Press Releases
Senator Lankford to Speak at Race Reconciliation Symposium in Tulsa FRIDAY
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) will speak at the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation 2018 Reconciliation in America National Symposium: "The DNA of Reconciliation: The Substance of Peacemaking" in Tulsa on Friday, June 1, 2018. This is the ninth annual symposium hosted by the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation. The symposium starts on May 30, 2018, and concludes on Friday, June 1. The symposium focus is to unite, discuss effective practices, and encourage p… Continue Reading
05.25.18
Senator Lankford Applauds NDAA Provision To Stop Transfer of Fighter Aircraft To Turkey
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) for securing a provision in the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a plan to Congress to remove Turkey from participation in the F-35 program. This provision is similar to a standalone bill introduced by Lankford, Shaheen, and Tillis last month. Under the US-led, multinational Joint Strike Fighter program, Turkey was ex… Continue Reading
05.24.18
Oklahoma Veteran Greg Slavonic Confirmed to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate today unanimously confirmed Oklahoma veteran and Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic to be the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Slavonic is a native Oklahoman and former Chief of Staff for Senator James Lankford (R-OK). On May 10, Lankford introduced Slavonic during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Rear Admiral Greg Slavonic is the model of public service and I am glad he will be our nation's ne… Continue Reading
05.24.18
Senator Lankford Statement on Cancellation of North Korea Summit
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on President Trump pulling out of the upcoming North Korea Summit with Kim Jong Un in Singapore: "For decades, North Korea has threatened the world with a growing nuclear weapons program. We should work to get North Korea to the table to have real dialogue, but just meeting to meet does not solve the problem. We should focus on tangible progress for the sake of our own, our neighbors', and the world's security. We shou… Continue Reading
05.24.18
Senators Lankford, Ernst, Perdue Introduce ‘No Budget, No Vacation Act’ to Ensure Congress Passes Budget
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK), along with Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and David Perdue (R-GA), introduced the No Budget, No Vacation Act. This bill would prohibit Senators from traveling during August recess until the budget and appropriations process is completed. "The current budget process has been in place since the 1970s but has only worked four times as it was intended, said Lankford. "To avoid yet another massive Omnibus spending bill, we must finish our budget and approp… Continue Reading
05.23.18
Senator Lankford Applauds Passage of Bill to Expand Veterans’ Access to Healthcare
CLICK HERE to view the speech WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in support of the VA MISSION Act (S. 2372). The VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act, or VA MISSION Act for short, includes significant reforms to improve the VA's current healthcare delivery system and help provide veterans with more choice and fewer barriers to healthcare. The bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support by a vote of 92-5. The bill … Continue Reading
05.23.18
Senator Lankford Introduces Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Wyrick at Confirmation Hearing
CLICK HERE to view the video of Lankford's introduction and Wyrick's opening statement WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Patrick Wyrick during his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing to be United States District Court judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. Wyrick was nominated for this position in April. Excerpts: Senator Lankford: (1:02-1:27) He is a native of Atoka, Oklahoma. Does anyone else know where Atoka is … Continue Reading
05.22.18
Senators Lankford, Ernst, Blunt, Daines Applaud HHS Proposal To Redirect Title X Funding
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Steve Daines (R-MT) today applauded the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) proposed regulation that would change how Title X grants are awarded. In this change, the health of mothers and babies are prioritized. It also clarifies the policy that abortion is not a family planning method. Specifically, HHS today filed a rule-making proposal with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to restore … Continue Reading
05.22.18
On NAFTA, Senator Lankford & GOP Senators Urge Administration Against Take-or-Leave Strategy
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined a group of Senators in sending a letter to the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, urging the Administration to work closely with Members of Congress to ensure an updated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has the Congressional support necessary to be enacted into law as negotiations on the agreement near conclusion. "As you near the conclusion of NAFTA negotiations, we urge you to closely consider the… Continue Reading
05.17.18
Senator Lankford Applauds Gina Haspel’s Confirmation as CIA Director
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement after voting for Gina Haspel to be the next CIA Director: "Gina Haspel is the right person to be the director of the CIA with more than three decades of nonpartisan CIA experience during the administrations of the last five Presidents. She has the support of six former CIA Directors serving under both Republican and Democratic administrations. During my open and classified meetings, it was evident that she kn… Continue Reading
05.17.18
Senator Lankford Subcommittee Examines FTC and FCC Spending and Regulations
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today chaired his first hearing as the new chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee. The hearing examined the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) FY2019 budget requests and explored a wide range of issues, including net neutrality, rural access to broadband internet, anticompetitive mergers and business practices, consumer protections, contraband cell phones, and the… Continue Reading
05.16.18
Senator Lankford Questions FBI Director on Background Checks and Growing Transnational Criminal Organizations
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - During an Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray about the department's work to be more expeditious when completing background checks for nominations and administration staff, and the FBI's efforts to work with DHS and the US Attorney's office to stop transnational criminal organizations. Excerpts: (2:42-4:09) Senator Lan… Continue Reading
05.16.18
Senator Lankford Opposes Net Neutrality Regulations on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a floor speech in opposition to burdensome net neutrality regulations and a vote in the Senate on the Net Neutrality Congressional Review Act (S.J.Res.52). A CRA permits Congress to overturn an agency rule within 60 legislative days after an agency has submitted the rule to Congress, with a simple majority vote. Today's CRA aimed to reverse a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision, in December … Continue Reading
05.14.18
Senator Lankford Statement on American Embassy Opening in Jerusalem
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on the US Embassy dedication ceremony and recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital on the 70th anniversary of Israel's founding: "After more than two decades of bipartisan declarations from Congress, the US Embassy has been relocated to Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel. While we must continue working to secure a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians, today's embassy move he… Continue Reading
05.11.18
Senators Push To Avoid Last-Minute Funding Battles
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and 15 Senators including David Perdue (R-GA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Dean Heller (R-NV), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mike Lee (R-UT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) are asking Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to expedite floor consideration on funding bills and President Trump's nomine… Continue Reading
05.10.18
Senator Lankford Urges Turkey to Take Cue from North Korea: Release Americans
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor on the unjust imprisonment of American Dr. Andrew Brunson who has been held hostage in Turkey since October 2016 and currently undergoing a bogus trial. Lankford continues to demand the immediate release of Dr. Brunson. Lankford along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) have taken legislative action to put pressure on Turkey including a bill to prevent the transfer… Continue Reading
05.10.18
Senator Lankford Applauds Choctaw Nation’s Selection to Participate in DOT Pilot Program
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today praised the US Department of Transportation's (DOT) announcement to include Choctaw Nation in the UAS Integration Pilot Program. "I congratulate the Choctaw Nation on their selection to participate in the DOT's pilot program to examine how the public and private sector can work together to integrate cutting-edge technology into the already-complex airspace," said Lankford. "They have worked for the past 18 months to carefully develop a visio… Continue Reading
05.10.18
Senator Lankford Introduces Former Chief of Staff Rear Admiral (Ret) Greg Slavonic at Nomination Hearing
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced his former Chief of Staff Greg Slavonic during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Slavonic was nominated last year to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Slavonic is a native Oklahoman who retired from the US Navy after a 34-year career, where he originally enlisted as a Seaman Recruit and, after repeatedly distinguishing himself, … Continue Reading
05.09.18
Senator Lankford Questions CIA Director Nominee Gina Haspel
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned CIA Director nominee Gina Haspel during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Lankford noted the significant bipartisan support for her confirmation from former intelligence officials and CIA Directors. Lankford also asked Haspel about drug trafficking, counter narcotics work, and also international cyber threats. Excerpt: (0:04-1:20) Senator Lankford: Ms. Haspel thank you… Continue Reading
05.08.18
Senator Lankford Discusses San Ysidro, Border Crossings and Current Pace of Legal Immigration
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - During an Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Homeland Security hearing, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen about border crossings and the current pace of legal immigration in America. During the hearing, Secretary Nielsen revealed that approximately 500,000 immigrants enter America legally per day. Lankford's line of questioning was intended to demonstrate that America'… Continue Reading
