Keeping our promises

By U.S. Rep. Tom Cole
R-Oklahoma

Since the founding of our great nation, men and women have selflessly chosen to serve our country as a part of the Armed Forces.

I, myself, am the son of an Air Force veteran, grandson of a World War II naval combat veteran, nephew of a Bat-tan Death March survivor and Japanese prisoner of war, and brother of a Vietnam era Air Force veteran. That being said, I grew up seeing the vast sacrifices American service members make firsthand. When our military men and women decide to serve, they are placing country before self. They will miss holidays, weddings, funerals, and births of their own children. They will be forced to relocate time and time again, both within our own country and abroad. And sadly, some will pay the ultimate sacrifice, which we will honor next week on Memorial Day.

As Americans, we are truly so indebted to them, as it is because of their bravery and sacrifices that we are able to wake up each and every day with freedoms, rights, and safety that are coveted by so many around the world. Therefore, we must make it a priority of ours in Congress to fight for those who fight us. 

As chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees defense spending, and the representative for two military installations in Oklahoma’s Fourth District, Tinker Air Force Base and Fort Sill Army Installation, as well as several National Guard facilities, I know just how important it is to provide our service members with everything they need to ensure they are prepared and ready to serve when called to action – and, through the yearly National Defense Authorization Act, we do just that.

However, it is not enough to only support our military heroes when they are in uniform. We must continue to aid and assist them as veterans, as they have already met their duty to us, so we must now uphold our obligation to them. 

This is why, just last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2027. Specifically, it fully funds veteran health care programs and benefits, invests over $2 billion in capital improvements for VA Medical Facilities and national cemeteries, protects the Second Amendment rights of veterans, prioritizes veteran mental health and suicide prevention programs, and more.

Lastly, I’d be remiss not to mention the price paid by our nation’s service families. Many military spouses and children must watch their loved ones leave home to serve overseas, many are forced to relocate and uproot their lives a number of times, and, sadly, some have even lost their spouse or parent in the line of duty. Some of these are challenges I lived myself as an “Air Force brat.” However, I was so proud to have a hero as a dad that it was all worth it.

That being said, it is important that we take care of our military families through legislation as well – and the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill we passed on the House Floor last week reflected just that. In the legislation, we made sure to support those who shoulder the sacrifices of military service through housing, childcare, and quality-of-life priorities that sustain the families behind the frontlines. It is truly the least we can do.

At the end of the day, as a Congress and a country, we must do all we can to repay those who served us, both past and present. Those who wear the uniform of the United States are deserving of every ounce of our gratitude and I will always fight for them.