Rodgers, Cathy McMorris, 1969-

MCMORRIS RODGERS, Cathy, (served under the name of McMorris, Cathy in the One Hundred Ninth Congress and the name McMorris Rodgers, Cathy in the One Hundred Tenth through One Hundred Fifteenth Congresses), a Representative from Washington; born in Salem, Marion County, Oreg., May 22, 1969; graduated from Kettle Falls High School, Kettle Falls, Wash., 1986; B.A., Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, Fla., 1990; M.B.A., University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., 2002; family orchard business; member of the Washington state house of representatives, 1994-2004, minority leader, 2002-2003; elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Ninth and to the eight succeeding Congresses (January 3, 2005-present); chair, House Republican Conference (One Hundred Thirteenth through One Hundred Fifteenth Congresses).

<p>Cathy Anne McMorris Rodgers (born May 22, 1969) is an American politician who is the U.S. Representative for Washington's 5th congressional district, which encompasses the eastern third of the state and includes Spokane, the state's second-largest city. A Republican, McMorris Rodgers previously served in the Washington House of Representatives. From 2013 to 2019, she chaired the House Republican Conference. Since 2021, she has been the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.</p>

<p>McMorris Rodgers was appointed to the Washington House of Representatives in 1994. She became Minority Leader of that house in 2001. In 2004, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She eventually became the highest-ranking Republican woman in Congress in 2009, when she ascended to leadership as vice chair of the House Republican Conference, and later, chair of the House Republican Conference. She gained national attention in 2014, when she delivered the Republican response to President Barack Obama's 2014 State of the Union Address.</p>

<p>In 2016, McMorris Rodgers was on President Donald Trump's shortlist to become Secretary of the Interior. The position went to Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke.</p>

<p>Cathy McMorris Rodgers is Eastern Washington’s chief advocate in Congress and a rising star 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 to get results for Eastern Washington. As someone who grew up on an orchard and fruit stand in Kettle Falls, Washington, worked at her family’s small business, and later became a wife and working mom of three, Cathy has lived the American Dream, and she works every day to rebuild that Dream for our children and grandchildren.</p>

<p>Cathy served as Chair of the House Republican Conference from 2012 to 2018. Cathy was the 200th woman ever elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and the first woman to give birth three times while in office.</p>

<p>Since being elected to Congress in 2004, Cathy has focused on moving legislation based on the priorities she hears in conversations with the people of Eastern Washington. Her mission is to restore trust and confidence in representative government and the rule of law, and lead as a trust-builder, ability-advocate, and unifying force to get results for hardworking men and women in Eastern Washington.</p>