Highlights from Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ Week in Eastern Washington

This week, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) was in Eastern Washington holding meetings and hearing from the people she represents.

On Tuesday, she began the day by holding another Farm Bill listening session where she heard directly from farmers in Eastern Washington on the issues they’re facing. They discussed the upcoming Farm Bill, crop insurance and market access programs, the falling numbers test, and other issues facing the agriculture industry. Eastern Washington farmers help feed the world and bring food security to people in this community, and all around the globe.

Next, Rep. McMorris Rodgers hosted a Coffee with Cathy event in Davenport to discuss other issues of importance, namely tax reform, regulatory reform, and ensuring we have a more efficient, effective, and accountable VA. She then traveled to Reardan where she visited the Inland Northwest Rail Museum. As she said on Facebook, “It’s inspiring to see what they have built here and the great history they are providing for our community. I’m always impressed by people in our community and how they are willing to come together to make Eastern Washington even better, and this museum is a perfect example.”

She then made the trip down to Sprague to meet with local emergency response officials and local leaders to discuss emergency response and flood recovery efforts. Many communities in Eastern Washington were hit with severe flooding this spring, and the Congresswoman has been staying up to date on recovery and government aid to our area.

Next, the Congresswoman traveled to Colfax to meet with local commissioners and staff at the Whitman Hospital and Medical Center. Those in attendance discussed the American Health Care Act and how we create a better health care future for every American, Critical Access Hospitals and rural health care, and strengthening Medicaid so it can serve the most vulnerable.

Finally, Rep. McMorris Rodgers made her way to Clarkston to give remarks and join in honoring the area’s youth and other groups who are going above and beyond to give back to the Asotin County community. She said on Facebook, “I’m always inspired and optimistic about our young people and the direction they will held lead our community and our country.”

On Wednesday, Rep. McMorris Rodgers began her day by visiting the Walla Walla Community College Clarkston Campus to see their new Workforce and Business Development Center. This great new addition to the Asotin County community will help to provide hands on, practical skills and development to educate students and give them the tools to pursue successful careers in manufacturing and business.

Next, Rep. McMorris Rodgers stopped by the Renaissance Marine Group to tour their facility and learn about the work they do. Not only do they make great boats, but this group employs nearly 125 people in the Lewiston-Clarkston area in manufacturing.

From there, the Congresswoman hosted a listening session with local veterans where she took time to listen to their stories and their experiences with the VA and other benefit programs. They discussed her work on behalf of veterans and how we can all work together to create a more efficient, effective, and accountable VA.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers then traveled north to Pullman to hold another Coffee with Cathy event. Here, she heard from a variety of folks who shared their thoughts on health care, infrastructure, and regulations that are making it difficult for rural communities. They also touched on rural broadband and the need to bring fiber and other broadband options to many of the rural communities in Southeastern Washington so they can remain competitive with other parts of the state.

She then stopped by Little Edison’s School at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) to tour and talk about childcare. This facility offers childcare for SEL employees and works around their hours and needs to provide a truly great resource for these hardworking people. They also discussed how regulations on the childcare industry continue to make it more difficult to provide quality and affordable care.

Next, she made the trip to Spokane and hosted some of the area’s best and brightest young people. Every year, the Congresswoman nominates local youth for admission into U.S. Service Academies, and this year Eastern Washington is sending its largest group since she’s been in office. As she said on Facebook, “This evening I hosted my Service Academy Nominations Reception for all the young people from Eastern Washington that received appointments and will be attending a United States Service Academy next year. Excited to see the great things they will accomplish.”

Finally, the Congresswoman hosted another unity dinner with a group of local individuals and on Thursday, she began her day by hosting another Peaceful Communities Roundtable in Spokane with leaders in the community from a variety of backgrounds. These events are opportunities to find common ground and work together to create a stronger, more unified community.

Later, she joined in celebrating the Davenport’s John Reed. Anyone who has ever visited the Davenport knows John. The iconic doorman celebrated his 75th year of work at the Historic Davenport Hotel this week. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers joined the celebration as the hotel dedicated one of their historic board rooms in John’s honor. During the dedication, Rep. McMorris Rodgers presented John with an official Congressional Record honoring his time and service to the Davenport and this community.

Later in the day, the Congresswoman visited Cathy’s Riverpoint Pharmacy to hear about the work compounding pharmacies do and discuss compounding enforcement and regulatory overreach by the Food and Drug Administration.

It was another great week in Eastern Washington, and the Congresswoman used her time to hear directly from folks all across the Fifth Congressional District. Next week the House will be back in session in the nation’s capital to continue getting results for the American people.

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