Tom Cole Newsroom

Tom Cole Newsroomhttp://www.cole.house.gov/The latest Tom Cole Headlines.(c) 2007 Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4), All Rights Reserved.5Cole Comments on Oklahoma's Unemployment RateWASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement regarding the Labor Department's announcement that Oklahoma's unemployment rate rose from 6.8 percent to 7.1 percent during October."The unemployment rate increased nationally in October and now so has Oklahoma's," Congressman Cole said.  "A year ago our state's unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, now it's checking in at 7.1 percent.  This means more Oklahomans are struggling to find jobs and provide for their families.  And although we're still below the 10.2 percent national average, Oklahomans and the rest of the American people were told that unemployment would not go above 8 percent nationally.  The 'stimulus' plan was supposed to generate millions of jobs - but since it was passed more than 3.3 million jobs have been lost.  As if that weren't bad enough, Americans now know that the government can't even accurately account for how these stimulus funds have been spent.  Oklahomans want real solutions that generate jobs - not bigger government and more reasons to mistrust it."### http://www.cole.house.gov/newsroom/View.aspx?id=64211/20/2009 12:00:00 AMRep. Cole's Reaction to Bogus Stimulus NumbersWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole provided the following comments after hearing reports that the web site that tracks spending from the nearly $800 billion stimulus bill, Recovery.gov, misreported the number of Congressional districts in the state of Oklahoma. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C4d2wPvRyY&feature=player_embedded">Fox News</a> reported that jobs were listed as created in nine Oklahoma Congressional districts.  Currently, the state only has five Congressional districts.  In addition, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=9097853">ABC News</a> reported that "recovery.gov lists more than $19 million in spending - and 15 jobs created - in yet more congressional districts that don't exist" within Oklahoma."These inaccuracies are either the result of gross incompetence or deliberate dishonesty," Congressman Cole said. "But either way, it points out the fact that the stimulus has been a disappointing failure.  The Obama Administration claimed it would create millions of new jobs, yet our national unemployment rate has skyrocketed to over ten percent.  And their obvious inability to track the money and measure its results accurately should be deeply disturbing to the American taxpayer - especially in light of the attempted government takeover of our health care system.  If the government can't run a web site, do we really trust them to run our nation's health care system?"### http://www.cole.house.gov/newsroom/View.aspx?id=64111/18/2009 12:00:00 AMCole Votes "No" on Speaker Pelosi's Health Care BillWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) issued the following statement after House Democrats passed an unprecedented, government run health care plan, H.R. 3962."The Oklahomans I represent oppose this bill because they know what it does and what it does not do," Congressman Cole said.  "They understand that this bill will raise taxes, not lower them and that it will grow government, instead of shrinking it.  They know that this legislation weakens Medicare, instead of strengthening it.  And they understand that during a time when unemployment has reached 10.2%, we don't need a bill that destroys jobs.  They understand that this bill will force state governments to cut services and raise taxes and it will put government bureaucrats rather than health care professionals in charge of their health care system.""This bill does not include common sense health care reforms that Oklahomans do support - such as tort reform and the establishment of tax deductions for individual purchasers.  My constituents want a plan that establishes national insurance markets and association health plans that would allow small businesses to provide affordable insurance to their employees.  Oklahomans rightly believe the Pelosi health care bill is a giant step backwards and it's one that I don't support."###http://www.cole.house.gov/newsroom/View.aspx?id=64011/7/2009 12:00:00 AMCole Says: Unemployment Rate Should Be a Wake Up CallWASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report that 190,000 jobs were lost in October, bringing the unemployment rate to 10.2%, U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement:"We haven't seen this rate of unemployment since 1983," Congressman Cole said.  "This should be a wake up call for the Administration and members of the majority in Congress.  Instead of focusing their efforts on job creation, they've pushed an expensive, government takeover of our nation's health care.  Earlier this year Congress passed a stimulus package that was allegedly going to create more than three million jobs.  Not only did those jobs not materialize, more than 2.8 million jobs have been lost since the passage of that legislation.  These figures make it clear that the economic policies being pursued by the Obama Administration are not working.###http://www.cole.house.gov/newsroom/View.aspx?id=63911/6/2009 12:00:00 AMCole, Coffee, Benge: Pelosi Health Care Bill Will Create Crippling Unfunded Mandate for State GovernmentsJOINT RELEASEWASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Tom Cole recently sent a letter to Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee and Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge asking them to assess the impact on the state of Oklahoma if Speaker Pelosi's health care bill, H.R. 3962, passes.  The bill is expected to be considered late this week.In a letter to President Pro Tempore Coffee and Speaker Benge, Cole posed the following four questions: 1. Can Oklahoma afford these unfunded mandates in the current fiscally constrained environment?; 2. Should the House version of health care reform pass, what are your plans for fully funding the unfunded mandate that will be transferred to Oklahoma?; 3. Would new taxes on citizens of Oklahoma be necessary to cover the increased cost of Medicaid?; 4. What do you believe the actual cost would be to Oklahoma?"It's abundantly clear that Speaker Pelosi either hasn't asked or doesn't care how states are affected by her expensive health care plan," Congressman Cole said.  "Every state in the nation is struggling with severe budget shortfalls and yet the liberals in Congress are prepared to shift $34 billion in unfunded mandates to state governments.  And since most state governments are not allowed to spend money they don’t have, this will result in draconian cuts in vital state services and/or steep tax increases – neither of which is acceptable to me, Pro-Tem Coffee, or Speaker Benge.”"This legislation will be a disaster for Oklahoma," President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee (R-Oklahoma City) added.  "We’re plugging leaks in the dam already, and these unfunded mandates would cause it to burst.  Our fiscal situation, while grim, is not nearly as dire as most other states.  This is a bipartisan, multi-state issue.  The results will be the same in states led by Republicans and Democrats alike.  I urge my counterparts in other states to make their voices heard within their respective Congressional delegations."“In Oklahoma, we have put in place market and consumer driven reforms that are working to move our state’s uninsured onto private insurance, all while improving access to affordable health care for all of our citizens,” said Speaker Benge (R-Tulsa). “I wish Washington would give states the maximum amount of flexibility possible to craft a health care plan that best meets individual state needs. A one-size-fits-all health care policy is not the answer for Oklahoma, or our country as a whole. Thankfully, Congressman Cole and the rest of our congressional delegation agrees with me, and I am confident they will fight this legislation not only on behalf of our country but our state as well.”###http://www.cole.house.gov/newsroom/View.aspx?id=63811/4/2009 12:00:00 AMPelosi's Health Care Reform is Bitter MedicineThis week Speaker Pelosi and her liberal allies in Congress began the final push for their massive government takeover of our health care system.  And in so doing, they made it abundantly clear that they either aren't listening to the American people, or they simply don't care what we have to say.  In numerous town hall meetings held over the past three months, my constituents let me know in no uncertain terms that they are strongly opposed to the government takeover of our health care system and that they are appalled at the explosive growth in the size and scope of the federal government.  And as anyone who has been paying attention can attest, I was not alone.  In Congressional districts throughout the country, members were confronted with furious citizens who are deeply, and appropriately, concerned about the dangerous direction in which President Obama and Speaker Pelosi are taking our nation.Despite the clear message from the American people, the health care legislation being advanced by Congressional liberals will raise taxes, increase costs, restrict coverage and create massive unfunded mandates for every state in the country.  It will hurt small businesses, senior citizens and anyone who is happy with the coverage they currently have.  And it will impose massive and confusing bureaucracy into an already bureaucratic system by adding 111 additional offices, bureaus, commissions and programs above and beyond the entitlement expansions.The plan is expensive - $1.3 trillion.  To pay for it, small businesses and other employers will have $729.5 billion in new taxes imposed on them.  Medicare Advantage will be slashed by $150 billion.  Individuals who do not purchase government approved health insurance will have a 2.5 percent tax imposed on them.  And for some who continue to have "private" health insurance policies, they will be taxed as well.Efforts to prevent abortions from being paid for by this new government health care program were blocked by the liberals, as were efforts to insure that only legal U.S. citizens can enroll in the program.  And, adding insult to injury, the Democrat majority blocked Republican efforts to require Members of Congress to participate in the public plan if one is passed.  Apparently they believe government run health care is good for everyone - except those in the government.Earlier this week I asked our state legislative leaders to estimate the impacts of the unfunded mandates on the state of Oklahoma.  According to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the costs associated with the expanded Medicaid alone will cost Oklahoma $128 million a year.  At a time when every state in the country is facing severe budget shortfalls, they are in no position to assume responsibility for the profligate spending of Congress.I am proud of the fact that the entire Oklahoma delegation is strongly opposed to this disastrous expansion of federal involvement in health care.  And I am also proud of the fact that the Congressional Republicans have offered an alternative proposal to provide common sense health care reform.  Our legislation will drive down health care costs, increase medical choices and allow Americans to keep their insurance and doctors if they are happy with them.  We've incorporated cost-cutting provisions like allowing families and businesses to buy health insurance across state lines and permitting individuals, small businesses and trade associations to pool together to buy coverage for less.  Tort reform - the process of cutting back frivolous lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs - is also addressed in the Republican alternative.  None of these common sense approaches are included in Pelosi's legislation.  Instead, her approach is bigger government, higher taxes and fewer choices.  It is a bitter medicine, indeed.###http://www.cole.house.gov/newsroom/View.aspx?id=63711/4/2009 12:00:00 AMRep. Cole Announces Ada Office RelocationWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) announced today that his district office in Ada is moving locations, effective November 5.  The office has relocated to the Sugg Clinic Office Building, located at 100 East 13th Street, Suite 213."In an effort to better meet the needs of my constituents, my office has relocated to a new building in Ada," Congressman Cole said.  "I want to invite residents from the area to stop by our new location and learn more about the services my office provides.  Members of my staff are on hand to help answer questions and assist with casework.  I am very pleased to represent the people of the Fourth District and proud to have an office in the Ada community."Cole has maintained an office in Ada since entering Congress in 2003.  Cole also has offices in Norman and Lawton.  The new mailing address for Cole's relocated office in Ada is:Congressman Tom Cole Sugg Clinic Office Building100 East 13th Street, Suite 213Box 13Ada, OK 74820###http://www.cole.house.gov/newsroom/View.aspx?id=63311/2/2009 12:00:00 AMCole Floor Speech on Pelosi's Health Care BillWASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) made the following remarks on the House floor today regarding H.R. 3962, new health care legislation introduced by House Democrats late last week.  "Mr. COLE: "Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against the Democratic proposed health care plan.  Frankly it's hard to understand who my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are listening to.  Certainly it's not to my constituents.  Their concerns, like those of millions of Americans, have been ignored as this bill has been written.  The same provision that caused the concerns and fears that I heard in August town hall meetings are still in the 'new' bill." "Overwhelmingly the American people have said 'no' to government-run health insurance, but it's still in the bill.  Also in the 'new' bill are the same higher taxes for employers and individuals that will kill jobs.  These are the very employers and individuals suffering from double-digit unemployment in many states today.""Maybe after several months, Mr. Speaker, some found it easy to forget what they heard in August, but I haven't.  This new bill is just more of the same - more backroom-brokered deals deciding the fate of millions of Americans.  Mr. Speaker, the only noticeable change in this bill is the addition of an extra 1,000 pages or so.  Americans deserve real health care reform and hopefully they'll get it."###http://www.cole.house.gov/newsroom/View.aspx?id=63411/2/2009 12:00:00 AMHouse Democrats Reveal "More of the Same" in Health Care PlanWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) provided the following remarks after House Democrats revealed their latest health care proposal earlier today."The introduction of this legislation makes it abundantly clear that the liberals who control Congress, and the Obama administration, either weren't listening to the American people, or simply don't care what we have to say," Congressman Cole said.  "The latest version of their health care legislation will raise taxes, increase costs, restrict coverage and shift massive expenses to state governments who are in no position to absorb additional financial responsibilities.""In numerous town hall meetings, my constituents made it very clear that they are opposed to the proposed government takeover of our health care system and that they are appalled at the explosive growth in government.  This bill is just more of the same and I will strongly oppose it."### http://www.cole.house.gov/newsroom/View.aspx?id=63110/29/2009 12:00:00 AMRep. Cole Co-Sponsors Bill Praising 9/12 Taxpayer March ParticipantsWASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) provided the following comments regarding his recent co-sponsorship of a resolution acknowledging the participants of the 9/12 Taxpayer March on Washington which took place on September 12th."Last month, hundreds of thousands of Americans came to D.C. for the Taxpayer March on Washington," Congressman Cole said.  "I was pleased to meet with a group of Oklahomans who made the trip to express their deep concern over skyrocketing national debt, the proposed government takeover of health care, the appointment of unaccountable czars, and numerous other expansions in the size, scope and expense of the federal government.""I applaud the patriotic Americans who took the time out of their busy lives to demand a return to open, accountable, responsible, constitutionally-based government.  Their efforts to preserve liberty should be commended.  I want to thank them for participating in the march and making their voice heard."###http://www.cole.house.gov/newsroom/View.aspx?id=62910/21/2009 12:00:00 AM