WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Tom Cole was named Monday to a transition team that will develop the GOP's rules for operating a body that has been deeply polarized.
"House Republicans have a 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," said Cole, R-Moore.
"The transition team has concrete plans to restore fiscal discipline and bring more transparency, accountability and integrity to government."
Cole is one of 22 members named to the transition team. A former member of the GOP leadership, he has served on the Rules Committee, which sets the parameters for debates on bills, and the Ethics Committee.
He is now a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which makes spending decisions. In that capacity, he has been a defender of earmarks, the practice of members directing spending for home state projects. Some Republican leaders have called for banning the practice next year, and it is likely to be the subject of some internal debate.
U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, said last week that his discussions with Republican leader John Boehner have led him to believe that there will be fewer bills but more debate when the GOP takes over in January.
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