Press Releases
Senator Lankford, Chairman Blunt Introduce Resolution to Reduce Needless Delays for Senate-Confirmed Nominees
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) today introduced a resolution to update the Senate rules for most Senate-confirmed nominees. The resolution would reduce the 30 hours of post-cloture debate time to two hours for most nominees, including many Executive Branch nominees and district court judges, while maintaining 30 hours for high-level nominees, including Supreme Court Justices and Cabinet-level officials. The r… Continue Reading
02.05.19
Senator Lankford, Congressmen Scalise, Hice, Johnson Reintroduce Free Speech Fairness Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), Congressmen Jody Hice (R-GA), and Mike Johnson (R-LA) today announced the reintroduction of the Free Speech Fairness Act, legislation designed to repeal the Johnson Amendment's censorship of 501(c)3 employees, including religious leaders, and restore their First Amendment rights. "The Free Speech Fairness Act is needed to prevent government intrusion and suppression of free speech by removing a restricti… Continue Reading
01.29.19
Senator Lankford Joins Senators to Introduce Bill to Urge Taiwan Participation in WHO
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who are the co-chairs of the US Senate Taiwan Caucus, to introduce S. 249. The legislation calls for the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for Taiwan to regain observer status in the World Health Organization ahead of its annual global assembly later this year. They were joined by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Edward Markey (D-MA), Bill C… Continue Reading
01.29.19
Senator Lankford Attends First Finance Committee Hearing on Drug Pricing in America
CLICK HERE to listen to Lankford's questions. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in his first full Committee hearing of the Senate Finance Committee. Lankford was selected to serve on the Finance Committee at the start of the 116th Congress. Today's hearing was entitled, "Drug Pricing in America: A Prescription for Change, Part 1." Lankford had the opportunity to question Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, President of American Action Forum and former Director of the Congre… Continue Reading
01.29.19
Senator Lankford Discusses Proposal to Change Senate Rules on Nomination Debates
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor about the Senate's requirements for debate on Executive and Judicial Branch nominations. Nominees that require Senate confirmation first go through an extensive background check by the FBI and then the committee of jurisdiction when their nomination arrives on Capitol Hill. Once they receive hearings in the relevant committees of jurisdiction and meet with individ… Continue Reading
01.28.19
Senator Lankford Meets with Attorney General Nominee William Barr
CLICK HERE for a photo of Senator Lankford and William Barr. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with President Trump's nominee for Attorney General (AG) of the United States, William Barr. On December 7, 2018, President Trump announced his intention to nominate Barr to fill the vacancy after the resignation of former AG Jeff Sessions: "I was glad to get an opportunity today to meet with President Trump's nominee for Attorney General of the United States, William Barr. Mr… Continue Reading
01.25.19
Senator Lankford Pleased with Plan to Reopen Government, Repay Federal Workers, and Continue Border Security Negotiations
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offered cautious optimism after the Senate voted to approve a continuing resolution to fund the government through February 15th, pay federal employees, and establish a conference committee process for working through funding for border security during the three-week period. "The President and leaders in the House and Senate agreed that we need to pay federal workers and continue the ongoing dialogue on immigration and border security," sai… Continue Reading
01.25.19
Senator Lankford Sends Letter to Secretary of Labor on iCERT Crash
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta regarding the iCERT system's crash after a staggering increase in logins bombarded the system and ultimately led to its failure and inability for many businesses to apply for necessary workers. The iCERT system is the Department of Labor's online application resource for business owners who, because of a lack of available American workers to fill positions, seek temporary labor certification for H-… Continue Reading
01.24.19
Senator Lankford Supports Bill to Reopen Government and Provide Border Security
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of a proposal to reopen the rest of the federal government, provide appropriations for the remainder of the fiscal year, provide funding for border security including additional fencing and technology along the southern border, fund additional judges to hear pending immigration cases, and provide additional resources to ensure we protect UACs in US custody and directives for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. The bill… Continue Reading
01.23.19
Senator Lankford Supports HHS Waiver for Religious Freedom in South Carolina
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) decision to provide South Carolina a waiver to continue to allow faith-based child welfare providers such as Miracle Hill Ministries to provide foster care and family services in accordance with their religious beliefs. "I am pleased to see HHS protect the religious beliefs of child welfare agencies across South Carolina today," said Lankford. "The government should not tell Ameri… Continue Reading
01.19.19
Senator Lankford Welcomes President’s Proposal on Border Security to Help Reopen Government
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement today after President Trump offered a proposal to reopen the remainder of the government, fund border security, and work through several immigration policy issues: "After meeting with members from both parties and hearing the major elements needed to end the shutdown, the President put out a reasonable compromise, which extends DACA protections beyond the next presidential election, adds humanitarian relief at the … Continue Reading
01.18.19
Senator Lankford introduces Conscience Protection Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced S. 183, the Conscience Protection Act, to protect healthcare providers, including health care professionals, entities, and health insurance plans from government discrimination if they decline to participate in abortions. The Conscience Protection Act also provides a private right of action for victims of discrimination. "The Conscience Protection Act will ensure that health providers have the ability to defend their religious or moral… Continue Reading
01.17.19
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast Discussing Pro-Life Issues
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the sixth episode of Lankford's podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford. The sixth episode focuses on pro-life issues in our nation, how people can find common ground on ways to support life at all stages of development, and how we can continue to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. During the episode Lankford speaks on life in the womb, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and the Hyde Amendment… Continue Reading
01.17.19
Senators Lankford, Ernst, Perdue Call for No Recess without a Budget
WASHINGTON, DC - Following years of Congress' repeated ineffectiveness to responsibly fund the federal government on time, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and David Perdue (R-GA), introduced legislation that would prohibit members of Congress from leaving Washington if we fail to pass a budget on time. "If the government shuts down due to congressional dysfunction and failure to agree on spending bills, Members of the Senate and House, the President, and his Cabinet should no… Continue Reading
01.16.19
Senator Lankford Reintroduces Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood, Redirect Funds to Women’s Health Care
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and 30 of their Senate colleagues, reintroduced legislation to prevent any taxpayer dollars from going to the nation's single-largest provider of abortions, Planned Parenthood. "This important bill helps ensure women have numerous options to receive quality and affordable health care while preventing federal dollars from going to Planned Parenthood," said Lankford. "By redirecting federal dollars away from abortion-providers a… Continue Reading
01.15.19
Senator Lankford Speaks on the Value of Life
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor about the issue of life and his support for us to come together as a nation and determine how to protect children, regardless of their size or viability. Lankford has supported numerous proposals to protect life and prevent the federal government from encouraging or funding abortions. This week, Lankford signed on as an original cosponsor to the No Taxpayer Funding… Continue Reading
01.15.19
Senators Lankford, Young, Jones, and Coons Reintroduce Bill Boosting Agriculture Education
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Todd Young (R-IN), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Chris Coons (D-DE) announced they have reintroduced legislation in the 116th Congress to update and modernize the charter for the Future Farmers of America (FFA), which will better reflect agriculture education in the 21st Century. The National FFA Organization's Federal Charter Amendments Act updates the FFA's charter to allow for student officer vice presidents to reflect the regional diversity… Continue Reading
01.15.19
Senator Lankford to Serve on Deputy Whip Team for 116th Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Majority Whip Senator John Thune (R-SD) today announced the deputy whip team for the 116th Congress. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) will lead the team as chief deputy whip. Serving as deputy whips are: Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Cornyn (R-TX), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Rob Portman (R-OH), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Tim Scott (R-SC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Todd Young (R-IN). "This is a dynamic team, and I wi… Continue Reading
01.14.19
Senators Lankford, Wicker, and Roberts Lead Effort to Put a Permanent End to Taxpayer Funding of Abortion
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Pat Roberts (R-KS) introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2019, S. 109. The measure would establish a permanent, government-wide prohibition of taxpayer funding for abortion. Similar policies, such as the Hyde Amendment, currently require annual passage and do not apply to Obamacare. "Regardless of Americans' beliefs on the issue of life, one thing remains clear: the … Continue Reading
01.10.19
Senator Lankford Discusses Solutions to Prevent Government Shutdowns
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor about the impact of the federal government shutdown on Oklahomans, his suggestions for moving the negotiations forward, and his solutions to prevent or end government shutdown by holding congressional and White House leadership accountable, rather than federal employees in the event of a government shutdown. Lankford has consistently worked to appropriately fund t… Continue Reading
