Cole Opposes Six-Bill FY23 Appropriations Package

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8294, a package of six of the 12 annual appropriations bill titles for fiscal year 2023. Cole voted against the legislation.

"While I am always encouraged to see the appropriations process moving, the fiscal year 2023 package of bills passed in the House today is a nonstarter," said Cole. "As Democrats are well aware, a final deal on full-year appropriations will not be possible until partisan policy riders are removed, longstanding bipartisan pro-life provisions are restored and defense spending is increased. Unfortunately, this package contains huge increases for domestic programs and includes poison pill provisions that Republicans cannot support. Indeed, Democrats went through this same futile exercise last year, and it didn't work then. It won't work now either, and the sooner Democrats acknowledge this and change course, the quicker Congress can fulfill its fundamental responsibility of funding the government."

The six-bill package included the following annual bill titles: (1) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies; (2) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; (3) Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies; (4) Financial Services and General Government Appropriations; (5) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; and (6) Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

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