Dr Tom Coburn preparing to take US Senate seat, calls for freeze of federal spending

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- US Senator-elect Tom Coburn says he's working behind the scenes to try to freeze federal spending not related to defense.<br/><br/>But Coburn, a Republican from Muskogee, won't

Tuesday, November 16th 2004, 5:35 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- US Senator-elect Tom Coburn says he's working behind the scenes to try to freeze federal spending not related to defense.

But Coburn, a Republican from Muskogee, won't say whether he would consider stalling the Senate to force spending restraint.

He also says he's not qualified to know what "values" voters were concerned about when many told pollsters it was the top issue in Oklahoma's Senate election.

Coburn, a physician, defeated Democrat Brad Carson and independent Sheila Bilyeu on November 2nd in the race for the seat being vacated by Republican Senator Don Nickles.

Coburn takes office in January. He spoke at a news conference in Washington Monday to introduce the seven men who will comprise the freshman GOP class in the US Senate.