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
Kentucky
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 's 5th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1981
Preceded by	Tim Lee Carter
Commonwealth's Attorney of the 28th Kentucky Circuit Court
In office September 12, 1969 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	Charles 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	Western Kentucky University University of Kentucky (BA, LLB)
Website
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 "Hal" Dallas Rogers (born December 31, 1937) is an American lawyer and politician. He has served as a U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 5th congressional district since 1981. He is a member of the Republican Party.

In 2022, after the death of Representative Don Young, Rogers became the Dean of the United States House of Representatives. This title is given to the member of the House who has served the longest.

Rogers was born in Barrier, Kentucky. He earned degrees from the University of Kentucky. Before becoming a politician, he served in the Kentucky and North Carolina Army National Guard. He also worked as a lawyer.

In 1980, Rogers was elected to Congress. His district is considered a Republican stronghold, meaning most voters there support the Republican party. Because of this, he has usually won his elections by a large margin. He is currently serving his 23rd term in Congress.

Early Life and Career

Hal Rogers was born in Barrier, Kentucky. He went to Western Kentucky University and later earned two degrees from the University of Kentucky. From 1956 to 1963, he served in the Kentucky Army National Guard and the North Carolina Army National Guard.

After his military service, Rogers worked as a lawyer. In 1969, he was elected as the Commonwealth's Attorney for Pulaski and Rockcastle counties in Kentucky. A commonwealth's attorney is a type of prosecutor who represents the government in court cases. He held this job until he was elected to Congress in 1980.

In 1979, Rogers ran for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky but did not win. The next year, he successfully ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives

Rogers during his early years in Congress.

Rogers meeting with President Ronald Reagan.

Rogers is the longest-serving Republican from Kentucky ever elected to a federal office. He represents a district that has historically supported the Republican Party since the Civil War.

Working in Congress

Rogers is known for being a skilled negotiator who can work with both Democrats and Republicans. He often focuses on bringing money and jobs to his district in Kentucky, which is part of the Appalachian region.

For example, he came up with the idea for The Center for Rural Development, a non-profit organization in Somerset, Kentucky, that helps the local economy. In 2001, the city of Williamsburg, Kentucky, named its new water park the Hal Rogers Family Entertainment Center to thank him for bringing federal money to the area.

Even though he is a conservative, Rogers has sometimes voted differently from his party to support his district. In 1993, he was one of only three Republicans to vote for an economic plan from President Bill Clinton. He has also supported large environmental programs to clean up and protect the Appalachian region.

Legislation and Committee Work

As a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Rogers has a lot of say in how the U.S. government spends money. For a time, he was the chairman of this committee.

Over the years, he has introduced several bills.

• One bill aimed to make the Mill Springs Battlefield in Kentucky a part of the National Park System. Rogers called the battlefield a "jewel" that honors an important Civil War battle.
• In 2014, he introduced a bill to provide $1 billion in loan guarantees to Ukraine after the Russian military intervention.
• He also introduced a bill to provide emergency funding to help federal agencies at the U.S. southern border.

For the 118th United States Congress, Rogers serves on the Committee on Appropriations and is the chair of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science.

Criticism

Some groups have criticized Rogers for how he uses his power in Congress. They say he directs too much federal money to projects in his home district. This is sometimes called "pork-barrel spending." Critics argue that this money could be better used in other parts of the country.

For example, one report said he used his influence to have a company in his district test technology for new permanent resident cards, even though a different approach was found to be better.

Rogers has defended his actions. He says his main goal is to create jobs and improve the economy in his district, which has faced economic challenges. He also states that his work on national security is meant to protect the entire country.

In 2022, Rogers had a disagreement with Representative Joyce Beatty on the United States Capitol subway system. He made a rude comment to her after she asked him to wear a face mask. He later issued a public apology to her.

Political Positions

Rogers speaking at a Republican rally in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Rogers is known for his conservative views. He is considered a moderate Republican by some because he sometimes works with Democrats on spending bills.

• Budget and Economy: Rogers supports a balanced budget amendment, which would require the government to not spend more money than it collects in taxes. He has voted for tax cuts and is against government bailouts of private companies.
• Gun Policy: In 2018, he co-sponsored and voted for a bill to improve school safety. The bill provided money for training students and teachers to spot signs of gun violence and for schools to add security like new locks and metal detectors.
• Crime: Rogers supports the death penalty and wants to expand the justice system for young people.
• Environment: He has a low rating from groups that support animal welfare because of his voting record.
• Immigration: Rogers supports making English the official language of the United States and building a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Personal Life

Rogers was married to his first wife, Shirley, and they had three children. She passed away in 1995. He is now married to Cynthia Doyle.

In January 2024, Rogers was in a car crash near Washington, D.C. He was taken to a hospital but was reported to be in good condition. He returned to his work in Congress the next month.

Electoral History