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The Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service

Cathy McMorris Rodgers

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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 5th district—the position formerly held by Tom Foley. The Congresswoman introduced herself and discussed issues of importance for twenty minutes, and then opened the floor up to questions 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 questions about gun control, appropriately as there were two initiatives on the Washington ballot related to gun control and background checks. The Congresswoman was also 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.

McMorris Rodgers secured two more years in Congress after re-election in November 2014, defeating democratic challenger Joe Pakootas of Colville.

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