Washington, D.C.– Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, hosted the inaugural GOP Women’s CEO Panel on Jobs and the Economy at the U.S. Capitol today.  The successful roundtable discussion featured six of the country’s most prominent female CEOs and focused on the effects that current policies and regulations have had on economic growth and job creation.

“America stands at an unprecedented crossroads right now.  We’ve faced 34 consecutive months of unemployment above eight percent and a debt that has reached $15 trillion – an all-time record.  We’re here today – as CEOs and Members of Congress alike – to say that we refuse to watch those numbers rise,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers in her opening remarks. 

Rep. McMorris Rodgers was joined by six other women Republican Members, including Reps. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Renee Ellmers (R-NC), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Jean Schmidt (R-OH).  They facilitated a discussion about the challenges these CEOs have faced in the current economic climate, especially in light of the Super Committee failure, the escalating European debt crisis, the ongoing tax reform debate and the two dozen jobs bills that have stalled in the U.S. Senate.

“Today’s discussion provided a phenomenal and unique opportunity to bring leaders and lawmakers together to discuss the state of the economy and what we can dotogether to improve it,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.  “We heard from women CEOs from a variety of industries – energy, technology, defense, insurance, engineering and health care – and while their backgrounds are different, their experience is not.  They all cited duplicative, burdensome regulations and economic uncertainty as the major impediments to job creation and business growth.  It’s time we enact pro-growth policies to stimulate our economy and get Americans back to work again.” 

The CEO panelists included:

Dr. Alison Brown– NAVSYS Corporation
Ms. Catherine Heigel – Duke Energy South Carolina
Ms. Lisa Hook – Neustar, Inc.
Ms. Barbara Martin – Vista Health System
Ms. Sandra Parrillo – Providence Mutual Fire Insurance
Ms. Janet Trautwein – National Association of Health Underwriters