Cathy McMorris Rodgers was elected to the House of Representatives in 2004. The former Washington State Representative was a champion for the unborn in the state legislature, and she has continued her unending efforts to protect life as a member of Congress. Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers has co-sponsored the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, the Weldon-Stupak Human Cloning Prohibition Act, and the Child Custody Protection Act. Cathy represents Washington's 5th Congressional district.She is currently Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. She is married to Brian Rodgers and gave birth to her first son, Cole, in early 2006.

Cathy’s young son Cole has Down Syndrome, and he inspired her to start the first ever Down Syndrome Caucus in the House of Representatives to raise awareness about the blessings of children affected by the disease. She launched the caucus on Mother’s Day 2008. Considering that over 90% of unborn children diagnosed with Down Syndrome are aborted each year, Cathy McMorris Rodgers and her son Cole are a real beacon of Life, spreading the message that every child is a gift and blessing.

The New Mother in Congress

I truly believe that as Americans there is more that unites us than divides us. My goal as a political leader has always been to proactively serve the people of my region, state and country. In order to do this it is important to work together and promote good ideas and legislation.

Serving as the minority leader in the Washington State Legislature taught me the importance of bipartisan cooperation, fostering relationships and the need for open communication. Since coming to Congress, I have worked with members of both parties on issues ranging from health information technology, student loans, veterans and education. Being a good leader and legislator is not about getting credit, but about helping and serving others. Having now served in both the majority and the minority party, I believe that more can be accomplished when we work together and find common ground.

You began your political career as a young state representative in Washington. What advice can you give to other young women aspiring to become leaders in politics?

Little did I dream many years ago that I would ever grow up and serve in Congress. I was born and raised on the farm and was the first in my family to go to college. I truly feel like I have lived the American dream. I got involved in politics because I believed then, as I believe now, in the ideas and values of freedom, opportunity, commitment to family, a strong faith in God and personal responsibility. I wanted to make a difference and I figured the best way to do that is to get involved.

Today there are more women serving in Congress than ever before, and I hope that inspires more young women to pursue a career in politics. I encourage anyone interested in getting involved to volunteer in their com-munity or participate in a political campaign. One of the most rewarding experiences a person can have is by giving back to your community and helping others. It will open your eyes and give you a new understanding of people, values and ideas. These are the lessons and experiences that will shape who you are as a person and as a leader.

How has becoming a new mother while serving in office affected your role as a Congresswoman?

Congress is compiled of members with an array of back-grounds and experiences representing every region of the country, every walk of life, and a range of occupations. It is important and appropriate that moms, like the million of women in this country who balance family and career, also serve in Congress and bring that perspective to the legislative process. As a legislator, broad experiences enhance ones ability to understand issues and comprehend the human impact. Having a child will broaden my awareness as well as my understanding of the challenges facing families today. The biggest challenge will be finding enough hours in the day to meet the vital needs of my son and family while continuing to be responsive to the needs and issues facing the people of Eastern Washington.

Having a baby of my own, and experiencing first-hand the miracle of life, only further reaffirmed my pro-life position. I believe that life begins at conception, that every life is a gift from God and should be protected as such.

What's it like to be a pro-life woman in Congress?

As one of only 12 pro-life women in the House of Representatives, it is important for me to be a strong advocate for the sanctity of life. That is why I have co-sponsored and supported legisla-tion that protects life from conception through death. Last Congress I sup-ported the Right to Life Act, which declared that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being, encompassing all states of life including (but not limited to) the moment of fertilization or cloning. I also co-sponsored the Unborn Child Pain AwarenessAct to ensure that women who seek an abortion are fully aware of the pain experienced by their unborn child, and co-sponsored the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act to prohibit minors from crossing state lines to obtain an abortion without parental notification.

I also oppose expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. I share the desire to find cures for devastating diseases, but believe we should pro-mote those fields of research that not only offer potential, but that also demonstrates results. I sup-port adult stem cell research because of its promising developments and the true hope it holds for Americans who struggle with debilitating diseases. As a society, we need to be conscious of exploring avenues that allow science to advance without crossing moral boundaries.