112th Congress
New Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has been charged with cutting $450 billion from the Defense Department over the next 10 years. In keeping with that goal, the Air Force recently announced a realignment that will ultimately benefit Tinker Air Force Base. Tinker's Air Logistics Center will now become the new single head for Air Force sustainment and logistics, making it one of the military's leading repair and maintenance facilities. The assignment of a sustainment center and 3-star general highlights Tinker's pre-eminent role among air logistics facilities.
Bipartisan cooperation is often hard to come by in Washington, but some ideas are so bad that both Republicans and Democrats can agree to work together to oppose them. Such is the case with taxation of employee health benefits.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation today reacted to news that Tinker Air Force Base’s (AFB) Air Logistics Center (ALC) will become the new single head for Air Force sustainment and logistics. The realignment, a move that is in line with the Defense Department’s requirement to make $450 billion in spending cuts over the next decade, will mean that Tinker will lose its current Two Star General slot, but will gain a Three Star General and a One Star General billet.
While President Obama crisscrosses the country complaining that Congress is not doing enough to create jobs, House Republicans quietly passed our 17th job-related bill of the year. Members of the president's own party even joined us this time, providing bipartisan action on jobs -- in contrast to a White House that only contributes empty, divisive rhetoric. By repealing the ridiculous 3 percent withholding tax requirement, we will remove yet another government-imposed obstacle to economic growth.
Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) hosts his monthly program "Cole on Congress" and visits with Rep. Kristi Noem (SD) to provide an analysis on the issues facing our nation. (October 2011)
In August, House Republicans announced our next major jobs initiative: a series of bills to roll back the Obama administration's radical, job-crushing regulations. After identifying ten of the most damaging regulations, we've set about modifying or repealing them one by one.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement in response to President Obama's announcement that he would be recalling all American troops from Iraq by the end of the year.
"The clear winners in today's announcement are Iran and Al Qaeda. I find it very disappointing that Prime Minister Maliki and President Obama were unwilling to give the effort needed to come to an agreement that was clearly in the best interests of both of our nations.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement in response to the death of tribal official Elouise Cobell:
"I was saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and distinguished Native American leader, Elouise Cobell. Nobody fought harder for the honest management of trust assets of Indian Country than Elouise. Due to her efforts, literally hundreds of thousands of native Americans received justice and compensation for the past mismanagement of tribal assets by the U.S. Government.
Details about the Justice Department's horribly botched gun-tracking program, dubbed "Fast and Furious," reveal government incompetence at best and misconduct at worst. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has been investigating this troubling case for months -- often with little cooperation from Attorney General Eric Holder's Justice Department.