WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04) was named today to serve on the GOP Majority Transition Team. This 22-member team will work to ensure a seamless transition to a new Republican majority in the 112th Congress so that the House can get to work immediately in January to address the priorities of the American people. The team has been charged with implementing the reforms to Congress in the Pledge to America and looking for additional ways to reform Congress so that it is more transparent, cost-effective, and accountable to the people.

Cole has been also been asked to co-chair the Working Group on House Operations. This is one of only three Working Groups, along with House and Conference Rules and Floor and House Schedule.

"The American people sent a clear message on Election Day that Washington has to change," said Cole. "House Republicans have an historic opportunity to reform Congress, and we are committed to running the House differently than it has been run by both Democrats and Republicans in the past. The transition team has concrete plans to restore fiscal discipline and bring more transparency, accountability and integrity to government. It's an honor to be a part of this important effort, and I look forward to working to implement the priorities of the American people."

“I want to thank Rep. Cole for being a part of this historic transition team," commented Transition Committee Chairman Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.). "Together, we will reform how Congress operates so bills are available online for at least 72 hours, giving the press, public, and members of Congress enough time to actually read and understand legislation before it is put to a vote. It is high time that transparency and efficiency return to the nation’s capital, and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves with Rep. Cole to help make that happen.”

NOTE: The Republican Pledge to America sets forth a plan to reform Congress and, in doing so, begin restoring the public trust. These reforms include:
• A requirement that legislation be available online for 3 days before a vote so that members of Congress and the American people can read the bill.
• A requirement that all bills include a citation of constitutional authority so that Congress respects the limits imposed on it by our founding document.
• Changes to House rules to make it harder to increase spending and easier to cut it so that we begin a new era of fiscal responsibility in Washington.
• An end to the practice of passing "comprehensive" or "omnibus" bills that package unrelated legislation together in an effort to avoid public scrutiny.

Republican Leader Boehner has also pledged to end the days of bills being written in the Speaker’s Office behind closed doors, and instead vowed to move bill-writing authority back to committees, which would be required to post amendments and votes online to ensure full transparency.

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