'Crucial To The Prosperity And Security Of Our Great Nation': Cole Touts Energy Appropriations Bill

  • 3 months ago
During debate on the House floor, Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) spoke in support of HR 8997, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025.

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Transcript
00:00Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield to the distinguished chairman of the full committee,
00:04the gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Cole, for two minutes.
00:07Gentleman's recognized.
00:08Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I thank my good friend, the distinguished subcommittee
00:12chairman from Tennessee, for yielding. Today's measure provides funding for energy and water
00:17development initiatives for fiscal year 2025, which are crucial to the prosperity and security
00:22of our great nation. Rising geopolitical threats show that readiness can never be taken for
00:28granted. It's exactly why this legislation bolsters our nation's nuclear capabilities,
00:33particularly our nuclear deterrence posture. This bill includes significant funding to
00:37continue modernizing America's nuclear weapons stockpile and supports the operational nuclear
00:42naval fleet. It also directs resources to programs that prevent hostile nations and
00:47terrorist groups from acquiring nuclear devices, materials, and expertise. Today's bill also
00:53supports cutting-edge research and development functions, including an increase for the Office
00:58of Science and the Department of Energy and an increase in funding for nuclear energy
01:03innovation. I've long said that America must maintain an all-of-the-above energy policy
01:08in order to ensure our continued energy independence, and research and development efforts will help
01:13us uncover and utilize the energy sources of tomorrow. The Army Corps of Engineers,
01:18which conducts projects to maintain and improve American waterways, is robustly
01:23funded. From port improvements and harbor maintenance to flood control and hurricane
01:27protection, the Corps' work is critical to our nation's economic vitality. I thank Chairman
01:33Fleischman for his strategic approach in putting this bill together, and I urge all members to
01:37support it. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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