Press Releases
Government Waste Report: Senator Lankford Releases the Fifth Volume of Federal Fumbles
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's video release. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the fifth volume of his government waste and solutions report entitled, Federal Fumbles: Ways the federal government dropped the ball. The report lists $383 billion in wasteful and inefficient federal spending. The report also lists solutions to each of the examples of government waste. CLICK HERE to access the report. CLICK HERE for a summary of the report. "My staff and I compile Fumbl… Continue Reading
11.26.19
Senators Lankford, Rosen Condemn Anti-Semitism, Promote Goals of Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism
CLICK HERE to watch Senator Lankford's and Senator Rosen's video. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released a video statement to condemn anti-Semitism and promote the goals of their Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism. "The mission of the task force will be to collaborate with law enforcement, the White House, federal agencies, state and local government, educators, advocates, clergy, and any other stakeholders to combat anti-Semitism by e… Continue Reading
11.25.19
Senator Lankford Releases New Podcast on Process and Procedure for Senate Impeachment Trials
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the latest episode of The Breakdown with James Lankford. Lankford is joined by former Senate Parliamentarian, Alan Frumin, who served in the Office of the Parliamentarian of the United States Senate for 35 years, 18 of those as Chief Parliamentarian. Frumin was in the Office of the Parliamentarian during the Clinton Impeachment Trial in 1999. During this episode of The Breakdown, Lankford and Frumin discuss the consti… Continue Reading
11.21.19
Senator Lankford Statement on the Accident at Vance Air Force Base
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following an accident at Vance Air Force Base during a routine training mission with two T-38 Talons: "Our servicemen and women give everything, even their lives, to protect our nation. I am deeply saddened by the deaths of two Airmen at Vance Air Force Base during a training session. I pray for God's grace and healing as their families walk through this and to all those they serve with as they try to understand the difficu… Continue Reading
11.21.19
Senator Lankford Votes to Keep Government Open
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) voted in support of a continuing resolution to extend government funding at current levels. This week, Lankford spoke on the Senate floor about the need to address federal spending and budget issues and to once again call on his colleagues to pass his bipartisan Prevent Government Shutdowns Act to hold federal families harmless in the event of a government shutdown due to a lack of federal funding. "Funding the government through short-term conti… Continue Reading
11.21.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Praise Committee Passage of Jones Nomination to Western District Court
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe ( R-OK) today praised Senate Judiciary Committee passage of the nomination of Judge Bernard M. Jones to serve as judge on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Judge Jones has served as a magistrate judge for the Western District of Oklahoma for the last four years and was unanimously rated well qualified by the American Bar Association. "Judge Jones continues to affirm his commitment to the Constitution and to… Continue Reading
11.19.19
Senator Lankford Takes to the Senate Floor to Push for Solution to Keep Congress Working Instead of Shutting Down the Government
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's speech on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to provide an update on his bill to prevent future government shutdowns as the November 21 funding deadline approaches. Congress is expected to delay the funding deadline until December 20, but the threat of another shutdown provides an opportunity for Lankford to push for real solutions to stop government shutdowns from impacting Americans and federal employ… Continue Reading
11.19.19
Senators Lankford, Peters Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Save Taxpayers’ Dollars
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Gary Peters (D-MI) and Representatives Greg Pence (R-IN) and Mark Meadows (R-NC) introduced legislation to bring fair market practices into federal real estate, potentially saving billions of taxpayer dollars. This legislation provides the General Services Association (GSA) with the ability to negotiate a discounted or fixed-price option on government leases moving forward. The bill seeks to transform how the government approaches federal real … Continue Reading
11.19.19
Senator Lankford Advocates for Iranians’ Access to Internet in Letter to State Department
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to push for additional firewall circumvention tools, specifically to ensure access to the internet to millions of Iranians after their government blocked access in response to protests. Earlier this year, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPS) increased funding for Global Internet Programs for Fiscal Year (2020). Lankford is a member of the Subc… Continue Reading
11.14.19
Senator Lankford Reintroduces Bill to Remove Obamacare Ban on Physician-Owned Hospitals to Provide Greater Access to Patients
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today reintroduced the Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act, which removes the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) ban on the creation and expansion of new physician-owned hospitals (POHs) and allows POHs to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. Lifting this ban will increase competition among hospitals, lower costs, and expand access to quality care for more Americans, especially those with Medicare and Medicaid. "Obamacare unfairly prohibite… Continue Reading
11.14.19
Senators Lankford, Carper, Cassidy, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Student Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - On the week of Veterans Day, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced the Protect Veterans' Education and Training Spending (Protect VETS) Act of 2019. The Protect VETS Act is the first bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate that would protect military and veteran students by closing the 90/10 loophole and require for-profit schools to secure at least 10 percent of their revenues from sources other than taxp… Continue Reading
11.13.19
Senator Lankford Shares Frustrations with Turkey’s President for Lack of Democracy, Human Rights on the Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's speech on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the visit of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to the White House. Lankford has been disappointed in the Turkish regime's increasingly troubling relationship with Russia, particularly with regard to its acquisition of the S-400 missile system from the Russian Government. Lankford issued a statement in October 2019 supporting President Trump's announc… Continue Reading
11.13.19
Senator Lankford Commends ICE for Work to Protect Southern Border
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) questioned officials from the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Justice at a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to obtain updates on immigration processes including issues with state e-verify participation, government immigration attorney shortages to process immigration claims, and ongoing… Continue Reading
11.07.19
Senator Lankford Announces Public Events for Veterans Day & November 12
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the public events for Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2019, and Tuesday, November 12, 2019: WHAT: Senator Lankford gives the opening prayer at City of Moore Veterans Day Ceremony WHEN: Monday, November 11, 2019, 10:00 am CT WHERE: 1900 SE 4th Street, Moore, OK 73160 WHAT: Senator Lankford speaks at Bridge Dedication for Lt. Damon Leehan, Killed in Actio… Continue Reading
11.06.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Nomination of Tulsa Attorney to Serve on US District Court
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today issued statements of support for President Trump's nomination of John Heil to serve as judge on the US District Court for the Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of Oklahoma. In addition to announcing Mr. Heil's nomination, President Trump also made remarks on the administration's judicial confirmation milestones. "John Heil's work and reputation across Oklahoma has proven he is well-qualified, and I am confident h… Continue Reading
11.06.19
November 11 is Veterans Day; Senator Lankford Honors Oklahoma Veterans on the Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's speech on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to honor Oklahoma veterans ahead of Veterans Day, which the nation will recognize on Monday, November 11, 2019. Veterans Day originated from Armistice Day, which was originally a day to commemorate the end of World War I. It is now a day to honor veterans that have served at home and aboard and in war and in peach across all generations. One out of every 11 … Continue Reading
11.06.19
Senator Lankford Shares Story of Oklahoman Impacted by Federal Budgeting Uncertainty
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's comments. WASHINGTON, DC - During a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Business Meeting, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today shared a story from an Oklahoman that has been directly impacted by the Continuing Resolution (CR) which is set to expire on November 21. The business meeting was focused on discussing pending legislation before the committee, but Members also discussed the importance of moving The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, passed out of th… Continue Reading
11.05.19
Senator Lankford Prioritizes Election Security in Questions to DHS Chief Intel Officer
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray, Under Secretary for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis David J. Glawe, and Acting Director of National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Russell Travers, during a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on "Threats to the Homeland." This is an annual hearing to address some of the … Continue Reading
11.04.19
Senators Lankford, Rosen Praise FBI Efforts to Thwart Anti-Semitic Attack
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) today issued a statement on the FBI arrest of an individual suspected of planning an attack on a synagogue in Colorado: "On behalf of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, we are grateful to the team at the FBI that assessed and stopped an attack on a synagogue in Colorado today. No one should be afraid to live their faith or attend their place of worship. Anti-Semitism has no place in this count… Continue Reading
11.04.19
Lankford, Hartzler Lead Amicus Brief in Support of ‘Little Sisters of the Poor’
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) led Members of Congress in an amicus brief to urge the United States Supreme Court not to enforce a rule issued by Health and Human Services (HHS) during the Obama administration that forces organizations like the Little Sisters of the Poor to violate their religious beliefs. In Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Trump, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro threatened the Little Sisters of the Poor minis… Continue Reading
