Press Releases
Senator Lankford Secures Change to DHS Religious Freedom Language
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to change its documentation to accurately reflect America's First Amendment right of freedom of 'religion', and not just freedom of 'worship'. Last year, Lankford urged the Department to make this change. On Thursday, DHS issued a notice to the public that they are currently in the process of updating all relevant internal and external publications, including test study material… Continue Reading
04.07.16
As Iran Touts Their Nuclear Activity, Senator Lankford Pushes To Hold Them Accountable
WASHINGTON, DC - As Iran celebrates National Nuclear Technology Day today, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) re-emphasized his commitment to hold Iran accountable if they violate the terms in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly referred to as the Iran Nuclear Deal. Today, Iran President Hassan Rouhani unveiled Iran's latest nuclear achievements during a ceremony to honor the country's National Nuclear Technology Day on Friday. Rouhani unveiled 12 nuclear achievements at the Iran… Continue Reading
04.06.16
Senator Lankford Introduces Resolution to Hold President Obama Accountable for Iran Nuclear Deal Commitments
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced a Senate resolution (S.Res 414) to ensure President Obama follows through on his commitment to reimpose sanctions if Iran violates the nuclear deal. "National security remains on the mind of every American," said Lankford. "The fact that Iran is still the world's largest state-sponsor of terrorism is impossible to ignore. The Obama Administration caved to Iran's demands to import arms, and Iran has continued to pursue a ballistic m… Continue Reading
04.05.16
Senator Lankford Joins Senate Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Case Challenging Obama Administration’s Immigration Executive Actions
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and 43 other Senate Republicans filed an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in the case of the United States v. Texas, in opposition to the Obama Administration's November 2014 executive actions on immigration. Twenty-five other states, including Oklahoma, joined Texas in the lawsuit. The brief argues that only Congress has the authority to write immigration law, not the Executive branch. The President's action represents a clear cons… Continue Reading
04.04.16
Senators James Lankford, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee Challenge ICANN on Internet Oversight and Relationship with China
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) today sent a follow-up letter to Dr. Stephen Crocker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), demanding a response to a series of unanswered questions that remain from previous congressional oversight letters concerning ICANN's relationship with the Chinese government and the planned transition away from U.S. government oversight of the Internet. … Continue Reading
03.28.16
Senator Lankford Marks #CutRedTape Initiative Anniversary, Highlights Subcommittee Regulatory Work
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today recognized the one-year anniversary of the #CutRedTape Initiative and highlighted the regulatory oversight work on the Subcommittee that he chairs. "I'm extremely proud of the work we have done within the Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management Subcommittee on behalf of the nation," said Lankford. "Regulations have a tremendous impact on the lives of all Oklahomans and the American people. Regulations affect everyone; they can have a pos… Continue Reading
03.23.16
Senator Lankford Statement on ‘Little Sisters of the Poor’ Supreme Court Oral Arguments
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the start of oral arguments today in the Little Sisters of the Poor Supreme Court case (Zubik v. Burwell): "This case represents a serious concern that many Americans have with their First Amendment rights and the ability to live out their convictions in everyday life. It is not the place of government to determine what a person's religion requires, and the government cannot justify trampling religious beliefs w… Continue Reading
03.22.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Terror Attack in Brussels
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on the deadly terror attacks in Brussels: "I pray for Belgium and all of Europe as they recover from today's tragic events. Today is another reminder that terrorists, with all their hate, will not deter the resolve of the American people to stand up for what is right. The United States will stand by our allies and help however we can. Terror will never win-no matter how determined and ruthless the enemy. "As a… Continue Reading
03.17.16
Senator Lankford Statement on State Department’s Recognition of Genocide in Middle East
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on the Obama Administration's decision to officially recognize that ISIL has committed genocide, as required by Congress: "Today, State Department Secretary John Kerry finally announced that ISIL is responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing of Yezidis, Christians, and Shia Muslims. The Secretary was right to note that ISIL kills Christians because they are Christians; Yezidis because t… Continue Reading
03.17.16
Senator Lankford, Inhofe and Members of Congress Introduce Bill to Restore Regulatory Accountability Through Judicial Review
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and a coalition of Members from both Houses of Congress today introduced a bill to restore accountability to the regulatory process through proper judicial review, correcting the judicial deference created by the flawed 1984 Chevron Supreme Court decision. The bill, called the "Separation of Powers Restoration Act" would empower the courts, not agencies, to interpret all questions of law, including both statutes and regulations. … Continue Reading
03.17.16
Senator Lankford: Courts Are Giving Federal Agencies Too Much Power
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 on how the Chevron doctrine has affected the regulatory process, judicial review and federal balance of power. The hearing testimony confirmed that Chevron deference favors centralized executive power over legislative and judicial prerogatives, shifting our constitutional system's balance of powers… Continue Reading
03.16.16
Senator Lankford Supports Biotech Labeling Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement after the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Biotechnology Labeling Solutions Act of 2016 (S. 2609): "The USDA, the EPA and the FDA already test and monitor to ensure the food Americans consume through the genetic engineering process is safe and has been thoroughly studied. This bill is an additional voluntary measure that will provide farmers, manufacturers and retailers a clear, consistent definition of … Continue Reading
03.16.16
Senator Lankford Statement on President Obama’s Supreme Court Nomination
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court: "The death of Justice Antonin Scalia is an enormous loss for the Supreme Court, but more importantly for our nation. A lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court is extremely important and will shape monumental decisions that will impact America for decades. Justice Scalia's constitutional approach to legal interpretation should be the standar… Continue Reading
03.14.16
Senator Lankford Opposes Confirmation of Secretary of Education
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor regarding his concerns with the confirmation of John B. King, Jr. as Department of Education Secretary. On January 7, 2016, Lankford sent a letter to King to question the authority under which the Office of Civil Rights issued two particular Dear Colleague guidance documents, prescribing policies relating to harassment, bullying and sexual violence. The Department of… Continue Reading
03.14.16
Senator Lankford Addresses Supreme Court Vacancy Myths with ‘Fact v. Fiction’ Social Media Campaign
WASHINGTON, DC - Following up on a floor speech about the Supreme Court vacancy last week, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) will continue to address some of the myths surrounding the vacancy with a "Fact v. Fiction" social media campaign. Lankford will release a graphic every day this week that corrects misinformation or dispels some of the erroneous rhetoric currently being communicated about the vacancy. You can follow Lankford on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SenatorLankford; on Twitter @SenatorL… Continue Reading
03.11.16
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Meet with VA Deputy Secretary in OKC
CLICK HERE to view photos of the press conference OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today met with Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Sloan Gibson at the conclusion of Gibson's stakeholder meetings at the Muskogee VA hospital and the Oklahoma City VA hospital, which began on Thursday. Following the meeting, Lankford, Inhofe, and Gibson held a press conference where all three reaffirmed their commitments to improving the quality of care at Oklahoma's… Continue Reading
03.10.16
Senator Lankford Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Fight Drug Addiction
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which passed by a vote of 94 to 1, and made the following statement: "Oklahomans sadly know too well the continued problems we face with heroin and prescription drug abuse. Oklahoma suffers from high rates of drug addiction and because of our central location, our highway system is attractive to global drug cartels. Since 2000, the national rate of deaths from drug overdoses has … Continue Reading
03.10.16
Senator Lankford Presses Acting Education Secretary on Department’s Executive Overreach
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today pressed Department of Education Acting Secretary John King during a hearing before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. Lankford challenged Dr. King on the Department's overreaching use of 'guidance documents' to mandate policy for colleges and universities without adhering to the transparent regulatory process as required by law. Lankford pressed Dr. King to justify the Department's improper use of gui… Continue Reading
03.09.16
Senator Lankford: American People Should Decide Future of Supreme Court
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 Justice Antonin Scalia's death and the current Supreme Court vacancy. He made the case that the American people should have a say in the process of replacing Justice Scalia, and that it is completely appropriate for the Senate to wait on the confirmation process until after the presidential election. In addition to sharin… Continue Reading
03.08.16
Senator Lankford Pays Tribute to Justice Antonin Scalia
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today submitted a statement for the Congressional Record in honor of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed away on February 13, 2016. The tribute reads as follows: REMEMBERING JUSTICE ANTONIN SCALIA Mr. LANKFORD: Mr. President, on February 13, 2016, the Supreme Court not only lost one of its Justices, our nation lost a true legal giant. Justice Antonin Scalia was described by his colleagues as "extraordinary," "tr… Continue Reading
