Press Releases
The Truth About The Trade Deficit
by Senator James Lankford
Last month, the Trump administration issued its objectives for a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. There is much about the trade agreement that should be modernized, such as updated rules for e-commerce and stronger intellectual property protections. I support the president's objective to maintain existing duty-free market access for agricultural goods, as it is important for industries in many states, including my home state of Oklahoma. However, the administration has a… Continue Reading
08.14.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Bombing Plot in Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the FBI arrest regarding a bombing plot in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: "I applaud the work of the FBI and local law enforcement for investigating and apprehending a man who sought to commit a terrorist act in Oklahoma City. Our intelligence community and law enforcement work every day to protect our neighborhoods from attacks and terror, and they often do it without the public ever knowing. It is chilling to think… Continue Reading
08.04.17
Lankford Letter - August 4
CLICK HERE for the August 4, 2017 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
08.02.17
Senator Lankford in The Wall Street Journal: How to Make the Senate Work Again
by Senator James Lankford
James Madison explained that the Constitution's authors considered the Senate to be the great "anchor" of the government. The upper chamber has become an anchor, but I don't think today's dilatory Senate is what the Founders had in mind. Many Americans see the main issue in the Senate as the filibuster rule, the 60 vote requirement to move on legislation. The Senate should not go to a 51 vote majority for every vote. Because the Senate is the one entity in the federal government where the mino… Continue Reading
08.01.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Confirmation of Christopher Wray as FBI Director
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on Senate confirmation of Christopher Wray as FBI Director by a vote of 92 to 5: "I'm pleased that Christopher Wray has been confirmed and the FBI has new leadership. Wray's experience both in private and public service will serve him well to uphold the mission of the FBI to protect and defend the United States. When we met recently, I was encouraged by his vision for addressing counterterrorism, gang violence, cyber … Continue Reading
08.01.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Benefit Student Loan Borrowers and Taxpayers by Promoting Competition
WASHINGTON, DC - US Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today introduced the bipartisan Student Loan Servicer Performance Accountability Act. The legislation would benefit student loan borrowers and taxpayers by protecting and strengthening performance-based accountability of federal student loan servicers through greater competition and stronger oversight. "The Student Loan Servicer Performance Accountability Act is a commonsens… Continue Reading
08.01.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Fight Online Sex Trafficking, Hold Backpage.com Accountable
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined a bipartisan group of Senators to introduce the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure justice for victims of online sex trafficking and ensure that websites such as Backpage.com, which knowingly facilitate sex trafficking, can be held liable and brought to justice. The legislation is the result of a two-year Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Investigations inquiry, led by Senators… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Senator Lankford Statement on North Korea Missile Test
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on North Korea reportedly testing a ballistic missile: "Today's North Korea missile test into Japanese waters is another in a long line of provocative and aggressive actions intended to intimidate its neighbors and the world. Kim Jong-un has regrettably prioritized spending millions of dollars launching missiles into the Pacific while his own people go without basic necessities such as food and electricity. North Kor… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Senator Lankford Meets with Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with the Prime Minister of Lebanon Saad Hariri, who is visiting the United States this week. "It was an honor to meet with Prime Minister Hariri during his diplomatic trip to the United States this week," said Lankford. "During the meeting, we were able to discuss our commitment to stand with the Lebanese people as they face multiple terrorist threats in the region. Lebanon bears the brunt of the Syrian humanitarian refugee crisis, hostin… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Senate’s Failure to Repeal and Replace Obamacare
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the Senate's failure to pass a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. Although Lankford supported the Health Care Freedom Act in order to progress to a House-Senate conference committee process, it was voted down by a vote of 49 to 51. "I'm deeply disappointed that the Senate was unable to repeal and replace Obamacare. For years, I and my staff have worked to develop solutions to our national healthcare crisis. Aft… Continue Reading
07.27.17
Senator Lankford Welcomes Additional Sanctions on Iran, Russia, North Korea
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement regarding passage of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364), legislation that gives the Trump administration an essential tool for deterring threats from Iran and North Korea and expands current US sanctions on Russia. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 98-2. The House passed this bill by a vote of 419-3 on Tuesday: "Congress has voted overwhelmingly to hold the oppressive leaders o… Continue Reading
07.27.17
Appropriations Committee Passes Senator Lankford’s First Legislative Branch Funding Bill as Chairman
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved Senator James Lankford's (R-OK) FY2018 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill with funding and policy provisions to address heightened Capitol security challenges, freeze pay for Members of Congress, and address a number of other issues within the Legislative Branch. Lankford was named chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch in January. "In a year with limited resources, we've had to make thoughtful d… Continue Reading
07.26.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Nomination of Ambassador for International Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on President Trump's nomination of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback to be the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department: "I applaud the President for nominating an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2017 report claims that numerous countries, including China, Cuba, Iran, North … Continue Reading
07.26.17
Lankford Letter - Healthcare Update
CLICK HERE for the special Healthcare Update Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
07.25.17
Senator Lankford Votes to Start Debate on Healthcare Reform
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of a procedural measure to begin an open debate and amendment process to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. "Today, I voted to start debate and begin the amendment process to repeal and replace Obamacare," said Lankford. "This was the first step to provide Oklahomans relief from the problems of Affordable Care Act. In Oklahoma, we are down to only one health insurer on the individual market and have experienced an ave… Continue Reading
07.20.17
Senator Lankford Supports CRA to Stop Arbitration Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Republican colleagues to file a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Joint Resolution of Disapproval in the Senate against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) arbitration rule. "Federal agencies cannot create new regulations at their own discretion," said Lankford. "The arbitration rule adopted by the CFPB is another example of a rogue federal… Continue Reading
07.19.17
Senator Lankford Challenged US Postal Officials on Allegations USPS Employees Worked on 2016 Campaigns
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today challenged a panel of witnesses during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on violations of the Hatch Act by the United States Postal Service during the 2016 campaign. The hearing entitled, "The Postal Service's Actions During the 2016 Campaign Season: Implications for the Hatch Act," focused on an investigation by the Postal Service Inspector General and the Office of Special Counsel in re… Continue Reading
07.14.17
Lankford Letter - July 14
CLICK HERE for the July 14, 2017 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
07.13.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Revised Senate Healthcare Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on today's release of Senate Republican's revised healthcare reform bill, the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), which intends to stablize healthcare markets, lower premiums, and give the states more control over healthcare regulation: "I believe we need healthcare reform that provides better healthcare choices and helps bring down costs for people in our state. I have started analyzing the revised draft bill to de… Continue Reading
07.13.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Nomination of Judge Charles Goodwin to US District Court in Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded President Trump's nomination of Judge Charles Goodwin to the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. "Charles Goodwin is a qualified judicial candidate for the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, and I'm pleased he's been nominated," said Lankford. "He has served Oklahoma well as a Magistrate Judge, and I am confident that he'll continue to serve this court and the nation well bec… Continue Reading
