Press Releases
Senators Lankford, Warren Introduce Truth in Settlements Act to Make Federal Agency Settlements More Transparent
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today introduced the Truth in Settlements Act, bipartisan legislation to increase transparency around major settlements reached by federal enforcement agencies. When federal agencies close investigations and settle cases, they release the dollar amount obtained from the offender, but in many cases the amount is misleading because of tax deductions and other 'credits' built into the settlement that reduce the settlement's… Continue Reading
04.22.15
Senator Lankford Praises Passage of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act
WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today praised Senate passage of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (S. 178). The legislation would provide law enforcement with tools to target and investigate human traffickers, while also helping victims restore their lives. It is estimated that there are more than 14,000 sex and labor trafficking victims each year in America. “Human trafficking is a horrific reality for some Americans, many of them children,” said Lankford. “The Justice… Continue Reading
04.21.15
Senator Lankford Hires Key Staffers for Military Affairs, Subcommittee Chairmanship
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator James Lankford today announced the appointment of Stephanie Halcrow as Military Legislative Assistant and John Cuaderes as Staff Director for the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, which is chaired by Lankford. "I am honored Stephanie and John have joined our team," said Lankford. "John's leadership on the Subcommittee will benefit Oklahomans and all Americans because of his passion for oversight. Step… Continue Reading
04.21.15
Senator Lankford Announces New Senate Staff and Promotions
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced the appointments of new staff and three promotions within his United States Senate office. "We are about three-and-a-half months into the first year in the Senate and our team is coming together," said Lankford. "We have a talented, hard-working group of individuals that will serve Oklahoma with me as we tackle the major challenges facing our country." Washington DC New Staff: John Cuaderes, Staff Director and Policy Advisor, Senate… Continue Reading
04.20.15
Senator Lankford Chairs Hearing To Examine Census Bureau Preparation for 2020
WASHINGTON, DC - Standing in for Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI), Senator James Lankford (R-OK) led a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing today on the challenges facing the U.S. Census Bureau in an effort to modernize and be cost-effective. "As the 2020 Decennial Census approaches, I appreciate the fact that the Census Bureau is actively taking steps to prepare, since, as we have seen in the past, a failure to do so can drastically increase costs for the federal government, and ulti… Continue Reading
04.17.15
VIDEO: Lankford Praises Passage of Resolution with Senator Inhofe, Releases Special OKC Bombing Anniversary Memorial Video
WASHINGTON, DC- While praising the passage of a Senate resolution authored by Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, Lankford released a special memorial video to remember the tragedy. CLICK HERE to view on YouTube. CLICK HERE to upload from DropBox. The text of the Senate resolution (S.Res.139) acknowledges the Oklahoma City bombing as one of the worst terrorist attacks on United States' soil, killing 168 people and injuring mo… Continue Reading
04.17.15
On the 20th Anniversary, Oklahoma Delegation Remembers Bombing Tragedy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Members of the Oklahoma congressional delegation joined in remembrance of the tragic bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. The act of domestic terrorism that took place 20 years ago claimed 168 innocent lives in Oklahoma City and left families, loved ones and communities forever changed. “Today we remember the 168 Oklahomans, including young children, who were killed in an evil act of domestic terrorism in Oklahoma City,” said Sen. Jim Inhofe. … Continue Reading
04.14.15
Senator Lankford Statement on Tax Day
WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on Tax Day, the annual April 15 filing deadline and due date for federal income tax returns: “The federal government’s overly complex tax code, which contains over 4 million words and has changed over 4,600 times in the last 12 years, is a burden on all of us. “As we conclude the first year of the individual mandate of Obamacare in the federal tax code, we see the consequences the failed law has on American taxp… Continue Reading
04.13.15
Senator Lankford Provides Information for Panhandle Residents to Register Comments on Proposed Gaming Complex
WASHINGTON, DC— To help Panhandle Oklahoma residents voice their opinions regarding the possible construction of a gaming complex, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) is providing Oklahomans with contact information for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In February, the Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma announced a proposal to build a gaming center near Guymon. The contact for the Bureau of Indian Affairs official in Oklahoma who will review the proposal is Bruce Maytubby. He can be reached by phone at (405) 2… Continue Reading
03.27.15
Senator Lankford Statement on Senate Passage of a Budget
WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on the final passage of a Senate Budget resolution by a vote of 52-46: “Over the last 24 hours, the Senate engaged in a lengthy full and open debate about our nation’s budget and our governing priorities. The Senate took more amendment votes today and yesterday than the Senate took all of last year, and passed a balanced budget resolution. The Senate budget responsibly balances the federal budget in 10 years and pr… Continue Reading
03.26.15
Lankford, Heitkamp Launch #CutRedTape Initiative to Gather Stories About Impacts of Federal Regulations
WASHINGTON, DC - During a press conference today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) launched a new bipartisan #CutRedTape Initiative, a new way for American families and businesses to communicate with the Senate about how federal regulations impact them. In their new roles as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, Lankford and Heitkamp have made improving federal regul… Continue Reading
03.25.15
Senator Lankford Invites Afghan War Widow as Guest For Joint Meeting of Congress
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) invited Jane Horton, widow of Army Specialist Chris Horton, to be his guest as Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani addressed a joint meeting of Congress today. Mr. Horton was an Oklahoma National Guard Army Sniper who was killed in action in Paktyia, Afghanistan on September 9, 2011. "During this on-going time of conflict in the Middle East, America must work closely with Afghanistan to root out global terrorism and intimidation," said Lankford. "As … Continue Reading
03.25.15
Senator Lankford Statement on Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on the Army charging Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl with desertion and "misbehavior in the face of the enemy" for leaving his post in Afghanistan in 2009: "The Bergdahl trade for five Taliban militants at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba last year sent the wrong message to the world that America will negotiate with terrorists. Just returning from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, I remain firm that the thug detainees should not be u… Continue Reading
03.23.15
VIDEO: Senator Lankford Joins Freshman Senators in Slamming Obamacare on Five-Year Anniversary
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today held a press conference on the five-year anniversary of Obamacare with fellow freshman Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Steve Daines (R-MT), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and Mike Rounds (R-SD). The Senators discussed the importance of responsibly balancing the federal budget and providing relief to the American people by repealing and replacing Obamacare. Excerpts: "This is not only the five-year birthday of Obamacare, it's also… Continue Reading
03.19.15
Senator Lankford Chairs First Senate Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today led his first Senate hearing as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management. The hearing, entitled "Examining Federal Rulemaking Challenges and Areas of Improvement Within the Existing Regulatory Process" examined current federal regulations and the rulemaking processes. "Today's hearing focused on the federal government's regulatory process; specifically, how regulatory process affects the quality, structure, ef… Continue Reading
03.19.15
Senators Lankford, Cotton Introduce Bill to Prevent Guantanamo Bay Detainees From Returning to Terrorism
WASHINGTON, DC— Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) have introduced the Guantanamo Bay Recidivism Prevention Act of 2015, legislation that would improve the monitoring of former Guantanamo Bay detainees transferred to foreign countries to prevent them from returning to terrorism. The Senators introduced the bill days after returning from a trip to the detention facility over the weekend. “My recent trip to Guantanamo Bay has only deepened my understanding of the need for this… Continue Reading
03.18.15
Senators Lankford, Cruz Introduce Resolutions to Protect Religious Freedom of Washington D.C. Organizations
WASHINGTON, DC- Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) today introduced two resolutions (S.J. Res. 10 and S.J. Res. 11) to overturn recently enacted D.C. Council legislation that undermines religious freedom. In January, the District enacted the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014, which could require employers to provide health plans that cover abortion services, and the Human Rights Amendment Act of 2014, which would force religious schools to support activ… Continue Reading
03.14.15
Senators Lankford, Cotton, Ernst, Tillis, Rounds Visit Guantanamo Bay
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK), along with fellow freshman Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Mike Rounds (R-SD), last night returned from a trip to the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Senators toured the Guantanamo Bay base, observed detention operations, and met with military commanders. "Having seen the Guantanamo Bay detention facility for the first time, I have even more confidence that our men and women in uniform are perf… Continue Reading
03.13.15
Senator Lankford Announces First Hearing as Chairman
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 Thursday, March 19, at 10:00am to examine the federal regulatory process. The hearing is entitled, "Examining Federal Rulemaking Challenges and Areas of Improvement Within the Existing Regulatory Process" and will take place in Senate Dirksen 342. The hearing will examine current rulemaking proc… Continue Reading
03.10.15
Senator Lankford Statement on Oklahoma State Capitol Ten Commandments Case
WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on the Western District of Oklahoma dismissal of the case involving a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol: “I’m pleased that Judge Cauthron and the court confirmed what is obvious to Oklahomans - that the Ten Commandments is a vital part of Oklahoma and American history. The Oklahoma State Capitol display of the Ten Commandments is a reasonable recognition of its significance to t… Continue Reading
