Press Releases
Senator Lankford Supports Bill to Provide Disaster Aid to Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on H.R. 2157 Disaster Supplemental funding, which includes supplemental funding for flooding and tornado damage caused by severe storms in Oklahoma and across the Midwest this week: "Today's vote is important for many Oklahomans as we endure a long stretch of severe storm damage across the state," said Lankford. "The bill includes necessary funding to aid those who were already impacted by storms and the thousands mor… Continue Reading
05.23.19
Lankford, Rubio Held Joint Hearing on Strengthening Small Businesses Voice Through SBA Office of Advocacy
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, and Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and U.S. held a joint hearing to discuss ways to strengthen the Office of Advocacy at the US Small Business Administration, the independent regulatory watchdog that provides a voice for small businesses during the fede… Continue Reading
05.23.19
Lankford, Shaheen, Tillis, & Van Hollen Announce Bipartisan Effort to Prohibit Transfer of F-35 Aircraft to Turkey Included in Committee-Approved Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, the Senate Armed Services Committee passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The annual legislation authorizes national defense objectives for the fiscal year. The defense bill includes bipartisan legislation authored by Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) that would prohibit the transfer of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Turkey. This provision also applies to … Continue Reading
05.23.19
Senator Lankford Questions Acting DHS Secretary in Homeland Security Committee Hearing
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing entitled, "Resources Needed to Protect and Secure the Homeland," at which he questioned Acting Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Kevin McAleenan about DHS efforts to secure the southern border and prevent drug trafficking, to determine DHS preparedness to help after the natural disasters in Oklahoma and … Continue Reading
05.23.19
Senator Lankford Remembers on Senate Floor the 1921 Race Massacre
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor in remembrance of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre as we approach May 31, 2019, the 98th anniversary of the tragic two-day event that devastated Tulsa's Greenwood District, once known as Black Wall Street, and resulted in the deaths of as many as 300 people and the near-complete destruction of the community and surrounding areas. On February 24, 2017, Lankford joined State Senator… Continue Reading
05.22.19
Senator Lankford Speaks on Senate Floor about Recent Severe Storm Damage in Oklahoma
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to discuss the impacted communities still reeling from flash flooding, tornadoes, and strong wind damage that struck the state on Monday and Tuesday. Some of the damage came from flooding due to torrential rainfall from the series of storms after already elevated spring rainfall totals for most of the state. Local, state, and federal entities remain in contact about how to… Continue Reading
05.17.19
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Tariffs and Trade Negotiations with China
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the eighth episode of Lankford's podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford. During the episode, Lankford explains section 232 tariffs, section 301 tariffs, trade with Canada and Mexico, and how trade with China is affecting Oklahoma companies, ranchers, and farmers. Lankford remains engaged on trade and how the negotiations affect Oklahomans. Last week, Lankford issued a stat… Continue Reading
05.17.19
Senator Lankford Joins Call for Government Accountability Office Review of IHS Management Failures in Weber Case
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined a bipartisan group of nine senators, all members of the Indian Affairs Committee, to request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate potential misuse of employee transfers, duty reassignments, and administrative leave at federally operated Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities to cover up misconduct that endangers patients, other employees, and Tribal communities. The letter specifically addresses the case of a former … Continue Reading
05.15.19
Senator Lankford Questions Mnuchin on Cooperation with OIRA on Regulation Review, Seeks Clarity on Opportunity Zones
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's full questions of Secretary Mnuchin. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today attended a Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) hearing regarding fiscal year 2020 funding for the Department of the Treasury. Lankford questioned Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about Treasury's work to prevent US dollars from being funneled to international terrorist organizations and drug cartels. Additionall… Continue Reading
05.15.19
Senator Lankford Honors Military Members and Families on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to honor the women and men serving in the US military and their families during Military Appreciation Month. Lankford took a moment to thank the Gold Star Families-families who have lost a loved one in military service-during the speech. Lankford introduced legislation this month that will expand the eligibility for the Fry Scholarship to spouses and children of members o… Continue Reading
05.15.19
Senators Lankford, Peters, Sinema introduce the Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) introduced the Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act, a bill that would crack down on federal retirement benefit fraud and misuse. "Most Americans work toward their retirement and count on their retirement funds. We should ensure federal employee's retirement funds are secure by protecting them from the embezzlement of their benefits," said Lankford. "Currently, the misuse of funds by a representa… Continue Reading
05.15.19
Lankford, Sinema Introduce Regulatory Reform Bills
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's (HSGAC) Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) today introduced the Early Participation in Regulations Act and the Setting Manageable Analysis Requirements in Text (SMART) Act. Today, the HSGAC Committee held a markup of Sinema's SMART Act, and the Committee is expected to markup the Early … Continue Reading
05.14.19
Lankford, Peters, Johnson, & Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Voting Systems
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee today introduced bipartisan legislation to add the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a member… Continue Reading
05.14.19
Senator Lankford Awarded Conservative Excellence Award for Voting Record
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) was awarded the "2018 Award for Conservative Excellence" by the American Conservative Union (ACU) for his voting record in 2018. Lankford has obtained an ACU rating of 91 percent, the eighth-highest in the Senate. "I am grateful for ACU's continued work to highlight conservative ideas across the nation," said Lankford. "The people of Oklahoma sent me to Washington to work on the federal issues affecting their families and their businesses, and adva… Continue Reading
05.10.19
Senator Lankford Statement on US-China Trade Negotiations, 25 Percent Tariff
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement after the Administration talks on trade with China have stalled and announced a 25 percent tariff: "The announcement from the White House that talks with China have fallen apart is not good news for American consumers. The Chinese must return to the table to negotiate in good faith to finally resolve our longstanding trade uncertainty. Tariffs are not an effective long-term strategy for either country and hurt t… Continue Reading
05.09.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Praise Committee Advancement of Oklahoman Tim Downing
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today praised the committee advancement of Timothy Downing to serve as US Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. Downing's nomination was reported favorably by voice vote today in the Senate Judiciary Committee and will now move to the full Senate for consideration. "I'd like to thank the Judiciary Committee for approving the nomination of Tim Downing to serve as US Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma," said… Continue Reading
05.09.19
Senators Lankford, Peters Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Address Issue Impacting Military Reservists & National Guard Members
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to help reserve component members of the United States Armed Forces - including members of the Reserves and National Guard - receive the benefits they have earned following their retirement or completion of service. Currently, Reservists do not receive a separation document detailing their service and Guardsmen do not receive the same forms as Active Duty service members after completion of s… Continue Reading
05.08.19
Senator Lankford Honors Oklahoma Public Servants on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to honor federal, state, and local public service employees during Public Service Recognition Week. Lankford also remembered the public service victims in the Oklahoma City bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. Last week, Lankford cosponsored S. Res 180, which designates May 5th through 11th as Public Service Recognition Week. The resoluti… Continue Reading
05.07.19
Lankford, Sinema Hold Subcommittee Hearing on Regulatory Reform
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), today conducted a hearing entitled, "From Beginning to End: An Examination of Agencies Early Public Engagement and Retrospective Review." The hearing examined how agencies create regulatory schemes and the ways agencies measure success of regulatio… Continue Reading
05.06.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Statement on Clemency for Michael Behenna
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) issued the following statement on President Trump signing of an Executive Grant of Clemency for former Army First Lieutenant Michael Behenna: "I'm grateful that the long road for Michael Behenna and his family has finally come to a joyous end," said Lankford. "Michael now gets a clean slate and a second chance at life. Michael's family, the Oklahoma congressional delegation, and Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter have wor… Continue Reading
