peachcrest Fruit Basket Orchard and Fruit Stand, in Kettle Falls, Washington for 13 years.

Cathy was the first person in her family to attend and graduate from college. She worked her way through Pensacola Christian College in Florida (Class of 1990) and later earned her Executive MBA from the University of Washington (Class of 2002).

Citizen Legislator

Cathy was first elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1994, representing the 7th Legislative District. She was re-elected four times. From 2002-2003, she served as House Minority Leader, the top leadership post for House Republicans. She was the first woman to lead a House Caucus of either party, and the youngest since World War II. When the legislature was not in session, Cathy kept working at her family’s orchard. 

Member of Congress

In 2004, Cathy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. During her first term, she served as the Freshman Class representative on the Steering Committee, a group of Members that decide committee assignments, and on the Republican Whip Team.

Cathy was also selected to serve as the Chairwoman of the National Task Force on Improving the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). She oversaw NEPA hearings across the country, reviewing the current implementation of the Act.

She also worked – and continues to work - to protect and expand Fairchild Air Force Base. She was part of the successful team that kept Fairchild off the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list.

During her second term, Cathy continued her commitment to working across party lines. She joined with Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) to introduce health information technology (IT) legislation and led a statewide health IT task force to position Washington State for future health care IT advancements. She also served as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Women's Caucus with Representative Lois Capps (D-CA).

In November 2008, Cathy was elected by her peers as Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference. In that role, she spearheaded several important projects – expanding and improving the Conference’s use of digital media and technology, leading the Conference’s outreach to women, increasing government transparency, and reducing government waste.

During her third term (2009-2010), Cathy advocated for reduced government spending and a smaller government, which is why she did not vote for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, the $787 billion economic “stimulus” bill, or the $2.3 trillion health care bill.

In November 2010, she was re-elected by her peers as Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference. She was also appointed to the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee – where almost half of all legislation pertaining to the economy must pass.

In fact, of the 72 bills signed into law in 2013, Cathy had two–the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act (which unanimously passed in both the House and Senate) and the National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2013.  Both bills strengthen opportunities for families in Washington’s Fifth District.

As co-chair of the Congressional Rural Health Care Coalition, Cathy has seen first-hand that rural areas, including Eastern Washington, have limited access to primary health care professionals and specialists. To address these problems, Cathy has introduced H.R. 487, the Primary Care Workforce Access Improvement Act which would provide more opportunities for resident physicians to train in rural areas.  By training in rural areas, these student doctors are more likely to stay and practice in rural areas, thus increasing the number of primary care providers. Cathy has also introduced H.R. 920 the National Health Service Corps Improvement Act which would incentivize optometrists to practice in rural areas.

Cathy sees that the lessons learned in Eastern Washington can improve patient access to specialists, including mental health specialists, throughout rural America.  That is why she has cosponsored legislation which will increase the use of telehealth, leveraging the health care providers who are currently practicing while working to increase the workforce.  For Eastern Washington, as well as 62 million Americans, Cathy is the champion on access to affordable health care in rural America.

Cathy is the Co-Chair of five Congressional caucuses: Down Syndrome, Military Family, Lumber, Neuroscience, and the Rural Health Coalition.

Cathy’s congressional staff also works one-on-one with constituents who need assistance navigating the maze of federal agencies. This Congress, Cathy and her staff  have helped more than 500 residents of the Fifth District with casework that resulted in the federal government returning over $1.6 million dollars to the people of Eastern Washington.

Personal

In her personal time, Cathy enjoys playing the piano, swimming, and reading American history.

In 2006, Cathy married Brian Rodgers, a Spokane native and retired 26-year Navy Commander.

In 2007, she gave birth to Cole McMorris Rodgers. Since Cole was born with Trisomy 21, Cathy has become a leader in the disabilities community.

Since Cole’s birth, Cathy has welcomed two daughters into the world – Grace Blossom (December 2010) and Brynn Catherine (November 2013).  She is the only Member of Congress in history to give birth three times while in office.