OLYMPIA -- U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dan Newhouse apparently decided to cool things down rather than fan the flames in their correspondence with Gov. Jay Inslee over trade and carbon reduction.

After Inslee sent a pointed reply this week to their Aug. 26 letter, both congress members' offices responded with a measured "let's talk" statement. Inslee equated them to "climate deniers" for their opposition to some of his efforts to cut carbon pollution and challenged them to work for the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank if they were serious about boosting foreign trade.

"We received the Governor’s letter, and the Congresswoman looks forward to finding time soon to discuss these issues and many others important to Washington State," McMorris Rodgers' office said in an e-mail when asked for a response to Inslee's missive.

“Congressman Newhouse has taken every opportunity to advocate for free trade, and he looks forward to working with Governor Inslee on all issues that will increase trade access for the state of Washington," the Yakima Republican's office said in an e-mail.

Whether that will equate to a push for the Ex-Im Bank's reauthorization remains to be seen.

 

 

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