In Paul Rogers’ early career, he joined the U.S. Army, serving in World War II from 1942 to 1946, to which he rose to the rank of Major and earned a Bronze Star Medal. Rogers also worked as a lawyer in private practice and was a member of the board of directors for Merck & Co. and Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York.

Rogers’ political career began by his election to the 84th Congress in a special election to replace the vacancy of this father, caused by death. Rogers was then reelected to the eleven succeeding congresses from 1955 to 1979. During his time in the House, Rogers was nicknamed “Mr. Health” for his service of the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment and his work behind the adoption of the National Cancer Act of 1971, the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments of 1977 and the Clean Air Act of 1970.