Press Releases
Senators Send Letter to Urge Expanded Access for Families with Alzheimer's
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ed Markey (D-MA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) led a bipartisan group of Senators in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct an outreach campaign to educate clinicians, Medicare beneficiaries with cognitive impairment, and their families on the assessment and care planning services currently available to them. "As you know, more than five mi… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Senator Lankford Opposes Returning to Obama-Era Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to oppose a Senate Democrat-backed resolution that would undo the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) repeal of the Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan (CPP) and also repeal the adoption of the Trump Administration's Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, issued in June 2019. Lankford's vote to oppose the Resolution of Disapproval effectively blocks the Democrats from overriding President Trump's revocation of the CPP, an executiv… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Senator Lankford Applauds Committee Passage of Bill to Ensure Justice to US Victims of Terrorism
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the bipartisan passage of his bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act seeks to provide justice for US victims of international terrorism while promoting the important security cooperation among US, Israeli, and Palestinian security forces. "I'm grateful the Senate Judiciary Committee considered and passed the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act a… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the passing of Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD): "Cindy and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Representative Elijah Cummings, and we keep his wife, Maya, and his three children in our prayers as they grieve his loss. I was honored to serve with Elijah in the House and got to know him during our time serving on Oversight. He was a man of strong faith, and he showed great kindness and friendship ac… Continue Reading
10.16.19
Senator Lankford Discusses Syria, Turkey on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to discuss the current situation in Syria and Turkey, specifically as it relates to US military operations in the region to fight ISIS, the Kurdish people, and our precarious NATO alliance with Turkey. Yesterday, Lankford issued a statement supporting President Trump's announcement to issue sanctions on Turkey amid the aggression in the region and Turkey's … Continue Reading
10.16.19
Senator Lankford Announces Public Events for Friday, October 18
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the public events for Friday, October 18, 2019. WHAT: Senator Lankford Attends KC-46 Maintenance Facility Ribbon-cutting CeremonyWHEN: Friday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. CTWHERE: Tinker Air Force Base, Building 9502 WHAT: Senator Lankford Attends Groundbreaking for Pro Pipe FacilityWHEN: Friday, October 18, 10:00 a.m. CTWHERE: Iron Horse Indu… Continue Reading
10.15.19
Senator Lankford Statement on US Sanctions on Turkey
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the announcement from the Administration to impose sanctions on Turkey: "For two years, Turkey unjustly held US pastor Andrew Brunson, and the Trump Administration, at my request, responded with sanctions. When Turkey tried to purchase both Russian and US military equipment, we pushed to stop the transfer of the US F-35 technology to Turkey. Now, as Turkey continues to turn their back on the region it is right that… Continue Reading
10.15.19
Senator Lankford Disappointed with RFS Mandates
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced administrative changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) regarding requirements to reallocate volumes waived through small refinery exemptions (SREs). "The RFS has been a problem since day one, and the proposed increase to the mandate only further complicates a broken federal requirement to blend biofuels into gasoline," said Lankford. "This proposal c… Continue Reading
10.09.19
Senator Lankford Applauds Administration’s Commitment to Regulatory Reform
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, today praised the Administration's announcement of two executive orders (EOs) regarding transparency in agency guidance. The two executive orders, entitled "Bringing Guidance out of Darkness" and "Transparency and Fairness," will help bring light to guidance documents issued by federal agencies. These EOs wi… Continue Reading
10.08.19
Office Visit: PBMs on hot seat
by David Holden
If I were to guess, I have a feeling most people don't know what the acronym PBM stands for? PBM is short for pharmacy benefit manager. According to Wikipedia, PBMs are middlemen that were originally designed to reduce administrative costs for insurers, validate patient eligibility, administer plan benefits as well as negotiate costs between pharmacies and health plans. However, according to the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, PBMs reduce prescription drug costs and improve convenie… Continue Reading
10.04.19
Senator Lankford Announces Public Events for Week of October 7
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the public events for the state work period during the week of October 7, 2019. Below are the events: WHAT: Senator Lankford Holds Community Conversation in Seiling WHEN: Monday, October 7, 10:00 a.m. CT WHERE: The Crooked Arrow Café, 208 S Main Street, Seiling, OK 73663 WHAT: Senator Lankford Addresses Woodward Chamber of Commerce WHEN: … Continue Reading
10.03.19
Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Nomination of Oklahoma City Judge
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today issued statements of support for President Trump's nomination of Bernard M. Jones to serve as Judge for the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Jones currently serves as a United States Magistrate Judge on the Western District court. "Having served as a Magistrate Judge for the last four years, Judge Jones is well qualified to step into this role," said Lankford. "There should be no hesitation by… Continue Reading
10.02.19
Midwest City Fire Department Awarded SAFER Grant
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Congressman Tom Cole (R-04) released statements following the announcement that the Midwest City Fire Department will receive a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). SAFER grants are distributed to local fire departments across the country to ensure they are staffed at all times and meet industry-minimum standards. This grant funding … Continue Reading
10.01.19
Oklahoma Delegation Urges Passage of USMCA
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) joined by Representatives Frank Lucas (R-OK), Tom Cole (R-OK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Kevin Hern (R-OK) today released statements of support on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's announcement of the three-country trade agreement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). "We have seen a year of unnecessary delay since President Trump first announced the USMCA, as our nation waits for Speake… Continue Reading
09.30.19
Senator Lankford Supports State Order on Contraband Cell Phones
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on his support for Governor Kevin Stitt's (R-OK) state executive order following the use of contraband cell phones following the recent outbreak of prison riots that left one inmate dead and several injured. Lankford continues to push for a change in federal law that will allow states to use jamming technology to block internal signals and prevent the use of contraband cell phones in prisons. "I commend Governor S… Continue Reading
09.27.19
Senate Confirms Oklahoman to be US Marshal
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) praised the confirmation Kerry Pettingill by the Senate to serve as the United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. "I am pleased to see the swift confirmation of Kerry Pettingill to be US Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma," said Lankford. "Kerry has formerly served Oklahoma as Director of the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, the nation through his work with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task F… Continue Reading
09.27.19
Lankford Letter - September 27
CLICK HERE for the September 27, 2019, Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Reducing Refugee Cap
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement on plans from the Administration to lower the refugee cap for FY 2020 from 30,000 to 18,000: "I'm disappointed to see that the Administration has once again decided to decrease the number of refugees we allow into our country. Over the last few months, the Department of Homeland Security implemented multiple policies that have resulted in a decrease in migrants at the US Southern Border. While I appreciate the Administration's fo… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Urges Senate to Pass Government Shutdown Prevention Act
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today again rose on the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass his bipartisan Prevent Government Shutdowns Act. Lankford introduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act earlier this year with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and the bill passed the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) in June. HSGAC Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) also recently penned an op-ed in the Wall Street J… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Supports Funding Bills in Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills to fund Interior, Environment, & related agencies; the Commerce, Justice, Science, & related agencies, Homeland Security; State, Foreign Operations, & related programs; and the Legislative Branch in the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The bills passed the Committee with bipartisan support and now head to the Senate floor for full consideration. "Today the Senate Appropr… Continue Reading
