Press Releases
Lankford, Inhofe Lead Letter to Treasury, SBA to Ensure Protection for Faith-based Entities
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today led a letter joined by 17 Senators to Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury, and Jovita Carranza, Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to thank them for the recently issued interim final rule on protections for faith-based entities during the continued rollout of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and related federal economic relief. The Administration also issued an… Continue Reading
04.14.20
Lankford, Portman Urge President Trump to Use IGs to Ensure Federal Government Serves American Taxpayer Effectively & Efficiently
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Rob Portman (R-OH) wrote a letter to President Trump urging him to use Inspectors General (IG) to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used in the most effective and efficient way. With trillions of taxpayer dollars being spent by the federal government to respond to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, it is imperative that independent IGs are in place to prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement. The senators stand ready to confirm qualified … Continue Reading
04.09.20
Lankford Calls on Senate Leadership to Expand COVID-19 Relief Access to Public Hospitals
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined a bipartisan group of eight Senators urging Senate leadership to clarify eligibility for publicly owned hospitals and similar care providers within the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered by the US Small Business Administration (SBA). Currently, both for-profit and non-profit hospitals are eligible for assistance, but public hospitals are not, creating a disparity this clarification seeks to resolve. The PPP was provided an additio… Continue Reading
04.09.20
Lankford Urges Treasury, SBA to Clarify PPP Eligibility for Small Businesses Backed by Private Equity
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza asking them to clarify the eligibility of private equity or venture capital-backed small businesses for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. "The CARES Act allows for the participation in the PPP for small businesses that have either fewer than 500 empl… Continue Reading
04.07.20
Lankford, Rosen Join 180 Jewish Organizations to Call for Unity, Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV, co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, released the following statement calling on Americans to reject anti-Semitism, racism, and xenophobia in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. "In times of crisis we often see the best of humanity; people from all faiths and all walks of life coming together to help each other through difficult times. During the coronavirus pandemic we have … Continue Reading
04.07.20
Lankford Urges Treasury, Federal Reserve to Keep CARES Act Financial Assistance Industry Neutral, Free of Bias
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell urging them to keep the financial assistance authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act industry neutral and free of bias. "We urge you to ensure that the financial relief offered under the CARES Act is fully available to companies throughout the economy," the senators wrote. "Some outside groups have already advoca… Continue Reading
04.06.20
Lankford, Durbin to HHS, Ensure Rural Hospitals Have Help During Coronavirus Response
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) urged Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to ensure rural hospitals have the needed support to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain financial stability to continue serving their communities. The Senators highlighted the $100 billion in new funding appropriated by Congress to health care providers in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and emphasized the i… Continue Reading
04.06.20
Lankford, Inhofe Applaud President Trump for Deeming Firearm Businesses Essential
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) led a letter to President Trump today applauding the administration's recent decision to include firearm retailers and manufacturers in the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) advisory memo to states and localities regarding America's essential critical infrastructure workforce. The advisory memo is used by many states, including Oklahoma, to help determine which industr… Continue Reading
04.03.20
Lankford Releases Assistance Guidance to Answers Oklahomans’ Questions on COVID-19 Economic Relief for Workers and Businesses
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has launched a webpage at www.lankford.senate.gov/issues that is compiled with information for Oklahoma workers, businesses, students, and parents. The webpage includes several easily accessible documents on various aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act legislation to address Oklahomans' frequently asked questions and provide resources on ways to apply for and receive benefits, including unemploym… Continue Reading
04.02.20
Lankford Applauds Decision to Give Senior Adults, Disability Recipients Automatic Access to Direct Cash Payments
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Earlier this week, following initial reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was going to require senior adults and others to file tax returns in order to receive the direct cash assistance for COVID-19, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined his colleagues in urging the IRS to use authority Congress gave them and qualify seniors automatically. Last night, the Treasury Department immediately clarified that Social Security retirement and disability recipients will not ne… Continue Reading
03.30.20
Lankford Acts to Speed Up Process to Feed Kids for OK Department of Education
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded swift action by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) following its timely approval of a waiver to allow Oklahoma students statewide to able to access two free meals a day, which Lankford helped facilitate. The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) applied for the waiver March 11 and March 25 to remove the requirement that school feeding sites be located in high-need areas under the Emergency School Closure provisions of… Continue Reading
03.28.20
Lankford Remembers the Legacy of Former US Senator Tom Coburn
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the passing of former-Oklahoma US Senator Tom Coburn, M.D.: "Oklahoma has lost a tremendous leader, and I lost a great friend today. Dr. Coburn was an inspiration to many in our state and our nation. He was unwavering in his conservative values, but he had deep and meaningful friendships with people from all political and personal backgrounds. He was truly respected by people on both sides of the aisle. "Dr. Co… Continue Reading
03.27.20
Lankford Connects with Over 20,000 Constituents Regarding COVID-19
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) over the last two weeks has been committed to working with Oklahomans to help answer questions in regards to the federal and state response to COVID-19. Lankford has hosted telephone town halls with constituents around the state, hosted Facebook and Instagram videos to provide instant updates, engaged on video conferencing and conference call with community and industry leaders, has updated his website to provide the latest information, and is usi… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Lankford Supports Emergency Relief for Families, Individuals and Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following the vote on the third phase of emergency assistance to address the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. "The Senate has taken action to meet the needs of Oklahomans and their families. Every aspect of our communities isbeing affected by this crisis, and it's critical that Congress provide much-needed support and assistance in this unprecedented time of need," said Lankford. "Every American is called to stop this pandemic… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Lankford, Gillibrand Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Call to Protect Civil Rights for People with Disabilities Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) led a bipartisan, bicameral call on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to protect against disability discrimination in state and health provider responses to COVID-19. In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Attorney General William Barr, the bipartisan coalition called for HHS to notify states of their obligations to adhere to anti-discrimination laws-including the Americ… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Lankford Urges Senate to Pass Negotiated COVID-19 Aid Bill
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass the negotiated Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide relief to Oklahoma families, workers, and businesses. Lankford highlighted specific areas where the bill will help Oklahoma healthcare facilities, workers, families, and individuals. Transcript We're in the process of passing a very large economic package to help… Continue Reading
03.25.20
Lankford Gives Emotional Tribute of Fallen Hero TSgt. Marshal Roberts on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today honored fallen hero Technical Sergeant Marshal Roberts of the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron, a unit of the 138th Fighter Wing of the Oklahoma National Guard on the floor of the Senate. TSgt. Roberts was one of two Americans killed in action in an overnight rocket attack in Iraq on March 11, 2020. Lankford joined Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Congressman Kevin Hern (R-OK-1) to offer condolences… Continue Reading
03.24.20
Lankford Blasts Continued ‘We’re Close’ Attitude on COVID-19 Aid Bill While Oklahomans Struggle
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned in frustration why the Senate cannot seem to get beyond the "2-yard line" on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to finally get the much-needed aid and economic stimulus money to small businesses, families, and individuals in Oklahoma and around the nation. Lankford highlighted several Oklahomans' phone calls to his office recently about how the Senate's inabi… Continue Reading
03.23.20
Lankford Frustrated with Partisan Politics While Nation Faces Health Crisis
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today took to the Senate floor to discuss the Senate's ongoing consideration of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which has now failed twice to receive the 60 votes needed to proceed due to partisan disagreements over a number of items-many of which Lankford cites as unrelated to the coronavirus-being negotiated. Lankford offered an amendment to help nonprofits by allowing chari… Continue Reading
03.22.20
Lankford Announces Overwhelming Support from Nonprofits on Amendment to Increase Charitable Giving Deduction
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offered an amendment to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which would increase the bill's $300 limit on the charitable giving deduction to one-third of the standard deduction ($4,000 for an individual filer and $8,000 for married joint filers) for the 2020 tax year. Lankford's amendment is similar to the language of his Universal Charitable Giving Act, which Lankford first offered as a stand-alone bill in 2017. O… Continue Reading
