SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R- WA 5th District) held a town hall in the Spokane Valley on Friday afternoon.
McMorris Rodgers talked about everything from filibusters, to the Second Amendment, to upgrading the nuclear arsenal.
“I’d like to know what you think the purpose of the second amendment is and if you think that second amendment has a purpose in the 21st century,” asked one man at the town hall.
McMorris Rodgers defended the Second Amendment.
“It’s fundamentally…it is our last line of defense. You can defend your family,” she answered him.
Another supporter asked her about building a wall on the Mexico border.
“What we did was what the president requested for the first year on border security. The next step is going to be dependent on border security, a wall and then a DCA fix,” McMorris Rodgers said. “We’re talking about a three year fix, where we get the wall and then the DACA fix.”
When asked about term limits, she said she personally does not support them.
“I think it happens at the ballot box,” she said. “People ask me... ‘Cathy, aren’t you running all the time?’” she said. “Well yeah, to a certain degree, I am but I wouldn't change that."
"A two year term keeps you close to the people," she said. "You have to come back, you have to give account, you have to answer the questions and they hold you accountable."
She said she did not have an issue with Senate having longer terms.
“I think there’s a real wisdom in having both, in having the senators they bring a different perspective, and there are only two in the state,” she said.
She added she was concerned about the number of U.S. House members not running for re-election, noting that 2/3 of Republicans in the U.S. House have been elected since 2010.
McMorris Rodgers also visited East Valley High School to meet with students and hold a Q and A earlier in the day Friday.
That was not open to the media, but students said afterward the meeting inspired them to get more involved in politics.
“We also have a voice if we just speak out and take time to ask her questions, to be more involved that way,” said Emma Fairbanks, a senior. “It’s really awesome.”
Watch the full town hall below.