Press Releases
MEDIA ADVISORY: Committee to Markup Senator Lankford’s Federal Workforce Bills TOMORROW
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a business meeting tomorrow to vote on several pieces of legislation, including several of Senator James Lankford's (R-OK) federal workforce bills. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, Lankford has examined the challenges facing our federal workforce and sought to develop comprehensive, bipartisan solutions to make government more efficient, accountable, and effecti… Continue Reading
10.03.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud US Marshal Appointments for Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded the President's nomination of Frank Coffman to be the US Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma and Johnny Lee Kuhlman to be the US Marshal for the Western District of Oklahoma. "I am confident in the abilities of both Johnny Lee Kuhlman and Frank Coffman to serve Oklahoma well as United States Marshals," said Lankford. "They have a long history of public service and expert knowledge on security and law… Continue Reading
10.03.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Launch of Oversight.gov
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the launch of Oversight.gov, by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), to provide a single online tool for the thousands of reports and recommendations made by Inspectors General across government. "This website is an important step forward to ensure transparency and accountability in our government," said Lankford, "I applaud the Council for their commitment to developing this website that will … Continue Reading
10.02.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Las Vegas
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on the mass shooting in Las Vegas: "The nation mourns last night's senseless massacre that took place in Las Vegas. Oklahoma knows all too well the evil that one person can commit against innocent victims and an entire region. This tragic attack will not only leave a scar on the hearts of the Las Vegas community but the entire nation. Our nation thanks to the first responders, we mourn with the families and frien… Continue Reading
10.02.17
Senators Lankford, Tillis in The Washington Times: A conservative approach to DACA
by Senators James Lankford & Thom Tillis
No one in America, from all sides of the political spectrum, thinks the current immigration system works well. It hasn't been updated in 30-plus years and the lack of action has led to a system that has incentivized illegal immigration and encouraged parents to take their children on the dangerous and often deadly trek across our southern border. Essentially, Congress ignoring the problem has actually encouraged more illegal immigration and facilitated a form of amnesty. It is past time for Con… Continue Reading
09.29.17
Lankford Letter - September 29
CLICK HERE for the September 29, 2017 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
09.28.17
Senator Lankford Denounces Turkish President Erdogan Suggestion of Prisoner Swap
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today made the following statement on Turkish President Erdogan admitting that Turkey is holding American Andrew Brunson hostage in hopes that the US hands over a Muslim cleric living in Pennsylvania: "President Erdogan's suggestion that the US should make a hostage-style prisoner swap for an innocent American imprisoned in Turkey is appalling and will not be taken seriously. Turkey has long been a US ally, but has chosen to complicate and weaken … Continue Reading
09.27.17
Senator Lankford Questions DHS, FBI on Puerto Rico, Russian Meddling, Election & Border Security
CLICK HERE to watch Part 1 of Lankford's Q&A CLICK HERE to watch Part 2 of Lankford's Q&A WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray and DHS Acting Director Elaine Duke during a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on the most pressing security threats to our American homeland. During part one of Lankford's questioning of witnesses, Lankford discussed a Jones Act request to help Puerto Rico hurricane recovery, DHS and FE… Continue Reading
09.25.17
Lankford, Tillis & Hatch Introduce The SUCCEED Act: Merit-Based Legislation To Address The Legal Uncertainty of Undocumented Children
CLICK HERE to watch the video WASHINGTON, DC - During a press conference today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Solution for Undocumented Children through Careers Employment Education and Defending our nation (SUCCEED) Act, a solution to address the legal uncertainty facing undocumented children who were brought to the United States as children. The SUCCEED Act provides a fair, multi-step process for undocumented children to qualify fo… Continue Reading
09.20.17
Senator Lankford Statement on David Boren’s Retirement Announcement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the retirement announcement of University of Oklahoma President David Boren: "President Boren is an Oklahoma institution. Throughout his five decades of public life, President Boren has honorably served the people of his state and nation. I join many Oklahomans today to express my gratitude to President Boren for his faithful service to the University of Oklahoma. The relationships he forged from his service… Continue Reading
09.19.17
Senators Lankford, Blunt, Cornyn, Cruz Introduce Bill to Allow Houses of Worship to Receive Federal Disaster Assistance
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have introduced the Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act, which would make houses of worship eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program grants. "In June, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of Trinity Lutheran that 'the exclusion of Trinity Lutheran from a public benefit for which it is otherwise qualified, solely because it is a church… Continue Reading
09.19.17
Senator Lankford Supports NDAA
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today supported the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), HR 2810, which passed the Senate by a vote of 89 to 8: "Our nation faces continued threats from aggressors in North Korea, ISIS, al Qaeda, and other extremist organizations. Passing the National Defense Authorization Act is important in order to ensure the men and women serving in the Armed Forces have what they need as they protect our nation and allies. This bill approves the policies… Continue Reading
09.14.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Senate Confirmation of US Attorneys for Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded Senate confirmation of Brian J. Kuester to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and R. Trent Shores to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, by unanimous consent. "Brian and Trent are both great candidates to serve as US Attorneys for the Northern District and Eastern District of Oklahoma, and I'm grateful they were confirmed today by the Senate," said Lankford. … Continue Reading
09.13.17
Subcommittee Examines Federal Agency Reorganization and Duplication
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 to ensure the federal government reorganizes effectively to reduce wasteful spending and better serve the American people. Following the President's March 13, 2017, Presidential Executive Order on a Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch, Office of Management and … Continue Reading
09.08.17
Lankford Letter - September 8
CLICK HERE for the September 8, 2017 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
09.08.17
Senator Lankford Supports State and Foreign Operations Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - On Thursday, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) supported the FY2018 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which includes many of his proposals to provide better oversight over large foreign assistance programs and to promote international religious freedom. "As threats from North Korea, Iran, and violent extremism in Iraq and Syria continue to threaten US interests around the world, maintaining strong US global leadership is more important than ever," said Lankford. "T… Continue Reading
09.07.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Debt Ceiling Vote
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on his vote against a bill to raise the debt ceiling and fund the government for three months, while also providing disaster relief funding. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 80 to 17: "Two options were provided to address disaster relief for Hurricane Harvey: one stand-alone bill, which I fully supported and a second option that included Hurricane Harvey relief, a debt ceiling increase, and short-term fun… Continue Reading
09.07.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Secretary Devos For Rescinding Overreaching 2011 Guidance Directive for Colleges
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for rescinding a 2011 'Dear Colleague Letter' on Title IX that regulated colleges and universities without the proper Congressional authority. In addition to rescinding the guidance letter, Secretary DeVos today committed to put in place interim documents to assist schools in enforcing Title IX responsibly, and the Department will begin the normal regular order regulatory process. "The Obama administr… Continue Reading
09.06.17
Senators Lankford, Kaine, Cardin Write Tillerson, Haley Regarding Guatemalan President
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Ben Cardin (D-MD), the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today sent the following letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and UN Ambassador Nikki Hailey expressing concern about Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales' attempt to expel Mr. Ivan Velásquez, head of the United Nations' International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), from that country. A PDF of the letter is availa… Continue Reading
09.05.17
Senator Lankford on FoxNews.com: What To Do With The Debt Ceiling? Reform It
by Senator James Lankford
It happens like clockwork in Washington. Every year or two when we approach the federal debt limit, countdown clocks start, doomsday scenarios are assumed, and backroom negotiations begin in earnest to prevent our country from defaulting on our obligations. The prevailing theme of debt ceiling negotiations is usually avoiding default. Lost in the conversation is how we got here in the first place, and how we can get out of the cycle of deficit spending. Debt limit debate should push Congress to … Continue Reading
