Cole Announces Committee Assignments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today announced his committee assignments for the 112th Congress. Cole will continue serving on the Appropriations Committee and has been named to the Defense Subcommittee, as well as the Foreign Operations Subcommittee. In addition to these new subcommittees, he will continue to serve on the Interior and Environment Subcommittee.

Cole has served on the Appropriations Committee, which has jurisdiction over spending measures like the annual appropriations bills that fund all federal government agencies, since 2009. In the previous Congress, he served on the Interior and Environment; Labor/Health & Human Services/Education; and Legislative Branch subcommittees.

"The Appropriations Committee will be the tip of the spear in efforts to cut government spending, and I am honored to be serving on this pivotal committee at such an important time for our country.

"I am especially pleased to be selected to serve on subcommittees that influence issues vital to Oklahomans.

"Oklahoma's military personnel and bases are vital parts of our national security operations, and I intend to ensure that Oklahoma views are fully represented as the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee shapes military funding priorities. Speaker Boehner and Defense Secretary Gates have made it clear that the defense budget will not be immune from review, and it's crucial that we work closely with military leaders to eliminate wasteful spending without undermining our ability to respond to threats.

"On the Interior Subcommittee, I will continue to work to protect Oklahoma's agriculture and natural resource development from government overreach and to represent our Native American communities.

"The committee has already cut its own budget by 9 percent, and more cuts are coming. I look forward to making the tough choices necessary to end Washington's spending spree and put the country on the path to fiscal responsibility."

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