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One of the last pieces of legislation passed by the 111th Congress before adjourning last week was a hastily crafted funding bill to keep the government functioning until March 2011. In keeping with most of the legislation produced under Pelosi's majority, it is fiscally irresponsible, haphazardly constructed, and out of touch with the priorities of mainstream Americans.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) made the following remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 847, the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which was approved Wednesday by the House of Representatives.
"Mr. Speaker, long before New York City's First Responders rushed to save their fellow Americans in the fire and horror of 9/11, they came to help the people of Oklahoma City deal with the death and destruction stemming from the terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) made the following remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 847, the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which was approved Wednesday by the House of Representatives.
"Mr. Speaker, long before New York City's First Responders rushed to save their fellow Americans in the fire and horror of 9/11, they came to help the people of Oklahoma City deal with the death and destruction stemming from the terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) and Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney announced a friendly wager over the Fiesta Bowl matchup between the Oklahoma Sooners and the UConn Huskies. Courtney wagered pizzas from Connecticut’s world-famous Mystic Pizza, and Cole placed chocolate from the Chickasaw Nation’s Bedre Chocolates on the line.
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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