Cathy McMorris Rodgers for Congress

The Patriot Pledge

Dear Friends,

In Eastern Washington and throughout America, voters are growing tired of President Obama and the liberal Democrats in Congress. But most voters won’t embrace Republicans until we can answer a simple question: “If we’re given the chance to govern again, how are we going to govern differently?” In a recent Lincoln Day speech, I challenged Republican candidates to craft a positive, visionary agenda for America’s future, unite behind that agenda, and then take a pledge: “Starting on Day One, we will work day and night to pass this agenda. And if we don’t get the job done, we will not run for re-election.” I’ve drafted my own pledge. It’s called The Patriot Pledge. It consists of 10 items. And I’d like to share them with you today.

1) BALANCE THE BUDGET: The days of trillion-dollar deficits must come to an end. Forty-nine states require a balanced budget and the federal government should do the same. It’s time we passed a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

2) REDUCE WASTEFUL GOVERNMENT SPENDING: Members of Congress should treat taxpayer money as carefully as they treat their own money. That means putting an end to wasteful pork barrel spending. And if Congress can’t discipline itself, we should give the President the power to do it for us through the line-item veto.

3) IMPROVE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE THROUGH MARKET-BASED SOLUTIONS: If the Democrats manage to pass a government takeover of health care this year, we will repeal it. And then we’ll come up with a better plan that uses the power of the free market – not government bureaucrats - to improve the quality of American health care.

4) SIMPLIFY THE TAX CODE: Our goal should be to create a tax system so simple that every American family can mail their tax return on a postcard!

5) REVERSE THE WALL STREET BAILOUT: I voted against the $700 billion TARP bill. And now our goal should be to make sure something like TARP never happens again. No company is “too big to fail.” The only thing “too big to fail” is America itself.

6) AUDIT THE FEDERAL RESERVE: The Federal Reserve is in charge of America’s money supply, and the American people have a right to know where all of that money is going. Let’s be clear: The Federal Reserve works for us; not the other way around.

7) BOLSTER EDUCATION: We need to bring America’s education system into the 21st Century. Federal policies should reward excellence, competition, and innovation in America’s schools. Our global competitiveness depends on it.

8) ACHIEVE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: Our country is blessed with tremendous energy resources, and it’s time we start using those resources to lower energy prices and break our addiction to foreign oil. We need energy FOR Americans, BY Americans, and we need it NOW.

9) END ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AS WE KNOW IT: In the 1990s, a Republican Congress promised to “end welfare as we know it.” And despite the naysayers, they did it. Now we must use that same bold commitment to end illegal immigration and secure America’s borders.

10) PROTECT OUR KIDS FROM INTERNET PREDATORS: When it comes to the safety of our children, no expense is too great. Local police department must be given every resource they need to find and capture these dangerous criminals and put them behind bars.

From 1-10, that’s my agenda for America’s future. And working to pass that agenda is my “Patriot Pledge” to you.

Please send me your thoughts and feedback by emailing me at cathy@CathyForCongress.com. Thank you for your time and consideration. It’s because of patriots like you that I know the best days for our country are still to come.