Tom Cole is a prominent politician and a representative from Oklahoma, currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born on April 28, 1949, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cole is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation. He completed his early education at Moore High School in Oklahoma, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College in 1971, and later earned both a Master’s degree from Yale University (1974) and a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma (1984).

Before entering Congress, Cole held several significant positions within the Republican Party and served as a member of the Oklahoma State Senate from 1988 to 1991. He was the chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party and later served as executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 1991 to 1993. He was also appointed as Oklahoma Secretary of State from 1995 to 1999 and held the position of Chief of Staff for the Republican National Committee from 1999 until 2001.

Since being elected to the House in 2003, Cole has been recognized for his leadership, currently serving as the chair of the House Committee on Rules and previously as the chair of the Committee on Appropriations during the 118th and 119th Congresses. His extensive experience in political roles has well-prepared him to influence key legislation affecting various sectors.

Cole has sponsored and co-sponsored several bills that have gained traction within the legislative process. Notably, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025, known as HB1968, which provides fiscal appropriations for federal agencies, has successfully become public law. Additionally, he co-sponsored the Protect American Election Administration Act of 2025, or HB723, aimed at prohibiting private funding for election processes, highlighting his position on upholding election integrity.

Cole has also shown a commitment to Native American issues, as reflected in the IHS Contract Support Cost Amendment Act, which aims to enhance the funding and operational capabilities of Tribal programs, demonstrating his advocacy for Native American self-determination. Furthermore, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act, aimed at easing mortgage processes on Indian land by mandating expedited processing timelines, has been introduced to streamline homeownership opportunities for Native Americans.

In recent years, Cole has focused on addressing critical financial policies, sponsoring legislation like the Bipartisan Social Security Commission Act of 2023 (HB281), which seeks to ensure the solvency of Social Security trust funds over the long term. He has also engaged in wildlife management discussions evidenced by his support for the Promoting Local Management of the Lesser Prairie Chicken Act (HB248), which aims to strike a balance between local governance and conservation efforts that affect agricultural stakeholders.

Cole's political stance can be characterized as conservative, as inferred from his legislative priorities, including his co-sponsorship of the Permanently Repeal the Estate Tax Act (HB338) which seeks to eliminate the estate tax, thereby supporting wealth retention for families. This aligns with his efforts to promote economic growth through reduced regulatory burdens while expressing cautious optimism towards necessary fiscal strategies that address long-standing issues in American governance.

On a personal note, Cole's background as a Native American leader adds a unique perspective to his political engagement, further illustrated by his lifelong commitment to the rights and recognition of Native American communities. His career reflects a blend of advocacy for Native American issues, fiscal responsibility, and conservative governance.