Press Releases
White House Ignores Senator Lankford Immigration Request
WASHINGTON, DC- On February 27, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) wrote a letter to President Obama seeking clarification 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. However, in early February, a federal district court in Texas issued a preliminary injunction against the President's immigration executive overreach, effectively supporting the continu… Continue Reading
03.09.15
Lankford Joins Senators in Demanding Release of Americans Held In Iran
WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford joined Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), in addition to 16 other Republican senators, in urging the Obama administration to demand the unconditional release of American citizens unjustly imprisoned in Iran. In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, the senators highlighted the cases of three American citizens who are languishing in Iranian jails. The senators urged Secretary Kerry to discuss these cases in his communications with Iran… Continue Reading
03.09.15
Senator Lankford Statement on Sigma Alpha Epsilon Video
WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on the hateful video involving the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at the University of Oklahoma: “The hateful video of some fraternity students that surfaced over the weekend is disgusting and does not reflect the values of the state of Oklahoma. This is not who we are. We are a state that embraces cultural and ethnic diversity at every level. We must clearly speak out against this type of bigotry. Our state has ma… Continue Reading
03.04.15
Senator Lankford Statement on Supreme Court Opening Arguments for King v. Burwell
WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on today’s opening oral arguments for the Supreme Court case, King v. Burwell: “Obamacare has caused harm to our nation’s families, economy, and health care system. The King v. Burwell case reveals yet another problem with the policy and implementation of this law. The plain text of the law did not permit subsidies or employer mandates when a state chose to reject Obamacare. The administration case’s legal argument… Continue Reading
03.03.15
Senator Lankford Speaks at AIPAC, Reiterates Unwavering Support for Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu
WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement after speaking at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference in support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his address before a joint-session of Congress: “I am pleased that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address Congress and meet with a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders,” said Lankford. “America has no closer friend in the world than Israel. During… Continue Reading
03.02.15
Senator Lankford Questions White House on Cutting School Choice Options for Low-Income Communities
WASHINGTON, DC— Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Tim Scott (R-SC) today sent a letter to President Obama questioning the administration’s decision to reduce funding for the school choice program in Washington, DC, as well as terminating all future funding for the program, in the President’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget request. The Senators voiced their support for the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP), which serves predominantly low-income … Continue Reading
02.27.15
Senator Lankford Presses Obama on Recent Immigration Enforcement Comments
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today pressed President Obama on his recent comments suggesting there would be "consequences" for federal immigration officials who continue deportations in violation of the President's executive actions, the same actions a federal court ruled against. Earlier this month, a federal district court in Texas issued a preliminary injunction against the president's immigration executive overreach. During an Immigration Town Hall at Miami's Florida Intern… Continue Reading
02.27.15
Senator Lankford Co-Sponsors Bill to End Taxpayer Funding of Abortion
WASHINGTON, DC— Senator James Lankford (R-OK) this week co-sponsored a bill to enact a permanent, government-wide prohibition of taxpayer funding for abortion. Currently, similar policies, such as the Hyde Amendment, require annual passage and do not apply to Obamacare. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (S. 582) also includes a provision requiring all health insurance plans offered by Obamacare exchanges to disclose coverage of elective abortion procedures and the abortion surcharge em… Continue Reading
02.25.15
Senators Lankford, Peters Introduce Bill to Save Taxpayer Money on Federal Vehicle Repair
WASHINGTON, DC- Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Gary Peters (D-MI) today introduced the Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act, which will help save taxpayer dollars on repair of government vehicles by encouraging the use of remanufactured automotive parts. The bipartisan measure requires federal agencies to encourage the use of remanufactured parts when doing so lowers costs, maintains quality and performance and does not compromise safety. "The federal deficit this year is nearly half-a-t… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Senator Lankford: This Keystone issue is bigger than oil
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on President Obama's veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline: "Since the beginning of this debate six years ago, the dialogue has been dominated by misinformation and political sensationalism. Our nation already has thousands of miles of pipeline flowing through it, which transports crude oil faster and safer than many of the alternatives. All of the inaccuracies have been addressed; it is time to build. "It's also i… Continue Reading
02.23.15
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Lankford to Keynote Energy Policy Forum
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) will deliver a keynote speech at tomorrow's CQ Roll Call policy forum entitled, The Future of Advanced Biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard, at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. The forum will focus on the record of biodiesel and other advanced biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard as the energy industry anticipates the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement of new volume requirements. Senator Lankford's remarks will… Continue Reading
02.23.15
Senators Lankford, Johnson Call on GAO to Review Immigration Executive Actions for Possible Violation
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) today called on GAO to review whether the Obama Administration's executive actions on immigration were implemented by the Department of Homeland Security as a rule under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). When an agency issues a rule, it must submit it to Congress and the Comptroller General for review; however, DHS did not submit the memos issued to implement the president's program to defer deportation to millions li… Continue Reading
02.13.15
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Lankford to Hold ‘Tuesday Talk’ Community Forum in Altus
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford will hold his first 'Tuesday Talk' community forum as a Senator on Tuesday, February 17th in Altus. The townhall-style forum will be held at City Hall in the Council Chambers Room, and the public is invited to ask questions and hear from the Senator about issues being debated in Washington D.C. As a U.S. Representative, Lankford held regular 'Tuesday Talk' forums in the 5th Congressional District of Oklahoma during the last four years. Senator Lankford in… Continue Reading
02.11.15
Senator Lankford Co-Sponsors ‘DRIVE LESS’ Act To Save Taxpayers $500 Million
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to save taxpayer dollars by reducing the federal funding available for the acquisition and leasing of new federal vehicles. The Domestic Reduction In Vehicle Expenditure and Lowering Emissions from State Sources Act, or the DRIVE LESS Act, moves on the recommendations of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which found that reducing the federal vehicle fleet budget by 20 percent would … Continue Reading
02.06.15
Senator Lankford: Oklahoma Grieves the Death of Trooper Nicholas Dees
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the tragic death of Oklahoma State Trooper Nicholas Dees, ahead of his funeral in Broken Bow: "All of Oklahoma grieves the tragic death of Oklahoma State Trooper Nicholas Dees. We are grateful for the service our Oklahoma State Troopers provide. This is a heartbreaking reminder of the danger troopers face for us each day. "Our prayers are with the family of Officer Dees during this tough time. As they mourn… Continue Reading
02.02.15
Senator Lankford Statement on the White House Budget
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the release of President Obama's Fiscal Year 2016 Budget: "The President's White House budget proposal does not address many of the challenges facing our nation. Although our federal budget deficit has improved, we still spend nearly half-a-trillion dollars more than we take in. It is reckless that the President's budget would increase federal spending by 7 percent in one year, and about 60 percent in ten year… Continue Reading
01.29.15
Senator Lankford Receives Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments
WASHINGTON, DC- The powerful Senate Committee on Appropriations today named Senator James Lankford (R-OK) to five Subcommittees: Energy and Water Development; Commerce, Justice, Science; Financial Services and General Government; Labor, HHS, Education; and State, Foreign Operations. "Membership on these Subcommittees will give Oklahoma a voice on important matters that span a wide area of federal policy," said Lankford. "I'm ready to get to work on federal waste and spending limitations through… Continue Reading
01.29.15
Senator Lankford Applauds Senate Passage of the Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement in support of Senate passage of the Keystone XL pipeline by a 62-36 vote: "The Keystone XL pipeline infrastructure project would infuse billions of dollars into our economy and it would support thousands of good-paying American jobs, all in an environmentally responsible way. The delay of this project has been far too long. Building a pipeline should not take an act of Congress. The Administration has blocked the pip… Continue Reading
01.28.15
Senator Lankford Introduces Taxpayers Right To Know Act
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the Taxpayers Right To Know Act in the U.S. Senate, a bill that would provide the American people with a better understanding of how their tax dollars are spent. This bipartisan bill shines a light on the details, costs, and performance metrics of every federal program. As a U.S. Representative, Lankford introduced the bipartisan bill last Congress. It passed the House last February (H.R. 1423) by voice vote, and was cleared by the … Continue Reading
01.27.15
Senator Lankford, Rep. Mullin Introduce Bill to Remove Economic Barriers for Local Tribe
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) today introduced legislation in the Senate and House to remove an outdated charter that limits business and economic development opportunities for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. "Outdated laws and regulations hold communities back all around Oklahoma," said Lankford. "This federal corporate charter is unused by the Tribe, and yet its existence raises concerns for prospective business partners due to restrictive condit… Continue Reading
