Press Releases
Senator Lankford Votes for Defense Appropriations Bill, Opposes Fiscally Irresponsible Zika Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill (HR 2577), which provides $1.1 billion, including $350 million in debt spending, to address the Zika virus: "In April, the Obama administration publicly stated there was $589 million left from the Ebola response that was available to quickly re-direct funds to address Zika. As of today, only $112 million of the $589 million has been used. President Obama … Continue Reading
09.02.16
Administration Responds to Senators Lankford and Grassley Zika Inquiry, But Doesn't Answer Questions Regarding Available Funds
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - On Monday, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) pressed the Obama Administration on why it appears that billions of dollars in unobligated funds aren't being directed to a Zika response. The Administration, via Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, responded but did not address the Senators' questions about redirecting billions of dollars of available funds to the Zika response. Grassley and Lankford made the follo… Continue Reading
09.01.16
Special Report Casts Doubt on Iran Nuclear Compliance
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Institute for Science and International Security issued a report today stating that Iran was not in compliance with the original Iran Nuclear Deal conditions, which were agreed to last July, when sanctions were lifted on January 16. The report shows that the Obama Administration, in coordination with the P5+1 nations, secretly exempted Iran from several of their nuclear obligations under the original deal. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement… Continue Reading
08.29.16
Senators Lankford, Grassley Press Obama Administration on Whether Available Funds Will be Directed to Zika Response
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are pressing the Obama Administration on why it appears that billions of dollars in unobligated funds aren't being directed to a Zika response. "We urge you to act and use funding available to ensure our nation is prepared," Lankford and Grassley wrote to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Lankford and Grassley noted that the Administration has been slow to distribute $589 millio… Continue Reading
08.22.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Court Ruling on Public School Bathrooms and Locker Rooms
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the Northern District of Texas U.S. District Court's decision to block President Obama's guidance directive on the use of public school bathrooms and locker rooms by transgender students: "I'm pleased that a judge has blocked, yet again, another executive overreach from the Obama Administration, this time regarding public school bathrooms and locker rooms. As my office has repeatedly stated, President Ob… Continue Reading
08.19.16
Senator Lankford Leads National Security Trip to Guatemala
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford led a congressional trip to Guatemala this week to discuss drug trafficking, immigration, national security and intelligence issues with Guatemalan officials. During the trip, from August 16 through August 18, Lankford and American diplomats met with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, Attorney General Thelma Aldana and other members of the government. Lankford also met with U.S. diplomats and Department of Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Administra… Continue Reading
07.29.16
Lankford, Forbes Recognize 60th Anniversary of National Motto, In God We Trust
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressional Prayer Caucus Co-Chairmen Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Congressman Randy Forbes (VA-04) released the following statements in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the day President Eisenhower signed legislation officially adopting "In God We Trust" as America's national motto. "Our national motto is a powerful declaration that reflects the unique founding of America," said Lankford. "It is important that we honor this motto, because it honors the birth of ou… Continue Reading
07.25.16
Senator Lankford Receives Reserve Officers Association Minuteman of the Year Award
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today received the Oklahoma Reserve Officers Association's Minuteman of the Year Award. This award is presented annually to a "citizen who has contributed most to National Security during these times." This is in keeping with the Reserve Officers Association Congressional Charter: "to support a military policy for the United States that will provide adequate national security, and to promote the development and execution thereof." "I am humbled… Continue Reading
07.22.16
ADVISORY: Senator Lankford to Hold Community Conversations in Southeast Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced four townhall-style Community Conversation events in southeast Oklahoma. National security, government efficiency and economic growth are among the topics expected to be discussed most. Local residents are encouraged to attend so that Senator Lankford can listen to their concerns and opinions regarding the federal government. WHAT: Community Conversation in Ada WHEN: Tuesday, July 26, 4:30pm - 5:30pm CT… Continue Reading
07.15.16
Senator Lankford Delivers Speech on Terrorism and Iran Nuclear Agreement 1-Year Anniversary
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video. WASHINGTON, DC - On Thursday, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) delivered a speech on the Senate floor about terrorism and the Iran Nuclear Agreement's one-year anniversary. During the speech, Lankford pointed out how the promises regarding Iran have not been fulfilled, and that Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world in the last year, which is confirmed by the President's Director of National Intelligence. Transcript: Today's ha… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Senator Lankford Discusses Race Relations In Senate Floor Speech
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video. CLICK HERE to view the DropBox video. WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor about the Dallas police shooting and race relations in America. During the speech, Lankford suggested racial tension would improve in our local communities by intentionally spending time with each other in our homes. Lankford suggested an idea called "Solution Sundays" - an initiative that encourages Members of Congress and Ame… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Senator Lankford Continues to Call for Responsible Spending
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement today on his opposition to the Senate vote to reconsider the Conference Report for the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which includes $1.1 billion in additional debt spending to address the Zika virus: "I continue to support the underlying policy in the Military Construction and Veterans Appropriations bill, but I cannot support the attached Zika deficit-spending masked as emergency spendin… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Senators Lankford, Fischer Introduce Bill to Provide Transparency for Lawsuits Against US, Payments Made to Iran
WASHINGTON, DC - On the one-year anniversary of the Iran Nuclear Agreement, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) today introduced the Judgment Fund Transparency and Terrorism Financing Prevention Act, a bill to provide transparency and accountability for questionable taxpayer-funded payments to foreign nations, like Iran. Specifically, the bill requires additional details on payments from the Treasury Department's Judgment Fund, which pays domestic and international court judgm… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Senators Lankford, Inhofe and Congressman Russell Introduce Bill to Support Full-Time Air Traffic Controller Instructors
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Congressman Steve Russell (R-OK) today introduced legislation in their respective chambers, S.3217 and H.R. 5785, that would ensure the continued safety of our nation's airways by eliminating an unintended barrier to the hiring and retention of full-time Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Instructors. Specifically, the bill would remove a financial penalty for instructors willing to work full time in training our next generation of… Continue Reading
07.13.16
Senator Lankford Applauds Congressional Action to Combat America’s Opioid Crisis
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted for Senate passage of the Comprehensive Addictive Recovery Act (CARA) (S. 524) conference report, which is now on its way to the President's desk to be signed into law. The legislation addresses America's tragic opioid drug epidemic by ensuring that federal resources are focused on evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery programs that have been tested and proven effective in local communities. The CARA conference agreement au… Continue Reading
07.13.16
Senator Lankford Applauds House Passage of Conscience Protection Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the House of Representatives for passing the Conscience Protection Act (S.304), a bill that protects health care providers, including health care professionals, entities and health insurance plans from government discrimination if they decline to participate in abortions. Lankford introduced a companion bill in the Senate in May. "The Conscience Protection Act protects the ability of health care providers to provide medical care wit… Continue Reading
07.11.16
Senator Lankford’s Office Releases Biannual Activity Report
WASHINGTON, DC - To mark the half-way point of Senator James Lankford's second year in the United State Senate, Lankford's chief-of-staff Greg Slavonic released a memo detailing the activities and accomplishments of the Senator's service to Oklahoma this year. A PDF of the memo is available here, and the full text is below: TO: ALL RESIDENTS OF OKLAHOMA FROM: GREG SLAVONIC (REAR ADMIRAL NAVY-RETIRED), CHIEF-OF-STAFF, SENATOR LANKFORD SUBJECT: OFF… Continue Reading
07.08.16
Senator Lankford Visits Police in Guthrie
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - While in Guthrie today, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) met with the Guthrie Chief-of-Police and members of the Guthrie Police Department to discuss local security challenges and express his appreciation for their work, following the deadly ambush on police in Dallas, Texas. "Today, I was grateful to meet with members of the Guthrie Police Department to thank them, and all law enforcement, for their work," said Lankford. "Oklahomans grieve with the people of Dallas following t… Continue Reading
07.08.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Dallas Police Shooting
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the shooting death of multiple police officers in Dallas, Texas last night: "I am overcome with incredible grief following the horrific ambush attack on police in Dallas. I pray for the victims, their families and the entire city of Dallas. This is an anxious time for all law enforcement and their families. I also pray for national unity and peace. All Americans must come together right now and speak out… Continue Reading
07.07.16
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Vote To Establish Uniform National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) tonight voted for bipartisan legislation (S. 764) to establish a mandatory, uniform national standard of disclosure for bioengineered or genetically-modified (GMO) food. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 63 to 30, and now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. "Oklahoma produces the food and fiber that feeds and clothes the world," said Lankford. "Special interest groups have repeatedly attacked … Continue Reading
