Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Congressman Cole made the following statement about President Bush's State of the Union Address, January 31, 2006:

"With the same unwavering determination we have seen over the past five years, President Bush laid out this year's agenda in a true visionary's style. Tonight he left no doubt that he will use his last three years to accomplish what is best for the country-success in Iraq, domestic security, better health care for all Americans, a sound energy policy, global competitiveness and a bolstering economy."

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Congressman Cole made the following statement after hearing the news that additional counties were added to the disaster declaration. These counties will now be eligible to receive federal funds to help fight the wild fires and recover from their damage.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Congressman Tom Cole announced today that the University of Oklahoma was recently awarded the Postal Service training contract, effective January 1, 2006. The contract provides $27 million over two years with three one-year renewable options. Assuming the contract goes for the full five years, the award would amount to $67 million, maintaining 217 full-time jobs in the Norman area.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Cole voted for the Defense Authorization Conference Report (H.R. 1815) recently that includes multiple provisions to improve the quality of life for men and women in the nation’s active, guard and reserve forces.

“The men and women of our Armed Forces continue to sacrifice every day to ensure America’s success in the global war on terrorism, and they deserve the equipment, the training and the additional benefits we included in this bill,” Congressman Tom Cole said.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Congressman Cole praised Chairman of the House Resources Committee Richard Pombo, today for his work to extend the December 31, 2005 statutory deadline for filing of claims against the Department of the Interior for alleged mismanagement of Indian trust funds. Early this morning the House passed, by unanimous consent, S. 1892 that will extend this deadline for one year.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Rep. Tom Cole voted for the Deficit Reduction Conference Report early this morning which will help lower the rate of growth of government spending and reduce the deficit. This legislation includes savings recommendations from eight authorizing committees to achieve a net savings of about $41.6 billion in mandatory spending programs.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Early this morning, Congressman Tom Cole voted the Defense Appropriations Conference Report (H.R. 2863) that provides $453.5 billion to fight the global war on terror, enhance our security and improve the lives of our service men and women, as well as providing funding for other national priorities such as hurricane relief and avian flu preparedness. This legislation also included a provision to allow drilling in Artic National Wildlife Refuge to increase our domestic supply of oil.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Congressman Tom Cole voted last night for immigration legislation that will help control America's borders and prevent illegal immigration in our country. Congressman Cole was a co-sponsor of the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (H.R. 4437), which passed in the House and must now be debated in the Senate.

****NOTE. Because of electronic problems with Congressman Cole's voting card, he was recorded as not voting. He spoke on the floor regarding this problem: