Hal Rogers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hal Rogers
Official portrait, 2018
46th Dean of the United States House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office March 18, 2022
Preceded by	Don Young
Chair of the House Appropriations Committee
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2017
Preceded by	Dave Obey
Succeeded by	Rodney Frelinghuysen
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 5th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1981
Preceded by	Tim Lee Carter
Commonwealth's Attorney of Pulaski and Rockcastle Counties
In office 1969–1981
Preceded by	Homer Neikirk
Succeeded by	Lester Burns
Personal details
Born	Harold Dallas Rogers (1937-12-31) December 31, 1937 (age 87) Barrier, Kentucky, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Shirley McDowell ​ ​ (m. 1958; died 1995)​ Cynthia Doyle ​ (m. 1999)​
Children	3
Education	University of Kentucky (BA, LLB)
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army Kentucky Army National Guard North Carolina Army National Guard
Years of service	1956-1963
Rank	Staff Sergeant

Harold Dallas Rogers (born December 31, 1937) is an American lawyer and politician. He has been a U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 5th district since 1981. This means he has served 23 terms in Congress! He is a member of the Republican Party. In 2022, after another long-serving member passed away, Rogers became the "dean" of the House. This title goes to the member who has served the longest.

Hal Rogers was born in Barrier, Kentucky. He studied at the University of Kentucky and became a lawyer. Before joining Congress, he worked as a lawyer and then as a prosecutor for Pulaski and Rockcastle counties in Kentucky. In 1979, he ran for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky but did not win.

In 1980, the current U.S. Representative for his district decided to retire. Hal Rogers ran for the position and won easily. His district is known for supporting Republican candidates. Because of this, Rogers has won almost every election since 1980 with more than 65% of the votes.

Early Life and Education

Hal Rogers was born in a place called Barrier, Kentucky. He went to Western Kentucky University for a short time. Then, he earned two degrees from the University of Kentucky. He got a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws. Rogers also served in the Kentucky Army National Guard and the North Carolina Army National Guard.

Early Career in Law and Politics

Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Hal Rogers worked as a private lawyer. Later, he was elected to be the prosecutor for Pulaski and Rockcastle counties in Kentucky. He held this job from 1969 until 1980.

In 1979, Rogers ran for lieutenant governor of Kentucky. He was the Republican candidate. However, he lost that election to the Democratic candidate, John Y. Brown Jr. The next year, he successfully ran for Congress.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Elections and Long Service

In 1980, the U.S. Congressman for Kentucky's 5th district, Tim Lee Carter, decided to retire. Hal Rogers won the Republican primary election. He then won the main election with 67% of the votes. Since then, he has won reelection many times. He usually wins with at least 65% of the votes. The only time it was closer was in 1992. That year, he won with 55% of the votes against John Doug Hays.

Rogers is the longest-serving Republican from Kentucky in federal office. His district has historically supported Republicans. He has also been a delegate to many Republican National Conventions.

Key Work and Projects

Rogers during the 97th Congress

Rogers meeting with President Ronald Reagan

Hal Rogers helped create the Center for Rural Development. This is a non-profit group in Somerset, Kentucky. It was started in 1996 to help rural areas.

In 2001, the city of Williamsburg, Kentucky named their new water park and mini-golf place the "Hal Rogers Family Entertainment Center." They did this to thank him for bringing federal money to their area.

President Bill Clinton once praised Rogers for his work. He said Rogers helped improve the Department of Commerce. This support was important for the country's economic future.

Rogers is known for working with both political parties. He often supports programs that help create jobs in areas that need economic help, especially in Appalachia. For example, in 1993, he was one of only three Republicans to vote for President Bill Clinton's economic plan. In 2003, he became the chairman of a special committee. This committee controlled money for the new Department of Homeland Security.

In 2011, Rogers voted for a law called the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. In 2017, he voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. In 2021, he voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Important Legislation

On January 15, 2013, Rogers introduced a bill called H.R. 298. This bill asked the government to study the Mill Springs Battlefield in Kentucky. The goal was to see if it could become part of the National Park System. Rogers said the battlefield was a "jewel" and would be a great addition.

On March 5, 2014, Rogers introduced a bill to help Ukraine. This bill would give Ukraine up to $1 billion in loan guarantees. This was part of America's response to events happening in Ukraine at the time. The House of Representatives passed this bill quickly.

In 2014, Rogers's committee suggested cuts to a budget for nuclear security. This raised questions about the Navy's plans for new submarines.

On July 29, 2014, Rogers introduced a bill to provide extra money for federal agencies. This money was for dealing with the increase in children and families arriving at the U.S. southwest border. Rogers said that more immigrants would keep coming if resources ran out.

Committee and Group Work

For the 118th Congress, Hal Rogers is on the Committee on Appropriations. This committee decides how the government spends money. He is also the chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. He is also on the Subcommittee on Defense and the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.

Rogers is also part of several groups called caucuses:

• Congressional Coal Caucus
• Congressional Prescription Drug Abuse Caucus (he is a co-chair)
• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
• Sportsmen's Caucus
• Tennessee Valley Authority Caucus
• House Republican Steering Committee

Political Views

Rogers speaking at the Republican Unity Rally in Frankfort, Kentucky

Budget and Economy

Rogers supports a balanced budget amendment. This means he believes the government should not spend more money than it takes in. He was against the government helping out car companies like GM and Chrysler in 2009.

Domestic Issues

School Safety

In 2018, Rogers helped create a bill to make schools safer. This bill, called the STOP (Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing) School Violence Act, passed with a large vote. It would provide money for programs to train students, teachers, and police. They would learn how to spot and report signs of violence. It would also help schools improve their security, like adding new locks and panic buttons.

Environment

The Humane Society has given Rogers a 13% rating for his voting record on animal welfare issues.

Technology

Rogers supports ending federal funding for National Public Radio. He also does not support net neutrality.

International Issues

Immigration

Rogers supports making the English language the official language of the United States. He also supports building a fence along the border between Mexico and the U.S.

Election Security

In July 2018, Rogers was temporarily in charge of the House Rules committee. He did not approve requests to increase federal money for election security.

Social Issues

Civil Rights

The NAACP has given Rogers a 28% rating for his voting record on civil rights. He is against affirmative action.

LGBT, Families, and Children

The Christian Coalition has given Rogers a 92% rating. This shows he has very socially conservative views. The Human Rights Campaign has given him a zero percent rating on LGBT rights. Rogers is against same-sex marriage. He also opposes laws that would stop job discrimination based on sexual orientation. He does not support single people or same-sex couples being allowed to adopt children.

Personal Life

Hal Rogers had three children with his first wife, Shirley Rogers. Shirley passed away from cancer in 1995. Rogers later remarried. His current wife is Cynthia Doyle.

In January 2024, Rogers was in a car accident near Washington, D.C.. His office said he was in "good condition" after being taken to the hospital. He was expected to return to work the next month.

Electoral History

Images for kids

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  Rogers meeting with President Ronald Reagan

See also

In Spanish: Hal Rogers para niños