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Editorial: McMorris Rodgers deserves another term in House

Sun., Oct. 11, 2020

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has represented Washington’s sprawling 5th Congressional District since 2005. We recommend voters send her back for another term.

McMorris Rodgers is a Republican in a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives. Usually, that would be an exercise in frustration and futility, but not for McMorris Rodgers. She has worked well with the Washington delegation to pass legislation and secure funding crucial to Eastern Washington.

Little more than a month ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new outpatient clinic in collaboration with Washington State University Health Sciences. That clinic could serve more than 2,000 veterans and train medical students. McMorris Rodgers had a hand in securing it and has been a leading proponent of legislation to reauthorize federal funding for teaching health centers nationally.

McMorris Rodgers has proved equally adept at securing funding for transportation projects. Just in the past couple of years, the Spokane Tribe of Indians received $1.8 million for road infrastructure improvements, Spokane International Airport won an $11.3 million grant for a rail and freight project, and the Spokane Transit Authority got $53.4 million for a bus rapid transit line through downtown.

She has been a staunch supporter of Fairchild Air Force Base.

Does McMorris Rodgers deserve sole credit for all of that? Of course not. She was a team player who worked with her fellow Washingtonians in the House and Senate to achieve those goals. And that’s the point. She excels at getting the important, practical work done for her constituents.

On broader policy issues, district voters will agree or disagree. She’s passionately pro-business, especially small business and agricultural industries. She views economic development as crucial to the success of the region. She also is a social conservative and has supported Republican causes such as repealing the Affordable Care Act. Yet all that pales next to her record of accomplishment.

Meanwhile, her opponent offers nothing to justify replacing her. Democrat Dave Wilson has no experience in elected office. He’s run several times for this or that, but he’s never won. He also doesn’t appear to be running against McMorris Rodgers. During a recent debate hosted by Rotary Club 21 of Spokane and aired in conjunction with The Spokesman-Review’s Northwest Passages Book Club, almost every one of his answers turned into an attack on President Donald Trump. McMorris Rodgers was part of his critique only insofar as she is a member of the same party who has supported many Republican goals.

“The president is a danger to our democracy and is enabled by GOP lawmakers who have lost their moral compass. This includes McMorris Rodgers,” he said in an early answer explaining why he’s a better choice. “Donald Trump’s behavior, false statements and threats not to accept the results of the election nor to a peaceful transition of power have led to a significant loss of trust and faith in our government.”

Opposition to Trump is not sufficient justification for election to the House of Representatives over an accomplished, experienced representative who has served the 5th District well. Reelect McMorris Rodgers.