Oklahoma congressmembers vote for, comment on 'One Big Beautiful Bill'

All five of Oklahoma's members of the U.S. House of Representatives joined both U.S. Senators in voting for the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' this week, with the House passing the mega-measure by a vote of 218-214.

Comments from each of the Representatives below:

New Tulsa VA Medical Center to be named after late U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe

New VA Hospital in Tulsa, under construction (image source)

Lankford, Mullin Honor Legacy of Senator Jim Inhofe by Securing His Namesake for New Tulsa VA Medical Center

WASHINGTON, DC (Nov. 19th) – The Senate unanimously passed a bill introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to name the new Veterans Administration (VA) 75,000-square-foot, 58-bed medical-surgical hospital in Tulsa the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center in honor of the life and legacy of the late-Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, who tirelessly served our military, veterans, and their families for his entire public service career. Lankford helped ensure the hospital received funding to commence construction in 2020 and helped ensure the skyrocketing inflation of the last three years did not interrupt the construction schedule with additional unforeseen costs. Representative Kevin Hern (R-OK) is introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives. 

OK Congressional delegation asks Navy to name ship in honor of Checotah's heroic WWII sailor Paul Henry Carr

This is such a great idea. A year ago, I read 'The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors' by James D. Hornfischer (highly recommend), which focuses on an major but lesser-known naval engagement in the Pacific during WWII, the Battle off Samar (part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf). 

Oklahoma had several native sons who received the highest military honors for their gallant service during this unequal conflict between a lightly armed/armored American naval task force ("tin cans") and the biggest, baddest ships the Japanese navy had afloat - including the battleship Yamato, heaviest ever built and with the largest guns ever placed on a ship. Checotah's Paul Henry Carr is one of those heroes; you can read more about him here, here, and here (Muskogee's Ernest E. Evans was another).

Lankford Leads Oklahoma Congressional Delegation to Request US Navy Ship Naming to Honor Oklahoma WWII Sailor

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today led the Oklahoma congressional delegation in a letter to Secretary of the United States Navy Carlos Del Torro to recommend the naming of a new Constellation-class frigate in honor of Oklahoman Paul Henry Carr, from Checotah, Oklahoma, who gave his last full measure of devotion to our nation aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413) during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in World War II.

Oklahoma delegation applauds new House Speaker

After three weeks, quite a bit of intrigue and several false-starts, the U.S. House of Representatives once again has a Speaker at the helm, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA). Oklahoma's congressional delegation is supportive and complimentary of their chamber's new leader.

Oklahoma's congressional delegation applauds passage of NDAA with conservative priorities

Read below for comments from each of Oklahoma's five members of the U.S. House of Representatives following passage of the National Defense Authorization Act. Reps. Hern and Brecheen, for their part, point out many conservative victories in the amendment process of this military funding measure.

Lankford leads delegation in challenging HHS withdrawal of health grants because of OK's strong pro-life laws

Lankford Leads Delegation Letter to HHS Challenging Withdrawal of Health Care Grants Because of Oklahoma’s Strong Pro-Life Laws

WASHINGTON, DC (June 1st) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) is leading the Oklahoma congressional delegation on a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra for suspending the $4.5 million Title X Family Planning grant awarded to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). HHS is suspending this funding over the OSDH’s refusal to refer for abortions.

Oklahoma delegation splits on debt ceiling increase vote

On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to raise the debt limit by roughly $4T (trillion with a t) through January 2025 by a vote of 314-117 (165 Democrats and 149 Republicans in favor, 71 Republicans and 46 Democrats opposed). The U.S. Senate approved the measure on Thursday with a 63-36 vote (46 Democrats and 17 Republicans in favor, 31 Republicans and 5 Democrats opposed).

Among Oklahoma all-GOP delegation, Sen. James Lankford and Reps. Kevin Hern (1st District) and Josh Brecheen (2nd District) voted against it. Sen. Markwayne Mullin joined the moderate wing of the Senate GOP in supporting the measure, as did Reps. Frank Lucas (3rd District), Tom Cole (4th District), and Stephanie Bice (5th District) in the House. 

Below are statements from those members who have issued them since the vote (Hern appears to be the only one without a public comment).

Oklahoma Congressmen comment on passage of bill to raise debt ceiling in exchange for spending cuts

On Wednesday, all five of Oklahoma's U.S. Representatives voted in favor of the 'Limit, Save, Grow Act', which increases the debt ceiling in exchange for spending cuts.

Read below for comments from Reps. Hern, Brecheen, Lucas, and Cole:

Rep. Cole tapped to chair powerful House Rules Committee, Rep. Lucas leading Science, Space, and Tech

Oklahoma's two most senior members of the United States House of Representatives have been tapped to head up House committees. Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) will chair the powerful House Rules Committee, while Rep. Frank Lucas (OK-03) will chair the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Bice, other OK Reps blast Biden's $300B student loan giveaway

Congratulations, America! You just got put on the hook $300,000,000,000 (300 billion dollars) in free college for other people. The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School estimates the plan will cost each taxpayer in America $2,100.

Below are statements from four of Oklahoma's members of Congress, slamming the move by President Biden.

OK members of Congress blast Democrats' Inflation Expansion Act

Get ready for the onslaught of 87,000 new [some armed?] IRS agents, along with more inflation. Comments from each of Oklahoma's 5 U.S. Representatives on the appalling legislation below:

Trump endorses Tom Cole for reelection

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed yet another moderate squish for reelection to Congress. Earlier this year, he endorsed 3rd Congressional District Congressman Frank Lucas (over Wade Burleson, a real conservative), and yesterday (apparently), he eleventh-hour endorsed Tom Cole in the 4th District.

#OK04 Former President Donald Trump endorsed @TomColeOK04 for re-election pic.twitter.com/YLVD7LP7dw

— Reese Gorman (@reesejgorman) June 27, 2022

🙄 Because of course. 

Elected officials react to Biden's State of the Union

I'm going to echo U.S. Sen. James Lankford's comment about President Joe Biden's State of the State address last night: "Well, that was interesting."

It was pretty standard Biden-fare, which means it was generally disastrous from delivery to content. And what on earth was going on with Nancy Pelosi? She was behaving rather more bizarelly than normal.

Following his speech, members of Oklahoma's Washington delegation, plus Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, emailed out their responses. I'm posting them below in the order I received them: Cong. Hern, Cong. Lucas, Lt. Gov. Pinnell, Cong. Bice, Sen. Lankford, Sen. Inhofe, and Cong. Cole:

Elected officials react to Inhofe's retirement announcement

Sen. Jim Inhofe's announcement of his pending retirement will likely trigger an avalanche of candidacies in the Senatorial special election and subsequent open seats causes by the race. We'll continue to watch things as they develop.

Following are statements from Oklahoma's congressional delegation, as well as Gov. Stitt (who has said he is "fully committed" to his gubernatorial reelection campaign) and Lt. Gov. Pinnell:

OK Congressmembers comment on Ukraine, Biden's foreign and energy policy

Four of Oklahoma's five congressmembers issued statements today regarding the simmering Soviet Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine. Soviet Russian President Vladimir Putin lent official recognition of two Russian-assisted breakaway regions, the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic.

In public remarks, Putin seemed to pine for the "good old days" of the Soviet Union, when much of eastern Europe and central Asia was under the thumb of the Kremlin. He seems to be well on his way toward bringing some of those regions and countries back under the direct control or indirect-but-domineering influence of Russia.

Following are press release from U.S. Reps. Stephanie Bice (5th District), Frank Lucas (3rd District), Kevin Hern (1st District), and Tom Cole (4th District):

Oklahoma Congressmen vote against spending bill and debt limit suspension

Oh look, the U.S. House just voted to spend gobs of money and suspend the debt limit.

In other words, it's a day that ends in 'y'.

While I do appreciate that our Republican delegation voted against this particular measure, their stern words about excessive spending and drowning debt fall a bit flat given that the GOP under both of the last Republican presidents (Trump and Bush) spent money like it grew on trees. Republicans in power: spend-spend-spend! Republicans out of power: fiscal responsibility!

Lucas Statement on Continuing Resolution & Suspending the Debt Limit

Washington, DC (Sept. 21st) – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5305- the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, a continuing resolution that includes a measure to suspend the nation’s debt limit through December 2022.

“Last election cycle, Democrats won control of the House, the Senate, and the White House. Since then, instead of working through regular order in a bipartisan, meaningful manner with Republicans, Democrats have chosen the ‘go it alone’ approach and have laid out a reckless tax and spending plan that will fall on the backs of America’s working families and businesses- Congressional Democrats proudly did this once before and are unabashed about spending an additional $3.5 trillion. It should come as no surprise that Republicans would support a clean continuing resolution that includes appropriate disaster relief and necessary Afghan aid but not the irresponsible measure that encourages Congressional Democrats to continue their spending spree.

 

“Let’s be clear, the last suspension of the debt limit this past August accounted for all the spending that had occurred up to that date. This isn’t about Congress’ past spending, this is about our future spending. Since Democrats have decided to govern alone, they should be ready lift the debt limit alone.

“With only nine days before federal government funding runs out, I hope my colleagues drop their political posturing and join House and Senate Republicans in our efforts to ensure that we keep critical programs funded and operational.”

Hern votes against Continuing Resolution, urges return to budget process

WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 21st) – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting against HR 5305, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, a continuing resolution to fund the federal government and suspend the federal debt limit.

“Once again, the Democrat majority has put the federal government on autopilot,” said Rep. Hern. “What are we doing here? Our constituents did not send us here to do the same thing over and over and over again. We must interrupt this never-ending cycle of apathetic governance and do the hard work of passing a budget. The text of the continuing resolution we voted on tonight was not public as of this morning, we received the text with just hours to read it before the vote. The deadline is next week, we didn’t have to rush this to the floor tonight.”

Cole Votes Against Suspending the Debt Limit

Washington, D.C. (Sept. 21st) – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5305. This measure includes a continuing resolution to fund the government at current (fiscal year 2021) levels through December 3, 2021, with additional items attached, including a provision that would suspend the debt limit until the end of 2022. Cole voted against the legislation.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I certainly recognize the importance of keeping the government open and operating. However, I could not support the short-term funding measure brought to the House floor by Democrats this week due to the irresponsible inclusion of a provision to suspend the debt limit until the end of next year,” said Cole. “Such action would effectively deliver a blank check enabling President Biden and Democrats to plow further ahead on their monstrous spending spree on radical, socialist-style priorities and programs.

“Since taking control of the White House and the Senate, Democrats have shown no desire to restore fiscal sanity and revealed every intention to tax and spend unlike any other time in American history. Indeed, enacting legislation to suspend the debt limit, conveniently until after the midterm elections next year, would only pave the way for more big-government spending that has already led to higher taxes on businesses and the taxation of inflation on the American people.

“Considering that Democrats control the legislative and executive branches, if they want to continue to push their misguided, out-of-control spending, it should be up to them to figure out how to pay for it themselves. But in the meantime, Democrats will certainly not receive any help from Republicans in their quest to bankrupt future generations.

"Funding the government is one of the most fundamental roles of Congress, and I am disappointed that Democrats have chosen to add controversial items to a measure to prevent a shutdown. Once Democrats come to their senses, I look forward to voting for a measure to responsibly keep the government open and to address pressing matters, of importance to both parties, such as disaster relief, aid for Afghan refugees and support for Israel.”

Cole also made remarks on the House floor while managing debate on the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 5305. Video is available here.

Congressman Markwayne Mullin:

Our country cannot afford to keep kicking the can down the road and passing bills off to the next generation.

— Markwayne Mullin (@RepMullin) September 22, 2021

OK Congressional members introduce resolution to highlight the Tulsa Race Massacre centennial

Oklahoma Congressional Delegation introduces resolution to highlight the important history of the Centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre

Tulsa, OK – Members of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation released the following statements in support of a resolution introduced to Congress today honoring the centennial of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced in the House, and Senator James Lankford introduced in the Senate.

The resolution recognizes the history of Black Wall Street in Tulsa’s Greenwood district. It gives an accurate account of the violence that occurred on May 31 and June 1, 1921 and acknowledges it as the worst race massacre in the history of the United States. Furthermore, the resolution urges the Tulsa Race Massacre be taught in American schools and recognizes the important work of organizations like the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission and John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation.

Representative Hern (OK-01) said, “The Tulsa Race Massacre is an important piece of our history, and it’s important to own that. The destruction of Black Wall Street devastated economic opportunities for generations of Tulsa’s Black families. Our resolution honors the loss of those who were killed 100 years ago and acknowledges this painful memory in our city’s history as the horrific and race-motivated attack it was. 100 years later, we still have a long way to go. The centennial is an opportunity to remember, and this resolution helps us tell the world the accurate story of what happened on our streets in 1921 and how it shaped our city in the years after. As we move forward past this week’s centennial, we continue to strive for reconciliation. I’m proud of the recent investments in Greenwood to bring back Black Wall Street, and I hope to see it continue to grow and thrive at the heart of Tulsa.”

Oklahoma Congressional delegation thanks OK National Guard for U.S. Capitol service

Photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Oklahoma Congressional Delegation Thanks National Guard for U.S. Capitol Service

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, together with U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01), Representative Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Representative Frank Lucas (OK-03), Representative Tom Cole (OK-04), and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), wrote a letter to the Oklahoma National Guard this week, thanking them for their exemplary service at the U.S. Capitol last month.

Bice and several Oklahoma Congressional members met with the troops while they were in town guarding the U.S. Capitol during inauguration. Oklahoma National Guard Members spent a week guarding the nation’s capitol.

“It was an honor to have the Oklahoma National Guard in Washington to ensure the safety and security of all who work within the Capitol complex. The sacrifices of these men and women are truly appreciated and will not be forgotten,” Bice said.

OK congressional delegation comments on Biden/Harris inauguration

Earlier today, former Vice President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (D-DE) was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, and former U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States. Most of Oklahoma's congressional delegation, all Republicans, issued some sort of comment on the inauguration of the new administration, which I have posted below.

U.S. Representatives Kevin Hern and Tom Cole attended the inauguration, as did U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford.

All five Oklahoma Congressmembers vote against Trump's second impeachment

All five of Oklahoma's U.S. Representatives voted against the second impeachment of President Donald Trump yesterday, which passed the lower chamber by a vote of 232-197, with 10 Republicans joining the Democrats in approving the article.

I posted Congresswoman Bice's statement yesterday. Here are comments from the other four Oklahoma congressmen: