Press Releases
Senator Lankford Questions Panel in Open Intel Hearing on Russian Interference in 2016 US Elections
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in an open Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on Russian Interference in the 2016 US Elections. Lankford questioned witnesses in the first panel, consisting of Acting Director Dr. Samuel Liles of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cyber Division; Acting Director Jeanette Manfra, DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate; and Assistant Director Bill Priestap, FBI Counterintel… Continue Reading
06.16.17
Lankford Letter - June 16
CLICK HERE for the June 16, 2017 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
06.15.17
Senator Lankford Subcommittee Examines Federal Workforce Reorganization
WASHINGTON, DC - The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, under the chairmanship of Senator James Lankford (R-OK), today held a hearing to examine federal agency reorganization plans and the Office of Management and Budget's efforts to streamline the federal civilian workforce. Following the President's March 13, 2017 Presidential Executive Order on a Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch, Office of Management … Continue Reading
06.14.17
Senator Lankford Talks Iran Sanctions on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today discussed Iran sanctions waiver authority in the Iran sanctions bill. Lankford made the case for requiring congressional review prior to waiving sanctions for the world's largest state-sponsor of terrorism in Iran. While the bill included new sanctions on both Iran and Russia, only the Russia piece requires a congressional review to lift sanctions. Lankford introduced today an amendment that would require congress… Continue Reading
06.14.17
Senator Lankford Discusses Alexandria Shooting, Prays on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today discussed the shooting at the Republican Congressional baseball practice this morning in Alexandria, VA that left several people injured including Majority Whip Steve Scalise, a congressional staffer, and two Capitol Police officers. Transcript: There are some days that are noisy in DC and in the nation. It seems like the disagreements and the discourse calm for just a moment and we remember that we're all American… Continue Reading
06.13.17
Senator Lankford Questions Attorney General Jeff Sessions During Intel Hearing
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement after questioning Attorney General Jeff Sessions during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing: "Our Intelligence Committee is investigating Russia's level of interference in our election, whether any American helped the Russians in that endeavor, and what we must do to prevent interference in future elections. As we continue this investigation, I applaud Jeff Sessions for testifying be… Continue Reading
06.13.17
Senators Lankford and Booker Introduce Bipartisan Bill to End Federal Subsidies for Sports Stadiums
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today introduced the Eliminating Federal Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act (S.1342), a bill to end generous federal subsidies for professional sports stadiums. The bill would close a loophole in the tax code that allows professional sports teams to finance new stadiums with municipal bonds that are exempt from federal taxes. This 'subsidized sport stadiums' proposal was listed in the 2015 edition of Lankford's annual government … Continue Reading
06.12.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Nomination of Brian J. Kuester for US Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded President Trump's nomination of Brian J. Kuester for US Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. "Brian Kuester has dedicated his career to public service. He has served in his community as a police officer, district attorney and now future US Attorney," said Lankford. "I congratulate Brian on his nomination, and I look forward to his confirmation in the days ahead." "Brian Kuester, President Trump's nominee fo… Continue Reading
06.07.17
Senator Lankford Chairs First Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today chaired his first Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, entitled "FY 2018 Budget Requests for the Library of Congress and the Architect of the Capitol". The Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee maintains jurisdiction over the Federal Legislative Branch of government, including the Capitol Police, House of Representatives, Senate, Library of Congress, Congressional Budget Office, and Government Accountability Office, … Continue Reading
06.07.17
Senator Lankford Questions Intel Chiefs on FISA, Russia Investigation
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned top Intelligence officials about the Department of Justice's Robert Mueller Russian interference investigation, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and the Section 702 surveillance program. The witnesses included heads of the top Intelligence-related agencies: Director of National Intelligence Director Dan Coats; FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe; National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers; … Continue Reading
06.07.17
Department of Justice Implements Senator Lankford’s Slush Fund Reform
WASHINGTON, DC - The Department of Justice today issued a memo that would implement a "slush fund" reform that Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has advocated for several years. This morning, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued an executive memorandum to prohibit Department of Justice (DOJ) officials and all United States Attorney's Offices from awarding a litigation settlement agreement as a donation to preferred third-party nonprofits or persons selected by federal employees. This policy mirro… Continue Reading
06.07.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Nomination of FBI Director
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on President's Trump's nomination of Christopher A. Wray to be the new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director: "The work of the FBI and the Intelligence Community is extremely important for our fight against terrorism, and the FBI continues to be at the forefront of fighting crime. With the many threats that the US faces domestically and internationally, we need a strong FBI Director. In the coming week… Continue Reading
06.06.17
Senator Lankford Questions Education Secretary Betsy DeVos at Appropriations Hearing
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Education of Secretary Betsy DeVos about the White House's FY2018 Budget Request for the Department of Education. Lankford asked Secretary DeVos about school requirements being tied to Title I federal funding, the Parent-Plus Loan program, the Office of Civil Rights, and the public list of colleges that receive religious exemptions to Title IX requirements. ###… Continue Reading
06.06.17
Senators Lankford, McCain Introduce Bill to Expand School Choice for Native American Students
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced the Native American Education Opportunity Act, legislation that would expand education options for students enrolled in Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, which, despite their high cost, include some of the most underperforming schools in the nation. This legislation would enable Indian tribes that create an Education Savings Account (ESA) program to use BIE funds for a range of K-12 education services… Continue Reading
06.06.17
Senator Lankford Joins Senators to Introduce Bill to Extend Key Intelligence Program
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined 14 Senators today to introduce legislation making Section 702, and the entirety of Title VII, of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) permanent. Surveillance under Section 702 applies only to the communications of non-US persons located outside of the United States, is authorized only for valid purposes such as counterterrorism, and is one of the most effective tools available to the intelligence community to combat threats again… Continue Reading
06.01.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Draft HHS Mandate Exemption for Nonprofits
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement in support of a Trump administration draft rule change regarding the Affordable Care Act Health and Human Services mandate, which would grant religious freedom exemptions for employers. "Religious charities like the Little Sisters of the Poor and faith-based universities like Oklahoma Wesleyan, Oklahoma Baptist, Southern Nazarene, and Mid-America Christian, should not be forced to provide health insurance tha… Continue Reading
05.30.17
Senator Lankford Visits Syria and Iraq to Evaluate Anti-Terrorism Efforts
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has returned to the United States after traveling to Iraq and Syria to evaluate key anti-terrorism intelligence programs and military assets. Lankford traveled abroad during the Memorial Day weekend from May 25 to May 29 with Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC). Due to civil war and instability in the region, Iraq and Syria have both experienced intense fighting between government and extremist groups, like ISIS and al-Qaed… Continue Reading
05.25.17
Senator Lankford Floor Speech on Removing Regulatory Burdens on Small Businesses
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate to urge his colleagues to pursue regulatory reform and pass the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (S.584) to remove unnecessary burdens on small businesses. Lankford also discussed the broken budget process. Last week, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee favorably reported three pieces of regulatory reform legislation s… Continue Reading
05.24.17
Senator Lankford Discusses Transnational Criminal Organizations and Coordination Efforts
CLICK HERE to view Sen. Lankford's Q&A WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing about US border security, specifically the rise of MS-13 and other transnational criminal organizations. Lankford examined the need for US law enforcement agencies to continue to coordinate with Central America law enforcement to ensure border security. Yesterday, Lankford participated in a Senate Appropriations Subcommitte… Continue Reading
05.23.17
Senator Lankford Examines US Assistance to Central America
CLICK HERE to view Sen. Lankford's Opening Statement & Q&A WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations hearing about United States Assistance for Central America. As the annual congressional budget process begins, the hearing examined the effectiveness of US assistance to countries in the Northern Triangle of Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras). Such assistance is intended t… Continue Reading
