(Washington, D.C.)  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers recently received the “Champion of the Merit Shop” award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) for her legislative work to promote free enterprise, tax cuts and reduced regulations for businesses. McMorris Rodgers received an 89 percent score from ABC for votes taken during the 109th Congress.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Associated Builders and Contractors for my work to ensure our local companies stay competitive,” said McMorris Rodgers. “As a member of the Education and Labor Committee, I understand that in order for our small businesses in Eastern Washington to succeed they need access to capital, lower taxes, a skilled workforce and open markets for trade.”

ABC specifically recognized McMorris Rodgers for her support of permanently repealing the Death Tax, passing tax relief extension, making reforms to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure that enforcement efforts are fair for small businesses, and approving Association Health Plans, which allow small businesses to band together to purchase health insurance plans outside of state boundaries.

“It is an honor to recognize Rep. McMorris Rodgers for her voting record on issues we feel to be the most significant to the commercial and industrial construction industry,” said Dave Meyer, 2007 ABC national chairman. “This award gives us an opportunity to positively acknowledge lawmakers who consistently support the merit shop philosophy.”

The “Champion of the Merit Shop” award reflects ABC’s commitment to fair competition and free enterprise. ABC tracks the voting records of all legislators on select legislation as indicative of their support for, or opposition to, issues that are critical to the merit shop and the commercial and industrial construction industry.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association representing more than 24,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms in 78 chapters across the United States.