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Rep. Tom Cole Named IFA 2016 Legislator of the Year
September 13, 2016
Press Release

Washington, D.C. — The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) as the 2016 Legislator of the Year during IFA's Franchise Action Network Annual Meeting. The Legislator of the Year Award is given to lawmakers who consistently support a pro-franchising, pro-business agenda.

Issues:Small Business
Our Priority Is Our Military
September 12, 2016
Weekly Columns
One of the preeminent responsibilities of Congress, demonstrated by its inclusion in the Preamble to the Constitution, is to provide for the common defense. With that in mind, both Congress and the President have historically made maintaining a strong military a priority. We must always ensure that our men and women in uniform always have the best resources at their disposal.
Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign Affairs
The Norman Transcript: Lasting impact: How 9/11 changed the world
September 11, 2016
News Stories
The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 changed Oklahoma, the United States and the world in an uncounted variety of ways.
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Books I'm Reading: September 2016
September 7, 2016
Books I'm Reading
The Great Father (Francis Paul Prucha)
Unfinished Business
September 5, 2016
Weekly Columns

It’s been a great month in the Fourth District, and I enjoyed updating everyone with the work we’re doing in DC. And now it’s time to continue our work and get back to some unfinished business. As the Members of Congress descend back to Washington, we’re aware that there are things we’ve got to do, and there’s no time to waste in completing our tasks. From battling Zika to funding the government, everyone on both sides of the aisle have got some things to prioritize.

Issues:Economy & Small Business
Negotiating with Terrorists
August 29, 2016
Weekly Columns
It has been a longstanding policy of the United States that we will not negotiate with terrorists and we will not pay ransom money to free hostages. The reasons for this policy are obvious; paying ransoms incentivizes the taking of more hostages. U.S.
Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign Affairs
Obamacare Is A Money Pit
August 22, 2016
Weekly Columns
When Obamacare was created, it was sold to the American people as a new plan to both lower health costs and expand access. Six years later, many Americans have faced and continue to face outrageous premiums and deductibles.
Issues:Healthcare
Protecting All of Our Borders
August 15, 2016
Weekly Columns
Every day, our nation faces new threats from enemies at home and abroad, and we rely on our government to identify and deter these threats before they come to fruition. How strongly we respond to these threats is up to our nation’s leaders - particularly our Commander in Chief. The past fifteen years have seen some of the most unbelievable acts of terror, and some of the biggest changes to our country’s national defense and foreign policy in modern history.
Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign Affairs
Cole Op-Ed in The Oklahoman: Early childhood education crucial to building America's future
August 12, 2016
Weekly Columns
Childhood is a precious gift. It's a time of constant growth, and every child's potential is limitless. Unfortunately, there are many children in underserved communities across the country, where they face an increased risk of that potential being cut short by limited opportunities. Early childhood education is essential for success later in life, and every state needs solid resources to reinforce the benefits of schooling.
Issues:Education
Rededicating Ourselves
August 8, 2016
Weekly Columns
Our nation was founded on the idea that the government should serve the people, not the other way around. In order to establish and protect that principle, our Founding Fathers established a Constitution which established a government structure unlike the world had ever known. Their plan to have a government of three branches – legislative, judicial executive - has stood the test of time and has served as the foundation of our Republic. This system of checks and balances is intended to hold each branch accountable.