U.S. Representative
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Export-Import Bank reauthorization gains Washington’s senators’ support
Washington’s two senators helped sponsor a bipartisan bill Thursday that would keep a major export program important to the state from going out of business. But Congress, which starts a five-week recess this weekend, will have to use parliamentary shortcuts to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank for five years before its current charter runs out on Sept. 30.
Editorial: Wilson best positioned to challenge McMorris Rodgers in 5th District
Cathy McMorris Rodgers is seeking her sixth term representing the 5th Congressional District. Although we are endorsing her candidacy in the Aug. 5 primary, we also recommend voters choose Independent Dave Wilson from among three challengers, one of whom will advance to the general election.
McMorris Rodgers faces three challengers in August primary
When a member of Congress rises to leadership and is chosen to respond to a president’s State of the Union Address, it’s usually a sign he or she is well-regarded and secure in re-election. For Cathy McMorris Rodgers, an Eastern Washington Republican seeking her sixth term in the House of Representatives, being in leadership and providing the GOP response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address are things for her primary opponents to criticize as they scramble to survive next month’s primary.
Q-and-A with candidates for Washington’s 5th District
All four candidates for Washington’s 5th Congressional District were asked the same series of questions on key issues. Here are their answers. Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot.
Spin Control: Clock ticking on candidate debates, initiatives
In a sign that campaign season is truly upon us, last week saw the first debate over debates, the annual exercise in which one candidate dares another to meet on the field of verbal combat, and the person challenged offers a reason not to jump at the chance. Independent candidate Dave Wilson challenged Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers to 10 debates – five before the Aug. 5 primary and five after. This may seem a bit presumptuous on Wilson’s part, considering no independent congressional candidate has made it through the state’s top-two primary, but congressional candidates must be confident above all else.
McMorris Rodgers: Export-Import Bank needs reform
The Export-Import Bank must institute serious reforms to protect taxpayers before Congress reauthorizes it this year, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said Tuesday. The bank, which provides funds for the purchase of American goods by foreign buyers, is important for thousands of jobs in trade-dependent Washington, she said. But she wants to be sure the taxpayers are protected.
McMorris Rodgers won’t seek Cantor’s spot
The day after the House of Representative’s No. 2 Republican fell to a primary challenger, Eastern Washington congressional candidates were hoping for a boost to knock off the No. 4 Republican. Meanwhile, that No. 4 – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers – said she wouldn’t be trying to leapfrog to No. 3.
Cantor plans to resign from leadership
WASHINGTON — Repudiated at the polls, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor intends to resign his leadership post, officials said Wednesday, clearing the way for a potentially disruptive Republican shake-up a few months before midterm elections with control of Congress at stake.
5th District hopeful Tom Horne challenges Cathy McMorris-Rodgers
A retired engineer and volunteer firefighter who joined the race against Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers on Friday said he’s unimpressed with the five-term incumbent and others in House Republican leadership on issues ranging from immigration to health care. Tom Horne, 65, of Nine Mile Falls, said he wants to replace the Affordable Care Act with a better system but questions House Republicans’ multiple votes to repeal it, only to have the bills die in the Senate.
Dave Wilson hopes for 5th District victory
Spokane businessman Dave Wilson has at least two lofty goals in his run as an independent for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ seat in the House of Representatives. A triumph in August’s primary would be the first by an Eastern Washington congressional candidate not aligned with either Republicans or Democrats since the state switched to the top-two primary system a decade ago. He would be just the second independent candidate to advance to the general election statewide since that time.
Republican right condemns McMorris Rodgers remark on ACA
Comments from U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers about the future of the Affordable Care Act published last week have incited a firestorm of criticism among right-leaning media outlets suggesting surrender by the GOP. In an unrecorded interview with a reporter, two opinion-page editors and the publisher of The Spokesman-Review on Thursday, McMorris Rodgers was asked whether the news that 600,000 Washington residents had signed up for new health care plans through the state exchange signaled that “Obamacare” was here to stay.
Editorial: Optimistic words not enough to make urgent immigration fix
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers made some welcome remarks last week about the prospects for immigration reform. But infighting among her fellow Republican leaders suggests legislation will not be on the floor soon. While she was telling The Spokesman-Review editorial board some reform measures could be ready by August, House Speaker John Boehner was comically candid about the appetite his Republican colleagues have for taking the politically painful votes that will be necessary.
McMorris Rodgers says ACA likely to stay
With the news this week that more than 600,000 Washington residents have acquired new health care plans through the state exchange, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said it’s unlikely the Affordable Care Act will be repealed. “We need to look at reforming the exchanges,” the Eastern Washington Republican said Thursday.