Biography

Cathy McMorris Rodgers is proof that what we were taught as children is true today. In America, with a positive attitude, hard work, and dedication, we can rise from simple beginnings to important positions of influence.
 
Cathy was born to a farming family with deep roots in Eastern Washington. The early members of the McMorris family settled as pioneers in Walla Walla in 1853.
 
Growing up, Cathy worked on the family orchard side by side with her parents and younger brother.
 
Cathy was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. She worked her way through Pensacola Christian College in Florida and later earned her Executive MBA from the University of Washington.
 
She served five terms as a citizen legislator in Olympia eventually being elected to conference chair. When the legislature was not in session Cathy worked in her parents’ small business, Peachcrest Fruit Basket, near Kettle Falls, Washington.
 
In 2004 Cathy was elected to Congress where she now serves in her third term representing Eastern Washington's Fifth Congressional District.
 
Cathy's responsibilities have changed significantly over the years but she has remained true to her roots. She believes in the promise of America. In Congress, Cathy promotes policies to give wider opportunities to families and small businesses. She works to keep taxes down, strongly supports our troops and veterans, and works to improve access to quality, affordable health care.
 
Her committee assignments position her to further this agenda. Cathy currently serves on:

• House Armed Services Committee
• Education and Labor Committee, where she is ranking member on the Workforce Protections Subcommittee
• Natural Resources Committee

Cathy was chosen to be a member of the Republican Leadership team in 2009, where she is vice chair of the Conference.
 
McMorris Rodgers is a Republican who finds opportunities to work across party lines. Cathy served as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Women's Caucus with Representative Lois Capps (D-CA). Along with democratic Congressman Adam Smith, she introduced Health IT legislation and is co-leading a statewide Health IT task force to position Washington for future Health IT advancements.
 
She is married to Brian Rodgers, a retired 26 year active-duty Navy Commander; they have one son.