Press Releases
Lankford Sworn In As Senior Senator for Oklahoma in the 118th Congress
You can download the photo here. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement as the 118th Congress gets underway and he begins his second full, six-year term as the senior Senator for Oklahoma: "It is humbling to stand before God and the nation to take my oath again to protect and defend the United States Constitution on behalf of Oklahoma. I welcome Senator Markwayne Mullin and his beautiful family to the Senate, as he becomes the newest Senator for Okl… Continue Reading
12.23.22
Lankford, Senate Abraham Accords Caucus Celebrate First Caucus-Led Bill Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded that President Biden signed the annual defense bill, the Fiscal Year 2023 James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), into law, which included provisions mirroring the DEFEND (Deterring Enemy Forces and Enabling National Defenses) Act, the first bill passed by the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus, which was introduced by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Cory Booker (D-NJ). The DEFEND Act directs the Secr… Continue Reading
12.23.22
Lankford Receives Commitment on Military Religious Accommodation Requests for COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate from DOD Secretary, Lifts Holds on DOD Noms
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced a huge victory he secured to protect the right of religious liberty for our heroes in the Armed Forces. After receiving a commitment from the Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Lloyd Austin that all members who had requested a religious accommodation from the COVID-19 vaccine who have been waiting on a response, will now get the answers they have been waiting for and be allowed to return to their duties. "I have fought for mo… Continue Reading
12.22.22
Lankford, Marshall, Colleagues Want to Nullify Lesser Prairie-Chicken Listing
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) along with Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Ron Estes (KS-03), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Frank Lucas (OK-03), and Stephanie Bice (OK-05) to officially introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval in their respective chambers to strike down the Biden Administration's recent listing of the lesser prairie-chick… Continue Reading
12.22.22
Lankford Strongly Opposes Massive Federal Spending Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offered the following statement after he voted to oppose a massive 4,155-page, almost $2 trillion "omnibus" federal funding bill that once again further demonstrates Congress' inept spending behavior and complete lack of interest in properly funding the needs of the federal government in a timely, responsible manner: "When do Americans get to see in advance how Congress will spend their money? Once again, Washington, DC treats Oklahomans' t… Continue Reading
12.21.22
Lankford Offers Biden a Christmas Present to Stop the Chaos at the Southern Border, Keep Title 42
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on YouTube. CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on Rumble. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), lead Republican on the Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management, today offered a Christmas gift to the Biden Administration by calling on the Senate to unanimously pass two bills to deal with border security and immigration so that Border Patrol can enforce the law at the southern border. One bill e… Continue Reading
12.19.22
Lankford, Colleagues Push for Reinstatement and Backpay for COVID Vaccine Related Discharges
WASHINGTON, DC - Following the Senate's approval of the National Defense Authorization act (NDAA), Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), along with their colleagues, , sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The Senators urged Secretary Austin to freeze all COVID-19 vaccine-related discharges, and to establish a quick and thorough process so all members who were discharged because they refused the COVID-19 vaccine can be reinstated with back pay and full benefi… Continue Reading
12.19.22
Lankford, Colleagues Lead Effort to Protect Americans’ Retirement Funds
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Braun (R-IN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Richard Burr (R-NC) have introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution S.J. Res. 68 to nullify the Biden administration's Department of Labor (DOL) rule that would encourage fiduciaries to support liberal policy priorities over maximizing Americans' retirement security. Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) led the effort in the House of Representatives. "Biden's obsession … Continue Reading
12.16.22
Lankford, Colleagues Demand Defense Department End Funding Travel for Abortions
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - In a bicameral letter, Senator James Lankford (R-OK), along with 65 Members of Congress, called on Secretary Lloyd Austin to "immediately" revoke his illegal Defense Department policy funding travel for abortions, saying they were "appalled by the flagrant disregard for the law" demonstrated by the Biden Administration. The letter-led by Lankford, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), and Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO)-comes on the heels of… Continue Reading
12.15.22
Lankford Votes to Support Oklahoma Service Members, Families, Missions
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to support final passage of the Fiscal Year 2023 James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (FY23 NDAA) for Oklahoma's military installations and national defense initiatives. The bill passed the Senate in a vote of 83-11. "This year's defense bill, appropriately named the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization, makes sure that Oklahoma's three Air Force Bases-Vance, Altus, and Tinker-have the aircraft and resources to… Continue Reading
12.15.22
Lankford: What in the World Has DHS been doing for the Last Eight Months to Prepare for the End of Title 42?
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on YouTube. CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on Rumble. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today took to the Senate floor to share that after eight months of not hearing from the Department of Homeland Security about their plan to prepare and respond to lifting Title 42 restrictions that it is evident that the agency has no plan in place for the upcoming end at 11:59 pm on December 20, 2022. Lankford just this month sent a letter to… Continue Reading
12.15.22
Lankford, Colleagues Warn FBI Against Politically-Charged Investigation Of Israeli Defense Forces
In May 2022, Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed during a military operation led by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) against suspected Palestinian terrorists. Despite a thorough investigation, the IDF was unable to determine the source of gunfire which hit Abu Akleh. The US Department of State's Security Coordinator reviewed the IDF's investigation and did not contradict the IDF's assessment. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), under the direction of the US Depart… Continue Reading
12.15.22
Lankford, Colleagues Urge Department of Labor to Protect Independent Contractor Classification
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) along with Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Richard Burr (R-NC), and John Thune (R-SD) and Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05) urged the Department of Labor (DOL) not to move forward with its proposed rule for determining independent contractor classification due to the negative impact on workers and businesses, the test's lack of clarity, and the devastating consequences for the US economy. They are joined by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mitt Ro… Continue Reading
12.14.22
Lankford Continues to Question DHS’ Ability to Manage the Chaos It Inflicted at the Border
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management, issued a statement following a briefing with the Department of Homeland Security that provided no updates on preparations for the upcoming end to Title 42 at 11:59 pm on December 20, 2022: "Biden's border plan is doing exactly what he intended it to do, accelerate illegal immigration into the US. Since Biden strippe… Continue Reading
12.14.22
Lankford Stands Against Biden Admin Rules to Limit School Choice
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted on a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to disapprove of the Biden Administration's new rules adding burdensome requirements to charter schools seeking funding. Lankford, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), and 20 of their colleagues introduced the resolution in September. The measure failed in a vote of 49 to 49 "Parents around Oklahoma and the nation are ready for the government to stand up for them, not against them," said Lankford. "T… Continue Reading
12.14.22
Lankford, Colleagues Urge Department of Labor to Protect Independent Contractor Classification
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) along with Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Richard Burr (R-NC), and John Thune (R-SD) and Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05) urged the Department of Labor (DOL) not to move forward with its proposed rule for determining independent contractor classification due to the negative impact on workers and businesses, the test's lack of clarity, and the devastating consequences for the US economy. They are joined by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mitt Ro… Continue Reading
12.13.22
Lankford Stands Up for Parents to Choose the Best School for Their Child
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on YouTube. CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on Rumble. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today stood up for Oklahoma's parents and students and pushed his colleagues to support a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) for a new rule that penalizes some public schools over others because they are considered public charter schools. Earlier this year, the Department of Education announced new rules overhaulin… Continue Reading
12.13.22
Lankford Calls on State Department to Protect Human Rights, Address Countries of Particular Concern
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) sent a letter to the State Department after its annual release of Countries of Particular Concern, Special Watch List, and Entities of Particular Concern designations did not follow USCIRF's recommendations, specific to India, Nigeria, and Afghanistan. Lankford is asking for the Department's legally required explanation to Congress on its designations. Lankford stated in the letter, "We have been encouraged by the long-standing commitment of many e… Continue Reading
12.13.22
Lankford Pushes for Updates on Permitting Reform and Energy Independence
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A on YouTube. CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A on Rumble. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today addressed the lagging permitting process for energy projects in the US and where we stand with reforms to improve that process. At today's Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to examine implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which Lankford opposed, Lankford questioned Mr. Tommy Beaudreau, Deputy Secre… Continue Reading
12.08.22
Lankford Ensures OK Military Installations Have Necessary Resources
CLICK HERE to download Lankford's additional video remarks from Box. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today highlighted numerous provisions he worked to secure in the $847 billion Fiscal Year 2023 James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (FY23 NDAA) for Oklahoma's military installations and defense initiatives and highlighted funding and legislative language to move Oklahomans' priorities and stop non-defense-related progressive policies that Democrats attempted to snea… Continue Reading
