Press Releases
Senator Lankford: Congress Should Repeal Renewable Fuel Standard Program
WASHINGTON, DC - The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, under the chairmanship of Senator James Lankford (R-OK), today held a hearing to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) management of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and discuss two Government Accountability Office reports about the program released earlier this week. The first report shows that the RFS program is unlikely to meet its targets for reducing gree… Continue Reading
12.01.16
Senator Lankford Applauds Senate Passage of Iran Sanctions Act
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford today praised Senate passage of the Iran Sanctions Act (HR 6297), which extends existing sanctions' authority on Iran until December 31, 2026. The sanctions aim to deny Iran the resources to support terrorism or develop weapons of mass destruction. "I am encouraged that both the House and Senate have reasserted their authority as a co-equal branch of government and demonstrated overwhelming support of the Iran Sanctions Act. There are not many issues on wh… Continue Reading
12.01.16
EVENTS: Senator Lankford to Discuss Federal Fumbles in OKC, Tulsa
On Friday, December 2, Senator James Lankford will participate in two events in Oklahoma to discuss his new government waste report entitled, "Federal Fumbles: 100 ways the government dropped the ball." Both events are free and open to the public. CLICK HERE TO RSVP WHAT: Senator Lankford Speech at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs WHEN: Friday, December 2, 7:30am-8:30amCT WHERE: Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, Advance Center for Free Enterprise, 415 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK … Continue Reading
11.29.16
Lankford-Requested GAO Reports Prove RFS Standard Is Unrealistic and Ineffective
WASHINGTON, DC - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released two reports requested by Senator James Lankford (R-OK) a year ago on the long term feasibility of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. The first report shows that the RFS program is unlikely to meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding the US renewable fuels sector. The second report shows that low expected production volumes make it unlikely that advanced biofuels can meet increasing targ… Continue Reading
11.28.16
Senator Lankford Releases “Federal Fumbles” Gov’t Waste Report
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford today released his second annual government waste and solutions report called, "Federal Fumbles: 100 ways the government dropped the ball." The report represents $247 billion in wasteful and inefficient federal spending and regulations, but also includes solutions to each of the examples of government waste. CLICK HERE to access the report. "The American people have signaled a bold new direction for Washington with the election of President-elect Donald … Continue Reading
11.22.16
Senator James Lankford Statement on Court Delay of Federal Overtime Rule
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on a Texas Federal District Judge granting an emergency injunction against the Labor Department's federal overtime rule: "I am pleased that a Federal District Judge has, yet again, pumped the brakes on another harmful regulation from the Obama administration. This federal overtime rule is devastating for small businesses, colleges and nonprofits all across America, but particularly in states with a low cost-of… Continue Reading
11.17.16
Senators Lankford, King Urge President-elect Trump to Quickly Nominate Director of National Intelligence
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Angus King (I-ME), members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, today sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump urging him to prioritize the nomination of the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and to select an experienced, collaborative individual who can advise on the nomination of other intelligence agency leaders. "A successful DNI makes the intelligence community more efficient, more collaborative, limits redundancies, and … Continue Reading
11.16.16
Senator Lankford Invites Oklahomans to Request Tickets for 2017 Presidential Inauguration
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released information for Oklahomans interested in attending the 58th Presidential Inauguration on Friday, January 20, 2017. President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States at the Inauguration. Each US Senate and Congressional Office will receive a small number of tickets for the ceremony. Tickets available are for standing room only access to the West Lawn of the US Capitol. Oklahomans interested in at… Continue Reading
11.14.16
Senator Lankford to Release Second “Federal Fumbles” Gov’t Waste Report
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced that he will release a second "Federal Fumbles" government waste and solutions report on November 28. Lankford's 2015 report, called "Federal Fumbles: 100 ways the government dropped the ball," identified $105 billion in wasteful federal spending, and about $800 billion in negative regulatory impact to the economy. This year's report will identify new examples of waste and duplication in government. "The American people have signal… Continue Reading
11.09.16
Senator Lankford Statement on 2016 Presidential Election
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the results of last night's elections: "I congratulate President-Elect Trump and Vice President-Elect Pence on a solid victory. The American people have spoken. It is clear that they are tired of top-down mandates from Washington, extreme executive overreach, excessive regulations and weak foreign policy. Now, with a Republican-controlled Congress and a Republican in the White House, it is time to address the re… Continue Reading
10.28.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Reopening of FBI Investigation Into Hillary Clinton
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the FBI reopening its investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's email arrangement: "Hillary Clinton has claimed for months that the FBI found no reason to prosecute her for her careless handling of classified information, but today reminds us again that the FBI can only examine what the Clinton's have not already destroyed or hidden. As more evidence is discovered, it is obvious to the Ameri… Continue Reading
10.25.16
Senator James Lankford: Obamacare is not working for all Americans
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement after the Obama administration announced that premiums for Obamacare will increase by an average of 25 percent next year. "The Obama administration's confirmation of 25 percent premium hike is yet another in a long line of broken promises from the unaffordable Affordable Care Act. The news for Oklahomans is actually much worse, as 2017 premiums will now rise by 76 percent and Blue Cross Blue Shield is now t… Continue Reading
10.21.16
Senator Lankford and Congressman Diaz-Balart Challenge Obama’s Latest Cuba Directive
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) today sent a letter to President Obama, stating their profound concern regarding the recent Presidential Policy Directive with the communist Castro regime in Cuba. On October 14, the President issued the directive to ease the economic embargo between America and Cuba. The directive is an overreach of Executive authority regarding congressionally-enacted sanctions with Cuba, and it contradicts America's com… Continue Reading
10.12.16
Senators Lankford and Inhofe Press Top Pentagon Officials About Obama Administration’s $1.7 Billion Cash Payment to Iran
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford regarding their recent testimony before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing about the Obama administration's $1.7 billion cash payment to Iran, and the fact that top military officials were not notified before the payment was made. Following reports that Iran has funneled this money into its military budget,… Continue Reading
09.29.16
Lankford Blasts Federal Overtime Rule, Offers Legislation to Provide Relief For Small Businesses, Colleges, and Nonprofits
CLICK HERE to watch the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate to call for a delay to the Department of Labor's new federal overtime rule. During the speech, Lankford laid out the extreme burden this rule will cause to small businesses, colleges, and nonprofits. Today, Lankford, along with Senators Alexander (R-TN) and Collins (R-ME), introduced two bills to address the issues with the burdensome federal overtime rule. The Reg… Continue Reading
09.29.16
Senator Lankford Introduces Bills to Delay Overtime Rule and Protect Small Businesses, Colleges and Nonprofits
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced legislation to delay the new Department of Labor federal overtime rule that is extremely burdensome to small businesses, colleges and nonprofits. The bill, called the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools and Nonprofits Act (S. 3462), would delay implementation of the rule six months from its current date of December 1, 2016 to June 1, 2017. On May 18, President Obama and Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez finalized … Continue Reading
09.29.16
Senator Lankford Again Slams Broken Budget Process, Calls for Change
CLICK HERE to watch the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) yesterday delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate to address the issues with the Senate's broken budget process. Lankford stressed that the budget process needs to change to provide more transparency and focus on solutions that will proactively tackle major reforms through regular order, which will allow for meaningful debt reduction. Lankford has consistently encouraged a budget process that allows more Congres… Continue Reading
09.28.16
Senator Lankford Votes to Override President’s Veto of 9/11 Victim Families Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on his vote to override President Obama's veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (S. 2040). It passed the Senate by a vote of 97-1: "Despite President Obama's opposition, I was proud to join 96 of my Senate colleagues in supporting this important bill. Families affected by foreign state-supported terrorism in the U.S. deserve the right to pursue justice for these cowardly and horrific attacks. Foreign st… Continue Reading
09.28.16
Senator Lankford Statement on the Death of Shimon Peres
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following remarks on the death of former Israeli President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres: "The legacy and life of former Israeli President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres are remarkable and historic. His contributions to peace and justice have changed world history. I had the opportunity to meet President Peres in 2011 and it was an honor to hear first-hand about his efforts to re-establish and protect the historic homeland of the … Continue Reading
09.28.16
Lankford, Hartzler Led Amicus Brief Challenging Obama Administration’s Executive Overreach in Title IX Case
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) yesterday led over 100 Members of Congress in an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court regarding a case in which a local school district in Virginia was forced to change policies to accommodate the Department of Education's overreaching reinterpretation of Title IX, G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board. Title IX is a portion of Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on th… Continue Reading
