Press Releases
Senator Lankford Statement on White House Announcement Regarding Opioid Epidemic
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the White House's announcement to declare a public health emergency to address the national opioid crisis: "Opioid abuse is a nationwide crisis that continues to grow and the effects continue to devastate families across America," said Lankford. "This crisis is all too real in Oklahoma as it impacts young people, families, and communities from all parts of the state. It is time for action. Our state ranks … Continue Reading
10.26.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Praise Senate Confirmation of Scott Palk to Oklahoma Federal Court
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today praised the Senate for finally confirming Scott Palk, by a vote of 79-16, to the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Palk was first nominated by President Obama in December 2015 but never received a vote during the last session of Congress. President Trump renominated Palk in May of this year. Before the vote, Senator Lankford delivered a floor speech in support of Scott Palk, and also issued this s… Continue Reading
10.25.17
Senator Lankford Delivers Floor Speech on Scott Palk, Push for Senate Rules Reform
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor today on the nomination of Scott Palk to be US District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. President Trump nominated Palk on May 8, 2017, and he was reported out of the Judiciary Committee on June 18, 2017. Palk was also nominated by President Obama in 2015. Excerpts: On Scott Palk: Let me introduce you a little bit to Scott Palk… This is not a controversial nominee, and he … Continue Reading
10.24.17
Senator Lankford Supports Reauthorization of Key Intelligence Program
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported a bipartisan reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) during a Senate Intelligence Committee markup. Section 702 of FISA authorizes a key national security program within the Intelligence Community to target the communications of non-Americans located outside the United States for foreign intelligence purposes. The FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017, which passed today by a 12-3 vote… Continue Reading
10.20.17
Lankford Letter - October 20
CLICK HERE for the October 20, 2017 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
10.19.17
Senator Lankford: This Budget Provides Path for Tax Reform
WASHNGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement after voting for the FY2018 budget, which also provides reconciliation instructions for the consideration of a tax reform bill later this year: "Our tax code hasn't been updated in over 30 years - it's complicated and outdated. This budget resolution provides the legislative path for tax reform that brings our tax code into the 21st century. After a decade of economic growth below two percent, we must get our econom… Continue Reading
10.18.17
Senator Lankford Meets with DHS Secretary Nominee Kirstjen Nielsen
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with Kirstjen Nielsen, President Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. "Kirstjen Nielsen has an impressive resume and extensive experience working at DHS that will serve us well as she leads the agency," said Lankford. "Specifically, her background in cybersecurity is vital as we continue to confront and protect against those who wish to do our country harm through cyber-attacks. I am also confide… Continue Reading
10.13.17
Senator Lankford Commends President Trump’s Iran Strategy
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement in response to President Trump's new Iran strategy: "I commend the new Iran strategy which rightly seeks to address Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missile program, support for terrorism, and abysmal human rights record. We must address the entire threat posed by Iran, not just their nuclear program. "For the last eight years, US foreign policy appeased the ayatollahs and chose not to confront their aggr… Continue Reading
10.12.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Healthcare Executive Order
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the President's Executive Order to reform Obamacare regulations to provide more affordable options for healthcare insurance. The Executive Order expands the availability of Associated Health Plans, which will allow small businesses and other trade organizations to band together across state lines to offer their employees affordable health insurance; short-term limited duration insurance policies, which are not subject to the strin… Continue Reading
10.11.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen as DHS Secretary
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on the nomination of Kirstjen Nielsen to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security: "Kirstjen Nielsen has the right type of experience to do this important job. Nielsen's long history at DHS and her work on cybersecurity threats will serve the mission of this agency well. It is vitally important that we have a Secretary of Homeland Security in place to lead this agency to protect against the many th… Continue Reading
10.11.17
Senator Lankford Releases Solution Sunday Video
CLICK HERE to watch the video OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford and Tim Scott today released a video about their Solution Sunday Initiative, an effort started last year to improve race relations in our country. The simple idea encourages Americans to address racial tensions in our nation by engaging people of another race over meals in their home, for the purpose of building genuine relationships and learning from other perspectives. This video also features Senate Chaplain Barry Bla… Continue Reading
10.08.17
Senator Lankford Statement on White House Immigration Principles
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on the White House's release of immigration reform principles: "No one in America thinks the current immigration system works well. It hasn't been updated in 30-plus years and the lack of action has led to a system that has incentivized illegal immigration. I appreciate the White Houses' input on reforming our immigration system. Congress must stop kicking the can down the road, and finally address our border s… Continue Reading
10.06.17
Senator Lankford Urges ATF Review of 'Bump Stock' Firearm Regulation
OKLAHOMA, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) and seven other Senators to urge the Trump Administration's US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to swiftly review an Obama Administration regulatory decision that permitted the sale of firearm 'bump stock' devices and issue its own interpretation. The Senators' request for review comes after a gunman opened fire on 22,000 innocent concertgoers in Las Vegas, Nevada, killing 58 people and… Continue Reading
10.06.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Administration Actions to Protect Religious Freedom
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Department of Justice's guidance on religious freedom, and the interim final rule issued by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Labor, on conscience protections: "I applaud today's guidance issued by the Department of Justice and the clarity it provides for a fundamental American right - religious freedom. As the guidance notes, 'religious liberty is not merely a right to personal religious beliefs o… Continue Reading
10.06.17
Senator Lankford Gives Update on Russian Interference With US Elections
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor yesterday about Russia's interference with US elections, Russia's use of troll farms to create propaganda that promotes a greater divide in US current events on social media, and the need for states to protect their voting systems. Transcript: I'd like to update this body…about Russia and their interference with our elections and how they are trying to engage with us in a way that much… Continue Reading
10.06.17
Senator Lankford to Host Community Conversation at Tulsa’s Historic Big 10 Ballroom
OKLAHOMA CITY - Senator James Lankford will host a townhall-style Community Conversation in Tulsa on Thursday, October 12 at the historic Big 10 Ballroom. The event will showcase and celebrate the near completed renovation of the venue, which will operate as the A Pocket Full of Hope Community Revitalization Center at The Big 10 Ballroom. During the program, Lankford will deliver remarks on the 1921 Tulsa Race Riots, the revitilization of the community, and take questions from the audience. Stat… Continue Reading
10.05.17
Senator Lankford Joins Senators Graham, Ernst to Introduce Five-Month Abortion Ban
CLICK HERE to watch the video WASHINGTON, DC - During a press conference today, Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S.1922), a bill to ban abortion past five months of pregnancy. On Tuesday, the US House of Representatives passed the same legislation by a vote of 237-189. If the Senate passes this bill, the President has committed to sign the legislation into law. "The United States is one of only … Continue Reading
10.04.17
Senator Lankford Meets with Nominee for Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with President Trump's nominee to be Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Governor Sam Brownback (R-KS). "Governor Brownback's commitment to advocate for human rights throughout the world is evident from his time serving in Congress and the state of Kansas," said Lankford. "He has long advocated for the voiceless. I know he will promote our nation's values with those who face religious persecution around the world and … Continue Reading
10.04.17
Senator Lankford Delivers Floor Speech on Tax Reform, Senate Gridlock Reform, and Dr. Andrew Brunson
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a floor speech on how tax reform will help our economy, how gridlock reform will make the Senate more efficient, and he also spoke about Dr. Andrew Brunson, an American who has been unjustly imprisoned in Turkey for a year. Excerpts: On the need for Tax Reform Our economy is stuck. We're in a bad spot of just treading water. Over the last 11 years our gross domestic product-that's how much our economy… Continue Reading
10.04.17
Senator Lankford Bill to Provide Educational Opportunities for Native Students Gets Committee Approval
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford's (R-OK) Indian education bill, the Johnson O'Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act, was reported favorably out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs today during a markup. This is a bipartisan bill to update decades-old data the federal government uses to distribute funds to benefit Native American students "The Johnson O'Malley Act is a critical program that provides cultural and academic assistance to American Indian studen… Continue Reading
