At 28 years old, Rogers became the youngest person to join the Calhoun County Commission. In 1994, he won a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives, and became Minority leader in his second term. In 2002, Bob Riley successfully ran for governor, leaving the 3rd district vacant. Rogers easily won the Republican nomination. In the general election, he faced Democratic veteran Joe Turnham, Jr., who had served three years as state party chairman and had run against Riley in the congressional election in 1998.
In December 2011, Rogers voted in support of H.R. 10, the "Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act," which would have required Congressional approval for any "major regulations" issued by the executive branch but, unlike the 1996 Congressional Review Act, would not require the president's signature or override of a probable presidential veto. He earned the title of "April 2012 Porker of the Month" and only a 23% rating from Citizens Against Government Waste
In 2008, he received a rating of 50% from the American Conservative Union, one of the most moderate voting records of a Southern Republican for that year. Rogers supported an amendment to declare that people retain the right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including schools. He cosponsored legislation to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. Rogers sponsored a bill expressing the continued support of Congress for equal access of military recruiters to institutions of higher education. He also introduced legislation making it illegal to satirize or in any way parody the Transportation Security Administration.
Abortion
Rogers is anti-abortion. As of 2020, he has a 100% rating from National Right to Life in contrast to zero percent from NARAL in 2018 regarding his abortion-related votes. He opposes banning federal health coverage if abortion is included and opposes using human embryos for stem cell research. Rogers has voted in support of efforts to restrict interstate transport of minors for abortions and allowing partial-birth abortion only if the mother's life is at risk. He also opposes human cloning and signed the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. He also co-sponsored the Sanctity of Human Life Act. Rogers is a supporter of fetal rights.
Civil rights
As of 2019, Rogers has a 19% rating in regarding civil rights-related legislature from the NAACP. Rogers voted in opposition to the Violence Against Women Act in 2013. He believes that marriage is between a man and a woman and in 2004 he voted for the Marriage Protection Amendment. In 2007, Rogers voted in opposition of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Rogers has a zero out of 100 rating from the Human Rights Campaign regarding his support of pro-LGBTQ policies.
In a very close election, the Turnham-Rogers contest was one of the most closely watched in 2002. Both Democratic and Republican National parties targeted the district, with Speaker Dennis Hastert promising Rogers a seat on the Armed Services committee should he win. Rogers heavily outspent Turnham, raising and spending $1,656,290 to Turnham's $1,015,132, with Rogers enjoying an even greater margin in independent expenditures. Rogers narrowly won the election by a 50%–48% margin. In this election, Rogers became a rare Republican endorsee of The Anniston Star. However, Rogers has only faced one other contest nearly that close. In 2008, Joshua Segall held him to only 54 percent of the vote—the only time since his initial election that Rogers has fallen below 59 percent of the vote.
2008 Rogers won against Democratic nominee Joshua Segall, a Montgomery attorney, and Independent Mark Layfield.
2010 Rogers defeated Democratic nominee Steve Segrest.
Rogers was a recipient of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's ARMPAC campaign contributions. DeLay was prosecuted and convicted on charges of felony money laundering of campaign finances and conspiracy to launder money. As of August 2016, Rogers has not offered to return any of the $30,000 he received. Rogers said that DeLay is innocent until proven guilty, and that he would not return the money "while the judicial process runs its course."
Honors
Rogers has been awarded the following foreign honor:
