Cole: Republicans’ time to lead is now

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) outlined hopes and past accomplishments of the Republican Party on Monday in a public written statement before new and returning members of Congress were sworn in this week.

He said he is looking forward to working with colleagues in the House and Senate, with the recent mid-term election providing a conservative majority in both houses.

Cole credits GOP lawmakers in the House for reducing the deficit from $1.4 trillion to its current total of $500 billion. He said much more remains to to be done.

With the Senate and House in Republicans’ hands, Cole hopes stalled legislation involving budgeting reform and construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline will finally go forward.

Another concern that Cole brings up in his statement is the immigration system and how undocumented immigrants are being handled in Southern states, specifically mentioning the children of undocumented immigrants.

He closes the statement with an affirmation that the new Congress will seek solutions that citizens need and that will ensure prosperity for future generations.

“For the good of the nation that he was elected to lead, I hope the president chooses to find common ground with this Congress,” Cole said.