Cathy McMorris Rodgers is continuing her work on Middle East affairs after leaving Capitol Hill.
Recently, the former congresswoman discussed her choice to become a senior fellow at the U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA) with Fox News Digital. Her goal is to strengthen the organization’s leadership within the pharmaceutical sector.
“I’m thrilled to offer guidance to the U.S. Israel Education Association, not only as an ex-member of Congress but also as someone who ardently supports prioritizing the U.S.-Israel relationship,” Rodgers shared with Fox News Digital. “My focus is advising them on an effort to strategically relocate pharmaceutical supply chains to the Abraham Accord area.”
Having co-founded the Abraham Accords Caucus, Rodgers is well-versed in the intricate ties formed during the initial Trump administration, which brought Israel and Arab countries closer together.
“Due to President Trump’s tariffs on China, many pharmaceutical companies are opting to relocate manufacturing to the U.S. Yet, for generics, which make up 92% of our prescriptions, and raw materials, operating within the United States poses challenges owing to high costs driven by regulations and labor expenses. In regions like the Abraham Accords, where nations such as Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain are involved, we can source raw materials efficiently as these countries are heavily investing in research, development, and manufacturing,” Rodgers explained.
The former congresswoman underscored the significance of the Abraham Accords and the diplomatic initiatives launched by President Donald Trump in 2020. She pointed out that these efforts have successfully built “government-to-government” connections, and now the USIEA aims to bolster economic ties among Abraham Accords countries.
Rodgers appeared unfazed by potential regional instability affecting pharmaceutical supplies and mentioned to Fox News Digital that other countries involved in the Abraham Accords are eager to collaborate with the U.S. on this initiative.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump, Foreign Affairs Minister of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Foreign Affairs Minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan wave from the Truman Balcony of the White House on Sept. 15, 2020. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“They want to diversify from what historically has been more energy, oil dominated,” Rodgers said. “It’s an idea whose time has come, I believe and it would. Serve both the purpose of ensuring our national security and preventing our dependence on foreign adversarial nations like China for these supply chains, but also building upon the Abraham Accords countries and the important relationship there.”
While she is no longer on Capitol Hill, Rodgers believes her former colleagues have a significant role to play in the initiative. She said that a top priority is getting an FDA office established in the region, something she hopes will get done this year.
