112th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) has been appointed to the powerful House Budget Committee. The Budget Committee sets yearly spending limits for the federal government and issues guidelines for cutting programs to meet spending targets. Cole was also recently named to a second term on the Appropriations Committee.
After an appropriate pause to honor the victims of the tragic Arizona shooting, Congress resumes legislative activity with a vote to repeal the controversial, unpopular health care law.
The 112th Congress was sworn in last week, and the new Republican majority immediately went to work implementing the priorities the American people voted for in November's historic election. Citizens demanded spending cuts, more accountability and transparency, and a return to the principles of limited government set forth in the Constitution. House Republicans passed legislation addressing every one of these priorities in the first week.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today announced his committee assignments for the 112th Congress. Cole will continue serving on the Appropriations Committee and has been named to the Defense Subcommittee, as well as the Foreign Operations Subcommittee. In addition to these new subcommittees, he will continue to serve on the Interior and Environment Subcommittee.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today released the following statement after the House approved a spending cut resolution requiring a 5 percent cut to every congressional office budget:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) today released the following statement after the House Republican majority passed new operating rules for the 112th Congress:
"House Republicans pledged to cut spending and reform government, and we've wasted no time getting started. For too long, Washington has operated under a system that reflexively enables spending and the growth of government. The new rules we passed today change the legislative process and put the focus where it should be -- on budget discipline, spending cuts, and transparency."
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The recently released annual status review of the mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan reveals our armed forces have achieved significant gains during the past 12 months. Although Americans can always depend on the skill and courage of our troops, whether they would receive the political support necessary for success in Afghanistan remained an open question this time last year. Prior to the unveiling of President Obama's Afghanistan strategy in December 2009, it was unclear whether the new president would demonstrate the commitment necessary to complete the mission.