Cole Returns from Bipartisan Defense Appropriations Delegation to Pacific Region

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after attending a bipartisan Congressional delegation trip to the Pacific region. Led by Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (CA-41), Cole joined Reps. Steve Womack (AR-03), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Chris Stewart (UT-02), Ed Case (HI-01) and Mike Garcia (CA-27) visiting Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.

“As the Chinese Communist Party and North Korea become increasingly emboldened, it is ever more important that U.S. leaders show support for Taiwan, Japan and South Korea in the face of these aggressors,” said Cole. “The stability of the Indo-Pacific region has direct implications on the entire international community, and it is critical we ensure the United States remains committed to our allies’ and partners’ security. I was glad to travel to these countries with my colleagues and discuss the economic and national security threats they face, and I will certainly keep what I learned in mind throughout the appropriations process in the weeks ahead.”

###