Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) was appointed to a seat on the House Rules Committee tonight by House Speaker John Boehner. The Rules Committee is part of the House leadership and works with the Speaker and the Majority Leader to schedule bills and set the terms of debate on the House floor. Every piece of legislation considered by the House must first pass through the Rules Committee.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the House approved the Senate-passed fiscal cliff agreement to extend and make permanent low tax rates for individuals earning up to $400,000 per year and families earning $450,000. The legislation delays devastating military cuts for two months and prevents numerous other damaging tax policies including an increase in the Alternative Minimum Tax.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK-4) today applauded the Senate passage of H.R. 3263, the Lake Thunderbird Efficient Use Act. This measure grants the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District (COMC) authority to import and store non-project water into Lake Thunderbird in order to firm up municipal and industrial water supplies for cities including Norman, Midwest City, and Del City.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 5862, his bill to allow the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma (O-Gah-Pah) and its tribal members to pursue their Indian trust-related claims in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. The Quapaw Tribe sought relief in court for accounting of funds held in trust for the tribe and the tribe’s members and agreed to mediation with the federal government. However, the federal government's failure to abide by the agreement has left the tribe with no resolution or recourse for 10 years.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) announced that Jeff Peters will be joining his staff as field representative in the Norman region, while former field representative Josh Grogis will serve as district director.

"I couldn't be more pleased to have Josh Grogis and Jeff Peters onboard. With their thorough knowledge of the area and experience in public service, Josh and Jeff will do an excellent job serving 4th District residents."

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta urging him modernize the military voting system in order to remove obstacles overseas military service members face in exercising their voting rights. Cole made the following comment about the issue:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the death of Skip Healey:

"I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of longtime Republican and civic leader Skip Healey of Davis. Skip has been a fixture in GOP politics for over 50 years, serving as the Budget Committee chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party for over four decades, as well as national committeeman, a district and county official and a leader in countless political campaigns at the state and national level.