Press Releases
Lankford Releases Assistance Guidance to Answers Oklahomans’ Questions on COVID-19 Economic Relief for Workers and Businesses
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has launched a webpage at www.lankford.senate.gov/issues that is compiled with information for Oklahoma workers, businesses, students, and parents. The webpage includes several easily accessible documents on various aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act legislation to address Oklahomans' frequently asked questions and provide resources on ways to apply for and receive benefits, including unemploym… Continue Reading
04.02.20
Lankford Applauds Decision to Give Senior Adults, Disability Recipients Automatic Access to Direct Cash Payments
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Earlier this week, following initial reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was going to require senior adults and others to file tax returns in order to receive the direct cash assistance for COVID-19, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined his colleagues in urging the IRS to use authority Congress gave them and qualify seniors automatically. Last night, the Treasury Department immediately clarified that Social Security retirement and disability recipients will not ne… Continue Reading
03.30.20
Lankford Acts to Speed Up Process to Feed Kids for OK Department of Education
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded swift action by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) following its timely approval of a waiver to allow Oklahoma students statewide to able to access two free meals a day, which Lankford helped facilitate. The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) applied for the waiver March 11 and March 25 to remove the requirement that school feeding sites be located in high-need areas under the Emergency School Closure provisions of… Continue Reading
03.28.20
Lankford Remembers the Legacy of Former US Senator Tom Coburn
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the passing of former-Oklahoma US Senator Tom Coburn, M.D.: "Oklahoma has lost a tremendous leader, and I lost a great friend today. Dr. Coburn was an inspiration to many in our state and our nation. He was unwavering in his conservative values, but he had deep and meaningful friendships with people from all political and personal backgrounds. He was truly respected by people on both sides of the aisle. "Dr. Co… Continue Reading
03.27.20
Lankford Connects with Over 20,000 Constituents Regarding COVID-19
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) over the last two weeks has been committed to working with Oklahomans to help answer questions in regards to the federal and state response to COVID-19. Lankford has hosted telephone town halls with constituents around the state, hosted Facebook and Instagram videos to provide instant updates, engaged on video conferencing and conference call with community and industry leaders, has updated his website to provide the latest information, and is usi… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Lankford Supports Emergency Relief for Families, Individuals and Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following the vote on the third phase of emergency assistance to address the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. "The Senate has taken action to meet the needs of Oklahomans and their families. Every aspect of our communities isbeing affected by this crisis, and it's critical that Congress provide much-needed support and assistance in this unprecedented time of need," said Lankford. "Every American is called to stop this pandemic… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Lankford, Gillibrand Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Call to Protect Civil Rights for People with Disabilities Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) led a bipartisan, bicameral call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to protect against disability discrimination in state and health provider responses to COVID-19. In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Attorney General William Barr, the bipartisan coalition called for HHS to notify states of their obligations to adhere to anti-discrimination laws-including the Americ… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Lankford Urges Senate to Pass Negotiated COVID-19 Aid Bill
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass the negotiated Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide relief to Oklahoma families, workers, and businesses. Lankford highlighted specific areas where the bill will help Oklahoma healthcare facilities, workers, families, and individuals. Transcript We're in the process of passing a very large economic package to help… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Lankford Gives Emotional Tribute of Fallen Hero TSgt. Marshal Roberts on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today honored fallen hero Technical Sergeant Marshal Roberts of the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron, a unit of the 138th Fighter Wing of the Oklahoma National Guard on the floor of the Senate. TSgt. Roberts was one of two Americans killed in action in an overnight rocket attack in Iraq on March 11, 2020. Lankford joined Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Congressman Kevin Hern (R-OK-1) to offer condolences… Continue Reading
03.24.20
Lankford Blasts Continued ‘We’re Close’ Attitude on COVID-19 Aid Bill While Oklahomans Struggle
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned in frustration why the Senate cannot seem to get beyond the "2-yard line" on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to finally get the much-needed aid and economic stimulus money to small businesses, families, and individuals in Oklahoma and around the nation. Lankford highlighted several Oklahomans' phone calls to his office recently about how the Senate's inabi… Continue Reading
03.23.20
Lankford Frustrated with Partisan Politics While Nation Faces Health Crisis
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today took to the Senate floor to discuss the Senate's ongoing consideration of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which has now failed twice to receive the 60 votes needed to proceed due to partisan disagreements over a number of items-many of which Lankford cites as unrelated to the coronavirus-being negotiated. Lankford offered an amendment to help nonprofits by allowing chari… Continue Reading
03.22.20
Lankford Announces Overwhelming Support from Nonprofits on Amendment to Increase Charitable Giving Deduction
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offered an amendment to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which would increase the bill's $300 limit on the charitable giving deduction to one-third of the standard deduction ($4,000 for an individual filer and $8,000 for married joint filers) for the 2020 tax year. Lankford's amendment is similar to the language of his Universal Charitable Giving Act, which Lankford first offered as a stand-alone bill in 2017. O… Continue Reading
03.22.20
Lankford Pushes to Increase Charitable Giving Deduction in Coronavirus Aid Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offered an amendment to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARE) Act, which would increase the bill's $300 limit on the charitable giving deduction to one-third of the standard deduction ($4,000 for an individual filer and $8,000 for married joint filers) for the remainder of 2020. Lankford's amendment is similar to the language of his Universal Charitable Giving Act, which Lankford first offered as a stand-alone bill in 2017.… Continue Reading
03.21.20
Lankford, Van Hollen, Sinema Announce Bipartisan Legislation Requiring Federal Agencies to Maximize Telework for Employees
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) announced the Emergency Telework Act, legislation requiring federal agencies to maximize their telework policies for federal employees. During the current public health emergency, this legislation would give a clear directive to all federal agencies to allow all telework-eligible federal workers to telework full-time, unless there is a clear and compelling reason not to do so. It would furt… Continue Reading
03.20.20
Lankford, Inhofe Urge Investigation Into Russia and Saudi Arabia Excessive Dumping in Oil Markets
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) in a letter to US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross urging him to investigate excessive dumping of oil by Russia and Saudi Arabia that has destabilized global oil markets. Lankford and Inhofe were joined by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK). The full text of the letter to Secretary Ross can b… Continue Reading
03.18.20
Lankford Statement on Nomination of Russell Vought to Serve as OMB Director
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement after President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Russell Vought to serve as Director of Office of Management and Budget: "Russell Vought is the right person to serve our nation well as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. As the current Acting Director, he has two years of leadership experience with OMB and I am confident that he would continue to lead well as the Senate-confirmed head of the agenc… Continue Reading
03.18.20
Lankford Statement on Senate Passage of Coronavirus Economic Package
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following the vote on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which is the second bill addressing the coronavirus outbreak: "I just voted against the second COVID-19 bill in the Senate. I supported the $8.3 billion health care bill three weeks ago, but this bill has a new government mandate on small businesses, which was intended to help, but I fear it will make a bad situation worse for many Oklahoma businesses. We h… Continue Reading
03.18.20
Senator Lankford Talks Coronavirus, Economic Stimulus Package
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Sator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor about the outbreak of the coronavirus in terms of national and international health concerns and also in terms of its dramatic impact on our nation's economy. Lankford cited Oklahoma small business concerns about why the appropriate economic stimulus action is so important. Lankford believes the first priority in Congress should be to "do no harm," and that the Families First … Continue Reading
03.17.20
Lankford Statement on Senate Plans to Consider House Economic Package
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following an announcement by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on plans to vote on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which the House passed late last Friday: "This morning, the Senate received the House-passed economic package to address the financial impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, after holding the bill over the weekend to fix a number of errors from putting the text together so quickly last … Continue Reading
03.13.20
Lankford Statement on President Declaring a National Emergency
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following President Donald Trump's declaration of a National Emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak: "President Trump's national emergency declaration provides the federal government additional resources to continue to respond to the coronavirus and remove unnecessary barriers to receiving access to care. Yesterday, I expressed my frustration to the Administration on the lack of communication and availability … Continue Reading
