U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, has become the first Native American to chair the House Appropriations Committee and the first congressional member representing Oklahoma to do so. First elected to Congress in 2003, Cole is the longest-serving Native American in congressional history. “I would like to thank the [House Republican] Conference for their support,” Cole said in a press release, “and ensure them that I am committed to conversing with them all to make sure that we are working to benefit their constituents, as well as properly utilizing our budget to defend our country and meet legitimate domestic needs. I am excited to hit the ground running and get to work for this great nation.”