Press Releases
Senator Lankford Applauds Passage of Stigler Act Amendments
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the final passage of H.R. 2606, the Stigler Act Amendments of 2018 in the House by a vote of 399-0. On December 13, Lankford requested unanimous consent of the bill on the Senate floor along with three other bills related to Tribal issues. The bill now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. The bill was authored by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK). The bill adjusts the Stigler Act of 1947 to remove the "one-half degree" requirem… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Senator Lankford Applauds Passage of VA Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded the final passage of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018. The bill, which includes provisions from Lankford, will now go to the President to be signed into law. "This bill is a big deal for veterans, active duty service members, military spouses, children, and surviving spouses, and I'm glad Congress could complete this work before the end of the year," said Lankford. "For Oklahoma, it authorizes additional funding to complet… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Senator Lankford Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Modernize the Johnson-O'Malley (JOM) Program
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the Senate passage of S. 943, the Johnson-O'Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act, which now heads to the President's desk for signature. The bill Amends the Johnson-O'Malley Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education, to take initial steps to ensure full participation of all qualified and eligible Indian students in the JOM program. The b… Continue Reading
12.19.18
Senator Lankford Disappointed in Continuing Resolution
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today expressed frustration that Congress had to resort to another continuing resolution (CR) to partially fund the government through February 8, 2019. The CR passed by voice vote and now heads to the House for consideration. This vote marks the 179th CR to fund the government since 1977. In fact, Congress has not followed the correct annual process to fund the federal government since fiscal year 1995. "I am disappointed that a year's worth of w… Continue Reading
12.19.18
Senator Lankford’s Bipartisan Bill to Safeguard National Security from Supply Chain Security Threats Approved by Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded the passage of the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) of 2018, which is an important national security priority. Lankford is the lead Republican on the legislation joining Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO). The bill will ensure government agencies consider the supply chain risks to national security and public interest when buying information technology (IT). The legislation will establish a council to equip the governmen… Continue Reading
12.18.18
Senator Lankford Supports Federal Criminal Justice Reform Bill
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the passage of the First Step Act by the Senate. The revised bill provides federal inmates programming opportunities to avoid their return to jail upon release; provides enhanced prison security and officer safety; gives non-violent offenders the opportunity to be productive members of society when they finish serving their time; and other reforms. The bill passed the Senate in a vote of 87 to 12. "Congress has finally heard the call… Continue Reading
12.17.18
Senator Lankford Provides Oversight of US Operations in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) provided the following statement today after he returned from a congressional delegation trip to Afghanistan (Kabul, Mazar-e Sharif, and Kandahar) to conduct oversight of ongoing US operations on the ground. Lankford traveled with the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Richard Burr (R-NC), and Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA). "This oversight trip was a great opportunity to directly see the ongoing operations in Afghanistan to work… Continue Reading
12.14.18
Senator Lankford Joins Letter to President Trump on Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined 43 Members of Congress to send a letter to President Trump to urge any immediate action necessary to move construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline forward after a federal judge issued a decision that blocked construction of the pipeline in November. "The Keystone XL pipeline will bring nearly 6600 high paying jobs in the near-term and nearly $4 billion in new capital investment next year alone," the letter states. "[O]ne of your first a… Continue Reading
12.13.18
Senator Lankford Supports Peace in Yemen; Opposes Resolution
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the floor. WASHINGTON, DC -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today expressed his support for peace in Yemen and opposed passage of a resolution before the Senate to attempt to halt what some have falsely claimed is American involvement in the hostilities in Yemen between the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government. Despite Lankford's "no" vote, the resolution ultimately passed in a vote of 56 to 41. Following the vote, the Senate unanimously … Continue Reading
12.12.18
Senator Lankford Opposes Resolution to Roll Back Critical Privacy Protections for Taxpayers
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today opposed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would continue to burden taxpayers and non-profit organizations with meaningless paperwork. "The IRS should not require or keep data they do not need, especially from non-profit organizations," said Lankford. "The Treasury's actions are intended to protect private, personal information to ensure the data security of citizens who are engaged in non-profit work. As Americans, we are righ… Continue Reading
12.06.18
Senator Lankford Honors the Life and Legacy of President George HW Bush
CLICK HERE for the video of the entire floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to honor the life and legacy of the late President George HW Bush. Lankford attended President Bush's funeral earlier this week at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Transcript The entire nation paused just for a little while this week to remember the 41st President of the United States. To be able to honor his legacy and his life. It's important that w… Continue Reading
11.30.18
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Budget Reform
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the fifth episode of Lankford's podcast, "The Breakdown with James Lankford." The episode focuses on the current budget and spending process and the ways it has failed to work properly since the 1970s. Lankford discusses the need for significant budget reform, debt and deficit reduction, discretionary and mandatory spending changes, the work of the Joint Select Committee on Budget … Continue Reading
11.30.18
Senators Lankford, Perdue, Ernst: Political Self-Interest Prevented Changes to The Broken Budget Process
CLICK HERE to watch Senator Lankford's Closing Remarks OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -Senators James Lankford (R-OK), David Perdue (R-GA), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) provided comment on the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform: "The Joint Select Committee was our chance to make meaningful changes to Congress' broken budget process-instead, it turned out to be a lost opportunity. This is completely irresponsible. Throughout the process we had bipartisan discussions of ideas that co… Continue Reading
11.29.18
Senator Lankford Discusses Lack of Legislative Action on Border Security and Immigration Issues at Our Southern Border
CLICK HERE for the video of the entire floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a his 10th floor speech on the Senate floor about border security issues at the US southern border and on the consequences of a lack of real congressional action to solve immigration issues including, the asylum process, the process for keeping families together when they enter the US, border security, and other policies that haven't been updated since the 1990s. In June 2018, L… Continue Reading
11.28.18
Senators Lankford, Coons urge delay of new tax liabilities on nonprofits
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE), co-chairs of the National Prayer Breakfast and the Senate Prayer Breakfast, sent a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, expressing their concerns about the challenges faced by tax-exempt organizations, such as charitable nonprofits, houses of worship, and foundations, regarding compliance with new tax liabilities. Enacted in December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act applies the Unrelated Business Income … Continue Reading
11.27.18
Senators Lankford, Perdue, and Ernst Propose Bold Changes To Ensure Congress Funds Government On Time
WASHINGTON, DC -Senators James Lankford (R-OK), David Perdue (R-GA), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) are proposing bold changes to the funding process to ensure Congress does its job and fully funds the federal government on time. The Senators are introducing amendments to create specific milestones for passing a budget and appropriations bills that would keep Congress on track. The proposals will be considered in the bicameral, bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform… Continue Reading
11.15.18
Senator Lankford Urges Colleagues to Make Significant Reforms to the Budget and Appropriations Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor about his work on the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform and the Committee's discussion and votes to finalize recommendations to Congress for ways to improve the inefficient federal and appropriations process. The Joint Select Committee was formed under the Bipartisan Budget Act which passed in February 2018. Under the law, the Joint Select Committee was required to hold … Continue Reading
11.06.18
Senator Lankford Congratulates Oklahomans Selected for the 400 Years of African-American History Commission
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK-Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement congratulating two Oklahomans, Mr. Hannibal Johnson and Dr. Myron Pope, on their selection for the 15-member, 400 Years of African-American History Commission that will help coordinate the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to the English colonies in 1619. Established through bipartisan legislation on January 8, 2018, the Commission, under the Department of Inter… Continue Reading
10.26.18
Senator Lankford Honored by National Federation of Independent Business as “Guardian of Small Business”
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today received the "Guardian of Small Business" award from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Edmond, OK, for his strong voting record in support of small business. "With small businesses being responsible for two-thirds of the job growth in America, it is vital their needs and priorities are taken into account," said Lankford. "I'm honored to be recognized by the NFIB as a Guardian of Small Business. During the last two y… Continue Reading
10.25.18
Senator Lankford Requests Treasury Secretary to Secure Sensitive Information
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today sent a letter to the Treasury Department regarding the policies and procedures the agency has in place to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs). The letter comes after a Senior Advisor within the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) was charged for the unauthorized disclosure of SARs and the conspiracy to make unauthorized disclosures of SARs, both of which carry a maximum sentence of five years in … Continue Reading
