Cathy McMorris Rodgers is continuing her professional endeavors following her departure from Capitol Hill.
The former congresswoman recently discussed with Digital her choice to become a senior fellow with the U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA), aiming to foster the organization’s influence in the pharmaceutical sector.
“I am genuinely enthusiastic about advising the U.S. Israel Education Association, both as a former member of Congress and as someone who strongly supports and believes the U.S.-Israel relationship should be a priority,” Rodgers informed Digital. “My specific advisory role concerns an initiative focused on friendshoring pharmaceutical supply chains within the Abraham Accord region.”
As a co-founder of the , Rodgers possesses familiarity with the intricate relationships established by the first Trump administration in the Middle East, which fostered closer ties between Israel and several Arab nations.
“I recognize the extent of our vulnerability due to China’s control over a significant portion of our pharmaceutical supply chain. Therefore, this initiative is consistent with some of the priorities I held during my time in Congress,” Rodgers further stated.
The Trump administration prioritized the repatriation of manufacturing to the U.S. Nevertheless, when domestic production is infeasible, friendshoring, which involves leveraging strong international partnerships for essential supplies, presents a potential solution.
In the pharmaceutical sector, China currently holds a dominant position, particularly in the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and generic medications, according to Rodgers. A report released in July by estimated that Chinese APIs were present in roughly one-quarter of the drug volume distributed in the U.S.
“Due to President Trump’s tariffs on China, many pharmaceutical companies are increasingly engaging in onshoring, relocating manufacturing back to America. However, for generic drugs, which account for 92% of national prescriptions, and raw materials, the business landscape is exceptionally challenging due to high operating costs in the United States, influenced by regulations and labor expenses. Consequently, a region such as the Abraham Accords, encompassing Israel, UAE [United Arab Emirates], Bahrain, and other nations, offers a viable option where we could procure raw materials, and these countries are significantly investing in research, development, and manufacturing,” Rodgers stated.
The former congresswoman underscored the significance of the Abraham Accords and the diplomatic endeavors initiated under President in 2020. She noted that the initiative has successfully forged “government-to-government” connections, and the USIEA now seeks to broaden economic relationships among the Abraham Accords countries.
Rodgers expressed no apparent concern regarding regional instability affecting pharmaceutical supplies. She informed Digital that other Abraham Accords nations have expressed interest in collaborating with the U.S. on this venture.
“These nations aim to diversify away from what has historically been a more energy and oil-dominated economy,” Rodgers commented. “I believe this is a timely concept that would serve the dual purpose of enhancing our national security by reducing our reliance on adversarial foreign nations like China for these supply chains, while also strengthening the vital relationships with the Abraham Accords countries.”
Despite her departure from Capitol Hill, Rodgers maintains that her former congressional colleagues have a crucial role in this initiative. She indicated that a primary objective is to establish an FDA office in the region, an accomplishment she hopes to see realized this year.