Press Releases
Lankford Congratulates OSU President on Retirement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford released the following statement on the announcement from Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis on his retirement: "Oklahoma State has seen incredible growth and success under the guidance and leadership of Burns Hargis. Cowboys will miss his steady leadership. America's brightest orange shines because of the work, dedication, and pride he and Ann have for the entire OSU community. Burns will leave OSU better after his season of leadership, … Continue Reading
10.22.20
Lankford Supports Judge Barrett’s Supreme Court Nomination on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the floor. CLICK HERE to download Lankford's remarks from Box. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offered his full support on the Senate floor for the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as an Associate Justice on the US Supreme Court. Following Lankford's meeting with Judge Barrett yesterday, Lankford took to the floor today to thank Judge Barrett and her family and provide information on why he believes Judge Barrett wil… Continue Reading
10.22.20
Lankford, Capito Send letter to EPA Opposing Ethanol Mandate Expansion
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and his colleagues in a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler concerning the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2021. Specifically, the senators asked Administrator Wheeler to use his statutory authorities under the Clean Air Act to cite "severe economic harm" and employ a general waiver to not increase the RVO for 2021. Give… Continue Reading
10.21.20
Lankford Meets with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett
CLICK HERE for B-roll of Lankford's meeting with Judge Barrett. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with Judge Amy Coney Barret, nominee for Associate Justice for the US Supreme Court to fill the vacancy of the late-Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. "After meeting with Judge Barrett today, hearing her testimony before the Judiciary Committee last week, and reviewing her background information, I'm confident that Judge Barrett is extremely well qualified and will be a fair jus… Continue Reading
10.21.20
Lankford Supports Targeted COVID-19 Relief, Continued Support for PPP
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to support a $500 billion coronavirus relief package that focuses on COVID-19 testing and vaccines, additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), unemployment benefit support, and $100 billion for schools so children and staff can return safely. The Delivering Immediate Relief to America's Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act would help provide immediate relief to American small businesses and families without the u… Continue Reading
10.20.20
Lankford Outlines Steps Taken to Enhance Security Ahead of 2020 Election
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has consistently worked since the 2016 election to ensure safe and secure future elections for Oklahomans and Americans. Most notably, following the 2016 presidential election, as a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Lankford introduced bipartisan legislation entitled the Secure Elections Act, which included targeted funding for states to secure and update their own election systems. "Two weeks out from the 2020 election, Okl… Continue Reading
10.16.20
Lankford, Van Hollen Urge Immediate Action Following New Reports of Turkey Testing Russian S-400 Anti-Aircraft System
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today released the following statement regarding new reports that Turkey has tested its Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft missile system: "Turkey's reported testing of the Russian S-400 is unacceptable. The NATO partnership was created to deter Russian aggression in the region, so it is incompatible for any NATO member state to also deploy Russian weapons systems. The US has made clear that Turkey's actions put US nat… Continue Reading
10.07.20
Lankford, Van Hollen Make Bipartisan Push for Answers on Turkey’s Reported Use of the S-400 Anti-Aircraft System to Detect F-16s
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressing for details on Turkey's reported use of the Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft system. Turkey's use of the S-400 could undermine US national security, allowing Russia a backdoor to spy on NATO allies. In their letter, the Senators once again urge Secretary Pompeo to sanction Turkey for the initial purchase of the S-400, as required under the Countering Amer… Continue Reading
10.07.20
Lankford Joins Wicker on Amicus Brief in Support of Religious Freedom in Nation’s Capital
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), today to file an amicus brief on behalf of 33 Senators supporting Capitol Hill Baptist Church's lawsuit against the Mayor of Washington, DC, Muriel Bowser. Mayor Bowser has permitted and participated in several mass protests in recent months. However, the city's COVID-19 regulations prohibit a religious gathering of more than 100 individuals outdoors. The Senators argue that the selective enforcement of the Dis… Continue Reading
10.07.20
Lankford Joins Wicker on Amicus Brief in Support of Religious Freedom in Nation’s Capitol
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Roger Wicker, (R-MS), today to file an amicus brief on behalf of 33 Senators supporting Capitol Hill Baptist Church's lawsuit against the Mayor of Washington, DC, Muriel Bowser. Mayor Bowser has permitted and participated in several mass protests in recent months. However, the city's COVID-19 regulations prohibit a religious gathering of more than 100 individuals outdoors. The Senators argue that the selective enforcement of the Di… Continue Reading
10.07.20
Lankford, Shaheen, & King Introduce Bipartisan ‘DRIVE LESS’ Act to Save Taxpayers $500 Million
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Angus King (I-ME) reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to save taxpayer dollars by reducing the federal funding available for the acquisition and leasing of new federal vehicles. The Domestic Reduction In Vehicle Expenditure and Lowering Emissions from State Sources Act, or the DRIVE LESS Act, aims to significantly improve federal agencies' fleet management by establishing standards for vehicle utilization and m… Continue Reading
10.01.20
Lankford Statement on Schumer’s Politically Motivated Health Care Vote
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement after the Senate voted on a health care bill offered by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY): "Today's vote was not on a serious proposal; it was an exercise in political theater. Senator Schumer's procedural move to bring this bill to the floor was not to ensure quality health care for Americans; it was simply another effort to try to hamstring the Trump Administration. In fact, not even 24 hours ago, S… Continue Reading
09.30.20
Lankford Statement on Continuing Resolution to Fund the Government
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the passage of a Continuing Resolution to fund the government at current levels through December 11, 2020: "Funding the government by continuing resolution is never ideal because it doesn't give Congress the ability to make necessary funding adjustments through the regular, albeit broken, budget and spending process. We do not need to put the country through the threat of yet another costly and needless shutd… Continue Reading
09.30.20
Lankford Denounces Attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Faith
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. CLICK HERE to download Lankford's speech from Box. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today addressed the Senate with an impassioned affirmation of the US Constitution's protections for all Americans to have a faith and live that faith or have no faith at all, especially amid rising concerns that the Catholic faith of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump's nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsb… Continue Reading
09.30.20
Lankford Votes in Homeland Security Committee to Support Chad Wolf to Lead DHS
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of the confirmation of Chad Wolf to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during a Business Meeting of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Wolf began serving as Acting Secretary of DHS in November 2019. President Trump nominated Acting Secretary Wolf to serve as Secretary on August 27, 2020. "I believe Chad Wolf will serve our nation well as the Secretary of DHS, and I look forwar… Continue Reading
09.29.20
Lankford Congratulates Oklahoma’s 2020 Blue Ribbon Schools
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offers his congratulations to the six Oklahoma schools selected as 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools. “It is an honor for the entire state of Oklahoma that these great schools received national recognition for excellence,” said Lankford. “Oklahoma school systems have stepped up to the plate during the COVID-19 pandemic to help keep students engaged and learning during these difficult times. Oklahomans remain proud of our teachers, administrat… Continue Reading
09.26.20
Lankford Statement on President’s Nominee to Fill the Supreme Court Vacancy
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement after President Trump announced he nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the Supreme Court vacancy: "I look forward to meeting Judge Barrett and considering her nomination to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. Her distinguished professional resume includes a law degree from University of Notre Dame, clerking for Justice Antonin Scalia, teaching law at her alma mater, and serving on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. She is… Continue Reading
09.26.20
Lankford Issues Statement on Executive Order to Protect Newborn Children
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement after President Trump signed an Executive Order Protecting Vulnerable Newborn and Infant Children: "President Trump took an extraordinary step to protect newborns, pre-mature babies, and infant lives. If a child is delivered and is alive, they should be protected by federal law and provided full medical care. In America, every child should matter to every person. Thank you, President Trump, for ensuring every c… Continue Reading
09.25.20
Senator Lankford’s The Breakdown Discusses COVID-19 Vaccine
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast. CLICK HERE to watch the podcast. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released an episode his podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford. Joining the Senator is FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD to discuss the FDA's role in the development of a safe vaccine in response to COVID-19. Lankford recently spoke on the Senate floor on his support for the Senate Republican plan that would provide additional targeted relief, which i… Continue Reading
09.24.20
Lankford, Johnson, Portman Want to Remove Unnecessary Regulations that Weakened Pandemic Preparedness
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, Ron Johnson (R-WI), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Rob Portman (R-OH), chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, today introduced the Pandemic Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Act, which would help Congress repeal or modify regulations that have impeded our nation's ability to rapidly respond to the coronavirus … Continue Reading
