Spokane, WA
On August 13th, the Cathy McMorris Rodgers for Congress Campaign celebrated the 4th Annual Pink Flamingo BBQ. The evening was a fundraising success and Mike and Pam Senske's beautiful home provided a great backdrop for many friends of the campaign to catch up and recieve an update on how the various Republican campaigns are going throughout the state. Below you can read the Congresswoman's speech she delievered at the Pink Flamingo BBQ.
"Good evening! Thank you for being here tonight. It’s always good to be back in the real Washington!
I want to stop and take a breath with you tonight – and certainly there’s no better place to enjoy the fresh air than the beautiful home of Mike and Pam Senske. I want to stop and take a breath, though, because this summer has been an extremely busy one, for you I’m sure, and for us as well.
My campaign has gone from parades to cookouts to Air Force bases to schools, crisscrossing all 25,000 square miles of our district.
And everywhere I go, I am truly amazed when I meet each and every one of you, because I’m reminded just how beautifully diverse, how truly unique our district is.
As far as congressional districts go, ours is one of the biggest in the country. It has big lakes and rivers, but it also has big infrastructure and big innovation. It has a big heart. It has big ideas and bigger dreams.
We have an array of 21st century challenges facing us – and I want to talk about those in a minute – but I just want to start by saying it’s an honor to represent a district who already is setting an example for the rest of the nation: a district attacking diverse problems with diverse solutions.
As Republicans, what unites us is our belief in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and personal freedoms.
I’m pleased to see Republican leadership returning to these fundamental values.
And especially in light of Democrats’ recent efforts in the House, I can say we’re doing a fantastic job. I’m very proud of our work as Republicans.
There are countless issues I could address tonight, and they’d all be important and worthy of our time together.
But at this moment in our regional, national and international history, you and I both know that all other issues pale in comparison to the soaring cost of energy.
Simply put, the Democratic leadership in Congress has done nothing to solve this problem, and we’re paying for this dearly: At the grocery store, on summer vacations, and of course at the gas pump, where for two years now you’ve been forking over what we like to call the Pelosi Premium.
Nancy Pelosi told America in 2006 that Democrats had a “common sense” plan to bring down gas prices. At that time gas was $2.33 a gallon.
Currently, we see gas prices nearly four dollars a gallon—nearly double.
It’s not affordable, it’s not acceptable, and it’s certainly not common sensical.
For weeks now, Republicans have been demanding Speaker Pelosi allow a vote on a comprehensive Energy Bill.
Twelve days ago, Friday afternoon, Republicans were once again calling for a vote on energy.
Instead of allowing us to vote, or allowing anyone to speak, the Speaker adjourned us for the August recess.
Every single Democrat left Congress that afternoon for their August district work period -- the Speaker literally turned off the lights when she adjourned the session. But the Republicans stayed.
And in the dim light of the chamber, we continued toward our goal to bring down gas prices and move us further toward energy independence.
In a shockingly undemocratic move for a Democrat, the Speaker made sure when she left that no TV cameras or photographers were allowed in to cover the floor.
As the afternoon drew on into the night, Republican members who were present began leading tour groups into the chamber. The constituents sat in the galleries, and even in our seats on the floor.
More and more people began to gather and at one point during the debate – and this was not staged – the people in the galleries started cheering.
They were applauding a rare instance where postponements and pessimism took a back seat to the power of principle.
It was one of the most humbling, rewarding moments of my time in Washington. And as I watched it unfold, I truly wished I could have shared it with the Democrats; and I still do.
Tonight, as I have such conversations with you all, the Republicans are still debating energy solutions on the floor in Washington.
Right now there are more members there than when they started.
Our numbers and our support are growing, not waning. Tour groups continue to flood in, and print media are still vigorously reporting on our efforts.
What we’re discussing on the floor right now is our common-sense approach to solving our energy crisis. And it is a crisis.
America will spend 700 billion dollars buying energy from other countries this year.
The more money we funnel to countries like Venezuela and Iran, the further we tighten the noose around the throat of democracy in this country.
We cannot ensure our national security without first ensuring our energy security.
But the great excitement that comes with addressing the great challenge of our time is the confidence we should all have in this district’s abundance of resources.
It is my hope that our search for a safer and more stable America will unleash our curiosity and ingenuity in the pursuit of new solutions.
And it is my firm belief that the Fifth district will lead the way, on the national stage, at opening up more sources of American-made energy in an environmentally-friendly way.
We can do this and we will do this. We have the means, we have the technology, and we have the resources. The only thing standing in the way right now is political will.
It starts with domestic and off shore drilling.
It includes conservation. Right here in the Spokane Valley, we have Itron—a world leader in developing electronic meter reading and smart readers that will help us maximize energy usage in our homes and businesses. The most energy that we can save in the short term is the energy that we waste every day.
It involves renewables such as solar power, and the panels that Spokane’s own Ecolite Manufacturing is testing every day.
It involves wind power, like the wind farms on Hopkins’ Ridge down in Columbia County.
It involves hydropower, like what we generate here in the Pacific Northwest from our Columbia and Snake Rivers, providing 75% of Washington state’s electricity.
These examples right here in Eastern Washington are just part of our All-Of-The-Above plan. It’s time for action. It’s time we start meeting America’s energy needs with American resources. Not only is it what our country wants, it’s what we need to ensure our national security and economic future.
As energy has been the issue that has dominated our political calendar recently, there’s been one dominant personal issue in my life which I’d like to share with you.
This is our fourth Pink Flamingo, and the second one now that I’ve experienced as a mother. Being a mother has given me a greater understanding and a first hand perspective on the many issues that come before Congress.
Cole has introduced me to an amazing community of individuals and families touched by disabilities. And that is why I’m extremely proud that my son Cole and I had the opportunity earlier this year to launch the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus.
This is a great opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to work together to help ensure families of children and adults with Down syndrome can reach their full potential. I believe we’ve only seen a glimpse of the positive impact Cole and others like him will have on all of our lives.
It is this commitment to life, to family and freedom that makes me proud of our Republican ideas. And it’s those commitments that led me to get involved in politics.
We are in the midst of a contest of ideas – a constant search for bold, common-sense solutions. And part of this contest is a competition of inspiration. Who will build the next great idea which will power us through this energy crisis?
Who will author the next chapter of American health care, so that families and seniors can get the medical attention they need?
I have never believed more strongly than I do now that the answer to these questions is a resounding: US.
I look forward to a great future for Eastern Washington, and for America: a future in which we will match our own resources with our own resourcefulness and our own wealth with our own wisdom.
Thank you very much for joining me tonight, and may God Bless Eastern Washington, this state, and our country. Thank you."