McMorris makes herself at home

WASHINGTON – Representative-elect Cathy McMorris spent the week establishing a foothold in the nation’s capital, preparing to enact her promises to the 5th Congressional District and champion the conservative agenda highlighted in her campaign.

But first she had to find an office.

McMorris and other new members of the House of Representatives drew numbers Friday to determine the order in which they would claim their work space for the next two years. In a rowdy, high-ceilinged House committee room, McMorris dipped her hand into a polished wooden box topped with gold velvet. She drew No. 10. There were 37 three-office suites available, and the low number gave her a good shot at the more convenient locations with the nicest views.

“Everyone is humbled to be here,” she said. “They’ve truly been laying out the red carpet.”

The office lottery followed a long week of Republican Party conferences and training on everything Congress, from mail service to when they get paid. McMorris said the other legislators were gracious and helpful as their new colleagues adjusted to the frantic pace of Capitol Hill.

“I should buy two pairs of shoes,” she said – one pair that stays in Washington state, one that stays in the Capitol. McMorris said that advice came from a senior representative. In the state, McMorris said, she will probably use current Rep. George Nethercutt’s existing offices in Spokane, Colville and Walla Walla. She hasn’t hired all the staff that will handle the mail, telephone calls and research that will overtake her offices next January, but McMorris said she is looking for people who know Eastern Washington.

As for the Washington on the Potomac, she lost no time in the miniature land rush, perusing 15 offices and even the House gift shop in just under three hours.

“You can get on the balcony, but you have to climb through” a window, said a staff member in the office of Arkansas Republican John Boozman as McMorris and three assistants scoped out the view, the cabinets, the square footage and the color of the carpet.

The re-elected Boozman is leaving the office for better space, and his old digs were her first choice.

Most of the suites were crammed with desks and split up by temporary walls splattered with political cartoons, bumper stickers and the occasional photograph of Ronald Reagan. All the offices have private bathrooms for the representatives, and one has a makeshift sleeping quarters – a closet-sized room with a covered mat, pillow and alarm clock.

McMorris, though, is looking for a real apartment within walking distance.

“I’ve never lived in a big city, so that’s going to be an adjustment for me,” said McMorris, of Colville, who visited the capital numerous times as a state legislator but never lived here. “It’s an incredible city, in that there’s so much history here.”

McMorris, two staff members and a longtime friend with a 9-month-old baby in a stroller clomped down the wide marble hallways of assorted office buildings, looking at room prospects. At one point, they got turned around in the massive Capitol complex and confused on how to get back.

“I get so frustrated,” McMorris said. “I’ll take the long way around everywhere I go.”

After she picks up the keys on Jan. 3, office decor will fall behind a long list of more important concerns. McMorris said she wants to focus on bills that will affect the economy, security and health care. She wants to repeal the estate tax, change malpractice lawsuit rules and make the Sept. 11 commission’s recommendations into law. The nine-year state House veteran said she wants to continue the work she started in Olympia.

“There are so many issues to work on, there are so many people to meet,” she said. One of the first was the president, whom freshman representatives joined at the White House for lunch Monday. Despite minimal confusion over which utensils to use and a mysterious bowl of water next to the dessert, McMorris said it the highlight of the week.

“I think we were all pretty starry-eyed,” she said.

Returning to the conference room, McMorris listened as the first nine members announced their office choices while others looked at fabric swatches and layouts of the rooms on computers. When No. 10 was called, she walked up to the lectern and snatched up 1708 Longworth – Boozman’s old office.

Then she smiled and chatted with her waiting colleagues, her first week in the capital so far a success.