109th Congress Accomplishments

Creating Jobs & Growing the economy

Cathy has promoted economic growth throughout Eastern Washington by providing funding for key transportation gateways, ensuring affordable and reliable energy, supporting a 21st century workforce, and easing the tax burden paid by our working families and small business.

Protecting the economic interests of the agricultural and resources community

• Supported Energy Assistance for Farmers and expressed concerns regarding how county loan rates are calculated by sending a letter to Secretary Johanns
• Cosponsored the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2005
• Secured funding for agricultural research at WSU’s Johnson Hall
• Received commitment from USDA to purchase 241,500 metric tons of Pacific Northwest Soft White Wheat for Food Aid programs
• Hosted Chairman Goodlatte and Secretary Johanns to listen to the needs of our farmers and gain input on the 2007 Farm Bill

Spearheading balanced and sustainable approaches to manage our resource assets

• Sponsored the ESA Compliance and Transparency Act to require endangered species recovery costs to be listed on electricity billing statements
• Chaired a Task Force to update and strengthen the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) to put commonsense back in environmental decision making

Developing a 21st century workforce

• Passed amendment enhancing American competitiveness in math, science and foreign language to increase the number of students entering these critical fields
• Supports legislation focusing on academic achievement and working to ease the transition from high school to postsecondary opportunities
• Hosted Education Secretary Spellings and Majority Leader Boehner in Eastern Washington
• Successfully fought to keep the Perkins Loan Program from being eliminated in the FY06 and FY07 budgets

Reducing taxes and regulatory burdens on Northwest companies

• Sponsored legislation to permanently repeal the Death Tax
• Fought to extend inclusion of state sales tax deduction on federal taxes
• Voted to extend tax relief policies to help small businesses and families

Advocating for new and existing infrastructure that connects Eastern Washington

• Secured funding for North-South Corridor, Bridging the Valley, University District, and I-90 widening
• Connecting telecom and internet to Eastern Washington with Gigapop and innovative technology

Keeping Pacific Northwest energy rates low, increasing our domestic oil supply, and encouraging alternative and more efficient energy sources

• Helped stop the proposal to increase BPA rates, and conducted field hearing to discuss rate proposal and Endangered Species Act (ESA) cost transparency.
• Supports tax incentives for alterative fuel and energy sources including wind, biofuels, and fuel cell technology.
• Promoting innovation by visiting local companies such as ReliOn and Itron
• Reducing our dependence on foreign oil by supporting drilling in ANWR and the outer-continental shelf

Increasing Access to Quality and Affordable Healthcare

Cathy has worked tirelessly to increase healthcare quality and access, enhance availability and deployment of Health IT for patients and doctors, and promote affordable healthcare, including Associated Health Plans.

Providing access to healthcare for veterans and seniors

• Voted to provide $975 million in additional funds for veteran health care programs
• Supported legislation increasing access to physical therapists and critical care, access to mental health, and national cancer goals
• Held senior roundtable events at 7 different retirement communities

Improving access to quality, affordable healthcare in rural communities

• Introduced the Rural Health Training Incentive Act of 2005 to increase healthcare access in Eastern Washington
• Sponsored legislation to strengthen the WWAMI program that recruits and trains primary care doctors to practice in underserved areas
• Cosponsored Associated Health Plan legislation to allow small businesses to band together to offer health insurance coverage

Addressing the shortages in the healthcare workforce

• Supported additional funding for nursing, science, math and language programs to recruit highly qualified individuals to serve our nations healthcare needs
• Supported expansion of the University of Washington/Washington Sate University medical school in Spokane
• Co-sponsored the HEALTH Act to bring much needed medical liability reform to health care providers in Eastern Washington

Advocating for technology in the healthcare industry to reduce costs and improve services

• Introduced Medicaid Access Project through Information Technology (MAP IT) Act of 2005 and is the cosponsor of Health IT legislation

Keeping Our Nation and Communities Safe

Cathy continues to communicate with local and regional law enforcement officials to stem the flow of illegal drugs, protect our children and neighborhoods, and support our veterans and men and women in the military.

Keeping our communities safe

• Co-sponsored the Child Safety Act to protect children from sexual predators
• Addressing the problem of overcrowded jails to keep criminals off the street
• Held crime town halls with local, state and federal law enforcement officials

Fighting the war on drugs

• Co-sponsored the Methamphetamine Epidemic Elimination Act
• Supported funding for the Washington State Meth Initiative
• Is a member of the Meth Caucus and the Speaker’s Drug Task Force for a Drug Free America

Securing our borders and safeguarding the nation against future terrorist attacks

• Member of the Northern Border Caucus
• Co-Sponsored the Northern Border Prosecution Initiative Reimbursement Act

Protecting and expanding the role of military in Eastern Washington

• Successfully fought to keep units and base open at Fairchild during Base Realignment and Closure process
• Actively working to secure replacement KC-135 tankers
• Providing our military personnel with continued benefits, technology, and security funding
• Supporting our veterans and the current men and women serving in the military
• Supported appropriations to improve military quality of life, and approved a 16% increase in veterans’ medical care funding
• Voted for the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2005
• Working to ensure Eastern Washington has a veterans cemetery
• Awarded 9 Jubilee of Liberty Medals to World War II veterans