Safeguarding our Nation and Community

Working together we will continue to make Eastern Washington a safe place to live, work and raise a family. In Congress, McMorris Rodgers focuses on areas where the federal government can make a difference: overcrowded jails, meth and the war on drugs, and empowering our communities to fight crime.

According to local law enforcement officials, over the past five years, Spokane has not arrested those who commit misdemeanors crimes because they do not have the jail space. In fact, there are over 40,000 warrants waiting to be served today. Serious crimes deserve serious consequences. McMorris Rodgers will continue to work on securing federal appropriations to help build additional space at the Spokane County jail and resources for transportation of federal prisoners.

Methamphetamine is an extremely dangerous drug. It causes severe health problems for its users and leads to numerous social costs and increased crime. As a member of the The Meth Caucus, McMorris Rodgers has been working with to help address the growing struggle against Meth.

Citizens deserve to know of the potential dangers in their community. We must take safeguards against identity theft and improve information regarding sexual predators.

Legislation Sponsored

H.R. 3144 Sex Offender Internet Prohibition Act of 2007
Imposes mandatory penalties for registered sex offenders who knowingly access an Internet website with the intent to communicate with an unsuspecting child offender.

Legislation Co-sponsored

110th Congress

H. Res 539 National Night Out Resolution
Requests that the President focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime prevention and community policing, and coordinate certain Federal efforts to participate in “National Night Out.”

H.R. 251 Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007
Makes it unlawful for any person in the United States to transmit misleading or inaccurate caller identification information, unless such transmission is exempted in connection with authorized activities of law enforcement agencies.

H.R. 367 Gang Elimination Act of 2007
Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on a national strategy to eliminate the illegal operations of National Threat Drug Gangs.

H.R. 545 Native American Methamphetamine Enforcement and Treatment Act of 2007
Allow tribal governments to be applicants for the Hot Spots and Drug-Endangered Children program.

H.R.1061 Protecting American Commerce and Travel Act of 2007
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to conduct a pilot program to determine if a state driver's license may be enhanced to satisfy requirements of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) for land and sea travel only.

H.R. 1199 Drug Endangered Children Act of 2007
Extends the Drug Endangered Children grant program for states to FY08-FY09 that was passed as part of the USA PATRIOT Act.

H.R. 1582 Gang Abatement and Prevention Act
Increases criminal penalties for gang related crimes, increases funding and grants to combat street gangs, and provides further assistance to areas within states designated as high intensity interstate gang activity areas.

H.R. 2325 Court and Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 2007
Ensures tough, mandatory punishment for criminals who murder or assault law enforcement officers or judges in the course of or on account of their performance of official duties.

H.R. 2425 Stop Marketing Illegal Drugs to Minors Act
Amends current drug law to enhance penalties for those who manufacture drugs designed to appeal to minors due to enhanced packaging, coloring, or flavoring, etc.

109th Congress

H.R. 1602 Grants for DNA Backlog of Prosecutions Act
Provides the funding need to train and employ personnel to help prosecute cases cleared through the use of funds provided for DNA backlog elimination specifically benefiting Washington State.

H.R. 1616 Protecting Children from Drugs Act of 2005
Increases the penalty for those who manufacture meth in the presence of children.

H.R. 3132 Children’s Safety Act of 2005
This legislation passed the House of Representatives and was incorporated into H.R. 4472, the Children’s Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2006.

H.R. 3889 Methamphetamine Epidemic Elimination Act
Further regulates and punishes illicit conduct relating to methamphetamine.

H.R. 4712 Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2007
Improves the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Program to ensure that sex offenders register – and keep current – where they reside, work, and attend school

H.R. 5291 Gang Elimination Act of 2006
Directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on a national strategy to eliminate the illegal operations of National Threat Drug Gangs

Press Releases

• McMorris Rodgers Introduces Legislation to Protect Children from Online Predators (July 25, 2007)
• McMorris Recognizes Methamphetamine Awareness Day (November 30, 2006)
• McMorris Hails Legislation to Keep Children Safe from Predators (July 25, 2006)
• Eastern Washington projects included in Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations Bill (June 29, 2006)
• McMorris Holds Crime and Drug Enforcement Town Hall in Colville (March 31, 2006)
• McMorris Stresses Importance of Fighting Meth in Eastern Washington (March 9, 2006)
• McMorris Votes to Protect Children against Sex Offenders (March 8, 2006)
• McMorris Votes to Protect our Regional and National Security (December 14, 2005)
• McMorris Announces $3 Million Grant for Spokane Police Department (September 16, 2005)
• McMorris Takes Action to Protect America's Children (September 14, 2005)
• McMorris Announces Crime Plan at Town Hall (August 29, 2005)