On October 31, 2014, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers visited Pullman to participate in our Coffee & Politics series. While visiting Pullman to hear from her constituents, the Congresswoman stopped by the Institute to share about her roles and duties as U.S. representative of Washington’s 5^th district—the position formerly held by Tom Foley. The Congresswoman introduced herself and discussed her mission for twenty minutes, and then opened the floor up to questions and answers from a standing-room-only crowd comprised of WSU faculty, staff, and students, as well as Pullman community members.

The Q&A session started with a question about gun control, appropriately as there were two initiatives on the Washington ballot related to gun control and background checks. McMorris Rodgers

The Congresswoman was asked to discuss the future of Obamacare. An opponent of the Affordable Care Act, McMorris Rodgers pointed out the aspects of the ACA she hoped would be debated in Congress further. She disagreed with the limitations of choice that individuals would have in health care choices, as well as the 30 million people who would remain uninsured even with the implementation of the ACA. McMorris Rodgers insisted on a need to America to strive for a health care reform that would be seen as a model for the rest of the world.

The Congresswoman secured two more years in her position after re-election in November 2014, winning against democratic challenger Joe Pakootas of Colville.