Press Releases
Repeal of FCC rule is no loss for privacy
by The Oklahoman Editorial Board
THERE are times when the art of politics involves pretending trivial events are actually earth-shaking. That certainly seems to be the case with the reaction to a congressional vote repealing a Federal Communications Commission rule on customer privacy. As many have noted, the FCC rule had not yet taken effect, so no one lost any existing privacy protections. And the proposed rule actually exempted many online entities, so even had it taken effect the alleged benefits were far less than suggest… Continue Reading
04.07.17
Senator Lankford Votes to Confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement after the Senate voted 54-45 to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to the US Supreme Court: "I'm honored today to support Judge Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court. He is a jurist that will interpret the law as the law. In his career, Judge Gorsuch has decided over 2,700 cases, 97 percent of which have been unanimous. Ninety-nine percent of the time, he decided with the majority, even though the majority of the judges in his c… Continue Reading
04.06.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Airstrikes in Syria
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) tonight released the following statement on the U.S. launched airstrikes in Syria: "Bashar al-Assad is a ruthless tyrant who kills his own people and breeds terrorism throughout the Middle East. The latest chemical attack on innocent people is another chapter in a tragic pattern that has gone on for far too long. No one should expect the United States to ignore a dictator that commits war crimes and uses chemical weapons against his own people. Ru… Continue Reading
04.06.17
Senator Lankford Announces Community Conversations, Coffees in Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced eight town-hall style community events happening during the April state work week throughout Oklahoma. Community members are encouraged to attend so that Lankford can listen to their concerns and opinions in a meaningful, face-to-face conversation. For the Oklahoma City and Tulsa events, Lankford wants to ensure everyone has an opportunity to ask their questions. He will hold five 30-minute face-to-face conversations wi… Continue Reading
04.06.17
Senator Lankford Again Urges Senate to Confirm Neil Gorsuch
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today again spoke on the Senate floor in favor of the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to be the next Supreme Court Justice. Lankford delivered this speech on the same day that Senate Democrats conducted a partisan filibuster of a Supreme Court nominee for the first time in the history of the U.S. Senate. On March 29, Lankford also delivered a speech on the Senate floor about Gorsuch's widespread support among the legal co… Continue Reading
04.05.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Co-Sponsor Bill to Protect Rights of Child Welfare Charities
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) have cosponsored the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act, a bill to protect the rights of child welfare charities to operate without the fear of discrimination based on religious beliefs. The bill was introduced in the Senate this week by Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) and in the House by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA). For decades, adoption and foster care providers-secular, government-operated and faith-based-have worked side-by-side t… Continue Reading
04.04.17
Senator Lankford: Assad Must Go
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on the chemical weapons attack in Syria: "The recent brutal chemical attacks in Syria are the ultimate responsibility of one person-Bashar al-Assad. Not only does this ruthless tyrant kill his own people, including helpless children, his brutality breeds terrorism, creates regional chaos, and contributes to the growth of ISIS. Assad must go. We cannot eliminate the expansion of ISIS while Assad remains in pow… Continue Reading
04.04.17
Senator Lankford Meets with Secretary of Agriculture Nominee Sonny Perdue
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue, President Donald Trump's nominee to be the Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture. "We need a Secretary of Agriculture in place to help facilitate agriculture policy and relief efforts," said Lankford. "Our conversation today primarily focused on the wildfires in NW Oklahoma that effected Beaver, Harper, and Woodward Counties. I want to start the conversation now, so that on day one, Secretary Per… Continue Reading
04.04.17
Senator Lankford to Host Facebook LIVE Conversation
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford today announced he will host a Facebook Live Conversation from his Washington, DC office to take questions from Oklahomans. WHAT: Facebook LIVE Conversation with Senator LankfordWHEN: Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 6:00PM CT WHERE: Senator Lankford's Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/senatorlankford) ###… Continue Reading
03.30.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Senate Passage of CRA to Restore States’ Authority to Make Title X Funding Decisions
CLICK HERE to view the video of Lankford's floor speech WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded Senate passage of H.J. Res. 43, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Resolution of Disapproval for President Obama's Health and Human Services (HHS) Title X regulation. The resolution passed the Senate today by a vote of 51-50. Specifically, the CRA would restore states' ability and authority to make funding decisions for Title X health care providers. The HHS Title X regulation wo… Continue Reading
03.30.17
Senator Lankford Meets with US Trade Representative Nominee Robert Lighthizer
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with Robert Lighthizer, President Donald Trump's nominee to be the US Trade Representative. "Trade is an essential part of the Oklahoma and American economy. We must continue to expand exports and market access for our nation's agricultural industry," said Lankford. "We must also leverage our economy in trade negotiations to export our values and promote human rights with potential trading partners. I believe that Mr. Lighthizer is com… Continue Reading
03.29.17
Senator Lankford’s RESPECT Act Passes Indian Affairs Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK)'s Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act today passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The bill would repeal several outdated, offensive federal laws against Native Americans, including unenforced laws currently in place subjecting Native Americans to forced labor. Specific to Oklahoma, the bill would repeal a 100-year-old law that allowed for the forced removal of Native American children… Continue Reading
03.29.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Security Incident at Capitol
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, made the following statement on today's security incident at the United States Capitol: "We're extremely grateful for the women and men who serve in our United States Capitol Police force. Today was yet another example of how they keep Members of Congress, the four thousand people who work here, and the millions of people who visit the complex, safe every single day. A … Continue Reading
03.28.17
Senator Lankford Applauds President’s Executive Order on Energy Independence
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded President Trump's Energy Independence Executive Order. This Executive Order repeals several Obama-era environmental rules and removes some of the most economically damaging energy regulations from the last eight-years, including the Clean Power Plan. "Since 2015, I have stated that regulations like the Clean Power Plan assume power for the president that has never been given in law," said Lankford. "The EPA or the Department of Ene… Continue Reading
03.27.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Fallen Tecumseh Police Officer Justin Terney
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the fallen police officer, Justin Terney: "I'm deeply saddened to hear the news of Tecumseh Police Officer Justin Terney who passed away this morning. We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who put on the uniform every day and risk their lives to ensure the safety of our communities, and Officer Terney gave the ultimate sacrifice. "I pray that God will provide comfort and peace to Officer Terney's family as… Continue Reading
03.24.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Health Care Reform
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement after the House of Representatives decided to delay the vote on the American Health Care Act (HR 1628): "Today's events in the House of Representatives may be disconcerting to many Americans and Oklahomans, but this is a part of the legislative process that often happens without much attention. There are often lengthy debates, rescheduled votes, and amendment negotiations outside the media spotlight that the general pu… Continue Reading
03.24.17
Lankford Letter - March 24
CLICK HERE for the March 24, 2017 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
03.23.17
Senator Lankford Statement on Conclusion of Judge Gorsuch Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on the conclusion of Supreme Court nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch's confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee: "Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrats have no reason to try to mount a filibuster against Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. Judge Gorsuch has an impressive record of interpreting the law without trying to legislate from the bench. All eight sitting Supreme Court Justices, as we… Continue Reading
03.23.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Administration Approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on reports that the Trump Administration will approval the Keystone XL oil pipeline: "I am glad the Trump administration is moving energy forward with the completion of the northern-leg of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. This is a safe and efficient way to move crude from Canada through the Midwest to the Gulf Coast, but was subject to years of political delay, even though there was no evidence of a significant impact o… Continue Reading
03.21.17
Senators Lankford and Gillibrand Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Foster Care and Adoption Standards Nationwide
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today introduced the National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study Act (S. 684), a bill to improve matching children and families through foster care in the United States. This bill would also create a national standard and database to achieve greater uniformity and transparency to ensure quality foster care placements. Representatives Steve Russell (R-OK), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Karen Bass (D-CA) today introduced th… Continue Reading
