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Cathy McMorris sworn in

Fifth Congressional District Representative Cathy McMorris flashes a giant smile toward her parents, brother, grandmother and friends sitting in the gallery Tuesday afternoon on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., as the members of Congress were sworn in. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
By Kevin Graman kevingr@spokesman.com
Fifth Congressional District Representative Cathy McMorris flashes a giant smile toward her parents, brother, grandmother and friends sitting in the gallery Tuesday afternoon on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., as the members of Congress were sworn in. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)

WASHINGTON – With family and friends watching from the gallery, Cathy McMorris was sworn in Tuesday as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and quickly got down to business.

She wasted no time co-sponsoring her first bill – a measure to eliminate the estate tax, which Republicans call “the death tax” – and cast her first vote, changing rules for the 109th Congress.

As representatives-elect gathered on the floor of the House, McMorris sat between Central Washington Republican Rep. “Doc” Hastings and Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who, at 29 years old, is the youngest member of Congress.

The first order of the day was to re-elect Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., as speaker of the House. He welcomed the 38 new House members and urged them to find mentors among their veteran colleagues.

“There is great wisdom here,” Hastert said. “Try to seek out the Henry Hydes and Charles Rangles among you.”

The speaker identified his party’s top priorities for the new session of Congress: national security, Social Security and tax reform.

“Our tax code is killing jobs in America,” Hastert said, adding, “This Republican majority will not raise taxes.”

After Hastert’s speech, the oath of office was administered. “The reality of what a big assignment and huge responsibility this is hit me right then,” McMorris said.

Back in the congressional offices on the seventh floor of the Longworth Building, across the street from the Capitol, McMorris staff members entertained a standing-room-only crowd waiting to congratulate the 35-year-old congresswoman from Kettle Falls.

Among them was 2nd District Democratic Rep. Rick Larson, who could barely wait to unload a Washington congressional delegation tradition on McMorris. It was a particularly bad painting of a newly hatched chick purchased by then-Rep. Joel Pritchard in 1972 and handed down ever since to the newest member of Congress from the Evergreen state. On the back were the signatures of each new senator or representative.

“The rule is, you have to hang it up in your office,” Larson said. “I hung it in a closet.”

McMorris accepted the painting graciously, happy to have an office to hang it in. She said she did not receive the keys to her new digs until 9 a.m. Monday, the day before her swearing in.

When McMorris’ staff was finally able to move in, the first phone call she received was from George Nethercutt, her predecessor, who wished her the best in the job he left to unsuccessfully challenge Patty Murray for her Senate seat.

McMorris also heard from 6th District Democrat Norm Dicks, who offered her advice and promised to stand with her in defense of Fairchild Air Force Base during the next round of military base closings.

Even before being sworn in Tuesday, McMorris was busy as the freshman member of the Republican Steering Committee, which appoints party members to committees and chooses committee chairs. The big job this week is to choose a leader for the Appropriations Committee.

The contenders are Reps. Ralph Regula of Ohio, Jerry Lewis of California and Harold Rogers of Kentucky. McMorris declined to say which of the three would get her vote.

As for herself, McMorris is seeking two committee assignments, in order of preference, to Armed Services, Resources, Judiciary, Agriculture or Transportation. House members will not find out their assignments until at least the end of the week.