Hal Rogers wins dubious distinction – again

Kentucky's 5th District representative Hal Rogers once again earned one of the "Most Corrupt Members of Congress" titles from a national watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics.

This isn't the first (or even second) time that Congressman Rogers has earned this distinction. He also earned it in 2007, 2008, and 2011. Below is an excerpt from this year's report:

Adding to the long list of earmarks he’s steered to well-connected campaign contributors, Rep. Hal Rogers has shown yet again that he’s earned the title “Prince of Pork.”

The Kentucky Republican earmarked millions of dollars for a Kentucky manufacturer, Phoenix Products, that produces leak-proof drip pans for the Army. The Phoenix drip pan cost an average of $17,000 per unit, even though a competitor says it produces a similar product at one-eighth the cost.

Rep. Rogers, who CREW has dubbed the “Prince of Pork” for his habitual earmarking, has taken nearly $40,000 in campaign contributions from the owners of Phoenix Products and employees of its lobbying firm.

Just a few weeks ago, Congressman Rogers was in the news for blocking funding for measures to protect miners from Black Lung, which is on a sharp rise.

For more information about Hal Rogers and why KFTC believes that Kentucky deserves better representation and accoutability, check out this presentation about Congressman Rogers's work as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee offered as a webinar in October 2011.

And add your voice to Kentuckians who are speaking out about what Kentucky deserves on our Kentucky Deserves Better tumblr!