Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole today voted in favor of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 (H.R. 6166), which passed the House by a vote of 253-168. The Military Commissions Act will help create a system of justice for suspected terrorists that will protect our nation’s intelligence capabilities while giving the suspected terrorists basic legal protections.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Tom Cole announced today that all Oklahoma High School students are invited to attend Oklahoma Congressional Academy Day to learn about each academy and the application process. The Oklahoma Congressional Academy Day will be held at Rose State College in the Tom Steed Center Auditorium on September 30 from 2-4 p.m.

Washington – Rep. Tom Cole this week voted for three major pieces of legislation that will help increase border security and crack down on illegal immigration. The three bills passed by the House were the Community Protection Act of 2006 (H.R. 6094), the Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 (H.R. 6095), and the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2006 (H.R. 4830).

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole voted yesterday for the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (H.R. 6061) that passed in the House, 283-138. The Secure Fence Act is an emergency measure that would mandate operational control of all borders and ports through enhanced Border Patrol operations, physical barriers, and state-of-the-art technology along the southwest border, including reinforced fencing.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole voted yesterday for H. Res. 1000 to increase transparency in the legislative and appropriations process by passing a change to House rules concerning earmark reform. This legislation passed in the House, 245-171.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole voted today for H.R. 5970, The Estate Tax and Extension of Tax Relief Act of 2006. This legislation includes extensions of certain business taxes, including extensions of tax provisions known as 45A and 168j that are extremely important to Oklahoma businesses. It also includes permanent estate tax relief and an increase in the minimum wage.

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman Tom Cole will be leading a group of members to Iraq this weekend to meet with foreign leaders about the progress being made in Iraq and to meet with troops stationed in Baghdad. This will be Congressman Cole's sixth trip to the region in less than four years.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole voted yesterday evening for the Pension Protection Act (H.R. 4) which passed in the House. This legislation addresses the problem of under-funded pension plans and takes a balanced approach to comprehensively reforming outdated pension laws.