Published: August 18, 2008 04:06 pm      

U.S. Congressman Cole speaks at chamber lunch

Ada — Congressman Tom Cole addressed a packed crowd during Thursday’s chamber of commerce legislative luncheon at Polo’s. The Republican U.S. House Representative spoke about America’s energy crisis, after-hours hijinks on the Hill after Congress went to recess, and his expectations of a more productive Congress next year after elections.

“It’s pretty easy to sum up what’s happening in Washington,” said Cole. “Nothing. When I go home to my district and they ask how it’s going in Washington, I just say, ‘Just as bad as you think.’”

This year’s congressional session can be divided into three categories, Cole told the audience; “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.”

The “Good” was evident in the economic stimulus package that the congressman said was very beneficial to the economy.

The “Bad” was a new budget passed by the legislature, one that Cole said he did not vote for. “We’re going to get rid of every tax cut passed in 2001 and 2003 by 2010,” he said. “Now stop and think of what that means; that means that a generic merit bill will be back. If you’ve got kids at home, your child tax credit will be cut in half.

“If you pay income taxes at any level at all, your income tax personally could go up … And if you’re going to die, please try and do it by 2010; the death tax is back in 2011.”

The “Ugly” is congress’ current battle over solutions for America’s energy crisis. “Instead of just the immediate focus on the pump, Americans are looking for the first time in a while at long returns,” he said.

Cole said some of his staff attended oilman T. Boone Picken’s town hall meeting in McAlester, and that the focus on alternative forms of energy is part of an important debate on the country’s future course within the next five to ten years.

After Congress adjourned for a month-long recess at the beginning of August, many Republicans who felt the legislature shouldn’t adjourn before accomplishing something stayed on the floor after lights and mics were turned off.

The Republican congressmen brought in staff and tourists, rallying for more action to be taken on energy solutions. Cole said he’d left the floor and taken some of his interns to lunch when everything started, but soon got a message from another staffer urging him to return to the floor to witness the Republican stand-in. Cole eventually returned with his interns, and helped to usher others into the House gallery to hear the congressmen speak.

Cole said much of Congress’ impotence is due to an uncertain political horizon.

“This Congress has not done a lot,” he said. “The next Congress will do a tremendous amount. It doesn’t matter who wins the elections. The new president will have a legislative agenda. So it’s going to be a very busy time … You’re going to see a Congress that has really been waiting on the presidential election.

After his address, Cole opened the luncheon up for questions, which he fielded until the event ended.

He gave his thoughts on the recent military conflict between Russia and Georgia, the need for increased domestic drilling, and alternative energy incentives, among others.

Next month’s chamber of commerce gathering will shift back to its usual early-morning time and location at J.D.’s Café.