Cole Statement on H. Res. 489

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted on H. Res. 489, a resolution offered by Democrats in response to President Trump's recent comments about four Democratic members of Congress. Cole opposed the resolution.

"While it is certainly appropriate to be critical of what the president said about four fellow Americans and members of Congress, the political exercise pushed by House Democrats in response is a political double standard," said Cole. "For anyone who follows debate on the House floor each week, it is known that many Democrats regularly speak in an equally offensive manner toward the president. In fact, Democratic members are frequently admonished by the presiding speaker for violating House rules. This type of political rhetoric needs to stop.

"Unfortunately, H. Res. 489 singles out and condemns the president but ignores the shameful rhetoric on the other side. This is unfair, inappropriate and inconsistent. Just last week, the same people calling President Trump a ‘racist' were calling Speaker Pelosi a ‘racist.' Both claims are wrong.

"In the days ahead, I will continue to voice my views forcefully and clearly, but I will neither participate in nor support efforts that use the tools of the House as a one-sided weapon to punish the president while ignoring the reckless rhetoric of so many of his Democratic critics."

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