Cathy McMorris Rodgers is a trailblazing leader and passionate advocate for America’s founding principles like free speech, religious liberty, and free markets, whose distinguished career spans three decades of public service to her state and nation. Cathy represented Washington State’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2004 to 2024. She was the 200th woman elected to Congress and made history as the first to give birth three times while in office, balancing leadership with a deep commitment to family.

Cathy grew up on the farm and worked in her family’s Peach Crest Orchard and Fruit Stand in Kettle Falls, Washington where she learned early the values of hard work, community, and responsibility. Her journey in public service began in 1994 when she was appointed to the Washington State House of Representatives, where she later became the first female House Republican Leader. Elected to Congress in 2004, she quickly rose to prominence, serving in key leadership roles, including Vice Chair (2009-2012) and Chair (2012-2018) of the House Republican Conference. 

In 2021, she became the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, assuming the Chairmanship in 2023—the first woman to lead this influential committee since its founding in 1795. With jurisdiction over 80% of the U.S. economy, Cathy shaped transformative legislation on energy, healthcare, technology, and privacy, earning national recognition for her innovative policymaking and bipartisan trust-building.

Throughout her tenure, Cathy’s faith has been a cornerstone of her leadership. A frequent speaker at events like the National Prayer Breakfast and Washington State Prayer Breakfast, she pursued the power of prayer to unite and heal, encouraging colleagues and constituents to join her in daily Bible reading. Her personal experience as a mother to a son with Down syndrome informed her advocacy for the disabilities community, leading her to found and co-chair the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome and support initiatives like the ABLE Act. In 2022, she introduced H.R. 874, calling for a National Year of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer, reflecting her belief in spiritual renewal as a foundation for national strength.

Now, as the founder of the Cathy McMorris Rodgers Leadership Institute, Cathy is dedicated to inspiring and equipping the next generation of American leaders. Rooted in the conviction that freedom and faith are the bedrock of the nation’s greatness, the Institute aims to cultivate leaders who embody moral clarity and courage to continue our pursuit for a more perfect union. Drawing on her extensive experience—from delivering the Republican Response to President Obama’s 2014 State of the Union Address to leading policy reforms on Capitol Hill—Cathy brings a wealth of insight to this mission. Her extensive network of relationships with elected officials, policy experts, and industry leaders, combined with her media savvy and thought leadership, positions her to guide this endeavor with impact.

Cathy is married to Brian Rodgers, a retired 26-year Navy Commander, and together they have three children. They attend Mosaic Fellowship and reside in Spokane, Washington, where she remains deeply connected to the community that shaped her. Through CMRLI, she continues her lifelong commitment to building trust, doing good, and ensuring America endures as a beacon of hope and freedom for generations to come.