Press Releases
Senator Lankford Urges Senate to Act on Obvious Immigration Problems
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - In a floor speech, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today criticized the Senate, and Congress, for not solving the nation's many immigration problems. Lankford specifically talked about the Senate's failure to meaningfully secure our border, keep migrant families together by fixing the Flores Agreement, or enacting a solution for DACA. Excerpts: On the nominations process slowing down the Senate overall: Our days are busy and full. For some reason… Continue Reading
06.27.18
Senators Lankford, Johnson Introduce Bill to Provide Administration Reorganization Authority
WASHINGTON - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced legislation Tuesday that would expand executive branch authority to reorganize federal agencies. "It is not a new concept for Congress to allow the administration the ability to reorganize federal agencies," said Lankford. "There are a wide-range of issues to … Continue Reading
06.26.18
Senator Lankford Applauds Supreme Court Ruling on Free Speech
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on the Supreme Court's decision in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra: "Today's ruling is a great victory for the First Amendment and free speech in America. It's a shame that free speech is under attack more and more in our country, but I'm glad the Supreme Court is speaking truth to this value that makes America so unique and great. No organization should be forced by their govern… Continue Reading
06.26.18
Senator Lankford Applauds Senate Passage of First Appropriations Bills
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded Senate passage, by a vote of 86-5, of the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R. 5895), which included several highlights for Oklahoma and Lankford's focus on government reform and efficiency. "I'm pleased that the Senate has passed its first three of twelve Appropriations bills for this Fiscal Year," said Lankford. "To avoid another omnibus disaster, we must be di… Continue Reading
06.22.18
Senator Lankford Releases Special Video To Celebrate the Naturalization Process
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released a special video to recognize legal immigration and celebrate the naturalization process. The video includes remarks from Senator Lankford at a Naturalization Ceremony in Oklahoma City on June 15. "With all of the noise surrounding illegal immigration, it's important to remember and celebrate the millions of people who have entered our country legally and waited in line for years to complete the American … Continue Reading
06.21.18
Senators Lankford and Johnson Statement on Trump Administration’s Government Reorganization Plan
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, today joined Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, in making the following statements on the Trump administration's plan to reorganize the federal government. "Today's signing of the Executive Order to reorganize federal agencies is a good first step for a long overdue problem," said Lankford. "The US govern… Continue Reading
06.20.18
Senator Lankford Statement on Senate Failure to Cut Spending
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on the Senate's failure, on Wednesday, to pass a $14.8 billion rescissions package from March's $1.3 trillion Omnibus spending bill: "I'm very disappointed that the $15 billion rescissions proposal did not even get enough votes to be debated in the Senate. With a $21 trillion federal debt, we have got to start somewhere, and this package was a responsible proposal to enact. To address our debt problems, we must cut … Continue Reading
06.20.18
Senators Lankford and Inhofe Introduce Bill to Keep Families Together and Strengthen Integrity of Immigration Laws
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today joined a group of Senators to introduce the Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act, a bill that would keep families together while ensuring the integrity of our nation's immigration laws. The legislation requires that children and their parents remain together during their immigration-related legal proceedings. A policy known as the Flores Settlement Agreement led to the Departments of Homeland Security or Just… Continue Reading
06.19.18
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
