U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) released the following statement regarding the Democrat’s Auto Bailout Package:

“For too long, the American automotive industry has avoided making the tough choices necessary for survival.  Struggling American companies, large and small, have employed long-standing procedures through Chapter 11 reorganization to ensure their continued viability, and I believe that nothing short of that is needed for the Big Three today.  Many ailing companies go through this process every year, and come out from the other side more successful and efficient.  The steel and airline industries are but two examples of the long-term benefits of this process.  Massive restructuring is long overdue for the auto industry and there is no greater time than the present for these billion dollar companies to renegotiate with lenders and shareholders, correct costly pension and benefit programs, cut costs, and adjust their product line.  A bankruptcy proceeding will force interested parties to the negotiating table and secure agreements bound by the Court. 

“Unfortunately, today’s auto bailout simply kicks the proverbial can down the road and supporting it does neither the auto industry nor the American taxpayer any good.  A Car Czar, consecrated by Speaker Pelosi and subject to shifting political winds, won’t ever do the difficult work needed to ensure the long-term viability of these U.S. auto manufacturers.  The Republican Leadership of the House offered today an alternative solution, which I strongly support.  This plan would force much needed reform of the auto industry by providing hard benchmarks for reorganization and creates incentives to encourage the private sector to provide short-term financing.  Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi did not even allow a vote on this measure.

“The Democrat plan is nothing more than putting a band-aid on the cancer.  Nobody wants the domestic auto industry to succeed more than me, but the plan voted on today simply postpones the inevitable need for the companies to make the tough choices necessary for their long-term viability.”

News Archive:
Select Archive Item Nearly $2 Million in Head Start Funds Headed to the Gateway Community Action Agency Over $1.5 million headed to Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency 10.20.08 Kentucky Highlands Designated for $10 million in New Markets Tax Credit Authority Rogers Announces Water Treatment Funding for City of Loyall Rogers Announces Funding for Rural Telehealth Program Federal Funding for Southeast Community and Technical College Released Rogers: Federal Funds Committed to Bell County Housing Initiative Rogers: ARC Funds Headed to KHC’s Kentucky Appalachian Housing Program 10.3.08&nbsp; Rogers Statement on Economic Stabilization Package Rogers: Funds Awarded to Construct Energy Efficient Homes in McCreary County Rogers Announces Funding for New Police Cruiser in Wolfe County Rogers: ARC Funds Dedicated to Jackson County Youth Activity Center $11 Million Bound for Kentucky-based Security Research Initiative Rogers: McKee Made Army Helicopter Drip Pans Receives Congressional Approval Rogers: Funding Approved for McCreary County Manufactured Tents 9.24.08 Rogers Secures Funding for Kentucky National Guard Facility; Counter-drug Activities Federal Funding for Fifth District Education Initiative Released Rogers Announces USDA Funding for New Rescue Truck in Knox County Rogers Announces Funding for New Police Cruisers in Beattyville, Lee County Rogers Announces Funding for New Police Cruiser in McKee Water System Improvement Funding Approved for City of Jenkins MSU to Receive Technology Grant for Satellite Campus Instruction Rogers Announces Technology Funds for Pulaski County Board of Education Rogers Announces Distance Learning Funds Rogers: Federal Funds for Waste Water Lines Bound for Bath County Elementary School Rogers: New Waterlines, Funding Approved for Harlan County Rogers: ARC, State Funds Approved for Menifee County Medical Facility Rogers: Funds Approved for Breathitt County Medical Facility Rogers Lauds Passage of Highway Trust Fund Legislation 9.12.08 Rogers: MSU ‘GEAR UP’ Student Assistance Program to Receive $1,684,000 Rogers Announces Over $250,000 for Small Business Development Centers Rogers Announces Water Treatment Funding for Perry County 9.10.08 Rogers: ARC Education Funds Headed for Kentucky Rural Literacy Program Kentucky Highlands Business Innovator Training Funds Approved Rogers: Over $8.5 million to Lead Rural Domestic Security Training Program Going to EKU Rogers: Funds Awarded to Construct Energy Efficiency Homes in McCreary County 9.5.08 Rogers: Federal Funding for Energy Efficient Housing Project Approved Rogers: SKED to Receive $300K for Local Business Development Loan Rogers: $300K in Job Training Funds Headed to Breathitt County for At-Risk Youth Rogers: Federal Housing Rehabilitation Funds Headed to Floyd County Rogers: Federal Funds Approved for Magoffin County Medical Facility Rogers: Economic Development Funds for Hazard Water Storage Tank Rogers: Kentucky Highlands Receives Federal Grant for Rural Capital Financing Rogers Announces FAA Funding for Whitley County Airport Improvements Rogers: Dept. of Justice Releases Federal Funds for Operation UNITE Rogers: ARC Funds Headed to London-Based Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation Rogers: Owsley County to Receive Federal Funds to Fight Drug Abuse Rogers: Corbin Tri-County Area to Receive Federal Funds to Fight Drug Abuse Harlan County Airport Awarded Apron Rehab Funding DOJ Awards Additional Funds to Somerset-based Rural Law Enforcement Technology Center Regional Planning Funds to go to Pike County Fiscal Court Energy Exhibit Funding Coming to Eastern Kentucky Future Lindsey Wilson Nursing Program Gets Funding Boost Rogers: ARC Education Funds for AdvanceKentucky Math and Science Initiative Rogers: $1.1 Million Approved for Waterline Extension in Breathitt County Rogers: USDA Funds for Perry County Wastewater Disposal Approved Rogers: Water Infrastructure Funding Bound for Pulaski County Rogers: ARC Infrastructure Funds for Leslie County Project Approved Rogers Announces Bell County Airport Improvements Rogers Announces Breathitt County Airport Improvements Reps. Rogers, Davis Secure $1.425 million for UK coal-to-liquids research Rogers Presents Stars & Stripes to Korean War POW’s Family Real-Time Mapping Funds Headed for Morehead State University Rep. Hal Rogers Discusses the Energy Issue With Leland Conway on Lexington's News Radio 630 WLAP Fuel Prices: A Simple Solution - By Hal Rogers Rogers Signs House Petitions to Increase Domestic Energy Production Rogers: USDA funds for Sewer Infrastructure Bound for Lee County Rogers Announces $700,000 to Continue Local Fight Against Drug Abuse <P align=center><FONT face=Arial color=#3300ff size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: navy"><EM><U><STRONG>DEMAND THAT CONGRESS TAKE ACTION ON HIGH GAS PRICES</STRONG></U></EM></SPAN></FONT></P> 7.25.08 - Nearly $12 Million in Homeland Security Funds bound for Kentucky Rogers: $435,000 Approved To Protect Fern Lake Watershed 7.23.08 - Rogers: Corps of Engineers Awards Wolf Creek Dam Wall Contract Rogers Urges Congress to Take Up Comprehensive Energy, Gas Bill Rogers' Radio Statement on Rising Gas Prices - July 23, 2008 PRIDE Education Funds Approved <P>7.16.08&nbsp; With the Shot Clock Running Down, the Ball is in Speaker Pelosi’s Court - by Hal Rogers</P> Rogers Signs House Petition to Remove Costly Fuel Blend Mandates and Lower Gas Prices More Drug Treatment Funding Approved for Operation UNITE USDA Infrastructure Funds Bound for Leslie County Rogers Announces Water Treatment funding for Manchester Rogers: $400,000 Coming to Hazard Community & Tech College for Enhanced Student Services Rogers Signs House Petition to Promote Coal-to-Liquids Dollars slated for Region-wide Tourism/Economic Development Initiative Rogers Announces DOJ Funding for Rural Law Enforcement Tech Center 6.30.08 Rogers: Secures Funding for Operation UNITE Rogers: Bell County Board of Education To Receive over $250,000 Harlan County Public Schools To Receive $465,038 for Physical Education Rogers' July 4th Radio Statement on Rising Gas Prices 6.27.08 Rogers: Committee provides Full Funding For Work on Wolf Creek Dam Rogers: Funding for Kentucky PRIDE, Water Infrastructure Approved SKED to Receive USDA Funds for Business Development Assistance Rogers: MSU ‘UPWARD BOUND’ Program to Receive $250,000 The Road To Lower Gas Prices - By Hal Rogers Rogers Secures Funding for National Guard Readiness Center in London Rogers Signs Petition to Repeal Coal-to-Liquids Ban Rogers Announces Funding For Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Appropriations Committee Fails to Address Rising Gas Prices 6.25.06 Committee Approves Funding for Kentucky Flood Control Projects Rogers Again Presses for Solutions to Soaring Gas Prices Rogers Urges President to Increase American Energy Production Congressman Rogers' Statement about Legislation to Bring Down Gas Prices Site Selection Process to get Underway for Future Letcher Federal Prison Rogers Calls for Speaker Pelosi To Respond to Rising Fuel Prices Rogers Derides Cancellation of Key Vote On Domestic Oil Drilling Rogers Pushes Congress to Act Now on Rising Energy Prices 6.11.08 Rogers Pushes Congress to Act Now on Rising Energy Prices Rogers Announces $1 Million to Boost Energy Efficiency in Clay, Owsley Counties Rogers Announces $1.1 Million in Funding for Fifth District School Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs 6.3.08 Kentucky Fire Departments Eligible for Funding to Increase Staffing Levels Rogers Announces Morgan County Airport Improvements Rogers Announces Grant Funding for Critical Nursing Initiative Rogers Announces Security Grant for Laurel County School System Rogers Announces Harlan County Airport Improvements Rogers Announces Floyd County Airport Improvements Rogers Announces Breathitt County Airport Improvements Rogers Announces Pike County Airport Improvements 5.21.08 Rogers Statement on Rising Energy Costs $4.6 Million Slated for Kentucky Emergency Management Capabilities 5.15.08 Opposition to the FY08 Supplemental House Consideration 5.13.2008 Rogers Announces $17 Million in Homeland Security Initiatives Statement from Hal Rogers on Democrats' War Funding Plans Rogers Announces Williamsburg Airport Improvements Rogers Announces Hazard Airport Improvements Rogers Announces Lake Cumberland Regional Airport Improvements Rogers Announces Funds for Leslie County Sheriff’s Department Rogers Announces $165,000 for Eastern Kentucky Health Care Rogers Announces $3 Million USDA Loan for Regional Infrastructure Rogers Announces $300,000 for London-Corbin Airport Improvements USDA Funds Going to Recycling Initiative Rogers and Whitfield Announce Funds for Lake Cumberland Development Council Pulaski County Water System to Receive $735,000 Harlan County Water System to Receive $150,000 3.27.2008 Rogers Reminds Farmers Disaster Loans are Still Available Rockcastle County Water System to Receive Over $1 Million Rowan County Housing Agency to Receive over $300,000 Perry County Water System to Receive $2.25 Million Rogers Announces Child Care Funds for Hazard Rogers Announces Housing Grants for Low-Income Individuals Rogers Announces Housing Grants for Low-Income Individuals Rogers Announces Nearly $75,000 for Clay County Health Care Rogers Reminds Lake Cumberland Area Businesses that Disaster Loans are Still Available Rogers Opens House Session with Somerset Pastor Kentucky to Receive $4.6 Million for Emergency Management Capabilities Rogers Announces Nearly $600,000 to Protect Kentucky’s Critical Infrastructure Rogers Announces $2.6 Million Grant for Knox County Head Start Rogers Announces Nearly $1 Million for Lee County Water System Improvements Law Enforcement and Drug Eradication Programs to Receive Over $8 Million in Federal Funding <STRONG>1.19.2008</STRONG>&nbsp; Rogers Announces $2 Million in Additional Funds for Assistance with Heating Bills Rogers Secures Funding for Literacy Initiative Paintsville Lake to Receive Funds to Boost Tourism <P><STRONG>12.19.2007</STRONG> Rogers Secures Over $54 Million for Lake Cumberland Projects</P> Rogers Secures Over $23 Million to Fight Drugs Rogers Announces $3.6 Million Going to PRIDE Rogers Secures $2.5 Million for I-66 Rogers Secures $600,000 to Promote Southeastern Kentucky Tourism Congress Approves $5.6 Million for Military Gear Made in McCreary County Congress Approves $3.6 Million for Military Equipment Made in Jackson County Congress Approves $2.6 Million for Military Gear Made in Somerset <STRONG>11.01.2007 </STRONG>Rogers Announces $8.7 million Going to South Kentucky Rural Electric Coop <STRONG>10.11.2007: Rogers Introduces Congressional Resolution Honoring Kentucky National Guard</STRONG> Rogers Announces $677,000 to Expand Drug Treatment Options Rogers Announces $307,000 for Distance Learning Initiative Rogers Announces $450,000 in Economic Development Funds Rogers Announces $440,000 for Senior Center Addition Rogers Announces $75,000 Grant for Women’s Drug Abuse Center Rogers Announces $900,000 to Handle Domestic Violence in Region Rogers Announces $445,000 for Distance Learning Technology Rogers Announces $75,000 Grant for Start-Up Energy Businesses $12 Million Homeland Security Investment Going to Eastern Kentucky University Jackson County Business Wins $7 Million Army Contract Rogers Announces $200,000 Grant for Leslie County Water System Improvements Rogers Announces $250,000 Grant for Hazard Community College Rogers Announces $500,000 Grant for Corbin Water System Improvements Rogers Announces $500,000 Grant for Letcher County Public Health Rogers Announces $200,000 Energy Investment Rogers Announces Grant for More Internet Connectivity Rogers Announces $500,000 Grant for Frenchburg Water System Improvements Rogers Announces Drug Research Grant for MSU Rogers Announces Grant for Prison Site Selection Rogers Announces Grant for Rural Health Care Rogers Announces $400,000 Grant for Perry County Water System Improvements U.S. Army Executes $6 million contract with McCreary-based Company Rogers Secures Nearly $1.5 Million for Coal-To-Liquids Technology Rogers Secures $500,000 for Cancer, Heart Disease Research Rogers Secures $300,000 to Fight Obesity Flood Control Efforts Slated for $7 million Boost Rogers Secures $23 Million to Fight Drugs Veterans’ Medical Center to Open in Hazard Rogers Secures Funding for I-66 Rogers Announces $3 million in Additional Funds Secured for PRIDE Rogers Secures $54 Million for Ongoing Repairs at Wolf Creek Dam Rogers Receives National Recognition for Work on Drug Courts Iraq Spending / Troop Withdrawal Bill Causes of Darby Mine Tragedy Iraq War Spending Bill Rogers Announces $44 Million to Repair Wolf Creek Dam Congressman Gene Snyder 1928-2007 Iraq Resolution- U.S. House of Representatives Floor Statement Lake Cumberland Water Level Rogers' Statement on Mine Safety Rogers Works for National Designation of Kentucky Artisan Heritage Trail Rogers' Statement on Wolf Creek Dam Rogers' Statement on President Bush’s Nationally Televised Remarks on Iraq Tax, Health Legislation Passes House; Several Provisions to Benefit Southeast Kentucky Rogers Joins in Ribbon-Cutting for New Aerospace Manufacturing Facility in Somerset Rogers: Datatrac Opens Doors in Whitley County Rogers: Federal Funds to Boost Operation UNITE Bound for Region Rogers Announces Drug Free Communities Funding Kentucky One Step Closer to Landing New Homeland Security Research Lab Congress Approves Funding to Fight Prescription Drug Abuse Congress Funds Kentucky Tourism Initiative VA to Open Outpatient Clinics in Hazard and Florence Mine Safety Legislation Signed Into Law Somerset Transportation Priorities Included in Federal Budget Funding for London Access Road Included in Federal Budget I-66 Included in Federal Transportation Budget Pike County Graduate Receives Appointment to Naval Academy Rogers Reaction to Death of Al-Zarqawi Congress Approves Mine Safety Legislation House Expected to Consider Mine Safety Legislation Next Week Rogers Encourages Fire Departments to Apply for Staffing Funds Rogers Calls for Quick Passage of Mine Safety Legislation Flood Control Funding Approved for Jackson County Rogers Secures Funding to Fight Marijuana Cultivation in the Daniel Boone National Forest Rogers Supports Price Gouging Legislation Kentuckians Support NOAA Efforts Rogers Helps Launch Gulf Coast Recovery Bonds $3.5 Million Awarded to Complete Rowan Airport Project Rogers: $2.3 Million for Dump Cleanups, Sewer Improvements Construction Underway on Burnside’s Sewer System Rogers Encourages Local Fire Departments to Apply for Federal Funding Sewer Service Coming to Sunshine Federal Dollars for Jobs Bound for Hazard Rogers Applauds President’s Drug Control Strategy Shoaf Receives Appointment to West Point Rogers Reaction to State of the Union Address Roadside PRIDE Awards Announced