Cole Speaks Out on Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after giving remarks at the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies oversight hearing on the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women:

“Native American and Alaska Native women and girls continue to be disproportionately targeted by dangerous predators. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates that Native women and girls experience a murder rate 10 times higher than the national average. Tragically, I have seen these stats firsthand in my home state of Oklahoma, which ranks number 2 on the list of the top 10 states with Native American and Alaska Native missing persons cases. Yet, while these statistics are alarming, data collection is unfortunately still lacking, and it will require sufficient awareness and resources to solve this crisis once and for all,” said Congressman Cole.

“As an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and the longest serving Native American in the House of Representatives, it is a priority of mine to speak up and raise awareness on this issue,” said Congressman Cole. “We cannot give predators a place to prey anywhere, including in Indian Country.”

To watch Congressman Cole’s remarks, click here.

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