Press Releases
Senator Lankford Meets with FBI Director Nominee Christopher Wray
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today met with Christopher Wray, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). "Christopher Wray's experience both in private and public service will serve him well to uphold the mission of the FBI to protect and defend the United States," said Lankford. "Today's meeting with Chris was an opportunity to meet and ask specific questions about his qualifications and priorities. We discussed inv… Continue Reading
07.11.17
Majority Leader McConnell Accepts Senator Lankford’s Request to Delay August Recess
WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) today delayed the start of the August state work period, after a group of Senators, including Senator James Lankford (R-OK), asked him to cancel or shorten the recess. Specifically, McConnell announced that he will delay the August recess until the third week of August if meaningful progress has not been made on several pressing issues in Congress, including health care, defense authorization, and budget issues. "I'm pleased that M… Continue Reading
07.11.17
Senators Lankford, Fischer Reintroduce Bill to Bring Transparency to Unfunded Mandates
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) today introduced The Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act. The legislation addresses loopholes that allow federal agencies to impose mandates on state and local governments-as well as the private sector-without providing a transparent accounting of costs. "Expensive, hidden costs from regulators continue to force American families to pay more for goods and services," said Lankford. "The Unfunded Mandates Refo… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Senator Lankford: Cancel August Recess to Address Pressing Issues in Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined a group of Senators to ask Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to cancel or shorten the Senate's scheduled August state work period if meaningful progress has not been made on several pressing issues in Congress. The Senators urge Congress to focus on the following five priorities before adjourning in August: fixing health care, passing a budget resolution, funding the government through appropriations, dealing with the debt ceiling… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud US Attorney Nomination to Federal District in Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded the President's nomination of R. Trent Shores to be US Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The United States Attorney serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer within his federal judicial district. "Trent is a great candidate to serve as a US Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma because of his experience and commitment to enforce the rule of law," said Lankford. "Trent's years of work… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Senator Lankford, Rep. Jenkins Introduce Social Cost of Carbon Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-WV) today introduced the Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act, a bill to prohibit the federal government from using the flawed social cost of carbon, social cost of methane, social cost of nitrous oxide, or the social cost of any other greenhouse gas metrics in the rulemaking process. These social cost of greenhouse gas metrics are theoretical measurements to try to put a price or economic impact on emissions… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Senator Lankford Chairs Hearing on Security for US Capitol, members of Congress, and Police
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today chaired a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, which includes jurisdiction of the United States Capitol Police and the Senate Sergeant at Arms (SSA). The hearing focused on the FY2018 budget request for SSA and Capitol Police for the protection of Members of Congress, staff, and the over four million visitors to the Capitol each year. Transcript from opening statement: Senator James L… Continue Reading
06.26.17
Senator Lankford Applauds Supreme Court Trinity Lutheran Ruling
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Supreme Court 7-2 ruling, in favor of Trinity Lutheran Church and religious freedom, that the state of Missouri was wrong to exclude Trinity Lutheran Church from a program intended to help nonprofits improve the playground at its preschool and daycare center. In April 2016, Senator Lankford joined colleagues in the House and Senate to submit an amicus brief in this case in support of Trinity Lutheran Church. "I applaud the Supr… Continue Reading
06.22.17
Senator Lankford Questions NIH Officials on Medical Research Efficiencies
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in an Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education hearing on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for the FY2018 budget. Lankford's questioning focused on how the NIH could help the federal government increase efficiencies and reduce duplication. On June 5, Lankford joined other Senators for a meeting at NIH to discuss medical research and his support for NIH funding. Transcript from… Continue Reading
06.22.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Statement on Senate Republican Draft Healthcare Bill
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today issued a statement on the Senate Republican working draft healthcare bill: "Insurance markets are collapsing under the Affordable Care Act," said Lankford. "As time goes on, more insurance companies will pull out of the Obamacare exchanges and healthcare costs continue to rise. This year, about one-third of the counties across America, including all 77 counties in Oklahoma, have just one choice of an insurer in the exchange. Ok… Continue Reading
06.21.17
Senator Lankford Questions Panel in Open Intel Hearing on Russian Interference in 2016 US Elections
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in an open Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on Russian Interference in the 2016 US Elections. Lankford questioned witnesses in the first panel, consisting of Acting Director Dr. Samuel Liles of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cyber Division; Acting Director Jeanette Manfra, DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate; and Assistant Director Bill Priestap, FBI Counterintel… Continue Reading
06.15.17
Senator Lankford Subcommittee Examines Federal Workforce Reorganization
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 agency reorganization plans and the Office of Management and Budget's efforts to streamline the federal civilian workforce. Following the President's March 13, 2017 Presidential Executive Order on a Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch, Office of Management … Continue Reading
06.14.17
Senator Lankford Talks Iran Sanctions on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today discussed Iran sanctions waiver authority in the Iran sanctions bill. Lankford made the case for requiring congressional review prior to waiving sanctions for the world's largest state-sponsor of terrorism in Iran. While the bill included new sanctions on both Iran and Russia, only the Russia piece requires a congressional review to lift sanctions. Lankford introduced today an amendment that would require congress… Continue Reading
06.14.17
Senator Lankford Discusses Alexandria Shooting, Prays on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today discussed the shooting at the Republican Congressional baseball practice this morning in Alexandria, VA that left several people injured including Majority Whip Steve Scalise, a congressional staffer, and two Capitol Police officers. Transcript: There are some days that are noisy in DC and in the nation. It seems like the disagreements and the discourse calm for just a moment and we remember that we're all American… Continue Reading
06.13.17
Senator Lankford Questions Attorney General Jeff Sessions During Intel Hearing
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement after questioning Attorney General Jeff Sessions during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing: "Our Intelligence Committee is investigating Russia's level of interference in our election, whether any American helped the Russians in that endeavor, and what we must do to prevent interference in future elections. As we continue this investigation, I applaud Jeff Sessions for testifying be… Continue Reading
06.13.17
Senators Lankford and Booker Introduce Bipartisan Bill to End Federal Subsidies for Sports Stadiums
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today introduced the Eliminating Federal Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act (S.1342), a bill to end generous federal subsidies for professional sports stadiums. The bill would close a loophole in the tax code that allows professional sports teams to finance new stadiums with municipal bonds that are exempt from federal taxes. This 'subsidized sport stadiums' proposal was listed in the 2015 edition of Lankford's annual government … Continue Reading
06.12.17
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Nomination of Brian J. Kuester for US Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded President Trump's nomination of Brian J. Kuester for US Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. "Brian Kuester has dedicated his career to public service. He has served in his community as a police officer, district attorney and now future US Attorney," said Lankford. "I congratulate Brian on his nomination, and I look forward to his confirmation in the days ahead." "Brian Kuester, President Trump's nominee fo… Continue Reading
06.07.17
Senator Lankford Chairs First Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today chaired his first Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, entitled "FY 2018 Budget Requests for the Library of Congress and the Architect of the Capitol". The Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee maintains jurisdiction over the Federal Legislative Branch of government, including the Capitol Police, House of Representatives, Senate, Library of Congress, Congressional Budget Office, and Government Accountability Office, … Continue Reading
06.07.17
Senator Lankford Questions Intel Chiefs on FISA, Russia Investigation
CLICK HERE to view the video WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned top Intelligence officials about the Department of Justice's Robert Mueller Russian interference investigation, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and the Section 702 surveillance program. The witnesses included heads of the top Intelligence-related agencies: Director of National Intelligence Director Dan Coats; FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe; National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers; … Continue Reading
06.07.17
Department of Justice Implements Senator Lankford’s Slush Fund Reform
WASHINGTON, DC - The Department of Justice today issued a memo that would implement a "slush fund" reform that Senator James Lankford (R-OK) has advocated for several years. This morning, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued an executive memorandum to prohibit Department of Justice (DOJ) officials and all United States Attorney's Offices from awarding a litigation settlement agreement as a donation to preferred third-party nonprofits or persons selected by federal employees. This policy mirro… Continue Reading
