Our view: McMorris Rodgers attuned to region’s interests

Cathy McMorris Rodgers will turn 40 next spring, possibly as a third-term member of Congress.

Her age is noteworthy, because it is easy to forget that Eastern Washington’s Republican U.S. representative spent a decade in the state Legislature, rising to the position of House minority leader, and is about to complete her second term in Congress. That’s a lot of lawmaking experience for one so young.

It’s also a sign of personal belief in democratic principles and commitment to political engagement. More young people should show such an interest, regardless of party.

McMorris Rodgers’ opponent in the Nov. 4 general election is Spokane psychiatrist and attorney Mark Mays, who was active in the campaign of McMorris Rodgers’ 2006 challenger, Peter Goldmark. He has no legislative experience, but he is bright, informed and articulate.

Democrat Mays describes himself as a moderate alternative to McMorris Rodgers, whom he considers an extremist. He believes this election gives voters a choice about “what kind of country we’re going to have.”

Indeed, there have been times when McMorris Rodgers harnessed herself too tightly to a rigid conservative ideology, especially on social issues. Still, her instincts for fiscal caution are an asset during perilous economic times such as these.

While we don’t necessarily embrace her twin no votes on the now-enacted economic rescue measure – explained thinly because the measure wasn’t the “right approach” – we’re scratching our heads over Mays’ strong criticism of her failure to support what was in his words a “horrible, unfair and catastrophic” solution.

Clearly, Congress has an enormous task ahead of it trying to stabilize the economy even as it deals with other monster challenges from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to health care, transportation and energy policy.

And, for every member of Congress, there are a separate set of issues that escape the national radar but matter dearly to the constituents at home.

In Eastern Washington, those concerns include access to health care and other services for veterans, the future of Fairchild Air Force Base and support for rural hospitals.

Those are among the issues that McMorris Rodgers has undertaken during her first four years in Congress. In the process she has developed connections, acquaintances and a track record that position her to represent 5th District interests effectively.

Her seat on the House Armed Services Committee is particularly valuable, given the significance of Fairchild to the Spokane area’s economy. Even if no further base closure rounds occur, decisions remain to be made regarding refueling tankers and whether they will be assigned here, the retention of rescue helicopters used by the Survival School but frequently enlisted for community needs, and the pursuit of state-federal cooperation regarding the Air Force and Air National Guard missions.

McMorris Rodgers has spent 14 years representing voters in Eastern Washington as a state lawmaker and member of Congress. Her two terms in the House have laid the groundwork for continued service on issues critical to the region’s welfare.

She has earned the voters’ confidence and another term.