Press Releases
Senators Lankford and Rosen Applaud Signature into Law of Bipartisan Bill to Increase Security for Houses of Worship
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism and members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement applauding the signing by the President of the Securing American Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019, companion legislation to a bipartisan bill they both cosponsored. "It is critical that Congress take action to assist ho… Continue Reading
01.27.20
Lankford, Johnson, Colleagues Send Letter on Misuse of Electric Vehicle Tax Credit
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Barrasso (R-WY) and 12 of their colleagues sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles P. Rettig Monday requesting information to better understand how the IRS enforces the electric vehicle tax credit in light of a Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) audit report that detailed what appear to be systemic problems with the tax credit program. "On September 30, 2019, the Treasury Ins… Continue Reading
01.25.20
Senator Lankford Statement on Extradition of Baltazar Sanchez-Garcia to the US
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement after the announcement that accused murderer Baltazar Sanchez-Garcia was extradited to Stephens County, OK, to stand trial for the alleged murder of Linda Salazar, the mother of the couple's child: "After four years of waiting by the victim's family, today Mexico finally did what was right and extradited Baltazar Sanchez-Garcia to the United States to get his long-awaited day in court. I join the Salazar family in con… Continue Reading
01.23.20
Lankford Applauds No WOTUS No More
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford issued the following statement to applaud the Trump Administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This rule replaces the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which removes burdensome regulation from America's farmers, ranchers, and landowners: "Oklahomans want clean, safe water in our rivers, lakes, and streams. Unfortunately, previous administrations used an extreme interpretation of the Waters of the Uni… Continue Reading
01.23.20
Lankford, Rosen, Cramer, Menendez, Cardin Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Commemorating 75th Anniversary of Liberation of Auschwitz by Allied Forces
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced the introduction of S.Res. 481, a bipartisan resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp by Allied Forces during World War II. The anniversary will take place on January 27th, designated by the United Nations as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Grace Meng (D… Continue Reading
01.16.20
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Celebrate Religious Freedom Day
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roy Blunt (R-MO) Mike Rounds (R-SD), James Risch (R-ID), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Rick Scott (R-FL) to introduce a resolution designating January 16th as Religious Freedom Day. This resolution also commemorates the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom's 234th anniversary, a statute that laid the foundations for … Continue Reading
01.16.20
USMCA Heads to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in support of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which, with its passage in the Senate in a bipartisan vote of 89 to 10, finally sends the agreement to update North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to the President's desk. Lankford recently supported the USMCA when it was considered and passed on January 7th in the Senate Finance Committee and on January 14th when it passed the Senate Appropriations Committee. Lankford also hig… Continue Reading
01.15.20
Senator Lankford Recognizes Iranian Protests, Condemns Regime Retaliation
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Mitt Romney (R-UT) to introduce a resolution making clear the US Senate stands with the Iranian people. This resolution comes just days after thousands of Iranian protestors took to the streets in opposition to oppressive Iranian government policies and the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet. "We seek to assure the coura… Continue Reading
01.14.20
Senator Lankford Addresses US Tension with Iran on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today expressed continued support for the Iranian people who are actively protesting their tyrannical regime in the streets of Iran. Lankford spoke at length about the threat the US faced from Soleimani and the need for decisive action earlier this month to take him down to prevent another attack on US personnel and facilities abroad. During his speech Lankford addressed the need for continued Middle Eas… Continue Reading
01.14.20
Senator Lankford Praises Updates to Outdated Labor Laws
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) praised the Department of Labor's finalization of a rule on January 12 that provides a much-needed update to the joint employer provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The final rule will take effect March 16, 2020. "The previous joint employer rule had the potential to devastate America's franchise, small-business economy," said Lankford. "Oklahoma small businesses consistently tell me they want greater clarity and consistency from the fede… Continue Reading
01.13.20
Senators Lankford, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen VA Oversight
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jon Tester (D-MT) are kicking off the new year with bipartisan legislation to strengthen oversight for veterans at the nation's second largest federal agency. Under current law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) does not have testimonial subpoena authority to compel former VA employees who have left federal service, former contractor personnel who performed work for the Department, or other potentially r… Continue Reading
01.09.20
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Cosponsor Legislation Honoring Americans Responsible for Soleimani Strike
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) along with 42 other Republican senators, cosponsored a resolution introduced today honoring members of the military and intelligence community who carried out the mission that killed Qasem Soleimani, leader of Iran's Quds Force. "The decisive and justified attack that killed long-time Iranian terrorist leader, Qasem Soleimani, was a well-executed action by our military to help prevent Soleimani from taking additional American… Continue Reading
01.09.20
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Join Resolution Urging Speaker Pelosi to Send Impeachment Articles to Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today to introduce a resolution urging Speaker Pelosi to immediately transmit, consistent with the House's constitutional obligations, to the Senate the two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump. "It's odd that the House said they needed to urgently impeach President Trump before Christmas, but they are now unwilling to transm… Continue Reading
01.09.20
Senator Lankford Encourages Senate to Pass USMCA
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor in support of the Senate's ongoing work to consider and finalize the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which updates and enhances the existing North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that was put in place more than two decades ago. Lankford serves on the Senate Finance Committee, which considered and passed with Lankford's support the USMCA implementing bill earlier t… Continue Reading
01.09.20
Senators Lankford, Manchin, Blackburn, Tester, Kennedy Urge FCC to Provide Broadband for Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jon Tester (D-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and John Kennedy (R-LA) today sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai urging the FCC to focus its efforts on providing reliable broadband to rural communities before expanding 5G coverage, as indicated by the announcement of the FCC's 5G Fund. The senators said in part, "While we commend the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) for … Continue Reading
01.08.20
Senator Lankford Introduces John Heil in Judiciary Committee
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's introductory remarks. CLICK HERE for additional photos from the hearing. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced Oklahoma attorney, Mr. John F. Heil, III, at his nomination hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee to serve as a US District Judge for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Oklahoma. Heil was first nominated by President Trump on November 6, 2019. Transcript Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for allowing us to be … Continue Reading
01.07.20
Senator Lankford Supports Passage of USMCA Trade Agreement in Senate Finance Committee
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today attended the Senate Finance Committee's executive session markup of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is the next step in finalizing the USMCA after its consideration and passage in the House late last year. The implementing bill was approved by the Committee with Lankford's support in a vote of 25 to 3. Lankford provided remarks about the finalized negotiations at today's hearing. Beginnin… Continue Reading
01.02.20
Senator Lankford Statement on Death of Iranian General Soleimani
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement regarding an operation that killed Iranian General Soleimani: "For years, the Iranian regime has pursued a reckless strategy of intimidation, fear, and aggression. Its acts of terrorism have destabilized the entire Middle East. As the leader of the Quds Force, General Soleimani has personally been responsible for killing US military and allied forces in Iraq, including a US contractor just last week. President Trum… Continue Reading
12.29.19
Lankford, Rosen Statement on Anti-Semitic Attack in Monsey, New York
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism, released the following statement regarding last night's mass-stabbing attack at the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg during a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey, New York. "Last night, at a celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, the scourge of anti-Semitism reared its ugly head, bringing darkness with it. We are deeply saddened by… Continue Reading
12.23.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Hail Naming of USS Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today that the Navy's newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine will be named the USS Oklahoma: "Today, the US Navy once again selected the historic name Oklahoma for one of our nation's most powerful platforms for peace, this time a Virginia-class submarine. It's an honor that the US Navy will carry our state's values and history around the world. It has been m… Continue Reading
