Press Releases
Senator Lankford Slams Senate Democrats for Filibustering Defense Bill, Jeopardizing National Security
CLICK HERE to watch the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate about the Democrats' filibuster of the Defense Appropriations bill, a piece of legislation that passed unanimously out of Committee. Lankford made the case that growing worldwide threats and national security needs make passage of the Defense Appropriations extremely important. On May 26, the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved the FY2017 Defense A… Continue Reading
09.12.16
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Request Removal of NDAA Provision on Women Registration for Selective Service
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today asked Congressional leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to remove a National Defense Authorization Act provision that would require women to register for military Selective Service. A version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act passed the Senate on July 7 and the House on May 18. The final conference report is currently being negotiated this week. Lankford and Inhofe were joined on th… Continue Reading
09.09.16
Senator Lankford Remarks on the 15th Anniversary of 9/11
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following remarks ahead of the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks: "We remember the many Americans that lost their lives or loved ones 15 years ago in the senseless attack on our families. We must never forget the tragedy of 9/11, the threats we still face, or the many sacrifices made by the brave members of our intelligence community, military and first responders to protect our nation. "As we continue to s… Continue Reading
09.08.16
Legal Experts Expose Weak Regulatory Process for Independent Agencies
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 how regulatory processes can be improved at independent regulatory agencies, which are structured to be independent from the influence of the President. Examples of independent regulatory agencies include the Federal Reserve Board, Securities Exchange Commission, Federal Deposit Insuranc… Continue Reading
09.08.16
Senator Lankford Demands Answers From President Obama on Iran Cash Payments
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today sent a letter to President Obama to seek answers about the $1.7 billion in cash payments to Iran. Lankford is asking the President to deliver on his promise of greater transparency for the American people by answering thirteen pointed questions about the details of how the money was transferred to Iran, whether the cash has ended up financing Iran's military or terrorist ambitions, and the process behind granting Iran exemptions to its' nuclea… Continue Reading
09.08.16
Senator Lankford Introduces Pro-Life Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act, which would prohibit the procedure of late-term dismemberment abortion across America. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus, has sponsored the legislation in the house (HR 3515). "There are many important national issues to address in Washington, DC, including our budget, education, energy and national security. But we must also work for social justice for all Americ… Continue Reading
09.07.16
Senator Lankford Bills Make Taxpayers Advocacy Group’s “No-Brainers” Top Ten List
WASHINGTON, DC - The National Taxpayers Union today released their top ten "no-brainers" list of legislation and included two of Senator James Lankford's (R-OK) bills - the Taxpayers Right to Know Act and the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act. This annual National Taxpayers Union list of legislation presents commonsense bills, from both houses of Congress, with bipartisan backing that should pass with ease and could result in big wins for taxpayers. Both Lankford bills aim to create a more efficie… Continue Reading
09.07.16
Senators Lankford, Hatch Urge Social Security Administration for an Immediate Response on Disability Case Backlog
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) today sent a letter to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to request an immediate response on outstanding documents detailing how the transfer of cases from Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) to non-APA employees is legal. This initiative was announced earlier this year as a way to decrease the long Social Security Disability Insurance case backlog. "Given the substantial time that has passed since the initial inq… Continue Reading
09.06.16
Senator Lankford Votes for Defense Appropriations Bill, Opposes Fiscally Irresponsible Zika Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill (HR 2577), which provides $1.1 billion, including $350 million in debt spending, to address the Zika virus: "In April, the Obama administration publicly stated there was $589 million left from the Ebola response that was available to quickly re-direct funds to address Zika. As of today, only $112 million of the $589 million has been used. President Obama … Continue Reading
09.02.16
Administration Responds to Senators Lankford and Grassley Zika Inquiry, But Doesn't Answer Questions Regarding Available Funds
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - On Monday, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) pressed the Obama Administration on why it appears that billions of dollars in unobligated funds aren't being directed to a Zika response. The Administration, via Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, responded but did not address the Senators' questions about redirecting billions of dollars of available funds to the Zika response. Grassley and Lankford made the follo… Continue Reading
09.01.16
Special Report Casts Doubt on Iran Nuclear Compliance
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Institute for Science and International Security issued a report today stating that Iran was not in compliance with the original Iran Nuclear Deal conditions, which were agreed to last July, when sanctions were lifted on January 16. The report shows that the Obama Administration, in coordination with the P5+1 nations, secretly exempted Iran from several of their nuclear obligations under the original deal. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement… Continue Reading
08.29.16
Senators Lankford, Grassley Press Obama Administration on Whether Available Funds Will be Directed to Zika Response
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are pressing the Obama Administration on why it appears that billions of dollars in unobligated funds aren't being directed to a Zika response. "We urge you to act and use funding available to ensure our nation is prepared," Lankford and Grassley wrote to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Lankford and Grassley noted that the Administration has been slow to distribute $589 millio… Continue Reading
08.22.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Court Ruling on Public School Bathrooms and Locker Rooms
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the Northern District of Texas U.S. District Court's decision to block President Obama's guidance directive on the use of public school bathrooms and locker rooms by transgender students: "I'm pleased that a judge has blocked, yet again, another executive overreach from the Obama Administration, this time regarding public school bathrooms and locker rooms. As my office has repeatedly stated, President Ob… Continue Reading
08.19.16
Senator Lankford Leads National Security Trip to Guatemala
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford led a congressional trip to Guatemala this week to discuss drug trafficking, immigration, national security and intelligence issues with Guatemalan officials. During the trip, from August 16 through August 18, Lankford and American diplomats met with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, Attorney General Thelma Aldana and other members of the government. Lankford also met with U.S. diplomats and Department of Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Administra… Continue Reading
07.29.16
Lankford, Forbes Recognize 60th Anniversary of National Motto, In God We Trust
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressional Prayer Caucus Co-Chairmen Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Congressman Randy Forbes (VA-04) released the following statements in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the day President Eisenhower signed legislation officially adopting "In God We Trust" as America's national motto. "Our national motto is a powerful declaration that reflects the unique founding of America," said Lankford. "It is important that we honor this motto, because it honors the birth of ou… Continue Reading
07.28.16
Senators Lankford & Scott in Time Magazine: Americans Should Dine With Families of Other Races
by Senators James Lankford & Tim Scott
Our nation continues to reel from the race-related murders of eight police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, as well as the deaths of two African-American men in Baton Rouge and St. Paul, Minnesota, several weeks ago. These events have brought the issue of race to the forefront of the national conversation, and forced us to re-evaluate where the American family currently stands. Our states have experienced the hatred and injustice of racism-for example, the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot in Oklahoma an… Continue Reading
07.25.16
Senator Lankford Receives Reserve Officers Association Minuteman of the Year Award
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today received the Oklahoma Reserve Officers Association's Minuteman of the Year Award. This award is presented annually to a "citizen who has contributed most to National Security during these times." This is in keeping with the Reserve Officers Association Congressional Charter: "to support a military policy for the United States that will provide adequate national security, and to promote the development and execution thereof." "I am humbled… Continue Reading
07.22.16
ADVISORY: Senator Lankford to Hold Community Conversations in Southeast Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced four townhall-style Community Conversation events in southeast Oklahoma. National security, government efficiency and economic growth are among the topics expected to be discussed most. Local residents are encouraged to attend so that Senator Lankford can listen to their concerns and opinions regarding the federal government. WHAT: Community Conversation in Ada WHEN: Tuesday, July 26, 4:30pm - 5:30pm CT… Continue Reading
07.15.16
Senator Lankford Delivers Speech on Terrorism and Iran Nuclear Agreement 1-Year Anniversary
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video. WASHINGTON, DC - On Thursday, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) delivered a speech on the Senate floor about terrorism and the Iran Nuclear Agreement's one-year anniversary. During the speech, Lankford pointed out how the promises regarding Iran have not been fulfilled, and that Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world in the last year, which is confirmed by the President's Director of National Intelligence. Transcript: Today's ha… Continue Reading
07.14.16
Senator Lankford Discusses Race Relations In Senate Floor Speech
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video. CLICK HERE to view the DropBox video. WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor about the Dallas police shooting and race relations in America. During the speech, Lankford suggested racial tension would improve in our local communities by intentionally spending time with each other in our homes. Lankford suggested an idea called "Solution Sundays" - an initiative that encourages Members of Congress and Ame… Continue Reading
