Press Releases
Senator Lankford Questions Education Secretary Betsy DeVos at Appropriations Hearing
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Education of Secretary Betsy DeVos about the White House's FY2018 Budget Request for the Department of Education. Lankford asked Secretary DeVos about school requirements being tied to Title I federal funding, the Parent-Plus Loan program, the Office of Civil Rights, and the public list of colleges that receive religious exemptions to Title IX requirements. ###… Continue Reading
06.06.17
Senators Lankford, McCain Introduce Bill to Expand School Choice for Native American Students
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced the Native American Education Opportunity Act, legislation that would expand education options for students enrolled in Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, which, despite their high cost, include some of the most underperforming schools in the nation. This legislation would enable Indian tribes that create an Education Savings Account (ESA) program to use BIE funds for a range of K-12 education services… Continue Reading
06.06.17
Senator Lankford Joins Senators to Introduce Bill to Extend Key Intelligence Program
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined 14 Senators today to introduce legislation making Section 702, and the entirety of Title VII, of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) permanent. Surveillance under Section 702 applies only to the communications of non-US persons located outside of the United States, is authorized only for valid purposes such as counterterrorism, and is one of the most effective tools available to the intelligence community to combat threats again… Continue Reading
06.01.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Draft HHS Mandate Exemption for Nonprofits
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement in support of a Trump administration draft rule change regarding the Affordable Care Act Health and Human Services mandate, which would grant religious freedom exemptions for employers. "Religious charities like the Little Sisters of the Poor and faith-based universities like Oklahoma Wesleyan, Oklahoma Baptist, Southern Nazarene, and Mid-America Christian, should not be forced to provide health insurance tha… Continue Reading
05.30.17
Senator Lankford Visits Syria and Iraq to Evaluate Anti-Terrorism Efforts
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has returned to the United States after traveling to Iraq and Syria to evaluate key anti-terrorism intelligence programs and military assets. Lankford traveled abroad during the Memorial Day weekend from May 25 to May 29 with Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC). Due to civil war and instability in the region, Iraq and Syria have both experienced intense fighting between government and extremist groups, like ISIS and al-Qaed… Continue Reading
05.25.17
Senator Lankford Floor Speech on Removing Regulatory Burdens on Small Businesses
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate to urge his colleagues to pursue regulatory reform and pass the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (S.584) to remove unnecessary burdens on small businesses. Lankford also discussed the broken budget process. Last week, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee favorably reported three pieces of regulatory reform legislation s… Continue Reading
05.24.17
Senator Lankford Discusses Transnational Criminal Organizations and Coordination Efforts
CLICK HERE to view Sen. Lankford's Q&A WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing about US border security, specifically the rise of MS-13 and other transnational criminal organizations. Lankford examined the need for US law enforcement agencies to continue to coordinate with Central America law enforcement to ensure border security. Yesterday, Lankford participated in a Senate Appropriations Subcommitte… Continue Reading
05.23.17
Senator Lankford Examines US Assistance to Central America
CLICK HERE to view Sen. Lankford's Opening Statement & Q&A WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations hearing about United States Assistance for Central America. As the annual congressional budget process begins, the hearing examined the effectiveness of US assistance to countries in the Northern Triangle of Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras). Such assistance is intended t… Continue Reading
05.23.17
Senator Lankford Statement on President Trump’s Budget
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the White House's release of the FY2018 budget: "The White House's proposed FY2018 budget is the start of a long conversation on how to best fund the federal government for the next year. For years now, our nation has continued to saddle future generations with increasing debt financed by out-of-control deficit spending. I am glad to see that the Trump Administration is trying to address the nation's long-term budg… Continue Reading
05.22.17
Senators Lankford and Warren Introduce Truth in Settlements Act to Increase Transparency of Federal Agency Settlements
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have reintroduced The Truth in Settlements Act, bipartisan legislation to increase transparency for major settlements reached by federal agencies. Specifically, the bill will require more accessible and detailed disclosures about settlement agreements so that the public can better understand the agreements the federal government is making on their behalf. When closing investigations and settling cases, federal agencies… Continue Reading
05.19.17
Lankford Letter - May 19
CLICK HERE for the May 19, 2017 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
05.18.17
Senator Lankford Discusses Effects of Obamacare on Oklahoma Families on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the floor of the Senate to discuss the skyrocketing health care cost for Oklahomans and to share stories of Oklahoma families who have lost their health care or struggle to support their family under the current government-run health care system. During the speech, Lankford encouraged the Senate to deal with the issues of the Affordable Care Act and the need to let Americans choose their own h… Continue Reading
05.17.17
Committee Passes Senator Lankford’s Regulatory and Transparency Bills
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee today favorably reported three pieces of regulatory reform legislation sponsored by Senator James Lankford (R-OK): the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act, and the Early Participation in Regulations Act. The Committee also passed the Federal Agency Customer Experience Act with Senator Lankford as the leading Republican cosponsor. "I'm please… Continue Reading
05.16.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Bill to Allow Physician-Owned Hospitals to Have a Level Playing Field
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017, which lifts the ban on the creation and expansion of physician-owned hospitals and allows these hospitals to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. Lifting this ban will increase hospital competition, which will lower costs and expand access to quality care for more Americans, especially those with Medicare and Medicaid. Section 6001 of the Affordable Care Act prohibits ap… Continue Reading
05.12.17
Senators Lankford, Coons, and Rubio Introduce Resolution Promoting Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) have introduced a bipartisan resolution (S.Res.162) to affirm the commitment of the United States to promote religious freedom and condemn persecution based on faith. This resolution also encourages the President to nominate an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom within the State Department. "The right to practice any faith, or have no faith, is a fundamental human right of all peopl… Continue Reading
05.11.17
Senator Lankford Votes to Confirm Robert Lighthizer as US Trade Representative
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to confirm Robert Lighthizer as the US Trade Representative. He was confirmed by a vote of 82-14: "Trade is an essential part of the Oklahoma and American economy," said Lankford. "We must continue to expand exports and market access for our nation's agricultural industry, and support trade agreements that benefit our future. I look forward to working with Mr. Lighthizer to ensure that US trade policy harnesses the vital role of Oklahom… Continue Reading
05.11.17
Senator Lankford Discusses Russia, Drug Trafficking, Cyber Threats & Iran During Intel Hearing
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a rare open Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats. This is an annual hearing that the Committee holds to examine America's greatest national security threats from around the globe. Lankford used the opportunity to question U.S. intelligence and national security leaders on the Russia investigation, drug trafficking, cyber threats and Iran. The hearing witnesses included: Actin… Continue Reading
05.10.17
Senators Lankford, McCaskill Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Government’s Customer Service Focus
WASHINGTON - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) today introduced the bipartisan Federal Agency Customer Experience Act (S.1088), a bill to roll back a federal requirement that makes it difficult for agencies to get feedback from the public concerning their satisfaction with agencies' customer service. Lankford and McCaskill introduced this bill after several agencies pointed to a federal requirement that prevented them from seeking voluntary feedback from the public wit… Continue Reading
05.09.17
Senator Lankford Statement on FBI Director James Comey
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the firing of FBI Director James Comey: "James Comey had an incredibly difficult job in his role as FBI Director and I am grateful for his service. The issues that our law enforcement, intelligence community, and congressional committees deal with each day are very sensitive and have life or death implications. Director Comey has been the public face representing thousands of committed law enforcement officers and… Continue Reading
05.08.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud President’s Nomination to Federal District Court in Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded President Trump's nomination of Scott Palk to be US District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. "Scott is a great candidate to serve as a federal judge for the US District Court for Oklahoma because of his dedication to uphold the rule of law," said Lankford. "Scott's years of work in Oklahoma make him exceptionally qualified to serve as one of Oklahoma's federal judges, and I applaud President Trump for nom… Continue Reading
