Press Releases
Senator Lankford in U.S. News & World Report: On Father's Day, Remember that stable families can address many societal and economic problems
by Senator James Lankford
It was only a snow globe, but it mattered to me. For 24 years, a wedding present had sat next to my side of the bed, a snow globe with a red headed tux clad groom, looking adoringly into the eyes of a blonde haired bride. One day recently in a moment of carelessness, I bumped the snow globe and it came crashing to the wood floor. While the snow globe seemed small all these years, it apparently contained ten feet of glass and at least a gallon of glitter-filled water. After an hour of clean up, I… Continue Reading
06.14.16
Senator Lankford Supports National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement on Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (S.2943) by a vote of 85-13: "With the instability around the world at an all-time high, our state is very aware that national defense is a priority and constitutional responsibility. This National Defense Authorization Act provides essential equipment for the military to work with our intelligence community to combat radical Islamic terrorism and the… Continue Reading
06.12.16
Senator Lankford Statement on Orlando Shooting
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement regarding the tragic shooting in Orlando, Florida: "The senseless massacre in Orlando is a horrible atrocity for America, and our prayers are with the victims and their families. We all grieve this loss of life at the hands of a hate-filled coward. Oklahoma knows the sting of terrorism all too well, and now we all stand with the people of Orlando and the state of Florida. As the intelligence community and l… Continue Reading
06.10.16
Senator Lankford Delivers Speech at Faith & Freedom Coalition Conference
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech at the Faith & Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority Conference in Washington, DC. During the speech, Lankford discussed a few accomplishments of the new Republican-controlled Senate Majority, and made the case that families and local communities could address many of America's societal problems better than the federal government. Lankford also challenged the primarily religious audience to reject an angry tone of politic… Continue Reading
06.10.16
Senators Lankford, Hatch, Lee, Cruz and Cornyn Introduce Stop Settlements Slush Fund Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced the Stop Settlements Slush Fund Act (S.3050) to prohibit settlement agreements that require donations to third-parties. This legislation will prevent the Department of Justice's (DOJ) practice that sometimes requires defendants who choose to settle lawsuits to contribute funds to preferred third-party groups selected by the Administration. In recent years… Continue Reading
06.09.16
Senator Lankford Opposes Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on his opposition to the FY2017 Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, which passed committee today by a vote of 29-1. Lankford was the lone 'no' vote: "A more transparent and open appropriations process is moving through the Senate. I'm glad this bill prioritizes funding for basic medical research, year-round pell grants for low-income students, and includes modest Social Security… Continue Reading
06.09.16
Senator Lankford: National Security and Fiscal Responsibility Are Not Mutually Exclusive
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on his opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment #4229, offered by Senator John McCain, to increase military spending by $18 billion: "Providing for national security and being fiscally responsible are not mutually exclusive. We can ensure a strong national defense without increasing our defense spending by $18 billion of debt spending. Washington budget caps should not be a moving target. … Continue Reading
06.08.16
Senator Lankford Statement on India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the following statement after India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress: "Our two democracies have a strong and historic partnership. India is an invaluable ally and shares many of our same values, including the protection of religious freedom, enshrined in both our nations' constitutions. I am pleased that Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance to protect the fundamental right of every person to… Continue Reading
06.07.16
Senator Lankford Encourages Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Address Poor Religious Freedom Record
WASHINGTON, DC -As India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels to Washington, DC this week for meetings with President Obama and a speech before Congress, Senator Lankford called on Prime Minister Modi to address continuing violations of religious freedom in India. "Through our country's strong and growing relationship with India, we have an opportunity to encourage the protection of peaceful religious minorities," said Lankford. "Religious liberty is more than an American right; it is a huma… Continue Reading
05.31.16
Senator Lankford Meets with Foster Families, Potential Foster Families in Tulsa
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in two special events with the Oklahoma Fosters Initiative in Tulsa-an appreciation breakfast for foster families and a roundtable discussion for foster families, social workers and advocates. The roundtable discussion focused on the foster care process in Oklahoma and the need to recruit more families. "National Foster Care Month is a time to raise awareness and think about the plight of vulnerable children currently in our fo… Continue Reading
05.27.16
Lankford Letter - May 27
CLICK HERE for the May 27, 2016 Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
05.27.16
VIDEO: Senator Lankford Releases Special Memorial Day Message
CLICK HERE to watch the video. WASHINGTON, DC - Ahead of this Memorial Day weekend, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released a special video in honor of Memorial Day to honor the people who died while serving in America's Armed Forces. Below is an excerpt from the video: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. Memorial Day is not just about picnics and parades. It's about remembering those who have fallen in service to our country. For the family me… Continue Reading
05.26.16
Senators Lankford, Inhofe, Congressman Mullin Meet With New Muskogee VA Director
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK), along with Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) today met with Mark E. Morgan, the new director of the Eastern Oklahoma Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, which encompasses the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, and released the following statement: "It was a pleasure to meet with the new Muskogee VA Director Mark Morgan and discuss how to raise the standard of care for our veterans. We look forward to working with D… Continue Reading
05.26.16
Senator Lankford to Join Oklahoma Fosters Initiative Events in Tulsa
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced that the Senator will participate in two special events with the Oklahoma Fosters Initiative in Tulsa next week-an Appreciation Breakfast for foster families and a Roundtable Discussion for foster families, social workers and advocates. The roundtable discussion will focus on the foster care process in Oklahoma and the need to recruit more families. Individuals interested in becoming foster parents, as well as existing … Continue Reading
05.26.16
Senators Lankford Introduces “Federal Fumbles” Proposals as NDAA Amendments to Cut Waste at Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today introduced two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to cut waste within the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA). Each piece of legislation is included in Lankford's government waste report released last year entitled, "Federal Fumbles: 100 Ways The Government Dropped The Ball." "There are many areas of duplication and inefficiency within the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs," s… Continue Reading
05.25.16
Senator Lankford Recognizes 95th Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Riot with Senate Speech
CLICK HERE to view the YouTube video WASHINGTON, DC- Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor to recognize the 95th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Riot, which took place on May 31 and June 1, 1921 in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is estimated that 300 individuals were killed during the riot. In the speech, Lankford told the story of the community in Greenwood and the riot that decimated it. Lankford discussed recent initiatives to fully revive … Continue Reading
05.25.16
Senator Lankford Bills to Promote Government Transparency Pass Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee today passed two of Senator James Lankford's (R-OK) government transparency bills during a business meeting, the GRANT Act and the DC Judicial Financial Transparency and Improvement Act. "These two bills are substantive solutions to provide more transparency and accountability in government spending." said Lankford. "I applaud the committee for the passage of bills that make the federal government more open. The f… Continue Reading
05.24.16
Senate Passes Proposal From Lankford's "Federal Fumbles" Report, Disapproves of Flawed Fiduciary Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate today approved a Joint Resolution of Disapproval of the Fiduciary Rule (H.J. Res. 88), a proposal that was identified in Senator Lankford's "Federal Fumbles" waste report as an example of a burdensome regulation (page 95). It passed the Senate with a simple majority by a vote of 56 to 41. The House passed this resolution on April 28. "If the Administration really wants to reduce retirement savings for middle-class Americans, their fiduciary rule is a perfect plan," s… Continue Reading
05.24.16
Senators Lankford, Kirk Introduce NDAA Amendment to Cut Foreign Aid for Nations Who Lose Track of GITMO Terrorists
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today introduced an amendment (#4085) to the National Defense Authorization Act to cut foreign aid for nations who lose track of terrorists formerly held at the US Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. Since 2009, President Obama has aggressively sought to empty out the detention facility in an effort to fulfill a campaign promise to close it. Most recently, the President sent a detention facility closure plan to Congress … Continue Reading
05.24.16
Senator Lankford Introduces Federal Grant Transparency Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has introduced the Grant Reform and New Transparency (GRANT) Act, S. 2972, to provide more transparency and accountability in the federal grant process. In 2015, federal agencies awarded $617 billion in grants compared to $439 billion in contracts, yet the grant process lacks a consistent system for transparency, oversight or feedback to organizations that were not awarded federal dollars. The GRANT Act would reform the current process to promote tr… Continue Reading
