Congressman Mike Rogers, R-Saks, was selected as a conferee for the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act.
“I am proud to be named to the National Defense Authorization Act conference committee,” Rogers said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue the 50 plus year streak of passing a defense authorization bill in support of our men and women in uniform. We have to be smart about our investments to win the battle today and the war tomorrow.”
“Mike is a leader on national security and I am glad to have him serving as a conferee on this important piece of legislation,” said House Armed Services Ranking Member Mac Thornberry, R-Texas.
“Mike is an obvious choice for the NDAA Conference Committee, given he has spent his entire tenure in Congress, almost 20 years now, devoting himself to securing and protecting America’s national security in various capacities,” said House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California. “From rural first responders to our men and women in uniform serving on the frontlines, he understands the importance of and has worked tirelessly to ensure readiness and safety. Mike has proven to always have the security of our nation as his top priority, and I firmly believe he will do the same throughout the NDAA discussions.”
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives has passed one version of the NDAA. Because of the rules in the Senate requiring sixty votes to close debate, the Senate version of the NDAA is much more bipartisan this year than the House bill. Rogers and the members of the Conference Committee are tasked with reaching a compromise version of the NDAA that can pass both Houses.
The annual NDAA sets the national defense priorities for the nation. Funding the Armed Services requires a separate appropriations bill. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, chairs the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Shelby has successfully advanced the defense appropriations bill out of his committee to the Senate floor with bipartisan support.
The creation of a Space Force is in both NDAA versions, though they differ in key aspects of how the new branch of the armed services would be organized. Rogers was an early and vocal Space Force proponent.
Rogers is serving in his ninth term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. He is an attorney from Calhoun County, where he previously served on the county commission and in the Alabama House of Representatives. Rogers serves in the Congress as the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee. He also is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.
