Tom Cole represents Oklahoma's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2003. He serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and previously chaired the House Rules Committee. A member of the Chickasaw Nation, Cole has been involved in Native American policy issues throughout his career. Before Congress, he served in the Oklahoma State Senate and held positions in state government.

Name

Tom Cole

Party

Republican

State

Oklahoma

District

OK-4

Committees

Appropriations Committee

Key Fact 1

Tom Cole has represented Oklahoma's 4th Congressional District since being first elected in 2002.

Key Fact 2

He serves on the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees federal spending and budget allocations.

Key Fact 3

Cole is a member of the Chickasaw Nation and has been involved in legislation affecting Native American communities.

Key Fact 4

He previously served as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2007 to 2009.

Key Fact 5

Before his congressional service, Cole served in the Oklahoma State Senate from 1988 to 1991.

Key Fact 6

He earned a Ph.D. in British history from the University of Oklahoma.

Key Fact 7

Cole served as Oklahoma's Secretary of State from 1995 to 1999 under Governor Frank Keating.

Key Fact 8

He has been involved in appropriations work related to defense, labor, health, and education funding.

Data from Congress.gov