Editorial: McMorris Rodgers in best position to serve Eastern Washington
A decade into her service as 5th Congressional District representative, Cathy McMorris Rodgers is anchored firmly in the House Republican hierarchy.
Although we admire the business achievements and community and tribal contributions made by Democratic challenger Joe Pakootas, the attention McMorris Rodgers can bring to the concerns of Eastern Washington – the survival of Fairchild Air Force Base, support for the Veterans Affairs hospital and more medical education and research – require her continued presence in Washington, D.C.
The Spokesman-Review endorses her bid for a sixth term, but with some qualification.
Renewed authorization of the Export-Import Bank, for example, is vital to Washington’s aerospace industry, including dozens of companies in Eastern Washington. McMorris Rodgers, alone among the state’s nine other representatives and two senators, has been unenthusiastic about the bank, which helps finance aircraft purchases. This is the biggest jobs bill on the congressional agenda for Washington, and she needs to tune out tea party claims of cronyism.
But just how toxic the Capitol has become was underscored earlier this year when, in response to a question from our editorial board, McMorris Rodgers said Obamacare was “probably” here to stay. The conservative blogosphere erupted as if that was a statement of approval. It was not, but the response illustrates the risk of breaking ranks.
When her constituent interests are at stake, McMorris Rodgers should do so more often.
That’s not necessary in the case of Fairchild, the region’s biggest single-site employer and the magnet for the region’s largest population of military retirees. The base will need a strong advocate in the potential event the armed services are called upon to downsize, and McMorris Rodgers will be that person in the House.
The Spokane VA hospital, like others throughout the system, also needs more resources to provide care and therapy to veterans. As a high-ranking Republican, McMorris Rodgers can see that the hospital and other regional facilities caring for veterans do not get overlooked.
Pakootas has had to run an uphill campaign against a well-financed and high-profile incumbent, and he has done so by stressing his success running his own business and restructuring the Colville Tribe’s faltering enterprises.
He had to make tough decisions – closing some and laying off employees – but they make a profit today.
His is the kind of story Republicans would celebrate if he were not a Democrat.
But with the GOP odds-on to retain the House and potentially become majority party in the Senate, McMorris Rodgers will be better-positioned than Pakootas to work for Eastern Washington if she is re-elected. We encourage voters to give her a sixth term.