Press Releases
Senator Lankford Supports Dr. Tom Price for Secretary of Health and Human Services
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on the confirmation of Dr. Tom Price to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services: "Dr. Tom Price has spent three decades as an orthopedic surgeon and a public servant; he is uniquely qualified to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. As Chairman of the House Budget Committee and former Policy Chairman of the House of Representatives, I have seen firsthand Dr. Price's tireless work ethic and unmatc… Continue Reading
02.09.17
Lankford Subcommittee Examines Hiring Freeze and Reforms to Improve Federal Workforce
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 federal workforce reform ideas that could solve workforce challenges. Federal managers and senior executives with extensive experience managing federal civil servants discussed government-wide ideas for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the civil service, and they discussed P… Continue Reading
02.08.17
Senator Lankford Supports Jeff Sessions for Attorney General
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on the confirmation of Jeff Sessions as the next Attorney General: "Jeff Sessions will be an Attorney General who fairly enforces the law and ensures equal justice under the law for all Americans. He has an immense amount of experience in the Senate, as a U.S. Attorney, and as a lawyer for the Department of Justice, and he will serve honorably in his new role. I have had the honor of working with Jeff Sessions for th… Continue Reading
02.08.17
Senator Lankford Cosponsors Bill to Repeal Antiquated Laws Directed Toward Native Americans
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today cosponsored the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act, a bill originally introduced by Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD). The bill would repeal several outdated, offensive federal laws against Native Americans, including laws subjecting Native Americans to forced labor. Specific to Oklahoma, the bill would repeal a 100-year law that allowed for the forced removal of Native American children from … Continue Reading
02.08.17
Senator Lankford Meets with Director of National Intelligence Nominee Dan Coats
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with former Senator Dan Coats (R-IN), President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as the Director of National Intelligence. "Dan and I served together in the Senate and on the Senate Intelligence Committee; he is a great colleague and friend," said Lankford. "Dan understands the national security threats currently facing our nation and the solutions needed to thwart them. He will serve our nation well as the Director of National Intelligenc… Continue Reading
02.07.17
Senators Lankford and Booker Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Ban Juvenile Solitary Confinement
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today introduced the MERCY Act, a bipartisan bill that would prohibit the solitary confinement of juveniles who are tried in the federal system and held in pretrial facilities or juvenile detention facilities. "I'm glad to work on this bipartisan legislation with a group of Senators who believe in rehabilitation and redemption," said Lankford. "Young people who have been convicted of a crime should pay their debt, but their… Continue Reading
02.07.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Stop Settlement Slush Fund Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), today introduced the Stop Settlement Slush Fund Act of 2017. The bill would prohibit officials or agents of the government from entering into or enforcing any settlement agreement on behalf of the US that provides payment in the form of donations to third-parties. The bill still allows payments for environmental damages and still allows losing parties to pay restitution for harm caused by the party. Lankford introduced the bill during the 114th Con… Continue Reading
02.07.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Taxpayers Right To Know Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), today introduced The Taxpayers Right To Know Act (S.317) with Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Ron Johnson (R-WI) as original co-sponsors. The bipartisan bill would require the federal government to make public the details, costs, and performance metrics of every federal program above $1 million. Currently, Americans are unable to see all of the programs paid for by their tax dollars. "American taxpayers deserve an efficient and effective go… Continue Reading
02.03.17
Senator Lankford, Reps. Black and Fortenberry Introduce Conscience Protection Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Congressmen Diane Black (R-TN) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) have introduced the Conscience Protection Act in the Senate and House. The Conscience Protection Act is a bill that protects health care providers, including health care professionals, entities and health insurance plans from government discrimination if they decline to participate in abortions. "The Conscience Protection Act will ensure that health providers have the ability to defend… Continue Reading
02.03.17
Senator Lankford Applauds New Iran Sanctions by Trump Administration
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Trump Administration for announcing new sanctions against Iran. "I applaud the Trump Administration's determination to apply additional sanctions on Iran for its continued support for terrorism and increased ballistic missile tests," said Lankford. "Iran remains the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism and they continue to provoke the international community. The world must not ignore Iran's provocation and hope they won'… Continue Reading
02.03.17
Senator Lankford Supports Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted for cloture, a procedural motion, on the confirmation of Betsy DeVos to be the Secretary of Education. Lankford also delivered a floor speech on his support for her confirmation. DeVos's vision for greater local control and a limited federal role in education policy led Senator Lankford to believe she will be a strong leader in the role of Education Secretary. "I will support Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary for one main reason-she … Continue Reading
02.02.17
Senator Lankford Meets with Small Business Nominee Linda McMahon
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration. "It's through entrepreneurship and small business that the American dream comes alive," said Lankford. "In the last eight years, small businesses have been faced a tough reality with numerous burdensome regulations that jeopardize the dream for too many. Linda McMahon is a proven, successful business owner who is focus… Continue Reading
02.01.17
Senators Lankford, Rubio Urge President Trump To Quickly Nominate Ambassador for International Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today led a Senate letter to President Trump and Secretary Rex Tillerson urging the prioritization of the nomination of the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom within the State Department. Considering the extreme religious persecution around the world, the Senators expressed the urgent need to have a diplomatic advocate in the State Department working to protect and advance religious freedom abroad. The le… Continue Reading
02.01.17
Senator Lankford Introduces Bill to Expand Free Speech for Houses of Worship and Nonprofits
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced the Free Speech Fairness Act (S.264), a bill that gives nonprofits and houses of worship the freedom to speak about government or electoral activity without the threat of retribution from the Internal Revenue Service. Specifically, the Free Speech Fairness Act addresses the shortcomings of the Johnson Amendment, which in 1954 was inserted into the Tax Code by then-Senator Lyndon Johnson. The Johnson Amendment prohibits nonprofits … Continue Reading
02.01.17
Senator Lankford Praises President Trump Supreme Court Pick Neil Gorsuch, Calls For National Unity
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video CLICK HERE to view the DropBox video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford today released a video statement on President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch. He also released a written statement after the announcement last night. Excerpts: I was tracking a lot of the individuals that were moving through the process that the President had narrowed down the list. Neil Gorsuch was my selection that I thought, 'That would be one of the be… Continue Reading
01.31.17
Senator Lankford: The American people have spoken on the future of the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) tonight issued the following statement on President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Neil Gorsuch. Gorsuch currently serves on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Oklahoma. "Many Americans went to the polls last November to not only vote for the President, but to make their voice heard on the direction of the highest court in the land. The American people have spoken on the future of the Supreme Court. We now have a nominee … Continue Reading
01.31.17
Senator Lankford Supports President Trump Regulatory Executive Order
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford released the following statement on President Trump's executive action on regulations, issued Monday: "For years, too many families and small businesses have been stifled by the incredible growth of the regulatory state. It is the pace, intrusiveness, and sheer burden of regulations that has stalled job creation and economic growth. Regulatory experts have shared their stories multiple times in our Subcommittee over the past few years that not only is th… Continue Reading
01.31.17
Senator Lankford Announces Hire of Southeast Oklahoma Field Representative
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced the hire of Caleb Cochran as Field Representative for Southeast Oklahoma. The job of Field Representative is to represent the Senator throughout the region at meetings and events. Cochran will be based in Lankford's Oklahoma City office, and he will travel throughout Southeast Oklahoma on behalf of Lankford. "I am happy to welcome Caleb to the team," said Lankford. "His experience and roots in Southeast Oklahoma will be a great ass… Continue Reading
01.30.17
Senator Lankford Joins Senator Ernst to Introduce Legislation to Redirect Planned Parenthood Taxpayer Funding
WASHINGTON, DC - As an original co-sponsor, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to introduce the "Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act," a bill that redirects taxpayer funds from Planned Parenthood to other eligible women's health care providers that don't perform abortions. Lankford also cosponsored a bill to repeal the Department of Health and Human Services' new rule to amend regulations implementing the Title X Family Planning Program, which allows fed… Continue Reading
01.30.17
Lankford Letter - January 30
CLICK HERE for the January 30, 2017 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
