Cole Supports National Security Spending Bill

Count Congressman Tom Cole among those who helped pass a consolidated funding bill called the Make America Secure Appropriations Act. It provides funding for the defense, military construction and Veterans Affairs, energy and water and the Legislative Branch Appropriations for the next fiscal year. H.R. 3219 passed the House by a vote of 235-192.

“This consolidated measure responsibly allocates funding for our nation’s highest priority – our military and national security,” said Cole. “It protects our active duty service members and our veterans, while strengthening our national defense to its highest readiness levels in eight years. Further, it demonstrates bipartisan support for improved funding for our nation’s military facilities, from construction on the hospitals that our troops use to maintenance on our missiles and defense weaponry.”

Cole managed to get an amendment to H.R. 3219 that compels the President to work with Congress in the use of military force.

“Additionally, included in the final bill is my amendment directing the President to provide a strategy and a budgetary analysis for a new Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) no later than 30 days after passage. It has been 16 years since Congress has debated and voted on an AUMF. The last AUMFs passed by Congress gave the President authority to use military force against those responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks, and against Iraq. Some of the enemies with whom were are engaged, did not even exist 16 years ago. We owe it to our allies, our citizens and to the men and women on the front lines the reassurance that America is committed to fighting and winning these wars and not rely on an out of date AUMF.”

Cole noted the bill also gives President Trump what he wanted, the money to begin the construction of a southern border wall.

“Also included is a $1.6 billion funding boost to begin construction on the border wall, a major priority of President Trump.”


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