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Weekly Columns

The Road To Replacement Begins Now
January 9, 2017
Weekly Columns
Of all the policy disagreements between President Obama and Congressional Republicans, none have been as persistent or contentious as the debate over health care reform, and Obamacare specifically. So it comes as no surprise that the very first item on President-elect Trump’s agenda is the repeal of President Obama’s signature legislative “accomplishment.”
Issues:Healthcare
New Year, New Promises
January 2, 2017
Weekly Columns

This week the 115th Congress will be sworn in and will immediately be faced with a host of challenges and opportunities. I am honored to serve another term as the Representative for the Fourth District of Oklahoma. When I was first elected in 2002, I was proud to serve with a Republican Administration and in the majority party in Congress. Six years later my party was the minority party and the United States had elected a Democratic president. In November 2016, the voters elected a Republican president and Republican majorities in both houses of Congress.

Issues:Social SecurityTribal Relations
Looking Back to Look Forward
December 27, 2016
Weekly Columns
This past year was one of great change for America. After eight years of President Obama, the American people elected perhaps the most unorthodox candidate in our nation's history. The nominating process for both parties was unlike any we have ever seen. The Democrats nearly nominated a self proclaimed Socialist before settling on the establishment front runner, Hillary Clinton. And the Republicans nominated a candidate who had never sought or held elected office before.
Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign AffairsHealthcare
Two Years of Accomplishments
December 20, 2016
Weekly Columns

When the 114th Congress began its session in January of 2015, many Americans had concerns about the direction of our nation, and the job approval of their Congressional leaders was appropriately low. After so many years of onerous executive overreach, House Republicans faced many challenges in the fight to block President Obama’s liberal agenda. There were many times that House Republicans have come close to making common sense conservative progress, only to be shot down by the president’s veto pen.

Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign AffairsEconomy & Small BusinessEducationHealthcareNatural ResourcesTribal RelationsVeterans & Military Retirees
A New Year's Resolution
December 13, 2016
Weekly Columns
In Article I, section 7, clause 1 of the United States Constitution, our Founding Fathers laid out the framework for the Congressional “Power of the Purse.” Congress has the fundamental responsibility for raising revenue and appropriating spending. It has done so for more than two centuries, but the job has become more complicated than need be in recent decades. Over the past several years, passing a budget and funding the government has grown more difficult, and has even resulted in government shutdowns.
Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign AffairsEconomy & Small Business
Cole Joint Op-Ed in The Oklahoman: The importance of higher ed research
December 11, 2016
Weekly Columns
Supporting our higher education institutions and providing adequate resources for them is a priority that Americans can agree on. Higher education is the backbone for American ingenuity and innovation, and Oklahoma is home to many colleges and universities committed to quality education.
Issues:Education
New Leadership for a New Era
December 5, 2016
Weekly Columns
As President Obama’s days in office come to a close, the specter of significant change is on the horizon. While President-Elect Donald Trump assembles his leadership team, Congress is busy preparing our own agenda to repeal, reform and replace some of the most onerous policies of the Obama Administration. With the right people, Congress and the new President can bring badly needed change to the political atmosphere in our nation and finally begin to get things done.
I’ve been very impressed with the initial choices President-Elect Trump has made for his cabinet.
Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign AffairsEducationHealthcare
Finish the Job
November 28, 2016
Weekly Columns
As the 114th session of Congress begins to come to a close, many people – myself included - lament the time between now and the end of the year, also known as a “lame duck” session. Some believe that nothing should done until the new Congress and new President are sworn into office. Others believe this Congress should finish their jobs by passing a series of appropriations bills that have complied with the Budget Control Act.
Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign AffairsEconomy & Small Business
A Time to be Grateful
November 21, 2016
Weekly Columns
The past few weeks have brought profound and monumental change to the United States. While America remains a deeply divided country from a political standpoint, we all have many blessings to reflect upon – individually and collectively. I know my family and I do.
Protecting Those Who Have Protected Us
November 10, 2016
Weekly Columns
One of our most sacred, if not the most sacred American holiday is Veteran’s Day – the day we honor those who have served to protect our nation, and especially those who have paid the ultimate price to defend and preserve our freedoms.
Issues:Veterans & Military Retirees