One More GOP Lawmaker Abruptly Announces Retirement

Yet another GOP lawmaker has announced her retirement from Congress following a years-long career on Capitol Hill.

Following nearly two decades on the hill, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) has announced that she will not be seeking re-election.

Rodgers has served as Washington’s 5th District representative for 18 years and also headed the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The Congresswoman did not specify the reasons for her retirement from Congress, only touching on how important her family is to her.

Rodgers announced via social media: “After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided the time has come to serve the people of Eastern Washington in new ways. I will not be running for re-election to the People’s House.”

After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided the time has come to serve the people of Eastern Washington in new ways. I will not be running for re-election to the People’s House.

My full statement: pic.twitter.com/rGeLnJoT6L

— CathyMcMorrisRodgers (@cathymcmorris) February 8, 2024

The Hill provided this statement from Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone—a Democrat:

“It’s no secret that getting things done around here is hard work, but Cathy and I have been able to get important legislation passed to lower health care costs, increase transparency in hospital pricing, and move the ball forward on establishing comprehensive national data privacy standard.”

Here are just some of the recent positions taken by Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers on the Congressional floor:

President Biden is “heeding the calls”—as he puts it—of radical environmental activists who are intent on shutting down American energy.

This is not an LNG export “pause.” This is a ban. pic.twitter.com/1KoiwmNrX4

— CathyMcMorrisRodgers (@cathymcmorris) February 6, 2024

Every person’s life has value—no patient should ever be denied treatment because of a disability or chronic illness.

I'm leading the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act to end the use of QALYS and other discriminatory measures in our health care system. pic.twitter.com/GrUuiGK60f

— CathyMcMorrisRodgers (@cathymcmorris) February 7, 2024

The damage will be felt in communities across the U.S. and in nearly every sector of our economy, jeopardizing millions of good-paying jobs. We should be making it easier, not harder, to expand our manufacturing & industrial capacity. The EPA must abandon this reckless agenda.

— CathyMcMorrisRodgers (@cathymcmorris) February 7, 2024

CNN pointed out this trend:

She is the third chair to announce their retirement this Congress following Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry of North Carolina and Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger of Texas.