Tom Cole
U.S. Representative for Oklahoma
Thomas Jeffrey Cole was born in April 1949 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He earned an undergraduate degree from Grinnell College, a master’s from Yale University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma.
Cole began his career as an assistant college professor in history and politics. He was elected to the state senate in Oklahoma until he was appointed executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee. He then served as Oklahoma secretary of state. He then served as the chief of staff of the Republican National Committee. He established a firm and became a consultant for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as well as a political consultant for candidates.
Cole won the U.S. House of Representatives seat for the Fourth District in 2002. He has been reelected every congressional cycle since then. He has served as chair of the House Appropriations Committee since April 2024. He also serves on the Smithsonian Board of Regents and the National Fulbright Association.
Cole is married to Ellen, and they have 1 son. Cole is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, and he is Methodist.
In the News…
U.S. Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, voiced optimism over the possibility of appropriations being passed to cover the remainder of the 2026 fiscal year.
“I think the desire of all appropriators on both sides to make sure that we get our work done is really pretty high,” Chairman Cole said. “So I think that’s a powerful incentive to get these bills done. But the real nut to crack is getting the government open.”
The congressman stated that neither party is inclined to pass a year-long continuing resolution. “We actually all agree on that. We don’t want a full-year CR. We want as many of these bills negotiated individually, or in small packages, that we agree makes sense,” he said.
Contact this Leader…
Did you pray for Congressman Cole today? You can let him know at:
The Honorable Tom Cole
Representative for Oklahoma
2207 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
