Cole, Bridenstine Compare Notes On Shutdown Politics
Oklahoma Reps. Jim Bridenstine and Tom Cole talk about shutdown and budget
A tea party freshman and a House veteran from Oklahoma differ on tactics regarding the government shutdown and the possibility of another.
By Chris Casteel
WASHINGTON — Freshman Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Tulsa, was one of the main promoters of the strategy to “defund” the Affordable Care Act through a must-pass spending bill. In the summer, he made appearances with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and tea party supporters pushing the idea that the plan was really to keep the federal government running — just not Obamacare.
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, spent August telling his constituents that the strategy was flawed and would lead to a damaging government shutdown. Ultimately, all House Republicans backed the strategy that Bridenstine pushed, the Democratic-controlled Senate and President Barack Obama refused to negotiate over Obamacare and the government shut down for the first 16 days of this month.
Cole was the only member of Oklahoma’s all-Republican congressional delegation who voted to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling. He is now serving as one of the House negotiators on the budget.