Earlier this week, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) was chosen by his Republican colleagues to serve as the ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee once the new Congress convenes early next year.
Given the political climate and a Democratic-controlled Congress poised to oppose President Donald Trump, Rogers said this committee would be “active” given the proposal the president has made regarding immigration.
Rogers, who has been a member of the committee since its inception following early last decade, discussed his new post with Huntsville’s NewsTalk 770 AM/92.5 FM WVNN on Friday.
“I’ve been on the committee since it was established back in 2003 and it’s obviously very important to our country that we maintain safety and security from the folks that are trying to do us harm,” Rogers explained. “It’s something I’m very proud of. I’m proud of the work I’ve been doing. It’s important to Alabama.”
Rogers pointed to the Center for Domestic Preparedness at the former site of Fort McClellan near Anniston where first responders and hospital personnel are trained as an example of why his position on that committee was important.
“It’s going to be a very active committee in this next term as the Democrats start going after President Trump and his wall, and they try to open our borders to caravans of illegals who want to come into our country and many of whom do us harm. So, it’s going to be a real battleground.”
The Saks Republican said congressional Democrats have already signaled they intend to make Trump’s proposals, including the border wall, a target.
“The incoming chairman of the committee, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, already put out a statement earlier this week that he intends to go after the wall,” Rogers added. “It falls squarely in our committee’s jurisdiction. Customs and Border Protection is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security who is charged with preventing people from coming in illegally. Once they get in the country, it is the responsibility of ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is another DHS – Department of Homeland Security – agency to find illegals and get them out.”
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was elected by his colleagues to serve as the House Minority Leader in the new Congress, praised Rogers, who he said would “keep that steadfast leadership” as the ranking member.
“I am looking forward to having Mike Rogers as the leading Republican on the House Committee on Homeland Security,” McCarthy said in a statement released Friday. “Protecting America and the American people has been a top priority for every Republican in Congress and Mike has been a championing voice. I know Mike will keep that steadfast leadership as he approaches this new role.”
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and is the editor of Breitbart TV.
