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Defense Appropriations Bill Prevents Cuts to Key Air Force Programs
June 20, 2014
Press Release
Washington, DC – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), a member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 4870, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2015. The legislation passed by a vote of 340-73 and includes an amendment authored by Cole that addresses the Administration’s proposed cuts to the United States Air Force.
Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign Affairs
Letter Urges President to Enforce Existing Immigration Law
June 20, 2014
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) joined Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers and several other subcommittee chairs from the Appropriations Committee in sending a letter to President Barack Obama that opposes his handling of the surge of unaccompanied illegal minors crossing our borders. This population of individuals, usually from Central America, has grown from 6,000 in 2011 to 66,000 last year. By next year, this number is projected to climb as high as 150,000.
Issues:Immigration
Congressional Committee Leaders Demand Immediate Administration Action to Address Southern Border Immigration Crisis
June 20, 2014
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Several senior members of Congressional Committees with jurisdiction over border and immigration issues today sent a joint letter to President Barack Obama, demanding immediate action from federal agencies on the immigration crisis at the Southwest border.
Issues:Immigration
Cole Offers Amendment to Prohibit Use of Military Bases to House Illegal Unaccompanied Minors
June 19, 2014
Speech
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) offered an amendment yesterday to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2015 on the House floor. The amendment responded to the Administration’s inappropriate use of military bases, including Fort Sill in Lawton, for housing illegal unaccompanied minors.
Issues:Immigration
NewsOK: White House opposes Cole's rescue of AWACS planes
June 17, 2014
News Stories

NewsOK - Chris Casteel

The White House came out strongly on Tuesday against the defense spending bill set to be considered by the full U.S. House this week and specifically cited a provision that would protect AWACS planes stationed at Tinker Air Force Base.

Issues:Defense, National Security & Foreign Affairs
The Call of Duty to Our Veterans
June 16, 2014
Weekly Columns

True patriotism is embodied in the lives of those who volunteered to defend and protect our nation, and their remarkable, selfless acts of service must never be taken for granted. We are forever indebted to them for their service, and they deserve the utmost support and appreciation every day of the year.

Issues:Veterans & Military Retirees
The Oklahoman: Oklahoma's Cole, Lankford blame Obama for border, immigration woes
June 15, 2014
News Stories

The Oklahoman - Silas Allen

A day after the first wave of unaccompanied immigrant children began arriving at Fort Sill, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole blamed President Barack Obama for the predicament.

Issues:Immigration
The Oklahoman: Influx of Central American kids underscores broken U.S. immigration system
June 13, 2014
News Stories

The Oklahoman - Editorial Board

Over the course of this year, as many as 90,000 minors fleeing crime- and poverty-ridden Central American countries could be given haven in the United States. Few will ever return to their homeland, prompting U.S. Rep. Tom Cole to say this week: “We need to have some frank policy discussions.”

Issues:Immigration
Cole Supports Accountability of Department of Veterans Affairs
June 11, 2014
Press Release
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the House unanimously passed H.R. 4810, the Veteran Access to Care Act of 2014. This legislation allows veterans to seek medical care through a non-Department facility if they are unable to get an appointment secured within 14 days or if they live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility.
Issues:Veterans & Military Retirees
The Oklahoman: Children who crossed border illegally to start arriving at Fort Sill on Friday
June 10, 2014
News Stories

The Oklahoman - Rick Green and Chris Casteel

Hundreds of young people who came across the southern U.S. border illegally are expected to begin arriving this week at Fort Sill, where they will be housed temporarily.

Issues:Immigration