Press Releases
Senator Lankford Introduces Bill to Reform US Assistance to Palestinians
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), today introduced the Palestinian Assistance Reform Act (PARA), a bill which seeks to change the way the international community provides assistance to Palestinians living in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Specifically, the bill would require that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the UN entity responsible for providing assistance to the Palestinians, adopt a more internationally-recognized definition of "refug… Continue Reading
09.06.18
Lankford, Inhofe, and Cole Address Oklahoma’s 1115 Waiver
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) made the following statements regarding Oklahoma's 1115 waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). "We appreciate CMS and Administrator Verma for their continued efforts to provide a responsible transition plan for two of our state's most critical healthcare providers and medical schools-the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University," said Lankford. "We … Continue Reading
09.05.18
Senator Lankford Questions Social Media Executives During Senate Intel Hearing
CLICK HERE for the video of Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Twitter and Facebook's top executives on practices for identifying suspended accounts and coordinating with law enforcement to ensure they are tracking unauthorized users, especially accounts connected with foreign or hostile users. Lankford also pushed the witnesses on how they are working to prevent and track foreign bad actors from purchasing user's data and asked Facebook about W… Continue Reading
09.05.18
Senator Lankford Statement on Senator Inhofe Appointment to Chair Defense Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following the announcement that Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) will serve as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee: "Our national defense is a constitutional responsibility that we cannot take lightly," said Lankford. "Senator Inhofe is the best person to step into this role to head this vital Senate committee. Senator Inhofe's experience and passion for the men and women in our Armed Forces have prepared him well to … Continue Reading
08.29.18
Senator Lankford Announces Community Conversations, OK Travels
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced public events for August 29, 2018-August 31, 2018, in northwest Oklahoma and Stroud. National security, economic growth and immigration are among the topics expected to be discussed. Local residents are encouraged to attend so Senator Lankford can hear their concerns and opinions regarding the federal government. WHAT: Community Conversation in Guymon WHEN: Wednesday, August 29, 2018, 11:45am CT WHERE: Ambassador In… Continue Reading
08.28.18
Senator Lankford and Inhofe Praise Senate Confirmation of Judge Charles Goodwin
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today praised the Senate's confirmation of Judge Charles Goodwin to the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. "It has been a long road since Judge Goodwin was nominated last year, and I am grateful for his patience and willingness to serve as he and his family walked through this process," said Lankford. "He has been a respected attorney, an outstanding Magistrate Judge, and now he will finally serve Oklahom… Continue Reading
08.28.18
Senator Lankford Statement on US-Mexico Trade Announcement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) was encouraged by the President's announcement yesterday regarding trade with Mexico, an initial step toward completing renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Lankford has been actively engaged in the conversation on trade as the NAFTA negotiations have directly impacted many in Oklahoma, including farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers. Once the agreement is finalized, Congress must vote to approve any new trade agreement.… Continue Reading
08.25.18
Senator Lankford Statement on the Passing of Senator John McCain
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the passing of Senator John McCain (R-AZ). "I'm grieved to hear of the passing of Senator John McCain. Few Senators have made a greater impact on the nation. He is an American hero who never stopped serving our country. I pray for peace and strength for his wife, Cindy, and their family as they mourn in the days ahead." ###… Continue Reading
08.24.18
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Election Security
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the third episode of Lankford's podcast called "The Breakdown with James Lankford." The third episode focuses on election security and Lankford's bill, the Secure Elections Act. The purpose of the bill is to streamline cybersecurity information-sharing between federal intelligence entities and state election agencies; provide security clearances to state election officials; and p… Continue Reading
08.24.18
Senator Lankford Releases Video Discussing the Need to Reform the Budget and Appropriations Process
CLICK HERE to view the video OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released a video to outline why Congress needs to reform the budget and appropriations process. Lankford serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations and was appointed this year by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform, a bipartisan, bicameral panel tasked with proposing a set of solutions to significantly overhaul the budget and app… Continue Reading
08.23.18
Senator Lankford Supports Senate Passage of Appropriations Bills
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported Senate passage, by a vote of 85-7, of the Department of Defense and Health and Human Services, Education and Labor Appropriations Act (H.R. 6157), the eighth and ninth (of 12) appropriations bills approved by the Senate this year. "I applaud the Senate for taking our appropriations work seriously and passing America's essential funding bills in a timely manner," said Lankford. "This is the fastest pace the Senate Appropriations Comm… Continue Reading
08.23.18
Senator Lankford Introduces OU Professor at Nomination Hearing
CLICK HERE for the video for Lankford's and Dregemeier's testimony WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier, a professor and former Vice President for Research at the University of Oklahoma, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Droegemeier was nominated by the President on July 31 to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. He has his undergraduate degree from the Universi… Continue Reading
08.22.18
Senator Lankford Continues to Push Congress to Strengthen Election Security
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate about the Secure Elections Act and the need for Congress to pass legislation to strengthen US election cybersecurity. The purpose of the bill is to streamline cybersecurity information-sharing between federal intelligence entities and state election agencies; provide security clearances to state election officials; and provide support for state election cybersecurity i… Continue Reading
08.21.18
Senators Lankford and Inhofe Slam ABA Rating of John O’Connor
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today criticized the American Bar Association's "not qualified" rating of Tulsa attorney John O'Connor, who was nominated by the President on April 10 to serve as District Judge on the US District Court for the Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of Oklahoma. O'Connor is regularly listed as one of Tulsa's Top Lawyers and has been honored by the Super Lawyers Business Edition national publication. Since 1995, O'Connor ha… Continue Reading
08.21.18
Senator Lankford Testifies at Judiciary Subcommittee on US Response to Cybersecurity Threats
CLICK HERE to view Lankford's remarks. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today provided testimony before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism during a hearing entitled "Cyber Threats to Our Nation's Critical Infrastructure." Tomorrow, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration will mark up Lankford's bipartisan bill, the Secure Elections Act, which strengthens election cybersecurity in America. Lankford originally introduced the bill in December 2017; aft… Continue Reading
08.16.18
Senator Lankford Questions Administration Officials on Protecting Unaccompanied Immigrant Children
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned officials from the Administration during a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing entitled "Oversight of Efforts to Protect Unaccompanied Alien Children from Human Trafficking and Abuse." Lankford's questions focused on the need for the administration to ensure the care and safety of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) in placements, including the ab… Continue Reading
08.03.18
Senator Lankford Releases Second Podcast Episode on Trade
CLICK HERE to listen to episode 2 of podcast WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the second episode of Lankford's new Podcast called "The Breakdown with James Lankford." This second episode focuses on trade and how the ongoing trade negotiations between America and other nations impact Oklahoma. Lankford's foreign affairs legislative advisor, Adam Farris, joined the Senator on the episode. The Senator's new Podcast series was launched on June 29; the firs… Continue Reading
08.01.18
Senator Lankford Introduces Bill for Churches, Charities, and Non-Profits to Protect Tax Exempt Status
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced a bill to protect churches, charities, and other non-profit organizations from a provision in the new tax law that would tax some employee benefits for the first time. The Lessening Impediments from Taxes (LIFT) for Charities Act, would repeal a section in the tax code that would require some tax-exempt organizations to pay federal taxes on employee benefits, like parking, meals, or transportation benefits for the first time. "Tax… Continue Reading
08.01.18
Senators Urge the Administration to Provide More Information on Family Reunification Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) today led a letter from 14 bipartisan Senators to the Attorney General and Secretaries of the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Health and Human Services (HHS) requesting more information about migrant family reunification at the border. On June 20, President Trump issued an Executive Order to end the separation of families who cross the border illegally. The Senators are requesting more information on the reunific… Continue Reading
08.01.18
Senator Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Presidential Appointment of Oklahoman
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded the President's nomination of University of Oklahoma Vice President Kelvin Droegemeier to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. "Dr. Droegemeier is an incredibly capable researcher and a highly qualified scientist," said Lankford. "He has served Oklahoma well at the University of Oklahoma and I am confident that he will serve our nation well as the new Director of the Office of Science a… Continue Reading
