Economy & Small Business

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today released the following statement after the House Republican majority passed new operating rules for the 112th Congress:

"House Republicans pledged to cut spending and reform government, and we've wasted no time getting started. For too long, Washington has operated under a system that reflexively enables spending and the growth of government. The new rules we passed today change the legislative process and put the focus where it should be -- on budget discipline, spending cuts, and transparency."

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today released the following statement after voting against a temporary spending bill that maintains inflated government funding levels through March 2011:

"Instead of cutting spending during this time of high joblessness and record deficits, Democrats have pushed through yet another bloated funding bill. After failing to pass a budget or sign any of the 12 annual spending bills into law this year, the outgoing majority's record of fiscal irresponsibility remains unbroken.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today released the following statement after voting in favor of legislation to extend tax cuts for all Americans:

"This bill is certainly not ideal, but allowing massive tax hikes to go into effect for every American during a recession is unacceptable. I would have preferred a more fiscally responsible plan that makes the current tax rates permanent and avoids dipping into the Social Security trust fund, but this is the best agreement possible at this time.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today released the following statement after voting against Democrats' tax bill:

"This vote is nothing more than a political stunt. Negotiations are under way to extend tax breaks for all taxpayers and small businesses. Staging this vote before the negotiations are complete shows that the Democratic majority cares more about scoring political points than about getting the economy moving."

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) made the following statement after House Democrats passed H.R. 1586, the latest "stimulus" bill:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) made the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 4899, a supplemental appropriations bill to provide critical funding for war operations in Afghanistan and Iraq:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today issued the following statement after House Democrats passed their latest spending bill:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 4173, "Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010":

"Americans are no safer from another economic collapse today than we were yesterday. This bill institutionalizes 'too big to fail' and does nothing to address the rampantly irresponsible lending practices at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that played a leading role in causing the financial crisis. Creating new government bureaucracy and jeopardizing more taxpayer dollars is not reform."

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