This is a moment we’ve been given by ‘The People’

Cathy McMorris Rodgers Remarks as Delivered:

“Well, Happy New Year, everyone! I’m very excited, energized by the New Year, the new opportunities that it brings. This really is a moment that we’ve been given by the people.

“It’s a moment to think big. It’s a moment to reimagine the federal government and put people back at the center of it.

“You know, just down the road is the Washington Monument, and right now it’s closed to visitors. You think about families, individuals that travel from all around the country.

“From Eastern Washington it’s a long trip, maybe a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the Washington Monument, and yet they’ll be met with a “closed” sign, because the federal government is going to take more than two years to fix an elevator.

“Now this is just one example, but people are dealing with these kind of roadblocks every day at the VA, at the doctor’s office, when they’re just trying to do the right things, provide for their families, get a job.

“This is how the government has come to operate. One person, one agency at the top deciding for everyone. That’s why it’s our responsibility, as the people’s voice and the people’s representatives in their government to protect the Constitution and the balance of power.

“Representative government, the rule of law, equal opportunity for all is protected here in the House by the people, and for the people.

“I want to thank Vice President-elect Mike Pence for joining us today. It is so exciting for us as we start this unified Republican government, 2017, and all that is has in store for the people of this country, creating opportunities for everyone.”