Cole Statement on Passage of Full-Year Funding for Fiscal Year 2022

Press Release

Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the omnibus appropriations package for fiscal year 2022 that includes all 12 annual government funding titles as well as supplemental funding to counter Russian aggression.

"While Congress should have reached this point months ago, I am pleased that lawmakers are finally advancing full-year funding for fiscal year 2022," said Cole. "Unfortunately, the process was needlessly drawn out by Democrats, who refused to get serious about negotiating in good faith with Republicans and instead wasted time trying to advance wildly expensive and partisan proposals. However, at the end of the day, this bipartisan, bicameral package is better late than never. Although it is not the bill that I would have personally written, it represents a good compromise and includes numerous provisions that provide for the real priorities and funding needs of our country. And that is a true win for the American people.

"As I have said repeatedly, four conditions needed to be met in order for a deal to be struck -- defense spending had to go up, domestic had to come down, poison pill riders had to be removed and longstanding pro-life language had to be restored. And I am proud to report all of this to be true with this funding package."

Cole made extensive remarks in support of the legislation while managing rules for the legislation's consideration on the House floor. Video of his remarks during the first rule debate on Wednesday morning is available here and transcript here. Video of his remarks during the second rule debate on Wednesday evening is available here and transcript here.

Topline Provisions:

Strengthens Our National Defense

Increases national security spending by 5.6 percent over fiscal year 2021 levels
Provides for a 2.7 percent pay raise for service members
Provides a historic funding level of $14.9 billion for new military construction projects, including $85 million for the KC-46A three-bay depot maintenance hangar at Tinker Air Force Base
Contains $1 billion for Israel's Iron Dome to replace the interceptors that were damaged in the most recent conflict
Increases spending to ensure the U.S. can counter Chinese aggression
Increases funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration to ensure a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent
Enhances cybersecurity prevention and recovery efforts government-wide
Provides Support for Ukraine and Counters Russian Aggression

Authorizes and provides $13.6 billion in funding for critical military assistance to Ukraine, including:
U.S. troop deployments to defend NATO countries in the region
Sanctions enforcement
Supporting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in countering cyber-threats from Russia
Strengthens the Border

Secures a nearly 11 percent increase in funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to address the ongoing border crisis
Prevents cancellation of existing border wall construction funding
Increases U.S. Customs and Border Protection funding by $800 million over FY21 levels
Increases U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding by $400 million over fiscal year 2021 levels
Protects Life

Maintains all existing pro-life funding restrictions, including:
The Hyde Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer dollars from funding abortions
The Weldon Amendment, which protects American doctors, nurses and other health care professionals from participating in or providing an abortion if they have a moral objection
The Helms Amendment, which states foreign assistance funds may not be used for abortion as a means of family planning
Support for Indian Country

Secures $62 million to support additional public safety needs as a result of the McGirt v. Oklahoma decision
Commits more than $9 million for research and resources for violence against Indian women including:
For a national clearinghouse that provides training and technical assistance on issues related to sexual assault of American Indian and Alaskan Native women
For grants to assist tribal governments in exercising special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction
And for an initiative to support cross-designation of tribal prosecutors as Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys
Oklahoma-Specific Provisions

Secures $5 million to Midwest City for a new booster pump station and clearwell to increase water storage and to improve water supply
Secures $5 million to add shoulders and resurface State Highway 19 between Alex and Lindsay
Secures $5 million to add shoulders and resurface State Highway 19 between Garvin and Pontotoc counties
Secures $3 million for the Global Transportation and Industrial Park located in Ardmore
Secures $3 million for replacement of infrastructure which in the City of Altus and Altus Air Force Base
Secures $1.9 million for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation to support arthritis research and increase access to treatment in rural communities
Secures $1 million for the University of Oklahoma Children's Hospital to support the provision of mental health services care for children with severe mental health issues
Secures $1 million for FISTA campus modernization and expansions of the FISTA Innovation Park
Secures $850,000 for Mid-America Christian University to support the education and training of credentialed mental health counselors in Oklahoma
Secures $650,000 for Norman Regional Hospital to increase the number of operating rooms and available critical care rooms for both adult and pediatric inpatients to support emergency preparedness in the event of a mass casualty incident or surge of infectious disease patients

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