Press Releases
Senator Lankford Introduces Oklahoma Attorney to Judiciary Committee
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's introductory remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced Mrs. Jodi Dishman, an Edmond attorney, at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Dishman was nominated by President Trump on August 14, 2019, to serve as Judge on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Dishman currently serves as an attorney at McAfee & Taft law firm in Oklahoma City and is President of the Oklahoma City chapter … Continue Reading
09.24.19
Lowering drug prices with bipartisan, market-based proposals
by Senator James Lankford
Most Americans are affected in some way by rising prescription drug and healthcare prices. Whether you're personally impacted or hear about the effects of rising costs on a family member or friend, you know things aren't getting better. The Senate Finance Committee, on which I serve, started working this year on a series of hearings to better understand the complexity of drug pricing, especially in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. We've heard from pharmaceutical experts, federal r… Continue Reading
09.21.19
Lowering Drug Prices with Bipartisan, Market-based Proposals
by Senator James Lankford
Most Americans are affected in some way by rising prescription drug and healthcare prices. Whether you're personally impacted or hear about the effects of rising costs on a family member or friend, you know things aren't getting better. The Senate Finance Committee, on which I serve, started working this year on a series of hearings to better understand the complexity of drug pricing, especially in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. We've heard from pharmaceutical experts, federal r… Continue Reading
09.20.19
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Combatting Rising Costs on RX Drugs
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast. WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released an episode of Lankford's podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford. During the episode, Lankford discusses the rising cost of prescription drugs, Medicare Part D, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), generic tiering, and surprise billing. Lankford introduced the Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2019 with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Finance Committee, and… Continue Reading
09.19.19
Senator Lankford Votes to Advance Funding Bills in Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2020 Transportation-Housing & Urban Development, Agriculture, and Financial Services & General Government funding bills in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bills passed out of the Committee with bipartisan support and now await further consideration on the Senate floor. "Today the Appropriations Committee continued to advance bills to fund several important agencies with the federal government… Continue Reading
09.19.19
Oklahoma Senators Applaud Committee Advancement of Oklahoman Kerry Pettingill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee advancement of Kerry Pettingill to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Pettingill's nomination was reported favorably by voice vote and will now move to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. "I am glad to see Kerry Pettingill's nomination pass out of the Judiciary Committee today, and I anticipate his swift confirmation by the full Senate," sai… Continue Reading
09.18.19
Senator Lankford Highlights Importance of US Constitution on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor today in reverence of our most enduring governing document, the US Constitution, following Constitution Day. Lankford discussed the power and uniqueness of our system of government and how vital our Constitution is to maintaining our national identity and rule of law, protecting the rights we hold dear, and ensuring our nation does not fall to tyranny. Transcript September 17, … Continue Reading
09.18.19
Senators Lankford, Hassan Continue to Push Prevent Government Shutdowns Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today highlighted the need for Congress to pass their bipartisan legislation to end government shutdowns following the release of a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) subcommittee report on how the last three government shutdowns have negatively impacted everything from the economy to national security. "Shutting down the government is an ineffective and costly way to fail to govern," said … Continue Reading
09.17.19
Senators Urge Army Corps Collaboration on Water Supply Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) on a bipartisan letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney expressing strong opposition to the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposed rulemaking for their use of reservoir projects for domestic, municipal, and industrial water supply. He was joined by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), John Barrasso (R-WY),… Continue Reading
09.12.19
Senators Lankford, Sinema, Tester Seek to Evaluate the VA’s Contracting Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined a bipartisan effort to review how the VA manages its contracts. Lankford partnered with Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Jon Tester (D-MT) on a letter to the top federal government watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), after the VA's acquisition management was added to the GAO's list of government programs at risk for waste and fraud. "The wide range of goods and services that VA procures-including construction, information… Continue Reading
09.11.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Passing of T. Boone Pickens
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the passing of T. Boone Pickens: "Today the world said goodbye to T. Boone Pickens with gratitude for an incredible legacy that will continue to live on after his passing. His vision and entrepreneurship forever changed the energy industry, making it a driver of our nation's economic engine and kick-starting American energy independence. Those who were recipients of the billions of dollars he gave through philanthr… Continue Reading
09.11.19
Senator Lankford Marks the Anniversary of 9/11
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to remember the September 11, 2001, attacks on our nation and to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including seven Oklahomans. In our nation's mobilized response to global terrorism since that fateful day, 51 Oklahomans have lost their lives fighting in Afghanistan, and 72 Oklahomans have lost their lives in Iraq. Today, Lankford is wearing a tie given to him by Gold Star… Continue Reading
09.04.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe, Congressman Hern Support Border Wall Construction
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statements today regarding the notification that military construction funding will be used for border security: "The mission of the Department of Defense is to secure our nation. Providing additional funding to complete the wall at the US Southern border falls into that mission," said Lankford. "Oklahoma's military in… Continue Reading
09.03.19
Senator Lankford in Tulsa and Jenks on Wednesday
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - On Wednesday, September 4, Senator James Lankford will speak at the Tulsa Rotary Club over lunch and host a town-hall style Community Conversation at the Oklahoma Aquarium in the evening. In the afternoon Lankford will visit with the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the flooding from earlier this year. He will also stop by Oral Roberts University to visit with students. WHAT: Speak at Tulsa Rotary ClubWHEN: Wednesday, September 4, 12 pm CTWHERE: 1115 South Bolder Avenue, T… Continue Reading
08.26.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Ruling for Victims of the Opioid Crisis
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement after today's verdict in Oklahoma's case against Johnson & Johnson regarding the company's "public nuisance" contribution to the opioid crisis in the state. Cleveland County Judge Thad Balkman ordered the company to pay $572 million to Oklahoma, which will be contributed to a state fund and used primarily for research on pain and addiction. "For victims of the opioid crisis and their families, today is a day of justice," … Continue Reading
08.23.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe, and Rep. Cole Applaud Grants for Graduate Medical Education
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) today applauded the Department of Health and Human Services announcement that Oklahoma has earned two grants from the Medical Student Education Program, totaling $9.25 million over four years. The program, created by Inhofe and Cole's provision in the FY19 appropriations bill, provides grants to support graduate medical education in rural states. Both the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Okl… Continue Reading
08.23.19
Lankford Letter - August 23
CLICK HERE for the August 23, 2019, Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
08.14.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Rule to Ensure Faith-Based Organizations Can Partner with the Federal Government
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement after the US Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced plans to clarify the civil rights protections for religious organizations that contract with the federal government. "This is an important clarification that is needed for Americans and faith-based organizations who exercise their constitutional right to live their faith when contracting with the federal government," sai… Continue Reading
08.14.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Praise Nomination of Jodi Dishman
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) announced their support of President Trump's intent to nominate Jodi Dishman to serve as US District Court Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. "Jodi's extensive experience makes her a well-qualified nominee to serve as a District Court Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma," said Lankford. "I thank her for accepting the call to serve our nation and state in this role, and I urge my colleagues to confirm her no… Continue Reading
08.14.19
Senators: Abolishing ICE would worsen child smuggling and other US-Mexico border problems
by Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA)
Last month we visited the Rio Grande Valley sector of our southern border near McAllen, Texas. We toured the Hidalgo Port of Entry - a large pedestrian access and processing point for individuals, families and unaccompanied minors. We saw the Donna Holding Facility, a large temporary facility for processing families who cross the border between the legal ports of entry. The Donna facility was added because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is limited in funding, so there is no place to … Continue Reading
