Press Releases
Lankford, Kaine Introduce Bill to Combat Internet Censorship in Hong Kong
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today introduced the Safeguarding Internet Freedom in Hong Kong Act. The legislation pushes back on China's aggressive actions to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy and freedom. The bill comes after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) passed a sweeping security law that threatens the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong, including their access to the internet and ability to share information online. Lankford and Kaine's legislation wo… Continue Reading
07.20.20
Lankford Applauds Confirmation of Russell Vought as OMB Director
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Senate confirmation of Russ Vought as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Last month, Lankford encouraged the Senate to confirm Vought's nomination in a timely manner. "I'm grateful the Senate confirmed Russell Vought to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget," said Lankford. "Russ has more than two years of leadership experience at OMB and I have no doubt this has prepared him to serve our nati… Continue Reading
07.20.20
Oklahoma Congressional Delegation Welcomes Proposal to Congress from State and Tribal Nations
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and James Lankford (R-OK) and Representatives Kevin Hern (OK-O1), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Tom Cole (OK-04), and Kendra Horn (OK-05) today released the following joint congressional delegation statement regarding the ongoing negotiation between Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter and the Tribal Nations on a proposal to Congress following the decision by the US Supreme Court in McGirt v. Oklahoma: "Following the McGirt decision,… Continue Reading
07.09.20
Oklahoma’s Senators Respond to SCOTUS Ruling on McGirt v. Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today issued the following statements after the Supreme Court ruled in McGirt v. Oklahoma: "Today's Supreme Court ruling determines that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's reservation was not dis-established when Oklahoma became a state," said Lankford. "The work will continue in the days ahead to clarify a framework for criminal and civil regulatory jurisdiction that provides consistency and predictability for all people liv… Continue Reading
07.08.20
Lankford Applauds SCOTUS Decisions That Uphold the Constitution and Religious Freedom
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statements after the US Supreme Court released two 7-2 decisions today upholding the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. On the Little Sisters of the Poor case (Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania), Lankford commented: "Today is a great day for our nation and the foundational principle of religious liberty. As the Court said, 'For over 150 years, the Little Sisters … Continue Reading
07.06.20
Lankford Pushes DOD Head on Delay to Remove Turkey from F-35 Technology Supply Chain
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today sent a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper on the Department of Defense timeline to remove Turkey from the supply chain of the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter. Lankford introduced a bill that was included in last year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to place limitations on the transfer of the F-35 technology to Turkey. Lankford was joined on the letter by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Va… Continue Reading
07.02.20
Lankford Joins Letter on Chinese Government Atrocities in Xinjiang to Administration Officials
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), along with Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Representatives James P. McGovern (D-MA) and Christopher Smith (R-NJ) were joined by 73 members of the Senate and the House in sending a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin regarding the ongoing atrocities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. The letter urges the administration… Continue Reading
07.01.20
Lankford, Johnson Introduce Amendment to Replace Columbus Day with Juneteenth as New Federal Holiday
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, filed an amendment to this legislation Wednesday that would replace Columbus Day with Juneteenth as a new federal holiday. "Juneteenth is a day in our history that redefined the meaning of freedom and equality in America," said Sen. Lankford. "Throughout our history, we have strived to become a more perfect union and Juneteenth was a huge step in a… Continue Reading
06.30.20
Lankford Talks Importance of Charitable Giving Bill with IRS Chief
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A on YouTube. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a Senate Finance hearing entitled "2020 Filing Season and IRS COVID-19 Recovery," where Lankford questioned IRS Commissioner Charles P. Rettig on the lessons learned from closing IRS offices due to COVID-19 and from telework while protecting American's private information. He also asked what the agency's plan is to get things back up and running so Americans can get answers … Continue Reading
06.30.20
Lankford Statement on Passing of Tulsa Police Sgt. Craig Johnson
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement on the passing of Tulsa Police Sergeant Craig Johnson, who was shot in the line of duty: "Cindy and I are praying for the family of Sgt. Johnson and the entire Tulsa community as we grieve the loss of one of our own. The news is heartbreaking to the entire nation. We pray his family knows that Oklahomans everywhere mourn with them and pray for them today. Now is a time to band together in support of the police officers … Continue Reading
06.30.20
Lankford Praises NDAA Support of Oklahoma Military, Applauds Bipartisan Work
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on YouTube. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) took to the Senate floor today to advocate for the annual defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This year marks the 60th year in a row that Congress will fulfill its duty to pass the bipartisan defense bill. The bill will authorize $740.5 billion in funding to support military construction projects, push a strong US national defense strategy, care for military families and th… Continue Reading
06.29.20
Lankford Offers Amendments to Prevent Government Shutdowns, Add Taxpayer Accountability to Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offered two important amendments to the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Lankford offered two long-time priorities, the Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act and the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, as amendments to the defense bill to protect taxpayer dollars, provide transparency of federal programs and spending, and prevent costly government shutdowns by holding Members of Congress accountable, not our important defense … Continue Reading
06.26.20
20 Bipartisan Senators Request Pompeo to Extend Emergency Refugee Protections for Afghan Sikh, Hindu Communities Facing Persecution
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), along with Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined by 18 of their Senate colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to grant emergency refugee protections to Sikh and Hindu communities in Afghanistan facing persecution as religious minorities. In a bipartisan letter addressed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the senators called on the State Department to prioritize resettlement opportunities un… Continue Reading
06.25.20
Lankford Pushes for Reforms in Annual Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today offered six amendments to the upcoming Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (FY21 NDAA). Lankford's initial amendments address key areas in our nation's defense policy that he hopes to see in the final version of the bill, which is set for consideration by the Senate next week. Lankford's amendments would repeal the 180-day waiting period for military retirees, close the coverage gaps in the Paid Parental … Continue Reading
06.25.20
Lankford Questions CBP on Seizing Drugs, COVID PPE, Test Kits at Border & Praises 11-Year High in Naturalizations
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a hearing of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to provide oversight of the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). Lankford questioned CBP's Mark Morgan, the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner, on CBP's work to seize items, including illegal drugs and fake COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) and test kits along o… Continue Reading
06.25.20
Lankford, Portman, Fischer Introduce Bill to Reduce Regulatory Burden to Give Job Creators Freedom to Invest & Hire New Workers
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act (UMATA). The bill will reduce excessive unfunded government mandates on job creators, giving them greater freedom to invest in their companies and hire new workers. When the federal government imposes unnecessary and burdensome regulations, it undermines employers' ability to hire more workers and makes it harder for American work… Continue Reading
06.25.20
Lankford Applauds Decision to Designate John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park as African American Civil Rights Network Site
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the decision at the direction of President Trump from Interior Secretary David L. Bernhardt to designate the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park as an official member of the African American Civil Rights Network (AACRN), formally recognizing the historical and national significance of the tragic Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 and Dr. John Hope Franklin's work to advance the African American civil rights movement. The African America… Continue Reading
06.24.20
Lankford Blasts Senate Democrats’ Block of JUSTICE Act on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today blasted Senate Democrats when not even four Democrats voted in favor earlier today of proceeding to open debate on the JUSTICE Act, which Lankford helped introduce. Lankford cited that Senate Democrats unreasonably-and for political reasons-demanded Speaker Pelosi's bill, the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, or nothing at all when so many families in our nation are hurting and want a… Continue Reading
06.24.20
Senate Democrats Block Police Reform from Coming to Communities Across America
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and members of the JUSTICE Act task force released the following statements after Senate Democrats' obstruction of the JUSTICE Act today. "It's unfortunate Senate Democrats have allowed partisan politics to get in the way of justice. Equal justice should not be a partisan issue," Lankford said. "The JUSTICE Act has more similarities with the House Democrat bill than differences. Bl… Continue Reading
06.23.20
Subcommittee Examines Federal Hiring Recommendations from National Commission
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Opening Statement and Q&A WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate 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 entitled, "Improving Public Service: A Review of Recommendations Made by the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service." Members of the Subcommittee heard from the chairman of the National Commission on Milit… Continue Reading
