CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (R-Ky.) took the oath of office Friday for his 23rd consecutive term representing Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District.
“It is an honor to continue serving the people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky and echoing their voices on Capitol Hill,” Rogers said. “We have a lot of work to do as we look ahead for the 119th Congress.”
For starters, Rogers added, “We must secure our borders, make America affordable again, and courageously stand firm against our adversaries.”
As the longest-serving member of the House, referred to as the “Dean of the House,” Rogers also presided over the swearing-in of the newly elected Speaker of the House, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.).
During the ceremony, Rogers remarked on the significance of self-governance and the role of the Speaker in preserving it.
“Today, we celebrate our shared American self-rule,” Rogers said. “When our founding fathers rejected calls for an American king and chose a bold and innovative government of self-rule, it was met by opposition of the world’s monarchies. They said you can’t govern yourself – you need a king; self-rule is only a dream. Our founders said, you know they’re right…it’s the American dream. Now, it’s our dream. The speaker of the United States House of Representatives is the crucial protector and promoter of self-rule – the keeper of the dream. Now, we have elected you, sir, to carry on our bold experiment in democracy and self-rule.”
Johnson has vowed to focus on key Republican priorities, including extending Trump-era tax cuts, restoring America’s energy independence, and strengthening national security through a “peace through strength” philosophy.
In its first legislative action, the House approved rules for the 119th Congress. This included a change to the process for removing a Speaker. The revised rule increases the threshold for a motion to vacate the Speaker’s chair from one member to a minimum of nine. This move passed along party lines.
Rogers has represented Kentucky’s 5th District since 1981.