U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) joined the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce (Tuesday, April 23, 2024) for their Eggs and Issues breakfast series to share a congressional update from Washington, DC and discuss on-going work in Kentucky.
Congressman Rogers shared his vision and excitement for the planned Northern Bypass in Somerset. He successfully secured a $45 million Community Project Funding earmark for construction of the bypass in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2024 that was signed into law in March.
“The new interchange at highway 461 & highway 80has nearly eliminated all traffic accidents in that area, and it has streamlined the flow of traffic at the Valley Oak Technology Complex, paving the way for new development opportunities. I was proud to secure funding to jet-set us toward construction of the next phase, which will be the Northern Bypass,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “It signals to the rest of the state that we’re ready for more business and new opportunities in the Lake Cumberland region. The bypass will open our region even more, connecting straight from the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Expressway to I-65, and east to the Hal Rogers Parkway.”
Congressman Rogers also applauded the University Center of Southern Kentucky for executing more agreements with public universities to provide four-year degrees on the campus of Somerset Community College.
“Students can now earn a bachelor’s degree in several programs right here in Somerset from the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, Morehead State University and Lindsey Wilson College,” said Congressman Rogers. “It has been a long-time dream of mine to stop exporting our best and brightest students out of southern and eastern Kentucky, and these affordable college opportunities will bring that to fruition. Our future leaders can make an incredible impact in our region if they will use their talents and skills here at home.”
As a senior appropriator in Washington, Congressman Rogers helped secure funding for crucial work that continues to take place in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District that supports our national defense, including vital drone technology in Somerset, enhanced communication systems made in Morehead, and high-tech camouflage made in Stearns that protects our troops.
“We are doing incredible work in our region to support our national defense with competitive ingenuity, and the best workforce in the country,” said Congressman Rogers. “Helping our U.S. Armed Forces and our military veterans is always at the top of my priority list. So, when local leaders reached out to me about getting a tank to display at the new Veterans Memorial Park in Somerset, I was also proud to help fast-track the process to get one here.”
The new Veterans Memorial Park in Somerset will soon feature a retired M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer tank from the U.S. Army.
Congressman Rogers also provided a Washington update about recent legislation and his work as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science.
“Last week was the busiest time I’ve ever had in Washington. I opened budget hearings for my committee and Defense, bringing in federal leaders like U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. This process is vitally important to oversight of taxpayer dollars, and policies that need to be reevaluated to keep our nation on the right track,” said Congressman Rogers. “We just wrapped up funding bills for the remainder of 2024, and now, we’re preparing for fiscal year 2025 and the important projects that are critical for progress in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District.”
For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.
