About Cathy
Cathy was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on January 4, 2005, representing Washington's 5th Congressional District. In Congress, Cathy is working on issues important to Eastern Washington. Her priorities include economic growth and job creation; access to quality, affordable health care; and keeping our nation and communities safe.
Cathy serves on the Armed Services Committee, the Education and Labor Committee, and the Natural Resources Committee, where she serves as ranking member on the Water and Power Subcommittee. She is the Sophomore Class representative on the Steering Committee, is a member of the Republican Whip Team, and is a member of the House Republicans High-Tech Working Group. Cathy also Co-Chairs the bipartisan Congressional Women’s Caucus with Representative Lois Capps (D-CA). The Caucus works on issues to better to the lives of women and families.
In the U.S. Congress, Cathy has already been given leadership opportunities. She was selected to serve as the Chairwoman of the National Task Force on Improving the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). She has overseen the NEPA hearings across the country, reviewing the current implementation of the Act. It has been her goal to improve the process to protect our environment through sound decision-making. NEPA has broad economic impacts through permitting and study requirements for transportation, public works projects, important oil and gas development, healthy forests, mining, grazing and other federal projects.
Cathy has gained the endorsements from Washington State Law Enforcement Association, Washington State Farm Bureau, Association of Washington Businesses, Western Fish & Wildlife Federation, Washington Property Rights Alliance, and Associated Builders and Contractors, among others.
Prior to being elected to Congress, McMorris served the people of Northeastern Washington as the 7th district State Representative. Eventually being elected by her peers to serve as the House Republican leader, the top leadership post for the House Republicans. She was the first woman to lead a caucus in the House and the youngest since World War II.
Cathy was born and raised on a farm. She earned her B.A. in pre-law from Pensacola Christian College and an executive MBA from the University of Washington. Her family owned and operated their orchard and fruit stand in Kettle Falls for 13 years until selling in 1997.
Cathy is married to former Navy Commander Brian Rodgers. They have one child, Cole McMorris Rodgers. Brian and Cathy live in Stevens County. She enjoys playing the piano, swimming, and reading American history. Cathy lives by President Reagan's motto: "There's no limit to what a person can do or where one can go if one doesn't mind who gets the credit."