Press Releases
Senator Lankford Introduces Oklahoma Judge to Judiciary Committee
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's introductory remarks. CLICK HERE to view more photos from the introduction. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced Judge Bernard M. Jones, a United States magistrate judge, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Jones was nominated by President Trump on October 3, 2019, to serve as judge on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Jones has served as a magistrate judge for the Western Distri… Continue Reading
10.29.19
Senator Lankford Calls on Congress to Urgently Pass USMCA
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor in support of the urgent need for Congress to pass the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to open up North American free trade for our nation and for Oklahoma. Lankford serves on the Senate Finance Committee with jurisdiction over trade. In June, Lankford questioned US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on the benefits of the USMCA over the current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). On October 1, members… Continue Reading
10.29.19
Senators Lankford, Scott, Johnson Support Proactive Tip-Sharing Process to Ensure FBI Works with Local Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Ron Johnson (R-WI) introduced the Threat Information Protocol for Sharing (TIPS) Act to hold the FBI accountable for its failures to address critical deficiencies in its handling of actionable intelligence on the perpetrators of mass violence. This legislation is supported by Stand with Parkland, an organization founded by the family members of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. "The FBI and o… Continue Reading
10.28.19
Senator Lankford Urges Support for Indian Reservation Food Delivery Program to Ensure Access for Those Who Need it Most
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's speech on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded passage of his bipartisan amendment to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) title of H.R. 3055, an appropriations package that also includes the Transportation-Housing, Commerce, Justice, Science and Interior Appropriations bills. The amendment, also spearheaded by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), would require USDA to conduct a study on access challenges for its Fo… Continue Reading
10.28.19
Senator Lankford Remembers Chief Gregory Pyle
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the passing of former Choctaw Nation Chief Gregory E. Pyle: "Chief Pyle served as the leader of the Choctaws for many years with dignity and commitment to his tribe and our state. He dedicated his career to growing tribal jobs and sharing the culture of the Choctaws with the world. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Pat, his children, and his grandchildren as they mourn his loss. He will be missed by many." … Continue Reading
10.28.19
Coming Together to Combat Anti-Semitism
by Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
Too often, Members of Congress feel compelled to highlight what divides us. In an age of intense partisanship and ideological division, it is an easy trap - one that can distract us from addressing the core issues on which we agree and can take action. Today, the two of us - a practicing Jewish Democrat from Nevada and a devoted Christian Republican from Oklahoma - are calling on our colleagues to set aside the labels, the bickering, and the grandstanding to join together to take on one of the m… Continue Reading
10.27.19
Senator Lankford Statement on US Forces Operation Targeting ISIS Leader
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on US Forces successful operation in Syria involving ISIS leader Ab Bakr al-Baghdadi: "The United States Special Forces and US Intelligence Services put their lives on the line for the people of our nation every day; today is another reminder that their commitment brings dramatically greater security to around the globe. ISIS publicly demonstrated their cruelty for years, so the demise of the ISIS cult of d… Continue Reading
10.25.19
Lankford Letter - October 25
CLICK HERE for the October 25, 2019, Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
10.25.19
Senator Lankford Recognizes International Religious Freedom Day
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement to recognize International Religious Freedom Day on Sunday, October 27, 2019: "This year marks the 21st anniversary of signing the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Act of 1998. On this day, we remember and pray for those who are oppressed for their faith around the globe. With more than 80 percent of the world's population living where religious freedom is threatened or denied, the United States must remain an… Continue Reading
10.25.19
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Decision to Withdrawal Troops from Syria
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released an episode of Lankford's podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford. Lankford discusses the history of the United States' relationship with the Kurdish people, President Trump's decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, and the relationship between Turkey and the Kurds. Earlier this month, Lankford spoke on the Senate Floor to discuss the current situation, specifically… Continue Reading
10.24.19
Senator Lankford Calls for Transparent Impeachment Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today cosponsored a Senate resolution to condemn the House of Representatives' closed-door impeachment inquiry process. The resolution was led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "If House Democrats are as serious about impeachment as they're acting, they should apply an equal level of gravity to the process they think is so important," said Lankford. "Speaker Pe… Continue Reading
10.24.19
Senator Lankford Subcommittee Pushes for Simple Online Rulemaking Process
WASHINGTON, DC - The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, under the chairmanship of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today held a joint hearing with the HSGAC Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) entitled "Review of E-Rulemaking Comment System." The hearing follows PSI issuing a bipartisan report on the abuse of online regulatory comment systems. Lankford supports efforts to make the online comment system more user-f… Continue Reading
10.23.19
Senator Lankford Rejects Democrat Resolution to Subsidize Wealthy
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to oppose a Senate Democrat-backed resolution that would undo a $10,000 cap on state and local taxes (SALT) deduction. Lankford's vote to oppose the Resolution of Disapproval effectively blocks removing a cap on the SALT deduction put in place by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. "Repealing the state and local taxes cap will force taxpayers living in middle America to subsidize those living in high tax states and localities," said Lank… Continue Reading
10.23.19
Senator Lankford Recognizes School Choice Anniversary
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today recognized the fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program through the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act, which was introduced in 2011 when Lankford served in the US House of Representatives. Because Congress has jurisdiction over the District of Columbia and its funding allocations, the DC Opportunity Scholarships provided Congress a way to invest in school choice and utilize those re… Continue Reading
10.23.19
The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act Will Not Cost $12.6 Trillion
by Staff of Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act (PGSA) would establish an automatic continuing resolution (auto-CR) to prevent shutdowns and would put into place incentives to encourage Congress to enact its own CR or appropriations bill. Its fiscal effect would be minimal, as the legislation itself is not intended to take effect on a permanent basis. Rather, it is intended to serve as a bridge while policymakers agree to appropriations levels. Due to scorekeeping technicalities, the Congressional Budget … Continue Reading
10.22.19
Senators Lankford, Enzi, Peters, Hassan Applaud Senate Passage of GREAT Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management; Mike Enzi, (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee; Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management toda… Continue Reading
10.18.19
Senators Send Letter to Urge Expanded Access for Families with Alzheimer's
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ed Markey (D-MA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) led a bipartisan group of Senators in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct an outreach campaign to educate clinicians, Medicare beneficiaries with cognitive impairment, and their families on the assessment and care planning services currently available to them. "As you know, more than five mi… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Senator Lankford Opposes Returning to Obama-Era Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to oppose a Senate Democrat-backed resolution that would undo the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) repeal of the Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan (CPP) and also repeal the adoption of the Trump Administration's Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, issued in June 2019. Lankford's vote to oppose the Resolution of Disapproval effectively blocks the Democrats from overriding President Trump's revocation of the CPP, an executiv… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Senator Lankford Applauds Committee Passage of Bill to Ensure Justice to US Victims of Terrorism
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the bipartisan passage of his bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act seeks to provide justice for US victims of international terrorism while promoting the important security cooperation among US, Israeli, and Palestinian security forces. "I'm grateful the Senate Judiciary Committee considered and passed the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act a… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the passing of Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD): "Cindy and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Representative Elijah Cummings, and we keep his wife, Maya, and his three children in our prayers as they grieve his loss. I was honored to serve with Elijah in the House and got to know him during our time serving on Oversight. He was a man of strong faith, and he showed great kindness and friendship ac… Continue Reading
