Rep. Tom Cole Praises FBI Director Patel for Reinstating Indian Country Program

Appreciation for FBI Director Patel

• 👏 Rep. Tom Cole expresses his happiness with FBI Director Kash Patel's appointment and current role.
• 💡 Cole acknowledges Patel's past service and anticipates a productive working relationship with him and the committee.
• ✅ He thanks Patel for taking on the responsibility and for his expected distinguished service.

Budgetary Context and Appropriations

• 📊 Cole contrasts current discretionary spending (28%) with mandatory spending (72%), noting a significant shift since 1981.
• 📉 He points out that current appropriations as a percentage of GDP have also decreased.
• 🎯 Cole emphasizes that the appropriations committee is not the source of the spending problem, having reduced resources allocated.
• ⏳ He highlights the need for a quicker full budget to enable smarter decisions and clearer collaboration with the FBI.

FBI's Mission and Indian Country Program

• 🛡️ The FBI's core mission is to protect Americans and uphold the Constitution.
• 🔍 The FBI has been instrumental in Operation Notforgotten, focusing on investigations, services, and intelligence for Indian Country.
• 📈 At the start of FY25, the FBI's Indian Country program had approximately 4,300 open investigations, including significant numbers of death, child abuse, and domestic violence/adult sexual abuse cases.
• 💖 Director Patel is thanked for reinstating and bolstering this critical initiative.

Violence Against Native Women and Predators

• ⚠️ Cole notes that over four in five Native American and Alaskan Native women have experienced violence, with a murder rate 10 times higher for women on reservations.
• 🎯 He explains that perpetrators are often non-native Americans who target reservations due to remote locations and complex jurisdictions, likening it to predators knowing where to prey.
• 🤝 The focus on this persistent problem is deeply appreciated by Cole and likely other members across the aisle.

Broader Threats and Funding Needs

• 🚨 The nation faces numerous threats including terrorism, drug trafficking, cyber crimes, and child exploitation.
• ⚔️ Violent criminals constantly test the nation's weaknesses.
• 💰 Congress must efficiently appropriate funding to match the FBI's overwhelming tasks.