SE Kentucky News

U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, voted for critical legislation in Washington this week, including federal funding that prevents veterans’ benefits from falling short on October 1st.

The House and Senate approved the “Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act” this week, sending it to the President’s desk where it was signed into law. The bill provides $2.88 billion in emergency funding after the Veterans Administration notified Congress in July that disability compensation and pension benefits were at risk of a budget shortfall.

“I will always vote to protect benefits for the men and women who have bravely served this great nation,” said Congressman Rogers, a senior appropriator. “This budget shortfall has magnified the continued mismanagement at the VA, so this legislation not only provides the necessary funding to take care of our veterans but implements stronger accountability and transparency measures to make the VA stronger for America’s heroes.”

Congressman Rogers also voted for the “No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act” to protect taxpayer dollars from being used to bail out sanctuary cities that have provided free housing and healthcare to illegal immigrants. The bipartisan bill passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

“We should not reward cities and states that are putting the needs of illegal immigrants above the American people. If sanctuary cities choose to go in debt to reward immigrants for breaking our laws and living here illegally, we aren’t going to pay them back with taxpayer dollars,” said Congressman Rogers.

As Congress continues working toward a resolution to avoid a government shutdown at month’s end, Congressman Rogers supported an initial proposed extension to continue federal funding for vital programs across the country. The original extension, which did not pass the House this week, included the SAVE Act, requiring states to obtain proof of citizenship when registering voters and removing non-citizens from existing voter rolls.

“With the Presidential election only a few weeks away, we cannot afford a government shutdown. I’m disappointed that the first measure failed with the SAVE Act. It is clear that we need to do more to safeguard our elections for the American people,” said Rogers. “I am hopeful that we can find a path forward next week before the deadline.”

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.