Press Releases
Senator Lankford Statement on Reducing Refugee Cap
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement on plans from the Administration to lower the refugee cap for FY 2020 from 30,000 to 18,000: "I'm disappointed to see that the Administration has once again decided to decrease the number of refugees we allow into our country. Over the last few months, the Department of Homeland Security implemented multiple policies that have resulted in a decrease in migrants at the US Southern Border. While I appreciate the Administration's fo… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Urges Senate to Pass Government Shutdown Prevention Act
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today again rose on the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass his bipartisan Prevent Government Shutdowns Act. Lankford introduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act earlier this year with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and the bill passed the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) in June. HSGAC Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) also recently penned an op-ed in the Wall Street J… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Supports Funding Bills in Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills to fund Interior, Environment, & related agencies; the Commerce, Justice, Science, & related agencies, Homeland Security; State, Foreign Operations, & related programs; and the Legislative Branch in the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The bills passed the Committee with bipartisan support and now head to the Senate floor for full consideration. "Today the Senate Appropr… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Supports Legislation to Address Injustice within American Opportunity Tax Credit
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) along with Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL) and David Schweikert (R-AZ) announced new bipartisan, bicameral legislation to address a systematic injustice within the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). The AOTC is the primary tax credit available to students seeking a higher education; however, students with a prior felony drug conviction are permanently ineligible fr… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Announces Public Events for Week of September 30 – October 4
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following public events for the state work period during the week of September 30 - October 4: WHAT: Senator Lankford Attends Feeding across the Aisle Event in TulsaWHEN: Monday, September 30, 1:30 pm CTWHERE: Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, 1304 N Kenosha Ave, Tulsa, OK 74106 WHAT: Senator Lankford Attends Americans for Prosperity LuncheonWHEN: … Continue Reading
09.26.19
Senator Lankford Statement on US-Japan Trade Agreement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement on the announcement of a trade agreement with Japan: "The announcement on a trade agreement between the US and Japan is good news for Oklahoma and our state's agriculture community," said Lankford. "Further opening up the Japanese market for US exports has been a priority of mine since joining the Senate Finance Committee, and I commend the Trump Administration for completing this agreement that will see more of Oklahoma's beef a… Continue Reading
09.25.19
Senator Lankford Applauds Commitment to Prevent Social Security Disability Fraud
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded the news from the Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to expand the anti-fraud initiative, the Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) Program. "Social Security Disability Insurance is a program put in place to protect Americans who become disabled before retirement," said Lankford. "Sadly, a program that was made to help those in need is being taken advantage of by individuals who do not need… Continue Reading
09.25.19
Senator Lankford Introduces Oklahoma Attorney to Judiciary Committee
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's introductory remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced Mrs. Jodi Dishman, an Edmond attorney, at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Dishman was nominated by President Trump on August 14, 2019, to serve as Judge on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Dishman currently serves as an attorney at McAfee & Taft law firm in Oklahoma City and is President of the Oklahoma City chapter … Continue Reading
09.20.19
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Combatting Rising Costs on RX Drugs
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast. WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released an episode of Lankford's podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford. During the episode, Lankford discusses the rising cost of prescription drugs, Medicare Part D, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), generic tiering, and surprise billing. Lankford introduced the Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2019 with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Finance Committee, and… Continue Reading
09.19.19
Senator Lankford Votes to Advance Funding Bills in Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2020 Transportation-Housing & Urban Development, Agriculture, and Financial Services & General Government funding bills in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bills passed out of the Committee with bipartisan support and now await further consideration on the Senate floor. "Today the Appropriations Committee continued to advance bills to fund several important agencies with the federal government… Continue Reading
09.19.19
Oklahoma Senators Applaud Committee Advancement of Oklahoman Kerry Pettingill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee advancement of Kerry Pettingill to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Pettingill's nomination was reported favorably by voice vote and will now move to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. "I am glad to see Kerry Pettingill's nomination pass out of the Judiciary Committee today, and I anticipate his swift confirmation by the full Senate," sai… Continue Reading
09.18.19
Senator Lankford Highlights Importance of US Constitution on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor today in reverence of our most enduring governing document, the US Constitution, following Constitution Day. Lankford discussed the power and uniqueness of our system of government and how vital our Constitution is to maintaining our national identity and rule of law, protecting the rights we hold dear, and ensuring our nation does not fall to tyranny. Transcript September 17, … Continue Reading
09.18.19
Senators Lankford, Hassan Continue to Push Prevent Government Shutdowns Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today highlighted the need for Congress to pass their bipartisan legislation to end government shutdowns following the release of a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) subcommittee report on how the last three government shutdowns have negatively impacted everything from the economy to national security. "Shutting down the government is an ineffective and costly way to fail to govern," said … Continue Reading
09.17.19
Senators Urge Army Corps Collaboration on Water Supply Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) on a bipartisan letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney expressing strong opposition to the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposed rulemaking for their use of reservoir projects for domestic, municipal, and industrial water supply. He was joined by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), John Barrasso (R-WY),… Continue Reading
09.12.19
Senators Lankford, Sinema, Tester Seek to Evaluate the VA’s Contracting Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined a bipartisan effort to review how the VA manages its contracts. Lankford partnered with Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Jon Tester (D-MT) on a letter to the top federal government watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), after the VA's acquisition management was added to the GAO's list of government programs at risk for waste and fraud. "The wide range of goods and services that VA procures-including construction, information… Continue Reading
09.11.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Passing of T. Boone Pickens
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the passing of T. Boone Pickens: "Today the world said goodbye to T. Boone Pickens with gratitude for an incredible legacy that will continue to live on after his passing. His vision and entrepreneurship forever changed the energy industry, making it a driver of our nation's economic engine and kick-starting American energy independence. Those who were recipients of the billions of dollars he gave through philanthr… Continue Reading
09.11.19
Senator Lankford Marks the Anniversary of 9/11
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to remember the September 11, 2001, attacks on our nation and to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including seven Oklahomans. In our nation's mobilized response to global terrorism since that fateful day, 51 Oklahomans have lost their lives fighting in Afghanistan, and 72 Oklahomans have lost their lives in Iraq. Today, Lankford is wearing a tie given to him by Gold Star… Continue Reading
09.04.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe, Congressman Hern Support Border Wall Construction
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statements today regarding the notification that military construction funding will be used for border security: "The mission of the Department of Defense is to secure our nation. Providing additional funding to complete the wall at the US Southern border falls into that mission," said Lankford. "Oklahoma's military in… Continue Reading
09.03.19
Senator Lankford in Tulsa and Jenks on Wednesday
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - On Wednesday, September 4, Senator James Lankford will speak at the Tulsa Rotary Club over lunch and host a town-hall style Community Conversation at the Oklahoma Aquarium in the evening. In the afternoon Lankford will visit with the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the flooding from earlier this year. He will also stop by Oral Roberts University to visit with students. WHAT: Speak at Tulsa Rotary ClubWHEN: Wednesday, September 4, 12 pm CTWHERE: 1115 South Bolder Avenue, T… Continue Reading
08.26.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Ruling for Victims of the Opioid Crisis
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement after today's verdict in Oklahoma's case against Johnson & Johnson regarding the company's "public nuisance" contribution to the opioid crisis in the state. Cleveland County Judge Thad Balkman ordered the company to pay $572 million to Oklahoma, which will be contributed to a state fund and used primarily for research on pain and addiction. "For victims of the opioid crisis and their families, today is a day of justice," … Continue Reading
