Press Releases
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Lankford Announces Hearing to Examine The Use of Agency Regulatory Guidance
WASHINGTON, DC - The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, under the chairmanship of Senator James Lankford (R-OK), will hold a hearing on Wednesday, September 23, at 11:00am ET entitled, "Examining the Use of Agency Regulatory Guidance." The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) allows agencies to produce guidance documents to clarify issues in an existing regulation. Specifically, the APA allows that agencies issue non- economical… Continue Reading
09.18.15
Senator Lankford Applauds Social Security Administration Decision To Explore SSDI Eligibility Reforms
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauds the Social Security Administration's (SSA) recent decision to seek comments on updating the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program's medical and vocational guidelines, commonly known as "The Grid." On September 14, the SSA announced an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to begin the process of considering regulatory changes to update the criteria by which Americans are considered eligible for SSDI benefits. There have been … Continue Reading
09.17.15
Lankford, 46 Senators, Introduce Resolution to Nullify Expanded WOTUS Definition Harmful to Oklahomans
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined 46 Senators today to introduce a joint resolution disapproving of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) rule that expands the scope of federal authority over land and waterways in the United States under the Waters of the U.S., also known as WOTUS. The resolution reads that, "Congress disapproves the rule submitted by the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to 'Clean Wa… Continue Reading
09.17.15
Senator Lankford Co-Sponsors Legislation to Repeal the Cadillac Tax
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today co-sponsored The Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2015 to eliminate Obamacare's High Cost Plan Excise Tax, also known as the "Cadillac Tax." Beginning in 2018, employers will be hit with a 40 percent tax on employee health benefits insurance premiums exceeding $10,200 for individuals and $27,500 for families. "Businesses and families have already endured enough failed promises and penalties from Obamacare," said Lankford. "This b… Continue Reading
09.16.15
Senator Lankford Greets Oklahoma Honor Flight Veterans In Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today greeted veterans from Oklahoma during a one-day trip to Washington, DC war memorials with the Honor Flight charity. The Oklahomans visited the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the Lincoln Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial, and the Arlington National Cemetery. "One of my greatest honors is to welcome and personally thank veterans from America's Greatest Generation during their visit to Washington, DC," said Lankfo… Continue Reading
09.15.15
Senator Lankford Statement on White House Defense of Crude Oil Export Ban
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement in response to White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest's comments during the daily press briefing that the White House opposes a bill moving through Congress that would end the outdated ban on crude oil exports: "It is ridiculous that President Obama fights so hard to help Iran export their oil through the Nuclear Agreement, but opposes American energy exports. How can the President argue that it is good for … Continue Reading
09.15.15
VIDEO: Senator Lankford Continues To Speak Out Against Iran Nuclear Agreement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor again about the President's Nuclear Agreement with Iran. Today's remarks were his third Senate speech about the deal, which is scheduled to be voted on today. Among various points, Lankford focused today's speech on what a better Iran Nuclear deal would look like. CLICK HERE to view the video Below is the transcript from the speech: "Mr. President, I do have a concern as well. Typically we reward people for a chang… Continue Reading
09.11.15
Senator Lankford Statement On Anniversary Of September 11 Attack
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- Senator James Lankford made the following statement on the Anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks: "On September 11, 2001, our nation was forever changed. We will never forget that day or the Americans that died at the hand of radical Islamic extremism. From the viewpoint on my Committee assignments, I can tell you that brave men and women in our military, law enforcement and the intelligence community continue to protect us from similar terror threats every day, in… Continue Reading
09.10.15
Senator Lankford Continues To Press White House on Immigration Enforcement
WASHINGTON, DC- In February, Senator James Lankford questioned the Obama Administration on the President's February 25 comments that there would be "consequences" for federal immigration officials who continue deportations after the President's November immigration executive actions. The White House did not respond directly, but instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to respond to Lankford on August 27, 2015. In the past eight months, courts have blocked the President's executive … Continue Reading
08.28.15
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Lankford Announces Events for Week of August 31
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the entire list of events for the week of August 31 that Senator Lankford will be attending. The U.S. Senate began its August state work period on August 5, and will open again for legislative business in Washington, DC on September 8. During the state work period, Senator Lankford is traveling throughout the state to meet with and listen to Oklahomans during visits and town hall-style Community Conversations. Monday… Continue Reading
08.23.15
Senator Lankford Statement on the Death of Commissioner Mark Costello
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement tonight on the death of Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello: "My family is stunned and deeply grieved to hear of the tragic death of Labor Commissioner Mark Costello. Mark was passionate about our nation, conservative fiscal principles, and the people of our state. Mark was a friend, and as we grieve, we will also pray for his family as they deal with this unbelievable tragedy." ###… Continue Reading
08.21.15
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Lankford Announces Events for Week of August 24
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released events for the week of August 24 that Senator Lankford will be attending. The U.S. Senate began its August state work period on Wednesday, August 5, and will open again for legislative business in Washington, DC on Tuesday, September 8. Throughout the state work period, Senator Lankford will travel throughout the state to meet with and listen to Oklahomans. Below are the events for the week of August 24: WHAT: Cushi… Continue Reading
08.20.15
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Lankford Announces Events for September 4
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released events for Friday, September 4 that Lankford will be attending. The U.S. Senate began its August state work period on Wednesday, August 5, and will open again for legislative business in Washington, DC on Tuesday, September 8. During the state work period, Senator Lankford will travel throughout the state to meet with and listen to Oklahomans. Below are the events for September 4: WHAT: Rush Springs Community Conver… Continue Reading
08.19.15
Senator Lankford Releases Initial #CutRedTape Findings
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the first details from his bipartisan #CutRedTape Initiative, an online portal for American families and businesses to communicate with the Senate about federal regulations that impact them. Since the launch of the #CutRedTape Initiative in March, Lankford's Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management has received 260 submissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was mentioned most frequently, followed by Medicare and… Continue Reading
08.09.15
VIDEO: As Senate Begins Iran Nuclear Agreement Debate, Senator Lankford Outlines Objections on Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor during debate regarding the President's Nuclear Agreement with Iran. The Senate is considering a resolution that would disapprove of the Iran Agreement, technically called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which has been negotiated by the United States, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. If the disapproval resolution passes both the House and S… Continue Reading
08.06.15
Senator Lankford Introduces Bill To Reduce Illegal Drug Use On Tribal Lands
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced the introduction of the KIDS Act, a bill to help reduce illegal drug use on Tribal lands. KIDS Act (S. 1984) stands for 'Keeping out Illegal Drugs Act of 2015.' Specifically, the bill would prohibit Indian tribes and tribal organizations that cultivate, manufacture, or distribute illegal marijuana on Indian land from receiving any federal funds. Currently,some tribes around America are experimenting with various forms of illegal mar… Continue Reading
08.06.15
Senator Lankford’s Bill To Reduce Fraud In Federal Retirement Benefits Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC- Senators James Lankford's (R-OK) and Heidi Heitkamp's (D-ND) Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act of 2015, a bill that would crack down on federal retirement benefit fraud and misuse, passed the Senate on Wednesday by unanimous consent. The bill was introduced by the Senators on June 15 and approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on June 24. "I'm pleased the Senate has passed this bill to protect the retirement and annuities of federal em… Continue Reading
08.06.15
Senator Lankford Provides Public Copy of Iran Nuclear Agreement for Oklahomans to Read
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today provided a public copy of the Iran Nuclear Agreement being debated in the Senate on his public website for Oklahomans to read and analyze for themselves. On August 5, Lankford deliverred a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate about the agreement and his opposition to it. Lankford, who is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has grave concerns about its implications for security and proliferation. During the speech, Lankford expres… Continue Reading
08.05.15
Senators Lankford, Feinstein Introduce Bill to Make Financial Service Provider Licensing More Efficient
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today led a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing the State Licensing Efficiency Act of 2015, a bill to streamline the licensing process for financial service providers. "I am proud to sponsor this commonsense bipartisan fix that will leverage existing resources to help state regulators expedite background checks for financial services providers," said Lankford. "By providing the FBI the explicit authori… Continue Reading
08.05.15
Senators Lankford and Inhofe Challenge ‘Waters of the U.S.’ Regulatory Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) sent a letter today to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to seek clarification regarding the 'Waters of the United States' rule's compliance with regulatory process guidelines. Specifically, the Senators questioned whether it's notice-and-comment procedures violated the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Small Business Enforcement Fairness Act, and Executive Order 13132 on Federalism. The Senators' Committees are conducti… Continue Reading
