Update From Hal

Dear Friend,

Congress is ringing in 2011 with new members and a new mission.

Appropriations Overhaul


I begin my 16th term with added responsibilities, as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

This year, the Appropriations Committee will be ground zero for a wide range of reductions across the federal government. With trillion dollar deficits and billion dollar bailouts, our federal spending is out of control and we’ve got to rein in Washington. The new Republican majority is starting by cutting Congress' own budget first. We are showing we’re willing to lead by example.

This is a critical time for the Appropriations Committee, as we will carry out the most expansive reduction of discretionary spending in the history of our nation. Under my watch, the Appropriations Committee will be an instrument of change to enforce the will of the American people and bring our fiscal house into order. While this is going to be difficult undertaking, you can count on me to make the tough decisions and hold the line on spending.

Click here for more information on my work as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee

Health Care Repeal

On January 19, 2011, the House of Representatives took the first step towards creating a common sense health care system that provides quality affordable care for all Americans. By passing H.R. 2, the Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act, the House sent a clear message that the American people have been heard loud and clear. H.R. 2 represents a bold effort to stop the onslaught of mandates, regulations, taxes, fees and bureaucratic red tape that is inherent in the ObamaCare scheme.

Since passage of H.R. 2, we’ve gone to work on developing legislation focused on actually lowering health care premiums and empowering doctors and patients, not Washington bureaucrats and IRS agents. This includes enacting medical liability reform to rein in junk lawsuits and stop “defensive” medicine, permitting Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines so that families have more choices, expanding health savings accounts, creating associated health plans for small business, strengthening the doctor-patient relationship, ensuring access for patients with pre-existing conditions and a permanent prohibition on taxpayer funding of abortion.

Getting health care right is a top priority of mine and I remain focused on ensuring we have a world class health care system for all Americans.

On the Home Front: Fighting the Meth Epidemic

In 2010, law enforcement officials discovered more than 1,100 meth lab sites in Kentucky, the third highest amount in the nation. Despite legislative attempts to limit and electronically track the purchase of pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient used to illicitly manufacture meth, the epidemic continues to saturate our region at an alarming rate. Oregon and Mississippi have nearly eliminated meth labs by requiring a prescription for pseudoephedrine and regulating it as a scheduled controlled substance. After witnessing the unmatched success they are experiencing, State Senator Tom Jensen introduced Senate Bill 45, to follow suit in Kentucky. I believe SB45 gives us a fighting chance in this battle for lives across the state.

On February 3rd, I will join Kentucky Legislators at a Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing. At 10 a.m., I will testify about the devasting effects meth is having on our region and the need for tougher legislation. At 2:30 p.m., I will stand with hundreds of Kentuckians in the State Capitol Rotunda to rally for Senate Bill 45. I invite you to stand with me and give a voice to all of the innocent children living in homes where meth is being made every day.

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As always, please feel free to contact me at any time by sending me an email. If you would like to receive more frequent updates on what’s happening in Washington, please join my Facebook page or subscribe to my YouTube channel. Thank you to everyone who has dropped by to share your opinion -- let’s keep the dialogue going!

Sincerely,

Hal Rogers