Stop Rep. Rogers’ $505 Million Prison Scheme

Imagine this: Your hard-earned money is funding the most expensive federal prison in U.S. history, but you’re not allowed to have a say in it. Well, that’s exactly what U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers wants.

He’s secretly slipped Section 223 into the 2025 House Appropriations Act, and if it goes through, you could be silenced in the decision-making process for the ginormous $505 million federal prison in Letcher County, Kentucky. This provision bars anyone outside of Eastern Kentucky from taking legal action against this — a project funded by your tax dollars. Very sneaky, Rogers...but we’re on to you!

He’s feeling the heat — and for good reason. The Letcher Prison has faced overwhelming opposition from every corner, including current and past presidents, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, local community leaders, and the 8,000 signatures from you and other Dream.Org members. Yet, despite standing alone in his support for this disastrous project, Rogers is willing to stop at nothing to get his way.

Let's make it clear that this blatant disregard for our voices won’t go unanswered. Help us stop Rogers’ dirty tricks and defend our right to stop this monstrous prison.

Put an End to Rogers' Dirty Tricks!

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Dear Congress,

We are writing to express our deep concerns and urge you to oppose Section 223, a non-budgetary rider in the appropriations bill, which grants the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky original and exclusive jurisdiction over any claims arising from actions taken by the Attorney General or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons related to the construction of the proposed federal prison facility in Letcher County, Kentucky.

This provision appears to be a targeted effort to centralize legal challenges within a specific judicial district, potentially undermining the fairness and impartiality of the judicial process. By restricting jurisdiction to the Eastern District of Kentucky, this section effectively limits the ability of affected parties to seek redress in a more neutral and possibly more appropriate forum, such as the D.C. Circuit, which is typically preferred for challenges involving federal actions.

The concentration of jurisdiction in the Eastern District of Kentucky raises significant concerns about impartiality, especially given the potential for perceived or actual biases due to local influences and established relationships within the district. This could erode public trust in the judicial process and the principle of fair and equal access to justice.

It is crucial that any legal challenges related to federal actions, especially those with substantial national and local impact, be adjudicated in a manner that ensures impartiality and fairness. Allowing the D.C. Circuit to hear these challenges would help maintain the integrity of the judicial review process and ensure that all parties have confidence in the outcomes.

We strongly urge you to oppose Section 223 of the appropriations bill and advocate for a more balanced approach that allows for judicial challenges to be brought in the D.C. Circuit or other appropriate venues. Ensuring fairness and impartiality in the judicial process is essential for upholding the principles of justice and democracy.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.