Press Releases
Lankford, Daines, and Colleagues Want to Permanently Ban Earmarks
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), led by Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and several of their colleagues today introduced legislation to permanently ban earmarks. This follows an agreement by House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro to bring the practice back to Congress. Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Mike Lee (R-UT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Rand Paul (R-KY) joined Lankford and Daines in support o… Continue Reading
02.26.21
Lankford Honors Contributions of Black Oklahomans
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks CLICK HERE to download Lankford's remarks from Box. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) honored two outstanding Black Oklahomans in his annual floor speech in honor of Black History Month. Lankford shared the legacy and accomplishments of the late Oklahoma Senator Maxine Horner and the many contributions and tenacious public service of his friend, retired federal judge, Vicki Miles-LaGrange. Transcript In 1932, 11 years after the Tulsa R… Continue Reading
02.25.21
Lankford Calls on CDC to ‘Step Up’
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks CLICK HERE to download Lankford's remarks from Box. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the Senate floor to provide Oklahoma seniors, those with comorbidities, teachers, and others who've received the full COVID-19 vaccine regiment with up-to-date guidance on when and in what ways it is safe to move forward with their daily lives now that they are completely vaccinated. On Febru… Continue Reading
02.24.21
Lankford Fights for Conscience Rights in Questions to Becerra
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. CLICK HERE to download Lankford's Q&A from Box. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a Senate Committee on Finance hearing to consider the nomination of California Attorney General and US Representative Xavier Becerra to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Lankford pressed Mr. Becerra on how he plans to protect the conscience rights of Americans and ensure faith-based entities receive fair treatm… Continue Reading
02.24.21
Lankford to Oppose President Biden’s Interior Nominee
CLICK HERE to watch Part One of Lankford's Q&A. CLICK HERE to download Part One Lankford's Q&A from Box. CLICK HERE to watch Part Two of Lankford's Q&A. CLICK HERE to download Part Two Lankford's Q&A from Box. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) participated in his first hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, following his selection to the Committee for the 117th Congress. The two-part hearing focused on consideration of the nomination of Re… Continue Reading
02.23.21
Lankford, Colleagues Protect Health Care Workers from Discrimination
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today reintroduced the Conscience Protection Act of 2021 to protect healthcare providers, including health insurance plans from government discrimination if they decline to participate in abortions. The Conscience Protection Act also provides a private right of action for victims of discrimination. "No one should have to check their faith or moral convictions at the door when they enter their workplace. Unfortunately, many health care workers don'… Continue Reading
02.22.21
Lankford, Colleagues to President Biden: Withdraw Becerra Nomination to Serve as HHS Secretary
WASHINGON, DC. - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), Representative Dan Bishop (R-NC), and 73 other Members of Congress today in a letter urging President Joe Biden to withdraw California Attorney General Xavier Becerra's nomination to serve as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). In part, the members wrote, "We write to express our grave concerns regarding the nomination of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to serve as the next Secr… Continue Reading
02.13.21
Lankford Votes to Acquit Donald Trump
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issues statement on his vote to acquit Donald Trump on the Article of Impeachment: "I cannot support removing someone from office who is not in office. An impeachment trial after someone has left office is unconstitutional." The former president was acquitted by the Senate. Prior to the trial, Lankford supported a point of order on the constitutionality of the trial of a former president. The US Constitution outlines the basic process for impeac… Continue Reading
02.12.21
Lankford: CDC Must Clarify Guidance for How Oklahomans Who Received Vaccine Can Return to Normal
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requesting guidance for how people, particularly seniors, can reengage with their families and communities after they have received the vaccine. Lankford noted in his letter the specific isolation senior adults have endured over the last year since the start of the pandemic and how they need clear direction on how to balance preventative measures while gettin… Continue Reading
02.11.21
Lankford Joins Cotton and Colleagues to Warn President Biden of Immigration Crisis, Health Risks
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to reassess and reverse his executive actions on immigration, which have led to increased illegal border crossings by unvetted and unvaccinated aliens in the middle of a pandemic. The letter may be found here. Full text may be found at the bottom of this release. Cosigners of the letter include: John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Mike Lee (… Continue Reading
02.11.21
Oklahoma Congressional Delegation Thanks OK National Guard for Protecting US Capitol
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK), along with Representatives Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Kevin Hern (OK-01), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Frank Lucas (OK-03), and Tom Cole (OK-04) sent a letter to the Oklahoma National Guard, thanking them for their exemplary service at the US Capitol last month. "It was my highest honor to personally thank our Oklahoma National Guard members, who kept everyone safe during President Biden's inauguration," said Lankford. "Their fami… Continue Reading
02.09.21
Lankford, Colleagues Advocate to Protect Hongkongers From Chinese Oppression
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Todd Young (R-IN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Chris Coons (D-DE) to reintroduce the bipartisan Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act, which would ensure those Hongkongers who peacefully protested Beijing's corrupt justice system and have a well-founded fear of persecution ar… Continue Reading
02.09.21
Lankford Questions OMB Nominee Whose Social Media Tone Doesn’t Match President Biden’s Call for Unity
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. CLICK HERE to download Lankford's Q&A from Box. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today participated in a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to consider the nomination of Ms. Neera Tanden to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Lankford questioned Ms. Tanden on disparaging remarks she's made on social media, especially her depiction of people of faith as using their faith as a "cudgel.… Continue Reading
02.08.21
Lankford Joins Lee to Support Employees’ Flexibility on How to Use Their Overtime
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined an effort let by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and 11 of their colleagues to introduce the Working Families Flexibility Act, which would give employees more flexibility on how to use their overtime benefits. "COVID-19 has taught our nation that a little flexibility for working families goes a long way," said Lankford. "Allowing private-sector workers in Oklahoma the flexibility to choose paid time off or work over-time for extra pay is a good step… Continue Reading
02.05.21
Lankford, 47 Senators to Schumer: We're in the Fight for Life Together. Any Radical, Pro-Abortion Agenda is Dead on Arrival
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) to lead a letter with 47 other pro-life senators to send a unified message to Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer that they have the votes to block any bill that would undermine the Hyde Amendment or any other pro-life protections. "We are united in our resolve to guard against any changes to Federal law that would unsettle nearly half a century of bipartisan consensus against taxpayer funding for abortion on demand… Continue Reading
02.05.21
Lankford Opposes Partisan Budget Resolution
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today opposed the Senate Budget Resolution to be used by Senate Democrats as a step toward passing President Biden's proposed $1.9 trillion COVID spending bill. Lankford has been outspoken that Americans are hurting, but Congress should focus on targeted relief to Americans who need it most. Lankford spoke on the Senate floor on Wednesday to address that Congress recently passed COVID relief, which billions have not been allocated yet, including to … Continue Reading
02.04.21
Lankford Demands Equal Treatment for Houses of Worships to Open Their Doors and Serve Community During Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today filed an amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2021 to ensure that churches and house of worship are treated the same as secular organizations in terms of restrictions due to the COVID health pandemic. "Unequal treatment is wrong, especially when that treatment violates our Constitutional protections. For months, some houses of worship around the country have endured restrictions that have not been imposed on similar enti… Continue Reading
02.04.21
Senate to Vote on Lankford-Rubio-Scott Amendment to Prevent Tax Hikes on Small Businesses During the Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Tim Scott (R-SC) filed an amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution that would protect small businesses from tax increases. Specifically, the amendment would seek to prohibit Democrats from increasing taxes on small businesses during the pandemic through budget reconciliation, the tool they are using to bypass bipartisan COVID-19 relief legislation. Using the budget reconciliation process allows congressional Democrats to m… Continue Reading
02.03.21
Lankford Tapped for Senate Energy Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - In an announcement by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator James Lankford (R-OK) was selected to join the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for the 117thCongress. He will continue to serve on the Senate Finance Committee, the Ethics Committee, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on Indian Affairs. "Oklahoma has always stood proud as an all-of-the-above energy state and having Oklahoma represented on … Continue Reading
02.03.21
Lankford Joins Colleagues’ Call for Answers on Dangerous Biden DHS Deportation Moratorium
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined a letter led by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and 10 Senate colleagues to push back on a deportation moratorium proposed by President's Biden's Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which will prevent the removal of the vast majority of illegal immigrants with final orders of removal-including dangerous criminals-from the United States. The moratorium was proposed in a January 21 memorandum issued by DHS, purportedly to focus resourc… Continue Reading
