Chairman, House Armed Services Committee (HASC)

U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, R-Alabama

Responsibilities

As the 119th Congress moves forward under a Republican-led majority party, Rogers steps into position as the new HASC Chairman, with Democrat Adam Smith now serving as the Ranking Chair of a committee that crafts the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Each year, both the HASC and the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) come together to deliberate and collaborate on what is traditionally, a nonpartisan approach toward setting U.S. military and defense policy, in keeping with the process first established in 1961.

Stated Priorities

Build the industrial base. Focus the warfighting capability on “lethality, capability, and readiness.”
Change DoD culture to allow for innovative technologies to flow through the defense pipeline. “Critical acquisition programs are years behind schedule and way over budget.” Last year, Rogers and Smith led a bipartisan delegation (Codel) to Silicon Valley, resulting in the following joint statement: “Congress has provided DoD with many authorities over the years to expedite the fielding of innovative technology. Yet, problems persist and it’s clear that DoD needs to be able to pivot and adapt even more quickly.”
Make Congress “partner” in the warfighting domain of space. Calling it an “Apollo-like” era, he looks to accelerate the process of identifying and developing emerging technologies in the field. Rogers, together with Rep. Jim Cooper, (D-TN), were foundational in creating the U.S. Space Force in 2017. Both men served on the HASC Strategic Subcommittee at the time.

Expand the USSF to encompass both enlisted and civilian Guardians, as well as junior officers, and general officers. Last year, Rogers and Smith spearheaded a bipartisan Codel to Luxembourg, France, working to establish cooperation among allies for “National Security Space issues.”
Reduce U.S. dependence on China for minerals and materials.

Quote

“Restore the focus of the military on lethality by gutting the DEI bureaucracy, ending far-left gender ideology, and reinstating service members who were discharged due to their refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Political and Business Career

Rogers represents the 3rd Congressional District of Alabama, a seat he’s held since 2003. A Southern Republican, he remains a political advocate of those interests representing his constituency, which include: Anniston Army Depot; Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base; Fort Benning; and FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness. In January, 2021, following former President Joe Biden’s election, Rogers joined with other legislators looking to discount ballot tallies of two swing states.

Member of the Alabama House of Representatives (1994 to 2002); Minority leader, (1998-2000).
Former Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee in the 116th Congress.
Sat on multiple committees such as: the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, which has legislative oversight of military readiness, and maintenance and logistics and also; the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, which is given oversight of space programs, Strategic Forces, and ballistic missile defense, among others.
A lawyer and politician, Rogers was an attorney and businessman in Calhoun County.

Early Years

A sixth generation East Alabamian, Michael Dennis Rogers was born on July 16, 1958, and grew up in Calhoun County, in the mill village of Blue Mountain where he lived alongside his father, a firefighter, and his mother, who worked at the local textile mill.

Education