U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers Discusses Homeland Security, Budget in Opelika Visit

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Citizens of the United States can no longer ignore the actions of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), U.S. Rep Mike Rogers said Friday.
Rogers, who represents Alabama's 3 rd Congressional District, spoke with locals at Opelika City Hall to discuss a gamut of issues, including homeland security and budget concerns.
The Republican congressman said that now that U.S. President Barack Obama acknowledges ISIL -- which encompasses ISIS and refers to a region that stretches from southern Turkey through Syria and Egypt -- as a threat, the actions expected to be taken toward the group will be done efficiently and as quickly as possible.
"It's our hope that we can help President Obama understand that if we're going to go over there, let's go over there and kill them and get out," Rogers said to those in attendance. "But the main thing that I want you to understand about ISIL is that we cannot ignore this problem. We can't put our head in the sand because all of us are tired of war. We're tired of Iraq, we're tired of Afghanistan, we're tired of all of these little nuts around the world … but the fact is, the threats (ISIL) has are going to hit us."
Rogers also discussed the federal budget, in particular sequestration caps on the nation's defense.
With situations such as ISIL as well as the current situation involving Russia and Ukraine -- which, according to Rogers, may escalate to a point where it may endanger bordering U.S. allies, thus prompting American involvement -- Rogers said that the effects of budget sequestration could weaken the military's ability to protect citizens from threats abroad as well as stateside.
"It's always going to be a big bureaucratic machine, and it's always going to have some weight, but we have gotten to where we can no longer successfully achieve what has been our goal for the defense department for decades … to be able to fight two wars simultaneously -- and successfully -- and defend our home," Rogers said.
Rogers also held a town hall-style question-and-answer session in which he addressed topics including illegal immigration, healthcare and creating more agricultural jobs.
Auburn University student Austin Ivey, who is enrolled in the school's college of agriculture, voiced a concern to Rogers that revolved around the state's farm bill and its ability to create future jobs.
"We have a problem with younger people not going into agriculture, and don't think it's not going to bite us down the road," Rogers said, noting that agriculture accounts for 42 percent of Alabama's economy. "One of the things I want to see us do in the next farm bill is to put more energy -- and by that I mean more attention and resources -- in helping young people recognize the economic benefit of going into agriculture, and we're going to have to do some things to incentivize it, frankly."
In regards to illegal immigrants, Rogers said the vast majority of them are no threat to the United States, going on to add that the key is that the nation must take steps to ensure that those involved in matters such as drug trafficking are not allowed to enter the country.
He added that he would welcome those who are hoping solely to improve lives for themselves and their families, so long as they enter the country legally.
"Every one of us came from somewhere; my family came from Scotland. Most of them -- like I said, 95 percent of them -- are hard-working people who want better lives," Rogers said. "Who doesn't want people like that in the country? They're God-fearing, family-oriented, hard-working people."

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