Press Releases
Senator Lankford and 12 Republican Senators Call on Justice Department to Pause Family Separations While Congress Works on Legislative Fix
WASHINGTON, DC - James Lankford (R-OK) today joined a group of senators in sending a letter to US Attorney General Jeff Sessions calling for a halt to the practice of separating families who have illegally crossed the US-Mexico border. The letter petitions the administration to delay enforcement of this policy until Congress can pass legislation to keep families together. The letter was led by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and has also been signed by Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Pat Roberts (R-KS)… Continue Reading
06.19.18
Senator Lankford Subcommittee Approves FY2019 Financial Services & General Government Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today chaired the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and advanced a $23.688 billion funding measure that prioritizes national programs to combat terrorism financing, spur small business growth, maintain a fair and efficient judicial system, and target heroin and prescription drug abuse. "This is a responsible bill that boosts our national economy, financial security, and government accountability, and I … Continue Reading
06.19.18
Senators Lankford and McCaskill Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Safeguard National Security from Supply Chain Security Threats
WASHINGTON, DC - In the aftermath of national security issues surrounding the use of Kaspersky and ZTE products, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) today introduced a bipartisan bill to ensure government agencies consider the supply chain risks to national security and the public interest when buying information technology (IT). The legislation would establish a council to equip the government with the policies and processes for sharing information and evaluating supply … Continue Reading
06.18.18
Senator Lankford Urges the Administration to Keep Families Together While Pushing Congress to Fix Immigration System
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor to discuss the policy of separating families at the border, the need for real immigration reform, and securing the border. Earlier this year, Lankford introduced a common-sense proposal called the Secure and Succeed Act, which contained a provision that would have enabled families detained at the border to remain together if a parent was prosecuted for illegally entering the … Continue Reading
06.18.18
Senator Lankford Supports the Passage of NDAA
CLICK HERE to view the speech WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is an annual defense bill to support the nation's military and to ensure national security for the US. The bill passed by a vote of 85 to 10. "The Senate today completed one of its primary responsibilities-standing up for national defense," said Lankford. "When America is secure, we see growth in our economy and in our nation. I am gra… Continue Reading
06.14.18
Senators Lankford and Inhofe Praise Committee Passage of Justice Wyrick’s Nomination
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today released the following statements to applaud Senate Judiciary Committee passage of Justice Patrick Wyrick's judicial nomination. Wyrick was nominated by President Trump in April to serve as District Judge on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The committee passed Wyrick's nomination today by a vote of 11-10 and it will now head to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. "I am glad to see Justic… Continue Reading
06.13.18
Senator Lankford Touts Oklahoma Economic Progress In Floor Speech
CLICK HERE to view the speech WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a floor speech about the improving economy in Oklahoma and across America, in part, due to tax reform. Excerpts: (00:00-00:48) I talk to a lot of Oklahomans who say we like to hear good news every once in a while. So, let me just pause and read a couple of headlines and give good news. One of them came out of the Oklahoma legislature and out of our research branch dealing with our finances. Oklaho… Continue Reading
06.12.18
Senators Lankford, Peters, Paul, Jones Introduce Bill Streamlining Federal Property Review Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Gary Peters (D-MI), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Doug Jones (D-AL) introduced bipartisan legislation to streamline the federal inventory review process and save taxpayer money by directing federal agencies to more frequently assess unneeded federal property. Currently, many federal agencies only declare property as excess during office moves or space reductions often resulting in agencies retaining or storing unneeded property that could be utilized by o… Continue Reading
06.08.18
Senators Lankford and Klobuchar Submit Election Security Legislation As NDAA Amendment
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today submitted provisions from their Secure Elections Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The purpose of the amendment is to strengthen America's election cybersecurity and protect against the possibility of future foreign interference by streamlining cybersecurity information-sharing between federal intelligence entities and state election agencies and providing security clearances to sta… Continue Reading
06.06.18
Senator Lankford Agrees: We Need to Work Through August to Get the Work Done
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a floor speech to outline why it is important for the Senate to work through August if significant work isn't done to complete nominations and the appropriations process before the September 30 deadline. Lankford also discussed the historic gridlock for presidential nominees and his solution to speed up the nomination process during the speech. On May 11, Lankford joined 15 Senators in a letter to urge M… Continue Reading
06.05.18
Senator Lankford Statement on Announcement to Cancel August Recess
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement following the announcement from Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to cancel the August state work period to continue the work the American people elected Congress to do: "I appreciate Leader McConnell hearing our call to keep the Senate in session and continue our work to confirm pending executive branch and judicial nominees and to complete the appropriations process before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2018," said L… Continue Reading
06.04.18
Senator Lankford Applauds Supreme Court Masterpiece Cakeshop Ruling
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the Supreme Court ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission: "For the second time in a little over one year, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 to uphold the foundational principle and constitutional right to the free exercise of religion and the dignity of all persons. No one should be treated as inferior or with hostility from their government. The Court also reiterated again that governm… Continue Reading
05.29.18
Senator Lankford to Speak at Race Reconciliation Symposium in Tulsa FRIDAY
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) will speak at the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation 2018 Reconciliation in America National Symposium: "The DNA of Reconciliation: The Substance of Peacemaking" in Tulsa on Friday, June 1, 2018. This is the ninth annual symposium hosted by the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation. The symposium starts on May 30, 2018, and concludes on Friday, June 1. The symposium focus is to unite, discuss effective practices, and encourage p… Continue Reading
05.25.18
Senator Lankford Applauds NDAA Provision To Stop Transfer of Fighter Aircraft To Turkey
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) for securing a provision in the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a plan to Congress to remove Turkey from participation in the F-35 program. This provision is similar to a standalone bill introduced by Lankford, Shaheen, and Tillis last month. Under the US-led, multinational Joint Strike Fighter program, Turkey was ex… Continue Reading
05.24.18
Oklahoma Veteran Greg Slavonic Confirmed to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate today unanimously confirmed Oklahoma veteran and Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic to be the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Slavonic is a native Oklahoman and former Chief of Staff for Senator James Lankford (R-OK). On May 10, Lankford introduced Slavonic during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Rear Admiral Greg Slavonic is the model of public service and I am glad he will be our nation's ne… Continue Reading
05.24.18
Senator Lankford Statement on Cancellation of North Korea Summit
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on President Trump pulling out of the upcoming North Korea Summit with Kim Jong Un in Singapore: "For decades, North Korea has threatened the world with a growing nuclear weapons program. We should work to get North Korea to the table to have real dialogue, but just meeting to meet does not solve the problem. We should focus on tangible progress for the sake of our own, our neighbors', and the world's security. We shou… Continue Reading
05.24.18
Senators Lankford, Ernst, Perdue Introduce ‘No Budget, No Vacation Act’ to Ensure Congress Passes Budget
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK), along with Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and David Perdue (R-GA), introduced the No Budget, No Vacation Act. This bill would prohibit Senators from traveling during August recess until the budget and appropriations process is completed. "The current budget process has been in place since the 1970s but has only worked four times as it was intended, said Lankford. "To avoid yet another massive Omnibus spending bill, we must finish our budget and approp… Continue Reading
05.24.18
Lankford Letter - May 24
CLICK HERE for the May 24, 2018 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
05.23.18
Senator Lankford Applauds Passage of Bill to Expand Veterans’ Access to Healthcare
CLICK HERE to view the speech WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in support of the VA MISSION Act (S. 2372). The VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act, or VA MISSION Act for short, includes significant reforms to improve the VA's current healthcare delivery system and help provide veterans with more choice and fewer barriers to healthcare. The bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support by a vote of 92-5. The bill … Continue Reading
05.23.18
Senator Lankford Introduces Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Wyrick at Confirmation Hearing
CLICK HERE to view the video of Lankford's introduction and Wyrick's opening statement WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Patrick Wyrick during his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing to be United States District Court judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. Wyrick was nominated for this position in April. Excerpts: Senator Lankford: (1:02-1:27) He is a native of Atoka, Oklahoma. Does anyone else know where Atoka is … Continue Reading
