Rep. Cole Leading Candidate to Head Appropriations Committee

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., is the leading candidate to chair the House Appropriations Committee, which plays a critical role in funding the federal government.

According to Roll Call, Cole currently chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and HUD and is the sole contender for the position. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, who is stepping down as chair, has announced her support for Cole, who has also gained backing from nine other subcommittee chairs.

Although Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., is considering a run for the position as a more conservative option, Cole is considered the frontrunner as he has been actively seeking the chairmanship for years.

Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., praised Cole’s qualifications, saying, “He is the most capable, and the most prepared. There’s not even a close second, in my opinion.”

In a statement announcing his bid for the post, Cole described himself as a “budget hawk” committed to funding critical needs while ensuring responsible financial management.

Granger has called for a swift election of a new chair, with plans to serve out the remainder of her term in the House and become “chair emeritus,” as reported by Politico.