{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"OK\" and year = 2021 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=472", "Hern leads bipartisan letter to Commerce Secretary Raimondo on lumber shortage", "2021-12-21", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo yesterday with 84 bipartisan cosigners from the House of Representatives. In the letter, the Members urge Secretary Raimondo to reconsider the decision to increase antidumping and countervailing duties on softwood lumber, which will raise prices on lumber even further, burdening American families.\n\nRepresentative Brian Higgins (D-NY) is a co-lead on the letter, and additional signers include Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV), Chris Jacobs (R-NY), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Mike Turner (R-OH), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rick Allen (R-GA), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Mary Miller (R-IL), Tim Walberg (R-MI), David Kustoff (R-TN), Peter Meijer (R-MI), Neal P. Dunn, M.D. (R-FL), Brad R. Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-OH), Mike Bost (R-IL), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), David Valadao (R-CA), Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA), Scott Perry (R-PA), David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV), Betty McCollum (D-MN), J. Luis Correa (D-CA), William Timmons (R-SC), Ronny L. Jackson (R-TX), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Warren Davidson (R-OH) , Michael C. Burgess, M.D (R-TX), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Ben Cline (R-VA), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), Don J. Bacon (R-NE), Scott H. Peters (D-CA), John Rose (R-TN), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Chip Roy (R-TX), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Ron Kind (D-WI), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Roger Williams (R-TX), Bill Posey (R-FL), David P. Joyce (R-OH), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Fred Upton (R-MI), Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX), Anthony Gonzalez (OH), John Katko (R-NY), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Tony C\u00e1rdenas (D-CA), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Blake Moore (R-UT), Randy Weber (R-TX), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Elise M. Stefanik (R-NY), Victoria Spartz (R-IN), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), James Comer (R-KY), Billy Long (R-MO), Young Kim (R-CA), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Kay Granger (R-TX), Tom Reed (R-NY), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD), and Judy Chu (D-CA).\n\nThe text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDecember 20, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Gina M. Raimondo\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of Commerce\n\n1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, D.C. 20230\n\nDear Secretary Raimondo:\n\nWe are writing in response to the Department of Commerce\u2019s decision to increase antidumping and countervailing duties on certain softwood lumber products from Canada. We are very concerned about the implications this action will have on new housing construction and the costs faced by hardworking American families.\n\nHistorically high lumber and building material prices continue to imperil the U.S. housing sector and the jobs of the skilled workers in this sector. Housing construction is an important contributor to the U.S. economy, especially as the nation continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this success is at risk as the construction industry faces a dramatic increase in the costs of materials.\n\nWhile lumber prices began a sharp decline in May, it took months for a meaningful portion of those decreases to reach the construction industry and its customers. Unfortunately, prices began rising again in September and have increased substantially in the past weeks.\n\nOur understanding is the U.S. and Canadian Governments discussed this matter earlier this year and expressed mutual interest in addressing this longstanding dispute. We are supportive of these efforts and request that all parties come to the negotiating table to reach a balanced agreement that counters unfair trade practices. Such an agreement would be in the interests of the United States because it would provide predictability to homebuilders and job security for the millions of hardworking Americans who apply their skills every day in the construction industry. Resolving this matter in a balanced way would help the economy recover from the disruptions of the past year. We, as Members of Congress, stand ready to discuss this issue and potential solutions with you.\n\nSincerely,\n\nThis letter follows a bipartisan letter to US Trade Representative Katherine Tai led by Rep. Hern this spring urging resumption of trade negotiations with Canada.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-lucas-mullin-applaud-federal-grant-state-va-centers", "Cole, Lucas, Mullin Applaud Federal Grant for State VA Centers", "2021-12-20", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) and Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) issued the following statements after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a grant award totaling nearly $1.35 million to the State of Oklahoma. The funding will go toward the cost associated with replacing emergency generators at the Oklahoma Veterans Centers in Claremore, Clinton, Sulphur and Talihina.\n\nThe Sulphur Veterans Center is located in the Fourth District of Oklahoma, represented by Cole, the Clinton Veterans Center is located in the Third District of Oklahoma, represented by Lucas and the Claremore and Talihina Veterans Centers are located in the Second District of Oklahoma, represented by Mullin.\n\n\"I am very pleased that substantial federal funding has been directed to benefit our state's military heroes, including those living in the Fourth District of Oklahoma,\" said Cole. \"Replacing the emergency generators in four of our Veterans Centers will provide for continuity of operations and ensure care is still available in emergency circumstances. This is a win for our state and our veterans.\"\n\n\"Oklahoma's veterans served our country with pride and dignity, never wavering to answer the call of service. As a grateful nation, we owe it to ourselves to provide the best resources and utmost essential care for our veterans,\" said Lucas. \"I thank the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for this federal funding and for their work ensuring Oklahoma's Veterans Affairs system has the critical infrastructure needed to provide care for our state's veterans.\"\n\n\"This is great news for veterans across Oklahoma,\" said Mullin. \"We owe no greater debt than to those who have put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms and it is imperative we keep our commitment to them. These grants will help ensure these Veterans Centers are able to operate in emergencies and continue to provide quality care to veterans.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-bice-budd-introduce-strategically-lowering-gas-prices-act", "Reps. Bice, Budd Introduce Strategically Lowering Gas Prices Act", "2021-12-17", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Reps. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the Strategically Lowering Gas Prices Act.\n\nThe bill would prohibit President Biden from releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) until the executive orders blocking energy development on federal land are revoked.\n\nRead the full text of the bill here.\n\nOther original co-sponsors include: Reps. Scott Perry, Buddy Carter, Ashley Hinson, Louie Gohmert, Greg Steube, Tom Cole, and Bob Gibbs.\n\nRep. Bice said in a statement:\n\n\u201cPresident Biden\u2019s actions continue to degrade our nation\u2019s oil and gas industry and the high-paying jobs that it provides. Instead of turning to American companies to increase output, Biden used his executive power to release 50 million barrels of oil from our country\u2019s Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help lower gas prices. That\u2019s why the Strategically Lowering Gas Prices Act is important. This legislation would disallow the president from ordering a sell off from the SPR while executive orders or mandates are in effect blocking oil and gas leasing on federal lands. The SPR was created specifically to draw upon in times of emergency or significant shortage, not to help a president whose strategies have failed to save face with the American people.\u201d\n\nRep. Budd said in a statement:\n\n\u201cPresident Biden has caused this energy crisis by blocking development of American fuel sources. That makes his recent use of the SPR nothing more than a band aid solution to a self-created problem. The best way to solve high fuel prices is for President Biden to reverse his radical environmentalist agenda and pursue an \u2018all of the above\u2019 strategy that gets us back to American energy independence.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was created in 1975 to offer a safety net for the U.S. to draw upon in times of emergency and significant shortage.\n\nOn November 23, 2021, the Biden administration publicized plans to release 50 million barrels of oil from the SPR over the coming months in an effort to reduce upward pressure on gas prices.\n\nIn the immediate aftermath of the announcement, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude oil futures indexes actually rose, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced that the withdrawal would factor into their production decisions.\n\nSince the U.S. consumes about 18 million barrels of petroleum per day, a 50-million-barrel release from the SPR will have a negligible impact.\n\nThe oil sold from the SPR will eventually need to be replaced at a much higher price than it was initially purchased for since the price of oil has increased significantly.\n\nTaxpayers will be on the hook to finance what amounts to a political stunt which will have a very limited effect on the price Americans pay at the pump.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-votes-against-raising-debt-ceiling-third-time", "Bice Votes Against Raising Debt Ceiling A Third Time", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Stephanie Bice released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed S.J. Res 33. Bice voted against the measure.\n\n\u201cToday represents the third time this year House Democrats have voted to raise the debt ceiling, this time by $2.5 trillion and extending it through 2023. In doing so, Democrats bypassed longstanding rules of the U.S. Senate to pave the way to advance their multi-Trillion dollar social spending spree. Furthermore, this debt limit legislation makes no reforms to constrain future spending or to address the $29 trillion in federal debt we already have.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-votes-against-debt-limit-increase", "Cole Votes Against Debt Limit Increase", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed S.J. Res 33, a measure to increase the debt limit by $2.5 trillion. Cole opposed the resolution.\n\n\"While I understand the importance of addressing the debt limit to prevent default, I will not support a measure put forward by Democrats that is obviously intended to support trillions more in irresponsible spending,\" said Cole. \"Not only does this $2.5 trillion increase represent the largest of the kind in history, but the resolution does nothing to reduce the deficit or slow the growth of the U.S. national debt. Unfortunately, this will inevitably make inflation even worse for the American people and have far reaching consequences for years to come.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-introduces-bill-protect-paychecks-national-guardsmen", "Bice Introduces Bill to Protect the Paychecks of National Guardsmen", "2021-12-09", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05) today introduced H.R. 6178, a bill to protect National Guard servicemembers from being discharged or having their pay withheld based on their COVID-19 vaccination status. This is the House companion of Sen. James Lankford\u2019s bill, S. 3299.\n\nThis legislation comes on the heels of the Biden Administration\u2019s announcement last week of its intent to withhold the pay of Oklahoma\n\nNational Guard soldiers and airmen who decline the COVID-19 vaccine.\n\n\u201cThreatening the livelihood of our National Guard members based on their vaccine status is legally dubious, and frankly, a disgraceful way to treat those who protect and serve our country,\u201d said Rep. Bice. \u201cThe Biden Administration must stop their overreach into the lives of all Americans through these vaccine mandates, but particularly members of the National Guard, who while serving until Title 32, report directly to their state governors, not the federal government.\u201d\n\nJoining Rep. Bice as original cosponsors on the bill are Oklahoma Representatives Kevin Hern (OK-01), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), and Frank Lucas (OK-03).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=459", "Hern votes for increased sanctions on China in response to human rights abuses against the Uyghurs", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting in favor of HR 1155, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.\n\n\u201cChina\u2019s repeated and egregious human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Region cannot and will not continue to go unpunished\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cChina\u2019s human rights abuses extend far beyond the Uyghur population, but this is accountability measure is an important step. The threat of Chinese communism not only puts the Uyghur people in danger, but the independence of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and free nations around the world \u2013 including the United States. I\u2019m proud to support this bipartisan measure which further cracks down on importing goods produced with forced labor. I strongly encourage our trading partners, as well as independent businesses, to join us in boycotting purchases or imported goods produced by forced labor.\u201d\n\nBackground Information:\n\nH.R. 1155, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, along with its Senate companion S.65, continues to strengthen the ban on imports produced with force labor.\n\nChina has placed at least 1 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities into \u201cre-education camps\u201d, where they are subject to human rights abuses and forced into slave labor at factories in the region. The United States remains committed to snuffing out forced labor worldwide, and strongly encourages both its trading partners and independent businesses to do the same.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-applauds-bipartisan-passage-fy22-ndaa", "Cole Applauds Bipartisan Passage of FY22 NDAA", "2021-12-07", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that reflects the bipartisan, bicameral agreement reached on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022. The legislation authorizes funding for our nation's military personnel, readiness and operations, research, procurement and includes provisions that support the missions at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City and Fort Sill in Lawton, which are both located in the Fourth District of Oklahoma. With Cole's support, the bill passed the House this evening by a vote of 363-70. Critical to achieving this bipartisan agreement between the House and the Senate was the inclusion of $25 billion more in authorized defense spending than requested in President Joe Biden's budget.\n\n\"Passage of this NDAA is a remarkable accomplishment and a reflection on what can be accomplished when members of Congress work across the aisle to pass meaningful legislation for the American people,\" said Cole. \"Among many other things, this NDAA authorizes adequate funding to support our national defense needs, including providing a much-deserved 2.7 percent pay raise for our service members and civilian workforce, funding additional ships for the Navy and ensuring the warfighters of tomorrow have the weapons and assets they need to succeed on the battlefield.\n\n\"It also rightly provides much-needed oversight of President Joe Biden's disastrous withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan that resulted in the loss of 13 American service members and left our allies in the region vulnerable to the threat of terror. This bill ensures the American people will receive the answers they deserve about the decisions that were made.\n\n\"Although I am encouraged that both chambers of Congress are poised to advance the NDAA for the 61st consecutive year, President Biden and Democrats still support an effective cut in the current version of the annual defense appropriations bill. At a time when our adversaries around the world are becoming increasingly and alarmingly more aggressive, we must not only authorize the resources our military needs but enact the related funding to ensure the success of our military.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=458", "Hern votes against swampy debt limit increase", "2021-12-07", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern released the following statement after voting against the House Amendment to S. 610, a bill changing the rules of the Senate to allow the Democrats to circumvent the 60-vote threshold for cloture, which they can already do using the reconciliation process.\n\n\u201cEarlier this year, I led over 100 of my colleagues in the House in the commitment against voting for a debt limit increase,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cOur Republican colleagues in the Senate signed a similar commitment, giving the Democrats several months\u2019 notice that they would need to do this on their own. Instead of working ahead to avoid a default on our debts, Democrats waited until the last minute and are trying to rewrite the rules of the Senate instead of using the tools already at their disposal, like the reconciliation process. The American people don\u2019t trust these swampy maneuvers; they see through the false statements from Democrats who control the White House and both chambers of Congress yet blame their gridlock on Republicans.\n\n\u201cAll this could have been avoided had Speaker Pelosi written a budget this spring. Not only did she fail to draft a budget, she instructed her Budget Committee Chairman not to even attempt it. Every crisis in our nation\u2019s capital can be traced back to the budget.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=460", "Hern co-sponsors bill to reinstate Employee Retention Tax Credit, help small businesses", "2021-12-07", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) joined a bipartisan coalition of members from the House Committee on Ways and Means to introduce the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) Reinstatement Act, a bill to reinstate the ERTC meant to help small businesses rehire and retain employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ERTC was overwhelmingly supported in the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March 2020.\n\nRepresentative Carol Miller (R-WV-03) is the lead sponsor and Representatives Stephanie Murphy (D-FL-07) and Terri Sewell (D-AL-07) joined Rep. Hern as original co-sponsors.\n\n\u201cEliminating the Employee Retention Tax Credit was the wrong decision and hurts our small businesses who are still recovering from the economic fallout of the pandemic,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cWe must provide certainty and predictability to American small business owners. I am proud to join my colleagues in support of this legislation and I hope to earn strong bipartisan support in the House.\n\nBackground Information\n\nOriginally, to be eligible for the ERTC, business owners had to demonstrate at least a 20% decline in gross receipts in either a given quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019 or the immediately preceding quarter. Alternatively, the business owner may have been eligible if the business is subject to a full or partial suspension of business operations due to a government order.\n\nSpecifically, for this year\u2019s third and fourth quarters, business owners can qualify for the ERTC as a \u201crecovery startup business\u201d or qualify as a \u201cseverely financially distressed employer.\u201d To claim the ERTC as a \u201cseverely financially distressed employer,\u201d the business must have suffered at least a 90% decline in gross receipts in a specific quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019.\n\nThe ERTC was scheduled to expire at the end of 2021, but the recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act disallowed this credit for the fourth quarter of 2021. Many small businesses have continued to take the tax credit into the fourth quarter, and now face a retroactive tax increase and a complex, frustrating process in reconciling the credit that they will now have to forfeit.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-announces-2022-military-academy-nominations", "Cole Announces 2022 Military Academy Nominations", "2021-12-06", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today announced the names of 12 students from the Fourth District of Oklahoma that he has nominated for entry into one of America's prestigious military academies. The United States service academies provide for the undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers for the United States Armed Forces. The academies that receive congressionally nominated students include the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy.\n\nThe nomination process is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated for academic performance and standing, including class rank, SAT/ACT scores and school records. Other criteria considered by Congressman Cole and the recommendation panel includes athletics, physical fitness, extracurricular activities, recommendations and leadership potential. Upon congressional nomination, students become eligible for consideration to receive an appointment to the service academy (or academies) to which they applied.\n\n\"It is one of my greatest honors as a Member of Congress to each year recommend young leaders from the Fourth District of Oklahoma for potential appointment to one of the nation's prestigious military academies,\" said Cole. \"This year, I am delighted to nominate 12 impressive students from our communities. Their desire to answer the call of duty and serve our nation with their talents and patriotism is truly inspiring.\"\n\nThe list below includes the names, hometowns and high school information of the students, as well as the academies to which they have been nominated. Note that applications are still being considered by the selection committees for potential admission at the various academies. Many of the students received nominations to multiple academies.\n\nU.S. Air Force Academy\n\nCaleb Cole, Duncan \u2013 Comanche High School\n\nGabriella Frame, Oklahoma City \u2013 Moore High School\n\nPrestley Gabriel, Norman \u2013 Norman North High School\n\nMakayla Hall, Choctaw \u2013 Aviano Middle-High School\n\nLuke Howard, San Diego (Midwest City) \u2013 Scripps Ranch High School\n\nLane Steele, Washington \u2013 Washington High School\n\nShyam Patel, Oklahoma City \u2013 Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics\n\nZachary Wagner, Walters \u2013 Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics\n\nAvery Walls, Blanchard \u2013 Blanchard High Schoo\n\nU.S. Military Academy at West Point\n\nShyam Patel, Oklahoma City \u2013 Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics\n\nTrae Stewart, Cache \u2013 Cache High School\n\nU.S. Naval Academy\n\nTroy Bullman, Davis \u2013 Davis High School\n\nBobby Ebilane, Moore \u2013 Moore High School\n\nLuke Howard, San Diego (Midwest City) \u2013 Scripps Ranch High School\n\nShyam Patel, Oklahoma City \u2013 Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics\n\nAvery Walls, Blanchard \u2013 Blanchard High School", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-mourns-loss-bob-dole", "Cole Mourns Loss of Bob Dole", "2021-12-05", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Image\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement after hearing about the passing of former Senator Bob Dole, who served the United States in many capacities for nearly eight decades.\n\n\"Bob Dole was not only \u2018Mr. Republican,' he was \u2018Mr. America,' too. Senator Dole carried the scars of service to our country in combat for his entire adult life. The Senator served in peace as well as war as a county prosecutor in Kansas and a Member of both the U.S. House and Senate, where he rose to Majority Leader, one of the most powerful positions in American politics,\" said Cole.\n\n\"Of course, Bob Dole's service to his beloved Republican Party was exemplary. He served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee, the GOP vice presidential nominee in 1976 and, 20 years later, the Republican presidential nominee in an epic clash with former President Clinton. Dole lost that race, but his vigorous campaign held the highly regarded Clinton under 50 percent of the popular vote and probably saved the Republican majorities in the Senate and the House.\n\n\"Despite his intense loyalty to his party, Bob Dole was widely admired on both sides of the aisle and was famous for his ability to assemble bipartisan coalitions in pursuit of important national legislation. His partnership on the issue of hunger with the late Democratic Senator George McGovern was legendary. So, too, were the coalitions he created between rural Republicans and urban Democrats to pass the famously bipartisan \u2018Farm Bill.' It is revealing that in a gesture of respect and civility, his old adversary Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for service to our country.\n\n\"As a senior party official, a political consultant and a Member of Congress, I campaigned and interacted with Senator Dole on countless occasions beginning in the 1980s through the 2010s. And I bumped into him several times at the World War II Memorial escorting groups of his fellow Second World War veterans to and through \u2018their Memorial' in Washington, D.C.\n\n\"Bob Dole was always the happy political warrior with a cutting wit, a slashing style and verve for the fight that was unmatched in politics. As a next-door Kansas neighbor, Bob Dole knew Oklahomans and Oklahoma issues well. He had countless friends in our state and will be deeply missed and sincerely mourned in Oklahoma.\n\n\"I extend my deepest sympathy to his amazing wife, Elizabeth, a former cabinet secretary and Senator in her own right, as well as the entire Dole family. There is no doubt my party has lost a great Republican, but, more importantly, America has lost a great patriot and I have lost a wonderful friend and role model.\"\n\nPhoto: Then presidential candidate Bob Dole (center) is pictured with former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, Congressman Frank Lucas and then Oklahoma Secretary of State Tom Cole. The photo was taken at the Oklahoma state capitol before Keating endorsed Dole for president before the 1996 Oklahoma primary. It is available for download here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-introduces-safe-border-act", "Bice Introduces SAFE Border Act", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05) today introduced H.R. 6120, the Securing American Families from Exploitation at the Border Act, or SAFE Border Act.\n\nThis legislation would transfer $75 million of unobligated border construction funds that have gone unused by the Biden Administration to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish the Southern Border Landowner Security Grant Program. This grant program would enable American families living in high-risk areas of the U.S.- Mexico border to strengthen their own physical security against property damage, theft or other losses. The grant program would also provide modest compensation to landowners who have experienced property damage, theft, or other losses.\n\nJoining Rep. Bice as original cosponsors on the bill are Reps. Brian Babin (TX -36), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), August Pfluger (TX-11), and Randy Weber (TX-14).\n\n\u201cEarlier this year I visited the Del Rio Sector of the border and saw with my own eyes the damage illegal border crossings continue to cause in our southern border communities. Something must be done to protect American citizens who live on or near the border,\" said Rep. Bice. \"Since the Biden administration has chosen to halt construction of the wall, and refuses to effectively address the border crisis, Congress must find other ways to help people protect their property and this legislation will assist.\"\n\nThe grant program would provide competitive grants to individuals based on their losses or their unmet security needs. In addition, applicants would be required to submit specific documentation to substantiate their claims to apply for the funds from FEMA.\n\n\u201cIllegal border crossings continue to be a major issue in the states that border Mexico. This legislation provides a pathway to help landowners who are at risk or who have already been impacted,\" Bice said.\n\nIn addition to support from House members, Rep. Bice\u2019s legislation has also received endorsements from the National Border Patrol Council, South Texans\u2019 Property Rights Association, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Oklahoma Cattlemen\u2019s Association.\n\n\u201cFarm Bureau members in our neighboring southern border states have repeatedly asked for help with the serious issues related to trespassing, theft and damage they face when illegal migrants cross their property. Oklahoma Farm Bureau is thankful Congresswoman Bice is willing to defend private property rights with this commonsense plan that would offer much-needed assistance to impacted landowners,\u201d said Rodd Moesel, president, Oklahoma Farm Bureau.\n\n\u201cTexas Farm Bureau (TFB) members continue suffering devastating losses due to the surge in illegal immigration,\u201d said TFB President Russell Boening. \u201cMany hardworking farm and ranch families have shared examples of property damage, vandalization, stolen equipment, security concerns and more. We appreciate Congresswoman Bice for visiting the Texas-Mexico border to learn about these issues and introducing the SAFE Border Act to help provide needed assistance to landowners impacted by the border crisis.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-statement-house-passage-continuing-resolution", "Cole Statement on House Passage of Continuing Resolution", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6119, a continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels through February 18, 2022. Cole opposed the measure.\n\n\"For nearly a year, Democrats have been so fixated on advancing their radical, multi-trillion-dollar policy priorities that they have failed to make any bipartisan progress on the basic task Congress has to provide full-year funding for the government. With their focus misplaced on making government bigger and putting more money on the taxpayer tab, Democrats haven't bothered to negotiate with Republicans on fulfilling the fundamental responsibility of adjusting existing annual spending to reflect the needs of the current fiscal year. As a result, Democrats are resorting to yet another short-term resolution that kicks the can down the road likely to another temporary solution. This is truly a failure to govern. Until there is real movement by Democrats to negotiate across the aisle and desire to actually do their jobs for the American people, I will not vote in favor of giving them additional time to do nothing.\"\n\nWhile managing the rule debate for H.R. 6119 earlier today, Cole made extensive remarks. Video is available here and remarks here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=457", "Hern votes against short-term funding bill, urges return to budget process", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting against HR 6119, providing short-term funding for the federal government through February.\n\n\u201cCongress hasn\u2019t passed a proper budget in years, and it\u2019s been decades since we followed the timeline set out in the Congressional Budget Act,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cNo wonder our debt is soaring! The House continues to recklessly spend taxpayer dollars without any effort to create a budget or mitigate the debt crisis. It\u2019s long past time to abandon these swampy spending measures and get back to work on common-sense spending reforms.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve been consistent with my votes against short-term spending measures like this. These bills are not an adequate replacement for the proper budget process. We can\u2019t keep kicking the can down the road and ignore the real problem \u2013 this is exactly the kind of broken system I came to Congress to fix.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-advances-bill-reaffirm-tribal-trust-agreements", "House Advances Bill to Reaffirm Tribal Trust Agreements", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Rep. Sharice Davids issued the following statements after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4352, to reaffirm the trust status of tribal trust lands. Cole and McCollum are the original sponsors of the bill.\n\nIntroduced in the House every Congress over the last decade, the legislation ensures that existing tribal lands continue to be held in trust by the federal government, reaffirms the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian Tribes and removes the uncertainty and ambiguities inherent within the Carcieri v. Salazar opinion.\n\n\"More than a decade ago, the Supreme Court issued an opinion that jeopardized ownership of tribal trust lands, questioned the authority of the Secretary of Interior and reversed 75 years of precedent,\" said Cole. \"While a permanent solution is still needed, I am proud the House has supported legislation to keep the promises made to tribes, respect their sovereign status and validate the status of tribal lands acquired in trust by the Secretary of Interior.\"\n\n\"Tribal Nations should not be discriminated against because of their date of federal recognition,\" McCollum said. \"That date has no bearing on their existence as sovereign nations \u2013 and so it should have no bearing on their right to reestablish their homelands. All federally recognized Tribal Nations must have the same right to place land into trust to support the needs of their communities and strengthen their self-governance. This bill affirms congressional intent that the Indian Reorganization Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to place land into trust for all federally recognized Tribal Nations, regardless of their date of recognition. As Members of Congress, it is our duty to honor the federal government's trust and treaty responsibilities, safeguard and empower Native American communities, and protect their treaty rights, lands, assets, and resources now and for generations to come. I thank my colleagues for joining me to finally fix this grave injustice.\"\n\n\"Tribal homelands are a critical piece of tribal sovereignty and self-determination, and we have an obligation as the federal government to uphold our trust and treaty obligations\u2014including taking land into trust. The misguided Supreme Court Carcieri decision made it difficult for Tribal nations to rebuild their tribal homelands, build infrastructure, and grow their economies, but today we have moved towards rectifying that damage,\" said Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03). \"The bill passed today provides equal treatment to all federally recognized tribes and returns to the original intent of the Indian Reorganization Act. I thank my Congressional Native American Caucus Co-Chair Tom Cole and our Caucus Vice Chair Betty McCollum for leading this effort.\"\n\nA member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, Cole has led as Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus since 2009 and currently leads alongside Davids, who is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. McCollum is a long-time member and Co-Chair Emeritus of the caucus.\n\nBackground\n\nOn June 18, 1934, Congress passed the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) to protect tribal sovereignty and to help restore lands to tribes. For 75 years, all federally recognized tribes had the right under IRA to request that land be placed into trust for their nations by the Secretary of the Interior. Accordingly, tribes have used their trust lands to build community facilities like schools, health clinics and tribal housing to serve their tribal members. This land has also been used for tribal enterprises and to promote economic development in communities that are often underserved and poverty stricken.\n\nIn 2009, however, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned that long-established precedent in Carcieri v. Salazar. In addition to generating expensive litigation for certain tribes, the Carcieri decision caused uncertainty and unequal treatment among federally recognized tribes, operating on existing tribal trust lands.\n\nSince the 2009 opinion, members in both chambers of Congress have introduced legislation to restore the original intent of IRA. Passage today marks the first time a fix has advanced out of the House.\n\nAhead of passage, Cole made the following remarks on the House floor. Video is available above and here.\n\nMadam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4352, by my good friend Representative Betty McCollum of Minnesota. I am proud to co-sponsor that legislation that amends the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and reaffirms the right of the Secretary of the Interior to place land into trust for federally recognized Indian Tribes.\n\nMadam Speaker, as I am sure most people in the House know, the history and relationship between the United States and Indian tribes is not something to always be proud of. And frankly, with the passage of the Dawes Act in 1887, tribes all over the country, but particularly in my state of Oklahoma, were systematically stripped of their land and individual tribal members were as well. I know this because my tribe was one of the victims. My family were some of the losers in the process.\n\nIn 1934, the federal government wisely saw that it made a bad mistake, intervened with the Indian Reorganization Act to protect the remaining Indian lands and to allow modest additions and reacquisitions to that land. And for 75 years, it worked pretty much the way it was supposed to work. Whether it was a Democratic or Republican administration, land was protected and modestly brought back into trust, only 9 million acres so far since 1934. So, it is not as if we have had a large transfer of land back. We have protected what was there and added back to tribal patrimony where it made since.\n\nAll of that was upset by the Carcieri v. Salazar decision in 2009. And that was a really bad decision, quite frankly. And it did, as my friends from Minnesota and New Mexico pointed out, upset the balance, create a two-tier system and penalize tribes that had not been federally recognized in 1934. That, by the way, wasn't just \"new tribes.\" A lot of them \u2013 the case was based on Narragansett in Rhode Island \u2013 had actually been around for a long time. The Narragansetts have been in the same place they always were. They were recognized by the state of Rhode Island, but for some reason were not in the 1934 bill.\n\nSo, a lot of people have been victimized by this, and frankly, a lot of interest in trying to exploit it. We have had the opportunity on a couple of occasions to fix it. Actually, this House should be proud. In December of 2010, an amendment to an appropriations bill, actually supported by my good friend Ms. McCollum, it was my amendment, we got it out of the House, but it died in the Senate that same December.\n\nAs my friend from Minnesota alluded, we passed legislation in the last Congress to deal with this issue on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote. I will just say for the record, I have introduced legislation on this every year since 2009. My friend Ms. McCollum has done pretty much the same, and we have always co-sponsored one another's legislation. So, I am very proud to be here and support her.\n\nI urge passage of this bill. It is a matter of justice for the tribes, but it is also a matter of equity and a matter of, frankly, legislative convenience. So, Madam Speaker, I strongly support my friend's bill, H.R. 4352, and urge its passage and yield back.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-opposes-biden-administration-decision-tap-strategic-petroleum-reserve", "Cole Opposes Biden Administration Decision to Tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Moore, OK \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement in opposition to the Biden Administration's announced decision to release 50 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in an attempt to lower gas prices.\n\n\"The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is supposed be used during genuine national emergencies not as a mechanism to reduce the price of gasoline,\" said Cole. \"If the Biden Administration wants to lower gasoline prices, it should end its war on the American oil and gas industry. It could do so by reversing its decision to limit new exploration and production on federal lands and authorizing construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The Trump Administration showed that when domestic production of oil and gas is encouraged, robust economic growth and low gasoline prices can also exist simultaneously.\n\n\"The high prices Americans are paying at the pump are directly attributable to the Biden Administration's decision to punish the domestic oil and gas industry. That is exactly the wrong approach. In the end, all it does is raise energy costs all Americans are forced to pay, contribute to rapidly rising inflation and make the United States dangerously dependent on foreign countries and producers for its energy needs.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-leads-letter-biden-granholm-opposing-tapping-strategic-petroleum-reserve", "Bice Leads Letter to Biden, Granholm Opposing Tapping Strategic Petroleum Reserve", "2021-11-22", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Friday, Representative Stephanie Bice (OK-05) led a letter to President Biden and Energy Secretary Granholm opposing their plan to tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to help solve the administrations\u2019 self-inflicted rising fuel costs.\n\n\u201cRising fuel prices are placing an undue burden on Americans at a time when few can afford the extra expense,\u201d said Bice. \u201cInstead of unleashing oil and gas leasing on federal lands or asking U.S. companies to increase crude supplies, the president has repeatedly asked OPEC, as well as pressuring China, Japan, Korea and India, to increase oil production. We should not rely on foreign supplies to lower U.S. gas prices, nor should we use our emergency reserves.\u201d\n\nBice was joined by Reps. Tom Cole (OK-4), Liz Cheney (WY-AL), Andrew Clyde (GA-9), Roger Williams (TX-25), August Pfluger (TX-11), Garret Graves (LA-6), Kevin Brady (TX-8), Julia Letlow (LA-5), Ann Wagner (MO-2), Yvette Herrell (NM-2), Greg Steube (FL-17), Jake LaTurner (KS-2), Markwayne Mullin (OK-2), Michael Guest (MS-3), Jody Hice (GA-10), Don Young (AK-AL), Randy Weber (TX-14), Earl L. \u201cBuddy\u201d Carter (GA-1), Glenn \u201cGT\u201d Thompson (PA-5), Kevin Hern (OK-1), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Alex Frank Lucas (OK-3), Alex Mooney (WV-2), Tracey Mann (KS-1), Andrew Garbarino (NY-2), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-2), Bob Good (VA-5), Brian Babin (TX-36), Steve Scalise (LA-1), Bruce Westerman (AR-4) and Tom Emmer (MN-6).\n\nThe representatives wrote: \u201c\u2026We should not extract oil from the SPR to address a self-inflicted crisis caused by this administration. We must continue to reserve the world\u2019s largest supply of emergency crude for national emergencies that cannot otherwise be prevented.\u201d\n\nThey continued: \u201cThere is no reason to use our country\u2019s safety net to bail out President Biden\u2019s failed policies and poor planning. Rather, it would be in our best interest to reopen oil and gas production on federal lands, which would equate to a 20 increase in our domestic oil production. If we were to withdrawal barrels from the SPR that are currently priced at $29/per barrel and forced to replace it at a cost of over $80/per barrel (and growing), we would be creating another economic nightmare for taxpayers.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nPresident Biden and Secretary Granholm:\n\nAs your Administration considers tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to help slow rising gas prices, we write to express our concern and opposition to this proposed plan of action. Gas prices have and will continue to rise due to production restrictions on federal lands, cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and heightened environmental regulations, including those on methane emissions. In addition, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) recently rejected President Biden\u2019s request for more crude exports to the U.S. We should not extract oil from the SPR to address a self-inflicted crisis caused by this administration. We must continue to reserve the world\u2019s largest supply of emergency crude for national emergencies that cannot otherwise be prevented.\n\nThe SPR was created in 1975 in response to the oil embargo created by OPEC. America had become increasingly dependent on foreign oil and was left in economic turmoil before President Nixon and President Ford worked to create an energy strategy to boost domestic production and reduce our country\u2019s vulnerability to oil imports and fuel shortages. This led to the creation of the SPR, which has since protected our country from oil shortages after natural and economic disasters.\n\nDuring the winter storms that descended upon Texas and Oklahoma this past winter, oil reserves were used due to the incapacity of pipeline operations. In other emergencies, the SPR released 1.5 million barrels of crude oil to aid Louisianans after Hurricane Ida and 11 million in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. At times when our country could not produce enough for domestic demand, we could rely on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to protect our economy and our people.\n\nThere is no reason to use our country\u2019s safety net to bail out President Biden\u2019s failed policies and poor planning. Rather, it would be in our best interest to reopen oil and gas production on federal lands, which would equate to a 20% increase in our domestic oil production. If we were to withdraw reserves from the SPR that are currently priced at $29/per barrel and forced to replace them at a cost of over $80/per barrel (and growing), we would be creating another economic nightmare for taxpayers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-bucks-build-back-broke-bill", "Bice Bucks \u2018Build Back Broke\u2019 Bill", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Representative Stephanie Bice (OK-05) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5376.\n\n\u201cAmericans are already struggling with increased inflation, higher prices at the gas pump and the grocery store, and the passage of this legislation only promises more of the same. There are numerous reasons why I could not support the continuation of Biden and the Democrats\u2019 spending spree, but first and foremost, the Hyde Amendment has been removed. For more than 40 years, there has been a bipartisan agreement to include the Hyde Amendment, but Democrats want to use tax dollars to pay for abortions. The majority of my constituents do not support that.\n\nThis legislation reads like a left Christmas wishlist. Hidden inside is language allowing illegal immigrants to claim the child tax credit, making them eligible for $3,000 per child in 2022, as well as granting amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. The bill costs more than double what Democrats\u2019 have previously stated, and it is not paid for. It provides for $4.5 trillion in new spending, $1.5 trillion in new taxes, including tax cuts for the wealthy and more taxes on low-income and middle class families, and $3 trillion in new debt.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-opposes-democrats-big-government-unpaid-monstrosity", "Cole Opposes Democrats\u2019 Big Government, Unpaid-For Monstrosity", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after he voted against H.R. 5376, a multi-trillion-dollar reconciliation spending bill meant to reflect President Joe Biden's so-called \"Build Back Better\" agenda.\n\n\"Although President Joe Biden has repeatedly claimed his social spending bill would be fully paid for, that is not the case with the radical legislation cooked up by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and passed solely by Democrats in the House,\" said Cole. \"According to the Congressional Budget Office's nonpartisan full cost estimate received just hours before the vote, the legislation would not only levy massive taxes on the American people, but it would increase the deficit by nearly $400 billion over the next 10 years. And on top of all that, if every program contained in the bill were made permanent, the actual cost would be at least $4 trillion.\n\n\"Not only would this bill implement trillions in reckless spending and allow for more government control of our lives, but it also contains a wish list of controversial provisions, including expanding the IRS and granting mass amnesty and taxpayer-funded benefits to millions of illegal immigrants.\n\n\"But as bad as this bill is, what is most telling is what this bill fails to address, and that is the current emergencies actually facing our nation. Democrats continue to do nothing to deal with the border crisis, nothing to address rising inflation, nothing to help small businesses get their workers back and nothing to address the looming threats America and our allies face abroad. Yet again, this charade shows how out of touch they truly are.\"\n\nYesterday, the House Rules Committee met to consider a manager's amendment to H.R. 5376. During the meeting, Cole made remarks expressing his continued opposition to the reconciliation package. Video is available here and transcript here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=450", "Hern votes against socialist Build Back Broke plan", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting against HR 5376, Biden\u2019s Build Back Broke legislation.\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s not much that hasn\u2019t already been said about this absolute train wreck of a bill,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cI\u2019ve made my position crystal clear: this bill is not only bad policy, it\u2019s dangerous. I wish my colleagues could have the same bipartisan hatred for spending that we have for the other major threats to our sovereignty. The price tag for this is $4.5 trillion \u2013 the single largest spending bill in the history of the United States. The programs included amount to the largest expansion of the federal government in history; it amounts to a giant, unprecedented leap towards socialism, abandoning American job creators and leaving hardworking taxpayers to cover the bill.\n\n\u201cThe good news is that this legislation still has a long, uphill battle in the Senate. What passed the House today is unlikely to ever make it to the President\u2019s desk, but it\u2019s going to take all our effort to ensure these dangerous policies never become law. We must return to fiscally responsible leadership; we must work diligently to reduce our debts and start operating under a real budget.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=449", "Hern votes against politically motivated censure, condemns Democrat hypocrisy", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting against a resolution to censure Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-04), citing partisan focus and Democrats\u2019 refusal to discipline their own members.\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s be clear: violence is never okay,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cI condemn threats of violence from both sides of the aisle \u2013 something Speaker Pelosi has thus far been unwilling to do. A censure for Rep. Gosar would carry much more weight if Pelosi were willing to take similar action against members of the Democratic Caucus who have made threats, incited violence against political enemies, and minimized actual violence from their political allies. Unlike previous Congressional censures, there has been no ethics investigation into Rep. Gosar\u2019s actions, further betraying Pelosi\u2019s true intentions. Until I see Pelosi treat members of her own party the way she treats Republicans, her politically-motivated witch hunt will remain illegitimate.\u201d\n\nRep. Hern previously supported a vote in the House to sanction a Republican following an ethics investigation into violations of campaign finance rules.\n\nThe last U.S. Representative to be censured by the House was former Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) in 2010, which followed a long ethics investigation. The House has censured Members only 23 times in history, the vast majority happening in the 19th century. Since 1966, when the modern Ethics Committee was formed, the censure has only been used 6 times and is generally preceded by an investigation.\n\nBackground Information\n\nRep. Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) has a lengthy history of encouraging violence against political enemies, including threats of violence against the judicial system. Democrats celebrated her remarks, repeated them, and acted on them. (Here, here, here, and here.)\n\nRep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, further undermined the judicial system when he made inflammatory remarks in the middle of an active trial just this week.\n\nRep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) has made countless offensive comments about Israel, the Jewish people, and the 9/11 attacks with zero consequences. (Here, here, here, here, and here.)\n\nRep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY-10), who chairs the House Committee on the Judiciary, claimed antifa violence was a mythafter a summer of rampant crime and violence in America\u2019s major cities.\n\nRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) continues to gaslight Americans over rising crime, and encouraged riotersand protesters to be more extreme.\n\nWith very few exceptions, Speaker Pelosi has yet to condemn these comments inciting violence against Trump supporters and staff, encouraging rioters, praising terror organizations, and dismissing the violence that resulted in over a billion dollars of property damage, dozens of deaths and countless injuries last summer.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-slams-democrats-irresponsible-bad-bad-bad-legislation", "Cole Slams Democrats\u2019 Irresponsible, \u201cBad Bad Bad\u201d Legislation", "2021-11-05", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) on Friday made remarks on the House floor in opposition to two connected pieces of legislation, a Senate-passed infrastructure package (Senate Amendment to H.R. 3684) and an unscored multi-trillion-dollar reconciliation bill (H.R. 5376). The infrastructure legislation passed the House late Friday evening and will proceed to the president's desk. For the reconciliation legislation, a resolution was approved to provide for its further House consideration in the future.\n\nMadam Speaker, we have purportedly a $3 trillion package in two different parts in front of us today. We are not going to talk a lot about the first part of the package, the so called \"infrastructure package.\" But I want to talk about it because it didn't come through the Rules Committee. It didn't need to. And it's not going to be subject to much debate here. But we ought to talk about it.\n\nNow, of the two bills we are purportedly dealing with, it's the better of the two, but it is abominable. It's unpaid for. The CBO has told us it's $400 billion, $398 billion to be precise. The Senate process that produced it did not go through the committee of jurisdiction. Worst of all, it's the most egregious surrender of House prerogatives I have ever seen in my time here. It's not come through any committee. We've not had anything to do with it. We're just going to simply accept what a few Senators negotiated and went through and call it a victory and call it bipartisan. It's nothing of the sort.\n\nWorse than that is the bill that this rule is to advance. That is the so called \"BBB\" bill. Now my Democratic friends call it the \"Build Back Better\" bill. I call it the \"Bad Bad Bad\" bill. It's been cobbled together in a convoluted process of missed deadlines, broken promises and legislative sleight of hand. The defects are almost, Madam Speaker, too many to mention.\n\nAnd my friends will say it's paid for. It's not. Quite frankly, they have about \"$1.5 trillion\" in revenue, as far as we can tell, and they have \"$1.75 trillion\" of expenditures. But they intend to make every program here \u2013 programs they have for a year or three years or five years \u2013 permanent. If you add them all together, it's a minimum of $4 trillion with about $1.5 trillion of revenue. So, it's an outrageously unbalanced bill.\n\nSome of my friends are going to vote for this because it has immigration in it. Really? Immigration, frankly, will not survive the Senate parliamentarian, and everybody on your side knows it.\n\nSome of them are going to vote for it because it has state and local tax reform: a nice way of saying, \"my gosh, tax break for millionaires and billionaires in blue states.\" That too, by the way, will probably be changed in the United States Senate if you believe Senator Sanders and Senator Warren and look at what they have to say about this thing.\n\nFinally, we have some people who say, \"well, I'm going to vote for it just because it's the right thing to do.\" It's the wrong thing to do for the American people.\n\nThe bill will not get better in the Senate. When it was sold to your side, you were told we are not going to move ahead until we have an agreement the Senate will accept. The Senate won't accept this bill. We are going to send it over there, and a few Senators are going to write it and send it right back. And if you don't like it now, you're going to like it less when it gets here.\n\nSo we should defeat the rule. We should defeat the infrastructure package. And when it comes, we should defeat the \"Bad Bad Bad\" bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-host-telephone-town-hall-november-9-2021", "Cole to Host Telephone Town Hall - November 9, 2021", "2021-11-03", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced today that he will host a constituent telephone town hall to discuss and answer questions about the latest legislative news and updates from Congress.\n\n\"During the last several weeks in Congress, all eyes have been on Democrats and their failed attempts to finalize and advance a big government spending package and fiscally irresponsible infrastructure bill,\" said Cole. \"To provide my perspective and answer questions on a wide range of topics, I look forward to connecting with my constituents during my next telephone town hall.\"\n\nDetails for participating in the call are below:\n\nDate: Tuesday, November 9, 2021\n\nTime: 12:00-1:00 p.m. CT\n\nDialIn: (833) 305-1727\n\nIn addition, to sign up to be called directly or to listen to a live audio webcast of the event, constituents can visit cole.house.gov/telephone-town-halls.\n\nFor more information or questions, please call Cole's Norman office at (405) 329-6500.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=461", "Hern participates in Small Business Roundtable with Republican Leader McCarthy", "2021-11-03", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) joined Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) and five other Members of Congress for a roundtable discussion on small business taxes, regulations, and reduced workforce with small business owners from across the country.\n\nWatch Rep. Hern\u2019s remarks here.\n\nWatch the full roundtable discussion here.\n\nLeader McCarthy, Rep. Hern, and the other attendees discussed how the Democrats\u2019 Build Back Broke agenda will destroy jobs and force small and local businesses to compete with the government, making it even harder and more expensive to operate a small business in America.\n\nAdditional attendees: Representatives Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Fred Keller (PA-12), David Schweikert (AZ-06), and Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), and business leaders Andrew Gruel, Founder and Executive Chef of Slapfish Restaurant; Joe Shamess, Cofounder of Flags of Valor; Larry Allison, Owner of Allison Crane and Rigging; Jeff Salters, Founder of Salty's BBQ and Catering; and Andrew Ray, Owner of Brightstar Care.\n\nExcerpts from the discussion:\n\nRep. Hern:\n\n\u201c[Small businesses\u2019] biggest competitor in America, unfortunately, today is the federal government. Democrats are trying to crush small businesses, so that big businesses can prosper. That ought to scare us all to death\u2026 The Democrats\u2019 idea of the American Dream today is forever dependence on the federal government. You\u2019re not smart enough, you\u2019re not intelligent enough, you don\u2019t have the wherewithal unless the federal government is engaged in everything you do and all aspects of your business.\u201d\n\nLeader McCarthy:\n\n\u201cOne thing that small businesses are struggling with today is a severe labor shortage that is a direct result of policies that pays people more money to stay home than to go to work\u2026 By removing a work requirement, the government is putting itself in competition with small businesses. And as the last year has proven, small businesses operating on tight margins are no match for the government printing press or mandate machine.\u201d\n\nAndrew Gruel:\n\n\u201cWhen they shut down outdoor dining, 90% of the restaurants in Southern California closed\u2026 I had people come to me and say they lost their job, and now the government is telling me there\u2019s no government benefits available because they misappropriated upwards of $50 billion in unemployment funds.\u201d\n\nJoe Shamess:\n\n\u201cEntering this year, and entering a state of high inflation, was like a one-two punch. You have COVID, then you have runaway inflation. On average, our input costs are on average 20% higher than they were this time last year.\u201d\n\nLarry Allison:\n\n\u201cWe are concerned about where we are going to get the employees. What are the costs of the employees going to be\u2026 I\u2019m trying to get more and more diversified today, getting ready for the next time the governor tries to shut us down here in Pennsylvania.\u201d\n\nJeff Salters:\n\n\u201cAs those costs continue to rise, we only have one option. That\u2019s either to go up on our prices or take things off our menu. The more that this crazy, out-of-touch spending & taxing continues to impact \u2013 it impacts the bottom line.\u201d\n\nAndrew Ray:\n\n\u201cI find myself emerging from the pandemic. Heading right into another one that is very clear\u2026 This legislation is very clear\u2026 I am extremely worried that if this legislation goes through, and the disincentives to work continue, where am I going to get the team to do this? And what are my options? This bill raises taxes right when I am going out of the pandemic.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/co-chairs-cole-davids-celebrate-native-american-heritage-month", "Co-Chairs Cole, Davids Celebrate Native American Heritage Month", "2021-11-02", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 As co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus and tribal members, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) and Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) issued the following statements in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. This month-long observance during November of each year recognizes the hundreds of tribes across the United States and their incredible contributions and achievements throughout American history. Cole is a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, and Davids is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation.\n\n\"As a member of the Chickasaw Nation and Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, I am always proud that the month of November is devoted to celebrating the significant contributions of tribal nations to the American story and their incredible achievements as part of our collective history,\" said Cole. \"Growing up in Oklahoma, I was very fortunate to live in a state rich in tribal heritage, but I also had the privilege of being surrounded by family members who were actively involved in tribal affairs and who sought to preserve our unique history and culture for future generations. Their examples early on in my life continue to influence my attention in Congress to federal issues affecting tribes nationwide and their unique constitutional and enduring role in American society. With the recent opening of the First Americans Museum in my home state of Oklahoma, this year's observance of Native American Heritage Month is particularly special to me because it permanently symbolizes all that the \u2018First Americans' have done for our state and country throughout a long and distinguished history.\"\n\n\"Native American's countless contributions and accomplishments are rooted in the very foundation of our country and touch every part of American life today,\" said Davids. \"This month, we honor our elders, veterans, teachers, artists, healthcare workers, families, and youth who will carry our languages, cultures, and traditions for the next seven generations. There is much to celebrate, just as there is much work to be done. We've made historic leaps for the representation of Indian Country in the federal government, Indigenous Peoples' Day has been recognized by a President for the first time, we are strengthening Tribal sovereignty, and we are making progress on healing from the painful parts of our history. I'm proud to serve as Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus as we continue that progress this Native American Heritage Month and beyond.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-votes-extend-highway-funding-after-democrats-fail-agree-infrastructure", "Bice Votes to Extend Highway Funding  After Democrats Fail to Agree on Infrastructure", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Stephanie Bice (OK-05) issued the following statement today after the House voted to pass H.R. 5763, the Further Surface Transportation Extension Act. Bice supported the measure.\n\n\"Tonight, rather than work on a bipartisan infrastructure package, House Democrats kicked the can down the road and put up another short-term extension for highway programs until December 3rd. The country is headed for a December fiscal cliff, which will include hitting the debt ceiling, an end to highway funding and no agreement on government funding. This is no way to govern this country.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-disapproves-irs-private-bank-account-spying", "Cole Disapproves of IRS Private Bank Account Spying", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 During remarks delivered on the House floor yesterday, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) urged Democrats to allow consideration of legislation he cosponsored, H.R. 5586, the Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act. The bill would prohibit the implementation of a Democratic proposal that would authorize the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to require financial institutions to report private bank account data of Americans.\n\nAs my good friend from Georgia explained, if we defeat the previous question, we will immediately move to bring up his bill, H.R. 5586. This bill is critically important to ensure that there is no expansion of Internal Revenue Service requirements for financial institutions to report the ins and outs of bank accounts.\n\nMembers may remember this issue during debate on Obamacare, when the Democrats tried to require anyone who received a payment of more than $600 to be given a 1099. People were rightly outraged by this provision, and it was repealed before it ever went into effect. Now, with their new reconciliation bill, the Democratic majority is yet again looking for payfors and are willing to sacrifice the privacy of all Americans in that quest. Every threshold being discussed for inclusion will give the IRS full access to what's in the bank account of every American.\n\nAnd what is the justification for that, Mr. Speaker? It's to help the IRS identify tax cheats. Well, I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, the Democratic proposal will make everyone who pays rent or a mortgage a target and won't do anything to help the IRS close the tax gap.\n\nMr. Speaker, the Democratic plan is an astonishing breach of privacy. Giving the IRS the power to snoop around financial accounts, even with no accusation of wrongdoing, violates every protection have against the overreach of government power. Americans have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their homes and in their personal lives, including their financial lives. And yet if the majority has their way, the IRS will be empowered to go digging around in the bank accounts of everyday Americans in search of wrongdoing. That is simply beyond the pale.\n\nWe have seen what can happen when the IRS abuses its power. It was only a few short years ago that the IRS was targeting political and religious organizations for their beliefs, an astonishing violation of First Amendment rights.\n\nWhat the IRS needs, Mr. Speaker, is oversight and accountability. And that is why we need to bring up and pass H.R. 5586 today. Only this will ensure that the IRS is not granted unprecedented power to intervene in the lives of and invade the privacy of ordinary Americans.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=445", "Hern demands answers from Biden Admin on Afghan refugees headed to Oklahoma", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) sent a letter to President Joe Biden yesterday asking several questions regarding the 1,800 Afghan refugees sent to Oklahoma.\n\nOklahoma is set to receive the 3rd largest number of refugees in the country.\n\nThe letter can be found here and below.\n\nOctober 21, 2021\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nI write with growing concern over the lack of transparency you Administration has demonstrated over the past several months. There has been an influx of migrants in the U.S. and now a frantic relocation of Afghan refugees around our country, with Oklahoma receiving the third highest amount in the nation.\n\nAs you know, my home state of Oklahoma received 1,800 Afghan refugees, eight hundred of them relocating in Tulsa. An honorable and effective plan to protect our allies should be adopted. However, we cannot ignore basic vetting processes for any immigrants migrating to our country, which is exactly what happened during the chaotic withdrawal in Afghanistan. In order to protect our homeland and my constituents in Oklahoma, I request answers to the following questions that have come directly from the people of Oklahoma\u2019s First District.\n\nWhat are the numbers of refugees the U.S. and Oklahoma have received to-date?\n\nHow many more refugees are expected in the U.S. and Oklahoma by the end of the year?\n\nWhat is the amount of federal taxpayer dollars allocated to Oklahoma to assist these refugees?\n\nWhat is the amount of taxpayer dollars Oklahoma is expected to provide out of the state budget to assist these refugees?\n\nWhat, if any, federal benefits are these refugees receiving?\n\nHow has your administration determined where the refugees are going and how many each state will receive?\n\nWhere are these refugees being housed across Oklahoma?\n\nHow many, if any, are being housed at U.S. military bases?\n\nIf so, are they allowed to leave the bases?\n\nWhat is the current vetting process of these refugees?\n\nWere these refugees vetted for any sort of ties to extremism or criminal records?\n\nIf not, what will be the operating procedure to handle the extent of vetting?\n\nOf the 800 families going to Tulsa, how many are U.S. interpreters vs. family members or other refugees?\n\nOf the 1,800 in Oklahoma, what is this count?\n\nAre all individuals in Oklahoma in possession of a Special Immigrant Visa?\n\nIf not, how many?\n\nI appreciate your swift response and look forward to receiving your answers.\n\nSincerely,\n\nKevin Hern\n\nMember of Congress\n\nCc: Secretary Mayorkas, Secretary Blinken\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-kind-introduce-fairness-rural-medicare-beneficiaries-act", "Cole, Kind Introduce Fairness for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Act", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) and Congressman Ron Kind (WI-03) today introduced the Fairness for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Act. This bipartisan legislation would change an existing policy that requires Medicare beneficiaries at rural critical access hospitals (CAHs) to pay more in coinsurance than patients who receive the same care at larger acute care hospitals.\n\n\"I am proud to join my colleague Congressman Ron Kind in introducing bipartisan legislation that improves access and affordability of hospitals for older Americans living in rural communities. Specifically, our commonsense bill, the Fairness for Rural Beneficiaries Act, brings needed parity for Medicare beneficiaries to the costs associated with receiving care, whether that is in a rural or urban facility,\" said Congressman Tom Cole, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.\n\n\"Critical Access Hospitals serve families across Wisconsin, especially in rural regions, but many Medicare beneficiaries are stuck paying higher prices just because of where they obtain care. The Fairness for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Act will help right this wrong and make sure Medicare beneficiaries aren't financially penalized for accessing care close to home,\" said Congressman Ron Kind.\n\n\"The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Representatives Cole and Kind for introducing the Fairness for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Act. Under current law, when a patient goes to a critical access hospital (CAH) they are billed 20 percent of the cost of charges submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In other hospital settings, because they're reimbursed through a different fee schedule, patients are billed 20 percent of the reasonable costs determined by CMS for that procedure. Unfortunately, what this looks like on the ground is rural patients being charged more for coinsurance because of where they obtain care geographically. This is wrong. NRHA applauds Representatives Cole and Kind for introducing this important legislation to eliminate what is essentially a tax on patients seeking care in rural communities,\" said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Association.\n\n\"The Oklahoma Hospital Association supports Rep. Cole's introduction of the Fairness for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Act. This is a commonsense approach for rural Medicare patients and their local critical access hospitals. This legislation levels the playing field for hospitals and patients in rural areas. No longer will rural patients be forced to pay higher out-of-pocket (co-insurance) costs for outpatient services that can be provided close to home,\" said Patti Davis, President, Oklahoma Hospital Association.\n\n\"We support the Fairness for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Act to eliminate the out of pocket payment difference between acute care facilities and critical access hospitals. Medicare patients in rural Oklahoma or rural Wisconsin shouldn't have to pay more out of pocket at critical access hospitals. This bill will level the playing field,\" said Laura Kaiser, President and Chief Executive Officer, SSM Health.\n\nBill text is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=447", "Hern leads Members of Congress against Biden\u2019s \u2018Build Back Broke\u2019 reconciliation plan", "2021-10-20", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Yesterday, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) led 14 Members of Congress on the floor of the House of Representatives last night during a Special Order on Biden\u2019s reckless spending agenda.\n\nThe Members discussed the failures of the Biden Administration and the hidden policies included in the \u2018Build Back Broke\u2019 plan, including raised taxes, increased regulations on small businesses, Green New Deal provisions to kill domestic energy production, and more.\n\nAdditional speakers included: Representatives Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Tim Burchett (TN-01), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Blake Moore (UT-01), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Jerry Carl (AL-01), Chip Roy (TX-21), Jim Baird (IN-04), and Bill Posey (FL-08).\n\nRep. Hern\u2019s remarks as prepared:\n\nTonight we're going to hear the truth about a truly bad bill. Biden' failed leadership has created an America where grocery store shelves are empty, gas stations are running out of gas, crime is skyrocketing, our schools are failing, and our borders are wide open - completely at the mercy of the cartels.\n\nThis isn't the America any of us want. Whether we succeed or fail, we do it as one. Republican or Democrat, our future is the same.\n\nThat's why it's so important to point out the truth of what's in this reconciliation package. The Biden Administration has ignored crisis after crisis, putting all their eggs into this 'Build Back Broke' basket.\n\nSo how come no one actually knows what's in it? We spent over 40 hours in Ways and Means marking up the Build Back Broke plan last month, and several other committees did the same... but we already know that the policies have changed since then.\n\nDemocrats are adding radical, unnecessary provisions while the American people aren't looking. For example, they're trying to make the IRS spy on American families' bank accounts.\n\nThat's right, they want banks to give information to the IRS on any transaction over $600. This is a giant step towards living in a surveillance state.\n\nMy constituents are horrified at what's happened to our country in just nine months of Democrat control. They're worried that the freedoms we've held for 245 years will be stripped away before our eyes.\n\nTonight, we'll hear from my colleagues about the dangerous provisions included in the Build Back Broke plan - the honest truth about what our Democrat colleagues are trying to hide from the American people.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-mourns-loss-general-colin-powell", "Cole Mourns Loss of General Colin Powell", "2021-10-18", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after learning of the loss of former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell.\n\n\"It was with great sadness that I learned of the unexpected passing of Colin Powell,\" said Cole. \"America has lost not only a great warrior and respected statesman but a genuinely wise and decent man. Secretary Powell was a role model and a patriot revered and respected by millions of Americans of every race, ethnicity and political persuasion.\n\n\"During my time in politics and in Congress, I had the privilege of interacting with Colin Powell. While we didn't agree on every issue, I respected his perspective, his thoughtful approach to every issue, his deep patriotism and his long and selfless service to our country.\n\n\"I extend my sympathy to the Powell family, including his wife of 59 years, Alma Powell, and his loving children and grandchildren. All America grieves with them in their loss.\n\n\"In the words of our greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, Colin Powell spoke to \u2018the better angels of our nature.' His calm voice in these turbulent times will be greatly missed.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=448", "Hern Joins Bill Preventing IRS from Invading Americans Citizens\u2019 Privacy", "2021-10-18", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) joined a bill introduced by Representative Drew Ferguson (GA-03), theProhibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act, to ban the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from implementing any new reporting requirements for banks or other financial institutions as part of the Biden Administration's aggressive bank surveillance regime. Strong concerns have been raised about individual\u2019s privacy, the IRS's ability to safeguard private bank account information, and undue burdens on families and small businesses.\n\nEvery Republican member of the Ways and Means Committee, the chief tax-writing committee in Congress, is an original cosponsor of the legislation.\n\n\u201cAt a time when trust in government is at an all-time low, expansion of IRS surveillance power is the last thing that people want,\u201dRep. Hern said. \u201cRather than writing a sensible bill that can be responsibly paid for, Democrats have instead produced a bloated socialist wish-list that they say will be paid for by \u2018reducing tax fraud.\u2019 What they mean to say is that they will snoop around Americans\u2019 personal finances trying to generate revenue that might not exist. The Federal Government has no right to monitor American citizens\u2019 everyday transactions. I am proud to join this measure and send a clear message to the Biden Administration that Americans do not need this and will not stand for it.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe IRS bank surveillance scheme in the Democrats\u2019 \u2018reconciliation\u2019 bill is a dangerous threat to our privacy that targets farmers, families and small businesses,\u201dHouse Ways and Means Republican Leader Kevin Brady said. \u201cAmericans should not accept this, nor Speaker Pelosi\u2019s demand to unleash 80,000 more IRS agents on hardworking taxpayers.\u201d\n\n\"We should not allow the IRS to invade the privacy of Americans by snooping into their bank accounts,\u201dCongressman Ferguson said. \u201cThe Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats have clearly demonstrated their intent to instate a broad financial surveillance regime using Americans\u2019 private financial information. In an attempt to chase down an ill-defined \"tax gap\" that may not even exist, Democrats are willing to throw caution to the wind, put secure information at risk, and further inflate the unchecked power of the IRS. This IRS surveillance is an invasion of individual\u2019s privacy and with Democrats' history of weaponizing the IRS for their own political gain, it's in every American's best interest that we prevent the use of private financial information for this type of egregious power play.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Biden administration\u2019s disturbing proposal to surveil the bank accounts of everyday Americans is a massive invasion of privacy and sets a dangerous new precedent,\u201dCongressman Buchanan said. \u201cProviding the IRS with unfettered access to peoples\u2019 personal financial information should rightfully scare every American with a bank account. That\u2019s why I\u2019m committed to stopping this frightening new plan dead in its tracks and applaud Congressman Ferguson for championing this important new legislation to do just that.\u201d\n\n\u201cI fully support theProhibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act to keep the IRS from monitoring and tracking Americans\u2019 bank transactions,\u201dCongressman Rice said. \u201cThe Biden Administration and House Democrats have shown they don\u2019t mind weaponizing the IRS at the expense of our privacy. We must protect Americans\u2019 private information from these overreaching surveillance programs.\u201d\n\n\u201cDemocrats' attempt to create a \u2018surveillance state\u2019 on the American people is outrageous and a blatant violation of privacy,\u201dCongressman Arrington said. \u201cThe IRS has a shocking history of privacy leaks, unacceptable inefficiency, and abuse of power. IRS bureaucrats don't need more power, banks don't need more red tape, and the Americans don't need the government intruding in their lives more than they already do.\u201d\n\n\u201cLike so many Hoosiers, I am appalled by President Biden and the Democrats\u2019 scheme to enable the IRS to snoop on Americans\u2019 bank accounts and infringe on our privacy and security,\u201dCongresswoman Walorski said. \u201cWe cannot accept their plan to turn financial institutions in Indiana and across the country into local outposts of the IRS with the sole purpose of reporting Americans\u2019 personal financial account information back to the government. It\u2019s clear that the Democrats are focused on weaponizing the IRS for their own political gain and securing more control over Americans - from cradle to grave. I will continue to oppose this radical agenda and stand up for Americans\u2019 rights and privacy.\u201d\n\n\u201cI join my fellow Ways and Means Republicans in standing against Democrats\u2019 intrusive IRS regime, which violates the financial privacy of American families and small businesses,\u201d Congresswoman Miller said. \u201cWe cannot allow the Biden IRS to continue its months-long record of fraud, overreaching power, and disregard for citizens\u2019 personal information. I applaud Congressman Ferguson for introducing this legislation to hold the IRS accountable.\u201d\n\nBackground Information\n\nAs part of its \u201cBuild Back Better\u201d plan, the Biden Administration has proposed implementinga surveillance regime requiring banks and other financial institutions to provide the IRS details on their customers and data for accounts with deposits or withdrawals worth more than $600.\n\nThe bill is cosponsored by 90 members of Congress upon introduction, and every Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee is an original cosponsor of the Rep. Ferguson\u2019s legislation, including Ranking Member Kevin Brady (TX-08), Representatives Devin Nunes (CA-22), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Tom Reed (NY-23), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Jason Smith (MO-08), Tom Rice (SC-07), David Schweikert (AZ-06), Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Darin LaHood (IL-18), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Ron Estes (KS-04), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), and Carol Miller (WV-03).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=442", "Hern criticizes Biden Admin for flouting federal court rulings on Remain in Mexico Policy", "2021-10-14", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) joined over 40 Members of Congress on a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in response to the recent announcement of its intention to issue a new memo terminating the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the \u201cRemain in Mexico\u201d policy.\n\nRepresentative Rick Allen (GA-12) led the letter. Joining Representatives Hern and Allen on the letter are: Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Matthew Rosendale Sr. (MT-AL), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Carlos Gimenez (FL-26), Ted Budd (NC-13), Bill Posey (FL-08), Thomas P. Tiffany (WI-07), Garret Graves (LA-06), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Brian Babin, D.D.S (TX-36), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Jody Hice (GA-10), Michael Waltz (FL-06), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Eric A. \u201cRick\u201d Crawford (AR-01), Fred Keller (PA-12), Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA-15), Liz Cheney (WY-AL), Austin Scott (GA-08), Fred Upton (MI-06), Robert E. Latta (OH-05), Mike Bost (IL-12), David Kustoff (TN-08), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Andrew S. Clyde (GA-09), Earl L. 'Buddy' Carter (GA-01), Barry Moore (AL-02), Dan Bishop (NC-09), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), W. Gregory Steube (FL-17), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Ken Calvert (CA-42), Randy K. Weber (TX-14), Pete Sessions (TX-17), and Madison Cawthorn (NC-11).\n\nThe text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nOctober 13, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of Homeland Security\n\n2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE\n\nWashington, D.C. 20528\n\nDear Secretary Mayorkas:\n\nWe write to you today to express our deep concern over your recent announcement to terminate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the \u201cRemain in Mexico Policy.\u201d1 MPP was issued in 2018 to provide an orderly process for asylum cases and curb the flow of illegal immigrants being released into the United States.2 Section 235 of the Immigration and Nationality Act gives your Department the authority to implement procedures for the inspection of those seeking asylum, specifically detailing that the Secretary \u201cmay return the alien to that territory pending a [removal] proceeding under \u00a7 240\u201d of the Act.3 Full implementation of MPP provides asylum-seekers the opportunity to be properly vetted while no longer blindly releasing an individual into the country, with no accountability to ensure they return for their immigration court hearing. Additionally, policies like MPP were successful at reducing the number of illegal crossings during the Trump Administration.4\n\nUnfortunately, under your leadership, it appears that the Biden Administration refuses to use all available tools, resources and policies proven to maintain control over our immigration system and instead, has created a substantial and ongoing crisis at our Southern Border. It was reported that your Department is preparing for an estimated 350,000 to 400,000 border crossings this month. This would nearly double the 21-year high of crossings recorded for July this year.5\n\nHowever, on June 21, 2021, your Department announced its intention to end MPP.6 More recently, the Department doubled down on this announcement by stating your intent to craft a new memorandum to replace MPP entirely.7 The United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that the Administration must implement MPP \u201cin good faith,\u201d and the Supreme Court denied the Administration\u2019s request for a stay. Therefore, your memorandum terminating MPP is circumventing the courts\u2019 decisions.8\n\nIf the Department abandons the tools needed to secure our border, it is a dereliction of duty and an insult to the officials on the ground who have been on hand to implement MPP, despite partisan leaders at the top constantly working to undermine its success.\n\nThe men and women working under the Department of Homeland Security face immense challenges every day, and they deserve clear guidance as they enforce our immigration laws. They should never be subjected to misguided political directives that make their jobs more difficult. We strongly urge you to uphold the decisions of the court by implementing MPP and performing your duty to secure our border. We look forward to a timely response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n________________________________\n\n1 https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/09/29/dhs-announces-intention-issue-new-memo-terminating-mpp\n\n2 https://www.dhs.gov/news/2018/12/20/secretary-nielsen-announces-historic-action-confront-illegal-immigration\n\n3 https://www.dhs.gov/news/2019/01/24/migrant-protection-protocols\n\n4 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-mexico/trumps-remain-in-mexico-immigration-policy-allowed-to-proceed-%20temporarily%20idUSKCN20M2SC\n\n5 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/u-s-officials-think-massive-surge-southern-border-possible-if-n1280378\n\n6 https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/21_0601_termination_of_mpp_program.pdf\n\n7 https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/09/29/dhs-announces-intention-issue-new-memo-terminating-mpp\u2019\n\n8 https://www.scotusblog.com/2021/08/court-wont-block-order-requiring-reinstatement-of-remain-in-mexico-policy/\n\nBackground Information:\n\nIn 2019, DHS implemented MPP to ensure an orderly process for asylum cases by requiring those claiming asylum to reside in Mexico while their case was pending. This policy, when used together with additional policies and rules issued under the Trump Administration, reduced the number of illegal border crossings.\n\nThe Biden Administration first announced their intent to end MPP in June 2021. Missouri and Texas brought a suit to a federal district court, where the court ruled that the Biden Administration must reinstate MPP by August 21, 2021. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit denied a hold on this ruling. The Biden Administration took it to the Supreme Court, but it was rejected, and the Supreme Court required the Administration to reinstate MPP.\n\nDespite multiple court rulings against them, the Biden Administration is still moving forward with their plans to terminate MPP. This is not the first time the Biden Administration flouted the legal system \u2013 in August, Democrats\u2019 eviction moratorium was rejected by the Supreme Court, but they moved forward with it anyways.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-again-votes-no-raising-debt-ceiling", "Bice Again Votes \u2018No\u2019 on Raising the Debt Ceiling", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Representative Stephanie Bice (OK-05) released the following statement after the House passed a rule that would raise the debt ceiling through the end of Fiscal Year 2022. Bice voted against the resolution for the second time.\n\n\u201cTonight\u2019s vote was just another Trojan Horse House Democrats are using to pass an increase to our nation\u2019s debt ceiling without actually having to vote on it. Instead of a direct vote on a bill to raise the debt limit, we voted on a self-executing rule, packed with three additional unrelated pieces of legislation, to allow House Democrats a temporary extension of $480 billion for the debt ceiling. I again voted no.\n\nMore concerning, raising the debt limit will allow the Democrats\u2019 reckless spending to continue. They now control the House, the Senate and the White House, and are set on funding their $5.5 trillion dollar tax and spend liberal agenda and placing the onus on the backs of all Americans. Raising the debt ceiling would help fund a Green New Deal youth patrol to the tune of $3.5 billion to establish a work program for jobless climate activists. It would also allocate American taxpayer dollars to fund a new surveillance program that gives the IRS permission to monitor every bank transaction made over $600. Until House Democrats can introduce bipartisan legislation to appropriately fund our government, I will continue to fight back against their outrageous wish lists.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-slams-democrats-sham-process-raise-debt-limit", "Cole Slams Democrats' Sham Process to Raise the Debt Limit", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Norman, OK \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a rule deeming passage of a measure to raise the public debt limit by $480 billion.\n\n\"I am deeply concerned by the method House Democrats used to raise the debt ceiling, skipping normal debate and bypassing a standalone vote on the measure going to the president's desk,\" said Cole. \"Deploying this sham process on a matter of such consequence should concern all Americans, who trust their representatives to give an item like this due floor time and full consideration.\n\n\"While I certainly recognize the need to address the debt ceiling, this third attempt by Democrats is still deeply flawed because it fails to include responsible provisions to reduce the deficit and slow the growth of the national debt. Indeed, like the last two times, I still cannot support a measure that ultimately gives Democrats license to pave a superhighway to a socialist America and great entitlement society. Unfortunately, that is exactly what they intend to do.\"\n\nDuring consideration of the measure in the House Rules Committee earlier today, Cole made extensive remarks. Video is available below and transcript here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=438", "Hern condemns Pelosi\u2019s announcement of overreaching IRS reporting requirements", "2021-10-11", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed she plans to add provisions to the socialist spending package requiring private financial institutions to report transaction-level data on the inflow and outflow of any bank accounts over $600.\n\n\u201cWe spent over 40 hours marking up the radical reconciliation bill in the Ways and Means Committee, but it was all a waste of time,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cPelosi never intended to keep the bill that made it out of committee; every day, it seems, she announces new additions to the already-untenable socialist plan. Today, she confirmed millions of Americans\u2019 worst fears and announced the creation of a surveillance state monitoring the financial transactions of American families. This is the number one issue Oklahomans are contacting me about. This overreach is unprecedented and wholly unacceptable. The American people will no longer tolerate Pelosi and Biden\u2019s willful ignorance to the needs of working-class families.\u201d\n\nRep. Hern previously joined Rep. Tom Emmer (MN-06) on a letter to Democrat leadership raising concerns about the reporting requirements. Rep. Hern also joined Republican members of the House Committee on Ways and Means as a cosponsor of legislation to prevent such requirements from being put in place.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=441", "Hern votes against swampy maneuver to raise debt ceiling", "2021-10-11", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting against Speaker Nancy Pelosi\u2019s rule vote to \u2018deem\u2019 the debt limit increase passed without a vote on any real legislation.\n\n\u201cToday, the House of Representatives voted to raise the debt ceiling rather than confront the true problem: unchecked spending,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cDemocrats are unwilling to slow down, so their options are raise the debt ceiling or crash right through it and send the country into a debt crisis. Let me be clear: this is a crisis of the Democrats\u2019 own making. Pelosi repeatedly proves that she doesn\u2019t care about bipartisanship in the bills she brings to the floor, so she should not expect bipartisanship to save her from defaulting on our debts. To make matters even worse, they\u2019re passing the debt limit increase disguised in a rule vote. That\u2019s cowardly, undemocratic, and incredibly misleading to the American people. It\u2019s long past time to restore fiscal responsibility and legislative integrity to Congress.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/duncans-nrwa-receive-nearly-7-million-support-water-infrastructure-workforce", "Duncan\u2019s NRWA to Receive Nearly $7 Million to Support Water Infrastructure & Workforce Improvements in Oklahoma", "2021-10-08", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Moore, OK \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) congratulated the National Rural Water Association (NRWA), headquartered in Duncan, after it was announced that the non-profit will receive two federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, totaling nearly $7 million. Both awards come from the Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training grant program, which provides funding to qualified non-profits for projects and training to solve water and waste-related issues.\n\nThe first award, totaling more than $4.5 million, of which a portion of will support efforts in Payne County to establish a set of highly skilled water workers to ensure water infrastructure is strong, modern, safe and sustainable for the communities. The program will also help create jobs in the area, advance technological innovation at small water and wastewater systems and create economic development opportunities.\n\nThe second award, totaling more than $2.6 million, of which a portion of will support projects in Stephens County to develop rural communities and grow local economies as well as enhance the sustainability of utility system governance, management and operations through project development and the delivery of the Sustainable Utility Management program and hands-on technical assistance.\n\n\"I am delighted that the Fourth District's own National Rural Water Association will receive substantial funding from the USDA to support water infrastructure improvements and strengthen the workforce in two key areas of our state,\" said Congressman Tom Cole. \"Along with paving the way for the creation of jobs and increasing economic opportunities statewide, the investment in rural Oklahoma will help maintain safe water and modern and sustainable infrastructure for the future.\"\n\n\"Investments to strengthen Oklahoma's workforce and improve water infrastructure are important to communities across our great state,\" said Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03), whose district includes Payne County. \"I'm thankful for the work done by the National Rural Water Association and USDA's Office of Rural Development. These investments will create jobs, improve the public health and safety of our rural communities, and lay the groundwork for innovative water systems across Oklahoma.\"\n\n\"The National Rural Water Association is committed to supporting rural America and Rural Water. Receiving federal funding is imperative to continue the essential work water and wastewater professionals provide each and every day, and we look forward to promoting and supporting them any way we can,\" said Matt Holmes, NRWA Chief Executive Officer.\n\n\"NRWA is excited to continue providing essential programs like Technical Assistance and Training to our wastewater systems in America. Many of these systems are in our smallest and most disadvantaged communities, which have limited access to the training and expertise that we facilitate between communities across the country,\" said Vern Steel, NRWA Chief Operating Officer.\n\n\"The NRWA Apprenticeship Program provides the rural water and wastewater systems a framework to create training and development strategies, succession planning, and learning opportunities. The federal funds that support these apprenticeship efforts is an investment in the quality of life in rural America that improves our water and wastewater infrastructure by attracting, training, and retaining the next generation of water and wastewater utility professionals that are essential to these communities,\" said Shannan Walton, NRWA Apprenticeship Program Manager.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=436", "September jobs report falls short of Biden\u2019s promises", "2021-10-08", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after the September jobs report was released, showing only 194,000 jobs created.\n\n\u201cBiden\u2019s leadership has failed the American people on every front,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cWe\u2019re nearly 1 million jobs short of what the President promised with his American Rescue Plan at the start of the year. It\u2019s time for him to admit what we\u2019ve all known from the start \u2013 socialist policies don\u2019t work. They\u2019re not bringing jobs back; instead, they\u2019re causing the American people to suffer under record-high unemployment and unending inflation. Republicans stand ready to put proven pro-growth policies in place, I just hope it isn\u2019t too late.\u201d\n\nThe Bureau of Labor Statistics released its unemployment report for September showing only 194,000 jobs created. Including revisions, President Biden is falling short of jobs promised as part of the March American Rescue Plan stimulus by 944,000 jobs. Biden will need nearly 1.5 million jobs to close the gap next month. The unemployment rate fell slightly to 4.8%, and labor force participation remains stuck at 61.6 percent. This is still 1.7 percentage points lower than pre-pandemic level of 63.3 percent.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-statement-retirement-nih-director-francis-collins", "Cole Statement on Retirement of NIH Director Francis Collins", "2021-10-05", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Moore, OK \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement after it was announced that Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will retire at the end of 2021 after a 12-year tenure under three consecutive presidential administrations. Cole is the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that provides funding for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the NIH.\n\n\"It is with very mixed emotions that I learned of the retirement at the end of this year of Dr. Francis Collins, long-time director of the National Institutes of Health,\" said Cole. \"Naturally, I am pleased that someone who has worked so long and hard for the American people and for all of humanity is going to have an opportunity to take some time and smell the roses along the way. However, as a strong supporter and advocate of the NIH, I know how much he will be missed at the Institute, by the biomedical community, in the halls of Congress and amongst his scientific peers around the world.\n\n\"Dr. Collins has served with exceptional distinction. The only person appointed by three different presidents to directorship of the NIH, I have often called him the \u2018best politician in Washington, D.C.' Who else could be appointed by President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden? The fact that Dr. Francis Collins holds this unique distinction is a testament to the high regard in which he is held across the political spectrum.\n\n\"A brilliant scientist in his own right, no one matches the ability of Dr. Collins to marshal and focus the scientific community. His concentrated attention to the well-being and health of people all over the world are literally unmatched. During his tenure, Dr. Collins advocated for greater federal investment in the NIH's budget, and he worked to advance many biomedical research initiatives focused on such ailments as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Indeed, his crowning achievement was probably the critical role he played in coordinating private and public efforts to produce the coronavirus vaccines that were the product of Operation Warp Speed. That effort alone has already saved millions of lives in America and around the world.\n\n\"I do not believe we have heard the last of Dr. Francis Collins. I have no doubt that future administrations of both parties will call upon him for his wise counsel, brilliant insights and exceptional public credibility. While I wish my good friend well in his retirement, I would suggest he not go far because I suspect his country will call upon his services again.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-congratulates-national-blue-ribbon-school-chickasha", "Cole Congratulates National Blue Ribbon School in Chickasha", "2021-10-01", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) congratulated Pioneer School, located in the Fourth District of Oklahoma, following its selection by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School. This recognition is awarded to schools for overall academic performance as well as successful efforts to close achievement gaps and facilitate exceptional classroom environments and learning.\n\n\"I am thrilled to congratulate the Fourth District's own Pioneer School in Chickasha for its well-deserved recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School,\" said Congressman Tom Cole. \"The hard work and creativity of every teacher, administrator and faculty member of Pioneer School certainly resulted in this prestigious title. Educators are a gift to society and when they focus on the unique needs of their communities, they can ensure children have the best learning environment to prepare them for the future.\"\n\n\"Teachers everywhere are worthy of recognition for their courageous efforts during these most recent stressful times. As educators we believe that what we do is essential to a productive and successful society. Pioneer School is committed to providing the best possible education tailored to the individual needs of our students. This national recognition is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our teachers, support staff, parents and community. When these groups base their relationships on genuinely caring for each other, success is imminent. We are humbled by the honor and very proud of this accomplishment. Thank you to National Blue Ribbon Schools for acknowledging our success,\" said Tod Harrison, Superintendent and Principal of Pioneer School.\n\nThe 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony for all honorees will be held on Thursday, November 4 and Friday, November 5. For more information on the awards, please see the U.S. Department of Education's official announcement on this year's recipients here.\n\nTo learn more about the individual efforts and achievements of Pioneer School, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-congratulates-national-blue-ribbon-school-southwest-okc", "Cole Congratulates National Blue Ribbon School in Southwest OKC", "2021-10-01", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) congratulated Brink Junior High, located in the Fourth District of Oklahoma, following its selection by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School. This recognition is awarded to schools for overall academic performance as well as successful efforts to close achievement gaps and facilitate exceptional classroom environments and learning.\n\n\"I am thrilled to congratulate the Fourth District's own Brink Junior High for being named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School,\" said Congressman Tom Cole. \"While the pandemic made providing instruction more challenging for educators nationwide, the exceptional collaboration and creativity of staff ensured that Brink's student-centered model was maintained and continued to facilitate a meaningful learning experience for students.\"\n\n\"MPS has a rich history of not only performing well at our 35 school sites, but we seek ways to improve the education process for our students,\" saidMoore Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines. \"We develop strategies to improve, implement them, and evaluate our results. Brink Junior High's honor of being named a National Blue Ribbon School speaks to those efforts, and we are so proud of their commitment to excellence in education.\"\n\n\"We are so honored to be named a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education,\" saidBrink Junior High Principal Dan Schwarz. \"At Brink, we know that it takes all aspects of our community to earn an honor like this. We are lucky to be supported by a strong central leadership team; we have a wonderful staff that is dedicated to the growth of every student; we have parents and guardians who are concerned and willing to help at any point, and we have students who are respectful and dedicated to their own education.\"\n\nThe 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony for all honorees will be held on Thursday, November 4 and Friday, November 5. For more information on the awards, please see the U.S. Department of Education's official announcement on this year's recipients here.\n\nTo learn more about the individual efforts and achievements of Brink Junior High, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-votes-prevent-government-shutdown", "Cole Votes to Prevent a Government Shutdown", "2021-09-30", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 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 a short-term continuing resolution that funds the federal government at fiscal year 2021 levels until December 3, 2021. Cole supported the legislation.\n\n\"While a continuing resolution is never ideal, a government shutdown is a far worse alternative, which would deal expensive and damaging consequences. Indeed, keeping the government open and operating is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of Congress\" said Cole. \"With an already shaky economy and inflationary crisis, due to the socialist policies and unprecedented spending pushed by Democrats in recent months, the last thing the American people need is a costly and avoidable government shutdown. In the days and weeks ahead, I remain hopeful that both parties and both chambers can work together to negotiate and pass full-year funding for fiscal year 2022.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-demands-answers-disastrous-afghanistan-withdrawal", "Bice Demands Answers for Disastrous Afghanistan Withdrawal", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Representative Stephanie Bice, a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), today questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, and General Kenneth McKenzie, Commander of U.S. Central Command, on the Biden Administration\u2019s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.\n\n\u201cAmericans deserve to know the reasons for the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan and today\u2019s hearings were an opportunity to demand answers for the complete failure of President Biden\u2019s actions,\u201d Bice said. \u201cWe must also hold the intelligence community accountable for their role in this situation and discover if a failure to provide accurate or timely information played a part.\u201d\n\nBice began her line of questioning by discussing the numerous calls from her constituents, including members of the military, veterans and their families, who expressed outrage at the failed withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the abandonment of Afghan allies and American Citizens.\n\n\u201cI, too, am deeply outraged and have been equally stunned by the lack of leadership shown by President Biden throughout all of this. The American people deserve to have a full accounting of the President\u2019s decision making processes and what ultimately led to this disastrous outcome,\u201d Bice said.\n\nBice then pressed the witnesses on the decision to use the Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) instead of Bagram Air Base to evacuate American citizens.\n\n\u201cDuring the Senate testimony yesterday, Gen. Austin, you said the choice to abandon Bagram was made carefully based on the mission to protect the embassy. What aspect of security at HKIA made it more secure than Bagram? And following that you mentioned in your opening statement that Bagram had little strategic value. If could elaborate on those please,\u201d Bice asked.\n\n\u201c\u2026In the event of an evacuation, we would have to start with evacuating the embassy first, and so Kabul makes all, it provides everything you need to be able to do that,\u201d Austin answered.\n\nBice further questioned Austin and the other witnesses about the level of trust they have with the information being provided by the intelligence community.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-hudson-urge-removal-red-flag-law-ndaa", "Bice, Hudson Urge Removal of Red Flag Law from NDAA", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Representative Stephanie Bice (OK-05), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), along with 157 of their colleagues, sent a letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, urging the full removal of a \u201cred flag\u201d provision in H.R. 4350, the House National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) during the conference committee process.\n\nThe letter expresses deep concern that if Sec. 529 of the NDAA were to be enacted, the Second Amendment rights of U.S. military servicemembers would be violated by allowing military judges and magistrates to issue military court gun confiscation orders. Such orders could be issued on an ex parte basis, without the servicemember even being present in court to defend themselves.\n\n\u201cThe NDAA is necessary legislation to fund our military and defense, as well as to provide salary and benefits for our soldiers and retirees. It is unfortunate that once again Democrats are doing everything they can to erode the Second Amendment rights of Americans, including those that protect and serve this country, by inserting red flag provisions into this bill,\u201d said Rep. Bice.\n\n\u201cMy vote in support of the NDAA was to reject Biden\u2019s efforts to gut our military, to ensure we\u2019re able to stand up to Russia and China, and to begin investigations into the Biden Administration\u2019s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, not to remove our military\u2019s Second Amendment rights. I will fight to ensure this provision is stripped from the final version of the NDAA.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Defense Authorization Act funds our entire Defense Department for the year and included provisions I secured critical for our troops and Fort Bragg. While I was proud to support these provisions, I strongly opposed Democrats once again inserting a section on red flag laws that threaten the Second Amendment rights of our servicemembers,\u201d said Rep. Hudson. \"Like last year, I am proud to help lead efforts to ensure these provisions are removed from the final bill as the process continues between the House and Senate. I thank Congresswoman Bice for her leadership on this issue and will continue to do everything possible to support our troops and defend our Second Amendment.\u201d\n\nThe members wrote: \u201c\u2026Even more concerning, under this provision, such an order could be issued by a military court on an ex parte basis \u2013 meaning the order could be issued without the servicemember even being present in court to defend themselves. We believe this is a serious breach of due process that demands your full attention.\"\n\nThey continued: \u201c\u2026Every single day, brave American servicemembers serve in harm\u2019s way to defend our nation, our way of life, and the very constitutional rights that Sec. 529 would erode. This dangerous provision must be excluded from the final package.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the letter can be foundhere and below:\n\nDear Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Rogers, Chairman Reed, and Ranking Member Inhofe:\n\nAs you begin the conference committee process to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022, we write to strongly urge you to strike Sec. 529 of the House version, H.R. 4350. We are greatly concerned that if enacted, Sec. 529 would violate the Second Amendment rights of our nation\u2019s brave servicemembers by allowing military judges and magistrates to issue military court gun confiscation orders.\n\nEven more concerning, under this provision, such an order could be issued by a military court on an ex parte basis \u2013 meaning the order could be issued without the servicemember even being present in court to defend themselves. We believe this is a serious breach of due process that demands your full attention.\n\nEvery single day, brave American servicemembers serve in harm\u2019s way to defend our nation, our way of life, and the very constitutional rights that Sec. 529 would erode. This dangerous provision must be excluded from the final package. Again, we ask for your support to strike Sec. 529 of H.R. 4350 from the final conference report of the FY 2022 NDAA. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and please don\u2019t hesitate to contact us with any questions.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-votes-against-suspending-debt-limit-again", "Cole Votes Against Suspending the Debt Limit, Again", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the House Amendment to S. 1301, a measure to suspend the debt limit through the end of 2022. This vote comes after House Democrats last week put forward and passed a continuing resolution with the same suspension of the debt limit, which has stalled in the U.S. Senate. Cole opposed the legislation.\n\n\"While it is correct that Democrats and Republicans have come together in the past to address the debt ceiling, the circumstances were drastically different. Moreover, such efforts were often paired with provisions seeking to reduce the deficit and slow the growth of the national debt, which is not the case with today's measure,\" said Cole. \"However, while both parties have shared the responsibility of dealing with the debt limit before, it is categorically false for Democrats, especially current members of leadership, to act as if they have always participated and been supportive.\n\n\"Indeed, the same Democratic leaders who are blasting Republicans now refused to raise the debt limit on more occasions than not when Republicans controlled the White House and both chambers. In fact, during the last five times Congress addressed the debt limit under unified Republican control, now House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer only voted to raise it once out of five times.\n\n\"Regarding this current situation, Republicans have made it known for months that they would not support raising the debt limit as long as Democrats peddle their bloated and irresponsible spending plans and socialist-style policies. Since the beginning of the year, Democrats have been pushing their radical and wildly expensive policy agenda despite having the bare minimum of a majority in both the House and Senate. The results have been shocking: more big government socialism, increased spending, rising inflation and higher taxes. Just as Democrats have been perfectly fine with moving their radical policies alone, they should also take ownership of the need to address the debt limit \u2013 on their own. After all, their desire to suspend the debt limit through the end of 2022, without restriction, is clearly intended to provide a blank check for their spending binge of unprecedented proportions.\"\n\nWhile managing rule debate providing for consideration of the House Amendment to S. 1301, Cole made remarks in opposition to the legislation. Video is available below and transcript here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-statement-passage-national-defense-authorization-act", "Bice Statement on Passage of \ufeffNational Defense Authorization Act", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-votes-defend-sanctity-life", "Bice Votes to Defend the Sanctity of Life", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05) issued the following statement after passage of H.R. 3755 by the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Bice, a member of the Pro-Life Caucus, voted against the bill.\n\n\u201cToday I voted against H.R. 3755, the Women\u2019s Health Protection Act. I cannot, in good conscience, support legislation that would allow an abortion up until birth. This bill eliminates all current state and federal laws related to abortion and, going forward, would ban states from passing commonsense pro-life laws. Under this act, every state will be a late-term abortion state with no accountability or protections for women.\n\nI will continue defend the sanctity of life and protect American taxpayers\u2019 dollars from being used to provide on-demand abortion.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-votes-protect-unborn", "Cole Votes to Protect the Unborn", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), a member of the Pro-Life Caucus, issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3755. Although the legislation purports to simply codify in statute the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, it would in practice preempt any state laws regarding the protection of unborn life. Cole voted against the legislation.\n\n\"Make no mistake. H.R. 3755 is an abortion-on-demand bill masked by Democrats as legislation to strengthen women's healthcare,\" said Cole. \"If enacted into law, this bill would effectively remove the rights of individual states to pass laws to protect the lives of unborn children. Indeed, this bill represents the greatest threat to defending innocent life that we have seen in the past 50 years.\n\n\"Instead of allowing commonsense regulations to protect the unborn, every single state in the country would be required to allow abortion on demand at any time up to the point of birth. States would also no longer be allowed to protect the conscience rights of Americans, to ban certain barbaric procedures such as dismemberment abortion or to prevent sex-selective abortions or abortions targeting fetuses with Down Syndrome, which 70 percent of Americans oppose.\n\n\"Defending life, particularly for the most vulnerable among us, is one of my highest priorities as a Member of Congress. As enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life is one of those unalienable rights endowed by our Creator. It is with that in mind that I strenuously oppose this bill and urge Democrats to change course.\"\n\nEarlier this week on the House floor, while managing rule debate providing for consideration of H.R. 3755, Cole made remarks in opposition to the legislation. Video is available here and below.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=429", "Hern stands up for life, holds Biden Admin accountable for fetal tissue research", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) voted against HR 3755, a bill to strip states of their legislative powers and enact federal late-term abortion, overriding any pro-life legislation at the state level.\n\nRep. Hern spoke on the House floor against HR 3755, more appropriately named \u201cThe Abortion on Demand Act\u201d.\n\nYou can watch Rep. Hern\u2019s full remarks here.\n\nAdditionally, Rep. Hern joined almost 100 members of Congress on a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra demanding answers on Pittsburgh University\u2019s federally funded fetal tissue research. The letter is a response to recently obtained records showing that researchers from the University altered abortion procedures in order to harvest organs from babies who were old enough to live outside the womb. Research of this manner is strictly prohibited by federal law.\n\nJoining Rep. Hern on the letter are:\n\nSenators James M. Inhofe (R-OK), James Lankford (R-OK), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Steve Daines (R-MT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Boozman (R-AR), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Thune (R-SD), James E. Risch (R-ID), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), Mike Braun (R-IN), M. Michael Rounds (R-SD), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Rick Scott (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Rand Paul (R-KY).\n\nRepresentatives Jim Banks (R-IN-03), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK-02),Lisa McClain (R-MI-10), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO-03), Jim Jordan (R-OH-04), Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ-04), Rodney Davis (R-IL-13), Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02), Jeff Duncan (R-SC-03), Michael Cloud (R-TX-27), Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), Randy Weber (R-TX-14), Ralph Norman (R-SC-05), Brian Babin (R-TX-36), Chris Jacobs (R-NY-27), Glenn \u201cGT\u201d Thompson (R-PA-15), William R. Timmons, IV (R-SC-04), Ann Wagner (R-MO-02), Tim Walberg (R-MI-07), Steven M. Palazzo (R-MS-04), Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ-04), Jake Ellzey (R-TX-06), Steve Womack (R-AR-03), Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), Matther Rosendale, Sr. (R-MT-AL), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Ben Cline (R-VA-06), Michael Guest (R-MS-03), Roger Williams (R-TX-25), Ron Estes (R-KS-04), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08), Madison Cawthorn (R-NC-11), Jody Hice (R-GA-10), Alex X. Mooney (R-WV-02), Scott Franklin (R-FL-15), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO-04), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Darin LaHood (R-IL-18), Brad R. Wenstrup (R-OH-02), Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), David B. McKinley (R-WV-01), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08), Bob Good (R-VA-05), Trent Kelly (R-MS-01), Andrew S. Clyde (R-GA-09), Jacki Walorski (R-IN-02), Lauren Boebert (R-CO-03), Glenn Grothman (R-WI-06), Tom Tiffany (R-WI-07), Daniel Webster (R-FL-11), Doug Lamborn (R-CO-05), Ronny L. Jackson (R-TX-13), Bill Johnson (R-OH-06), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA-14), Earl L. \u201cBuddy\u201d Carter (R-GA-01), Louie Gohmert (R-TX-01), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), David Kustoff (R-TN-08), Barry Moore (R-AL-02), Andy Harris (R-MD-01), Mary E. Miller (R-IL-15), John Rose (R-TN-06), Chip Roy (R-TX-21), Bill Huizenga (R-MI-02), Billy Long (R-MO-07), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), French Hill (R-AR-02), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07), Julia Letlow (R-LA-05), Michael C. Burgess (R-TX-26), Mike Johnson (R-LA-04), and Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL-04).\n\nYou can read the full letter here and below:\n\nSeptember 21, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland The Honorable Xavier Becerra\n\nUnited States Attorney General Secretary of Health & Human Services\n\nU.S. Department of Justice U.S. Department of Health & Human Services\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room1145 200 Independence Avenue SW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20530 Washington, D.C. 20201\n\nThe Honorable Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D.\n\nDirector\n\nNational Institutes of Health\n\nU.S. Department of Health and Human Services\n\nBuilding One, Room 244\n\nOne Center Drive\n\nBethesda, MD 20892\n\nDear Attorney General Garland, Secretary Becerra, and Director Collins,\n\nWe are alarmed by public records obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which show that the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) may have violated federal law by altering abortion procedures to harvest organs from babies who were old enough to live outside the womb. We ask for a complete investigation into the activities of this organization and a full report of findings and any remedial measures necessary.\n\nThe NIH documents detailing Pitt\u2019s grant request were obtained in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from the Center for Medical Progress. Between fiscal years 2016 and 2020, NIH awarded approximately $1.5 million to Pitt for a project related to the GenitoUrinary Developmental Molecular Anatomy Project (GUDMAP) program.[1] The GUDMAP program was intended to provide the scientific and medical community tools to study \u201ccongenital diseases of the genitourinary tract (kidneys, bladder, ureter, uretha)\u201d by obtaining such organs from aborted babies for research.[2] In its application for funding to be a GUDMAP \u201ctissue hub and collection site\u201d Pitt states that its Health Science Tissue Bank (HSTB) has been involved in procuring and disbursing the body parts of aborted babies for years, noting that \u201cthe fetal tissue IRB [Institutional Review Board] has been in place since 2005.\u201d[3] The application contains references in several places regarding the HSTB to the Pitt Institutional Review Board (IRB)[4] but also states that the IRB forms are in the process of being altered[5] and the IRB review is pending.[6]\n\nFirst, Pitt\u2019s application raises concern that it has failed to comply with federal law prohibiting the alteration of abortion procedures solely for the purpose of obtaining fetal tissue, which states that an attending physician may have \u201cno part in any decisions as to the timing, method, or procedures used to terminate a pregnancy.\u201d[7]It is not clear that Pitt has complied with these legal requirements based on the following statements on Pitt\u2019s grant application:\n\nPitt states that \u201cischemia time is minimized\u201d when it obtains fetal tissue.[8] NIH defines \u201cischemia\u201d as \u201ctime a tissue,organ, or body part remains at body temperature after its blood supply has been reduced or cut off but before it is cooledor reconnected to a blood supply.\u201d[9] It would be illegal for Pitt to alter the \u201ctiming, method, or procedures\u201d of the abortion to minimize ischemia time.\n\nPitt states that it \u201ctailor[s] [its] collection processes on a case-by-case basis to maximize the needs of investigators.\u201d[10]It would be illegal for researchers to have any part in the decisions surrounding the obtainment of fetal tissue from elective abortions.\n\nSecond, if the organs were harvested from babies born after induced abortion, we are concerned that some of these babies were born alive, could have survived with appropriate care, and may have died as a result of having their organs harvested. Pitt\u2019s application states that it can obtain access to the organs and tissues of unborn babies between 6-24 weeks gestation, but it partners with another organization to obtain unborn babies between 25-42 weeks gestation.[11] Babies as young as less than 22 weeks gestation have been known to survive outside the womb with appropriate care.[12] The statements about \u201cwarm ischemia\u201d raise questions about the cause of death for these babies. As noted above, Pitt states that it sought to minimize the time between when the blood supply to an organ was reduced and when the organ is cooled or reconnected. If the organs are harvested from a baby born after induced abortion, it is possible the baby was delivered alive, and the removal of the organs was the cause of the baby\u2019s death.\n\nExploiting the body parts of aborted children for research purposes is repulsive and should stop, regardless of the outcome hoped for by researchers. Research using abortive fetal tissue is unethical, wrong, and has also been proven ineffective. Despite being used in clinical research since the 1920s, fetal tissue has not produced a single clinical treatment.[13]\n\nBased on these considerations, for the federal awards given the project number 1U24DK110791, please provide full and clear responses to the following information requests going back to the beginning of the grant project period to today:\n\nThe number of cases at each gestational age involving abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonate utilized in the GUDMAP program during the grant project period;\n\nDetailed protocols for Dilation & Curettage, Dilation & Evacuation, and Labor Induction followed to obtain fetal tissuefor the GUDMAP program\n\nThe detailed biospecimen collection IRB application and approval for the Health Science Tissue Bank;\n\nDocumentation to verify the physiological status of babies delivered by labor induction upon tissue harvest;\n\nThe number of fetal tissue collection procedures from babies delivered by labor induction;\n\nDocumentation of the number of babies delivered by labor induction that were deceased, and cardiac activity had ceasedprior to fetal organ and tissue collection;\n\nDocumentation of when \u201cwarm ischemia\u201d time was recorded with reference to death when collecting organs and tissue from abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonate;\n\nDocumentation on the specific steps that were taken to minimize warm ischemic time when collecting organs and tissue from abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonate;\n\nDetails on how specimens are collected and transferred to the Tissue Hub and the personnel involved at each step;\n\nDocumentation of how compliance is ensured (including any reporting and oversight mechanisms) with regard to each of the following statutes and regulations:\n\nThe Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act (18 U.S.C. 1531);\n\nResearch protections for pregnant women and fetuses (42 U.S.C. 289g, 289g-1, and 45 C.F.R. 46.204);\n\nResearch protections for neonates (45 C.F.R. 46.205); and,\n\nProhibitions regarding fetal tissue (42 U.S.C. 289g-2, 45 C.F.R. 46.206).\n\nWe appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your prompt and thorough response to each of these requests. We ask for a response by the date of October 12, 2021\n\n[1] Award Letter. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health. Grant number 1U24DK110791-01. September 12, 2016.\n\n[2] NIH RePORT Project Details. \u201cUniversity of Pittsburgh as the GUDMAP Tissue Hub and Collection Site.\u201d Abstract Text. https://reporter.nih.gov/search/p3w-bb6YsECf3hOTrF_iLA/project-details/9944639#history\n\n3 University of Pittsburgh. Application for Federal Assistance SF 424 (R&R). Page 7. https://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GUDMAP2015NIHappFOIA.pdf\n\n[4] University of Pittsburgh. Application for Federal Assistance SF 424 (R&R). Pages 7, 60, 61, 64.\n\n[5] University of Pittsburgh. Application for Federal Assistance SF 424 (R&R). Pages 62, 65, 70.\n\n[6] University of Pittsburgh. Application for Federal Assistance SF 424 (R&R). Page 6.\n\n[7] 45 C.F.R. 46.204(i). This regulation extends to all Federally-funded human fetal tissue research the statutory requirements of 42 U.S.C. 289g-1, which states that, \u201cno alteration of the timing, method, or procedures used to terminate the pregnancy [may be] made solely for the purposes ofobtaining the tissue\u201d for \u201cresearch on the transplantation of human fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes.\u201d\n\n[8] \u201cJW v HHS NIH July 2021 Records 00642 pg 170.\u201d Judicial Watch. August 3, 2021. https://www.judicialwatch.org/documents/hhs-cmp-responsive-records-july-2021-pg-170/\n\n[9] Definition of warm ischemia time - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms - National Cancer Institute\n\n[10] \u201cJW v HHS NIH July 2021 Records 00642 pg 170.\u201d Judicial Watch. August 3, 2021. https://www.judicialwatch.org/documents/hhs-cmp-responsive-records-july-2021-pg-170/\n\n[11] University of Pittsburgh. Application for Federal Assistance SF 424 (R&R). Page 60.\n\n[12] Ahmad, Kaashif A. et al. \u201cTwo-Year Neurodevelopmental Outcome of an Infant Born at 21 Weeks\u2019 4 Days\u2019 Gestation.\u201d Pediatrics. November2017. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2017/10/31/peds.2017-0103\n\n[13] \u201cFinal Report.\u201d Select Investigative Panel of the Energy & Commerce Committee. 30 December 2016. Pg. 386.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=430", "Hern supports the Job Creators Network\u2019s lawsuit against unconstitutional vaccine mandate", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Earlier this week, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) met with Alfredo Ortiz, President and CEO of the Job Creators Network, to discuss their lawsuit against the Biden Administration\u2019s unconstitutional vaccine mandate on American small businesses.\n\nRep. Hern previously announced his intent to pursue both legislative and legal actions against Biden\u2019s executive order directing the Department of Labor to force the COVID-19 vaccine on businesses with 100 or more employees. Rep. Hern voted against funding for the Department of Labor earlier this week, as he promised to do, to prevent the Department of Labor from implementing Biden\u2019s executive order.\n\n\u201cPresident Joe Biden\u2019s unconstitutional vaccine mandate is already causing hardship on millions of hardworking Americans facing the terrible decision to receive a vaccine they do not want or lose their livelihoods,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cThe federal government has no right to put this mandate on the shoulders of small businesses and their employees, which I intent to prove in court in partnership with the Job Creators Network. Biden\u2019s mandate is an undue burden on businesses, especially small businesses, at a time when job creation is essential. Businesses are having a hard enough time hiring as it is; we should be empowering job creators to hire new staff and grow their businesses.\u201d\n\nAlfredo Ortiz, President and CEO of the Job Creators Network, said, \u201cThe Job Creators Network appreciates Rep. Hern's support of our forthcoming lawsuit against the Biden Administration for its unconstitutional vaccine mandate on American small businesses. Rep. Hern's success as a small business owner gives him the unique perspective to understand this mandate's threat to small businesses, which are already suffering from a historic labor shortage. The House of Representatives needs more small business defenders like him to defeat the war on small businesses being waged by the Biden Administration.\u201d\n\nThe Job Creators Network lawsuit is supported by small business members of the JCN. Small businesses who want to join the lawsuit can inquire at JobCreatorsNetwork.com\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-statement-house-passage-fy22-ndaa", "Cole Statement of House Passage of FY22 NDAA", "2021-09-23", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022. The legislation authorizes funding for our nation's military personnel, readiness and operations and includes provisions that support the missions at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City and Fort Sill in Lawton, which are both located in the Fourth District of Oklahoma. With Cole's support, H.R. 4350 passed the House today by a vote of 316-113.\n\n\"I am very pleased that Democrats and Republicans in the House were able to come to an agreement and pass a bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act that ensures that our armed forces receive funding commensurate with our national needs,\" said Cole. \"However, I am more pleased that this NDAA rejects President Biden's proposed underfunding of American defense.\n\n\"Indeed, the House Armed Services Committee should be commended for its work on this measure, and its efforts should serve as a model for the House. Since the beginning of this Congress, Republicans have been asking for bipartisanship and to work with Democrats on solving our nation's problems. We see now what can be accomplished when we allow committees to work together, across the aisle, to produce important legislation without interference from House leadership.\n\n\"Along with many other provisions of this bill, this NDAA rightly authorizes a 2.7 percent pay increase for servicemembers along with unprecedented investments in emerging technologies. It also continues funding for nuclear triad modernization, declares the record number of illegal crossings at our southern border a national security crisis and prepares our military to prepares us to prevail in conflict with a wide range of potential adversaries.\n\n\"This legislation also includes more than 20 provisions to hold the Biden Administration accountable for its appalling withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. These include requiring the U.S. Department of Defense to submit a plan to Congress on how it will evacuate remaining American citizens from Afghanistan, conduct intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance missions and carryout counter-terrorism missions. It also includes language that prohibits the Department of Defense from providing any financial support to the Taliban.\n\n\"However, while the advancement of this bill in the House is a promising development since it authorizes appropriate and critical funding for our national defense, this bipartisan support must also be reflected in the appropriations process, in which Democrats are still reporting an effective cut. If the annual defense appropriations does not similarly increase to reflect the funding priorities of the NDAA, I cannot support the measure.\"\n\nEarlier this week, Cole also made remarks on the House floor while managing debate on the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4350. Video is available here and below.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-votes-against-suspending-debt-limit", "Cole Votes Against Suspending the Debt Limit", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5305. This measure includes a continuing resolution to fund the government at current (fiscal year 2021) levels through December 3, 2021, with additional items attached, including a provision that would suspend the debt limit until the end of 2022. Cole voted against the legislation.\n\n\"As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I certainly recognize the importance of keeping the government open and operating. However, I could not support the short-term funding measure brought to the House floor by Democrats this week due to the irresponsible inclusion of a provision to suspend the debt limit until the end of next year,\" said Cole. \"Such action would effectively deliver a blank check enabling President Biden and Democrats to plow further ahead on their monstrous spending spree on radical, socialist-style priorities and programs.\n\n\"Since taking control of the White House and the Senate, Democrats have shown no desire to restore fiscal sanity and revealed every intention to tax and spend unlike any other time in American history. Indeed, enacting legislation to suspend the debt limit, conveniently until after the midterm elections next year, would only pave the way for more big-government spending that has already led to higher taxes on businesses and the taxation of inflation on the American people.\n\n\"Considering that Democrats control the legislative and executive branches, if they want to continue to push their misguided, out-of-control spending, it should be up to them to figure out how to pay for it themselves. But in the meantime, Democrats will certainly not receive any help from Republicans in their quest to bankrupt future generations.\n\n\"Funding the government is one of the most fundamental roles of Congress, and I am disappointed that Democrats have chosen to add controversial items to a measure to prevent a shutdown. Once Democrats come to their senses, I look forward to voting for a measure to responsibly keep the government open and to address pressing matters, of importance to both parties, such as disaster relief, aid for Afghan refugees and support for Israel.\"\n\nCole also made remarks on the House floor while managing debate on the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 5305. Video is available hereand below.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=424", "Hern hosts virtual town hall with nearly 7,000 attendees", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Yesterday, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) hosted a virtual town hall with constituents from across the 1st District. The call included 6,855 participants both online and by phone.\n\nRep. Hern discussed recent issues including the crisis on the southern border, the impending depletion of the Social Security and Medicaid funds, and the fight against the Democrats\u2019 $3.5T Budget Resolution. Rep. Hern also took live questions from participants on the call.\n\nExcerpts from the call are below.\n\nAngela in Tulsa: Back in the 90s Newt Gingrich did a contract with America where he very clearly spelled out certain goals that he had for the country. Do you anticipate that the Republicans could do the same thing, and maybe do things like balancing the budget or reinstating Trump's border policies, etc., and getting America back to work?\n\nRep. Hern: Last year, after talking to many hundreds of thousands of people across America through our offices, [we] came up with an idea of a commitment to America about getting people back to work [with] less dependency on the federal government\u2026 The fundamental [function] of the federal government is to protect us. What does that mean to protect us? That means protect us from bad actors abroad, it means protect our sovereignty like our southern border, it also means protect us from one another. The fundamental constitutional responsibility of the federal government is not to send out checks every month. It's to make sure we have a strong military presence that protects us from bad people around the world who want to take away your and my freedom and destroy the United States of America. It also means we have to protect our borders; with no borders you have no nation. And also to protect us from one another: protect our ability to own property and have individual freedoms and personal liberties. If you look at those three things: first thing, protect us from abroad. Look what President Biden has done. He's got every [American] ally now\u2026 totally disgusted with him. If you look at our southern border, it\u2019s wide open. The third thing is to protect us from one another. You look at the Biden Administration, you look at Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer and what the Democrats have done with this whole defund the police movement. That's why you see these Democrat-led cities and these Democrat states [in] total chaos. [The] burning of personal property, harming one another, and the reality is that's totally un-American [and] totally outside the responsibility of the federal government. We need to get back to our fundamentals\u2026 I assure you that if we take the House next fall\u2026 we all [must] work hard to make it happen. We will stop President Biden and we will stop the Democrats from having the kinds of votes that destroy our freedom as we know it.\n\nGary from Broken Arrow: I was just wondering what our strategy is on the southern border? It seems to me like nobody is focusing on what's going on [at] the southern border with all the unvaccinated immigrants coming across.\n\nRep. Hern: \u201cI've been to the border; I was there under President Trump [and] I was there about three months ago\u2026 at this Del Rio Sector\u2026 [T]he sad thing about a lot of Biden's policies [is] we know what works. We know what works to get people back in jobs and making money and seeing growing wages to get our economy going again\u2026 You need to send a strong message, which is what the Supreme Court did just a few weeks ago [when they] said President Trump's Remain in Mexico rule was legal. [W]hat that basically says is if you come seeking asylum at the southern border you're going to go back to Mexico and you're going to wait there until the courts have time to see you and that could be a year or more instead of turning these folks loose in America and never knowing where they are\u2026 The President [came] out this past week and saying he's going to make businesses have vaccinated employees, yet he won't do anything to make sure tens of thousands of people coming across the southern border\u2026 it\u2019s hypocrisy. [It\u2019s a] sad day in America.\u201d\n\nCrystal from Broken Arrow: I\u2019m on Social Security, and it\u2019s not a big amount anymore these days. I\u2019m really concerned about everything costing us [more] money. There are many people like myself who are retired that won\u2019t be able to survive. What can be done about that?\n\nRep. Hern: I actually sit on the Social Security subcommittee on Ways and Means, and you are exactly right. The Democrats have not cared about it at all. They control the agendas for all the committees and for the floor of the House of Representatives, and we have not had one single hearing on how to save Social Security since I've been on Ways and Means since January of this year. I agree with you, it's terrible. [T]he Social Security trust fund administrators and the Medicare trust fund administrators just week before last come out with their annual updates: Medicare will be insolvent in four years and social security\u2026 in about 9 years from right now\u2026 When it stays insolvent, if we do nothing, if we absolutely do nothing right now, [in] each of those years, 2024 and 2030, Medicare and Social Security will have up to 25% cut across the board\u2026 The last time these were modified was 1983, now's the time, not to wait until the last minute and have folks like yourself that are shortchanged what is owed to you.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=426", "Hern votes against Continuing Resolution, urges return to budget process", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting against HR 5305, the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government.\n\n\u201cOnce again, the Democrat majority has put the federal government on autopilot,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cWhat are we doing here? Our constituents did not send us here to do the same thing over and over and over again. We must interrupt this never-ending cycle of apathetic governance and do the hard work of passing a budget. The text of the continuing resolution we voted on tonight was not public as of this morning, we received the text with just hours to read it before the vote. The deadline is next week, we didn\u2019t have to rush this to the floor tonight.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=423", "Hern plans legislative action against Biden\u2019s unconstitutional vaccine mandate", "2021-09-16", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) held a press conference this afternoon after meeting with local business leaders to discuss President Biden\u2019s recent vaccine mandate on all employers with 100+ employees.\n\nWhile the President has the power to issue Executive Orders, it is up to Congress to fund them. Rep. Hern plans to take legislative action to withhold funding from the Department of Labor for the implementation of this mandate. Rep. Hern has not ruled out legal action.\n\nYou can watch the video here.\n\nExcerpts from Rep. Hern\u2019s remarks are below:\n\nI\u2019ve spent several days discussing the negative effects of the Biden Administration\u2019s recent executive order that requires all private businesses with employees of 100 or more to be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine or they\u2019ll be subject to a massive fine. Our small businesses have been crushed during this pandemic...\n\nLike most instances in a free market, small businesses have been leading the way in creativity, ingenuity, innovation, and overall best practices during this COVID era.\n\nThe executive order will only hinder small business\u2019s productivity and wreak havoc on the workforce during an economic time where workers are already scarce. How does the government show appreciation to [small businesses]? By implementing more punitive regulations\u2026\n\nNot only is this EO in violation of our small busines owners\u2019 rights as private entities, but it also intrudes on doctor-patient relationships of individual employees across America and here in Oklahoma\u2026\n\n[The Biden Administration\u2019s] approach ensures that the normal rulemaking procedures will be circumvented while as many as 80 million of Americans and thousands of businesses will be forced into compliance before they even have the ability to comment to their government. Those who do not comply will suffer massive fines, which will put businesses in a difficult way and will cause financial hardships that will be unrecoverable\u2026\n\nOver the past few days, I\u2019ve received a clear message from small businesses and individual constituents across our district that this federal overreach will not be tolerated. That is why I\u2019m announcing today a number of steps on behalf of my constituents to push back on this federal overreach.\n\nFirst, we will use the power of the purse, that Congress has for all funding, to look at how we fund the implementation of the rule from the Department of Labor. I, along with my colleagues across America, will do everything in my power to stop the funding of this mandate.\n\nSecond, we will look at every action possible, once the rule comes out, including and up to legal action, to push back on the Biden Administration and their unconstitutional overreach as it relates to private business in America.\n\nWhile we are still waiting to see the final language of OSHA\u2019s standard, based on the Biden administration\u2019s announcement, I believe there is plenty of evidence that gives us the authority to do this.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=422", "Hern votes against tax increases, rampant spending in reconciliation markup", "2021-09-15", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting against the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package in a Ways and Means Committee markup today. The committee spent four days over the last week debating amendments on pieces of the legislation under Ways and Means jurisdiction.\n\n\u201cSpeaker Pelosi\u2019s priorities are not in line with the American peoples\u2019 priorities,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cWe spent four days marking up the largest expansion of the federal government in history when we knew from the start that many of these provisions will not become law. Not only are the policies we debated over the last four days unpopular among the American people, they are also unpopular among many Democrats, including multiple Senators and several House Democrats. Just earlier today, we saw the Pelosi\u2019s drug pricing proposal rejected in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, with several Democrats voting against it. I believe we will see more of this as the reconciliation package continues to make its way through House committees.\u201d\n\nRep. Hern offered five amendments over the course of the 4-day markup; each was rejected by the Democrat majority.\n\nAmendment #1 \u2013 on Universal Paid Family and Medical Leave (Subtitle A). Offered on Thursday, September 9.\n\nRep. Hern\u2019s amendment would protect Americans\u2019 existing paid family and medical leave plans and prevent unfairly forcing the middle class to subsidize corporations\u2019 paid leave plans.\n\nYou can watch Rep. Hern\u2019s statement on this amendment here.\n\nAmendment #2 \u2013 on Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Coverage (Subtitle E). Offered on Friday, September 10.\n\nRep. Hern\u2019s amendment would ensure access to hearing, vision, and dental benefits in private Medicare plans in rural and underserved communities of color. Rep. Hern added a letter to the record with 14 Republican Members of the Ways and Means Committee in support of Medicare Advantage, urging protections as Medicare approaches insolvency.\n\nYou can watch Rep. Hern\u2019s statement on this amendment here.\n\nAmendment #3 \u2013 on Democrat Tax Increases (Subtitle I). Offered on Tuesday, September 14.\n\nRep. Hern\u2019s amendment would delay the effective date of Subtitles F-J until the inflation rate has been at or below 2.5% for 12 consecutive months.\n\nYou can watch Rep. Hern\u2019s statement on this amendment here.\n\nAmendment #4 \u2013 on Government Price Setting (Subtitle J). Offered on Tuesday, September 14.\n\nRep. Hern\u2019s amendment would exempt any drug used to treat or cure rare diseases from price setting.\n\nYou can watch Rep. Hern\u2019s statement on this amendment here.\n\nAmendment #5 \u2013 on Democrat Tax Increases (Subtitle I). Offered on Wednesday, September 15.\n\nRep. Hern\u2019s amendment would strike the changes to Foreign Derived Intangible Income (FDII) deductions which prevent American companies from moving their intellectual property overseas.\n\nYou can watch Rep. Hern\u2019s statement on this amendment here.\n\nAdditional Information\n\nRep. Hern\u2019s opening statement from Thursday can be found here.\n\nRep. Hern also spoke in support of amendments from Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03) on September 14 and Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX-19) on September 15.\n\nRep. Smith\u2019s amendment would make permanent the SALT deduction cap for millionaires and increase funding for cancer research. Watch Rep. Hern\u2019s statement here.\n\nRep. Arrington\u2019s amendment would require the Secretary of the Treasury to certify that changes to the treatment of foreign oil and gas extraction income will not reduce U.S. energy independence or increase oil and gas production in Russia, China, Venezuela, or Iran. Watch Rep. Hern\u2019s statement here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=416", "Hern leads Ways & Means Republicans on letter in support of Medicare Advantage", "2021-09-13", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) led Republican members of the House Committee on Ways and Means on a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging protection of the Medicare program as it inches closer to insolvency. The letter calls on Democrat leadership to reconsider proposals that threaten the Medicare Advantage program for seniors.\n\nThe letter was entered into the record during last week\u2019s Ways and Means markup during debate for an amendment offered by Rep. Hern that would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to certify that Medicare Advantage plans would not be cut under the Democrats\u2019 $3.5 trillion spending plan.\n\nThe letter is supported by Heritage Action.\n\nGarrett Bess, Vice President of Heritage Action said, \"Currently, Medicare is set to become insolvent in 2026. However, instead of working to address solvency issues and guarantee health care for America's seniors, Democrats have opted to pour more funding into long time, left-wing political agendas that ultimately will result in less health care coverage. With this in mind, we applaud Rep. Hern for putting Speaker Pelosi on notice for playing politics with seniors\u2019 healthcare benefits.\"\n\nRep. Hern was joined in this effort by Representatives Drew Ferguson (GA-03), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Mike Kelly (PA-16), David Schweikert (AZ-05), Carol Miller (WV-03), Tom Reed (NY-23), Darin LaHood (IL-18), Jason Smith (MO-08), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Tom Rice (SC-07), and Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).\n\nBackground Information\n\nIn 2003, Congress created Medicare Advantage as an alternative option for seniors\u2019 healthcare. Medicare Advantage offers seniors the choice to pick private health plans that provide more comprehensive health benefits, including hearing, dental and vision services. As part of the partisan reconciliation process, Democrats proposed legislation that threatens the Medicare Advantage program last week, in which more than 26 million seniors are enrolled in.\n\nThe text of the letter is here and below.\n\nSpeaker Nancy Pelosi\n\nH-232, U.S. Capitol Building\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nSpeaker Pelosi,\n\nSeptember 10, 2021\n\nWe write to urge you to protect seniors\u2019 access to private health care coverage. Congress must work together to protect and improve Medicare, not move closer to insolvency. Recent proposals reportedly under consideration in the upcoming partisan Reconciliation bill threaten the future of Medicare Advantage and put Medicare\u2019s financial stability at risk.\n\nAs you know, roughly 26 million seniors1 have enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans that offer either hearing, dental, or vision coverage and in 2021, 98% of Medicare beneficiaries were eligible for Medicare plans that offered some hearing, dental, and vision benefits2. Additionally, more than 94% of seniors enrolled in individual Medicare Advantage plans have insurance that typically pays 50%-100% of the cost of common dental services, much more than the meager 10% proposed in recent Democratic legislative proposals3,4. Expanding Medicare programs to offer benefits with less coverage than already available is nonsensical and deeply misleading to seniors.\n\nThe choice between continuing to modernize our Medicare system or doubling down on the outdated Fee-for-Service system comes at a critical time. The recent 2021 Medicare Trustees Report estimates that the program will become insolvent in 2026. With this projection, we are officially the closest we\u2019ve been to Medicare insolvency since 1998.\n\nWith recent spending reaching several trillion dollars to fight the pandemic, and the trust fund being exhausted in the next five years, we should be taking steps to ensure our commitment to our nation\u2019s seniors by building on the successes of Medicare Advantage. Now is not the time to put misleading political priorities ahead of the financial certainty of seniors\u2019 healthcare benefits.\n\nSincerely,\n\n________________________\n\n1https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-in-2021-enrollment-update-and-key-trends/\n\n2https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-2021-spotlight-first-look/\n\n3https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-in-2021-premiums-cost-sharing-out-of-pocket-limits-and-supplemental-benefits/\n\n4https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/drilling-down-on-dental-coverage-and-costs-for-medicare-beneficiaries/", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-statement-biden-vaccine-mandate", "Bice Statement on Biden Vaccine Mandate", "2021-09-10", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "This directive continues the long list of overreaching executive orders that began on day one of Biden\u2019s term. As he laid out the details of this latest order, Biden said: \u2018This is not about freedom or personal choice,\u2019 but it is about this very thing. This type of federal overreach is unconstitutional, and yet another example of Democrats\u2019 efforts to grab power at every opportunity. The RNC has already indicated their intent to challenge the authority of this executive order in federal court, a move I wholeheartedly support.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=414", "ICYMI: Hern criticizes Democrats for focus on reckless spending, ignoring national crises", "2021-09-10", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) spoke during the House Committee on Ways and Means\u2019 markup yesterday, criticizing their continued focus on moving the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package through Congress as quickly as possible while ignoring the crisis at our Southern border, the domestic oil shortage, the inflation crisis, the crime crisis, and the crisis in Afghanistan that led to hundreds of Americans stranded behind Taliban lines.\n\nKey Background:\n\nBoth the left-leaning Tax Policy Center and the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) agree working families will see their taxes go up.\n\nAccording to the Tax Policy Center, President Biden\u2019s tax plan will raise taxes on 75 percent of middle-class families next year, rising to 95 percent of middle-class families over the long term \u2013 contradicting his pledge not to raise taxes on middle-class Americans.\n\nThe JCT analysis shows that more than 66.3 percent of the corporate tax burden would be borne by lower- and middle-income taxpayers, and 172 million taxpayers would bear the burden of the increased corporate tax rate \u2013 and disproportionately harm U.S. workers, retirees, and small businesses.\n\nRemarks as prepared:\n\nIt\u2019s interesting how the Speaker is so quick to end recess in the name of urgency to pass the largest, most unnecessary spending package in history, raising taxes on American families to do so, when there is zero urgency to aid Americans left behind by the Biden Administration in Afghanistan, and zero urgency to address the border crisis, or even the inflation crisis.\n\nEight months of Democrat control over Washington and we have a crisis on nearly every front.\n\nHow do our colleagues respond? By spending more taxpayer dollars, of course. And those tax dollars are not going to help domestic oil producers increase production or give our border agents the resources they need to keep our border communities safe. It\u2019s not even going towards infrastructure, as so many promised, but to radical programs that the American people don\u2019t want.\n\nSeveral polls have shown that the programs included in the reconciliation package are unpopular among the American people. Even more unpopular than the programs is the price tag. 60% of Americans say we\u2019re moving too fast, that Congress needs to get spending under control.\n\nI\u2019d like to remind my colleagues today that the American people do not report to us. We report to them. They will make the decision on who serves them in this chamber.\n\nThe legislation before us today poses severe threats to the United States economy, to American families, and the future of our nation.\n\nDecisions made by this majority have already resulted in rampant inflation, a burden felt the strongest by low-income families. Decisions by this majority and their allies in the White House have led to a sluggish recovery from harmful COVID shutdowns and underwhelming jobs numbers month after month.\n\nIt\u2019s time to take a look in the mirror and realize that more spending is not the answer. More taxes won\u2019t solve anything. New programs and new definitions and all the money you can throw at them will not dig us out of this hole.\n\nMoney doesn\u2019t grow on trees, which is something Democrat Senator Joe Manchin understands very well. Every dollar we spend here comes from an American taxpayer. Not one penny belongs to us.\n\nSenator Manchin recently said in an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, \u201cDemocratic congressional leaders propose to pass the largest single spending bill in history with no regard to rising inflation, crippling debt, or the inevitability of future crises. Ignoring the fiscal consequences of our policy choices will create a disastrous future for the next generation of Americans.\u201d\n\nSenator Manchin is correct, and he\u2019s also correct that this failure will be on the heads of Democrats alone.\n\nFor example over the next two days we are reviewing paid family leave, retirement and Medicare coverage\u2026 All of these issues should be bipartisan. Republicans have put out bipartisan proposals to help small businesses offer retirement and paid family leave, but democrats have ignored them all together.\n\nThe economy is recovering from the pandemic. Now is not the time for new taxes on small businesses or skimpy healthcare coverage for seniors\n\nIt\u2019s not too late. Fiscal responsibility is still an option. We have the opportunity today to do what our constituents are demanding and cut the spending. We have the opportunity to reverse course on these proposed tax hikes that will send American jobs overseas. We have the opportunity to make the right choice and put the American people over any partisan agenda or hollow victory.\n\nListening to my Democrat colleagues today, you\u2019d think America is a third-rate country, that we\u2019re lagging everyone. But we know we\u2019re the greatest nation that\u2019s ever been on this planet. People want to come here, start businesses here, live their lives here. Hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees want to come here; people are streaming across our Southern border to what the Democrats want people to believe is a third-rate country.\n\nWe know it\u2019s the greatest nation to ever exist and we want to keep it that way.\n\nI know Senator Manchin is not the only Democrat who agrees with me. I know there are many in the House who feel similarly; I just hope they have the courage to do what\u2019s right.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411", "Hern criticizes Biden order to require vaccines for small businesses", "2021-09-09", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after Biden announced his plan for the Department of Labor to institute a vaccine mandate on private companies employing more than 100 people.\n\n\u201cThe federal government has once again overstepped into the lives and livelihoods of American citizens,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cPrivate companies, especially small businesses, are already suffocating under the oppressive restrictions put in place at the start of the public health emergency last year. My colleagues and I have warned of the slow march to socialism for years, and we were called liars for it. Turns out it\u2019s not so much a slow march as it is a sprint. More restrictions, more mandates, more socialist policies are never the answer.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-applauds-dots-award-infrastructure-grants-lawton-fort-sill", "Cole Applauds DOT\u2019s Award of Infrastructure Grants in Lawton-Fort Sill", "2021-09-01", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provided notification that the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport, located in Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District, will receive more than $3 million in multi-year grant funding. This multi-year grant will improve the movement of passengers in the existing terminal building by reconstructing the passenger hold room, ticketing lobby and exit corridor.\n\n\"I am delighted that the U.S. Department of Transportation has selected the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport to receive more than $3 million in grant funding that will support critical facility improvements,\" said Cole. \"Remodeling this key infrastructure installation in southwest Oklahoma will not only benefit Fort Sill Military personnel, their families and the Lawton community, it will also help attract more travel to the area and ultimately strengthen and potentially grow the local economies.\"\n\n\"We are very excited about this multi-year grant that will enable us to complete the long-awaited terminal project. The final phases will include a new boarding gate and screening area with ramps to jet bridges, interior and exterior updates to make the terminal more energy efficient and relocating TSA checked bag equipment to behind the airline counters. The last terminal project was completed in 1995. Since that time, security has changed with the addition of TSA personnel and equipment. This project will take us into the future,\" said Barbara McNally, Lawton-Fort Sill Airport Director.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-mourns-passing-state-senator-charles-ford", "Cole Mourns the Passing of State Senator Charles Ford", "2021-09-01", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Moore, OK \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today issued the following statement on the passing of the longest serving Republican state legislator in Oklahoma history, Charles Ford of Tulsa.\n\n\"I learned of Senator Ford's passing with a heavy heart. He was a colleague, a personal friend and a great Oklahoman who served our state with great integrity, skill and decency over the course of a long and distinguished career in the Oklahoma Legislature.\n\n\"Both my late mother, Helen Cole, and I had the privilege of serving with Senator Charles Ford in the Oklahoma State Senate. And during my tenure as Secretary of State and Chief Legislative Liaison for Governor Frank Keating, Charlie Ford was an invaluable ally, wise counselor and critical voice in moving Oklahoma forward.\n\n\"Senator Ford was respected on both sides of the aisle and brokered many a deal between the two parties in the Oklahoma Legislature. Everyone who served with him respected his wisdom and wit. Charlie made his points with a home spun humor that made legislators laugh and pushed them toward making the deals necessary to move the state forward.\n\n\"No one loved and revered the Oklahoma legislature as an institution and a fraternity more than my friend, Senator Ford. He founded and served as president of the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Fund, Inc. When my mother passed, Senator Ford helped me to secure the funding for an appropriate memorial \u2014 a portrait of my mother's revered Aunt Te Ata, the famous Chickasaw artist and storyteller, painted in the 1920's. It now is permanently displayed at the Oklahoma State Capitol.\n\n\"Charles Ford was a visionary Oklahoma leader who served our state and his party with distinction, honor, integrity and great professionalism. He was the greatest Republican legislator of his era and probably in the history of Oklahoma.\n\n\"We have lost a great Oklahoman and I have lost a wonderful mentor, trusted advisor and dear friend. I will miss Charlie Ford. Oklahoma will miss him even more.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=410", "Hern hosts first subcommittee meeting on affordability for GOP Healthy Futures Task Force", "2021-09-01", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01), chair of the Healthy Futures Task Force subcommittee on affordability, hosted the first meeting of subcommittee members on Monday this week. Members of the subcommittee include Representatives Rick Allen and Victoria Spartz.\n\n\u201cAmericans have been demanding an answer to rising health care costs,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cToday we took our first step towards a solution. It\u2019s going to take time, but we are committed to empowering patients and lowering the cost of healthcare.\u201d\n\nHern invited several witnesses to join the subcommittee for a discussion on how best to define affordability and identify the root causes of increased healthcare costs. The witnesses were: Brian Blas\u00e9, CEO of Blas\u00e9 Policy Strategies and senior research fellow at the Galen Institute and at the Foundation for Government Accountability, and former special assistant to the President on the White House\u2019s National Economic Council (NEC); Doug Holtz-Eakin, President of the American Action Forum, a former CBO Director and Chief Economist of the President\u2019s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA); Eric Hargan, Founder and CEO of the Hargan group, and former Deputy Secretary and Chief Regulator Officer at the Department of Health and Human Services; Kevin Kuhlman, Vice President of Federal Government Relations at the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB); and Benedic Ippolito, Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=409", "Hern leads over 100 members on letter promising no GOP support to raise debt ceiling", "2021-08-31", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) led 106 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives on a letter to the American people yesterday, affirming their commitment to fiscal responsibility and promising not to participate in any attempt from the Democrats to raise the debt ceiling. Historically, negotiations to raise the debt ceiling have been bipartisan.\n\n\u201cOver the last year, Pelosi hijacked a global pandemic to rationalize rampant spending, and has since used the pandemic to justify and normalize unprecedented, reckless spending levels,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cI will not be a part of it, and that includes raising the debt ceiling. Democrats have the majorities in both chambers; they have the White House. They have the power to spend the money on their own, so they have the ability to raise the debt ceiling on their own.\u201d\n\nThis letter follows a similar letter signed by 46 Republican Senators earlier this summer, promising no Republican support for any Democrat-led efforts to raise the debt ceiling.\n\nRep. Hern, who serves as the Budget and Spending Task Force Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), is joined on the letter by RSC Chairman Jim Banks, Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, and 103 additional Members of Congress: Ralph Norman (SC-05), Ted Budd (NC-13), Randy Weber (TX-14), Gregory Steube (FL-17), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Billy Long (MO-07), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Mark Green (TN-07), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), Carol D. Miller (WV-03), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Darin LaHood (IL-18), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Brian Babin (TX-36), John H. Rutherford (FL-04), John Joyce (PA-13), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), Mo Brooks (AL-05), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Yvette Herrell (NM-02), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Trent Kelly (MS-01), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Alex Mooney (WV-02), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Madison Cawthorn (NC-11), Bob Good (VA-05), Ben Cline (VA-06), Gary Palmer (AL-06), Steven Palazzo (MS-04), Tom Rice (SC-07), Ron Estes (KS-04), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Jody Hice (GA-10), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Lisa McClain (MI-10), Mike Garcia (CA-25), Lee Zeldin (NY-01), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Burgess Owens (UT-04), Brian Mast (FL-18), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Rick Allen (GA-12), Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Scott Franklin (FL-15), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Scott Desjarlais (TN-04), William Timmons (SC-04), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Robert Latta (OH-05), Mary Miller (IL-15), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Andy Barr (KY-06), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Mike Johnson (LA-04), David Rouzer (NC-07), Michael Waltz (FL-06), Barry Moore (AL-02), Rob Wittman (VA-01), John Moolenaar (MI-04), Matthew Rosendale, Sr. (MT-AL), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Dan Bishop (NC-09), Fred Keller (PA-12), Michael Guest (MS-03), Earl L. \u201cBuddy\u201d Carter (GA-01), Bill Posey (FL-08), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Jim Baird (IN-04), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-02), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Andrew S. Clyde (GA-09), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Roger Williams (TX-25), Michelle Fishbach (MN-07), Michael Cloud (TX-27), David B. McKinley (WV-01), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), and John Curtis (UT-03).\n\nThe letter can be found here and below:\n\nAugust 30, 2021\n\nTo Our Fellow Americans,\n\nSince taking total control of the United States federal government, with the Presidency, a narrow majority in the House, and Vice President Harris providing the deciding vote in an evenly split Senate, Democrats have embarked on a massive and unprecedented deficit spending spree. Without a single Republican vote, they passed a $1.9 trillion \u201cCovid relief\u201d bill in March even though $1 trillion was still unspent from previous bipartisan Covid relief bills.\n\nNow they have passed a $3.5 trillion Budget Resolution, again without a single Republican vote. The non-partisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has calculated that a more honest score of this budget resolution will likely exceed $5 trillion.\n\nIn order for this spending to occur, our nation\u2019s debt limit will have to be increased significantly. Because Democrats are responsible for the spending, they need to take responsibility for increasing the debt ceiling. They have total control of the government, and the unilateral ability to raise the debt ceiling to accommodate their unilateral spending plans. Indeed, Democrats have the ability to raise the debt limit through the Budget Resolution by introducing appropriate language in the upcoming reconciliation process (or a subsequent reconciliation). Doing so would not require a single Republican vote, and would appropriately require each and every Democrat to take responsibility for their out-of-control spending.\n\nWe should not default on our debts under any circumstances. If Democrats threaten a default, it will only be because they refuse to vote for the debt ceiling increase necessitated by their own irresponsible spending. Democrats, at any time, have the power through reconciliation to unilaterally raise the debt ceiling, and they should not be allowed to pretend otherwise.\n\nWe, the undersigned Republican Representatives, are letting Democrat Representatives and the American public know that we will not vote to increase the debt ceiling, whether that increase comes through a stand-alone bill, a continuing resolution, or any other vehicle. This is a problem created by Democrat spending. Democrats will have to accept sole responsibility for facilitating it.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/bice-statement-us-action-afghanistan-casualties", "Bice Statement on U.S. Action in Afghanistan, Casualties", "2021-08-30", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Representative Stephanie Bice (OK-05) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cI am both saddened and angered by the attacks on the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan yesterday. The execution of President Biden\u2019s Afghanistan withdrawal that lacked proper strategy or planning, has resulted in a staggering loss of life, both of our American service members and innocent bystanders.\n\nThe United States should respond swiftly and with force directed at ISIS-K and others who executed yesterday\u2019s attack. In addition, Congress must launch an investigation into the decisions made by President Biden and his administration that led to such a disastrous outcome so that those responsible can be held accountable.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-statement-deadly-kabul-airport-attack-and-loss-several-us-service-members", "Cole Statement on Deadly Kabul Airport Attack and Loss of Several U.S. Service Members", "2021-08-26", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after news of the attack on the Kabul airport that claimed the lives of at least 12 U.S. military service members and left many other innocent bystanders injured.\n\n\"I am deeply saddened and distraught by the tragic loss of at least 12 of our brave service members, who were killed in the line of duty while evacuating innocent Americans and Afghanis from the evil clutches of the Taliban.\n\n\"In the response to the horrific and despicable attack that occurred at the Kabul Airport today, America must quickly deliver justice to those who planned and executed it. Moreover, Congress must conduct an immediate investigation into the policies and decisions of the Biden Administration that led to this tragic loss of life. In my opinion, this avoidable tragedy was a direct consequence of the faulty assumptions and the poor execution of the Afghanistan withdrawal strategy devised and implemented by the Biden Administration.\n\n\"Make no mistake, both ISIS-K and the Taliban are terrorist organizations, and left unchecked, this likely will not be the last attack in the region. The betrayal of the people of Afghanistan is the worst betrayal of a country and a people by a western power since Munich in 1938. President Biden must act like Commander in Chief and take the necessary actions to protect our troops, allies and our country from the terrorist regime.\n\n\"This is indeed a dark day. My thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with those injured and the families, friends and loved ones of our brave service members who lost their lives while selflessly trying to rescue others. My heart also goes out to the many service members who sought to bring hope and prosperity to the people of Afghanistan these last 20 years. My prayers also remain with our deployed service members who are confronting an impossibly unfair position, never tiring in their relentless professionalism and selflessness to execute their duty, which is why they are the best in the world.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=407", "Hern statement in response to the death of American marines in Kabul", "2021-08-26", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after learning about the death of four U.S. Marines in an attack at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden now has the blood of American patriots on his hands,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cThis tragedy can only be a direct result of his lack of leadership. He has failed the American people as Commander-in-Chief and does not deserve the respect of that title any longer. Vice President Harris should not be left off the hook for this disaster either. She laughed when a reporter asked her about the crisis in Afghanistan the other day \u2013 does she think it\u2019s funny now? American soldiers have fought and died in Afghanistan for the last twenty years, and she treats questions about it like a joke. There is no leadership in the White House right now. Biden and Harris both need to resign for dereliction of duty.\u201d\n\nRep. Hern concluded, \u201cMy heart goes out to the families of these four incredible Americans, who gave their lives to help rescue Americans from Taliban terrorists. I pray for peace and comfort in this time of intense pain and confusion.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-slams-pelosi-reckless-budget-and-irresponsible-process", "Cole Slams Pelosi for Reckless \u201cBudget\u201d and Irresponsible Process", "2021-08-24", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives adopted H. Res. 601, which included a provision that deemed passage of S. Con. Res. 14. This allowed Democrats to bypass debate and a separate vote on the Senate-passed budget for fiscal year 2022, which includes reconciliation instructions to usher in $3.5 trillion in new federal spending on socialist-style programs.\n\n\"I am astounded by the irresponsible manner in which Speaker Pelosi operated the House this week, simply because she could not get members of her own party in line and on board with her will and wishes,\" said Cole. \"As a result, Speaker Pelosi had the House skip critical debate and an individual vote on a consequential budget resolution solely intended to trigger $3.5 trillion worth of radical tax-and-spend legislation. Instead of going through the normal process, the reckless budget was buried in another measure to ensure its adoption, whether a majority of support actually existed within the Democratic Caucus.\n\n\"Considering that inflation is already at its highest level in decades and with mounting crises across the nation and around the world, this behavior is not only disgraceful, it is a disservice to the American people. This fight is far from over as the House will be considering the reconciliation and infrastructure bills later in the fall.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=396", "VIDEO: Hern slams Biden\u2019s $3.5 trillion spending bill, criticizes Democrats for reckless spending", "2021-08-24", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) spoke at a press conference held by the Republican Study Committee (RSC) this afternoon on the $3.5 trillion reconciliation plan working through Congress. Rep. Hern serves as the Budget and Spending Task Force Chairman within RSC.\n\nRemarks as prepared:\n\nThank you all for joining us today.\n\nI spent the first five months of this year as the Republican Study Committee Budget and Spending Task Force chair working alongside many of these incredible men and women behind me on the RSC budget.\n\nAs the Speaker has said on multiple occasions, \u201cshow me your budget, I\u2019ll show you your values.\u201d Her budget shows us she wants to bankrupt America, an atrocity for the American people.\n\nWhen I look at this so-called budget the Democrats are putting forward, it\u2019s clear they have no respect for the taxpayer. Far too many Democrats here have forgotten this most basic fact: the US government has no money of our own. Every dollar comes from the American taxpayers.\n\n$3.5 trillion is an unimaginable sum, more than any of us can fathom. That money isn\u2019t coming out of thin air \u2013 it\u2019s going to come from you.\n\nUnder the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, families in my home state of Oklahoma received an average tax cut of $1,700. Pelosi\u2019s budget would reverse that tax relief and place the burden of her unpopular agenda on American families.\n\nLet\u2019s talk about debt for a minute.\n\nEvery American family has to live within their means, or else accumulate debt. Your debts impact your credit and your budget. If you have debts, your family must adjust spending levels to accommodate paying off debt.\n\nLike every American family, the government has to factor in our debt to the decisions we make. Except Democrats like to act like our debts don\u2019t exist. They think that it\u2019s impossible for the United States to default on our debts, that we can spend as much as we want, when we want, with no consequences.\n\nWhen I first came to Congress at the beginning of 2019, our national debt was $19 trillion. By next year, we will hit $34 trillion.\n\nCongress has spent $13.3 trillion of your money on COVID relief programs, yet only 8.7 trillion of those dollars have actually been put to use. Where\u2019s the other $4.6 trillion, why are we talking about spending even more?\n\nThis monstrous package is nothing more than a wish-list for the fringe left. I\u2019ve spent the last several weeks back home in Oklahoma, talking with Republicans, Democrats, and people who couldn\u2019t give a hoot about politics \u2013 none of them want what\u2019s in this bill. They don\u2019t want to see this kind of spending.\n\nPelosi and Biden are catering to the few vocal members of the far left, and they\u2019re leaving the vast majority of Americans behind in the process. A drastic expansion of the federal government is not what we need. The Green New Deal is not what the American people want.\n\nThis is blatant contempt for the American taxpayer. It\u2019s time for the taxpayers to speak out, stand up, and fight back.\n\nWe do not accept Pelosi\u2019s agenda. We will not be on the hook for Biden\u2019s failures, and we sure as hell do not consent to this kind of reckless, wasteful, useless spending in our nation\u2019s capital.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-host-telephone-town-hall-august-30-2021", "Cole to Host Telephone Town Hall - August 30, 2021", "2021-08-23", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced today that he will host a constituent telephone town hall to discuss and answer questions about the latest legislative news and updates from Congress.\n\n\"I look forward to connecting with my constituents again during another telephone town hall,\" said Cole. \"Between my travels across the Fourth District of Oklahoma, legislative business in Washington this week and the latest misguided actions out of the Biden Administration, there is a lot to discuss during this next phone call event.\"\n\nDetails for participating in the call are below:\n\nDate: Monday, August 30, 2021\n\nTime: 6:00-7:00 p.m. CT\n\nDialIn: (833) 305-1727\n\nIn addition, to sign up to be called directly or to listen to a live audio webcast of the event, constituents can visit cole.house.gov/telephone-town-halls.\n\nFor more information or questions, please call Cole's Norman office at (405) 329-6500.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406", "Hern\u2019s District Work Highlights", "2021-08-20", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "In wrapping up the last three weeks of district work, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) engaged in dozens meetings across Oklahoma\u2019s First Congressional District with civic organizations, small business owners, non-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, police officers, firefighters, medical institutions, veterans, agriculture leaders, local press and even the Tulsa Drillers.\n\n\u201cThe people at home are the true leaders of our nation\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cWe are at a crossroads in our country where we must decide who has earned our trust and respect. Who has earned the right to lead and influence our communities? Parents, pastors, teachers, small business leaders, civic organizations, local governments, or Washington D.C.? We have reached the point where we must ask ourselves if there is a sphere of society where we don\u2019t want the federal government to dictate terms. People in D.C. would like you to think they are the smartest people in the world, but I know better. Those who demonstrate competence, character and consistency in our local communities on a daily basis are the experts and the leaders we need most.\u201d\n\nRep. Hern continued, \u201cThese are the leaders I need to speak with and learn from, and it\u2019s these leaders I intend to empower, not Washington D.C. I am honored to serve and represent you, and I am determined to do you proud in our great nation\u2019s capital.\u201d\n\nHERN\u2019S DISTRICT WORK HIGHLIGHTS:\n\nLaw Enforcement Roundtable Discussion\n\nTime: 3:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, August 2.\n\nLocation: Tulsa County Sheriff\u2019s Office, 303 W 1st St, Tulsa.\n\nParticipants: Sheriffs from Tulsa, Wagoner, and Rogers counties, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and police chiefs or their representatives from Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Glenpool, Owasso, and Bartlesville.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern held this roundtable to discuss solutions for rising concerns surrounding the recruitment, retention, and retirement of local law enforcement.\n\nTulsa Fire IAFF Meeting (Local 176)\n\nTime: 6:00PM-7:00PM, Monday, August 2.\n\nLocation: Tulsa Fire Museum, 1010 E 8th St, Tulsa, OK 74120.\n\nParticipants: Active Tulsa firefighters, retired firefighters, and the public.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern met with active and retired firefighters to discuss challenges in the field and policy regarding retirement.\n\nBixby Rotary Club\n\nTime: 12:00PM-1:00PM, Tuesday, August 3.\n\nLocation: Savastano\u2019s, 8211 E Regal Blvd Suite 109, Tulsa, OK 74133.\n\nParticipants: Rotarians, guests, and the public.\n\nKRMG and KFAQ Radio Interviews\n\nTime: 7:00AM-8:00AM, Wednesday, August 4.\n\nLocation: Call-in.\n\nParticipants: Skyler Cooper (KRMG) and Casey Bartholomew (KFAQ).\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern answered questions regarding the current infrastructure package, concerns with rising inflation, and Speaker Pelosi\u2019s threat to imprison individuals who don\u2019t comply with her mask mandate.\n\nTulsa Faith in Business\n\nTime: 8:00AM-9:00AM, Wednesday, August 4.\n\nLocation: Cedar Ridge Country Club, 10302 South Garnett, Tulsa, OK.\n\nParticipants: The public.\n\nTour of Midwestern Manufacturing & Pipe Line Products\n\nTime: 1:00PM-2:00PM, Wednesday, August 4.\n\nLocation: 2119 S Union Ave, Tulsa.\n\nParticipants: Midwestern management and employees.\n\nBackground: The importance of U.S. manufacturing and American energy independence was discussed.\n\nTulsa Police FOP (Lodge 93)\n\nTime: 6:30PM-7:30PM, Wednesday, August 4.\n\nLocation: Tulsa FOP Lodge.\n\nParticipants: Tulsa police officers and their families.\n\nBackground: Concerns with retirement and the assault on qualified immunity to open police officers to severe civil liability was discussed.\n\nOklahoma Green Country Information Sharing Group\n\nTime: 10:00AM-11:00AM, Thursday, August 5.\n\nLocation: NSU-BA, 3100 New Orleans St, Broken Arrow, OK 74014.\n\nParticipants: Local, state, and federal law enforcement intelligence officers.\n\nTulsa Memorial Surgery Center Tour\n\nTime: 1:00PM-2:00PM, Thursday, August 5.\n\nLocation: 8131 S. Memorial Drive, Ste 107, Tulsa, OK 74133.\n\nParticipants: Surgery center management and staff.\n\nWarfeather Constructions Services\n\nTime: 4:00PM-5:00PM, Thursday, August 5.\n\nLocation: 30091 E Hwy 51, Suite B, Coweta, OK 74429.\n\nParticipants: Warfeather management.\n\nVeteran of the Month Presentation\n\nTime: 5:15PM-5:45PM, Thursday, August 5.\n\nLocation: Coweta Police Department, 212 N Broadway, Coweta, OK 74429.\n\nParticipants: Coweta Police Chief Mike Bell, July Veteran of the Month, Coweta City Manager Roger Koleman, Coweta Mayor Evette Morris, Coweta city staff, and friends and family of Chief Bell.\n\nBackground: Chief Bell served our country in the United States Air Force for over twenty years. He worked in Security Forces and retired as a Master Sergeant. Upon retirement, Chief Bell continued to serve and protect his community as a member of law enforcement. Chief Bell has a true heart for serving others, earning him this recognition.\n\nNAVICO Marine Electronics Tour\n\nTime: 11:30AM-12:30PM, Tuesday, August 10.\n\nLocation: 4500 S. 129th East Ave. Ste 200, Tulsa, OK 74134.\n\nParticipants: NAVICO management and staff.\n\nZoom Call with the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce\n\nTime: 2:00PM-2:30PM, Tuesday, August 10.\n\nLocation: Zoom.\n\nParticipants: Chamber leadership and associates.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern discussed a program designed to train underserved members of the community to use special technology such as drones, virtual reality, 3-D printing, cybersecurity, and tech programming.\n\nCollinsville Local Leader Breakfast\n\nTime: 9:30AM-10:30PM, Wednesday, August 11.\n\nLocation: Dandelion Diner, 705 W Main St, Collinsville.\n\nParticipants: Tulsa County Commissioner Stan Salle, City Manager Pam Polk, Police Chief Matt Burke, Fire Chief Harold Call, Chamber of Commerce President Breanne Audet, Superindent of Public Schools Jeremy Hogan, Cherokee Nation Council Member Keith Austin, local press, and small business owners.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern received general feedback from the Collinsville community and took questions on the infrastructure package in Congress.\n\nSperry Local Leader Coffee\n\nTime: 10:45AM-11:30AM, Wednesday, August 11.\n\nLocation: Sunny's Country Diner, 118 OK -11, Sperry.\n\nParticipants: Tulsa County Commissioner Stan Salle, Mayor of Sperry Debbie Lamberson, and small business owners.\n\nSkiatook Chamber of Commerce\n\nTime: 11:45AM-12:45PM, Wednesday, August 11.\n\nLocation: Skiatook FBC, 940 W. Oak St, Skiatook, OK 74070,\n\nParticipants: Skiatook chamber members, guests, and the public.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern provided a legislative update on his work on the Ways and Means Committee, tax policy, and infrastructure.\n\nFamily Caregiver Assistance\n\nTime: 2:30PM-3:30PM, Wednesday, August 11.\n\nLocation: 118 E Commercial St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012\n\nParticipants: Family Caregiver management, staff and students.\n\nBackground: A workforce shortage in the medical industry and elsewhere has exposed a need for more CNA\u2019s (Certified Nursing Assistant). Organizations like Family Caregiver Assistance are needed to train individuals and meet the demand of the market.\n\nAmericans for Prosperity\n\nTime: 12:45AM-1:00PM, Friday, August 13.\n\nLocation: 3307 Harvard Ave, Tulsa, OK 74135, Tulsa, OK 74135.\n\nParticipants: The public.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern gave an update on the infrastructure package in Congress.\n\nDrillers Baseball - First Pitch\n\nTime: 7:00PM-1:00PM, Friday, August 13.\n\nLocation: ONEOK Field, 201 N Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120.\n\nParticipants: Hornsby, the Tulsa Drillers, and the public.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern threw out the first pitch and presented Hornsby, along with the entire Tulsa Drillers organization, a congressional commendation recognizing their service to the community of Tulsa.\n\nMeeting with Flogistix\n\nTime: 9:00AM-10:00AM, Tuesday, August 17.\n\nLocation: Plaza Center, 1831 East 71st Street, Tulsa, OK 74136.\n\nParticipants: Flogistix management.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern met with Flogistix, an oil and gas service company, regarding the progress of oil and gas companies becoming more efficient and innovative through technological advances.\n\nTulsa Chamber Board and Economic Development Team\n\nTime: 10:30AM-12:30PM, Tuesday, August 17.\n\nLocation: 1 W 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74103.\n\nParticipants: Tulsa Chamber board of directors and the Tulsa Chamber Economic Development staff.\n\nBackground: A status report of the Tulsa Chamber was discussed, as well as future economic development opportunities.\n\nWagoner County Agriculture Roundtable\n\nTime: 1:30AM-2:30PM, Tuesday, August 17.\n\nLocation: Wagoner County OSU Extension Office, 30058 E 147th St S, Coweta, OK 74429.\n\nParticipants: Representatives from the Farm Bureau, Cattleman\u2019s Association, the American Farmers and Ranchers Association, the OSU extension office of Wagoner County, Wagoner County Commissioner Tim Kelley, and local farmers and ranchers.\n\nBackground: Congressman spoke with agriculture stakeholders in Wagoner county about concerns they have with Congress raising capital gains, estate taxes and inheritance taxes.\n\nDMI Industries Tour\n\nTime: 3:15PM-4:15PM, Tuesday, August 17.\n\nLocation: 300 SE 15th St, Wagoner, OK 74467\n\nParticipants: Wagoner Mayor Albert Jones, Wagoner Economic Development Authority Chair Pamela Stephens Karnes, Monica Medley, the Wagoner Tribune, and DMI management and staff.\n\nARC of Oklahoma\n\nTime: 6:00PM-6:30PM, Tuesday, August 17.\n\nLocation: 9711 E 71st St, Tulsa, OK.\n\nParticipants: Members of the Tulsa ARC chapter.\n\nBackground: Disability rights and Social Security policy initiatives were discussed.\n\nTulsa Sunrise Rotary\n\nTime: 6:45AM-8:00AM, Wednesday, August 18.\n\nLocation: 1902 E 71st St Tulsa, OK 74136.\n\nParticipants: Rotarians, guests, and the public.\n\nAmerican Veterinary Medical Association\n\nTime: 10:00AM-10:45AM, Wednesday, August 18.\n\nLocation: 9360 S. Union Ave, Tulsa, OK 74132.\n\nParticipants: Members of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Jenks Chamber.\n\nTour of the Jenks Aquarium\n\nTime: 11:00AM-11:30AM, Wednesday, August 18.\n\nLocation: 300 Aquarium Dr, Jenks, OK 74037.\n\nParticipants: Jenks Aquarium management, Sen. Cody Rogers, Rep. Lonnie Simms, Rep. Shelia Dills, Jenks Mayor Cory Box, and Jenks Chamber President Josh Driskell.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern and participants took a tour of the facility.\n\nJenks Chamber of Commerce\n\nTime: 12:00PM-1:00PM, Wednesday, August 18.\n\nLocation: 115 S 1st St, Jenks, OK 74037.\n\nParticipants: Jenks Chamber members, guests, and the public.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern provided a legislative update on his work on the Ways and Means Committee, infrastructure, his RSC budget, his position on the Healthy Future Task Force, and the unstable situation in Afghanistan.\n\nTour of Grace Jenks\n\nTime: 1:15PM-2:15PM, Wednesday, August 18.\n\nLocation: 711 N. 5th Street, Jenks.\n\nParticipants: Jenks Grace administration and staff.\n\nBackground: COVID-19 relief finds, workforce issues and vaccine mandates for nurses were the topics of discussion.\n\nCreek County Agriculture Roundtable\n\nTime: 5:00PM-6:00PM, Wednesday, August 18.\n\nLocation: Freddies BBQ, 9999 OK-66, Sapulpa, OK 74066.\n\nParticipants: Representatives for the Farm Bureau, and local farmers and ranchers.\n\nBackground: Congressman Hern spoke with agriculture stakeholders in Wagoner county about concerns they have with raising capital gains, estate taxes and inheritance taxes.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-fall-afghanistan", "Statement on the Fall of Afghanistan", "2021-08-16", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Oklahoma City \u2013 Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban.\n\n\u201cI am deeply disappointed in the lack of leadership demonstrated by President Biden to the events unfolding in Afghanistan. Yesterday, rather than addressing the world to provide direction or reassurance, Biden remained silent.\n\nThe President has once again jeopardized the security of our nation, just as is occurring with the crisis at our southern border. I fear that President Biden\u2019s miscalculation in Afghanistan will lead to the region once again becoming a safe haven for terrorists fixated on attacking our homeland and our way of life. The actions of this administration demonstrate a lack of foresight on the situation in Afghanistan.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392", "Hern: Biden is \u201cspectacularly incompetent\u201d", "2021-08-16", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden\u2019s address to the nation this afternoon.\n\n\u201cJoe Biden seems to have taken a page out of the \u2018blame anyone but me\u2019 playbook from one of the biggest failures of the Democratic Party: Hillary Clinton,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cBiden took a few hours break from his vacation in order to blame President Trump, President Obama, the Afghan government, and the Afghan military \u2013 anyone but himself and his Administration. Following his speech, where he took zero questions, Biden is headed back to his vacation when the world needs American leadership the most.\n\n\u201cThe truth is, Biden owns this. This is a tragedy of his own making. Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and Defense Secretary Austin either lied to the American people, or they are spectacularly incompetent. They reassured us that Afghanistan would not fall, that the Taliban would not take Kabul, and that Americans would not be put in harm\u2019s way. Not only were they wrong, they were proven wrong almost immediately. I\u2019d love to see fact-checkers correcting Biden\u2019s lies, but I\u2019m not holding my breath.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-statement-disastrous-situation-afghanistan", "Cole Statement on the Disastrous Situation in Afghanistan", "2021-08-15", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Moore, OK \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement in response to the ongoing and worsening situation in Afghanistan.\n\n\"The unfolding and accelerating disaster in Afghanistan is a human tragedy and a severe threat to the long-term security and credibility of the United States,\" said Cole. \"No American should doubt that our enemies around the world are celebrating this defeat. The fact that even our own safe evacuation of the embassy is requiring the redeployment of U.S. troops underscores the Biden Administration's lack of understanding of the situation on the ground. They were, unfortunately, taken completely by surprise at the Taliban's utter and almost instantaneous reconquering of the nation.\n\n\"More importantly, those adversaries will take the collapse of the Afghan government as a sign of American weakness and lack of resolve. We can expect our enemies to try and exploit this setback by challenging the United States on a range of fronts in a variety of ways.\n\n\"Americans should have no illusions about the nature of the evil regime about to take power in Afghanistan. The Taliban are enemies of America. They hosted and sheltered Osama bin Laden, and they maintain robust relations with the likes of ISIS and Al-Qaeda. They can be expected to impose a brutal, medieval fundamentalist Islamic regime that will oppress minorities and women. It will be the antithesis of the democratic and egalitarian values championed by the United States.\n\n\"A disaster of this magnitude has many causes and involves multiple administrations and Congresses. However, there is no doubt that the Biden Administration's decision to ignore the advice of military experts led to this precipitate and chaotic collapse on the ground. The president was warned repeatedly that the modest American force in Afghanistan that he chose to withdraw was critical to maintaining stability and holding the Taliban at bay. Unfortunately, the president ignored that advice in the interest of making a desired political point, and now he must accept his share of the responsibility for this humiliating national defeat and for the human tragedy that inevitably will unfold on the ground.\n\n\"Indeed, we can expect the Taliban and other terrorists and extremists to exploit this reckless abandonment of the people and principles we spent decades of blood and treasure to protect. We can expect them to challenge us on other fronts,\" concluded Cole.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=393", "Hern statement on the situation in Afghanistan", "2021-08-15", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern released the following statement on the Taliban\u2019s violent takeover of Afghanistan, destruction of democracy.\n\n\u201cThe foreign policy disaster unfolding in Afghanistan, which many previously predicted, seems to come as a surprise to President Biden and his Administration,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cNow, they are caught flat-footed and seem to have no answers to the questions that Americans are asking. This morning, I and my colleagues attempted to get answers from the Biden Administration including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. These individuals have been left leaderless by a vacationing President Biden and they refused to let Republicans ask important questions including:\n\n\u201cWhat is the Biden Administration\u2019s plans for protecting Americans abroad including many who are still in Afghanistan?\n\n\u201cWith reports and video of thousands of terrorists being freed from jails in Afghanistan, what is Biden doing to keep our citizens safe, including protecting the gaping hole on our southern boarder?\n\n\u201cWhat is the status of the taxpayer funded, high-tech equipment left behind for the Afghan Security Forces?\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=391", "Hern slams Biden Admin for bad energy policy, targeting domestic oil industry", "2021-08-11", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement criticizing President Biden\u2019s recent efforts urging OPEC to increase oil production after irreparably damaging Americans\u2019 ability to produce oil domestically.\n\n\u201cHypocrisy is nothing new in this White House,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cPresident Biden catered to supporters of the radical Green New Deal when he ended the Keystone Pipeline and used Executive Orders to cripple domestic oil production on the first day of his presidency. It was a hollow virtue signal to the left that resulted in the decimation of our domestic oil supply, the loss of thousands of quality energy-sector jobs, and increased gas prices to unreasonable heights. Now, Biden wants OPEC \u2013 made up of several countries who wish harm on America \u2013 to increase their oil production to make up for his failures. Make no mistake, these decisions were not about clean energy; American oil and gas are some of the cleanest in the world. OPEC countries do not have the same standards we do and contribute heavily to global pollution.\n\n\u201cWhereas President Trump made decisions to strengthen America and make us energy independent regardless of the baseless criticism he received for it, Biden is willing to destroy the economy and irreparably damage domestic energy production to cater to the anti-science, anti-America socialist Democrats.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-host-telephone-town-hall-august-12-2021", "Cole to Host Telephone Town Hall - August 12, 2021", "2021-08-06", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Moore, OK \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced today that he will host a constituent telephone town hall to discuss and answer questions about the latest legislative news and updates from Congress.\n\n\"With the U.S. House of Representatives out of legislative session for the customary August district work period, I look forward to connecting with thousands of my constituents during another telephone town hall in between on-the-ground visits in the Fourth District of Oklahoma,\" said Cole. \"During the upcoming call, I will discuss recently passed legislation, what to expect when the House returns and the latest news out of the Biden Administration.\"\n\nDetails for participating in the call are below:\n\nDate: Thursday, August 12, 2021\n\nTime: 6:00-7:00 p.m. CT\n\nDialIn: (833) 305-1727\n\nIn addition, to sign up to be called directly or to listen to a live audio webcast of the event, constituents can visit cole.house.gov/telephone-town-halls.\n\nFor more information or questions, please call Cole's Norman office at (405) 329-6500.\n\nStay tuned for additional announcements regarding opportunities to connect with Cole in the coming weeks.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-bice-joins-87-other-house-colleagues-effort-protect-small", "Congresswoman Bice Joins 87 other House Colleagues in Effort to Protect Small Businesses and American Farmers from Harmful Tax Policies", "2021-08-04", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) joined U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04) and 87 of their House colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden, urging him to renounce his plan to cap like-kind exchanges \u2014 a policy that would result in higher taxes for farmers and small businesses owners.\n\n\u201cRural communities and family farmers are an important part of our economy in Oklahoma,\u201d said Rep. Bice. \u201cEnsuring agricultural workers have the opportunity to improve and expand their land or business is critical. Capping like-kind exchanges would not only negatively impact the ag industry, but also small businesses and hard-working families.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Biden administration is pursuing a number of bad policies in their misguided effort to redistribute wealth. They are failing to recognize the detrimental impact their proposals will have on America\u2019s heartland,\u201d said Rep. Feenstra. \u201cLike-kind exchanges are important for farmers looking to retire and pass their property on to the next generation, for rural communities that benefit from incentives for economic investment, and for small business owners who are looking to improve and expand their companies. I urge President Biden to abandon his plan to cap like-kind exchanges, which will place a harmful tax burden on farmers, hardworking families, and main street business owners.\u201d\n\nIn their letter to President Biden, Feenstra and his colleagues argue President Biden\u2019s proposal to cap like-kind exchanges would discourage investment at a critical moment for the economy. Additionally, they call attention to the devastating impact this move would have on family farmers and family-owned businesses.\n\n\u201cWe urge you and your administration not to damage the livelihood of farmers everywhere by repealing or changing like-kind exchanges,\u201d the members wrote. \u201cFor the agricultural community, a cap on like-kind exchanges would limit farmers\u2019 ability to improve their operations through combining acreage, purchasing more productive land, and mitigating environmental impacts. Further, capping like-kind exchanges could make it more difficult to restructure businesses so that young or beginning farmers can join operations.\u201d\n\nThe members also highlight that limiting like-kind exchanges would not only have a negative impact on individual farmers, but also on the ag industry and the national economy as a whole.\n\n\u201cIt is critical that farmers and small businesses have the freedom to improve their operations in whatever way they see fit,\u201d the members continued. \u201cThis proposed change to the tax code would limit the economic mobility and viability of businesses across the nation. Now is not the time to stunt growth, but to encourage it.\u201d\n\nThe letter is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Real Estate Roundtable, which includes 19 national real estate associations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-opposes-partisan-fy22-appropriations-house", "Cole Opposes Partisan FY22 Appropriations in House", "2021-07-30", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives considered annual funding bills for fiscal year 2022. Advanced along party lines, the legislation passed by Democrats this week included H.R. 4502, a seven-bill package, along with H.R. 4373 and H.R. 4346. Together, the legislation covers nine of the 12 annual federal government funding bills.\n\n\"Although there are certain items and priorities that I support in the annual appropriations bills pushed through the House by Democrats this week, each piece of legislation advanced is largely flawed, unworkable, unrealistic and destined for failure,\" said Cole. \"Unfortunately, Democrats in the House Appropriations Committee ensured that all of their reported bills would be doomed from the start by severely underfunding defense, overfunding domestic programs and removing longstanding, bipartisan language that saves lives and protects the conscience rights of all Americans.\n\n\"Unless key pro-life protections are restored and bipartisan agreement is struck on funding levels, Republicans cannot come to the table or vote on final appropriations. Moreover, Senate Democrats do not have the votes needed to further advance these bills to the president's desk on their own. At the end of the day, if Democrats continue to refuse to compromise and fail to work with Republicans, in either chamber, then they will have only themselves to blame. And they will bear the responsibility for the inevitable consequences: a continuing resolution, or even worse, a government shutdown. The American people deserve better.\"\n\nDuring debate on the rule for H.R. 4502, Cole made opposing remarks, explaining his opposition to the underlying legislative package as well as Democrats' misguided and partisan approach to annual appropriations for fiscal year 2022.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=385", "Hern joins Dobbs v. Jackson amicus brief", "2021-07-30", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) officially joined an amicus brief in support of Dobbs v. Jackson, a case headed to the Supreme Court.\n\nIn Dobbs v. Jackson, SCOTUS granted review to a challenge of a Mississippi law prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks. The question before the Supreme Court is whether all pre-viability prohobitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional. In the amicus brief, Rep. Hern and the other signatory Members argue that SCOTUS should uphold the constitutionality of pre-viability restrictions on abortion and uphold the Mississippi law or return it to the lower courts for full consideration.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve seen in my own family the importance of life and ensuring every child, no matter their disability, has the right to life,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cI\u2019ve told my story before, but spina bifida runs in my family. My mother, sister, and nieces were all told by doctors that they should abort their children because of the risk of spina bifida \u2013 each one made the decision to protect life, and as a result, our family has grown in love, kindness, and empathy. Every choice to protect a human life should be celebrated. I am glad to give my support to this amicus brief and I look forward to this important decision from the Supreme Court.\u201d\n\nThe amicus brief points out that SCOTUS has previously failed to clarify viability or tie it to any legal and medical principles, and that federal courts have mistakenly interpreted viability as a hard line to strike down arguments. The brief points out that fetuses feel pain as early as 12 weeks.\n\nThe amicus brief is signed by 44 US Senators and 189 US Representatives.\n\nAmici Curiae from the Senate include Roger F. Wicker (MS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), John Barrasso (WY), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Roy Blunt (MO), John Boozman (AR), Mike Braun (IN), Richard Burr (NC), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (LA), John Cornyn (TX), Tom Cotton (AR), Kevin Cramer (ND), Mike Crapo (ID), Steve Daines (MT), Joni K. Ernst (IA), Deb Fischer (NE), Lindsey O. Graham (SC), Charles E. Grassley (IA), Bill Hagerty (TN), John Hoeven (ND), James M. Inhofe (OK), Ron Johnson (WI), John Kennedy (LA), James Lankford (OK), Cynthia M. Lummis (WY), Roger Marshall, M.D. (KS), Mitch McConnell (KY), Jerry Moran (KS), Rand Paul, M.D. (KY), Rob Portman (OH), James E. Risch (ID), Mitt Romney (UT), M. Michael Rounds (SD), Marco Rubio (FL), Ben Sasse (NE), Rick Scott (FL), Tim Scott (SC), Richard C. Shelby (AL), Dan Sullivan (AK), John Thune (SD), Thom Tillis (NC), Pat Toomey (PA), Tommy Tuberville (AL), and Todd Young (IN).\n\nAmici Curiae from the House include Christopher H. Smith (NJ-04), Steve Palazzo (MS-04), Trent Kelly (MS-01), Michael Guest (MS-03), Robert B. Aderholt (AL-04), Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Jodey C. Arrington (TX-19), Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), Brian Babin, D.D.S. (TX-36), Don Bacon (NE-02), James R. Baird (IN-04), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Jim Banks (IN-03), Andy Barr (KY-06), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Gus M. Bilirakis (FL-12), Dan Bishop (NC-09), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Mike Bost (IL-12), Kevin Brady (TX-08), Mo Brooks (AL-05), Ken Buck (CO-04), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08), Ted Budd (NC-13), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Ken Calvert (CA-42), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Jerry L. Carl (AL-01), Earl L. \u201cBuddy\u201d Carter (GA-01), John R. Carter (TX-31), Steve Chabot (OH-01), Liz Cheney (WY-AL), Ben Cline (VA-06), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Andrew S. Clyde (GA-09), Tom Cole (OK-04), James Comer (KY-01), Rick Crawford (AR-01), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), John R. Curtis (UT-03), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Neal P. Dunn, M.D. (FL-02), Tom Emmer (MN-06), Ron Estes (KS-04), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), A. Drew Ferguson, IV (GA-03), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), C. Scott Franklin (FL-15), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02), Mike Garcia (CA-25), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Bob Good (VA-05), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04), Kay Granger (TX-12), Garret Graves (LA-06), Sam Graves (MO-06), Mark E. Green, M.D. (TN-07), H. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Yvette Herrell (NM-02), Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03), Jody Hice (GA-10), Clay Higgins (LA-03), French Hill (AR-02), Ashley Hinson (IA-01), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Darrell Issa (CA-50), Ronny L. Jackson (TX-13), Chris Jacobs (NY-27), Bill Johnson (OH-06), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Mike Johnson (LA-04), Jim Jordan (OH-04), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Fred Keller (PA-12), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Darin LaHood (IL-18), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Robert E. Latta (OH-05), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Billy Long (MO-07), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Frank D. Lucas (OK-03), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Thomas Massie (KY-04), Brian Mast (FL-18), Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Lisa McClain (MI-10), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Patrick McHenry (NC-10), David B. McKinley, P.E. (WV-01), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Peter Meijer (MI-03), Carol D. Miller (WV-03), Mary E. Miller (IL-15), Mariannette J. Miller-Meeks (IA-02), John R. Moolenaar (MI-04), Alex X. Mooney (WV-02), Barry Moore (AL-02), Blake Moore (UT-01), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), Troy E. Nehls (TX-22), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Burgess Owens (UT-04), Gary Palmer (AL-06), Greg Pence (IN-06), August Pfluger (TX-11), Bill Posey (FL-08), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Tom Rice (SC-07), Hal Rogers (KY-05), Mike D. Rogers (AL-03), John Rose (TN-06), Matthew Rosendale, Sr. (MT-AL), David Rouzer (NC-07), Chip Roy (TX-21), John H. Rutherford (FL-04), Steve Scalise (LA-01), Austin Scott (GA-08), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Jason Smith (MO-08), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Michelle Steel (CA-48), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Bryan Steil (WI-01), W. Gregory Steube (FL-17), Chris Stewart (UT-02), Van Taylor (TX-03), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Glenn \u2018GT\u2019 Thompson (PA-15), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), William R. Timmons, IV (SC-04), Michael R. Turner (OH-10), David G. Valadao (CA-21), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Michael Waltz (FL-06), Randy K. Weber (TX-14), 10a Daniel Webster (FL-11), Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (OH-02), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Roger Williams (TX-25), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Robert J. Wittman (VA-01), Steve Womack (AR-03), and Lee Zeldin (NY-01).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=577", "Hern joins Dobbs v. Jackson amicus brief", "2021-07-30", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) officially joined an amicus brief in support of Dobbs v. Jackson, a case headed to the Supreme Court.\n\nIn Dobbs v. Jackson, SCOTUS granted review to a challenge of a Mississippi law prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks. The question before the Supreme Court is whether all pre-viability prohobitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional. In the amicus brief, Rep. Hern and the other signatory Members argue that SCOTUS should uphold the constitutionality of pre-viability restrictions on abortion and uphold the Mississippi law or return it to the lower courts for full consideration.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve seen in my own family the importance of life and ensuring every child, no matter their disability, has the right to life,\u201d said Rep. Hern.\u201cI\u2019ve told my story before, but spina bifida runs in my family. My mother, sister, and nieces were all told by doctors that they should abort their children because of the risk of spina bifida \u2013 each one made the decision to protect life, and as a result, our family has grown in love, kindness, and empathy. Every choice to protect a human life should be celebrated. I am glad to give my support to this amicus brief and I look forward to this important decision from the Supreme Court.\u201d\n\nThe amicus brief points out that SCOTUS has previously failed to clarify viability or tie it to any legal and medical principles, and that federal courts have mistakenly interpreted viability as a hard line to strike down arguments. The brief points out that fetuses feel pain as early as 12 weeks.\n\nThe amicus brief is signed by 44 US Senators and 189 US Representatives.\n\nAmici Curiae from the Senate include Roger F. Wicker (MS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), John Barrasso (WY), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Roy Blunt (MO), John Boozman (AR), Mike Braun (IN), Richard Burr (NC), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (LA), John Cornyn (TX), Tom Cotton (AR), Kevin Cramer (ND), Mike Crapo (ID), Steve Daines (MT), Joni K. Ernst (IA), Deb Fischer (NE), Lindsey O. Graham (SC), Charles E. Grassley (IA), Bill Hagerty (TN), John Hoeven (ND), James M. Inhofe (OK), Ron Johnson (WI), John Kennedy (LA), James Lankford (OK), Cynthia M. Lummis (WY), Roger Marshall, M.D. (KS), Mitch McConnell (KY), Jerry Moran (KS), Rand Paul, M.D. (KY), Rob Portman (OH), James E. Risch (ID), Mitt Romney (UT), M. Michael Rounds (SD), Marco Rubio (FL), Ben Sasse (NE), Rick Scott (FL), Tim Scott (SC), Richard C. Shelby (AL), Dan Sullivan (AK), John Thune (SD), Thom Tillis (NC), Pat Toomey (PA), Tommy Tuberville (AL), and Todd Young (IN).\n\nAmici Curiae from the House include Christopher H. Smith (NJ-04), Steve Palazzo (MS-04), Trent Kelly (MS-01), Michael Guest (MS-03), Robert B. Aderholt (AL-04), Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Jodey C. Arrington (TX-19), Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), Brian Babin, D.D.S. (TX-36), Don Bacon (NE-02), James R. Baird (IN-04), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Jim Banks (IN-03), Andy Barr (KY-06), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Gus M. Bilirakis (FL-12), Dan Bishop (NC-09), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Mike Bost (IL-12), Kevin Brady (TX-08), Mo Brooks (AL-05), Ken Buck (CO-04), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08), Ted Budd (NC-13), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Ken Calvert (CA-42), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Jerry L. Carl (AL-01), Earl L. \u201cBuddy\u201d Carter (GA-01), John R. Carter (TX-31), Steve Chabot (OH-01), Liz Cheney (WY-AL), Ben Cline (VA-06), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Andrew S. Clyde (GA-09), Tom Cole (OK-04), James Comer (KY-01), Rick Crawford (AR-01), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), John R. Curtis (UT-03), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Neal P. Dunn, M.D. (FL-02), Tom Emmer (MN-06), Ron Estes (KS-04), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), A. Drew Ferguson, IV (GA-03), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), C. Scott Franklin (FL-15), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02), Mike Garcia (CA-25), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Bob Good (VA-05), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04), Kay Granger (TX-12), Garret Graves (LA-06), Sam Graves (MO-06), Mark E. Green, M.D. (TN-07), H. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Yvette Herrell (NM-02), Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03), Jody Hice (GA-10), Clay Higgins (LA-03), French Hill (AR-02), Ashley Hinson (IA-01), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Darrell Issa (CA-50), Ronny L. Jackson (TX-13), Chris Jacobs (NY-27), Bill Johnson (OH-06), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Mike Johnson (LA-04), Jim Jordan (OH-04), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Fred Keller (PA-12), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Darin LaHood (IL-18), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Robert E. Latta (OH-05), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Billy Long (MO-07), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Frank D. Lucas (OK-03), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Thomas Massie (KY-04), Brian Mast (FL-18), Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Lisa McClain (MI-10), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Patrick McHenry (NC-10), David B. McKinley, P.E. (WV-01), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Peter Meijer (MI-03), Carol D. Miller (WV-03), Mary E. Miller (IL-15), Mariannette J. Miller-Meeks (IA-02), John R. Moolenaar (MI-04), Alex X. Mooney (WV-02), Barry Moore (AL-02), Blake Moore (UT-01), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), Troy E. Nehls (TX-22), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Burgess Owens (UT-04), Gary Palmer (AL-06), Greg Pence (IN-06), August Pfluger (TX-11), Bill Posey (FL-08), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Tom Rice (SC-07), Hal Rogers (KY-05), Mike D. Rogers (AL-03), John Rose (TN-06), Matthew Rosendale, Sr. (MT-AL), David Rouzer (NC-07), Chip Roy (TX-21), John H. Rutherford (FL-04), Steve Scalise (LA-01), Austin Scott (GA-08), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Jason Smith (MO-08), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Michelle Steel (CA-48), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Bryan Steil (WI-01), W. Gregory Steube (FL-17), Chris Stewart (UT-02), Van Taylor (TX-03), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Glenn \u2018GT\u2019 Thompson (PA-15), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), William R. Timmons, IV (SC-04), Michael R. Turner (OH-10), David G. Valadao (CA-21), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Michael Waltz (FL-06), Randy K. Weber (TX-14), 10a Daniel Webster (FL-11), Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (OH-02), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Roger Williams (TX-25), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Robert J. Wittman (VA-01), Steve Womack (AR-03), and Lee Zeldin (NY-01).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-offers-motion-recommit-advocating-bipartisan-pro-life-protections", "Cole Offers Motion to Recommit Advocating for Bipartisan Pro-Life Protections", "2021-07-29", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, offered a motion to recommit (MTR) on the House floor to restore longstanding, bipartisan pro-life protections to annual appropriations bills for fiscal year 2022. Before Democrats removed these provisions from the bills reported by the Appropriations Committee earlier this month and considered on the floor this week, every single Democrat in the House \u2013 except new members this Congress \u2013 had previously voted in support of annual funding bills with the language included.\n\nCole's motion was blocked by Democrats this afternoon during consideration of H.R. 4502. As offered, text of Cole's MTR is available here.\n\nCole made the following remarks regarding the MTR on the House floor yesterday:\n\nWhile I have many concerns with the bills reported out of the House Appropriations Committee, none is more alarming than the removal of longstanding provisions to protect the lives of unborn babies and preserve the conscience rights of American taxpayers.\n\nIf my motion to recommit passes, Republicans will restore essential prolife protections that have been stripped from these bills.\n\nWe will restore the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal tax dollars from funding abortions on demand and has been included in appropriations bills every year for the past 40 years with bipartisan, bicameral support.\n\nWe will restore 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.\n\nWe will restore the Dornan Amendment, which prevents District of Columbia resident taxpayer monies from being used for abortions on demand.\n\nWe will restore the Smith Amendment, which prevents the Federal Employee Health Benefit plan from subsidizing abortions on demand for federal workers.\n\nAnd we will restore the Helms Amendment, which prevents American taxpayers from financing abortions in foreign organizations or countries.\n\nRegardless of one's personal views, lawmakers and presidents of both parties have always agreed that Americans should not be forced to pay for abortion on demand with their hard-earned tax dollars.\n\nIt is not too late for Democrats to change course, abandon their radical, far-left policies and restore these important protections before a final vote on this measure.\n\nEvery Democrat, who is not a freshman, has voted to support this language on this floor \u2013 and we know they must again if any of these appropriations bills are to become law.\n\nAll Republicans in the House stand united with the American people on this issue, and none will support appropriations bills that do not include these important pro-life protections.\n\nWe urge Democrats to accept the motion to recommit, restore these bipartisan compromises and allow this bill to move forward toward a final negotiation in good faith.\n\nUltimately, failure to do so will result in either a continuing resolution or, even worse, a government shutdown later this year. Neither outcome should ever be acceptable to any member on this floor.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=380", "Hern speaks in support of 20% spending cuts", "2021-07-28", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) spoke on the House floor yesterday in support of his amendments to HR 4502. Six amendments from Rep. Hern were ruled in order for the mini-bus. The amendments were presented en bloc, each one cutting 20% from different divisions of the appropriations package.\n\nRemarks as prepared:\n\nLast year, we lost Senator Tom Coburn, a dear friend of mine, and a legend in both this chamber and across the Capitol for his consistency and dedication to fiscal responsibility. Tom taught me so much about the way our government works, about our broken budget process, and the importance of spending American tax dollars wisely.\n\nIt\u2019s pretty clear that a lot of my colleagues have forgotten one monumentally important fact: the federal government has no money of our own. Every dollar comes from the American people. When we\u2019re in this chamber debating spending another billion here, and a trillion there, it doesn\u2019t come from some bottomless bank account. It comes from the hard-working American people; we can never take that for granted.\n\nI have with me today Senator Coburn\u2019s last Black Book, an outline of his deficit reduction plan in 2011 to get the United States on track to eliminate our debt and balance the budget.\n\nMy colleague from Oklahoma, Senator Lankford, has taken on Tom\u2019s mantle as the fiscal hawk of the Senate and now produces a similar report, detailing the many, many line items of waste and abuse in the federal government.\n\nIn [Tom\u2019s] memory, I helmed the Republican Study Committee\u2019s Budget and Spending Task Force this Congress, and we produced what is still the only budget introduced to the House. My budget is not only a clear path back to black, as my friend Tom would say, it balances in just five years.\n\nOur interest costs on the debt alone are expected to nearly triple in the next ten years, making interest costs the third-largest federal expense behind Social Security and Medicare. As our spending continues to rise, so too do the concerns of our constituents.\n\nIt\u2019s alarming to me that the Speaker abandoned her responsibilities outlined in the Congressional Budget Act for the third year in a row. This majority and their leadership do not care about American taxpayers, and they don\u2019t care about the fiscal health of this country.\n\nWhen I came to Congress at the end of 2018, our national debt was $19 trillion. In just 2 and a half years, we are quickly approaching $30 trillion. Our debt has grown by 58%... meanwhile our economic growth is a mere 2%.\n\nIn the past 12 months our country has been devastated by Covid-19 both physically and financially. With millions of Americans losing their jobs, businesses, or both, they turned to the federal government for help. Since last year, Congress has spent $13.3 trillion of the American people\u2019s money on government COVID relief programs. To date, only $8.7 trillion of those funds have been spent, leaving us with $4.6 trillion of the American people\u2019s money in government hands.\n\nPelosi and Biden are spending money as fast as they can without any oversight into the effectiveness of what\u2019s already been appropriated. From Day 1 of the Biden Administration, President Biden and Vice President Harris have shown nothing but contempt for the American taxpayer, choosing to increase spending, increase taxes, and destroy jobs across the country. All they have to show for it is rampant inflation and continued unemployment.\n\nWhat we\u2019re looking at today is a drastic expansion of federal spending across the board. My colleagues across the aisle are throwing money at every federal department and agency \u2013 except for the defense of our people, of course.\n\nFlagrant overspending is on the menu today. The Department of Energy will be increased by 7.6%. The Department of Interior\u2019s budget is being expanded by 19%. Department of Labor by 17.6%, with $4.2 billion to bolster Biden\u2019s unemployment programs preventing people from returning to work. HHS gets a 23% expansion, including $110 million to research the health impacts of climate change and $400 million in title 10 funding, which Planned Parenthood is now eligible for since Democrats are eliminating the Hyde Amendment. The Department of Education will receive a staggering 40% increase in funding, and it just gets worse from there.\n\nEvery penny they spend comes at the cost of American taxpayers.\n\nWhen Oklahomans lose their jobs, Democrats will be to blame. When American job creation and wage growth halts, Democrats will be to blame.\n\nThat is why today I am offering amendments to each division of this package to do one simple thing: cut spending by 20%. Speaker Pelosi doesn\u2019t want fiscal accountability, which is why she piled all of my amendments into an en bloc to ensure none of them pass.\n\nCongress has spent recklessly in the last year, and the American people are sick of it.\n\nI want to thank my colleagues who have supported these amendments and have spoken in favor of them tonight. I urge adoption of the en bloc to rein in the Democrats\u2019 reckless spending and ensure a fiscally secure future for Americans for generations to come.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=383", "Hern asks Sec. Yellen to consider economic fallout of Biden foreign tax plan", "2021-07-28", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) sent a letter this afternoon to Janet Yellen, the secretary for the Department of the Treasury, regarding Foreign Derived Intangible Income (FDII) deductions. The Biden Administration is working to eliminate FDII which would put globally engaged U.S. companies at a significant disadvantage. This letter urges Secretary Yellen to reconsider repealing the FDII. All Republican Members of the Ways and Means Committee signed the letter.\n\nThe letter can be found here and below.\n\nJuly 28, 2021\n\nThe Honorable Janet Yellen\n\nSecretary\n\nDepartment of the Treasury\n\n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, DC 20220\n\nDear Secretary Yellen,\n\nAs Members who care deeply about research and development, manufacturing, and jobs here in the United States, we are writing to express concern about the elimination of the foreign derived intangible income (FDII) deduction in the Administration\u2019s proposed FY 2022 budget.\n\nCurrently, FDII provides an important counterbalance to global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) to keep successful research and development (R&D) in the U.S, create valuable intellectual property (IP) here, and even redomicile IP that is acquired or created overseas. FDII provides this parity with GILTI to discourage offshoring through a lower, 13.125% rate on high-return income, effectuated through a 37.5% deduction from income taxed at the 21% headline corporate rate. By eliminating the FDII deduction, and combined with the proposal to increase the corporate tax rate, the Administration\u2019s budget proposal would be detrimental to U.S. competitiveness and job growth.\n\nFDII also supports innovation and investment. FDII encourages high-return advanced manufacturing to be performed in the U.S. Businesses often establish R&D centers and supply chains around where their high-return intellectual property is located. These activities create well-paying jobs. Moreover, bringing highly mobile intellectual property into the U.S. from low-tax jurisdictions provides the U.S. the primary right to tax (as opposed to only a secondary right if taxed under GILTI), boosting U.S. revenue.\n\nWhile the Administration\u2019s budget proposes reinvesting revenue raised by FDII into an unspecified R&D spending incentive, we are concerned that any such incentive will not be able to keep American-developed IP at home or encourage companies to domesticate IP as well as FDII. Moreover, that trade-off conflates provisions that serve distinct purposes, both of which encourage domestic innovation.\n\nResearch incentives, while certainly valuable, serve as \u201cinput\u201d measures\u2014reducing the cost of research on the front-end, whether or not that research is successful. In contrast, FDII\u2014in addition to providing parity with GILTI to discourage tax-motivated offshoring\u2014serves a purpose that is complimentary to research incentives: it is a type of \u201coutput\u201d measure that rewards successful research, leading to more investment in innovation.\n\nIP boxes have been enacted in 19 of 37 OECD countries, so retaining FDII is critical for the U.S. to keep pace in the global innovation race. At the same time, we stand ready to work with the Administration on legislation to improve our competitive standing on R&D. Countries like China already permit businesses to deduct up to 200% of their R&D costs, and we should develop bipartisan solutions that complement FDII and promote U.S. innovation.\n\nWe know that when the businesses and workers in our districts have a level playing field, they can compete and win, even in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. We believe that the FDII regime provides our businesses and workers that level playing field and encourages businesses to expand their activity on U.S. soil. We urge the Administration to reconsider its elimination in order to preserve American IP, and the valuable economic activity that follows it, and protect our R&D and innovative jobs.\n\nSincerely,\n\nThe Additional Ways and Means Members are:\n\nKevin Brady (TX-08), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Adrian Smith (NE-3), Jodey C. Arrington (TX-19), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Ron Estes (KS-04), Drew Ferguson (GA-03), Mike Kelley (PA-16), Darin LaHood (IL-18), Carol D. Miller (WV-03), Tom Reed (NY-23), Tom Rice (SC-07), David Schweikert (AZ-06), Jason Smith (MO-08), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Jackie Walorski (IN-02), Brad R. Wenstrup (OH-02)", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-house-republicans-unanimously-call-restoration-hyde-amendment", "Cole, House Republicans Unanimously Call for Restoration of Hyde Amendment", "2021-07-21", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, today led a unanimous House Republican effort to restore longstanding, bipartisan pro-life language that has been included in the annual appropriations process for decades.\n\nWith the support of every Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, Cole filed an amendment to restore the Hyde and Weldon amendment language that is traditionally carried in the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations title following its removal in the House Appropriations Committee markup for fiscal year 2022. Cole's amendment was submitted today to the House Rules Committee in response to the panel's amendment process guidance here.\n\nFirst enacted in 1976, the Hyde Amendment prohibits federal tax dollars from funding abortions and has been included in appropriations bills every year since then with bipartisan, bicameral support. First authored in 2005 and included in annual appropriations every year since then, the Weldon Amendment protects American doctors, nurses and other health care professionals from participating in or providing an abortion if they have a moral objection; it has also been supported by members across the aisle and the Capitol since it was first enacted.\n\n\"Regardless of one's personal views, lawmakers and presidents of both parties have always agreed that Americans should not be forced to pay for abortions with their tax dollars,\" said Cole. \"Despite decades of strong bipartisan support for the Hyde Amendment, Democrats are abandoning key protections that have saved millions of precious lives and upheld the conscience rights of all Americans. Not only is this action wrong, but it contradicts the beliefs of the majority of Americans.\n\n\"It is not too late for Democrats to change course and restore the Hyde and Weldon amendments before legislation reaches the House floor. All Republicans in the House stand united with the American people. We urge Democrats to accept our amendment when the time comes and do the same.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=378", "Hern hosts virtual town hall with over 4,000 attendees", "2021-07-21", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Yesterday, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) hosted a virtual town hall with constituents across the 1st District. The call included 4,043 participants both online and by phone.\n\nRep. Hern discussed recent legislative initiatives, such as the Energy Poverty Prevention Act and Pro-Growth Budgeting Act he introduced in June, the Republican Study Committee Budget he wrote and introduced in May, and his recent trip to our Southern Border. Rep. Hern also took live questions from participants on the call.\n\nExcerpts from the call are below.\n\nAleda from Bartlesville: What are the chances of creating a law that forces the federal government to balance the budget every year?\n\nRep. Hern: \u201cFirst, I think we need term limits, which I am a huge supporter of. That will get people [in Congress] that know the most important thing in America is getting our fiscal house back in order and not just getting elected. It is sad to see what\u2019s going on with [the Biden Administration\u2019s] spending... this time next year, we will be $32 to $33 trillion in debt.\u201d\n\nGloria from Sand Springs: I\u2019ve seen information about different states sending forces to help with border patrol since the federal government seems unwilling to do that. I was wondering if Oklahoma was going to help?\n\nRep. Hern: \u201cThe states that are sending National Guardsmen down are [helping to] police the border, and a lot of states are helping Texas out with that\u2026 It\u2019s pretty sad because Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, I believe Clause 4, says that Congress is responsible for the immigration and nationalization process of the United States, but there is a failure going on across the Southern Border. Texas is the most exposed [to the crisis] because it has the largest border territory. So, Governor Abbot is pleading with these other Republicans, and all 49 other states, to give him help because the traffic corridor for human trafficking and drug trafficking is I-35 that goes from the border up through San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Oklahoma City. From there, drugs and humans are trafficked around the world, which is why so you see so many traffickers caught in Oklahoma\u2026 I\u2019m not sure what our state is going to do, that would be the Governor\u2019s decision. There\u2019s a joint agreement that all the states have to go help in times of disasters, like with Hurricane Katrina or fires\u2026 This is no different. If a governor reaches out, other governors have the option to activate their National Guard and send them to help.\u201d\n\nCurtis from Tulsa: I never seem to hear about pollution related to green products like wind turbines and batteries and things of that nature. Natural gas is one of the cleanest alternatives we have for energy, and I never hear that brought up in Congress. No one ever mentions the pollution related to wind and solar energy sources, especially the batteries and strip mining. I think an oil well pollutes a lot less than a strip mine.\n\nRep. Hern: \u201cThis is a great point that gets brought up a lot. I\u2019m an all-of-the-above energy guy. We\u2019ve had hydro for hundreds of years. I lived in Arkansas when I was younger, ten miles from a nuclear power plant and a dam right beside it. Solar panels have been around a while, windmills\u2026 The reality is that we can use all of these [energy sources] together. We don\u2019t have to kill one industry for another, which is what my Democrat colleagues want to do. You just mentioned the natural gas, we have huge deposits of natural gas [in Oklahoma]. It\u2019s very inexpensive energy, very clean energy. U.S. production of natural gas is some of the cleanest burning energy in the world. If this was truly about getting rid of CO2 emissions, the Democrats would let us drill for natural gas in Texas and North Dakota and get it over to China where they have the worst, nastiest burning natural gas in the world. But [the Democrats] won\u2019t let us get it out of the ground and pipe it because they want to kill the fossil fuel industry. To your point about solar energy and blades on windmills, those are mined from minerals in the Congo. 90% of the minerals are mined there, and 90% are processed in China, so we have to take them from China. China controls the future of all the rare earth elements, or minerals, that we need to make the blades for windmills and the solar panels that the Democrats want to push. So, it\u2019s sending jobs across the world, across oceans, and away from the United States of America. Even nuclear energy, one of the cleanest burning energies with zero CO2 emissions \u2013 they don\u2019t want that. All [the Democrats] want to do is destroy natural gas production and oil production in the US.\u201d\n\nMark from Tulsa: You hear a lot about people leaving the West Coast and the East Coast for new places, and Oklahoma seems like a great place [for people moving to escape high-tax states). Is anything being done to bring tourists, corporations, and people to Oklahoma?\n\nRep. Hern: One of the things we\u2019re really pushing on has a lot to do with the things you hear being taught in some of these states, and about taxation in some of these states. A lot of people are leaving California and New York because they want freedom. They want their Second Amendment freedoms, the ability to practice free speech without being criticized the way they are in their home states. I use those states because they\u2019re the most populous and the leaders of the House and Senate are from those states. Speaker Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are imposing New York and California values on the rest of the country. Meanwhile, their citizens are leaving and coming to places like Oklahoma and Florida where there are more freedoms. What we\u2019re doing [in Oklahoma] is restoring our American values, and we\u2019re going to continue to see people leave leftist states\u2026 And for all my Democrat friends on the call, and I know there are many, my family were Democrats just like most of Oklahoma was many years ago, but the Democrats in Washington, DC, don\u2019t represent your values anymore. We\u2019ve got to get back to the idea of making America a better place for all and not just for some. The traditional Democrats are being left behind because of people like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the socialist Democrats.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=379", "Pelosi oversteps with partisan attack on GOP picks for Jan 6th committee", "2021-07-21", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after Speaker Nancy Pelosi vetoed Leader Kevin McCarthy\u2019s picks to represent the Republican Party on the January 6th Select Committee.\n\n\u201cPelosi has once again overstepped as Speaker of the House,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cThere is no longer any pretense that she plans for the Select Committee to be a bipartisan effort, something I \u2013 and any American paying attention \u2013 knew all along. That\u2019s why I couldn\u2019t vote in favor of the committee in the first place. It\u2019s an incredibly serious issue and deserves serious leadership, which Pelosi has failed to deliver. I wholeheartedly support Leader McCarthy\u2019s decision to pull the rest of the Republican appointments from this committee. If Pelosi wants full control, that\u2019s exactly what she\u2019ll get because we are sick and tired of her political games.\u201d\n\nRep. Hern continued, \u201cMy colleagues Jim Banks and Jim Jordan are two of the most capable members of the Republican Conference. Jordan has spent considerable time on Oversight developing an impressive attention to detail and a knack for getting to the truth of a matter. Banks is an effective communicator who is not afraid to ask the tough questions and hold all parties accountable. These leaders are exactly what we need on this committee. Pelosi will come to regret this unprecedented, dangerous abuse of power.\u201d\n\nPelosi vetoed Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03), selected to serve as Ranking Member of the Committee, and Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-04). In response, McCarthy withdrew all Republican appointments to the committee. Historically, Republican and Democrat leadership have had broad authority to appoint the members of their respective parties to Committee rosters without the input or confirmation of the opposing party.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-statement-doe-critical-race-theory-reversal", "Cole Statement on DOE Critical Race Theory Reversal", "2021-07-19", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education published updated priorities today for the upcoming grant cycle for the American History and Civics programs. This included a change to the previously proposed mandate that grant applicants teach critical race theory \u2013 a mandate which Cole urged Secretary Miguel Cardona to withdraw in May.\n\n\"I am pleased to see the U.S. Department of Education drop its mandate that applicants for civics and history education programs teach critical race theory and the 1619 Project to American schoolchildren,\" said Cole. \"Furthermore, I am glad to see Secretary Miguel Cardona affirm that the Department of Education has no role in dictating curriculum decisions in schools. As I told Secretary Cardona both in person and in writing, schools should not be subject to federal curricular mandates, and civics education should be fact-based and balanced without political undertones. I urge the Department to refrain from endorsing critical race theory in future grant announcements. Moving forward, I remain committed to ensuring the Department maintains a hands-off approach and providing oversight in my capacity as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee's subcommittee for education.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-offers-amendment-protect-life-and-conscience-rights", "Cole Offers Amendment to Protect Life and Conscience Rights", "2021-07-15", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 During a House Appropriations Committee markup for fiscal year 2022 this afternoon, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) offered an amendment to restore longstanding and traditionally bipartisan pro-life provisions, the Hyde and Weldon Amendments, removed by Democrats on the panel. The amendment was offered in response to the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill for fiscal year 2022. Cole is the Ranking Member of the LHHS House Appropriations Subcommittee.\n\nFirst enacted in 1976, the Hyde Amendment prohibits federal tax dollars from funding abortions and has been included in appropriations bills every year since then with bipartisan, bicameral support. First authored in 2005 and included in annual appropriations every year since then, the Weldon Amendment protects American doctors, nurses and other health care professionals from participating in or providing an abortion if they have a moral objection; it has also been supported by members across the aisle and the Capitol since it was first enacted.\n\nDuring the markup, Cole made the following remarks about the importance of restoring the Hyde and Weldon language, which was blocked by Democrats before the bill was reported:\n\nMy amendment is simple. It restores the language carried in this bill for over 45 years that protects life and prevents federal taxpayer-funded abortions. Since it was first enacted in 1976, it is estimated that this provision \u2013 known as the Hyde Amendment after its original author, the late Congressman Henry Hyde \u2013 has saved more than two million lives. This language has been supported by lawmakers and signed into law by presidents of both parties every year as part of the appropriations process. And every Democratic member sitting in this room today has voted for it in the past, as recently as last December.\n\nWhen President Biden was serving in the United States Senate, he supported including the amendment in appropriations bills and showed support for the provision as recently as just two years ago while campaigning for president. He has since flip-flopped on this issue, under pressure from the far-left that controls the Democratic party in this area, and proposed removal of the protection in his budget request.\n\nBut this bill goes even further than just forcing American taxpayers to foot the bill for abortion on demand. This bill also deletes conscience protection language added 16 years ago by then-Congressman Dave Weldon. That language protects American doctors, nurses and other health care professionals from participating in or providing an abortion if they have a moral objection. This is an essential right of every American and its removal is a danger to us all. I want to point out that even President Biden's left-leaning budget did not propose removal of this important language.\n\nLast month, 22 State Attorneys General sent a letter to congressional leaders outlining in detail their objections to the removal of the Hyde Amendment in the President's FY22 Budget Request. \"Repealing the Hyde Amendment would impose a pro-abortion-funding policy on states that have decided against it,\" they stated. The Hyde Amendment allows states to choose to fund elective abortions or not with state taxpayer dollars, and the people and elected representatives of 34 states have voluntarily chosen not to do so.\n\nI will always come down firmly on the side of protecting and saving the lives of unborn children as well as defending the conscience rights of American taxpayers. I do recognize that the issue of abortion is emotionally charged and that many Americans have differing points of view. But even for Americans who consider themselves pro-choice on this issue, most don't believe tax dollars should be used for abortion. In fact, 60 percent of Americans oppose taxpayer funding for abortion.\n\nGutting this provision that has been included in appropriations bills for nearly 50 years is certainly an overreach by the far left. But it also threatens to destabilize the entire appropriations process because this bill will never become law if this language is not included. Democrats in Congress simply do not have the majorities capable of passing this bill without Republican votes. The United States Senate will never pass this bill without the Hyde language. And 200 Republicans have already signed a letter to congressional leadership earlier this year, pledging to oppose any federal government funding bill that would weaken or eliminate longstanding pro-life protections.\n\nI think abandoning all the work done this year in favor of a full-year continuing resolution that simply reestablishes the budget negotiated by the last Congress and President Trump would be a failure in our responsibility as legislators and appropriators. But that is the path we will be on if this bipartisan language protecting taxpayers and vulnerable unborn children is not included.\n\nI want to again reiterate the points I made in my opening statement. There are several deeply concerning and troubling parts of this bill. There are many amendments that could be offered to make this bill better and address these concerns. But this is the only amendment we all know must be addressed before any other issue can be considered. If we cannot get agreement here, it does not matter how we handle any other concern from our side of the aisle \u2013 the bill is guaranteed to fail.\n\nThere is no moral equivalent to life and death. The preservation of one of our nation's most enduring compromises to protect life and respect religious beliefs goes back to our founding principles. Any other issue falls far short of that standard. That is why we offer this amendment first. That is why this amendment has unanimous support on our side. And that is why we will vigorously fight to ensure this amendment is included in any final agreement.\n\nNo other issue we discuss today will carry such importance. Removing the Hyde Amendment is an extremist left-wing proposal that is out of step with the values of the American people and cannot become law in this Congress. I urge passage of the amendment.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=377", "Hern slams Biden\u2019s tax-and-spend agenda", "2021-07-15", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released a statement condemning the exorbitant framework for Biden and Congressional Democrats\u2019 deficit-soaring spending plan.\n\nSenate Democrats announced an overall topline of $3.5 trillion to pass Biden\u2019s legislative priorities using the budget reconciliation process. Including the $1 trillion package a bipartisan group of senators are drafting and the $1.9 trillion passed under the reconciliation process earlier this year, Democrats are on track to spend nearly $6.5 trillion in addition to regular government spending.\n\n\u201cAmerican families are suffering under the worst economic crisis in over a decade, and the Biden Administration\u2019s response is to spend more, tax more, and push the burden even further onto the American people,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cWhen I look at this $3.5 trillion disaster, I see a blatant disregard for American taxpayers. I see hollow grandstanding and fake urgency. Democrat leaders have turned their backs on governing and embraced unprecedented partisanship, redefining terms to mean whatever serves their current purpose and co-opting the mainstream media so no one holds them accountable.\n\nRep. Hern continued, \u201cI knew from the start that Democrats were never serious about a bipartisan approach to infrastructure. Pelosi said she wouldn\u2019t consider any bipartisan package until the Senate also passed the one-sided reconciliation bill. If the future of a so-called bipartisan bill is reliant on this $3.5 trillion boondoggle, there is no longer anything bipartisan about it. The rate of spending in the last 18 months should concern every American. We must hold these grifters accountable and start focusing on our debt problem before it\u2019s too late.\u201d\n\nWhile Congressional Democrats have already used the budget reconciliation process this year, they have yet to draft an actual budget. Rep. Hern introduced his budget in May, expected to be the only real budget introduced to Congress this year.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-bice-sherrill-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-support", "Representatives Bice, Sherrill Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Disabled National Guardsmen", "2021-07-14", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 4247, the Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act. Additional original cosponsors include Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL), Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS) and Rep. August Pfluger, (R-TX).\n\nThis legislation would ensure that National Guardsmen who are disabled while serving on State Active Duty are able to access medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and disability benefits through the Department of Defense (DoD). Unfortunately, Guardsmen injured on State Active Duty are unable to access VA health benefits and are ineligible for a DoD disability pension when they can no longer work due to their injuries. Rather, these servicemembers generally must rely on state workers\u2019 compensation plans, which are often woefully inferior to traditional military health and disability benefits.\n\nRep. Bice became aware that National Guardsmen were not covered by federal benefits while on active duty in a state, following a tragic accident in Vinita, Okla. On February 15, 2021, Oklahoma National Guard Specialist Cody Casey was catastrophically injured assisting stranded motorists during a winter storm when his Humvee was struck by a semi.\n\n\u201cIn the instance of SPC. Casey, the state is covering his medical expenses for now, but I\u2019m also concerned about coverage for SPC Casey\u2019s long-term care,\u201d Rep. Bice said. \u201cMany of our National Guardsmen have not been as lucky. It\u2019s our duty as a nation to provide high quality health and disability benefits to those who put their lives on the line to assist the citizens of this country, whether that\u2019s on an overseas battlefield, or American soil.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the last few years, we\u2019ve seen the men and women of the National Guard go to extraordinary lengths to serve our country,\u201d said Rep. Sherrill. \u201cWhether they\u2019re responding to a disaster, providing COVID-19 relief, or protecting our Capitol, they deserve to know that they will be protected if they are injured. It\u2019s our duty as a nation to care for our service members, whether they\u2019re in state or federal service, which is why I am proud to co-lead the Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe brave men and women of our National Guard are always ready to answer the call to help their fellow citizens regardless of the location and they deserve the same protections whether they are serving in Oklahoma or abroad. I applaud Rep. Bice for introducing this legislation to support heroes like Specialist Cody Casey who have been injured serving their communities.\u201d \u2013 Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt\n\nSPC. Casey is grateful for the medical care he is receiving from the state, but is concerned for his fellow National Guardsmen who might not receive that same care, particularly those who are injured so severely that they are no longer able to continue serving in uniform.\n\n\u201cThis state active duty mission was created, so I volunteered to assist my fellow Oklahomans who were stranded on the Interstate during a winter storm, as part of the National Guard\u2019s Stranded Motor Assist Response Team. I never imagined how that day would turn out. But I\u2019m one of the lucky ones. For now, the state is covering my medical expenses, but what happens in 10 to 15 years when I need a hip replacement or other surgeries as result of this incident,\u201d said SPC. Casey.\n\n\u201cWhat happens to the next service member that volunteers and gets hurt on a state active duty mission? Or those who don\u2019t have a good job with the type of medical coverage needed to cover surgeries years down the road resulting from the on-duty incident. What happens to the service member that cannot go back to their civilian job? That\u2019s why this legislation is so important. The National Guard serves both community and country. Our country must honor the commitment it made to the men and women of the National Guard, and provide medical care for their injuries from the VA or if necessary, a disability pension from the Department of Defense.\u201d\n\nSeveral prominent national military associations have endorsed the Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act:\n\n\u201cNational Guard soldiers and airmen risk injury every time they answer their state\u2019s call to respond to an emergency,\u201d said retired Brig. Gen. J. Roy Robinson, the president of the National Guard Association of the United States. \u201cWhen they have our backs, they need to know that we have theirs should they get hurt. Representative Bice\u2019s legislation would do just that. The men and women of the National Guard applaud her.\u201d\n\n\"Ensuring National Guard members are well cared for after a severe injury is our top concern,\" said SGM (Ret) Mathew Krenz, the Executive Director for the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States of America. \"Regardless of the type of order or status our National Guard servicemembers are working under if they are injured it is our nation's responsibility to ensure they are well cared for, and receive the proper VA benefits. We thank Rep Stephanie Bice for recognizing our needs and introducing this legislation.\"\n\n\u201cROA thanks Rep. Stephanie Bice for the bipartisan Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act which protects members of the National Guard catastrophically injured on State Active Duty. This act helps close the disparity in healthcare benefits for those who serve as twice the citizen, but may get a fraction of the care they need,\u201d said retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips, ROA\u2019s executive director.\n\n\u201cOver the past year, members of the National Guard have taken on domestic missions at historic levels, who often serve within their states under the command of the governor, which may not qualify them for the same level of care provided to those serving on federal active duty under the direction of the president. ROA urges passage of this bill and its accompaniment in the Senate with legislation that can be conferenced and go to the president for his signature.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-applauds-dots-award-infrastructure-grants-ardmore", "Cole Applauds DOT\u2019s Award of Infrastructure Grants in Ardmore", "2021-07-02", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provided notification that two infrastructure projects in the City of Ardmore, located in Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District, will receive nearly $2.5 million in grant funding between two infrastructure projects.\n\nThe Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport will receive $1.725 million, which will be used to install a partial overlay of the taxiway and installation of LED lights on the taxiway, on the runway holding position guidance signs and on precision approach path indicators. In addition, the Ardmore Industrial Airpark will receive $700,000 to rehabilitate the surface of the long runway and upgrade the lighting on the taxiway at the Ardmore Airpark.\n\n\"I am delighted to hear that the U.S. Department of Transportation has selected two key air transportation projects in Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District to receive nearly $2.5 million in grant funding,\" said Cole. \"The Ardmore Industrial Airpark and Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport are critical air infrastructure installations in South Central Oklahoma. By supporting safety and visibility improvements, these awards will help attract more aircraft to the area and ultimately strengthen and potentially grow the surrounding communities.\"\n\n\"We are very pleased to receive the Department of Transportation discretionary grant for the Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport. The City of Ardmore has worked with our Airport Advisory Board for many years to try to prioritize and provide funding for small improvements as funding for the projects became available. This project would not be considered a small improvement by us. The work included in this DOT grant will allow us to enhance the other work that is currently underway due to funding we received from the FAA and OAC. The grant funding will make a huge difference for the safety of the local pilots and those who fly in to visit Ardmore. Having a high-quality local airport is a key asset in any growing community. Many of our local pilots depend on this smaller airport as their \u2018home base' for business trips and personal trips all over the United States,\" said Kevin Boatright, City Manager of Ardmore.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-congratulates-2021-congressional-art-competition-winners", "Cole Congratulates 2021 Congressional Art Competition Winners", "2021-07-01", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today announced the 2021 winners of the Congressional Art Competition for the Fourth District of Oklahoma. Throughout the artwork submissions period this spring, Cole's office received more than 100 entries from high school artists. All entries were judged by Dr. Victor Youritzin, Professor Emeritus of Art History at the University of Oklahoma, who helped select the first-place winner and determine five finalists for the first ever \"People's Choice\" contest.\n\nImage\n\nAlayna Hill of Marlow has been named the first-place winner. The daughter of Steve and Kristen Hill, she is a homeschooled student and just completed the 10th grade. As part of the grand prize, Hill's artwork will be on display in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building during the next year, along with other congressional district winners from across the nation. A reception for all top prize winners in the nation's capital is expected to take place in the coming months.\n\n\"I am delighted to congratulate Alayna Hill as this year's Fourth District of Oklahoma winner of the Congressional Art Competition,\" said Congressman Cole. \"Her winning artwork is not only beautifully done, but the message behind it is a simple yet meaningful reflection on life. I am very impressed by her artistry and look forward seeing her masterpiece on display in Washington throughout the coming year.\"\n\nHill titled her winning drawing Still Life in Graphite, and it was composed using medium 2B pencil.\n\n\"For me, this piece is representing something that feels normal in this crazy world. People have been making, and painting, still lifes for thousands of years. Just because life turned kind of upside down and right again, it doesn't mean normal life can't go on. It's not the most inspired piece I have made, but it doesn't need to be. It is a little bit of peace on paper,\" said Alayna Hill.\n\n\"We are thankful to God that Alayna's God given talents have grown and are being recognized. Alayna excels in a variety of visual and performing arts, including renditions in pencil, acrylic, watercolor, and oil, in addition to her excellence in piano performance. This year's table setting piece is no exception. The table is the quintessential gathering place of us all. While not always neat, clean, or organized, it is the place where we, as a community in this great nation, come together. The piece is rendered from a setting in our house. It is a reminder to us all that through the difficulties in gathering due to COVID-19, we are still a community. Great or small, poor or rich, we share this in common \u2013 that in all times we gather to break bread with one another,\" said Steve and Kristen Hill.\n\n\"People's Choice\" Winners Recognized in Norman Office\n\nTo determine the two runner-up winners, Cole's office for the first time conducted a \"People's Choice\" contest online. It was promoted through Cole's social media channels with votes collected on an online form over the course of one week. Out of the more than 900 votes cast, artwork created by Joe Whitten and Alaura Drake received the most.\n\nImage\n\nBoth students attend Southmoore High School, where they study art with Heather Bradbury. Whitten just completed the 11th grade, and Drake just completed the 12th grade. As the Fourth District's \"People's Choice\" winners, their artwork will be displayed in Cole's Norman office during the next year.\n\n\"This year, I was delighted to ask constituents to help my office choose our first ever \u2018People's Choice' winners,\" said Cole. \"I am pleased to congratulate Joe Whitten and Alaura Drake on taking home the titles. Their artwork was clearly favored by hundreds of people, and my staff and I look forward to admiring their colorful masterpieces on the walls of my Norman office over the next year.\"\n\nJoe Whitten received the most votes for his drawing titled Kally, a Calico Cat, and it was created with Prismacolor pencils.\n\n\"This is a portrait of my cat named Kally. She's not the brightest cat in the world, but she does make a great portrait. Not to mention the nice pattern on her calico coat. I chose Prismacolor colored pencils because those are my favorite medium and brand to create a realistic art piece. I hope my beautiful cat can inspire others to make art,\" saidJoe Whitten.\n\n\"Joe is an amazing artist and is so talented. I have loved teaching him for several years and to watch him grow into an amazing artist. His love for cats shines in this piece. His skill of colored pencils is showcased as well. He has a great eye for hues and clues,\" said Heather Bradbury.\n\nAlaura Drake received the second-most votes for her artwork titled Daisy, and it was created using gouache and colored pencils.\n\n\"What inspired this artwork was the idea that many models, or even beauty figures, around the world are often drained mentally or emotionally because of all the pressure that is put on them from society. Being pressured to look a certain way and act a certain way definitely puts a lot of pressure on those in beauty industry and in general. This is why I made a hand holding a daisy with the life being sucked out of it\u2014 society has its hold on beauty, and even though society is in control they still judge or \u2018suck' the life from beautiful things,\" said Alaura Drake.\n\nImage\n\n\"Alaura is a talented artist I have had the honor to teach for three years. She excels in many mediums of art. Her art is from her imagination and has a style of her own. She showcases hands in many of her pieces. I love how her style shines in this piece. There is always hidden symbolism in her pieces, and I love the thought she puts into her pieces,\" said Heather Bradbury.\n\nPrizes Courtesy of Fowler Automotive and Southwest Airlines\n\nThis year, the Fourth District's own Fowler Automotive generously sponsored prizes for all three winners of the Congressional Art Competition. The first-place winner will receive a $250 Visa gift card for expenses in Washington, D.C. when she comes to see her artwork on display. The \"People's Choice\" winners will each receive $150 gift cards for purchasing more art supplies.\n\nCourtesy of Southwest Airlines, the first-place winner and a guest will receive free airfare to Washington, D.C. for the national winners' reception and award ceremony expected sometime this year.\n\nAbout the Congressional Art Contest\n\nEach spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors An Artistic Discovery, a nationwide competition for high school students interested in the arts and looking for an opportunity to showcase their creativity. The annual contest recognizes and encourages artistic talent of young constituents across the nation, including those living in Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases/oklahoma-awarded-100-million-competitive-highway-grants", "Oklahoma Awarded $100 Million in Competitive Highway Grants", "2021-06-30", "2021", "2021-06", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Stephanie I. Bice", "B000740", "bice.house.gov", "bice", "https://bice.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) joined U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), and U.S. Representatives Frank Lucas (OK-03), Tom Cole (OK-04), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02),and Kevin Hern (OK-01), applauding two announcements that the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program is awarding $100 million to go toward two highway projects in Oklahoma.\n\n\u201cI-40 is critical to Oklahoma\u2019s ability to serve as a corridor to commerce across the nation, which is why I\u2019m pleased to join with members of Oklahoma\u2019s delegation to announce the awarding of a $50 million INFRA grant for a lane addition and interchange improvement project at I-40 and Douglas Boulevard in the fifth district,\u201d Bice said. \u201cWhile Congress continues to discuss a nationwide infrastructure package, grants like these ensure that states can maintain interstate safety or expand infrastructure to meet the needs of Oklahoma businesses and residents.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is welcome news to see more than $100 million in INFRA grant funding come back to important infrastructure projects in Oklahoma,\u201d Inhofe said. \u201cThis funding will go towards reconstructing, widening and improving two extremely important highways in Oklahoma: I-40 and I-35, supporting jobs, driving economic growth, and increasing safety for the traveling public. As we continue to discuss a broad, national infrastructure package, regionally important projects like these that are real, tangible, Oklahoma infrastructure will continue to be my focus in Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m excited to join my colleagues in Oklahoma\u2019s Congressional Delegation in announcing the more than $100 million in INFRA funding for two significant infrastructure projects in Oklahoma,\u201d Lucas said. \u201cInvesting in hard infrastructure is critically important to the economic prosperity of Oklahoma\u2019s communities, allowing for increased commerce and economic development to spur growth not only along the corridors of I-40 and I-35 but towns across Oklahoma. I\u2019m proud to have joined Senator Inhofe in our efforts to secure this vital funding and help modernize Oklahoma\u2019s highways. As Congress continues to discuss the need for a national infrastructure package, core infrastructure for Oklahoma and rural America will remain my top priority.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Transportation has selected two critical infrastructure projects in Oklahoma\u2019s Fourth Congressional District to receive significant awards,\u201d Cole said. \u201cThe receipt of this tremendous funding will greatly improve and strengthen the ability to move both people and freight in vital commuter and trade corridors while increasing travel safety statewide. This is great news for Oklahoma, and I was delighted to personally advocate for bringing this essential funding to the district I represent within our state. In the years ahead, I look forward to seeing the incredible statewide benefits of DOT\u2019s generous $100 million investment in these key projects.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s no secret Oklahoma\u2019s highways are in desperate need of repair so I am glad to see this INFRA funding come back to Oklahoma,\u201d Mullin said. \u201cInvesting in these two major highways will spur economic growth, increase public safety, and make Tinker Air Force Base more accessible. This is a big win for our state and I will continue to fight for federal investment in projects that improve the lives of Oklahomans.\u201d\n\n\u201cIf you\u2019ve driven on I-40 lately, you know this is long overdue,\u201d Hern said. \u201cRoads are a critical piece of our society. These kinds of projects are what most Americans think of when you talk about \u2018infrastructure\u2019. These funds will be put to good use in Oklahoma.\u201d\n\nI-40 Highway Reconstruction and Widening\n\nThis $50 million grant to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will be used for a lane addition and interchange improvement project on I-40 and the Douglas Boulevard Interchange. These upgrades will improve safety and efficiency for more than 50,000 vehicles per day, of which 15 percent are commercial trucks. These crucial grant funds will help advance this critical project\u2019s timetable by five years.\n\nOn March 15, 2021, Inhofe led a delegation letter to the Department of Transportation in support of this funding for the I-40 highway reconstruction and widening project.\n\nI-35 Red River Project\n\nThis $50 million grant will be used to improve approximately 7.4 miles of I-35 across the Texas and Oklahoma border. The Red River Bridge Project will have significant positive impacts in both Oklahoma and Texas, including within the Chickasaw Nation. The infrastructure that is currently in place was built in the 1960s and can no longer accommodate current traffic volumes of 50,000 vehicles per day.\n\nOn March 15, 2021, Inhofe and Cole sent a letter to the Department of Transportation in support of this funding for the I-35 Red River Project.\n\n\u201cThe additional federal investment in these two critical projects is welcome news,\u201d Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz said. \u201cThe two grants that will improve I-40 in Oklahoma City near Tinker Air Force Base and I-35 in south Oklahoma in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation are Oklahoma\u2019s primary interstate routes. Oklahoma serves as a crossroads for the efficient moving of goods and services across the nation. Modernizing these two key corridors takes true partnership at the federal and state levels and we are grateful for Sen. Inhofe\u2019s infrastructure leadership along with Congressman Tom Cole, Congresswoman Stephanie Bice and all of Oklahoma\u2019s congressional delegation.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:57:00Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-appointed-serve-healthy-future-task-force", "Cole Appointed to Serve on the Healthy Future Task Force", "2021-06-30", "2021", "2021-06", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) made the following statement after he was appointed by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to serve on the Healthy Future Task Force. Cole is the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.\n\n\"As the United States continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of strengthening and sustaining our country's health care system for the future is vital as much as it is urgent,\" said Cole. \"In the coming days and months on the Healthy Future Task Force, I look forward to collaborating with my Republican colleagues to address, modernize and find solutions to set America up for success when it comes to matters of public health, biomedical disease research, pandemic preparedness and biodefense. Indeed, a healthy future is the key to a strong future for America.\"\n\nLed by Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-22) and Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), the Healthy Future Task Force will examine workable policies to modernize and personalize America's health care system, support innovative treatments, restore the doctor-patient relationship and provide all Americans more affordable health care options that fit their individual needs. The task force will also aim to make sure the U.S. is prepared for the next pandemic and ensure our country has a more resilient medical supply chain.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:57:00Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/cole-mourns-loss-donald-rumsfeld", "Cole Mourns Loss of Donald Rumsfeld", "2021-06-30", "2021", "2021-06", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after learning about the passing of Donald Rumsfeld, whose service included leading as Secretary of Defense for former President Gerald Ford and former President George W. Bush.\n\n\"I am saddened to learn of the passing of Donald Rumsfeld, who I was fortunate to personally know and work with for many years in both politics and national security,\" said Cole. \"I served on the House Armed Services Committee throughout most of his second stint as Secretary of Defense. That gave me the opportunity and privilege to interact with Secretary Rumsfeld on numerous occasions. And, once he was out of office, he was a firm supporter of congressional Republicans during my time as Chairman of the NRCC.\n\n\"Donald Rumsfeld was a controversial and consequential Secretary of Defense. He was an incisive thinker, an energetic leader and a well-connected and respected spokesperson and negotiator who served our country and multiple presidents with skill, professionalism and integrity. No one cared more about the security of the American people, the well-being of America's men and women in uniform and the advancement of our country's ideals, values and interests around the globe.\n\n\"Donald Rumsfeld was a shrewd, tough, and determined patriot who was a source of strength to America's friends and a feared and relentless adversary to America's enemies. As both the youngest and the oldest man to ever serve as Secretary of Defense, a naval officer and a staunch supporter of the U.S. military throughout his public career, Donald Rumsfeld holds an honored place in the long and distinguished history of American arms.\n\n\"As we all mourn his loss, my sincerest thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues and many loved ones.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:57:00Z"], ["https://cole.house.gov/media/press-releases/oklahoma-awarded-100-million-competitive-highway-grants", "Oklahoma Awarded $100 Million in Competitive Highway Grants", "2021-06-30", "2021", "2021-06", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Tom Cole", "C001053", "cole.house.gov", "cole", "https://cole.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) joined Senator Jim Inhofe and members of Oklahoma's delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives in applauding the U.S. Department of Transportation's announcements that two large highway projects will receive significant funding through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program, which is highly competitive.\n\nBetween the two awards, the combined total funding is approximately $100 million, with $50 million going toward the I-40 Douglas Interchange project and $50 million for the I-35 Red River Bridge project. Both projects directly affect Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District.\n\n\"I am pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Transportation has selected two critical infrastructure projects in Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District to receive significant awards,\" said Congressman Tom Cole. \"The receipt of this tremendous funding will greatly improve and strengthen the ability to move both people and freight in vital commuter and trade corridors while increasing travel safety statewide. This is great news for Oklahoma, and I was delighted to personally advocate for bringing this essential funding to the district I represent within our state. In the years ahead, I look forward to seeing the incredible statewide benefits of DOT's generous $100 million investment in these key projects.\"\n\n\"It is welcome news to see more than $100 million in INFRA grant funding come back to important infrastructure projects in Oklahoma,\" said Senator JimInhofe. \"This funding will go towards reconstructing, widening and improving two extremely important highways in Oklahoma: I-40 and I-35, supporting jobs, driving economic growth, and increasing safety for the travelling public. As we continue to discuss a broad, national infrastructure package, regionally important projects like these that are real, tangible, Oklahoma infrastructure will continue to be my focus in Congress.\"\n\n\"I'm excited to join my colleagues in Oklahoma's Congressional Delegation in announcing the more than $100 million in INFRA funding for two significant infrastructure projects in Oklahoma,\" said Congressman Frank Lucas. \"Investing in hard infrastructure is critically important to the economic prosperity of Oklahoma's communities, allowing for increased commerce and economic development to spur growth not only along the corridors of I-40 and I-35 but towns across Oklahoma. I'm proud to have joined Senator Inhofe in our efforts to secure this vital funding and help modernize Oklahoma's highways. As Congress continues to discuss the need for a national infrastructure package, core infrastructure for Oklahoma and rural America will remain my top priority.\"\n\n\"It's no secret Oklahoma's highways are in desperate need of repair so I am glad to see this INFRA funding come back to Oklahoma,\" said Congressman Markwayne Mullin. \"Investing in these two major highways will spur economic growth, increase public safety, and make Tinker Air Force Base more accessible. This is a big win for our state and I will continue to fight for federal investment in projects that improve the lives of Oklahomans.\"\n\n\"If you've driven on I-40 lately, you know this is long overdue,\" said Congressman Kevin Hern. \"Roads are a critical piece of our society. These kinds of projects are what most Americans think of when you talk about \u2018infrastructure.' These funds will be put to good use in Oklahoma.\"\n\n\"I-40 is critical to Oklahoma's ability to serve as a corridor to commerce across the nation, which is why I'm pleased to join with members of Oklahoma's delegation to announce the awarding of a $50 million INFRA grant for a lane addition and interchange improvement project at I-40 and Douglas Boulevard in the fifth district,\" said Congresswoman Stephanie Bice. \"While Congress continues to discuss a nationwide infrastructure package, grants like these ensure that states can maintain interstate safety or expand infrastructure to meet the needs of Oklahoma businesses and residents.\"\n\nI-40 Highway Reconstruction and Widening\n\nThe $50 million grant to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will be used for a lane addition and interchange improvement project on I-40 and the Douglas Boulevard Interchange. These upgrades will improve safety and efficiency for more than 50,000 vehicles per day, of which 15 percent are commercial trucks. These crucial grant funds will help advance this critical project's timetable by five years.\n\nOn March 15, 2021, Cole joined a delegation letter, led by Inhofe, to the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of this funding for the I-40 highway reconstruction and widening project.\n\nI-35 Red River Bridge Project\n\nIn collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation, this $50 million grant will be used to improve approximately 7.4 miles of I-35 across the Texas and Oklahoma border. The Red River Bridge Project will have significant positive impacts in both Oklahoma and Texas, including within the Chickasaw Nation. The infrastructure that is currently in place was built in the 1960s and can no longer accommodate current traffic volumes of 50,000 vehicles per day.\n\nOn March 15, 2021, Cole joined Inhofe in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of this funding for the I-35 Red River Project.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:57:00Z"], ["https://hern.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=366", "Hern introduces bill protecting affordable & accessible energy for vulnerable communities", "2021-06-30", "2021", "2021-06", "Republican", "House", "OK", "Kevin Hern", "H001082", "hern.house.gov", "hern", "https://hern.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the Energy Poverty Prevention Act (EPPA) to the House of Representatives this morning. Rep. Hern previously introduced EPPA last Congress.\n\n\u201cTransparency is at the heart of a lot of the bills and ideas I\u2019ve supported since coming to Congress,\u201d said Rep. Hern. \u201cIn light of recent decisions out of the Biden Administration to destroy energy jobs in Oklahoma, drive gas prices through the roof, and impede access to the traditional energy sources that Americans depend on, we must ensure that our most vulnerable are protected. Clean energy shows a lot of promise, but we cannot leave at-risk communities behind in the process. If a new policy will raise prices at the pump in low-income areas, or further impede access in rural communities, we need to know that up front. My goal with EPPA is to ensure that energy remains affordable and accessible to all Americans.\u201d\n\nTen original co-sponsors joined Rep. Hern on EPPA, including Oklahoma Representatives Tom Cole (OK-04) and Markwayne Mullin (OK-02).\n\nBackground Information\n\nThe Energy Poverty Prevention Act:\n\nStates that it is the policy of the United States that all citizens should have equal access to affordable and reliable energy to maintain personal health and economic security and that the United States should mitigate the disparate impact of increases in the cost of energy on at-risk communities.\n\nStates that the President or designee of a President cannot take any of the following actions without first having a study conducted to determine if the activity is likely to impose disproportionate costs on at-risk communities or increase the likelihood that at-risk communities will experience energy poverty and job losses:\n\nDeclare a moratorium on the leasing of federal lands for drilling, mining, or collection of oil, gas, coal, or related activities\n\nProhibit or delay (with respect to federal land) issuing a new oil and gas lease, drill permit approval or authorization, a new coal lease, permit, approval or authorization, or a new hard rock lease, permit approval, or authorization\n\nWithdrawal federal land from forms of entry\n\nRequires the Secretary of the Interior to identify barriers to the ability of at-risk communities that live on or near Federal land or Tribal land to access reliable and affordable energy, including how the presence of adequate energy transmission infrastructure affects such access.\n\nDirects the Secretary of the Interior and the Chief of the Forest Service to identify actions they can take to reduce the barriers to energy access, including establishing lower fees or lowering other costs, streamlining the approval of rights-of-way on such land, encouraging the private energy sector to invest in Federal and Tribal lands, and rapidly developing transmission and delivery systems in remote areas.\n\nRequires CBO to report how a bill or resolution will affect the cost of energy in at-risk communities in applicable CBO reports.\n\nRequires the GAO to analyze Federal energy and environmental laws and regulations, as well as State renewable portfolio standards, to determine how such laws, regulations, and standards affect electricity prices, home heating prices, gasoline prices, motor vehicle prices, natural gas prices, and household appliance prices in at-risk communities.\n\nRequires GAO to develop criteria to determine whether an at-risk community is experiencing energy poverty and issue a report to Congress identifying such communities and providing recommendations regarding how to reduce energy poverty.\n\nRequires the Office of Management and Budget to analyze each energy regulation having an effect of $100 million or more on the economy to determine if it imposes, relative to the general population, disproportionate costs on at-risk communities.\n\nBill text for the Energy Poverty Prevention Act can be found here.\n\n###\n\nRelated News\n\nHern Introduces Legislation to Protect Small Businesses\n\nSeptember 10, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nWork brings dignity, and work requirements are a good thing\n\nJuly 26, 2025 | Posted in Articles\n\nHow to Protect Small Businesses from Bureaucratic Overreach\n\nJuly 23, 2025 | Posted in Articles\n\nHern Votes for One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, Codifying the Trump Agenda\n\nJuly 3, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nHern Applauds G7 Agreement on OECD Global Tax Deal\n\nJune 26, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nRelated Files", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:57:00Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 230, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, 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