Press Releases
Senator Lankford Talks Ending the War in Afghanistan
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor about the situation in Afghanistan and our nation's work to stabilize the government there, defeat ISIS, and utilize its location to provide greater stability to the Middle East as a whole. Throughout his time in Congress, Lankford has remained engaged in the military, foreign policy, and national security implications of the US military presence in Afghanistan. In December 20… Continue Reading
03.05.20
Lankford, Johnson Call for Oversight of Independent Agencies’ Unchecked Regulations
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led a letter to President Trump to change the authority of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to conduct a thorough and rigorous review of independent agencies' regulations. Currently, independent agencies are not required to undergo a review by OIRA. In the letter, the Senators wrote, "We believe that OIRA should review the sig… Continue Reading
03.05.20
Senator Lankford Introduces Bill to Clarify Federal Guidance Authority
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the Guidance Clarity Act, which clarifies that federal agency guidance documents are not legally binding. The bill requires a brief statement at the beginning of all federal agency guidance documents that clearly tells the reader the guidance does not have the force and effect of law. "Federal agencies have previously attempted to use their guidance documents to avoid the formal rulemaking process and have treated guidance document… Continue Reading
03.05.20
Lankford, Peters, Sinema Bill to Protect Retirees from Fraud Heads to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Kyrsten Sinema(D-AZ) today praised final passage of their bipartisan Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act, which cracks down on federal retirement benefit fraud and misuse. The bill, which originally passed the Senate unanimously in November 2019, passed the House by voice vote last month and passed unanimously again in the Senate this week. It now heads to President Trump's desk for signature into law. "Today is an … Continue Reading
03.05.20
Senator Lankford Questions to DeVos Focus on OK Education Issues, Religious Liberty Protections on Campus
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the President's budget request for the Department of Education for fiscal year 2021 (FY2021). Lankford discussed with DeVos the swift action this week by the Department to correct a recent change to the Rural Low-income Schools Program (RLISP) that Lankford, Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and other Senators raised… Continue Reading
03.04.20
Lankford Joins Bipartisan Group to Protect Funding for Rural, Low-Income Schools
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) in a letter that was signed by 19 of their colleagues, expressing their strong opposition to an abrupt decision by the Department of Education that jeopardizes funding eligibility for more than 800 rural, low-income schools. In their letter to Secretary Betsy DeVos, the Senators objected to the Department's abrupt change to the methodology that determines which rural schools are eligible … Continue Reading
03.04.20
Lankford Joins Inhofe to Urge EPA to Continue to Support Small Refineries
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) led a letter to EPA Administrator Wheeler urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to continue granting relief to small refiners as required by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Inhofe was joined in sending the letter by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Jim Risch (R-ID). The full text of the letter to EPA Administr… Continue Reading
03.03.20
Senator Lankford Questions TSA Administrator, Thanks OK TSA Agents
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Mr. David Pekoske, Administrator for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), at an Appropriations Committee Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing to review the President's fiscal year 2021 budget request for the TSA. Lankford's questions focused on the status of TSA's efforts to secure our nation's airports, specifically the 30 largest airports, from the safety and security threat… Continue Reading
02.28.20
Senator Lankford Discusses Worldwide Outbreak of Coronavirus on Podcast
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the latest episode of The Breakdown with James Lankford. During this episode of The Breakdown, Lankford discusses what the coronavirus is, the US response to this global crisis and the economic impact of the virus worldwide. For the most up-to-date information on the coronavirus, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at cdc.gov or call 800-232-4636. Excerpts On what is coronavir… Continue Reading
02.25.20
Senator Lankford Delivers Powerful Pro-life Rebuke after Bills to Protect Children Fail
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today addressed the Senate in disappointment after the Senate failed to reach 60 votes on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Lankford spoke on the Senate floor in 2018 to advocate for the Pain-Capable Unborn Protection Act and in 2019 to speak on infanticide and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Transcript I rise to be to be a… Continue Reading
02.25.20
Senator Lankford Questions DHS Head about Border Security, H2-B Visas
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Administrator Chad Wolf at the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing to review the President's fiscal year 2021 DHS budget request. Lankford questioned Wolf on drug enforcement and interdiction at our nation's border, including fentanyl and heroin, and the need for technology and drug- and bomb-sniffing dogs to protect our borders. Lankford also… Continue Reading
02.25.20
Lankford Supports Bills to Protect Children
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a bill to ban abortion past five months of pregnancy because a child at that stage can experience pain, and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which protects newborns that survive abortions by requiring they receive care from health care practitioners. "Today the Senate was asked an important question: where is your line for protecting life? Is it when the child can feel… Continue Reading
02.25.20
Lankford, Wicker Leads Resolution Honoring Hiram Revels
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Roger Wicker, (R-MS) today introduced a resolution honoring former Senator Hiram Rhodes Revels. This month marks 150 years since Revels was sworn-in as a Senator from Mississippi. He was the first African American to serve in Congress. "Today, my colleagues and I introduced a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Senator Hiram Revels of Mississippi who became the first African American to serve in the United States Congress 150 years ago… Continue Reading
02.25.20
Senators Lankford, Rosen Applaud Senate Commemorating 75th Anniversary of Liberation of Auschwitz
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) today applauded Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp by Allied Forces during World War II. The anniversary took place on January 27th, designated by the United Nations as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Lankford and Rosen introduced the resolution last month alongside Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), … Continue Reading
02.19.20
Senator Lankford & Tulsa Historian Release Video on History of North Tulsa
CLICK HERE to watch the video OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Hannibal B. Johnson, Esq. a local author and attorney, today released a video about the history of the 1921 North Tulsa Race Massacre ahead of the 99th anniversary at the end of May. The video was developed to provide additional resources for Oklahoma educators to use as they teach about the history of North Tulsa and the then-thriving Greenwood District. The video was filmed in North Tulsa at Historic Vernon AM… Continue Reading
02.17.20
Senator Lankford Announces Community Conversation for Thursday
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced that he will host a public, town-hall style Community Conversation on Thursday, February 20, 2020. WHAT: Senator Lankford Holds Community Conversation WHEN: Thursday, February 20, 2:30 p.m. CT WHERE: Standing Bear Museum, 601 Standing Bear Parkway, Ponca City, OK 74601 Members of the press who plan to attend, please RSVP to Aly Beley or Kelly Ferguson by email Aly_Bele… Continue Reading
02.17.20
Lankford Touts FCC’s Commitment to Reduce Contraband Cell Phones in State Prisons
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the inclusion of language in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) budget proposal for the fiscal year 2021 that would help prevent the use of contraband cellphones in state prisons. The FCC listed strategic goals it "commits to accomplish" which included supporting "the ability of first responders, including law enforcement, by developing and implementing policies and procedures to strengthen public safety," and taking "ste… Continue Reading
02.13.20
Senator Lankford Celebrates Black History Month by Honoring Oklahomans
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today celebrated Black History Month by honoring several remarkable black Oklahomans who have significantly contributed to the state and nation. Lankford highlighted past and present Oklahomans who will be renowned going forward for their many contributions to areas of civil rights advocacy, faith-based mentorship, community organization, publishing and broadcasting, music and the arts, and many other areas im… Continue Reading
02.13.20
Senator Lankford Opposes War Powers Resolution
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today opposed a Senate Resolution introduced by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) that would limit the President's ability to direct the US military to carry out strategic attacks on Iranian terrorists regardless of whether an "imminent threat" to American lives is present. "No one should want a war with the people of Iran. The Iranian people are not our enemy. The vote in the Senate today was not about declaring war or preventing a war with Iran, it was ab… Continue Reading
02.13.20
Lankford Discusses Rx Pricing, Rural Hospital Access & Vaping Nicotine Standards with top Health Official
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex M. Azar II on a series of issues including his work to reduce the cost of prescription drug pricing by addressing the issues with tiering, access to rural hospitals and his bill with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to update Medicare's Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation; his bill to protect healthcare providers from disc… Continue Reading
