Press Releases
Senator Lankford Delivers Floor Speech on Pain-Capable Bill
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to advocate for the Pain-Capable Unborn Protection Act, which the Senate voted on earlier this evening. Lankford, along with Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), introduced the bill in October 2017, which would ban abortion past five months of pregnancy. The bill failed to receive the necessary votes on the motion to proceed by a vote of 51-46. Last year, Lankford intr… Continue Reading
01.29.18
Senator Lankford Travels to Mexico and Central America
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) returned today from a congressional trip to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and the ICE Immigration Detention Facility in Houston, Texas. The purpose of the trip was to conduct congressional oversight of intelligence and security operations, immigration, counternarcotics operations, and trade in the region. While in Central America, from January 25 to January 28, Lankford met with American Embassy diplomats and foreign officials, including US Ambassa… Continue Reading
01.26.18
Lankford Letter - January 26
CLICK HERE for the January 26, 2018 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
01.25.18
Senator Lankford Statement on White House Immigration Framework
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement in support of the White House's immigration reform framework that was released this afternoon: "I applaud the White House for offering a solid framework for immigration reform that provides a responsible solution for DACA, border security, and other immigration issues. This framework provides certainty for families, enacts common-sense reforms to nuclear family sponsorship policy, and protects our nation. Ignorin… Continue Reading
01.25.18
Senator Lankford Announces Hire of Northwest Oklahoma Field Representative
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced the hire of Tanner Roberts as Field Representative for Northwest Oklahoma. His job as a Field Representative is to travel across Northwest Oklahoma to hear the needs and work with Oklahomans to solve federal issues. Roberts will work out of Enid, and he will travel throughout Northwest Oklahoma on Lankford's behalf on a daily basis. "I am pleased to welcome Tanner to the team," said Lankford. "His experience in the agriculture indust… Continue Reading
01.24.18
Senator Lankford Applauds Senate Confirmation of Gov. Brownback as International Religious Freedom Ambassador
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the confirmation of Governor Sam Brownback (R-KS) to be the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department. The Office of International Religious Freedom - led by the Ambassador-at-Large- is charged with the promotion of religious freedom as a core objective of US foreign policy. "I'm pleased that the Senate voted today to confirm Governor Sam Brownback as the Ambassador-at-Large for International… Continue Reading
01.22.18
Senator Lankford Statement on Funding Vote To Reopen The Government
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement after voting for cloture on a 3-week Continuing Resolution (CR) funding bill, which passed 81-18. Following Senate final passage, the House must pass this bill, and the President must sign it into law for the government shutdown to end. "I'm pleased that Senate Democrats relented and finally agreed to reopen the government. Today, they voted for the exact offer we extended on Friday night before the shutdown. Thi… Continue Reading
01.19.18
Senator Lankford Urges Against a Government Shutdown, Encourages Continued Negotiation
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Thom Tills (R-NC) on the Senate floor to advocate for immigration reform that improves border security and fixes the DACA program but urged Senate Democrats against shutting down the government. Lankford has offered a number of solutions for DACA and border security. Last year, he introduced the SUCCEED Act and the SECURE Act and has also been a part of a number of negotiations to find solutions that provi… Continue Reading
01.18.18
Senator Lankford Advocates for Life, Religious Freedom on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today lead a colloquy on the Senate floor along with Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Ben Sasse (R-NE) to advocate for pro-life legislation and the pro-life grassroots community a day before the 45th annual March for Life. Lankford serves as the co-chairman of the Values Action Team (VAT) and has long advocated to protect life and to protect religious freedom. Lankford will attend … Continue Reading
01.18.18
Senator Lankford Applauds New HHS Civil Rights Division of Conscience and Religious Freedom
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the creation of the new Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The Conscience and Religious Freedom Division is being established to more vigorously and effectively enforce existing laws protecting the rights of conscience and religious freedom. This Office for Civil Rights does not create new law, but rather enfor… Continue Reading
01.17.18
Senator Lankford Promotes Martin Luther King’s Call For Respectful Dialogue
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his call for respectful political dialogue, and racial unity in America. Lankford gave a similar speech at the Mid-America Christian University last Friday. This year marks the 50th anniversary of King's tragic death. Racial unity has been a priority for Lankford during his time in Congress. ###… Continue Reading
01.15.18
Senators James Lankford & Tim Scott in The Atlantic: Honor MLK’s Legacy By Engaging People Who Are Different
by Senators James Lankford & Tim Scott
This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day carries additional significance, as it marks the 50th anniversary of his tragic death. In April of 1968, King was killed in Memphis, Tennessee, at the hands of a ruthless murderer who was filled with hate and racism. One of the reasons we, as Americans and citizens around the world, remember King's legacy is his call to freedom and racial unity through love and engagement for all people-a message he still shares with the world a half-century later. Love is… Continue Reading
01.11.18
Senator Lankford Pushes to Reform Senate Rules to Stop Gridlock
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to advocate for Senate rules reform to end gridlock and streamline the executive confirmation process. In April 2017, Lankford proposed to reinstate a rule from 2013 in order to reduce Senate post-cloture debate time. This will allow the Senate more time to consider legislation. In December, Lankford testified before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration on Senate Resolution … Continue Reading
01.11.18
Senator Lankford to Speak at Mid-American Christian University
WASHINGTON, DC - On Friday, January 12, 2018, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) will deliver remarks to students, faculty, and staff at Mid-American Christian University (MACU) during Chapel. Lankford's remarks will focus on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, his connection to Oklahoma, and King's call for positive race relations in America. This year marks the 50th anniversary of King's tragic death. Racial unity has been a priority for Lankford during his time in Congress. WHAT: Senator Lankf… Continue Reading
01.08.18
Senator Lankford Pushes for DACA Fix and Improved Border Security on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Thom Tills (R-NC), and Tom Cotton (R-AR) on the Senate floor to advocate for immigration reform that improves border security and fixes the DACA program. Lankford has offered a number of solutions for DACA and border security. Last year, he introduced the SUCCEED Act and the SECURE Act. Lankford will join a group of Senators to discuss this at the White House tomorrow. Last… Continue Reading
01.04.18
Senator Lankford Statement on State Department ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ Designations
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made a statement on the State Department's release of their designation of 'Countries of Particular Concern' (CPC). The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 requires the annual designation of 'countries of particular concern,' which are nations that have 'engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom': "This year's CPC designations are a stark reminder that many people in our world do not enjoy basic hum… Continue Reading
01.04.18
Senators Lankford & Tillis Joint Statement on White House Meeting on DACA, Immigration
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), co-authors of the SUCCEED Act, issued the following joint statement on their meeting today with President Trump and Senate Republicans on solutions for DACA and border security: "Today's meeting between the President and Senate Republicans was productive, and we are all on the same page when it comes to securing our borders once and for all and providing long-term certainty for DACA youth. Over the course of the last sever… Continue Reading
01.02.18
Senator Lankford Applauds FEMA For Including Houses of Worship in Disaster Assistance
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) decision to allow houses of worship to apply for aid relating to disasters declared after Aug. 23, 2017. Specifically, FEMA today revised their Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide to include that houses of worship will no longer be excluded from eligibility for FEMA aid on the basis of the religious character or primarily religious use of the facility. With this change, FEMA a… Continue Reading
01.02.18
Senator Lankford’s Office Releases 2017 Activity Report
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford today released a memo detailing the activities and accomplishments of the Senator's service to Oklahoma in 2017. A PDF of the memo is available here, and the full text is below: TO: ALL RESIDENTS OF OKLAHOMA FROM: GREG SLAVONIC (REAR ADMIRAL NAVY-RETIRED), CHIEF-OF-STAFF, SENATOR LANKFORD SUBJECT: OFFICE OF SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT DATE: JANUARY 2, 20… Continue Reading
12.22.17
Senator Lankford Again Pushes Gridlock Reform on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Days after testifying before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration about his gridlock reform proposal, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate, Thursday, about the issue. Lankford has advocated a series of Senate rule changes to streamline the executive confirmation process, to address the numerous federal agency vacancies, and also allow the Senate to debate and vote on more legislation. The Senate … Continue Reading
