Press Releases
Senators Lankford, Coons, Representatives Kind, Walorski Introduce Import Tax Relief Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) today announced the bipartisan, bicameral Import Tax Relief Act, which would require the Executive Branch to create an exclusion process for List 3 (and any future list) of Chinese imports subject to Section 301 tariff imposition. Commensurate with the US Trade Representative's (USTR) exclusion process for Lists 1 and 2, US companies would also be able to apply for a refund for duties paid on imported goods subject to these t… Continue Reading
02.27.19
Senators Lankford, Hassan Introduce the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today introduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, a bipartisan Senate proposal to address the threat of government shutdowns. The bill is fairly simple. If all appropriations bills are not passed by both houses and signed by the President by October 1, no official travel will be allowed for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) leadership or staff, Cabinet members, or Senators and Representatives along with their commi… Continue Reading
02.26.19
Senator Lankford Joins Resolution to Recognize America’s National Debt Crisis
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and David Perdue (R-GA) along with Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) today introduced resolutions in the Senate and House to recognize America's national debt as a threat to our national security. Earlier this month, the national debt reached $22 trillion. The Senate resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Joni Ernst (R-IA). "As I have said before, slow economic growth and our skyrocketing national de… Continue Reading
02.16.19
Lankford Provides Keynote Address at USS Tulsa Commissioning in San Francisco
WASHINGTON, DC-Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today provided the keynote address at the commissioning of the new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the USS Tulsa. Lankford attended the commissioning at Embarcadero Pier 30/32 in San Francisco, CA. "It is a great honor to join so many Oklahomans to officially welcome the USS Tulsa into the Navy's LCS fleet," said Lankford. "The USS Tulsa truly represents the future of naval vessels. It is a high honor and a testament to the innovative spirit of the peopl… Continue Reading
02.16.19
Senator Lankford Keynote Address at USS Tulsa Commissioning
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) provided the keynote address at the commissioning of the new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the USS Tulsa. Lankford attended the commissioning at Embarcadero Pier 30/32 in San Francisco, CA. Transcript: Well, I want to say welcome, but then I have to do the welcome as we've done before. Welcome, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor, mayor. Welcome. Thank you for being here, Admiral, Admiral, Admiral, Admiral, Adm… Continue Reading
02.15.19
Lankford Commemorates Black History Month
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today praised the important work in the US Senate to honor Black History Month and to continue to address improving race relations in the US. This week, Lankford cosponsored a Senate resolution to formally commemorate Black History Month. Lankford also joined Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Tim Scott (R-SC) to finally address the crime of lynching through the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act. "In February, our nation pause… Continue Reading
02.14.19
Senator Lankford Votes to Fully Fund the Government, Provide Border Security
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to support a bill to fully fund the federal government for the remaining seven months of the fiscal year (ends September 30, 2019). The bill, which passed in a bipartisan vote of 83 to 16, notably includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security and related agencies after a Conference Committee negotiated the final version following passage of a continuing resolution on January 25, 2019. It also contains funding for the six remai… Continue Reading
02.13.19
Senators Lankford, Blunt Resolution to Reduce Needless Delays for Senate-Confirmed Nominees Passes Rules Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chairman Roy Blunt's (R-MO) resolution (S. Res. 50) to update the Senate rules for most Senate-confirmed nominees passed out of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee in a vote of 10-9. The resolution will reduce the 30 hours of post-cloture debate time to two hours for most nominees, including many Executive Branch nominees and district court judges, while maintaining 30 hours for high-level nom… Continue Reading
02.09.19
Senator Lankford Saddened by the Passing of Bill Burgess
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) offered his deepest condolences to the family of Oklahoma favorite son, Bill Burgess, after his passing yesterday: "I learned of Bill Burgess's passing last night as I was driving through Lawton on the highway named for him. Like that highway, Bill was such a foundational part of the Lawton community. He was a fierce defender of Lawton, a visionary for growing the community, and an endless advocate for Fort Sill. I will miss his leadership and h… Continue Reading
02.09.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe, Governor Stitt, Congressman Lucas Welcome Delivery of Altus' First KC-46
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Governor Kevin Stitt, and Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK) celebrated the delivery of the second KC-46 in the country and the first delivery for a training mission today. Altus Air Force Base is home to the training mission for the KC-46 tanker, the next generation of aerial refueling, and maintenance will be done at Tinker Air Force Base near Oklahoma City. "I am honored today to join my colleagues, Senator Inhofe and Rep. Lu… Continue Reading
02.06.19
Senator Lankford, Chairman Blunt Introduce Resolution to Reduce Needless Delays for Senate-Confirmed Nominees
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) today introduced a resolution to update the Senate rules for most Senate-confirmed nominees. The resolution would reduce the 30 hours of post-cloture debate time to two hours for most nominees, including many Executive Branch nominees and district court judges, while maintaining 30 hours for high-level nominees, including Supreme Court Justices and Cabinet-level officials. The r… Continue Reading
02.05.19
Senator Lankford, Congressmen Scalise, Hice, Johnson Reintroduce Free Speech Fairness Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), Congressmen Jody Hice (R-GA), and Mike Johnson (R-LA) today announced the reintroduction of the Free Speech Fairness Act, legislation designed to repeal the Johnson Amendment's censorship of 501(c)3 employees, including religious leaders, and restore their First Amendment rights. "The Free Speech Fairness Act is needed to prevent government intrusion and suppression of free speech by removing a restricti… Continue Reading
02.01.19
Lankford Letter - February 1
CLICK HERE for the February 1, 2019 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
01.29.19
Senator Lankford Joins Senators to Introduce Bill to Urge Taiwan Participation in WHO
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who are the co-chairs of the US Senate Taiwan Caucus, to introduce S. 249. The legislation calls for the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for Taiwan to regain observer status in the World Health Organization ahead of its annual global assembly later this year. They were joined by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Edward Markey (D-MA), Bill C… Continue Reading
01.29.19
Senator Lankford Attends First Finance Committee Hearing on Drug Pricing in America
CLICK HERE to listen to Lankford's questions. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in his first full Committee hearing of the Senate Finance Committee. Lankford was selected to serve on the Finance Committee at the start of the 116th Congress. Today's hearing was entitled, "Drug Pricing in America: A Prescription for Change, Part 1." Lankford had the opportunity to question Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, President of American Action Forum and former Director of the Congre… Continue Reading
01.29.19
Senator Lankford Discusses Proposal to Change Senate Rules on Nomination Debates
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor about the Senate's requirements for debate on Executive and Judicial Branch nominations. Nominees that require Senate confirmation first go through an extensive background check by the FBI and then the committee of jurisdiction when their nomination arrives on Capitol Hill. Once they receive hearings in the relevant committees of jurisdiction and meet with individ… Continue Reading
01.28.19
Senator Lankford Meets with Attorney General Nominee William Barr
CLICK HERE for a photo of Senator Lankford and William Barr. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with President Trump's nominee for Attorney General (AG) of the United States, William Barr. On December 7, 2018, President Trump announced his intention to nominate Barr to fill the vacancy after the resignation of former AG Jeff Sessions: "I was glad to get an opportunity today to meet with President Trump's nominee for Attorney General of the United States, William Barr. Mr… Continue Reading
01.25.19
Senator Lankford Pleased with Plan to Reopen Government, Repay Federal Workers, and Continue Border Security Negotiations
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offered cautious optimism after the Senate voted to approve a continuing resolution to fund the government through February 15th, pay federal employees, and establish a conference committee process for working through funding for border security during the three-week period. "The President and leaders in the House and Senate agreed that we need to pay federal workers and continue the ongoing dialogue on immigration and border security," sai… Continue Reading
01.25.19
Senator Lankford Sends Letter to Secretary of Labor on iCERT Crash
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta regarding the iCERT system's crash after a staggering increase in logins bombarded the system and ultimately led to its failure and inability for many businesses to apply for necessary workers. The iCERT system is the Department of Labor's online application resource for business owners who, because of a lack of available American workers to fill positions, seek temporary labor certification for H-… Continue Reading
01.24.19
Senator Lankford Supports Bill to Reopen Government and Provide Border Security
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of a proposal to reopen the rest of the federal government, provide appropriations for the remainder of the fiscal year, provide funding for border security including additional fencing and technology along the southern border, fund additional judges to hear pending immigration cases, and provide additional resources to ensure we protect UACs in US custody and directives for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. The bill… Continue Reading
