Connect with us

News from the South - Oklahoma News Feed

Rep. Tom Cole Says DOGE Is ‘Pretty Responsive’ to His Concerns

Published

on

oklahomawatch.org – Em Luetkemeyer – 2025-03-25 05:45:00

Rep. Tom Cole Says DOGE Is ‘Pretty Responsive’ to His Concerns

Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole told constituents with concerns about government-slashing efforts at the Department of Government Efficiency that he’d been able to get it to change course when it set its sights on projects related to his district.

He said he’d been able to get results by flagging issues to DOGE like any other agency, adding that while it’s made some mistakes in its efforts to cut spending, it had reversed course in at least one instance when his office brought an issue to its attention.

“We’ve found, at least, if you work it just like you would any other government agency, they can be pretty responsive,” Cole said in his telephone town hall on Thursday.

He pointed to his staff working with DOGE to get a Social Security office in Lawton, Oklahoma, off of a list of terminated contracts — one of many that DOGE reversed course on. He also largely defended DOGE’s work.

“We think this is a bad decision,” Cole said his office told DOGE about potentially closing the Social Security office. “And [DOGE] relooked at it and they agreed so. But this is where members have to be pretty aggressive and engaged.”

The Atlantic reported Wednesday that Cole met with Elon Musk over cigars and bourbon and advised the Trump ally, who heads DOGE, to consult lawmakers before making cuts. Cole said Musk had committed to fixing any errors.

“So far,” Cole told the magazine, “I’ve found them to be good to their word.”

Cole, the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, is one of several lawmakers elected to represent areas that President Donald Trump won who have faced questions from constituents this week about DOGE and the Trump administration’s efforts to expand executive power.

During his hour-long town hall, the majority of questions Cole faced from constituents were DOGE-related. Callers who said they were from Oklahoma brought up potential cuts to programs like Social Security and Indian Health Service. They also laid out concerns about federal office closures and layoffs.

Though the event wasn’t in person, the largely calm conversations Cole had were a tone shift from recent town halls held by Republicans — some of which caught enough attention that they resulted in the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee advising representatives to stop hosting town halls in person. Now, while Congress is in recess, representatives on both sides of the aisle are catching heat from constituents.

Cole didn’t receive the same arguing, shouting and heckling as some of his colleagues. But, most callers were still worried about DOGE.

“I’m very concerned about Congress’s constitutional duties, that those are being taken over by DOGE,” one caller told Cole. “I would like to know what steps you’re willing to take to make sure that the constitutional duties of Congress remain with Congress, and not with the executive branch.”

Cole had a response ready.

“I try to do it by pretty aggressively defending congressional power,” Cole said. “I think there’s a lot of things out there that you hear that may or may not be true.”

He used the example of Tinker Air Force Base, located in Oklahoma, where rumored layoffs did not happen.

“We live in an extremely contentious time,” Cole said. “It’s a high degree of polarization and partisanship, but we also work together to get things done better than you may think. And so at the end of the day, I always just urge all of you to have confidence in the country’s institutions.”

This article first appeared on Oklahoma Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

The post Rep. Tom Cole Says DOGE Is ‘Pretty Responsive’ to His Concerns appeared first on oklahomawatch.org

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

News from the South - Oklahoma News Feed

Oklahoma City breast cancer survivor defying the odds

Published

on

www.youtube.com – KFOR Oklahoma’s News 4 – 2025-07-10 06:32:12

SUMMARY: Oklahoma City breast cancer survivor Genna was told she had about a year to live four years ago. After over a decade battling cancer, including being on oxygen and using a wheelchair, she joined a clinical trial at OU Health’s Stephenson Cancer Center. Now, she feels great, no longer senses her cancer, and is holding stable. Genna is back to gardening and training for the National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa. Her mindset is crucial—she fights back from setbacks and encourages others to keep trying and consider clinical trials. Genna’s legacy is resilience, inspiring her family and community.

An Oklahoma City breast cancer survivor is redefining what’s possible after what appeared to be a terminal diagnosis.

Stay informed about Oklahoma news and weather! Follow KFOR News 4 on our website and social channels.

https://kfor.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/kfor4news
https://www.facebook.com/kfor4
https://twitter.com/kfor
https://www.instagram.com/kfortv4/

Source

Continue Reading

News from the South - Oklahoma News Feed

Body of missing 22-year-old swimmer recovered

Published

on

www.youtube.com – KFOR Oklahoma’s News 4 – 2025-07-08 22:20:37

SUMMARY: The body of 22-year-old Michael Jayden De Barra, who went missing while swimming in the Deep Fork River on the 4th of July, was recovered Saturday morning. Rescue crews initially suspended their search Friday due to turbulent waters but resumed at 11:00 AM Saturday after a police drone located his body downstream. Family members, devastated by the tragic loss during their holiday celebration, described Michael as charming, a family man who loved God, animals, Morgan Wallen, and was a proud business owner. The family has requested privacy, and a GoFundMe has been established to support them during this difficult time.

New Event Stay informed about Oklahoma news and weather! Follow KFOR News 4 on our website and social channels.

Source

Continue Reading

News from the South - Oklahoma News Feed

Search on hold for missing swimmer

Published

on

www.youtube.com – KFOR Oklahoma’s News 4 – 2025-07-08 01:27:11

SUMMARY: Search efforts for a missing 22-year-old swimmer in Northeast Oklahoma County have been put on hold after he went under the Deep Fork River near Bullhead Falls. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on July 4 during a holiday outing with friends. Emergency crews from Oklahoma City and Luther, including a helicopter, searched extensively but were forced to call off the operation due to dangerous conditions like strong currents, recent heavy rains, and submerged trees. Rescuers say the man was swept away by roaring rapids; despite attempts, it was too risky to continue water searches. The family remains in grief, hoping for updates.

Search on hold for missing swimmer

Stay informed about Oklahoma news and weather! Follow KFOR News 4 on our website and social channels.

https://kfor.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/kfor4news
https://www.facebook.com/kfor4
https://twitter.com/kfor
https://www.instagram.com/kfortv4/

Source

Continue Reading

Trending