No Result
View All Result
Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
 Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Military Families

McMorris Rodgers legislates for spouse employment, military family issues

Jennifer Barnhill
by Jennifer Barnhill
May 11, 2021
McMorris Rodgers legislates for spouse employment, military family issues

The Congressional Military Family Caucus summit panel including Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Washington state congresswoman, U.S. Air Force Col. Cassius Bentley, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, and Trina Bentley, 92nd ARW key spouse, discuss education, childcare and housing via video teleconference at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, in 2020. Photo by Airman 1st Class Anneliese Kaiser.

ShareTweetEmail

Despite a recent increase in military spouses running for public office, there are still no active-duty military spouses serving in Congress. But there is a veteran spouse with a record of championing military family issues since taking office. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ personal military connection has helped bridge the gap between military families and politics.

“I’ve always said that when someone joins the military, it’s not just the job, it’s a family commitment to our country. And clearly military families face a unique set of challenges,” said McMorris Rodgers.

The role of the Congressional Military Family Caucus

McMorris Rodgers with her family. Photo courtesy of Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ website.

McMorris Rodgers married retired Navy Commander Brian Rodgers in 2006, the year after she started serving in Congress as a representative for Washington’s fifth district. Just three years later in 2009, McMorris Rodgers joined Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. in founding the Congressional Military Family Caucus. The annual caucus covers topics including education, the Exceptional Family Member Program, PCS’ing, child care, health care, housing, spouse employment and more.

In 2020 the caucus was a virtual event, featuring legislators, service members, military spouses,  and leaders from the military and nonprofit sectors.

“Our goal was to put that microphone in front of our military families, to highlight issues that were important to them,” said McMorris Rodgers. “And at the beginning it felt like we were hearing from more government officials, but through the years, the dynamics have really changed for the better. And we’re engaging in some really incredible dialogue, to figure out what the problems are and how we can fix them.”

Military family legislation

In addition to being the co-chair of the caucus, McMorris Rodgers is pursuing legislation that benefits military spouses and families. One example is her proposal to extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to military spouses.

“This legislation would serve to incentivize employers to recruit and hire military spouses by providing them a tax credit,” said Sue Hoppin, founder and president of the National Military Spouse Network. “Given the opportunity, military spouses prove themselves to be great assets; this will help them get their foot in the door.”

Coincidentally, Hoppin was a guest speaker at last year’s caucus event.

Another bill that McMorris Rodgers is hoping to sponsor is the formation of an EFMP advisory committee. McMorris Rodgers, along with co-sponsor Congressman Joe Wilson, would, “go a long way in really making sure that our EFMP families, those that have one or more children with special needs … would have more of a focus because they have unique challenges.”

EFMP was also on the docket at last year‘s caucus and has recently received congressional attention having been a primary focus of the 2021 NDAA military family provisions.

The power of participation

McMorris Rodgers encourages families to reach out to their legislators.

“As you share your story, it opens up the understanding as to what that means for the military family in the 21st century.”

Despite many legislators’ efforts to listen and learn, the reality is helping military families is not always a slam dunk. Politics involves bringing attention to issues and building community support. There are 435 members in the House of Representatives and 100 members in the Senate, all of whom have their own priorities or legislation that they’re working on to represent the needs of constituents.

But because military families do not always “belong” to one community, in the traditional sense, it is important for families to share their stories. One example for how families can share their story is by attending the 2021 caucus and asking questions. The theme of the October event will be military family readiness post-COVID-19.

And, attendees’ questions have proven to impact legislative change. Last year someone asked, “Although DOD-sponsored committees currently exist to examine military family readiness, these organizations do not actively publicize their meetings other than through the Federal Register. This makes it difficult for a new military family to participate. Additionally, while public comment is read, it is not commented on by those holding a seat on these councils. In order to help represent all military families, would the DOD consider requiring DOD-organized committees to address these public comments?”

Fast-forward to 2021 and all Department of Defense Advisory Committees are under review. Coincidence? Maybe, but military-affiliated representatives, like McMorris Rodgers, encourage all military family members to engage with elected leaders on the issues impacting households most. Connect with the Congressional Military Family Caucus on Facebook for updates on upcoming events.

Read comments
Tags: Congressional Military Family CaucusCongressman Sanford D. BishopExceptional Family Member Programmilitary familiesmilitary spousesRep. Cathy McMorris RodgersSue Hoppin
Share48Tweet30Send
Jennifer Barnhill

Jennifer Barnhill

Jennifer is a juggler. She balances freelance writing, graduate studies, a full-time job and caring for three kids and a husband. Throughout her 12 year marriage to a Naval aviator, she has PCSed to FL, NV, Japan (twice) and CA (thrice). She attained a B.A. in English - Professional Writing from the College of New Jersey. She is currently studying Public Service and Administration at Texas A&M University to further her pursuit of military spouse advocacy.

Related Posts

They’ve got your six: Corporations like Caliber Home Loans are elevating military spouses
Military Spouses

They’ve got your six: Corporations like Caliber Home Loans are elevating military spouses

2 days ago
federal hiring summit
Military News

Federal hiring summit offers career resources for transitioning service members, spouses 

1 week ago
5 tips for planning a military wedding on a budget
Money

5 tips for planning a military wedding on a budget

2 weeks ago
introducing yourself
Military Spouses

7 tips for confidently introducing yourself at a new duty station

2 weeks ago
duty station bucket list
Military Relocation

Why it’s important to organize your duty station bucket list

2 weeks ago
RAPID FIRE: Q&A with Sally Ann Zoll from United Through Reading
Military Spouses

RAPID FIRE: Q&A with Sally Ann Zoll from United Through Reading

3 weeks ago

Ads

Military News, delivered to your inbox

Get a free copy of MILITARY FAMILIES delivered to your inbox each month

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL

GET RESOURCES

  • MILITARY EDUCATION GUIDE

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • CFC/NONPROFITS
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2022 Military Families by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Military Life
    • Deployment
    • Relocation
    • Military Spouses
    • Military Kids
  • Education
  • Career
    • Transition
    • Entrepreneur
  • Veterans
  • Health
  • Money
    • Military Deals & Discounts
  • Travel
    • Beyond the Base
  • OFF DUTY
    • Food & Recipes
    • Book Reviews & Roundups
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
  • About us
    • Our story
    • Our team
    • Our writers
  • Magazine
    • Get print
    • Get digital
  • Advertise
    • Get our media kit
    • CFC/Nonprofits
    • Publisher’s statement
  • Submissions
    • Pitch us
    • Submit your story
    • Book club
  • Get Resources
    • Military Education Guide

© 2022 Military Families by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW.