Cole Statement on Passage of Full-Year Funding for Fiscal Year 2022

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 the omnibus appropriations package for fiscal year 2022 that includes all 12 annual government funding titles as well as supplemental funding to counter Russian aggression.

"While Congress should have reached this point months ago, I am pleased that lawmakers are finally advancing full-year funding for fiscal year 2022," said Cole. "Unfortunately, the process was needlessly drawn out by Democrats, who refused to get serious about negotiating in good faith with Republicans and instead wasted time trying to advance wildly expensive and partisan proposals. However, at the end of the day, this bipartisan, bicameral package is better late than never. Although it is not the bill that I would have personally written, it represents a good compromise and includes numerous provisions that provide for the real priorities and funding needs of our country. And that is a true win for the American people.

"As I have said repeatedly, four conditions needed to be met in order for a deal to be struck – defense spending had to go up, domestic had to come down, poison pill riders had to be removed and longstanding pro-life language had to be restored. And I am proud to report all of this to be true with this funding package."

Cole made extensive remarks in support of the legislation while managing rules for the legislation's consideration on the House floor. Video of his remarks during the first rule debate on Wednesday morning is available here and transcript here. Video of his remarks during the second rule debate on Wednesday evening is available here and transcript here.

Topline Provisions:

Strengthens Our National Defense

• Increases national security spending by 5.6 percent over fiscal year 2021 levels
• Provides for a 2.7 percent pay raise for service members
• Provides a historic funding level of $14.9 billion for new military construction projects, including $85 million for the KC-46A three-bay depot maintenance hangar at Tinker Air Force Base
• Contains $1 billion for Israel's Iron Dome to replace the interceptors that were damaged in the most recent conflict
• Increases spending to ensure the U.S. can counter Chinese aggression
• Increases funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration to ensure a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent
• Enhances cybersecurity prevention and recovery efforts government-wide

Provides Support for Ukraine and Counters Russian Aggression

• Authorizes and provides $13.6 billion in funding for critical military assistance to Ukraine, including:
  • U.S. troop deployments to defend NATO countries in the region
  • Sanctions enforcement
  • Supporting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in countering cyber-threats from Russia

Strengthens the Border

• Secures a nearly 11 percent increase in funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to address the ongoing border crisis
• Prevents cancellation of existing border wall construction funding
• Increases U.S. Customs and Border Protection funding by $800 million over FY21 levels
• Increases U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding by $400 million over fiscal year 2021 levels

Protects Life

• Maintains all existing pro-life funding restrictions, including:
  • The Hyde Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer dollars from funding abortions
  • The Weldon Amendment, which protects American doctors, nurses and other health care professionals from participating in or providing an abortion if they have a moral objection
  • The Helms Amendment, which states foreign assistance funds may not be used for abortion as a means of family planning

Support for Indian Country

• Secures $62 million to support additional public safety needs as a result of the McGirt v. Oklahoma decision
• Commits more than $9 million for research and resources for violence against Indian women including:
  • For a national clearinghouse that provides training and technical assistance on issues related to sexual assault of American Indian and Alaskan Native women
  • For grants to assist tribal governments in exercising special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction
  • And for an initiative to support cross-designation of tribal prosecutors as Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys

Oklahoma-Specific Provisions

• Secures $5 million to Midwest City for a new booster pump station and clearwell to increase water storage and to improve water supply
• Secures $5 million to add shoulders and resurface State Highway 19 between Alex and Lindsay
• Secures $5 million to add shoulders and resurface State Highway 19 between Garvin and Pontotoc counties
• Secures $3 million for the Global Transportation and Industrial Park located in Ardmore
• Secures $3 million for replacement of infrastructure which in the City of Altus and Altus Air Force Base
• Secures $1.9 million for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation to support arthritis research and increase access to treatment in rural communities
• Secures $1 million for the University of Oklahoma Children's Hospital to support the provision of mental health services care for children with severe mental health issues
• Secures $1 million for FISTA campus modernization and expansions of the FISTA Innovation Park
• Secures $850,000 for Mid-America Christian University to support the education and training of credentialed mental health counselors in Oklahoma
• Secures $650,000 for Norman Regional Hospital to increase the number of operating rooms and available critical care rooms for both adult and pediatric inpatients to support emergency preparedness in the event of a mass casualty incident or surge of infectious disease patients

###