Cathy McMorris Rodgers is a prominent Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Washington’s 5th Congressional District since January 3, 2005. She was born on May 22, 1969, in Salem, Oregon, and grew up in Kettle Falls, Washington. McMorris Rodgers completed her early education at Columbia River Christian Academy before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Pensacola Christian College in 1990 and an MBA from the University of Washington in 2002. Apart from her political career, she has a background in family business, managing a family orchard.

McMorris Rodgers began her political journey as a member of the Washington State House of Representatives, where she served from 1994 to 2004, eventually becoming the minority leader. She was first elected to Congress in 2004 and has been re-elected ever since, marking her significant influence within the Republican Party. She held the position of chair for the House Republican Conference during the 113th to 115th Congresses and is currently the chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in the 118th Congress.

Throughout her legislative career, McMorris Rodgers has sponsored and co-sponsored several bills that reflect her political priorities and beliefs. Notably, she introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023, which seeks to prohibit federal funding related to abortion services. This bill is emblematic of her strong pro-life stance. Additionally, she co-sponsored the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2023, advocating for increased audits of the Federal Reserve by the Government Accountability Office, which signifies her commitment to transparency and accountability in federal financial agencies.

McMorris Rodgers has also shown a proactive approach to energy policy through her involvement with bills such as the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, which seeks to restrict petroleum sales from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to entities connected to the Chinese Communist Party. This legislation underscores her focus on national security and domestic energy independence.

In addition to her legislative priorities surrounding healthcare, energy, and fiscal accountability, she has engaged in social issues, as seen in her support for legislation like the Military Family Nutrition Act of 2023, aimed at enhancing nutrition support for military families.

Politically, McMorris Rodgers aligns with conservative values, as evidenced by her legislative record, reinforcing traditional family values and advancing measures to restrict services like abortion and bolster support for military and law enforcement. Her co-sponsorship of bills aimed at election integrity, such as the American Confidence in Elections Act, highlights her commitment to ensuring voter confidence, albeit amidst partisan debate about access and equity in voting.

As a notable political figure, she has demonstrated leadership qualities both within her party and on the committees she serves, including her influential role in the Energy and Commerce Committee, which navigates critical issues ranging from public health to telecommunications. McMorris Rodgers announced she would not seek reelection in the upcoming 2024 elections, marking an end to two decades of legislative service.

Personal life for McMorris Rodgers is enriched by her family; she is married to Brian Rodgers and they have three children. Her approach to governance frequently emphasizes community engagement and the importance of public service, illustrating her commitment to the constituents of Washington's 5th District.