Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers says Trump never offered her Interior secretary job

SPOKANE, Wash. — U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers says she was never offered the job of Interior secretary by President-elect Donald Trump.

The Republican lawmaker from eastern Washington state tells The Spokesman-Review in a story on Friday that when her name started circulating as Trump's pick for the job it was completely unexpected.

She says that in a meeting with Trump earlier this month they talked about better management of federal lands, expanding recreation access and creating partnerships with states and tribes.

A source close to McMorris Rodgers said reports that she was offered that job were driven by Trump’s transition team.

The No. 4 House Republican leader posted on Facebook on Tuesday that she was honored to spend time with President-elect Donald Trump but is “energized more than ever to continue leading in Congress as we think big, reimagine this government and put people back at the center of it.”

Trump on Thursday selected Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke as Interior secretary.

Zinke has advocated increased drilling and mining on public lands and has expressed skepticism about the urgency of climate change.