Press releases
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564 rows where chamber = "House", state = "OK" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| http://cole.house.gov/fiscal-times-five-members-congress-watch-2014 | Fiscal Times: Five Members of Congress to Watch in 2014 | 2013-12-30 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | The Fiscal Times - Eric Pianin Call it cockeyed optimism or simply battle fatigue, but we’re beginning to hear some loose talk from Capitol Hill and the White House about the prospects for more bipartisan deal-making in 2014 springing from the budget deal. Congress, of course, just concluded one of its least productive sessions in history and inflicted a 16-day government shutdown on the country that sent lawmakers approval ratings tumbling. With an important mid-term election looming next fall, renewed partisan squabbling would seem the order of the day. Yet President Obama and congressional leaders departed Washington earlier this month voicing cautious optimism that there were other deals to made before the 2014 congressional and gubernatorial campaigns really heat up. While the first order of business will be converting the bipartisan budget agreement into major spending legislation before a Jan. 15 deadline, there are other legislative prospects as well – including an extension of the expiring supplemental unemployment insurance, reauthorization of farm legislation, tweaking of the Affordable Care Act, renewal of expiring tax provisions, and even an overhaul of the immigration system. The usual suspects, including House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, will have a lot to say about future legislative successes or failures. And we can expect to hear a great deal from Tea Party bomb throwers such as Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rand Paul (R-KY) Here are five other important House and Senate members to watch as events in 2014 begin to unfold. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) Wyden, 64, a veteran lawmaker and fiscal policy wonk with something of a maverick streak, is moving to center stage as the new chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which is responsible for writing tax, entitlement and trade legislation. Wyden is certain to bring as much—if not more—energy and fresh ideas to the debate over tax and entitlement reform as his predecessor, Max Baucus, who was recently tapped by President Obam… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/looking-back-and-ahead | Looking Back and Ahead | 2013-12-30 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | It’s hard to believe that 2013 is already reaching an end. While Congress didn’t solve everything we could’ve hoped for this year, there were numerous victories for the country. Most importantly, I was encouraged to watch both sides work together on several occasions to find common ground and display true bipartisanship. It’s a reminder that when we start where we agree, we can function in divided government. We started off the year on the verge of a “fiscal cliff,” caused by the terms of the Budget Control Act of 2011. Without any congressional action, all Americans would have experienced a tax hike and reimbursement rates for doctors of Medicare and Medicaid patients would have seen severe cuts. In addition, sequestration, across-the-board spending cuts on every program in government, regardless of merit or efficiency, was scheduled to take place. I was pleased that we were able to pass the American Taxpayer Relief Act, which made the Bush tax cuts permanent for 98 percent of taxpayers. It also delayed devastating military cuts for two months and prevented other damaging tax policies. I wish we could’ve achieved more, but this agreement was a major victory for American workers and for the economy. In mid-January, just a couple months after Hurricane Sandy I supported legislation that would provide relief assistance for victims of the storm. At the time, the vote was a no-brainer, especially given our own state’s history and risk for severe weather. Little did we know, a few months later, Oklahoma would experience a horrific round of tornadoes that leveled entire neighborhoods, claimed precious lives and shook several communities, including my hometown of Moore. In the days that followed the disastrous tornadoes in Oklahoma, never once were we lacking assistance. Oklahoma felt the immediate support and prayers of individuals across the nation—a reminder that, in times of crisis, Americans of all parties and political points of view come together to help their fellow Americans. The same night that Moore was hit b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/time-tradition | A Time of Tradition | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | December is a time of family traditions, holiday celebrations and generosity. During the last month on our calendar, it’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas parties, gift shopping and other commitments. But as we reach the height of the holiday season this week, I encourage you to stop for just a moment and reflect on all the great gifts we have received as individuals and as a nation. This year, I’m reminded of a very different Christmas, just five months after the colonists broke away from Great Britain to form the United States of America. As we remember, signing the historical Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, immediately launched the 13 colonies into war with the British crown. Tested by the trials of war and defeat, it was on this Christmas that General George Washington led the Continental Army to a critical victory at Trenton, New Jersey that altered the course of the war. Leading hundreds of soldiers across the icy waters of the Delaware River to surprise the opposition, this win boosted American morale when it was needed most, reminding the colonists that independence was not an empty cause or out of reach. Today, our hard-fought freedom is still treasured and our liberty still precious, inspiring thousands to volunteer their service and risk their lives to serve in our military. They know the true meaning of sacrifice, especially during the holidays when many are away from their families and loved ones. Join me in thinking of our troops overseas, praying for their safety and supporting their families here at home. We are blessed to live in country where gifts abound and blessings are numerous. As we celebrate the greatest gift of all this year, I encourage you to slow down and not miss the meaning of the season. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-congratulates-rep-mullin-on-passage-of-bill-honoring-native-american-veterans | Inhofe Congratulates Rep. Mullin on Passage of Bill Honoring Native American Veterans | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Congratulates Rep. Mullin on Passage of Bill Honoring Native American Veterans Friday, December 20, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) praised Senate passage of the Native American Veterans’ Memorial Amendments Act of 2013 (H.R. 2319) late Thursday night and today congratulated Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R-OK-2) on the passage of his first bill which ensures Native American veterans are properly honored for their service in defense of the United States. “Congratulations to Congressman Mullin for the passage of his first piece of legislation through Congress," said Inhofe. "I know first hand that he worked diligently on this bill that honors our country's Native American veterans, and I was proud to see passage of his bill in the Senate. It goes to show the great pride he has in the district and the people he represents in Oklahoma." The Native American Veterans’ Memorial Amendments Act of 2013 would allow the construction of a Native American Veterans’ memorial on the property of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. Inhofe cosponsored S. 1046, the Senate companion bill to Mullin’s inaugural legislation. The bill passed the Senate unanimously. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-praises-passage-of-national-defense-authorization-act-for-52nd-consecutive-year | Inhofe Praises Passage of National Defense Authorization Act for 52nd Consecutive Year | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Praises Passage of National Defense Authorization Act for 52nd Consecutive Year Thursday, December 19, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today released the following statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 84 to 15. The bill includes important provisions that were either authored or supported by Inhofe and will benefit Oklahoma’s service members, civilian employees, veterans, and military installations. “I am proud to announce that for the 52nd year, Congress has passed with strong bipartisan support the National Defense Authorization Act,” Inhofe said. “Though this bill should have been considered earlier and under regular order in the Senate, we were able to address the interests of many members by adopting 79 Senate amendments that made the final bill even better. Our constitutional duty in Congress is to provide for the nation’s defense and this year’s NDAA contains many provisions that fulfill this solemn responsibility. It supports the well-being of our men and women in uniform and their families and strengthens congressional oversight of the President and the Defense of Department. It contains provisions that benefit the military and civilian personnel serving in Oklahoma who play a crucial role in our national security. It was an honor working with my colleague Chairman Levin to ensure that the needs of our men and women in uniform are met and that our military operates efficiently and effectively when defending our nation.” What Is In It For Oklahoma: Protecting Religious Freedom of Military Men and Women Due to reports of religious persecution within the U.S. military, Sen. Inhofe supported the inclusion of language in this year’s NDAA which would enhance the protection of rights of conscience of the members of the armed forces and chaplains by making it explicit in law that not only beliefs mu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-requests-dod-to-report-plans-to-protect-religious-freedom | Inhofe Requests DOD to Report Plans to Protect Religious Freedom | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Requests DOD to Report Plans to Protect Religious Freedom Thursday, December 19, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Wednesday sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel requesting he report the current status of what he is doing to protect religious freedom within the Department of Defense (DOD). In the letter, Inhofe references section 533(c) of the FY’13 National Defense Authorization Act that instructs the Secretary of Defense to issue regulations to help protect religious belief and expression in the Armed Services. “I have received numerous e-mails, phone calls, and visits from Oklahomans and military members concerned about how the Obama Administration appears to be stifling religious freedom within our Armed Services,” said Inhofe. “The most recent incident was this past week when a nativity scene at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base was ordered to be taken down. It is concerning that a place that goes great lengths to accommodate other religions – including providing Korans, prayer rugs, and special meals to meet religious dietary needs for detainees – would then restrict the religious expression of American soldiers and sailors celebrating Christmas. As we’ve seen in the media, we have also heard of the Air Force officer who was instructed to remove his bible from his desk out of belief that it was making others 'uncomfortable.' As a veteran, I know that military members are some of the most religious people in our nation. They understand key elements of most all religions: commitment, devotion, and sacrifice. Our men and women in uniform should never be put in a position by their country as to which they should follow, God or their Commander-in-Chief. The Senate Armed Services Committee has put provisions in place to ensure religious intolerance doesn’t take place, and I hope Sec. Hagel will quickly respond to the concerns not only I have but many of his own men and women in unifor… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-votes-no-on-ryan-murray-budget-deal | Inhofe Votes No on Ryan-Murray Budget Deal | 2013-12-18 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Votes No on Ryan-Murray Budget Deal Wednesday, December 18, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), released the following statement after voting against the Ryan-Murray budget deal, which passed the Senate by a vote of 64-36. “Today I voted no on the Ryan-Murray budget deal because it failed to do enough to fix our country’s national security crisis and even further targeted the earned benefits of our service members in order to pay for Washington’s reckless spending,” said Inhofe. “Our country has gone more than four years without a budget, which has been devastating to our economy and our nation’s standing on the international stage. While the deal was an opportunity to get Washington back on track, what we were presented with failed to prioritize Congress’ constitutional duty to ‘provide for the common defense.’ The Ryan-Murray agreement continued the discriminatory nature of the sequester cuts by maintaining disproportionate cuts to our military, a budget that has already been cut by $487 billion under the Obama Administration. While the deal provided some relief to our military men and women, it was not a significant enough fix to ease the impacts sequestration will have on their readiness. As Air Force Chief of Staff, General Mark Welsh said during a committee hearing: ‘The mechanism is what breaks us.’ This is why today I have introduced a bill to lessen the devastating near-term impacts of sequestration by phasing the sequester cuts in a way that would allow our senior military leaders to enact reforms without degrading our ability to train and prepare our military to defend the United States. Unlike the Ryan-Murray deal, my bill provides both the funding and time necessary in the first two years to implement critical reforms to preserve our military capability and readiness. “I was also disappointed that the budget deal cherry picked the spending cuts from current and future military… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-congratulates-macys-introduces-bill-to-make-permanent-indian-lands-tax-provision | Inhofe Congratulates Macys, Introduces Bill to Make Permanent Indian Lands Tax Provision | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Congratulates Macys, Introduces Bill to Make Permanent Indian Lands Tax Provision Tuesday, December 17, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today congratulated Macy’s Inc. for choosing Owasso, Okla. to build a new fulfillment center that will bring approximately 1,500 permanent jobs and an additional 1,000 seasonal jobs to the area. Additionally, Inhofe today introduced legislation to make permanent the Indian Lands Accelerated Depreciation tax provision, a key reason for companies such as Macy’s to choose Oklahoma to relocate and expand their operations. “I am proud to welcome Macy’s and their new fulfillment center to Oklahoma, which will create 1,500 new permanent jobs and an additional 1,000 more during the Christmas shopping season," said Inhofe. "Our nation’s largest companies such as Macy’s continue to relocate and expand in Oklahoma because our state’s pro-growth policies. In my discussions with the Macy’s team, they noted many reasons for locating to Oklahoma but stressed the importance of the Indian land tax provision in their decision. This provision in the federal tax code allows businesses that purchase capital equipment for use on former or current Indian lands to depreciate it more than 40 percent faster than would otherwise be allowed. In light of Macy's announcement, I am introducing legislation to make permanent this important tax credit that encourages businesses to invest in Oklahoma's economy and job market.” Inhofe has voted on every occasion to extend the temporary tax provision that permits accelerated depreciation on Indian lands and, since 2005, has introduced legislation each Congress to make the provision a permanent part of the federal tax code. Macy’s will invest $170 million in a new state-of-the-art facility in Owasso, Okla. that will process orders placed online and in Macy’s stores across the nation. Construction is expected to begin in April 2014 and to be completed in April 2015. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-opening-statement-at-epw-hearing-on-the-nominations-of-rhea-suh-victoria-baecher-wassmer-roy-kj-williams-and-thomas-a-burke | Inhofe Opening Statement at EPW Hearing on the Nominations of Rhea Suh, Victoria Baecher Wassmer, Roy K.J. Williams, and Thomas A. Burke | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Opening Statement at EPW Hearing on the Nominations of Rhea Suh, Victoria Baecher Wassmer, Roy K.J. Williams, and Thomas A. Burke Tuesday, December 17, 2013 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Environment Public Works (EPW) Committee, today provided the following opening statement the full committee hearing entitled, “Hearing on the Nominations of Rhea Sun Suh to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Victoria Baecher Wassmer to be Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Roy K.J. Williams to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Thomas A. Burke to be Assistant Administrator for Research and Development of the EPA” As prepared for delivery: This is the first nominations hearing we’ve had since the Democrats exercised the nuclear option on nominations, and I think we need to take a few minutes to talk about how these actions have eviscerated this Committee’s ability to shine a light on rulemaking decisions that occur behind closed doors at EPA and the White House. Just this last Saturday, The Washington post confirmed my claim that “The White House systematically delayed enacting a series of rules on the environment, worker safety and health care to prevent them from becoming points of contention before the 2012 election” As Ranking Member, I issued a report on Oct. 18, 2012 warning that President and his team of handpicked nominees will intentionally manipulate the rulemaking process to avoid the political consequences, preventing the revelation of the true economic pain. Nominations have long been one of the primary means by which this Committee – especially those in the minority – can provide a check on this rulemaking bureaucracy. However, our oversight leverage in this Committee has now been completely diminished, thus allowing this flexible decision making process of the A… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-senators-file-amicus-brief-on-epas-overreach-implementing-ghg-permits | Inhofe, Senators File Amicus Brief on EPA's Overreach Implementing GHG Permits | 2013-12-17 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe, Senators File Amicus Brief on EPA's Overreach Implementing GHG Permits Tuesday, December 17, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, was joined by Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) Monday in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court regarding Utility Air Regulatory Group v. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the amicus brief, the Senators asks that the Supreme Court remand the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision that upheld the EPA's authority to require permits for greenhouse gases (GHG) under the Clean Air Act. “The EPA's expansive power under the Obama Administration has resulted in overregulation that is stalling economic growth and opportunity in the United States," said Inhofe. "The Clean Air Act (CAA) was never designed to regulate greenhouse gases, and former EPA administrator Lisa Jackson even admitted in 2009 that these costly regulations alone will not move the needle on climate change. The EPA has had flagrant disregard for the facts and have implemented rules that are stifling job creation and innovation. I urge the Supreme Court to give our brief the utmost attention and to return a decision that reigns in big government and benefits the American people.” “The EPA has time and time again stretched the Clean Air Act to continue their war on affordable energy for families and job creators in states like Missouri," said Blunt. "The Obama Administration continues to sidestep Congress by forcing the regulation of greenhouse gases through the Clean Air Act – even though the Act’s authors have said it was never meant to be used for that purpose. These regulations punish our nation’s most vulnerable families who are hurt the most by high energy bills. I will continue to fight against the Obama Administration’s burdensome regulations and promote smart policies that encourage more America… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/we-can-function-divided-government | We Can Function in Divided Government | 2013-12-16 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | The state of our nation’s economy is easily the issue that should concern our leaders, lawmakers and citizens most. Not only does it impact who we are and how we’re perceived today, but it also determines what kind of country our children and grandchildren will get to enjoy in the days and years ahead. Our debt is climbing at an alarming rate. With more than $17.2 trillion in national debt, the outcry for solutions and real reforms couldn’t be louder. Over the last few years, however, the greatest challenge for lawmakers has been refusal to reach across the aisle and find areas of agreement. Instead, we’ve too often focused on our differences. Since 2009, due to the inability or unwillingness to negotiate (particularly with the budget), the federal government has depended on short-term funding agreements. What we’ve needed is a long-term budget plan, not a temporary Band-Aid that does nothing to heal our economy. Hardworking American families desperately want their government to stop budgeting by short-term, continuing resolutions or refusing to talk at all. As we remember, the last continuing resolution (passed 17 days into government shutdown) extended government funding to January 13 and appointed a 29-person joint budget conference committee to negotiate a long-term budget. This conference was led by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Chairman Patty Murray. Last week, after weeks of discussion with each other and with the input of other conferees, Chairmen Ryan and Murray announced a two-year budget deal that would set overall discretionary spending at $1.012 trillion, including $63 billion in sequester relief and $85 billion in other savings like mandatory savings and non-tax revenue. It also included a short-term “doc-fix” that prevents most cuts to Medicare reimbursements. When I remember the pain caused by the recent shutdown, I am encouraged that this conference was able to reach a deal that finds real savings, eases sequester and brings down the deficit. I am even more encouraged that the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/cole-backs-ryan-budget-deal-house-floor | Cole backs Ryan Budget Deal on House Floor | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) offered the following remarks today on the House Floor in support of H.J. Res. 59, the Bipartisan Budget Act FY 2014. I rise today in support of the rule and the underlying legislation, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. I had the privilege of sitting as one of the budget conferees, and it was an interesting process but a productive one. This is the first time, in a long time, we’ve had a genuine compromise in this body and frankly, between this body and the Administration and between this body and the other chamber. I particularly want to praise Chairman Ryan and Chairman Murray, who worked together in good faith and worked together well. Neither one of whom violated their core principles but both of whom came together and did some pretty extraordinary things in what is a modest bill. First of all, they actually added to deficit reduction over the [10-year] window. Literally, we will have a somewhat smaller deficit and debt because of what they did than if we keep the current situation. Secondly, they did something we all know needs to be done: they dealt, a little bit, with mandatory spending and redistributed those savings over to the discretionary side of the budget. It’s because they were able to do that that we’re probably going to be able to protect our military from what would have been really devastating cuts under sequester. That’s a pretty amazing achievement. But the achievement to me that is most impressive of all is that they managed to find a compromise that will restore regular order. We all know if this legislation passes, the appropriators from the Senate and the appropriators from the House will be working over the holidays, we’ll probably come back and have an omnibus or some series of minibuses. But we will actually have had a somewhat normal appropriations process. And even more importantly, because they’ve set a topline number for Fiscal Year 2015, we can have regular order work in this chamber all year next year. And we will be spared the pro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/house-supports-gabriella-miller-kids-first-research-act | Cole Supports Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) offered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of H.R. 2019, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act of 2013. This legislation, sponsored by Congressman Gregg Harper (MS-03), passed the House yesterday by a vote of 295-103. I want to begin by praising my friends, Gregg Harper and Peter Welch, who come to this floor with a very worthy purpose, and that is to redirect government funding for something that’s not particularly important toward something that is very important: medical research for children. The question when you have a worthy goal is always “How do you pay for it? Where will you actually get the resources?” For many years, I brought to this floor legislation that would eliminate public funding for political party conventions and presidential campaigns. I could go into the debate…the president has never used any public funding, didn’t feel the need for it in either of his two campaigns, neither did Mr. Romney. Now on the political conventions, both political parties this year actually did take the money. I can tell you as a former chief of staff for the Republican National Committee, who put on a convention in 2000, they don’t need it! They absolutely do not need it. They could raise all the money they need from private sources, just as their nominees raised money from private sources. That bill has actually passed this house on multiple occasions with a bipartisan vote. I was prepared to do that again, and I got a call from Leader Cantor. He said “Tom, I know you have been working on this problem for a long time, and I know you are concerned about it. What if we redirected that money toward something that is a better purpose, a better use of public dollars?” Then he mentioned Gregg’s bill, and I couldn’t agree with him more. So for those of you that are looking for something sinister or trying to link this to something that it’s not connected to, like the sequester, it’s simply a modest step in the right direction. And it takes money … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/budget-deal-restores-regular-order-averts-shutdown | Budget Deal Restores Regular Order, Averts Shutdown | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the House of Representatives successfully passed H.J. Res. 59, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. This legislation comes several weeks after a bipartisan budget conference committee, led by Chairman Paul Ryan and Chairman Patty Murray, was formed to negotiate a deal before December 13. Cole served as a conferee. “I am pleased that the House voted in favor of the Bipartisan Budget Act,” said Cole. “Since 2009, the federal government has depended on short-term agreements, rather than passing a long-term budget plan. While this bill doesn’t address everything, it is a starting point that represents true compromise and sets the stage for future reform. By working together and engaging in real negotiations, Chairmen Ryan and Murray found targeted, smarter cuts that retain more than the total savings previously achieved through sequester. But most importantly, passage of this legislation in both chambers will restore regular order to the budget and appropriations process. It will also remove the threat of another government shutdown in the near future. “I am encouraged that we agreed to talk and listen to each other in order to reach this compromise. It should serve as a welcome reminder that, even in divided government, we can work together and find common ground.” ### Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225 - 6165 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/time-house-likely-pass-budget-agreement | TIME: House Likely To Pass Budget Agreement | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | TIME - Alex Rogers The budget deal hashed out by congressional negotiators will pass the House on Thursday with the majority of Republicans supporting it, according to GOP leadership aides, although House Democrats have threatened a revolt over unemployment benefits. Despite raising the level of discretionary spending over the next two years and replacing $63 billion in scheduled automatic cuts from the so-called sequester, House Republicans are largely supportive of the agreement reached by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.). It protects military spending, allows Congress to return to the regular congressional appropriations process, and reduces the deficit by roughly $85 billion over 10 years without raising taxes. There is also, of course, a political imperative. “You can’t spend your time making perfect the enemy of the good,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a member of the budget conference that advised Murray and Ryan during the negotiations. “We got a pretty good lesson what happens if you overplay your hand in those situations in October,” added Cole, referring to the 16-day partial government shutdown that tanked his party’s approval ratings. When asked why Republicans would change their tactic of extracting concessions from short-term funding deadlines, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said simply, “Because people are sick of it.” McCain and Cole, who support the Ryan-Murray agreement, find themselves at loggerheads with hardline conservatives and their allies at groups like Heritage Action, FreedomWorks and the CATO Institute, which announced their disapproval of the plan even before it was publicly unveiled. The Republican Study Committee, a group of House Republicans that guides the conservative agenda, fired executive director Paul Teller for leaking private conversations. “They’re using our members and they’re using the American people for their own goals,” House Speaker John Boehner said of the outside political groups at a news conference Wednesday. “This is ridiculous.” “Listen, if… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140202154213/http://bridenstine.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-jim-bridenstine-voted-against-budget-deal | Congressman Jim Bridenstine Voted Against “Budget Deal” | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Jim Bridenstine | B001283 | web.archive.org | legacy | Congressman Bridenstine commented on his vote against the Ryan-Murray budget deal: The Ryan Murray budget deal does not address our long term fiscal crisis. The U.S. debt and deficit must be dealt with in a meaningful way now. To put this bill into perspective, the Congressional Budget Office optimistically estimates $6.3 trillion (with a T) of new debt over the next 10 years. This bill would reduce the deficit by only $7 billion (with a B) during the same time. That’s only one tenth of one percent. The $23 billion deficit reduction reported in the media does not include $8 billion in additional interest payments or $8 billion for a Medicare amendment. Even the full $23 billion would shave off less than four tenths of one percent of the debt increase. These very small savings are too distant to be realistic – deficit reductions are not achieved until nine years in the future and then only if a future Congress is more disciplined than this one. In short, the Ryan-Murray budget kicks the can down the road and scuttles any real entitlement or fiscal reform for another two years. This deal separates Members of Congress further from the responsibility of controlling the budget. Two achievements of this problematic bill are new spending and additional taxes. There is an added tax on airline travelers, and the revenue goes into the general revenue. As such, it is not a “fee” for the TSA as claimed. It is a tax. CONTACT: Sheryl Kaufman, Communications Director Phone: 202-225-2211 Email Address: Sheryl.Kaufman@mail.house.gov -- 30 -- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221140308/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mullin-statement-on-budget-deal | Congressman Mullin Statement on Budget Deal | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Markwayne Mullin made the following statement after the House approved the Murray-Ryan Budget Deal. “As a business owner, I could not in good faith support legislation that increases spending and fails to achieve a balanced budget. For our country to move forward and get out of the hole we are in, we must focus on reigning in spending and decreasing the size of government.” To hear remarks from Congressman Mullin regarding the budget agreement, visit http://youtu.be/rbey7LP9DHs. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140912142710/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mullin-supports-national-defense-authorization-act | Mullin Supports National Defense Authorization Act | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – The House today overwhelming approved H.R. 441, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Congressman Mullin voted in support of H.R. 441 noting some of its merits for our military. “Today I voted to approve the National Defense Authorization Act,” said Mullin. “Among many things, the Act supports current law allowing troop pay to keep pace with the private sector, as well as preventing new fees and increases to TRICARE. Important to many Oklahomans, the legislation expands religious freedom protections for chaplains and service members to include beliefs and the expression of beliefs.” H.R. 441 provides funding for modernization of National Guard and Reserve equipment as well as increasing spending, beyond what President Obama requested, for our homeland missile defense system. In light of what happened in Benghazi in 2012, the legislation also requires a report from the Department of Defense on the readiness of American military forces to respond to attacks on American embassies overseas. The bill also requires the Pentagon to give a minimum of 120 days' notice prior to deployment and no less than 180 days' notice prior to cancellation of deployment for the operational reserves. “For reserve soldiers and their families, as much advance notice as possible about an upcoming deployment would be tremendously helpful and allow them make the necessary preparations in their civilian lives prior to a deployment,” said Mullin. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-fights-to-protect-religious-liberty | Inhofe Fights to Protect Religious Liberty | 2013-12-12 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Fights to Protect Religious Liberty Thursday, December 12, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today joined Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in introducing the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act. The legislation would protect institutions or individuals that define marriage as between one man and one woman from being denied any federal tax exemption, grant, contract, license, certification, or similar provisions as a result of this religious value. "The United States has long been a beacon of light in the arena of liberty," said Inhofe. "When it comes to religious freedom, our founding fathers intentionally set out in the very first amendment to the U.S. Constitution to protect religious institutions from government. It is not the federal government's job to pressure people or private businesses to change policies or values that run counter to their moral beliefs. This is why I've joined forces with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure those who hold the religious conviction that marriage is between a man and a woman are protected from any possible future retaliation from the federal government for this moral value." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/budget-conference-announces-bipartisan-deal | Budget Conference Announces Bipartisan Deal | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Chairman Patty Murray unveiled a two-year bipartisan budget deal. Cole served as a member of the bipartisan joint conference committee that was tasked with finding a budget by December 13. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 sets overall discretionary spending at $1.012 trillion, which includes $63 billion in sequester relief and $85 billion in other savings, including mandatory savings and non-tax revenue. It also includes a short-term “doc-fix” that prevents most cuts to Medicare reimbursements. “I am very pleased by the proposal unveiled by Chairmen Paul Ryan and Patty Murray,” said Cole. “By leading and working together, they have proven that, despite inevitable differences and sometimes-conflicting priorities, we can find common ground. “Hardworking American families desperately want their government to stop budgeting by short-term, continuing resolutions or refusing to talk at all. When I remember the pain caused by the recent shutdown, I am encouraged that this conference was able to reach a deal that finds real savings, eases sequester and brings down the deficit. “We must continue finding common sense reforms that improve our economic outlook, bring down the deficit and provide a better future for our children and grandchildren. This budget deal is proof that is still possible.” For a copy of the bill text, click here. For a summary of the of the deal, click here. ### Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225 - 6165 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/house-adopts-mullin-bill-native-american-veterans%E2%80%99-memorial | House Adopts Mullin Bill for Native American Veterans’ Memorial | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – The House today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) to allow construction of a memorial to Native American veterans on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian. H.R. 2319 passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 398-0. “I have heard from people I represent and from outside our district that the construction of this memorial means a great deal to Native Americans who served this nation and to their families,” Mullin said. “It is important that we properly honor these brave soldiers and tell their stories for generations to come.” The memorial cannot be paid for with taxpayer funds, so H.R. 2319 allows for the museum to raise money for its construction. The legislation has received overwhelming support from the National Congress of American Indians and the National Museum of the American Indian. "With the recent presentation of the Congressional gold medals to tribal code talkers, it is an appropriate time for a renewed focus and gratitude toward Native Americans who served America in our war efforts and protected our freedoms," said S. Joe Crittenden, Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation and a U.S. Navy veteran from the Vietnam War. "We applaud Congress for taking the necessary steps to truly honor our warriors and the sacrifices Native families have made to defend this great country of ours." Mullin is one of only two Native Americans in Congress. The other is U.S. Rep. Tom Cole from Oklahoma’s Fourth Congressional District. Cole also cosponsored H.R. 2319. “Throughout my life, I have always been proud of my Native American heritage,” stated Cole. “I am very pleased that the legislation brought to the floor by Congressman Mullin will help facilitate construction of a memorial honoring Native Americans who served our country on the battlefield. It is only right to recognize and remember the significant contributions of those Native American warriors who served our country on the battlefield with great skill and bravery, and there i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/wsj-us-budget-deal-puts-ryan-spotlight-once-again | WSJ: U.S. Budget Deal Puts Ryan in Spotlight Once Again | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Wall Street Journal - Patrick O'Connor & Kristina Peterson As House Republicans were being briefed Wednesday morning on the budget agreement struck Tuesday and headed for a vote in the next few days, they also were judging the man who negotiated on behalf of their party: Rep. Paul Ryan. The deal Mr. Ryan reached with Sen. Patty Murray, his Democratic budget counterpart in the Senate, would all but eliminate the chance of a government shutdown in January and set spending levels for this fiscal year and the next, bringing some stability to Congress's crisis-driven process of funding the government. It also is important to Mr. Ryan personally. The Republican nominee for vice president last year, the lawmaker from Wisconsin gained national stature as the author of ambitious budget blueprints that sought to reshape Medicare, lower tax rates and cut spending on a range of federal programs. He is frequently mentioned as a potential presidential candidate in 2016. Most House Republicans expressed support for the deal as they left the morning sessions. And even those members who plan to vote against it were quick to focus their criticism on the agreement, not Mr. Ryan. Arizona Rep. Matt Salmon, for example, plans to vote against the deal but credited Mr. Ryan for not sugarcoating the substance of the pact in his pitch to fellow Republicans. "He wasn't like a used-car salesman, trying to tell us everything about it was perfect," Mr. Salmon said. "He started out by acknowledging, 'Is this a perfect deal? Far from it.'" The Murray-Ryan deal likely would need considerable Democratic support to pass the GOP-controlled House, assuming a number of conservative Republicans oppose the measure. But the reaction was mixed from House Democrats after they separately met this morning to hear from party leaders about the deal. Rep. Rob Andrews (D., N.J.) said he would vote yes, but said Democratic House leaders weren't pushing the rank-and-file to support the budget package. "Candidly this deal was negotiated between Mrs. Murray and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140221141450/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-adopts-mullin-bill-for-native-american-veterans-memorial | House Adopts Mullin Bill for Native American Veterans’ Memorial | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – The House today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) to allow construction of a memorial to Native American veterans on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian. H.R. 2319 passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 398-0. “I have heard from people I represent and from outside our district that the construction of this memorial means a great deal to Native Americans who served this nation and to their families,” Mullin said. “It is important that we properly honor these brave soldiers and tell their stories for generations to come.” The memorial cannot be paid for with taxpayer funds, so H.R. 2319 allows for the museum to raise money for its construction. The legislation has received overwhelming support from the National Congress of American Indians and the National Museum of the American Indian. "With the recent presentation of the Congressional gold medals to tribal code talkers, it is an appropriate time for a renewed focus and gratitude toward Native Americans who served America in our war efforts and protected our freedoms," said S. Joe Crittenden, Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation and a U.S. Navy veteran from the Vietnam War. "We applaud Congress for taking the necessary steps to truly honor our warriors and the sacrifices Native families have made to defend this great country of ours." Mullin is one of only two Native Americans in Congress. The other is U.S. Rep. Tom Cole from Oklahoma’s Fourth Congressional District. Cole also cosponsored H.R. 2319. “Throughout my life, I have always been proud of my Native American heritage,” stated Cole. “I am very pleased that the legislation brought to the floor by Congressman Mullin will help facilitate construction of a memorial honoring Native Americans who served our country on the battlefield. It is only right to recognize and remember the significant contributions of those Native American warriors who served our country on the battlefield with great skill and bravery, and there is no b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-comments-on-new-farm-to-fleet-initiative-by-white-house | Inhofe Comments on New Farm to Fleet Initiative by White House | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Comments on New Farm to Fleet Initiative by White House Wednesday, December 11, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, ranking member of Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), released the following statement today on the Obama Administration's announcement of its new "Farm to Fleet" initiative. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the new program that would fuel U.S. Navy ships with advanced biofuels. "As poverty and hunger continues to expand for a U.S. population suffering from five years of this Administration’s failed economic policies, the President should concentrate on lessening the burdens and rewarding farmers who are feeding our nation as opposed to feeding our Naval fleets," said Inhofe. "This is not about energy independence for the sake of national security but about appeasing the President's liberal base and siphoning critical funds for our military. Our country and our military could be energy independent tomorrow if the Administration would stop over-regulating our natural resources here at home." The Senate-House negotiated FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released today includes provision Section 315 that would restrict the Department of Defense from using funds to procure bulk purchases of drop-in fuels for operational purposes unless it is cost competitive with traditional fuel, subject to a national security waiver. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-opening-statement-at-epw-oversight-hearing-on-domestic-renewable-fuels | Inhofe Opening Statement at EPW Oversight Hearing on Domestic Renewable Fuels | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Opening Statement at EPW Oversight Hearing on Domestic Renewable Fuels Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Environment Public Works (EPW) Committee, today provided the following opening statement at an EPW hearing entitled, "Oversight Hearing on Domestic Renewable Fuels:" As prepared for delivery: Chairman Boxer, I want to thank you for having this hearing. It’s about time. The last time we had one on the RFS was in 2008. And the time before that was in 2006, when I was chairman of this Committee. I’m disappointed, though, because I think today’s hearing will just be another “check-the-box” exercise where the status quo is affirmed and the need for Congress to respond to the many problems of the mandate is minimized. But a lot has changed since 2008. We can all remember when the RFS was expanded back in 2007, and one of the main arguments to do it was to improve our national security. Later, we’re going to hear from Retired General Wesley Clark, who has been on the dime of the ethanol industry for several years now. General Clark has repeatedly accused the US government of fighting wars simply to secure foreign sources of oil. In one interview he said it quite simply: “that’s what people fight wars about.” Last Saturday was December 7, and every year we remember the attacks on Pearl Harbor. It’s the day that lives in infamy. And for good reason. It’s what drew us into World War 2. Americans fight wars to protect their fellow Americans from evil harms abroad. Period. That doesn’t mean energy security and national security are disconnected, but if we want to have a conversation about that, we should look no further than the domestic oil and gas industry. Since 2008, the energy market has been turned upside down. The combination of precision drilling and hydraulic fracturing has opened up the shale revolution that no one saw coming. In 2007, oil production was down and we were in the midd… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-statement-on-ryan-murray-budget-deal | Inhofe Statement on Ryan-Murray Budget Deal | 2013-12-11 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Statement on Ryan-Murray Budget Deal Wednesday, December 11, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), released the following statement today on Congressman Paul Ryan's and Senator Patty Murray's two-year budget agreement: "The federal government has operated for far too long without a budget and our stagnant economy demands the relief and predictability that such a budget would provide. Congressman Ryan and Sen. Murray were faced with difficult decisions to help get federal spending under control, and I am continuing to review this complex deal and weigh what it will mean for Oklahomans as well as for our men and women in uniform. I appreciate that the Ryan-Murray deal sought to address the steep defense cuts in the Budget Control Act (BCA) that are undermining our national security, but it is unfortunate that these modest reductions were also extended to non-defense spending. The cuts taken to defense remain disproportionate and send a terrible message to our all-volunteer force who have already endured over $487 billion in budget reductions under this Administration and continue to sacrifice in order to fund President Obama’s runaway domestic spending. Furthermore, the budget deal steps outside of its jurisdiction to find savings by targeting military retirees. Our nation’s entitlement programs are ballooning, but instead of addressing this desperate need for reform, the deal would compromise a commission currently reviewing overall military compensation as tasked by the Armed Services Committee. We must do everything that we can to maintain the sacred vow our country has made to those brave servicemembers. In coming days, I will be traveling Oklahoma and seeking my constituents' feedback on this proposal and will also be weighing the needs of our military leaders." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140223062917/http://bridenstine.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bridenstine-supports-bill-to-build-new-va-clinic-for-first-district-vets | Bridenstine Supports Bill to Build New VA Clinic for First District Vets | 2013-12-10 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Jim Bridenstine | B001283 | web.archive.org | legacy | Today, the House passed HR 3521 – the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Major Medical Facility Lease Authorization Act. This bill is critical for veterans in the First District. HR 3521 authorizes funding for 27 major VA facilities, including the proposed 140,000 square foot Tulsa Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Congressman Jim Bridenstine said: I am proud to support this critical legislation. A new outpatient clinic is a top priority for veterans in the First District. As a combat veteran, I know the importance of accessible outpatient clinics that provide high-quality services. If signed into law, HR 3521 would authorize the proposed Tulsa CBOC, a new facility that would greatly expand the square footage and clinical services offered to veterans by replacing the existing Tulsa Outpatient Clinic and Tulsa Behavioral Medicine Clinic. HR 3521 is a sound legislative solution that also protects taxpayers against incurring excessive risk. Congressional authorization of such VA clinic projects is generally routine and not controversial. In March 2013, however, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) expressed concern that the clinic leases exposed taxpayers to excessive risk and violated House and Senate budget rules. HR 3521 is a bipartisan compromise that should satisfy CBO’s concerns by creating a new revolving fund to protect taxpayers in cases of contract cancellation. While passage in the House is good news, the Senate must pass this bill before the President can sign it into law. CONTACT: Sheryl Kaufman, Communications Director Phone: 202-225-2211 Email Address: Sheryl.Kaufman@mail.house.gov -- 30 -- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/healthcaregov-bad-first-impression | HealthCare.gov: A Bad First Impression | 2013-12-09 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | It’s often been said that you never have a second chance to make a first impression. During the launch of HealthCare.gov more than two months ago, the majority of Americans experienced a terrible first impression of the Affordable Care Act and its ability to deliver what the president had promised since its passage. Good or bad, it is incredibly difficult to change a person’s opinion or feeling on something. As noted pundit Peggy Noonan said during ABC’s This Week, “Even programs can get reputations. You can get a sense that something isn’t working.” The initial problems with the website, including its inability to handle high traffic, error messages, long wait times and reported security issues, is a perfect example of a poor first impression. Now it continues to cause many to distrust the website. One of my constituents recently shared, “I am afraid to even use the website because my personal information might get hacked.” Another said, “Even if the site would work properly, I do not agree with Obamacare.” I’ve received many other emails and stories from people who distrust the federal government’s ability to run and manage healthcare. In fact, according to a recent Gallup poll, 52 percent of Americans still think the law should be modified or repealed. Beyond that, many have lost confidence in the president’s leadership and ability to tell the truth and keep his word. He notoriously promised before, during and after passage, “If you like your health plan, you can keep it.” However, we’ve since realized that he should have said, “If I like your health plan, you can keep it.” This became clear when millions of individuals received cancellation letters over the weeks following the website launch. So far, more people have lost insurance from the implementation of Obamacare than those who have gotten coverage. Even out of those who have signed up successfully, it’s highly likely that they won’t know exactly what they’re getting until more time goes by. In addition, many question whether their enrollment was receive… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sasc-leaders-reach-agreement-with-house-counterparts-on-defense-authorization | SASC leaders reach agreement with House counterparts on defense authorization | 2013-12-09 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | SASC leaders reach agreement with House counterparts on defense authorization Monday, December 9, 2013 WASHINGTON – Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Okla., chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today that they have reached agreement with the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. “This is a bipartisan bill that meets our obligations to our men and women in uniform and their families and includes important reforms and authorities for the Department of Defense,” Levin said. “The bill includes thirty-six provisions to strengthen DOD’s response to the problem of sexual assault in our military. It includes a compromise on Guantanamo, which eases the transfer of GTMO detainees overseas, while retaining prohibitions on transfers to the United States. This bill would not have been possible without the partnership and hard work of Jim Inhofe, the Ranking Republican on our committee, and Buck McKeon and Adam Smith, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee.” “Our constitutional responsibility in Congress is to provide for our nation's defense, and we must fulfill this duty by moving forward on the NDAA this year,” said Inhofe. “This strong bipartisan agreement contains many vital provisions that support the well-being and readiness of our men and women in uniform and their families and strengthens congressional oversight of the DOD. Time is running short and I urge my colleagues to move quickly to pass this bill before we adjourn for the year.” Following is a summary of major provisions of the bill and a more detailed summary organized by subcommittee: MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS Note: This section describes major provisions contained in the agreement. Some items are repeated in the Detailed… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140202155932/http://bridenstine.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bridenstine-weather-bill-advances-from-house-science-committee | Bridenstine Weather Bill Advances from House Science Committee | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Jim Bridenstine | B001283 | web.archive.org | legacy | The Weather Forecasting Improvement Act (H.R. 2413), sponsored by Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-Oklahoma), advanced from House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on Thursday with strong, bi-partisan support. The legislation makes the protection of lives and property the top priority of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Congressman Bridenstine emphasized, “H.R. 2413 makes the protection of lives and property the top priority of NOAA, and follows through on that commitment by prioritizing funding and other resources on severe weather detection and forecasting – while not increasing overall spending.” While the bill passed out of the Environment Subcommittee in June on a party line vote, a comprehensive amendment developed by Bridenstine, Subcommittee Chairman Chris Stewart (R-Utah) and Ranking Minority Member Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon) allowed the bill to be reported out of the full committee with unanimous support. Most significantly, the amendment further encourages NOAA to utilize private sector resources when implementing its new priority of protecting people and property from severe weather systems. The centerpiece of this bill is a codification and expansion of NOAA weather research activities, specifically directing the agency to place “priority emphasis on development of more accurate and timely warnings and forecasts of high impact weather events that endanger life and property.” The bill also codifies an existing technology transfer initiative carried out jointly between the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the National Weather Service aimed at ensuring “continuous development and transition of the latest scientific and technological advances into NWS operations.” The bill creates a Tornado Warning Extension Program, the goal of which shall be to “develop and extend accurate tornado forecasts and warnings beyond one hour in order to reduce loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy.” It also requires NOAA to prepare a program plan detailing th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140912142756/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mullin-praises-committee-passage-of-native-american-veterans | Congressman Mullin Praises Committee Passage of Native American Veterans’ Memorial Amendments Act | 2013-12-04 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, H.R. 2319, the Native American Veterans’ Memorial Amendments Act, was passed unanimously out of the House Natural Resources Committee. Congressman Mullin (OK-2) serves on the committee and is the original sponsor of H.R. 2319. Congressman Mullin, a Cherokee, is one of only two Native Americans in Congress, the other being Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4), a Chickasaw, who is one of the 14 cosponsors of the legislation. “As Cherokee, we take pride in our heritage but we also take pride in being American,” said Mullin. “Oklahoma has been blessed with countless Native American veterans, including my grandfather Kenneth Morris, and it is important that we properly honor these brave soldiers and tell their story for generations to come. This memorial to our Native American veterans will serve as a small measure of thanks for their service and sacrifice to this great nation.” H.R. 2319 amends the Native American Veterans’ Memorial Establishment Act of 1994 to allow construction of a memorial to Native American veterans on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian. The memorial is currently authorized to be constructed inside the confines of the museum, but with limited space within the museum itself, Congressman Mullin and many others worked towards a more appropriate tribute to our Native American veterans. The memorial cannot be paid for with taxpayer funds, so H.R. 2319 allows for the museum to raise money for its construction. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131217124015/http://bridenstine.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-jim-bridenstine-announces-provide-for-the-common-defense-act | Congressman Jim Bridenstine Announces ‘Provide for the Common Defense Act’ | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Jim Bridenstine | B001283 | web.archive.org | legacy | Speaking in South Carolina this evening, Congressman Jim Bridenstine announced legislation he is sponsoring to reverse damage to U.S. national security and reform entitlement spending while reducing the deficit by $200��billion.�� The Oklahoma 1st District Congressman spoke to ���The Charleston Meeting,��? a nationally recognized gathering of conservative business leaders, journalists, and elected officials. Bridenstine was invited by businessman, best-selling author, and FoxNews contributor��Mallory Factor��who organized the event. On Tuesday, Congressman Jim Bridenstine (OK-01) and Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) will introduce the��Provide for the Common Defense Act��(PCDA).�� The bill would reduce the deficit by $200 billion over ten years by reforming entitlements as requested by the President in his 2014 budget and unwinding for two years the devastation to national defense caused by sequestration. �� Congressman Bridenstine said: ���China is attempting to control international waters and airspace as its own while also endeavoring to build the world���s largest Navy and Air Force including state-of-the-art aircraft carriers and nuclear ballistic missile submarines.�� Russia is investing $750 billion into military modernization and buildup while threatening nuclear war and invading its former Soviet satellite states which are striving for freedom and independence. These aggressive actions are an attempt to deny free markets and American freedom of navigation.�� In response, President Obama is hollowing out our military, emboldening our enemies to be even more aggressive, and encouraging our friends to align with the East.�� This bill strengthens defense, reforms entitlements, and reduces the national deficit by $200 billion.��? Congressman Lamborn said: ���Washington has a spending problem, but incessantly and mindlessly cutting national security will not get us out of our fiscal mess.�� Completely eliminating the Department of Defense (DOD) would not even pay off this year���s deficit ��� let alone serious… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140223060321/http://bridenstine.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/tulsa-regional-chamber-congressional-forum | Tulsa Regional Chamber Congressional Forum | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Jim Bridenstine | B001283 | web.archive.org | legacy | Rep. Jim Bridenstine speaks at the Tulsa Chamber Congressional Forum on on November 22, 2013. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-asks-oklahomans-to-share-how-obamacare-is_impacting-their-healthcare | Inhofe Asks Oklahomans to Share How ObamaCare is Impacting Their Healthcare | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Asks Oklahomans to Share How ObamaCare is Impacting Their Healthcare Tuesday, December 3, 2013 WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today announced the launch of a new web page entitled “Your Story” for the purpose of hearing how the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as ObamaCare, is impacting Oklahomans. “President Obama promised the American people time and again that ‘if you like your plan you can keep it,’ but millions of people across America and throughout Oklahoma are finding that not to be the case,” said Inhofe. “When I travel across the state, I hear stories of people losing access to their doctors or of their premium and deductibles skyrocketing since the launch of HealthCare.gov. I am asking Oklahomans to submit their stories of how ObamaCare is impacting their healthcare so that I can best work with my Senate colleagues to protect Oklahomans from further fallout. I am committed to addressing Oklahomans' concerns and replacing ObamaCare with common-sense healthcare reform.” Oklahomans can submit their story by visiting: https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/feedback/yourstory. Since 2010, Inhofe has supported efforts and cosponsored legislation to repeal and defund ObamaCare. Inhofe is also a cosponsor of the following efforts to improve Oklahomans’ healthcare: The Medical Care Access Protection (MCAP) Act (S.44), a bill that would reform the medical malpractice claim system to help reduce costly, excessive lawsuits and help to improve patient safety and quality of care. Family and Retirement Health Investment Act (S.1031), a bill that would strengthen and expand Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs). Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures (PRIME) Act (S.1123), a bill that would enact stronger penalties for Medicare and Medicaid fraud and establish stronger fraud and waste prevention strategies; curb improper payments made by the programs; curb the theft of physician identities;… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/protect-land-opportunity | Protect the Land of Opportunity | 2013-12-02 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Throughout our great history spanning more than 237 years, the United States has been recognized as a land of opportunity, where success can be achieved regardless of where you’ve come from. This American dream never fails to inspire old and young alike, and it will continue to motivate future generations to pursue big dreams, think creatively and foster new ideas. As former President George W. Bush once said, “America is successful because of the hard work and creativity and enterprise of our people.” Because of the opportunity and encouragement provided in America, many individuals have embraced that American mentality of hard work by starting or running a small business. Without question, we owe much of our country’s success, past and present, to small businesses, entrepreneurs and inventors. According to the United States Small Business Administration, more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. Currently, there are nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States, and an estimated two out of three new jobs in the economy are created by small businesses. In 2010, our state of Oklahoma had 332,998 small businesses that employed 673,373 people. Small businesses are truly the backbone of our economy, and our future success depends on their continued success. In order for small businesses to be established, create jobs and remain open, the environment must encourage and allow them to thrive. For many new business owners, it is difficult to enter and stay in the marketplace due to burdensome regulations and high taxes. Other business owners are forced to slow down innovation or expansion because of an uncertain regulatory environment. Job creators shouldn’t be punished for trying to create jobs and opportunity. This week, I am pleased that the House Rules Committee will review two pieces of legislation that foster a thriving environment for innovation and job creation. The Innovation Act (H.R. 3309) and the Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act (H.R. 1105… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/oped/oklahoman-jim-inhofe-existing-sanctions-on-iran-must-continue | Oklahoman: Jim Inhofe: Existing sanctions on Iran must continue | 2013-12-01 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | By: Sen. Jim Inhofe President Obama's rush to reach a nuclear agreement has undermined years of bipartisan action to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. At a time when harsh sanctions have inflicted unprecedented pressure on the Iranian economy, Obama's agreement with President Hassan Rouhani has weakened our leverage and legitimized a brutal state sponsor of terrorism. In this agreement, the West tacitly recognizes Iran's right to enrich uranium, allows it to keep its nearly 19,000 centrifuges spinning, suspends sanctions and unlocks roughly $7 billion in assets, all in exchange for a brief pause in Iranian nuclear development activities. There is little to show for this reckless gamble. It won't stop Iran's pursuit of a nuclear bomb, which our intelligence once reported could be achieved by 2015, and it leaves the world less safe. Not surprisingly, the agreement also has alarming shortfalls for a deal negotiated with a regime that has repeatedly deceived us and concealed its nuclear program for over two decades. It fails to require any commitments from Iran on nuclear development after the interim agreement expires in six months. It fails to require Iran to dismantle any of its enrichment capability, such as the destruction of existing centrifuges or its heavy-water plutonium reactor. And it fails to address two vital components of Iran's burgeoning nuclear weapons pursuit: weaponization and ballistic missile development. Over the years, Iran's enrichment program has far outpaced the other two programs, and now this deal permits Iran the time and money to bring the rest up to speed. The outlines of President Obama's deal are eerily similar to the nuclear negotiations with North Korea of the 1990s and early 2000s. Despite promises to discontinue its nuclear program amid offers of aid and the easing of international isolation, North Korea now possesses a growing nuclear arsenal. Let us not forget we've also been here before with Iran when in 2003 the country's th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://lucas.house.gov/news/oklahoman-oklahoma-rep-frank-lucas-talks-turkey-and-milk-food-stamps-ethanol-and-getting-along | The Oklahoman: Oklahoma Rep. Frank Lucas talks turkey ... and milk, food stamps, ethanol and getting along with his peers | 2013-11-29 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Frank Lucas | L000491 | lucas.house.gov | legacy | The Oklahoman By: Chris Casteel November 29, 2013 WASHINGTON — Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, is the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and one of the most influential voices in Congress on farm policy. The 53-year-old rancher has been in the House since 1994 and is the longest serving House member in the Oklahoma delegation. He has been trying for more than a year to get a new farm bill signed into law to set the rules for crop production and nutrition programs but has run into numerous obstacles, including House Republicans' insistence on major cuts to the food stamp program and differences with the Senate on support levels for commodities such as corn and wheat. In an interview on Capitol Hill last week, Lucas talked about taxpayer support for farmers and other topics. Some of the answers were edited for brevity. Q: Thanksgiving week is, of course, a big one for food purchases. Tell me how federal farm policy affects what people will buy for their big dinners. A: (It ensures) that producers are able to raise that wheat that goes into dinner rolls, that they're still able to raise the corn and soybeans that feed out those wonderful turkeys we have or that nice ham or, if you're lucky, that slice of prime roast beef. All those things are there in an affordable, consistent, safe fashion because of the American farmer and that safety net that helps him and her when they deal with the banker, when they deal with the landlord, when they deal with the potential purchase of their products. Q: Most people would probably agree that it's not desirable for farmers to experience catastrophic losses. But the question here is why the government should intervene if they do. A: Well, you only have to look at the last century to see times when the federal government was not involved, when the policies weren't right. My grandparents were young men and women in the Depression. They had to deal in the southern plains in the middle of the United States with a horrendous drought. They got caught up in the collapse of t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-statement-on-supreme-courts-decision-to-accept-hobby-lobby-case | Inhofe statement on Supreme Court's decision to hear Hobby Lobby case | 2013-11-26 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe statement on Supreme Court's decision to hear Hobby Lobby case Tuesday, November 26, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today released the following statement on the Supreme Court's decision to hear the Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc case: "I applaud the Supreme Court's announcement today to review ObamaCare's mandate on employers to cover contraceptive and abortion inducing drugs. This mandate violates our Founding Fathers' belief that government is to protect the right of conscience. President Obama's law orders a new moral code on how we should value human rights; in this instance the right of the unborn, the most voiceless among us. Despite being faced with millions of dollars in fines by the federal government, David Green and his company Hobby Lobby have honorably challenged the government's ability to infringe on the religious liberty and right of conscience for every American. Our Supreme Court judges must weigh this case with the recognition it will be a pivotal decision for the future of religious freedom in our nation." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/secretary-jewell-signs-historic-agreement-citizen-potawatomi-nation-spur-investment | Secretary Jewell Signs Historic Agreement with Citizen Potawatomi Nation to Spur Investment, Economic Activity in Indian Country | 2013-11-25 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Shawnee, OK – As part of President Obama’s commitment to self-determination of tribal nations, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn today joined Citizen Potawatomi Nation Chairman John Barrett to formally approve tribal leasing regulations that will help spur investment and commercial development on the nation’s trust lands in central Oklahoma. “The Citizen Potawatomi Nation now has the authority to decide how it wants to do business on its lands, making it easier for families to do things like buy and build houses or open businesses in the communities where they have lived for generations,” said Secretary Jewell, who also serves as chair of the White House Council on Native American Affairs. “Today’s action encourages economic development on Indian lands, generating investment, new jobs and revenues. I applaud Chairman Barrett and Vice-Chairman Linda Capps for their leadership on this initiative and look forward to working with other tribes across the nation to maintain tribal sovereignty and promote tribal self-determination and self-government.” Today’s signing ceremony comes on the heels of the 2013 White House Tribal Nations Conference, when leaders from all 566 federally recognized tribes are invited to Washington, D.C. to interact directly with the President and senior cabinet and administration officials. The conference – the fifth for the Obama Administration – continues to build on the President’s commitment to strengthen the government-to-government relationship with Indian Country. The Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act (HEARTH Act), signed by President Obama in July 2012, restores the authority of federally recognized tribes to develop and implement their own laws governing the long-term leasing of Indian lands for residential, business and other purposes. Upon one-time approval of these tribal regulations by the Department of the Interior, tribes have the authority to process land leases without Bureau of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/oped/celebrating-national-adoption-month | Celebrating National Adoption Month | 2013-11-25 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Celebrating National Adoption Month By: Sen. Jim Inhofe Monday, November 25, 2013 National Adoption Month is a time to recognize the millions of children in the United States and around the world that are in need of a permanent family and to honor those that have opened their hearts, homes, and resources to take in one or more of these children as their own. Adoption is a gift to all involved, but it does not come easy. Many families must raise money to afford the thousands of dollars in legal fees while others wait several agonizing years for paperwork to finalize. Every child also brings an untold history with him or her, whether that’s health related or unjust emotional scars. But the beauty of adoption is the choice made to love a child unconditionally and to fold the child into a secure family as any other kin. This is the type of consolation that all children need. Parents are essential for providing encouragement on the sidelines and in the audience, sharing a child's moment of triumph or of trial, and offering guidance throughout life. Every November, I enjoy sharing the story of my family’s experience adopting Zegita Marie. My daughter Molly adopted Zegita from an orphanage in Ethiopia, and she has now been a member of our family for more than a decade. We have experienced first-hand what a nurturing, loving home can do to help a child reach his or her full potential. Over the years, I have received many letters and e-mails from Oklahomans sharing their own experiences. A lady from Lawton wrote earlier this year of her family’s story of being a foster home for the past five years. She said she's seen first-hand the effect lack of permanency has on children. They are now in the process of adopting two of the children as their own. Another wrote from Broken Arro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/ok-state-society-interview-congressman-tom-cole | OK State Society: Interview with Congressman Tom Cole | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Oklahoma State Society e-Newsletter This November, we've been celebrating Native American Heritage Month. Before closing out the wonderful month, we are very pleased to share an exclusive interview with Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), who is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. We were honored to sit down with him and discuss how his Native American heritage has influenced his life, learn more about his Oklahoma ties and hear about the role he plays in Congress. OKSS: November is Native American Heritage Month. How has your Native American heritage shaped the direction of your life and guided your role in Congress? Cole: My Native American heritage has been profoundly significant in my life, and it’s something I was taught to be proud of growing up. My family has always been actively involved in tribal affairs. My great, great grandfather was the clerk of the Chickasaw Supreme Court, my great grandfather was the treasurer of the Chickasaw Nation and my mom was the first Native American woman ever elected to the Oklahoma State Senate. Today, we live in an era of Tribal Renaissance, where tribal governments are helping drive the economy in Oklahoma, creating tens of thousands of jobs and generating hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue for the state government. We have a terrific Native American presence in our state, particularly in the Fourth District of Oklahoma. My own tribe, the Chickasaws, and 10 other tribes have substantial blocks of their areas of jurisdiction in my district. Given that background and the role of Native Americans in Oklahoma, this is an area I focus on probably more than most Members of Congress. And it’s been an honor to emerge as a leader on Native American issues and affairs, including the victorious passage of the Cobell decision and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Those two particular pieces of legislation will continue to be important in the years ahead. OKSS: You are a former professor of history and politics, and your educational background proves your love of learning. How … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/we-are-thankful | We Are Thankful | 2013-11-22 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | This season marks a time of thankfulness, giving and reflecting. We remember rich and bountiful harvests of days past, even before we became a nation, and we collectively embrace that same spirit of gratitude today. After the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth Rock, the tradition of being thankful, sharing and feasting continued unofficially throughout the following century. But on October 3, 1789, at the recommendation of Congress, President George Washington proclaimed the first Thanksgiving be observed nationwide. His words recommended a “day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.” We have been setting aside a day to count our blessings ever since and rightly so. Many years have passed since Washington’s proclamation and even more years have gone by since that first celebratory feast at Plymouth. Indeed, we live in a truly blessed nation. We wake up each morning, go about our days and often forget that the freedoms we enjoy only exist in the United States of America. These are freedoms that were laid out by our forefathers and came at a high cost by brave individuals, and people continue to volunteer to protect and defend the cause of freedom and liberty. Our nation’s founding principles resound loud and true, and they are still worth fighting for to preserve. Many of us have been fortunate to grow up in this great nation, and while each person holds a variety of opinions and beliefs, Thanksgiving unites us and encourages a spirit of collective gratitude. We are reminded of our rich history, the unique blessings we possess and the still tremendous potential we hold as a nation. As we feast with our families and friends, watch the parades, enjoy some football or anticipate the coming Christmas season, don’t let this day of thanks pass without counting your blessings and recognizing the truly great nation of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/cole-cartwright-introduce-support-wage-grade-employee-parity-act | Cole, Cartwright Introduce Support the Wage Grade Employee Parity Act | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole introduced the Wage Grade Employee Parity Act (H.R. 3573) along with Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-17). This year, the president was able to provide a 1 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for General Schedule (GS), or salaried, federal employees. However, he does not have the statutory authority to provide the same COLA to all federal workers. Beginning January 1, 2014, Wage Grade (WG) employees’ wages will stay the same or even decrease thus creating a disparity between the wages of WG and GS employees. General Schedule and Wage Grade pay increases have been limited to the same amount in the same geographic area since FY 1979. “We depend greatly on federal employees who work for hourly wages,” said Congressman Cole. “As of October 31st , there were more than 174,000 hourly workers In the Defense Department alone and 7,634 in Oklahoma, most of which work at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City and the U.S. Army Ammunitions Plant in McAlester. The Department of Veterans Affairs and Bureau of Prisons are also impacted.. Due to furloughs caused first by sequestration and more recently by the government shutdown, these dedicated employees have suffered a great deal. I am pleased that this legislation recognizes the important support hourly workers provide, like salaried, and compensates them for lost pay." “The inconsistency in wages between WG and GS employees is inequitable. It hurts a group of Americans that can least afford a fourth year with no increase at all,” said Congressman Cartwright. “For this reason, I am proud to introduce this legislation which will benefit a group that has been particularly impacted by furloughs and the government shutdown.” ### Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225 - 6165 (Cole) Shane Seaver (202) 225 - 5546 (Cartwright) | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140223063130/http://bridenstine.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-jim-bridenstine-supports-three-energy-bills | Congressman Jim Bridenstine Supports Three Energy Bills | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Jim Bridenstine | B001283 | web.archive.org | legacy | This week, the House of Representatives passed three bills that, if enacted, would move America closer than ever to true energy independence and energy security for decades to come. Congressman Jim Bridenstine voted for these bills, which all passed with bi-partisan support. “Restoring state sovereignty and increasing domestic energy production are two of my highest priorities in Congress, and the bills passed by the House this week would accomplish just that,” said Bridenstine. “Oklahoma can help lead America toward energy independence and create thousands of jobs along the way, but only if Washington gets out of the way.” H.R. 1965, the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act of 2013, would significantly open onshore domestic energy. This bill would reform the federal permitting process, requiring regular lease sales in promising new areas and setting firm timelines for the approval and issuance of those leases. The bill also requires the Secretary of the Interior to produce a comprehensive, all-of-the-above domestic energy plan every four years; allow for full utilization of energy resources on the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and on tribal lands; and allow for Internet-based auctions of onshore leases. H.R. 2728, the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act, would allow states to make their own decisions about hydraulic fracturing (fracking) within their borders by prohibiting the Department of the Interior from enforcing any federal fracking regulations in any state that has its own rules governing these activities. States like Oklahoma would continue to see the benefits of economic activity and job creation from shale gas production while placing the responsibility for making sure it is done in a safe and responsible manner with Oklahomans, not Washington bureaucrats. H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act, would require federal regulators to approve or deny any proposed pipeline no later than one year after the application has been submitted t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-ensures-there-will-be-ndaa-this-year | Inhofe Ensures There Will Be NDAA This Year | 2013-11-21 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Ensures There Will Be NDAA This Year Thursday, November 21, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the Senate voted to continue debate on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2014: "The most important bill Congress considers every year is the National Defense Authorization Act. It contains many ‘must-pass’ provisions that our military men and women rely on, including sections that deal with their pay and benefits, their education and training, and the sustainment and modernization of their equipment. It has been passed and signed into law for the last 51 consecutive years. It has always received strong bipartisan support because we've traditionally had an open amendment process that allows members of the Senate to debate and vote on issues vital to our men and women in uniform and our nation’s security. In this tradition, over the last 17 years the NDAA has spent an average of 9 days on the Senate floor, received an average of 11 or more roll call votes, and has resulted in the adoption of nearly 100 amendments by unanimous consent or voice vote. That hasn’t happened this year. Instead, Majority Leader Harry Reid has repeatedly blocked Senators from debating and voting on their amendments. The bill has only been on the floor for three days and we’ve only had two roll call votes, despite hundreds of important amendments being introduced. There is nothing more important than having an open debate about how we support our men and women in uniform who fight to protect our national security." "I fought for at least 50 amendments to be considered to this bill. This morning when I brought forward 25 amendments from my Republican colleagues that were ready to be debated and voted on, Majority Leader Harry Reid rejected my offer and instead launched his controversial "nuclear option" and distracted the Senate from the NDAA. "Despite these tactics, let… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/code-talkers-receive-congressional-gold-medal-honor | Code Talkers Receive Congressional Gold Medal of Honor | 2013-11-20 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), co-chairs of the Native American Congressional Caucus, participated in a ceremony today that honored Native American code talkers with the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. Out of the 33 tribes recognized, 10 tribes are from Oklahoma and three (Choctaw, Comanche and Kiowa) are from the Fourth District of Oklahoma. “Today we honor the great bravery and skill of Native American military heroes,” said Congressman Cole, who is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. “Over the course of American history, Native Americans have demonstrated outstanding valor on the battlefield, and today we remember the vital role they played as code talkers during World War I and World War II. These individuals embraced their cultural heritage and used it to prevent highly-sensitive wartime messages from being intercepted by the enemy. Because of their service and unique contributions, countless lives were saved and victory was claimed more quickly by the Allies. This ceremony inspires great pride in the Native American hearts, including my own. But for all Americans, it should serve as a reminder of true bravery and sacrifice.” “These American heroes are shining examples of the long and proud history of Native Americans’ military service to our country,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “Many Americans are familiar with the story of the Navajo code talkers, but today we recognize the contributions of veterans from 33 tribal nations, including Lakota and Ojibwe speakers. Using the languages of their people, these brave soldiers created unbreakable codes that aided in the Allied victory and saved the lives of many of their brothers-in-arms. Upon returning home, the service of the code talkers was kept secret to protect those programs. As a result, many loyal veterans faced the hardship of never being able to tell their families and communities the details of their valiant service. Today, we offer this long-overdue honor in recognition… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://lucas.house.gov/press-release/congressman-lucas-supports-house-energy-and-jobs-legislation | Congressman Lucas Supports House Energy and Jobs Legislation | 2013-11-20 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Frank Lucas | L000491 | lucas.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas today made the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed three separate pieces of legislation that promotes domestic energy production, creates jobs and cuts government red-tape. All three of the bills: H.R. 1965, the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act; H.R. 2728, the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act; and H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act, passed the House this week. “I am pleased this legislation passed the House this week,” said Lucas. “These bills provide a tremendous opportunity to not only increase domestic energy production, but to also protect and create jobs. Additionally, this legislation cuts government red-tape to give the energy sector the resources needed to thrive. “H.R. 1965, the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act would establish an efficient process to responsibly produce both renewable and conventional energy in the United States. For years, the Administration has delayed the process for approving permits to drill on federal land, while in-turn hindering domestic energy production. I am glad this legislation addresses this issue by ensuring the Interior Secretary sets a firm timeline to act on permits to drill. “H.R. 1900, the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve or deny natural gas pipeline permit applications within one year. This is another instance of the House taking action to speed-up Administration decisions that are currently inhibiting business and energy production. “H.R. 2728, the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act helps reduce bureaucratic red-tape by limiting the Administration’s ability to impose duplicative and burdensome federal regulations on hydraulic fracturing. I am pleased H.R. 2728 accomplishes this goal by prohibiting the Interior Department from enforcing federal regulations in states that already have their own regulations est… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140912142819/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mullin-attends-code-talkers-ceremony | Congressman Mullin Attends Code Talkers Ceremony | 2013-11-20 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2), member of the Cherokee nation, attended a special United States Capitol ceremony today where Native American code talkers were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, which marks Congress’s highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. The ceremony was held in Emancipation Hall in the United States Capitol Visitor Center. Code talkers were a critical asset during World War I and World War II, by providing an unprecedented avenue for message transmission. Code talkers were Native Americans who used their respective tribal languages to communicate coded messages and confuse the enemy. Having known a code talker himself, Congressman Mullin noted the importance of telling the story of a very special generation. “Code talkers were courageous individuals who chose to be a part of history and take on a unique role in war,” said Mullin. “Oklahoma was home to many code talkers including Mr. Wayne Russell, who was a dear family friend and helped me learn Cherokee at a young age. I consider it a privilege to be from a state of such heritage and heroism.” Each tribe that participated in the code talkers program received a Congressional Gold Medal. A total of 33 tribes were recognized, 10 being from the state of Oklahoma. Following the Gold Medal Ceremony that recognized tribes as a whole, there was a Silver Medal Ceremony that recognized specific individuals for their service as code talkers. With only one living code talker, family members of departed code talkers accepted the medals on their behalf. November is Native American Month, thanks to the countless individuals who worked to preserve the memory and culture of the American Indian. Learn more at nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-opening-statement-at-wrda-conference-opening-meeting- | Inhofe Opening Statement at WRDA Conference Opening Meeting | 2013-11-20 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Opening Statement at WRDA Conference Opening Meeting Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Environmental Public Works Committee (EPW) and member of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Conference Committee, today delivered the following statement at the conference's opening meeting: As prepared for delivery: Thank you Madame Chairman. I appreciate the opportunity to meet with all members of the Conference as we work to complete our first Water Resources Development Act in six years. This marks my 8th WRDA bill since I came to Congress. Back in 2007, as ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I helped lead a successful effort to enact WRDA over President Bush’s veto. The spirit of bipartisanship we had six years ago is present in this year’s Senate and House bills. I am confident that with the level of support seen in both chambers we will have a successful conference. The WRDA bill performs a vital function. Authorization committees and the bills we produce act as screeners of federal priorities, setting out projects and programs that are legitimate needs. Furthermore, this year’s WRDA bill provides good government policy, allowing non-federal entities to invest in our infrastructure and grow our waterways. In Oklahoma this will mean: -Oklahoma businesses and products can be assured continued access to the world economy through the Port of Catoosa and the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. -The Cherokee nation can build and market their own hydroelectricity at the WD Mayo Lock and Dam. -And Tulsa County can advance the Arkansas River Corridor Project which will spur economic growth along the river. I’m proud of the work we did in the Senate this spring and look forward to working with my colleagues here to advance this legislation through Conference with similar success. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-presents-congressional-gold-medal-to-native-american-code-talkers | Inhofe Presents Congressional Gold Medal to Native American Code Talkers | 2013-11-20 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Presents Congressional Gold Medal to Native American Code Talkers Wednesday, November 20, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today joined his colleagues in presenting 33 Native American Tribes with the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their military service during World War I and World War II as code talkers. The ceremony took place in the Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center where Inhofe delivered remarks along with Speaker of the House John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, as well as other members of Congress. "Native Americans who served as code talkers during World War I and II are true American heroes whose ingenuity helped propel the Allied forces to victory and saved countless lives in the process," said Inhofe. "These awards recognize the dedicated service performed by those that have been honored here today as well as the men and women who were lost on the battlefields and those who have since passed. After nearly a decade of working to secure the gold medal award, in 2008, Oklahoma Congressman Dan Boren and I were finally able to see the Code Talkers Recognition Act enacted, and I am proud this long awaited ceremony has finally occurred." Edmond Harjo of Seminole Nation in Oklahoma was in attendance and recognized with a congressional silver medal. During the ceremony, Inhofe thanked Harjo for his attendance and for his service to our country, and said: "It was men like Mr. Harjo who made a real difference in the fight for freedom during World War I and II." The following tribes from Oklahoma received congressional goal medals: Cherokee Nation, Choctaw Nation, Comanche Nation, Pawnee Nation, Osage Tribe, Kiowa Tribe, Seminole Nation, Muskogee Creek Nation, Ponca Tribe, and Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. Since 2002, Inhofe has introduced legislation and worked to honor Native American Code Talkers. In Feb. 2008, Inhofe worked c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140223063213/http://bridenstine.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bridenstine-fights-to-protect-religious-liberty-at-the-air | Congressman Bridenstine Fights to Protect Religious Liberty at the Air Force Academy | 2013-11-19 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Jim Bridenstine | B001283 | web.archive.org | legacy | The phrase “so help me God” was included in the military oath of service in 1776 and is a deeply-rooted American tradition. Now the Air Force Academy has removed the phrase “so help me God” from oaths in the Cadet Handbook. Congressman Jim Bridenstine spearheaded a letter, signed by 27 other Members of Congress, to the head of the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA). The letter to USAFA’s Superintendent, Lieutenant General Michelle Johnson, expresses disappointment regarding the academy’s recent decision to remove a poster bearing the oath with the phrase “so help me God” and asks for an explanation of why the Contrails Cadet Handbook omits the phrase from the oaths. Bridenstine said, “This is yet another example of the Obama Administration abolishing all references to God from the public sphere. As the Supreme Court has ruled, the phrase ‘so help me God’ does not establish a national religion. It is troubling to see the U.S. Air Force Academy being used as a political tool to institutionalize a culture of Godlessness.” George Washington included the phrase “so help me God” at his inauguration as the first President of the United States. Members of our military may choose to include this phrase as a solemnization of their sworn duty to defend and protect our nation, though it is not required for them to serve. Courts consistently have upheld the constitutionality of similar acknowledgements of the Divine, such as “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as of our national motto, “In God we Trust.” The Cadet’s Oath of Allegiance, as enumerated in the Code of Federal Regulations, ends with “so help me God.” (32 CFR § 901.26). The phrase is included in the oath of office taken by all elected or appointed officials, including Members of Congress. (5 U.S.C. § 3331) Congressman Bridenstine continued, “As a Navy pilot with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, I know firsthand the importance of faith to many of our service members. When the services are hostile to faith, they are hostile to their members… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-statement-regarding-white-house-meeting-on-iran-deal | Inhofe Statement Regarding White House Meeting on Iran Deal | 2013-11-19 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Statement Regarding White House Meeting on Iran Deal Tuesday, November 19, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today released the following statement regarding President Obama's meeting at the White House with Senate leadership to discuss ongoing negotiations with Iran over its nuclear enrichment program: "The President's goal in holding today's meeting is to convince me and my colleagues to trust him and the Iranians to negotiate a deal on Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The President is asking us to trust a country that has deceived us and concealed their nuclear program for over 20 years. He is asking us to trust a country that continues to support terrorism around the globe, continues to repress the Iranian people, and under President Rouhani's leadership has increased its support for the mass slaughter of Syrians. Furthermore, a November report from the IAEA says that Iran has continued nuclear enrichment -- moving closer to a nuclear weapon -- despite being required under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and five UN Security Council Resolutions to suspend enrichment. Until Iran takes clear and demonstrable steps to fulfill its obligations and shut down its illicit nuclear program, I cannot seriously consider easing sanctions on Iran and thereby putting our national security a risk." During the meeting, Inhofe was managing the National Defense Authorization Act on the Senate floor. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/%E2%80%98cole-congress%E2%80%99-guest-cleta-mitchell | ‘Cole on Congress’ with guest Cleta Mitchell | 2013-11-18 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) recently interviewed Cleta Mitchell on his TV show, Cole on Congress. Cleta is a native Oklahoman and currently works as an attorney and partner at Foley & Lardner LLP in Washington, D.C. She is an expert in law, politics and public policy and represents numerous conservative candidates, campaigns and issue organizations, including several non-profit groups who were targeted by the IRS when applying for tax-exempt status. During the interview, Cleta explained what targeting of these groups entailed and how she discovered that it was taking place. Beginning in 2009, after decades assisting organizations, she noticed stalled applications and unnecessary, unusual questions of conservative groups. “What I began to realize was, ‘Wait a minute, we filed that application for this one group in October 2009, and all they’ve ever done is lobby on Obamacare. The IRS cashed our check.’ I don’t hear anything from the IRS at all until June 2010,” Cleta remembered. “And then they want all the ads that the group has run against Obamacare. Now this is a group that’s done no political activity. So we gather that, we send it in. I don’t hear anything again for a year later. Now I’m used to 3 to 5 weeks. Now we’re into 2 years. And that begins to repeat itself over and over with other groups.” To watch the full interview, click here. ### Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225 - 6165 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/roadblocks-delays-and-barriers | Roadblocks, Delays and Barriers | 2013-11-18 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Since its passage and throughout the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, nothing has gone as promised, planned or expected by President Obama. Instead, the entire country has watched him try to dodge or make excuses for every barricade or bump along the road. Each roadblock has led Americans to seriously question the president’s ability to lead and lowered confidence in his promises. Republicans have warned about the unworkable, unfair nature of Obamacare since it was passed. Not one Republican ever voted for it, and since taking back the House majority, members have consistently voted for full or partial-repeal bills to lessen the harmful impact on Americans. In fact, seven of the partial-repeal bills have been passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president. However, since the law wasn’t implemented right away, the problems associated with it were not felt immediately. During the three years after passage, ample time for roll-out preparation, Americans just kept hearing promises and assurances from the president in response to every concern, including his now-infamous words, “If you like your health plan, you can keep it.” Not surprisingly, we’ve discovered this isn’t and was never meant to be the case. But the first real signal of the White House acknowledging the law’s problems came in July of this summer when the Administration announced a one-year delay of the employer mandate. While this news eliminated the burdensome, expensive requirement placed on businesses to provide healthcare during 2014, individuals are still expected and required to purchase insurance or face fines. As I have said before, it is hypocritical and unfair for the president to give businesses a break and ignore individuals. On October 1, the healthcare law saw an entirely new set of problems abound with the launch of HealthCare.gov—a site that was clearly not ready for primetime. During the first month, the site was unable to handle high traffic, save most user information or provide helpful customer service, resulting… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131121000728/http://bridenstine.house.gov:80/media-center/press-releases/congressman-jim-bridenstine-files-bill-to-repeal-16th-amendment-income | Congressman Jim Bridenstine Files Bill to Repeal 16th Amendment (Income Tax) | 2013-11-18 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Jim Bridenstine | B001283 | web.archive.org | legacy | Congressman Jim Bridenstine has introduced a bill (HJ Res 104) in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal the 16th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which allows the federal government to levy the income tax. Congressman Bridenstine said, “Viable alternative plans for raising revenue fairly to support constitutionally enumerated functions of the federal government have been proposed. As long as the 16th Amendment is in place and lobbyists dominate Washington, these alternatives will never be considered.” The result of this repeal will be to eliminate the personal and corporate income tax, the estate and gift taxes, and taxes on investment earnings at the federal level. A constitutional amendment can be repealed by another amendment, which requires approval of three fourths of the states for ratification. After ratification, Congress and the states will have two years to decide on an alternative revenue stream. Bridenstine supports the Fair Tax, but he says this effort also has supporters from the Flat Tax community. Original co-sponsors of the amendment include Congressmen Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Thomas Massie (R-KY). Bridenstine commented, “The 4th Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees ‘The right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.’ The 16th Amendment effectively negates the 4th Amendment. The 16th Amendment should be repealed and the IRS should be eliminated.” The personal and corporate income tax is a punitive tax on productive effort which discourages investment, innovation, risk-taking and job formation within the United States. The income tax code has become too complex for citizens to understand, and the annual time and expense required to comply with the income tax code has become intolerably burdensome. Furthermore, the income tax is inherently unfair with different tax rates applying to various taxpayers. The tax code is subject to endless manipulation by groups seeking to advantage themselves relative to ot… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/november-2013-cleta-mitchell-foley-lardner | November 2013 - Cleta Mitchell (Foley & Lardner) | 2013-11-17 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) hosts his monthly program "Cole on Congress" and visits with Cleta Mitchell, a native Oklahoman who currently works as an attorney and partner at Foley & Lardner LLP in Washington, D.C. She is an expert in law, politics and public policy and represents numerous conservative candidates, campaigns and issue organizations, including several non-profit groups who were targeted by the IRS when applying for tax-exempt status. (November 2013) | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/hill-rep-cole-warns-members-will-try-freelance-budget-deal | The Hill: Rep. Cole warns members will try to 'freelance' budget deal | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | The Hill - Erik Wasson Budget conference negotiator Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) on Friday warned that unless the leaders of the panel start putting together proposals soon, members will start “freelancing” their own. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) have been having discussions, but many doubt that a deal is going to come together by the budget committee’s Dec. 13 deadline. The core of the disagreement is new revenue, which Cole said he does not want to rule out in an effort to replace some of the $91 billion in sequester cuts, which are set to hit the Pentagon hardest. “Maybe each side should present a proposal. If that doesn’t happen soon, you will see individual members doing that. There will be more of that, that’s part of the pressure,” Cole told The Hill. “You are going to have groups start freelancing. I don’t know that that is the most orderly process, but sometimes that works,” Cole said. He made clear that he is not himself threatening to drop a proposal, but said he wants a deal by Dec. 2 at the latest, so appropriators could start finalizing a giant spending bill in time to avoid a government shutdown by Jan. 15. “I think the Appropriations committees feel frustration. I certainly do,” he said. “I would rather follow the lead than not, but sooner or later, somebody is going to start.” At the Wednesday meeting of the budget panel, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine.) offered a compromise idea that would replace part of the sequester and lower the corporate tax rate by 2.5 percent. Because $250 billion in revenue would be used to increase spending, it was a tough sell for many Republicans. Cole said Friday that both sides would have to give something to reach a deal. “You can’t just give the other side a list of things you want and tell them to pick. That’s a pick your poison approach,” he said. He said that both Republicans and Democrats have been wounded by the sh… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/house-supports-keep-your-health-plan-act | House Supports the Keep Your Health Plan Act | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act. Since HealthCare.gov was launched on October 1, millions of people on the individual market have received cancellation notices even though the president promised, “If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it.” This legislation allows plans available on the individual market today to be offered in 2014 without penalty under the individual mandate. During a press conference on Thursday, President Obama acknowledged problems with the Affordable Care Act and announced a fix, allowing insurance companies to continue offering plans that would have otherwise been cancelled under the law’s requirements. “Today’s House vote is encouraging because it helps some Americans who recently felt the negative impact of the healthcare law,” said Cole. “However, even this legislation will not prevent many Americans from losing the healthcare coverage they have relied on. This bill should be seen as an emergency triage, rather than a full solution to all the problems created by Obamacare. “Since passage, Obamacare has experienced roadblocks or delays at every turn. Nothing has gone as planned, promised or expected by the president, which has caused Americans to question his ability to lead or lose confidence in his promises. Yesterday’s White House press conference was yet another instance in which the president used his catch-all excuse of ‘I didn’t know’ to cover for the growing number of issues with the Affordable Care Act. “The president acknowledged the need for a solution for millions of unhappy Americans who received coverage cancellations. While I am pleased that he agrees with Republicans and a growing number of Democrats on this problem, the president cannot pick and choose which portions of the law he wants to implement without consulting Congress. The legislative branch is responsible for passing and amending laws, and this authority must be preserved.” ### Contact: Sarah … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/roll-call-tom-cole-custodian-americas-crown-jewels | Roll Call: Tom Cole: Custodian of America's 'Crown Jewels' | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Roll Call - Hannah Hess At 8:15 a.m. Friday, Rep. Tom Cole sat in his Rayburn office poring over a briefing on the spending bill that supports the roof over his head, the Capitol Dome and other iconic structures around the campus. “I’ve got a lot to get up to speed on,” said the Oklahoma Republican, who will now serve as chairman of the House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the operations, safety and upkeep of the nation’s Capitol. “This was not a position I expected to be in a few weeks ago.” When Rep. Rodney Alexander retired from Congress in late September, Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., was first in line to take the Louisiana Republican’s spot atop the panel that allocates spending for House members’ offices, the Capitol Police, the Architect of the Capitol and other legislative branch agencies. The death of veteran appropriator C.W. Bill Young of Florida and other departures shuffled that transition, and Cole won his first Appropriations subcommittee gavel. As the smallest of the 12 annual funding bills, the position is not particularly sought after and is often taken for granted, “unless something goes wrong,” Cole acknowledged. “If there’s not appropriate security, if the garbage isn’t picked up or the toilets aren’t flushed, if the place has physical problems that make it difficult to operate, then people know.” While others might scoff, he finds some prestige in the job. “You’ve got to recognize you’re a custodian of some of the crown jewels of the American public,” he said. As a symbol of freedom for people around the world, Cole considers the Capitol “sort of the secular equivalent of St. Paul’s Cathedral.” The six-term lawmaker last sat on the legislative branch panel in 2010, when Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., held the gavel. He acknowledged that much has changed since then. Under Republican leadership, the $4 billion bill became an opportunity to show GOP willingness to lead by example in deficit reduction efforts. As a close ally of Speaker John A. B… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://lucas.house.gov/press-release/lucas-statement-hr-3350-keep-your-health-plan-act | Lucas Statement on H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Frank Lucas | L000491 | lucas.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas today made the following statement after the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act. The legislation passed the House today with a 261 to 157 vote. “I am pleased H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act, passed the House today,” said Congressman Frank Lucas. “President Obama promised Americans multiple times that they could keep their health care plan if they liked it. However; he failed to fulfill that promise. I have heard from many constituents in the Third District who have lost their plans because they didn’t meet the requirements under Obamacare, and millions more across the country are facing the same issues. “While the president offered a proposal attempting to fix the problems his health care law created, actual legislation is needed before real solutions can be implemented. That is why I am glad the House passed the Keep Your Health Plan Act today. This legislation would give Americans relief from the president’s flawed health care law by allowing health insurers to continue offering their old plans. H.R. 3350 would therefore ensure that Americans who are able to keep their health plan would not face onerous penalties under Obamacare’s individual mandate. “Americans deserve a break from Obamacare, and I am pleased this legislation will help accomplish this goal. Too many people are facing hardships with the law, and that is why I will continue to work in the House to pass legislation that will help ease the unnecessary burdens that the president’s disastrous health care law has placed on the American people.” --30-- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140301172327/http://bridenstine.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-jim-bridenstine-votes-against-hr-3350-keep-your-health-plan | Congressman Jim Bridenstine Votes Against HR 3350 “Keep Your Health Plan Act” | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Jim Bridenstine | B001283 | web.archive.org | legacy | Today the House considered a bill titled the “Keep Your Health Plan Act”. I voted against it. While this is a well-intentioned messaging bill, this law would place the President’s lie on the shoulders of Congress. Since insurance companies cannot alter course on a dime, Congress cannot keep this promise any more than the President. Passing HR 3350 does not make the Affordable Care Act constitutional. The federal government is compelling individual citizens to buy a product they would not otherwise buy, and that is unconstitutional. Simply grandfathering plans that were previously available does not make the coercion constitutional. Obamacare cannot be fixed and Congress should not be passing laws to try to keep it alive and punish millions of Americans. Now is the time for Congress to make a binary decision: Are you for Obamacare or against it? Obamacare is punishing millions of Americans. The employer mandate caused layoffs, thwarted job creation, pushed people into part-time work, and forced companies to drop employees from health insurance. Seeing this in June, the President delayed the employer mandate by decree. Since 2010, the individual insurance market has been attempting to create plans that adhere to Obamacare’s essential health benefits (EHB) requirements. As predicted, these requirements are very costly and the costs are now being passed to the consumer. Premiums are skyrocketing for new plans and individuals are being dropped from their previous plans. Americans are being forced by the federal government to purchase benefits they don’t need, don’t want, and cannot afford. Seeing this, yesterday the President delayed EHB requirements by decree. The insurance companies have said the reversal is unworkable. They have spent years preparing for Obamacare implementation and it can’t be reversed on a dime. In short, people are still going to lose their health insurance. As such, legislators should pass no law owning the President’s promise that “if you like your health insurance you can ke… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140912142844/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mullin-votes-for-keep-your-health-plan-act | Congressman Mullin Votes for Keep Your Health Plan Act | 2013-11-15 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – Today Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) voted for H.R. 3350, the “Keep Your Health Plan Act” that passed the House with bipartisan support. “Promises have been broken and we face critical situations that need to be made right,” Mullin said on the House floor Thursday. “Countless Americans, and many within the Second District of Oklahoma, are going to their mailboxes only to learn that the health insurance plan they liked is being canceled.” Currently, insurance plans in the individual market that were in effect at the time the Affordable Care Act was signed into law are deemed a “grandfathered plan” and cannot be terminated. But the Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Labor determined that if these plans incurred any change in “benefits, cost sharing, employer contributions, and access to coverage” the plans would then lose grandfathered status. H.R. 3350 would allow insurance providers to continue offering these types of individual insurance plans that were in effect as of January 1, 2013, regardless of any change, and effectively deem them all grandfathered plans through 2014. Individuals can continue enrolling in these plans without being penalized with the individual mandate tax. “This Administration failed to keep its promise that if Americans liked their plans they could keep them,” said Mullin. “Obamacare has been a failure since the beginning and today in the House we worked towards cleaning up the damage of this health care mandate.” H.R. 3350 must now be approved by the Senate. To hear Congressman Mullin’s comments on the House floor regarding H.R. 3350, visit http://youtu.be/LUx3SFsBiA4. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/ada-news-rep-tom-cole-visits-stonewall | Ada News: Rep. Tom Cole visits Stonewall | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Ada News U.S. Rep. Tom Cole took time out of his busy schedule to visit Stonewall on Tuesday, November 5th. Cole’s purpose was to tour the new community medical clinic that is nearing completion and is expected to begin receiving patients in January 2014. Construction on the facility began in April 2013 under a contract with MacHill Tribal Construction, LLC of Ada. Cole was instrumental in helping Stonewall secure more than $890,000 in total grant funding to accomplish the project that was 8 years in the making. Pontotoc County District 3 provided nearly $30,000 in demolition work on the project, and Jack Blair provided a cash donation of $25,000. What makes the project unique is that the town is bringing its historic bank building back to life in order to house the clinic. Since the building has garnered keen interest from the State Historic Preservation Office in Oklahoma City, much of the construction has to restore the building’s original appearance and character. Don Childers, with Redland-Childers Architects, is overseeing the project’s technical requirements, while Stonewall’s city administrator, Dennis Heath is providing project oversight. Members of the community are excited at the transformation of the old building that was twice robbed by Pretty Boy Floyd in April and June of 1932. Stonewall mayor Jim Mills added that he is so appreciative that something so meaningful as medical care was coming to the community. “We are so thankful and appreciate your support of this project Congressman Cole,” Mills said. Central Oklahoma Family Medical Center CEO, Brenda Ware, was on hand and told Cole that she and her staff are looking forward to the opportunity to bring quality and affordable medical care to Stonewall. Online: Ada News | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/oklahoman-white-house-conference-allows-tribal-leaders-voice-concerns | The Oklahoman: White House conference allows tribal leaders to voice concerns | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | The Oklahoman - Chris Casteel Since first taking office in 2009, President Barack Obama has promised American Indians that his administration would listen to them. Wednesday, five of his Cabinet secretaries sat on a stage in an Interior Department auditorium and listened to Indian tribal leaders vent — on issues ranging from tax reform and land issues to health care funding. And they were particularly frustrated with the automatic budget cuts known as the sequester. One complained that the inequities in funding between Indians and other Americans had been made worse by the sequester. Facing the leaders after his Cabinet secretaries departed, Obama said he understood. “We've got to stop the self-inflicted wounds in Washington,” the president said. “Because for many tribal nations, this year's harmful sequester cuts and last month's government shutdown made a tough situation worse. Your schools, your police departments, child welfare offices are all feeling the squeeze.” More than 300 tribal leaders attended the fifth White House Tribal Nations Conference, the largest attendance yet, according to the president. Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr., who attended the conference, said “these Cabinet secretaries really want to work with tribes and that starts at the top with the president. There is a genuine desire to work with tribes.” Hoskin said the tribe had managed its money prudently and was able to fill in some of the gaps caused by the sequester. “But it is hitting our programs,” he said. Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby was part of a small group of Indian leaders who met with Obama and other administration officials on Tuesday at the White House. He said in a statement that the president “has developed a tribal consultation policy enabling leaders of American Indian tribes to have meaningful input into the development of policies which have enhanced housing, health care, education, economic development and law enforcement services in Indian Country.” Congress' only American Indians — Rep. Ma… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140912142911/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mullin-named-a-wrrda-conferee | Congressman Mullin Named a WRRDA Conferee | 2013-11-14 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) was selected to be a conferee for the upcoming Conference Committee on water infrastructure reform. H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA), was approved with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House by a vote of 417-3. The Senate has its own version of water infrastructure reform, which has resulted in the two chambers coming together for a Conference Committee. Mullin was one of only five freshmen selected to serve on the Conference Committee. “The path WRRDA has taken thus far is a testament to true bipartisanship,” said Mullin. “When members sit down and work together, we can arrive at reasonable and rational solutions. Being selected to serve on the Conference Committee comes with great responsibility and I look forward to representing the state of Oklahoma as we move forward in reforming our nation’s water infrastructure system.” The Conference Committee is made up of 36 members—8 from the Senate and 28 from the House. Conferees are selected based off of their experiences and areas of expertise to discuss, debate and determine the final form of a piece of legislation. Congressman Mullin serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that drafted H.R. 3080. Mullin is the only Oklahoman on the committee and saw to fruition many WRRDA provisions that positively affect the state of Oklahoma. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster noted the merit of Mullin’s presence during the WRRDA process and commended him for his selection as a conferee. “Congressman Mullin has worked tirelessly on WRRDA and has been a great advocate for true reform,” said Shuster. “I congratulate him on his selection as a conferee, where he will provide a business perspective and a common sense approach.” Additional information on WRRDA compiled by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure can be found at http://1.usa.gov/175GOVU. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/hill-no-sign-progress-budget-conference | The Hill: No sign of progress from budget conference | 2013-11-13 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | The Hill - Erik Wasson There was no sign of progress toward a congressional budget deal as the new House-Senate budget conference met for the second time on Wednesday. Republicans and Democrats are trying to forge a deal by Dec. 13 that at least replaces some automatic sequester cuts and sets a spending limit for the rest of the year in order to avoid a shutdown in January. The House and Senate are $91 billion apart in their spending levels for 2014 and more fundamentally divided on the role new revenue should play in replacing the sequestration cuts. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) opened the meeting by disclosing that they have had private conversations on the parameters of the deal, but they said there was no concrete movement forward. “We are not there yet,” Ryan said. “There is a big gap between our two budgets ... we have spent a lot of time talking about our differences.” “Our budgets are dramatically different,” Murray said. She claimed that she has been “encouraged by those conversations” with Ryan. But when asked about the basis for optimism, she was vague. “It’s based on the fact that we all know we’ve got a short time frame and we’ve got to come to some decisions and we’re talking,” she said. Murray has insisted, including in a weekend op-ed in The Washington Post, that closing “egregious” tax loopholes be part of any deal. Ryan has said higher taxes should not be part of the equation. Ryan’s point was echoed by many of the other Republicans during the second budget conference meeting, which featured a discussion of U.S. debt and employment with Congressional Budget Office Director Doug Elmendorf. The slow pace of the talks is clearly frustrating appropriators on the panel. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) beseeched his colleagues to come to a deal quickly to allow the spending panel to craft a detailed spending package before the government shuts down after Jan. 15. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/chairman-rogers-announces-new-subcommittee-chairmanships | Chairman Rogers Announces New Subcommittee Chairmanships | 2013-11-13 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers today announced four changes in the Chairmanships of Appropriations subcommittees for the 113th Congress. The changes were needed due to the passing of Rep. C.W. Bill Young, who was Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and the retirement of Rep. Rodney Alexander, who was Chairman of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee. “Being an Appropriations Cardinal is an incredibly important job with great responsibility. Year after year, these Subcommittee Chairs are called on to do the tough work of funding the federal government, rooting out waste, making hard decisions on where and how to best use taxpayer dollars, and being responsible and pragmatic leaders who get the job done. I have full confidence that these new Chairmen will meet these challenges – and more – as we face the difficult fiscal landscape ahead,” Chairman Rogers said. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), formerly Chairman of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, will take the helm of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “Rodney is a thoughtful, steady, and strong leader, is staunchly dedicated to doing what is best for the country and his district, and has a determined focus that allows him to rise above politics to get things done. He has an unwavering devotion to the safety and security of our nation, and to the care and protection of our men and women in uniform, and I know he will be a great leader of the Defense subcommittee,” Chairman Rogers said. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), formerly Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, will now head the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. “There are very few who know more about the nation’s energy and water needs than Mike Simpson. His leadership, experience, drive, and professional focus make him an excellent fit to chair this subcommittee. I know that he is committed to making the most out of every precious taxpayer dollar, to ensuring that our nation c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/cole-appointed-legislative-branch-chairman | Cole Appointed as Legislative Branch Chairman | 2013-11-13 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after he was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch. Along with its counterpart in the Senate Appropriations Committee, this House subcommittee oversees funding for the House of Representatives, Architect of the Capitol, Library of Congress, Capitol Police, Congressional Budget Office, Government Printing Office, Government Accountability Office and House committees. “I am honored to be appointed as Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee,” said Cole. “As I step into this new leadership role, I am optimistic that we can continue to find responsible ways to use hardworking taxpayer dollars. This subcommittee has already led the way in discovering new savings right on the Capitol Hill grounds. I am confident that we can continue to responsibly use taxpayer dollars by eliminating redundancies, and I look forward to leading that effort.” Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers said, “The Legislative Branch Subcommittee takes on the important work of providing funding for the operations, safety, and upkeep of the Nation’s Capitol. It is sometimes a thankless job, but this subcommittee is vital to the functioning of our democracy, and Tom Cole will be a tremendous asset as its new leader. He is dedicated to the careful and responsible use of tax dollars – especially in Congress’s backyard – and he understands the importance of ensuring an open, accessible, and safe environment for the thousands of Members, staffers, and visitors who come to the Capitol every day.” ### Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225-6165 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/cole-statement-obamacare-enrollment-numbers | Cole Statement on Obamacare Enrollment Numbers | 2013-11-13 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the Administration announced on Wednesday that just over 106,000 people had enrolled in Obamacare last month. “Today’s announcement is a reminder that Obamacare cannot and will not succeed,” said Cole. “The American people were promised affordable healthcare or that they could keep their current plans. So far, Americans have instead been presented with a broken product, frustrated by a website that was not at all ready for primetime and forced off plans they already liked. “You don’t need polls to prove opposition to the president’s so-called affordable plans. Today’s miniscule enrollment numbers speak for themselves. Now more than ever, the president must acknowledge that his healthcare law cannot ever succeed unless it is modified.” ### Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225 - 6165 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/oklahoman-tactical-difference-within-gop-having-adverse-impact | The Oklahoman: Tactical difference within GOP having adverse impact | 2013-11-12 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | The Oklahoman - Editorial Board Having worked in the trenches for decades, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, is one of Oklahoma's most astute political observers. When he talks, Republicans should listen. During a meeting with The Oklahoman's editorial board last week, Cole persuasively argued that Republicans are poised to win elections in 2014, potentially seizing full control of Congress. The ongoing debacle of Obamacare is a major factor. Yet GOP infighting could derail the party's electoral success. “There's a little bit of a civil war going on inside of the Republican Party, and it's not over issues,” Cole said. “That's the frustrating thing. It's not as if any Republican is for Obamacare. It's not as if any Republican is running out there saying we need to increase taxes. We are probably as unified philosophically as I've seen us in a long, long, long time, maybe since the age of Reagan; really, maybe ever. But there is a profound difference over tactics.” Those tactical differences matter. A small faction of the GOP has embraced kamikaze maneuvers, such as the recent government shutdown. That effort reaped nothing but a lower approval rating for Republicans. Better strategic thinking that faces political reality is needed. “We control one house. We are the minority party in Washington,” Cole said. “And just because we have the House, all that means is we can stop them. But we can't undo what was done in '09 and '10 until we get the Senate and there's a change in the president.” Some elements of the Republican base also fail to appreciate congressional Republican achievements. Last year's fiscal-cliff deal, Cole argues, was “a real Republican triumph” given the circumstances. All Bush-era tax cuts were set to expire, yet Republicans forced Obama and congressional Democrats to permanently preserve 85 percent of those tax cuts and protect 98 percent of taxpayers from an increase (aside from expiration of a payroll tax holiday). Republicans also have held tough on the sequester budget cuts, much to Democrats' dism… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/cole-mourns-loss-dr-perry-inhofe | Cole Mourns Loss of Dr. Perry Inhofe | 2013-11-12 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the heartbreaking loss of Dr. Perry Inhofe. The son of Senator James Inhofe (OK) and an orthopedic surgeon in Tulsa, Dr. Inhofe was tragically killed on Sunday during a plane crash over Owasso. “There are no words for this unimaginable, heartbreaking loss,” said Cole. “My heart goes out to my friend and colleague Senator Inhofe and his wife Kay as they grieve the passing of their son, who was so very loved by his family, friends and community. As the entire family mourns, I pray that they will feel the loving support of friends and great care of our Heavenly Father. During this incredibly difficult time, may our thoughts and prayers remain with the Inhofe family.” Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225 - 6165 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/veterans-deserve-our-gratitude | Veterans Deserve Our Gratitude | 2013-11-11 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | We are a blessed nation indeed. Throughout our more than 237-year history, countless men and women have selflessly answered the call to protect our freedom and preserve liberty by serving in the military. On Veterans Day, we remember these individuals, their bravery and sacrifice. As we commemorate those who have come before to secure and preserve independence, honor those currently serving to keep us safe and as we support military families in our neighborhoods, join me in showing your appreciation. True patriotism is embodied in the lives of our military and their families. Their service cannot be understated and must never be taken for granted. While numerous individuals have protected and fought for freedom, it wasn’t until after World War I that we set apart a special day just to say “thank you.” Celebrating our veterans on November 11th serves as a reminder of the hard-won victories of the past. During World War I, the United States joined our allies with the resolve for peace in Europe. Tens of thousands of courageous Americans were lost before the armistice between Germany and Allied Nations on November 11, 1918. After more than four years of violence and devastating losses, this ceasefire brought temporary reconciliation. We still remember the sacrifices of those patriots, and their memories live on. Unfortunately, this was not the end of war during the last century. Many others responded to the call to serve during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. And each one served with honor. Today, there are more than 21 million veterans living in the United States and more than 1.4 million serving on active duty. We are forever indebted to them for their service, and they deserve our continuous support and appreciation. For veterans of all ages, it is important that we protect their earned benefits for their selfless service. Many return from war forever changed, and it is sometimes difficult to adjust to life back home. In fact, veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have a higher rate of une… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-statement-on-veterans-day | Inhofe Statement on Veterans Day | 2013-11-11 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Statement on Veterans Day Monday, November 11, 2013 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), released the following statement today in recognition of Veterans Day: “Veterans Day is a time devoted to paying our respects to the men and women who have worn the uniform and sacrificed to make our nation great. Because of our veterans’ service and commitment for over a century, the United States has become a shining beacon for liberty and democracy across the globe. Establishing these values, preserving and also leading in them, have come at a great cost. Families have sent away loved ones knowing the risks that they might not return, while others have offered their talents in factories and at installations ensuring our military has the finest resources available. Because of their dedication then and today, the American dream of ‘life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness’ is still alive. "I am honored that more than 37,000 military families reside in the great state of Oklahoma, and roughly 340,000 veterans call our state home, attend our churches, and contribute to our communities. On behalf of Oklahoma, we are humbled by the immeasurable dedication of each and every one of them. As Ranking Member of Senate Armed Services Committee, I am strongly committed to our veterans and their families. As we all know, freedom isn’t free. Many of our veterans have paid the price with scars, some visible yet others go unseen such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It is our nation’s duty to care for them in return. I am proud to work on issues that are critically important to our heroic veterans such as ensuring access to the benefits and resources they have earned, improving health care for our wounded warriors and their families, and maintaining the strong national security they have helped to build. May God bless our veterans and may God continue to ble… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/obama-sold-america-false-claims | Obama Sold America with False Claims | 2013-11-08 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Even before passage of his healthcare law, President Obama promised numerous times, “If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it.” But as millions of Americans have realized since the roll-out of Obamacare and its failed website, that is far from the truth. Now we’re watching the president back up and try to find cover for misleading the country and selling something that never existed as it was presented. During a recent interview on NBC News with Chuck Todd, President Obama had to answer for his past promises. When asked about the millions of Americans whose individual health plans have been cancelled, the president replied, “I regret that we weren’t as clear as we needed to be in terms of the changes that were taking place.” He further explained and attempted to apologize, “I am sorry that they are finding themselves in this situation based on assurances they got from me. We’ve got to work hard to make sure they know we hear them and that we’re going to do everything we can to deal with folks who find themselves in a tough position as a consequence of this.” The president's “apology” for misleading the American people about the consequences of Obamacare is too little, too late and too disingenuous to accept. He promised the American people that his law would provide plans that save families of four at least $2,500 on healthcare. Now families are expecting higher costs or losing plans that many already found satisfactory. We heard the president ensure the American people that Obamacare would be ready to go on October 1, but it wasn't. In fact, enrollment numbers are still so low after a month and a half that the Administration is scrambling to fix a broken product that never should have been sold to the American people. According to a recent article in the Daily Caller, healthcare economist Christopher Cononver estimated that “68 percent of Americans with private health insurance will not be able to keep their plans.” This has become a devastating reality for millions of Americans in recent days. Given th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/cole-responds-presidents-apology | Cole Responds to President's 'Apology' | 2013-11-08 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Norman, OK - Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after President Obama appeared on NBC News with Chuck Todd. During the Thursday night interview, the president discussed the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act and responded to the millions of Americans whose healthcare plans have been cancelled even though he had previously claimed numerous times before and after the law was passed that "if you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it." "The president's 'apology' for misleading the American people about the consequences of Obamacare is too little, too late and too disingenuous to accept," said Cole. "He promised the American people that his plan would save families of four at least $2,500 on their healthcare plans. Now families are expecting higher costs or losing plans that were already satisfactory. "We heard the president ensure the American people that Obamacare would be ready to go on October 1st. It wasn't. In fact, enrollment numbers are still so low after a month and a half that the Administration is scrambling to fix a broken product. "The president also declared that if Americans liked their healthcare plans, they could keep them. We now know millions of them cannot. Given that track record, why should Americans believe the President on Obamacare now? They cannot, they should not and they will not. "Obamacare has always been a failure, and if it is allowed to stay in place without modification, things will only get worse rather than better in the coming year. Republicans warned the president that his law wasn't ready for primetime, and they tried to prevent, modify or, at the very least, delay Obamacare. But he resisted these efforts, he dismissed our concerns and demonized us every step of the way. Now he is reaping the consequences of his own policies. Sadly, so are the American people. "We must find real solutions, and until we are certain that the law can actually work, we should delay further implementation of Obamacare. Until then, the law will continue to be a disast… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-opening-statement-at-sasc-hearing-on-impact-of-sequestration-on-the-national-defense | Inhofe Opening Statement at SASC Hearing on Impact of Sequestration on the National Defense | 2013-11-07 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Opening Statement at SASC Hearing on Impact of Sequestration on the National Defense Thursday, November 7, 2013 Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today provided the following open statement at a hearing titled "Impact of Sequestration on the National Defense:" As prepared for delivery: Today’s hearing comes at a critical time. Our military –the backbone of our security, economic prosperity and the foundation of America’s global leadership— is at extreme risk. Over the last five years, significant cuts to national security spending have forced our men and women in uniform to endure a steep and damaging drop in capabilities and readiness. Our naval fleet is at a historically low level of ships. The Air Force is the smallest in its history. The Army may shrink to a force not seen since the beginning of the 20th century. Military leaders now warn of being unable to protect our interests and citizens around the world. At a time when our security is being increasingly threatened by terrorism, a rising China, and rogue nations like Iran and North Korea, the men and women charged with protecting this nation are being undermined and forced to endure devastating cuts to the tools they need to keep America safe. Over the last three decades we have built the most powerful fighting force in history and filled it with the most talented men and women ever to wear the uniform. We cannot break our promises to them or our responsibility to protect the nation. But recent budget turmoil has forced our generals and admirals to worry about our military’s ability to fulfill its critical national security role in an increasingly dangerous world. There is no end in sight. The military started this fiscal year with a government shutdown. They have no guidance and no budget to deal with the harsh reality of sequestration. We have been told that over the next three years much of the $150 billion in seque… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-statement-on-passage-of-employment-non-discrimination-act | Inhofe Statement on Passage of Employment Non-Discrimination Act | 2013-11-07 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Statement on Passage of Employment Non-Discrimination Act Thursday, November 7, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), today made the following statement after voting against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 2013 (S.815), which passed the Senate by a vote of 64-32: "The Employment Non-Discrimination Act infringes on a matter best left to the states," said Inhofe. "Existing laws across the nation already provide protection for unjust workplace discrimination. This legislation only exposes employers to excessive, costly litigation for the statue's vague requirements on employers. What Congress should be focusing on right now is our stagnant economy and that starts by getting the federal government out of the way so businesses can competitively grow and innovate." Inhofe voted in favor of amendment #2013 sponsored by Sen. Pat Toomey (R - Pa.) to safeguard religious freedom and exempt institutions with faith-based affiliations from the ENDA. The amendment failed by a vote of 43 – 55. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20131114233518/http://mullin.house.gov:80/media-center/press-releases/mullin-announces-purple-heart-transfer-ceremony-on-veterans-day | Mullin Announces Purple Heart Transfer Ceremony on Veterans Day | 2013-11-06 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | MUSKOGEE – Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) today announced a Purple Heart transfer ceremony will be held at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, November 11, in the gym at Stilwell High School. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will also feature involvement from Stilwell students. The Purple Heart was awarded to the family of Clarence Marcus Merriott, a Stilwell High School graduate, who entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and was sent to the war in Europe. In the ceremony, the medal will be transferred to the possession of the Adair County Historical and Genealogical Association. PFC Clarence Merriott was a member of the 300th Combat Engineers Headquarters and Service, which was the administration, supply, operations, intelligence and reconnaissance arm of the battalion which served in Europe from June 1944 to May 1945. Another member of the 300th Engineers is Kenneth “Cowboy” Morris, the grandfather of Congressman Mullin. Morris is also a resident of Adair County and served in Europe during World War II. Merriott and other members of the 300th Engineers, were aboard Landing Ship Tank (LST) 523 on June 19, 1944 when it struck a mine in the English Channel less than five miles off the coast of France where they were preparing to land on Utah Beach. The mine’s explosion pierced through the ship, ripping it apart along a bulkhead across the forward portion of the mess hall and officer’s quarters, according to eyewitness reports. Merriott and many other soldiers perished that day. The Purple Heart medal was sent to Merriott’s family in Stilwell, but somehow over the years, the medal got lost. In 2013, Vietnam Veteran Matthew Carlson was at a swap meet and flea market in Glendale, Arizona when he found a Purple Heart medal for sale by a vendor. Carlson purchased the medal for $20 and with the help of his son, found the website of the 300th Combat Engineers. The site is maintained by Brad and Jan Peters of Erving, Massachusetts. Carlson contacted the Peters and mailed the medal to them so the Peters could ensure it e… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-cardin-introduce-bill-to-extend-veterans-advisory-committee-on-education | Inhofe, Cardin Introduce Bill to Extend Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education | 2013-11-05 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe, Cardin Introduce Bill to Extend Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Tuesday, November 5, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) Monday introduced the bipartisan Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 1643). The bill would reauthorize the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education for two years and extend the committee's composition and reach to include veterans from post-9/11 operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. "The Veterans' Advisory Committee helps to ensure men and women who have worn the uniform receive the educational benefits they have been promised and earned," said Inhofe. "Too often the men and women returning from overseas face difficult challenges when transitioning into civilian life. This legislation will help veterans by strengthening the opportunities for educational and job-training assistance promised under the GI Bill. I am proud to work with Sen. Cardin in this effort and hope my colleagues will quickly pass this legislation in the Senate." “A true marker of our nation’s worth is our willingness to serve those who have served us,” said Cardin. “As we wind down our commitments in Afghanistan after a decade of war, we need to gear up our commitment to our veterans. I’m proud to join with Senator Inhofe on this legislation that will ensure that the brave men and women who serve our country in the armed services receive the most effective education and training opportunities available. Our veterans deserve every possible tool to help ease their transition to civilian life.” The current authorization for the Veterans' Advisory Committee will expire on Dec. 31, 2013. The Veterans' Advisory Committee On Education Improvement Act of 2013 would reauthorize the Committee through Dec. 31, 2015. The Committee exists to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) on current VA education programs and services; to rec… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-named-to-wrda-conference | Inhofe Named to WRDA Conference | 2013-11-05 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Named to WRDA Conference Tuesday, November 5, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, made the following statement today after being appointed to the bicameral conference committee for the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA): "I am pleased to once again be a conferee for the WRDA bill," said Inhofe. "Maintaining and modernizing Oklahoma's ports and waterways is essential for supporting and expanding our state's booming industries. Oklahoma's inland ports like the Port of Catoosa connect our exports from energy to agriculture to the global marketplace. Many of these water transportation systems are aging and have become overburdened, and I believe this conference will be successful in addressing such needs that will help move our economy forward. "I appreciate Congressman Mullin's representation of Oklahoma on the House version of WRDA as well as the unified vote of the entire delegation. I look forward to building on the work of my colleagues in the House and strengthening provisions in conference in the best interest of Oklahoma and the nation." The following members of the EPW committee were also appointed as conferees, Sens. David Vitter (R-La.), John Barrasso (R-Wy.), Barbara Boxer (D-Ca.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) Background: This is the eighth WRDA reauthorization Inhofe has been a part of during his time in Congress. On May 15, the Senate passed S.601, the Water Resources Development Act, which Inhofe was able to ensure the following provisions were included: Expansion of the Port of Catoosa Inhofe Amendment 797 would allow the Tulsa Port of Catoosa to exchange land currently owned by the Army Corps of Engineers with land owned by the Port Authority. The land exchange will allow Port operations to expand and attract industrial growth to the region. Examination of Unfair Federal Water P… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-opening-statement-at-epw-subcommittee-on-oversight-hearing-entitled-fugitive-methane-emissions-from-oil-and-gas-operations | Inhofe Opening Statement at EPW Subcommittee on Oversight Hearing Entitled: “Fugitive Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Operations” | 2013-11-05 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Opening Statement at EPW Subcommittee on Oversight Hearing Entitled: “Fugitive Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Operations” Tuesday, November 5, 2013 Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Oversight, today provided the following open statement at a hearing today titled "Fugitive Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Operations:" As prepared for delivery: Chairman Whitehouse, thank you for holding this hearing today, and I appreciate our distinguished witnesses taking the time to come to Washington to testify. The issue of fugitive methane emissions is something I’ve been involved in for years. Data started being collected about this around the time the Natural Gas Star program started. NatGas Star is a voluntary program designed to allow industry to collaborate and share best practices to reduce emissions from production activities. We all know that oil and gas firms have every incentive to reduce methane emissions. Methane is natural gas, and when a company is in the business of extracting natural gas from the earth, their shareholders rightly demand that they do this without letting millions of dollars of their product vent into the atmosphere. No one wants that to happen. But necessarily, very small amounts of gas do sometimes escape during production activities. NatGas Star was all about EPA working collaboratively with industry to help them collect data and share best practices. It was a common goal, so everyone cooperated. Unfortunately, EPA used the catalog of data it collected through the NatGas Star to justify some of its new oil and gas regulations. To make matters worse, EPA increased their emission estimate by assuming that methane is vented during the hydraulic fracturing process whenever there is not a state law mandating that it be flared. This is simply untrue, but it still enabled the EPA t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/let%E2%80%99s-start-where-we-agree | Let’s Start Where We Agree | 2013-11-04 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Political opinions aside, it is clear that our economy is broken and that our debt is growing at an alarming rate. In fact, the bipartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently called our situation “unsustainable indefinitely.” The entire nation was reminded and awakened to this grave reality over the last several weeks—first with the lapse in appropriated funds that caused shutdown and second with the debt ceiling deadline that, without action, would have resulted in default. While both sides eventually agreed on a short-term funding measure to reopen the government and protect the full faith and credit of the United States, it wasn’t the long-term solution that our country hoped for or still needs. The American people long for leaders in Washington to set the example of working together. Instead, we have grown accustomed to living crisis to crisis, relying on short-term fixes that allow our debt to keep rising with no end in sight. In fact, this bad habit of not passing an actual budget through both chambers has been going on since 2009. Fortunately, along with the funding agreement, lawmakers approved the formation of a budget conference committee to reconcile the two very different budgets of the House and Senate. As one of the House Republican conferees, I am encouraged by the opportunity to negotiate real reforms and hope we can work together to find common ground. Now the challenges we face on this committee are significant. The task ahead will not be easy and cannot be taken lightly. But as I’ve said before, if we have any chance at a solution, we need to start where we agree. We also need to realize that negotiations don’t and shouldn’t end in this committee. Rather, the discussion should be the starting point that encourages lawmakers and the president to acknowledge and address our fiscal challenges. The president and House Republicans agree that we need to reform entitlements. And both agree that there are pro-growth policies that would yield additional revenue to the federal government without… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/inhofe-cole-pim-contract-bring-jobs-elgin-state | Inhofe, Cole: PIM Contract to Bring Jobs to Elgin, State | 2013-11-01 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK-04) today praised the U.S. Army for awarding BAE Systems a contract to begin the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program. BAE Systems will conduct final assembly and testing of the various PIM platforms in Elgin, Okla. "Congratulations to the U.S. Army and BAE Systems on the beginning of the Paladin Integrated Management program,” said Inhofe. “The PIM is an important upgrade for the U.S. Army that includes a state-of-the-art digital backbone and power generation providing the military with growth potential for future technologies. This award is a significant milestone for all involved, and I am especially pleased that final assembly and test will be conducted in Elgin, Oklahoma, bringing more skilled production jobs into the state." Congressman Cole added, “I am pleased that the Army has awarded the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract for the Paladin Integrated Management Program weapon system,” said Cole. "I applaud BAE System’s ongoing and growing commitment to locate final assembly of the Army’s Paladin Integrated Management Program weapon system in Elgin. Our state should be proud that in addition to being home to the Army’s Fires Center at Fort Sill, the region will continue to play a vital role in equipping our troops with essential fire support for the future." The contract totaling more than $195 million will provide for Low Rate Initial Production of the M109 self-propelled Horwitzer (SPH), the Carrier Ammunition Tracked (CAT) vehicle, armor kits for both platforms and other basic items. ### Contact: Donelle Harder, Jacob Heisten (202) 224 - 4721 (Inhofe) Sarah Corley (202) 225 - 6165 (Cole) | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://lucas.house.gov/frankly-speaking/obamacare-more-web-site-problem | Obamacare: More Than a Web Site Problem | 2013-11-01 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | Frank Lucas | L000491 | lucas.house.gov | legacy | On October 1, the Administration launched the Affordable Care Act enrollment web site. “Page not found,” “system down for maintenance,” “account cannot be created this time,” are the messages Americans have experienced while trying to sign-up. The rollout has been a systematic failure full of error messages, coding problems, and glitches. But, while the Administration’s failure to initiate an enrollment site that works efficiently is extremely frustrating and unwarranted, the problems with Obamacare go far beyond web site glitches. Since the Affordable Care Act became law in 2010, the president has promised over and over again that Americans who liked their current health care plan would be able to keep it. Now that the roll-out has occurred, this doesn’t seem to be the case. It has been reported that millions of Americans have already received cancellation notices on their current health care plans, and this number will only go up as the flawed law continues to be implemented. It is a shame that American families and individuals are unable to keep a plan that works for them. Additionally, those fortunate enough to keep their current coverage are facing higher premiums under Obamacare, and others may see doubling or tripling deductibles. To make matters worse, Americans shifting their current health plan to Obamacare may not be provided with the same coverage they previously had. This means they will experience costly additional co-pays and lose the ability to see their longtime family doctors. Further, the taxes imposed by Obamacare are particularly onerous. According to Congressional Budget Office scores, at least 20 new or higher taxes on American families and small businesses are included under the law. Altogether, the taxes add up to an additional $1 trillion over the next 10 years. This is one of the largest tax hikes in American history. The president must realize American families are already struggling through a weak economy and can’t afford these additional tax burdens. In an effort to address concerns … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-cole-pim-contract-to-bring-jobs-to-elgin-state | Inhofe, Cole: PIM Contract to Bring Jobs to Elgin, State | 2013-11-01 | 2013 | 2013-11 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe, Cole: PIM Contract to Bring Jobs to Elgin, State Friday, November 1, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK-04) today praised the U.S. Army for awarding BAE Systems a contract to begin the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program. BAE Systems will conduct final assembly and testing of the various PIM platforms in Elgin, Okla. "Congratulations to the U.S. Army and BAE Systems on the beginning of the Paladin Integrated Management program,” said Inhofe. “The PIM is an important upgrade for the U.S. Army that includes a state-of-the-art digital backbone and power generation providing the military with growth potential for future technologies. This award is a significant milestone for all involved, and I am especially pleased that final assembly and test will be conducted in Elgin, Oklahoma, bringing more skilled production jobs into the state." Congressman Cole added, “I am pleased that the Army has awarded the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract for the Paladin Integrated Management Program weapon system," said Cole. "I applaud BAE System’s ongoing and growing commitment to locate final assembly of the Army’s Paladin Integrated Management Program weapon system in Elgin. Our state should be proud that in addition to being home to the Army’s Fires Center at Fort Sill, the region will continue to play a vital role in equipping our troops with essential fire support for the future." The contract totaling more than $195 million will provide for Low Rate Initial Production of the M109 self-propelled Horwitzer (SPH), the Carrier Ammunition Tracked (CAT) vehicle, armor kits for both platforms and other basic items. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/cole-opening-statement-budget-conference-committee | Cole Opening Statement at Budget Conference Committee | 2013-10-30 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) is one of four Republican House Members serving on the budget conference committee. He offered the following remarks today during the first joint conference meeting: Mr. Chairman, the challenges we face on this conference committee are significant. According to the latest CBO long-term budget outlook, “Between 2009 and 2012, the federal government recorded the largest budget deficits relative to the size of the economy since 1946. Federal debt held by the public is now about 73 percent of...GDP. That percentage is higher than at any point in U.S. history except a brief period around World War II, and it is twice the percentage at the end of 2007.” And our nation’s debt will continue to rise, with no end in sight, if Congress does not act. Mr. Chairman, there is a real opportunity here to show the American people that we can set aside our differences and negotiate long-term reforms. We can succeed where the supercommittee and other bipartisan working groups have failed. But, it will not be easy. My friends in the other body have a very different proposal from the House position, one that significantly raises taxes, continues funding of the Affordable Care Act, and, while stabilizing the debt as a percentage of GDP, basically accepts the over $17 trillion of debt already on the books. At the same time, I’m sure there are a number of things in our budget proposal the Senate finds objectionable, like block granting Medicaid, premium support for Medicare and balancing the budget within 10 years. I’m hopeful that this committee can come to agreement on eliminating the damaging, senseless cuts of sequester by replacing them with changes to mandatory spending, like those suggested by President Obama. Mr. Chairman, we must break the pattern of living from crisis to crisis and relying solely on short-term funding agreements. It has become a dangerous, common place habit since the last time both chambers agreed on a budget in 2009. We need to provide the Appropriations Committ… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/cole-mourns-loss-chairman-ike-skelton | Cole Mourns Loss of Chairman Ike Skelton | 2013-10-30 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after former Congressman Ike Skelton (MO-04) passed away. During much of his 34-year career, Skelton served on the House Committee on Armed Services as Ranking Member (1998-2006) and Chairman (2007-2010) of the full committee. “I was grieved to hear about the loss of my dear friend and colleague Ike Skelton,” said Cole. “I had the great privilege of serving with him for six years on the Armed Services Committee, where his deep commitment to the defense of our country and support of our men and women in uniform was unmatched. I learned as much if not more about the intricacies of defense policy from Ike than any of my other colleagues. “During his distinguished career in the House of Representatives, he was noticeably the best read, most thoughtful Member of Congress. Moreover, he had the ability to work in a civil, decent and instinctively bipartisan manner with all of his colleagues. His opinion mattered a great deal. Even after the end of his tenure in Congress, I considered him an advisor on defense issues. “The loss of Ike Skelton is difficult indeed, but his influence will never be forgotten, especially by those involved in defending the United States and protecting the men and women who volunteered to defend our nation. My thoughts, prayers and sympathy are with his family and many friends as we all grieve,” concluded Cole. ### Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225 - 6165 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140912143003/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mullin-announces-constitution-essay-forum-winners | Congressman Mullin Announces Constitution Essay Forum Winners | 2013-10-30 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 18, 2013 MUSKOGEE – Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) announced the winning essays for the Second District Constitution Week Essay Forum. “We had over 300 entries from students across our district,” Mullin said. “The high school essays were judged in Poteau and middle school essays were judged by a separate panel in Chelsea. We are grateful to our judges for their time and talents in evaluating the essay submissions.” Middle School Essay Winners: First Place: Chloe Clifton, Vian Middle School Second Place: Audra Gregory, Zion School, Stilwell Third Place: Elijah Vanderburg, Cottonwood Public School, Coalgate High School Essay Winners: First Place: Meeka Smith, Muldrow High School Second Place: Cheyenne McCrary, Westville High School Third Place: Connor Hostler, Claremore High School ### For information contact: Ashley Kehl | 202-225-2701, ashley.kehl@mail.house.gov Angie Gallant | 918-351-8700, angie.gallant@mail.house.gov | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-statement-on-iraq-prime-ministers-white-house-meeting | Inhofe Statement on Iraq Prime Minister's White House Meeting | 2013-10-30 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Statement on Iraq Prime Minister's White House Meeting Wednesday, October 30, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today released the following statement concerning President Obama's scheduled meeting Friday with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki: "I warned in 2011 that the failure of the Obama Administration to negotiate a well-planned transition in Iraq would jeopardize the country’s long-term stability and would threaten to undo all that our men and women in uniform fought and died for. The hasty withdrawal of the United States from Iraq nearly two years ago has been followed by a deteriorating security situation, an increasingly confident Iran, and a resurgence of al-Qaeda. Violence is at its highest level in years, Iranian influence is growing, and al-Qaeda has regained a safe haven from which to plan and launch terrorist attacks. Until Prime Minister Maliki undertakes the security, political and economic reforms necessary to bring stability and prosperity to the Iraqi people, the situation will continue to deteriorate and U.S. security interests in the region will be increasingly threatened. President Obama must make clear the urgency of these reforms to Prime Minister Maliki during their meeting this week. Such reforms will enable the United States to more effectively support Iraq and advance our mutual interests of security and stability." On Oct. 29, Inhofe joined SASC Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), and Sens. McCain (R-Ariz.) and Graham (R-S.C.) in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to take steps that will bring stability to the country and protect U.S. national security interests in Iraq. The full text of the letter can be read by clicking here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140223060406/http://bridenstine.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/dewey-bartlett-says-no-to-obamacare | Dewey Bartlett Says No to Obamacare | 2013-10-29 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Jim Bridenstine | B001283 | web.archive.org | legacy | I applaud Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett for taking a courageous stand against this destructive law from the beginning. Please read Mayor Bartlett's July 2013 letter to Kathleen Sebelius: DeweyBartlett092013.pdf | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140912143033/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mullin-bipartisan-panel-release-findings-from-freight | Congressman Mullin, Bipartisan Panel Release Findings from Freight Transportation Study | 2013-10-29 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2013 WASHINGTON – Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) today along with fellow members of the Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation, released findings from a study of the United States’ freight transportation system. The only freshman member named to the Panel, Congressman Mullin cited the study as an opportunity to make our nation more competitive. “If a business wants to remain competitive, it reinvests and improves upon itself,” said Mullin. “The same goes for our nation’s transportation system, especially when dealing with freight. Our goods must be moved in a timely, efficient manner, which requires a system that is up-to-date and up to standard. We have to make investment in our freight transportation a priority if we want to continue to compete globally.” The 11-member bipartisan panel was created in April 2013 with the purpose of examining the condition of freight transportation throughout the country in order to identify the following: the role freight transportation plays in the U.S. economy ways to increase the efficiency, safety, and overall condition and performance of the nation’s freight network how technology assists in the movement of freight financing options for transportation projects that improve freight mobility. Mullin was named to the Panel by House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II. “I want to thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall for the opportunity to serve alongside my colleagues and work towards realistic solutions regarding freight transportation in a bipartisan way,” said Mullin. During their study, the Panel conducted a total of six public hearings and three roundtable discussions. The Panel also traveled to Tennessee, Virginia, California, and the New York City/Northern New Jersey region to meet with industry experts and see firsthand the various modes of freight transportation. As a result of their findings, the Panel made the following recommendatio… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/we-must-pick-winning-battles | We Must Pick Winning Battles | 2013-10-28 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | As described, established and intended in the United States Constitution, our nation’s government is broken into three separate branches. Like the people that make up our country, each branch provides a unique perspective and represents differing points of view. When one party controls both chambers of Congress and the White House, America tends to look more unified and productive. But even in divided government, we can find ways to function, achieve common ground and make all voices heard and considered. Without question, Republicans strongly oppose Obamacare. No Republicans voted for it in 2010, and since that time, there have been numerous battles to modify, repeal, delay or defund it. Even though the president’s healthcare law is still the law of the land, we must not forget the victories won, including the passage of seven partial-repeal bills that were signed into law by the president. These bills have saved taxpayers at least $62 billion, lessening some of the harmful effects of the law. Government shutdown was and still is a bad idea, and using it as a tactic to defund Obamacare was unproductive. That’s why I warned against it for months and months. It punishes federal employees through furloughs, costs the country millions and stalls access to important government services. I remain strongly opposed to Obamacare and will continue to vote for ways to lessen its blow on Americans. While full repeal is certainly the goal, as long as the president is in the White House and Democrats preside over the Senate, repeal of Obamacare is extremely unlikely. That doesn’t mean that we lack fighting grounds on Obamacare or future proposals and initiatives coming from the Administration. In the meantime, we must be realistic about our limits and know when the fight is possible to win. Success is defined not only by what you are able to accomplish but also what you are able to prevent. As long as Republicans hold the House, President Obama will never have Democrats to rubber stamp his ideas again. But until we p… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://lucas.house.gov/news/tulsa-world-lucas-farm-policy-view-reflects-life-experiences | Tulsa World: Lucas' farm policy view reflects life experiences | 2013-10-28 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Frank Lucas | L000491 | lucas.house.gov | legacy | TULSA WORLD By: Randy Krehbiel October 28, 2013 Third District Congressman Frank Lucas says he never talked about the hailstorm while his father was alive. Lucas was 7. When the storm passed, and Ike Lucas went out into the still dark night with a flashlight, Lucas followed. "It was just an ocean of broken-over stalks," Lucas said during a telephone interview last week. "It just had the whatever pounded out of it." That night, as much as anything, explains how 53-year-old Frank Lucas became chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and why he has become the unlikely focus of so much anger from so many political perspectives. The Cheyenne Republican has been attacked for cutting too much from food stamps and other federal nutrition programs and for not cutting enough. He's been criticized for not taking a big enough axe to agriculture subsidies in their various forms, for whacking too much and for whacking in the wrong places. Wednesday, Lucas will chair the first meeting of the conference committee made up of members of the House and Senate and charged with coming to an agreement on a new farm bill setting policy on a wide range of issues for the next five years. FARM BILL It is a difficult task. Somehow, the committee must reconcile a House bill that cuts $39 billion from food stamps over the next 10 years and a total of $60 billion from all farm programs with a Senate bill that cuts $4.5 billion from food stamps and $24.5 billion overall. Lucas himself has proposed cutting about $20 billion from food stamps, mainly by eliminating what is called categorical qualification for the program. That's roughly 2 percent, and Lucas insists it can be made without keeping anyone who really needs assistance from getting it. He also favors continuing the move away from direct cash payments to producers in favor of federally subsidized crop and livestock insurance. While the general public may grouse about any type of agriculture support, Lucas and most other agriculture economists say they are necessary to assure rea… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://lucas.house.gov/press-release/lucas-announces-upcoming-town-hall-meetings-12 | Lucas Announces Upcoming Town Hall Meetings | 2013-10-28 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Frank Lucas | L000491 | lucas.house.gov | legacy | Lucas Announces Upcoming Town Hall Meetings Oct 28, 2013 Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas is pleased to announce upcoming town hall meetings to be held in Blaine, Caddo, Custer and Kingfisher counties November 5 and 7. All residents of these locations are invited to attend a meeting and express their opinions. Congressman Lucas will be discussing current events in Washington, taking questions about issues important to constituents of the Third Congressional District, and asking for opinions and input on legislation currently before Congress. Tuesday, November 5: Clinton Town Hall Meeting 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Frisco Center 101 South 4th Weatherford Town Hall Meeting 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. SWOSU Conference Center 1121 North 7th Street Thursday, November 7: Anadarko Town Hall Meeting 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. City Hall, Council Chamber 501 West Virginia Watonga Town Hall Meeting 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. City Hall, Grand Ballroom 117 North Weigle Kingfisher Town Hall Meeting 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Chisholm Trail Museum 605 Zellers Avenue --30-- | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/cole-statement-pro-growth-revenue | Cole Statement on Pro-Growth Revenue | 2013-10-25 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement to clarify his stance on pro-growth revenue as it relates to upcoming budget negotiations. "Despite reports to the contrary, I oppose raising taxes to deal with the deficit or eliminate the savings generated by the so-called sequester," said Cole. "I have said we ought to pursue entitlement reform that saves money, which is something both President Obama and House Republicans have proposed. This additional revenue would enable us to ease the cuts imposed by the sequester. "However, to reach a compromise, I would be willing to consider additional revenue achieved through pro-growth tax reform. This would include measures such as the repatriation of stranded profits, additional revenue through expedited energy production on federal lands and offshore and asset sales. None of these measures involve increasing taxes or tax rates, but all of them would yield additional revenue to the federal government. "As I have said before, we need to start where we agree. The president and House Republicans agree that we need to reform entitlements. And both agree that there are pro-growth policies that would yield additional revenue to the federal government without raising tax rates. Working together, we can find common ground that will enable us to reduce or even eliminate the impact of the sequester and continue to lower the deficit," concluded Cole. ### Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225 - 6165 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-urges-kerry-to-help-end-persecution-of-religious-minorities-in-middle-east | Inhofe Urges Kerry to Help End Persecution of Religious Minorities in Middle East | 2013-10-24 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe Urges Kerry to Help End Persecution of Religious Minorities in Middle East Thursday, October 24, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging the United States leverage its influence to end the increasing practice in the Middle East to silence religious freedom. “The freedom of religion is one of our most precious constitutional liberties,” Inhofe wrote in the letter. “The increasing attacks against Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East is a violation of the basic human right of the freedom of religion. The United States must send a strong message that it will not accept such violations.” In the letter, Inhofe outlined the following recent examples of the suppression of religious minorities: March 9, 2013, a Muslim crowd attacked aChristian neighborhood in Lahore, Pakistan, burning over 150 houses and 2 churches, killing 4 and wounding 28. September 22, 2013, a suicide bomber attacked the All Saints Church, one of the oldest churches in Pakistan, after a Sunday service, killing 78, including 41 women and children. In Pakistan, there is a growing trend of Muslim extremists abducting young Hindu girls and forcing them to convert to Islam; often they are raped and forced to marry their kidnapper. October 16, 2013, the Syrian government fired four artillery shells at the Greek Catholic Cathedral of Constantine and Helen, one of the oldest churches in Syria and the world, located in the rebel-controlled town of Yabroud. October 21, 2013, masked gunmen shot at a wedding party at a church in Cairo, Egypt, killing four, including two young girls. August 2013, 40 Coptic churches were destroyed in the southern, rural provinces of Egypt. October 17, 2013, ten bombs exploded in Shi’ite districts of Baghdad killing 44 people, and a suicide bomber drove into a village killing 15 Shabaks, who are mainly Shi’ites. A copy of the letter can be read by clicking here. On March 13, … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cole.house.gov/press-release/water-infrastructure-bill-supported-house | Water Infrastructure Bill Supported by House | 2013-10-23 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Tom Cole | C001053 | cole.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the United States House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2013. “From coast to coast, America is brimming with natural harbors and rivers that facilitate domestic and international commerce,” said Cole. “Today’s vote proves that we cannot and will not ignore the needs of our waterways transportation system. I am pleased that the bill provides guidance for expanding, maintaining and supporting these important resources for greater economic prosperity.” ### Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225 - 6165 | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140912143101/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mullin-votes-for-water-infrastructure-reform | Congressman Mullin Votes for Water Infrastructure Reform | 2013-10-23 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) today voted in favor of H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA). The House overwhelming passed WRRDA with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 417-3. WRRDA brings unprecedented reform through cutting the red tape of federal regulation and clearing the path for increased efficiency and competition in our nation’s water infrastructure system. “Our water infrastructure is linked to the health of our economy,” said Congressman Mullin. “If we do not have adequate infrastructure, we cannot move our commerce and we cannot protect our jobs. Oklahoma’s water infrastructure alone plays a critical role in global competition. With the McClellan–Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS), Oklahoma is connected to the rest of the nation and the world.” Mullin added that WRRDA allows the books to be cleared of previously authorized funding for projects that are old and unwarranted, and redirects these funds towards critical infrastructure needs. Additionally, WRRDA increases efficiency through consolidation and hard deadlines of Corps of Engineers studies. Directly involved in the private sector himself, Congressman Mullin went on to discuss the impact WRRDA will have on American jobs. “WRRDA not only means an empowered economy with less federal regulation, but it also means jobs for our fellow Americans,” said Mullin. “As a member of Congress who is actually creating jobs in the private sector, this is huge. Thirteen million jobs depend on water infrastructure. WRRDA is pro-business legislation that will partner with the private sector and result in greater efficiency and accountability.” In the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Mullin worked alongside his fellow members in a bipartisan effort to bring about significant reforms. “Congressman Mullin has been an essential part of the WRRDA process," said House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster. "He provides a common sense, bipart… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-approval-of-state-conservation-plan-for-lpc-a-victory-for-oklahoma | Inhofe: Approval of State Conservation Plan for LPC a Victory for Oklahoma | 2013-10-23 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | James Inhofe | I000024 | www.inhofe.senate.gov | legacy | Inhofe: Approval of State Conservation Plan for LPC a Victory for Oklahoma Wednesday, October 23, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today praised the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for approving the Lesser Prairie-Chicken (LPC) five-state conservation plan and encouraged FWS Director Dan Ashe to expeditiously approve the Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA) associated with the LPC conservation plan. The plan was submitted by Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico. "Fish and Wildlife's decision to approve the five-state, range-wide conservation plan is an important step towards ensuring the Lesser Prairie-Chicken is not listed under the Endangered Species Act," said Inhofe. "It is vital to maintain the conservation efforts at the state level. Despite our lengthy battle to reach this outcome, we continued to pursue approval of the plan because state-driven, voluntary conservation is the most effective way to protect the species. I thank Director Dan Ashe and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Director Richard Hatcher for working with me and other members throughout the process. A listing could harm Oklahoma's farmers and ranchers, our booming energy industry, and the future development of infrastructure in our state. It is my hope that the CCAAs associated with the LPC listing will also be approved in the near future to ensure that the industries that support our state’s economy and our landowners throughout Western Oklahoma are not threatened by a possible listing.” Background: During his tenure on the EPW Committee, Inhofe has made it a priority to avoid a listing of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), working closely with Ashe to advance public-private partnerships to conserve the species. On June 13, Inhofe was the lead on a bipartisan letter requesting a six-month delay to the LPC listing decision in order to provi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://web.archive.org/web/20140912143123/http://mullin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-mullin-votes-to-promote-adoption | Congressman Mullin Votes to Promote Adoption | 2013-10-22 | 2013 | 2013-10 | Republican | House | OK | Markwayne Mullin | M001190 | web.archive.org | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) today voted to promote adoption and to encourage the adoption of children in foster care. “As an adoptive father, I believe all children deserve loving families,” said Mullin. “I was pleased to support this legislation to encourage adoption and reduce the number of children in foster care awaiting a permanent home.” Congress voted to unanimously pass H.R. 3205, which reauthorizes the Adoption Incentives Program through FY 2016. Among other provisions, it makes improvements to the state reward structure and includes a new award category for increases in the rate of adoption of children above the age of 14. The Adoption Incentives program provides federal bonuses for states that increase adoptions from children in foster care. For more information on the Mullin family adoption, visit The Oklahoman at http://bit.ly/1763Lnh. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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