Cole Appointed to Powerful Appropriations Committee

WASHINGTON – The House Republican Steering Committee today appointed Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole to a coveted seat on the House Appropriations Committee. He becomes the only Member of Congress from Oklahoma to sit on the powerful committee.

The Appropriations Committee has jurisdiction over spending measures such as the annual appropriations bills which fund all federal government agencies. In addition, there are 12 subcommittees, each with jurisdiction over an annual appropriations bill. At this time Congressman Cole has not received his subcommittee assignment, but should receive it in the near future.

"I am very pleased to have been appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Committee," Congressman Cole said. "This has been a goal of mine since I arrived in Congress. For the last two years Oklahoma has not had an appropriator from either party in the House or the Senate so this is an important development for our state."

"Like most Oklahomans, I believe that the government is too big and spends too much. I look forward to serving on the committee that can help rein in wasteful spending and bring more transparency to the process. Now, more than ever, the American taxpayers need leaders who will be responsible stewards of their tax dollars by holding a firm line on government spending."

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