"It wasn't me" — HASC Chair Mike Rogers denies gutting Schumer's UAP amendment

HASC Chair Mike Rogers reads opening statement in 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference committee. Photo: Matt Laslo

Who?

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) — Chair, House Armed Services Committee (HASC)

LISTEN: Laslo & Rogers

Ask a Pol asks:

Do you know what happened to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's UAP amendment in the NDAA — National Defense Authorization Act — lat year? Was that you?

Key Rogers: 

“No, it wasn't me working on it,” HASC Chair Mike Rogers exclusively tells Ask a Pol. 

Was it Rep. Mike Turner?

“I don't remember,” Rogers tells us. “I really just don't.”

ICYMI — Ask a Pol’s exclusive w/ HASC Chair Mike Rogers outside 2023 NDAA negotiations

EXCLUSIVE — HASC Chair Rogers on Schumer UAP amend: "I understand a lot of the language is duplicative of existing language"

Caught our ear:

“I can't remember how it ended up,” HASC Chair Rogers tells Ask a Pol. 

Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), slightly edited for clarity.

House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (2023). Photo: Matt Laslo

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TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Mike Rogers

SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo has had a follow-up for HASC Chair Mike Rogers since our exits an elevator

Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you?”

Mike Rogers: “I’m good.”

ML: “Was curious: do you know what happened toChuck Schumer's UAP amendment in the NDAA last year? Was that you who was working on the reforms?”

MR: “No, it wasn't me working on it. I can't remember. I can't remember how it ended up.”

ML: “Was it Turner — Chair Turner?”

MR: “I don't remember. I mean, I just don’t.”

ML: “Yeah?”

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MR: “I really just don't.”

ML: “Is there someone on your staff we can reach out to?”

MR: “Yeah...”

Mic off.

We’ll let you know when we get an answer, especially if we don’t…

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Matt Laslo’s a veteran congressional correspondent, new media prof. & founder of Ask a Pol — a new, people-powered press corps.

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