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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today released the following statement after voting against a temporary spending bill that maintains inflated government funding levels through March 2011:
"Instead of cutting spending during this time of high joblessness and record deficits, Democrats have pushed through yet another bloated funding bill. After failing to pass a budget or sign any of the 12 annual spending bills into law this year, the outgoing majority's record of fiscal irresponsibility remains unbroken.
Last week in a rare display of bipartisanship, Congress voted to extend the so-called Bush tax cuts for another two years. In so doing, they effectively stopped a massive tax increase that would have hit every single American taxpayer. I supported this legislation but with some reservations. My personal preference would have been to extend the tax cuts permanently, and to eliminate the death tax completely. And I have serious reservations about a payroll tax holiday that will undermine the solvency of Social Security.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today released the following statement after voting in favor of legislation to extend tax cuts for all Americans:
"This bill is certainly not ideal, but allowing massive tax hikes to go into effect for every American during a recession is unacceptable. I would have preferred a more fiscally responsible plan that makes the current tax rates permanent and avoids dipping into the Social Security trust fund, but this is the best agreement possible at this time.
After months of uncertainty, the tax compromise announced last week by President Obama was welcome news -- and not a moment too soon. With tax rates set to increase for all taxpayers on January 1, time is running short for Congress to act to avert tax hikes. The agreement reached between Obama and Congressional leaders is far from perfect, but it is considerably better than allowing taxes to go up for every American.
After months of deliberation, President Obama's debt commission released its report last week. Officially named the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, the panel formed in February to develop solutions to our staggering national debt.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today released the following statement after voting against Democrats' tax bill:
"This vote is nothing more than a political stunt. Negotiations are under way to extend tax breaks for all taxpayers and small businesses. Staging this vote before the negotiations are complete shows that the Democratic majority cares more about scoring political points than about getting the economy moving."
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today released the following statement after House passage of H.R. 4783, the Claims Resolution Act of 2010. The legislation provides for the settlement of a 14-year-old class action suit in which over 500,000 American Indians sought an accounting of mismanaged trust accounts held by the United States for the benefit of individual Indian beneficiaries. The legislation passed the Senate on November 19 by unanimous consent, and a similar measure has twice passed the House.
Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) hosts his monthly program "Cole on Congress" and visits with Rep. John Kline (MN-02) to provide an analysis on the issues facing our nation. (November 2010)
In less than five weeks, tax hikes will go into effect for virtually all tax brackets unless Congress takes action. Despite public and bipartisan support for maintaining the current tax rates, President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress have repeatedly refused to bring the issue to a vote. President Obama insists that his plan to raise taxes on the highest tax brackets will not affect job creators, but the facts indicate otherwise.
The intrusion of the federal government into Americans' daily lives has become more extensive than the Founding Fathers ever intended. From burdensome taxes to excessive regulations, my fellow Oklahomans frequently share with me their frustration with government interference. Restoring the principles of limited government will be a primary focus of the next Congress, and legislation I have introduced to protect states' 10th Amendment rights would help achieve this important objective.