Cole announces candidacy for House Appropriations chairman

U.S. Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole announced Friday he is seeking the position of chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

If elected, the Oklahoma Republican would replace Chairwoman Kay Granger, who has said she will step down from her leadership role.

Cole released the following statement:

“I have served on the Appropriations Committee for quite some time, beginning in January of 2009. During that time, I chaired the largest domestic spending Subcommittee, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, where I was able to safeguard the right to life through protecting the Hyde Amendment. Additionally, I have served as chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, as well as vice chair of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Finally, I have served as a senior member on the powerful Defense Subcommittee, which has the largest budget of any of the 12 subcommittees and over half of discretionary spending in the U.S. It is safe to say — I know the Appropriations Committee very well. I have served on the committee for the majority of my career, in a variety of different positions, and I firmly believe that those experiences will aid me going forward to do a respectable job as chairman.

“This time on the committee has taught me many valuable lessons about appropriations. First, you should not make appropriations deals without including appropriators. I have seen this happen and unfortunately, every time, it has led to a disaster. As chairman, I will work hard to ensure both our leaders and members are aware of what the committee can accomplish and work together with them to proceed in a constructive way.

“Second, you cannot solve the U.S. deficit problem exclusively in the Appropriations Committee, as discretionary spending only amounts to roughly 28 percent of U.S. expenditures. If we are going to produce a balanced budget, which I strongly believe we should be striving to do, we should be having serious discussions on how to fund and reform our entitlement programs, which makes up approximately 60 percent of all spending.

“Finally, it is important to engage with every member, as each member has legitimate needs and interests in the various districts they represent. As chairman, I will make sure to converse with all the different members of our Conference to ensure that we are working to benefit their constituents, as well as properly utilizing our budget to defend our country and meet legitimate domestic needs.

“At the end of the day, I am a budget hawk. I believe in stretching our budget’s dollars as far as we can, but I also recognize there are critical needs and challenges that must be funded if our great nation is going to be protected, preserved, and improved. However, as chairman, I will ensure that, in doing this, we are not wasting and abusing.”