Mike Rogers | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Chair of theHouse Armed Services Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Adam Smith |
| Ranking Member of theHouse Armed Services Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mac Thornberry |
| Succeeded by | Adam Smith |
| Ranking Member of theHouse Homeland Security Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Bennie Thompson |
| Succeeded by | John Katko |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromAlabama's3rd district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Riley |
| Member of theAlabama House of Representatives from the 36th district | |
| In office 1994–2002 | |
| Preceded by | James Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Randy Wood |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Dennis Rogers (1958-07-16)July 16, 1958 (age 67) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Jacksonville State University (BA,MPA) Birmingham School of Law (JD) |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
Michael Dennis Rogers (born July 16, 1958) is an American lawyer and politician serving as theU.S. representative forAlabama's 3rd congressional district since 2003. He is a member of theRepublican Party. Rogers is the Chair of theHouse Armed Services Committee where he served as the Ranking Member from 2021 to 2023 and as the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee from 2019 to 2021.
Rogers is a sixth-generation resident ofCalhoun County in East Alabama. After graduating fromSaks High School in 1976,[1] he earned both hisBachelor of Arts degree inpolitical science and hisMaster of Public Administration fromJacksonville State University. He received hisJuris Doctor from theBirmingham School of Law.[2][3]
At age 28, Rogers became the youngest person to join theCalhoun County Commission, serving from 1987 to 1990.[4] In 1994, Rogers won a seat in theAlabama House of Representatives, and became minority leader in his second term.[5]
In 2002, U.S. RepresentativeBob Riley was electedgovernor of Alabama, leavingAlabama's 3rd congressional district seat vacant. Rogers won the Republican nomination. In the general election, he faced Democratic veteran Joe Turnham, Jr., who had served three years as state party chairman and had run against Riley for Congress in 1998.[5] The Democratic and Republican national parties targeted the district, with SpeakerDennis Hastert promising Rogers a seat on the Armed Services Committee should he win. Rogers outspent Turnham, raising and spending $1,656,290[6] to Turnham's $1,015,132,[7] and held an even greater margin in independent expenditures. Rogers defeated Turnham, 50% to 48%.[8] In this election, he was a rare Republican endorsee ofThe Anniston Star.[9]
Rogers received campaign contributions from formerHouse Majority LeaderTom DeLay'sARMPAC.[10] DeLay was convicted of felonymoney laundering of campaign finances and conspiracy to launder money. As of August 2016, Rogers has not offered to return any of the $30,000 he received.[11] Rogers said that DeLay is innocent until proven guilty, and that he would not return the money "while the judicial process runs its course".[10]
In December 2011, Rogers voted in support of H.R. 10, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act, which would have required Congressional approval for any "major regulations" issued by the executive branch but, unlike the 1996Congressional Review Act, would not require the president's signature or override of a probable presidential veto.[12][13]
In 2017, Rogers worked with RepresentativeJim Cooper on a proposal to establish a Space Corps under the Department of the Air Force. The proposal passed the House and failed in the Senate.[14] A bill with very similar language was signed into law two years later to create theUnited States Space Force.[15] Rogers has been a major proponent of theSpace Development Agency and taking an aggressive approach to space militarization.[16][17]
In August 2017, Rogers held a town hall event inOxford, Alabama, focused on efforts to repeal to theAffordable Care Act. During the town hall, a constituent raised questions about campaign donations to Rogers and his wife Beth, a Calhoun County District Court judge. The constituent specifically asked about monetary contributions to the Rogerses fromMike Hubbard, who was convicted of ethics violations in 2016. Rogers said that Hubbard was a family friend and appeared to threaten the constituent, saying, "you keep my wife out of this and be a man or we'll take it outside". The constituent said he filed a complaint with the Oxford police department over Rogers's comments.[18]
Rogers was at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, when it wasattacked. The next day, he tweeted, "there is no place for political violence in America" and called for law and order.[19] Even after the attack, Rogers supported efforts to overturn the2020 presidential election results, voting to oppose the certification.[20] He voted against impeachingDonald Trump a second time in the wake of the attack. His rationale for his decision was that the impeachment was a partisan action byNancy Pelosi that would "further divide our nation".[21]
Rogers voted against theAmerican Rescue Plan in February 2021. His rationale for opposing the bill was that it was full of "extreme socialist initiatives" and too expensive, and that it was too soon for another bill after the December 2020Consolidated Appropriations Act. He also said the bill did not support schools reopening and that it funded abortions.[22]
As of October 2021, Rogers had voted in line withJoe Biden's stated position 10.3% of the time.[23]
During theJanuary 2023 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election, Rogers suggested that committee assignments be stripped from representatives who did not vote forKevin McCarthy. He toldPolitico that his comments were more than a threat, saying "I promised it".[24][25] Rogers called the representatives voting against McCarthy "legislative terrorists who have no problem killing the hostage".[26]
During the 14th ballot for Speaker, Rogers lunged[27][28][29] at RepresentativeMatt Gaetz after Gaetz spoke with McCarthy. RepresentativeRichard Hudson then had to physically restrain Rogers.[27] TheAssociated Press reported that Rogers "charged" at Gaetz[30][31] before Hudson pulled Rogers back by the shoulder, then the face.[32] According toThe New York Times, Gaetz was seeking a subcommittee chairmanship in the House Armed Services Committee, of which Rogers was in line to become chair.[28] Multiple representatives criticized Rogers after the confrontation, includingMarjorie Taylor Greene, who said it was "out of line" and expected consequences for Rogers,[33] andTim Burchett, who compared Rogers's actions to being under the influence of alcohol on the House floor, saying "people shouldn't be drinking, especially when you're a redneck, on the House floor".[34] Burchett later retracted his comments about Rogers, saying that they were made out of frustration and that "we're all friends".[35]
During an appearance onFox News on January 8, 2023, Gaetz said that he had forgiven Rogers for the outburst and that he was looking forward to working with Rogers on the House Armed Services Committee. Gaetz also said he did not think Rogers should be punished for an "animated moment". Later that day, Rogers tweeted a message of reconciliation in response to Gaetz, saying that he regretted losing his temper on the House floor and that he would be happy to continue his working relationship with Gaetz.[36]
On January 9, 2023, multiple media outlets reported that Rogers was planning to step down from theHouse Steering Committee in the wake of the controversy.[37] Rogers confirmed toPolitico that he was considering the decision, but said it had not yet been finalized;[38]1819 News reported that Rogers "may change his mind".[37] Less than 12 hours later, Rogers said he would not resign from the committee, saying that both Republican and Democratic leaders had urged him not to.[39]Politico called Rogers's reversal an example of the "dishevelment" in the House following McCarthy's election to the speakership.[40]
Following thefirst indictment of Donald Trump in March 2023, Rogers called the proceedings a "sham" and called for the resignation of district attorneyAlvin Bragg.[41]
In April 2023, as chair of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, Rogers delivered statements urging advancement of theNext Generation Interceptor (NGI) missile program in support of Taiwan against theChinese Communist Party.1819 News published a report showing thatLockheed Martin, which is competing for the contract to build the NGI missiles, is Rogers's largest campaign contributor. Rogers has a history of advocating for arms development under Lockheed Martin, including similar comments from January 2023 for Lockheed artillery weapons to be supplied to Ukraine. He never served in the military.[42][43]
During theOctober 2023 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election, after the removal of Kevin McCarthy as speaker, Rogers called those who had supported McCarthy's ouster "traitors" and accused them of "paralyzing" the House of Representatives.[44] Rogers initially refused to supportJim Jordan for Speaker of the House, even after he had been nominated by Republicans for the speakership.[45] Rogers told reporters that he was willing to compromise with House Minority LeaderHakeem Jeffries to nominate a bipartisan moderate speaker instead of Jordan. Rogers' comments were met with scrutiny by conservative colleagues, including SenatorMike Lee from Utah and former U.S. representativeMo Brooks from Alabama.[46] Additionally, members of the Alabama Republican Party state executive committee, including members from the third district, threatened to file a challenge against Rogers' ballot access in the2024 election.[47] On October 16, 2023, Rogers issued a statement endorsing Jordan for Speaker of the House, reversing his position and establishing his support for Jordan. In the statement, Rogers said that he had "always been a team player" and would support the Republican conference's decision on the speakership.[48]
Upon Trump's2024 re-election to a non-consecutive term as president, Rogers was reportedly contacted by Trump'stransition team as a potential nominee forSecretary of Defense.[49]
In December 2025, while chair of the House Armed Services Committee, Rogers said there was no need to further investigate the second strike by the Donald Trump administration on the survivors of an initial strike on an alleged drug running vessel.[50]
For the119th Congress:[51]
In 2020, Rogers received a lifetime rating of 86% from theAmerican Conservative Union, one of the most moderate voting records of a Southern Republican that year.[57] He supported an amendment to declare that people retain the right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including schools. He co-sponsored legislation to prohibit the physical desecration of the U.S. flag. Rogers sponsored a bill expressing Congress's continued support for equal access of military recruiters to institutions of higher education.[58]
Rogers isanti-abortion. As of 2020, he has a 100% rating fromNational Right to Life[59] and a 0% rating fromNARAL in 2018 for hisabortion-related votes.[60] He opposes banning federal health coverage if abortion is included and opposes using human embryos forstem cell research.[citation needed] Rogers has voted in support of efforts to restrict interstate transport of minors for abortions and allowing partial-birth abortion only if the mother's life is at risk. He also opposes human cloning and signed theNo Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. He co-sponsored theSanctity of Human Life Act.[61] Rogers supported the2022 overturning ofRoe v. Wade, calling it "the right decision to protect the innocent lives of unborn children."[62]
As of 2019, Rogers has a 19% rating regardingcivil rights-related legislature from theNAACP.[63]
Rogers voted against theViolence Against Women Act in 2013.[64]
Rogers voted for theMarriage Protection Amendment in 2004. In 2007, he voted against theEmployment Non-Discrimination Act.[64] Rogers has a 0/100 rating from theHuman Rights Campaign regarding pro-LGBTQ policies.[65]
Rogers opposed expanding federalhate crime law to include crimes committed againstLGBTQ people. He voted for theSecond Chance Act of 2007.[66]
Rogers is a signer ofAmericans for Tax Reform’sTaxpayer Protection Pledge.[67] He voted for theTax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[68]
During the2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis, Rogers voted for theFiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.[69]
In June 2016, Rogers called for theUnited States withdrawal from the United Nations in the wake ofBrexit.[70] On January 3, 2017, Rogers once again called for the U.S. to withdraw from the U.N., introducing the American Sovereignty Act of 2017.[71] The bill still needs House, Senate, and presidential approval. On January 3, 2019, Rogers submitted a similar bill, H.R.204 - American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2019.[72]
Rogers supported theBiden administration givingGround Launched Small Diameter Bombs to Ukraine to increase their munitions range, but said the weapons should have been given to Ukraine earlier.[73]
In June 2021, Rogers was one of 14 House Republicans to vote against establishing June 19, orJuneteenth, as a federal holiday.[74]
Rogers voted for thePatriot Act.[64]
In December 2020, Rogers was one of 126 Republican members of theHouse of Representatives to sign anamicus brief in support ofTexas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at theUnited States Supreme Court contesting the results of the2020 presidential election. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lackedstanding underArticle III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[75][76][77] Rogers is one of147 Republican lawmakers whovoted to overturn results in the2020 presidential election.[78]
Rogers was made Commander of theOrder of the Star of Romania on June 8, 2017.[79][80]
| Year | Office | Party | Primary | General | Result | Swing | Ref. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | P. | Total | % | P. | ||||||||
| 1994 | State Representative | Republican | Does not appear | 5,371 | 56.28% | 1st | Won | Gain | |||||
| 1998 | Republican | Does not appear | 7,733 | 99.01% | 1st | Won | Hold | ||||||
| 2002 | U.S. Representative | Republican | 28,113 | 76.13% | 1st | 91,169 | 50.35% | 1st | Won | Hold | [81] | ||
| 2004 | Republican | Does not appear | 150,411 | 61.23% | 1st | Won | Hold | [82] | |||||
| 2006 | Republican | Does not appear | 98,257 | 59.44% | 1st | Won | Hold | [83] | |||||
| 2008 | Republican | Does not appear | 142,708 | 54.10% | 1st | Won | Hold | [84] | |||||
| 2010 | Republican | Does not appear | 117,736 | 59.48% | 1st | Won | Hold | [85] | |||||
| 2012 | Republican | Does not appear | 175,306 | 64.12% | 1st | Won | Hold | [86] | |||||
| 2014 | Republican | 50,372 | 75.89% | 1st | 103,558 | 66.12% | 1st | Won | Hold | [87] | |||
| 2016 | Republican | 77,432 | 75.98% | 1st | 192,164 | 66.93% | 1st | Won | Hold | [88] | |||
| 2018 | Republican | Does not appear | 147,770 | 63.72% | 1st | Won | Hold | [89] | |||||
| 2020 | Republican | Does not appear | 217,384 | 67.46% | 1st | Won | Hold | [90] | |||||
| 2022 | Republican | 70,843 | 81.94% | 1st | 135,602 | 71.22% | 1st | Won | Hold | [91] | |||
| 2024 | Republican | 71,292 | 81.9% | 1st | 243,848 | 97.93% | 1st | Won | Hold | [92] | |||
Rogers is married, with three children. He and his family reside inWeaver and are members of aBaptist Church in nearbySaks.[93]
House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) had accused the Biden administration of dragging its feet on providing the system to Ukraine. "GLSDB should have been approved last fall," Rogers said in a recent statement. "Every day it's not approved is a day it's delayed getting it into the hands of a Ukrainian ready to kill a Russian."
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromAlabama's 3rd congressional district 2003–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Chair of theHouse Armed Services Committee 2023–present | |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 40th | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Order of precedence of the United States | Succeeded by |
| People | |
|---|---|
| Other | |
