Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole today pledged today to continue working to ensure that every county in Oklahoma in need of federal assistance from recent severe weather will receive the funds they need. Congressman Cole has personally contacted the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ask that Oklahoma's request for additional disaster assistance be expedited as quickly as possible.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole announced today that he will be serving on the Armed Services and Natural Resources Committees in the 110th Congress. He will be returning to Armed Services and Natural Resources as an active and voting member after taking a leave of absence from the Armed Services Committee to serve on the Rules Committee in the 109th Congress. Cole retained his seniority on the Armed Services Committee while serving on the Rules Committee.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole made the following comments after the President addressed the nation on the situation in Iraq.

"The President tonight announced a new, bold and decisive plan to win in Iraq. The President knows what is at stake, and believes that the efforts he outlined could make a real difference. We should give our Commander in Chief every resource he needs to carry this plan out in its entirety. The risks of failing are too great to give up now.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole supported legislation that would increase the minimum wage while also providing relief for small businesses. This Republican alternative to H.R. 2 failed to garner the support needed to pass in the House. The Democrat bill (H.R. 2) would only raise the minimum wage without providing any relief to the small businesses who stand to suffer the most from such an increase.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Congressman Tom Cole today announced the names of students from Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District who have received nominations to the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military and Naval Academies' entering class of 2007.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole voted against a House rule proposed by the Democrats that will make tax increases more likely and does nothing to help reduce the deficit or reduce government spending.

"This plan allows the Democrats to increase spending in some areas by paying for it by finding alternative sources of revenue. Although this could be a good idea in theory, in practice it means tax increases on the American people," Congressman Cole said.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Cole made the following statement upon hearing about the passing of Jeane Kirkpatrick, a fellow Oklahoman and the first woman to be named U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations:

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole voted today for the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (HR 6111) that includes two tax extensions to help spur economic activity on Indian reservations and on former Indian lands. This legislation, which passed in the House, is especially beneficial in Oklahoma.

"These two provisions encourage economic growth in our state and create new jobs for all Oklahomans," Congressman Tom Cole said. "The accelerated depreciation provision in particular is worth hundreds of millions of dollars to our state."