Press Releases
Oklahoma Senators Applaud Committee Advancement of Oklahoman Kerry Pettingill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee advancement of Kerry Pettingill to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Pettingill's nomination was reported favorably by voice vote and will now move to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. "I am glad to see Kerry Pettingill's nomination pass out of the Judiciary Committee today, and I anticipate his swift confirmation by the full Senate," sai… Continue Reading
09.18.19
Senator Lankford Highlights Importance of US Constitution on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to view Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor today in reverence of our most enduring governing document, the US Constitution, following Constitution Day. Lankford discussed the power and uniqueness of our system of government and how vital our Constitution is to maintaining our national identity and rule of law, protecting the rights we hold dear, and ensuring our nation does not fall to tyranny. Transcript September 17, … Continue Reading
09.18.19
Senators Lankford, Hassan Continue to Push Prevent Government Shutdowns Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today highlighted the need for Congress to pass their bipartisan legislation to end government shutdowns following the release of a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) subcommittee report on how the last three government shutdowns have negatively impacted everything from the economy to national security. "Shutting down the government is an ineffective and costly way to fail to govern," said … Continue Reading
09.17.19
Senators Urge Army Corps Collaboration on Water Supply Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) on a bipartisan letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney expressing strong opposition to the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposed rulemaking for their use of reservoir projects for domestic, municipal, and industrial water supply. He was joined by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), John Barrasso (R-WY),… Continue Reading
09.12.19
Senators Lankford, Sinema, Tester Seek to Evaluate the VA’s Contracting Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined a bipartisan effort to review how the VA manages its contracts. Lankford partnered with Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Jon Tester (D-MT) on a letter to the top federal government watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), after the VA's acquisition management was added to the GAO's list of government programs at risk for waste and fraud. "The wide range of goods and services that VA procures-including construction, information… Continue Reading
09.11.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Passing of T. Boone Pickens
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the passing of T. Boone Pickens: "Today the world said goodbye to T. Boone Pickens with gratitude for an incredible legacy that will continue to live on after his passing. His vision and entrepreneurship forever changed the energy industry, making it a driver of our nation's economic engine and kick-starting American energy independence. Those who were recipients of the billions of dollars he gave through philanthr… Continue Reading
09.11.19
Senator Lankford Marks the Anniversary of 9/11
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to remember the September 11, 2001, attacks on our nation and to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including seven Oklahomans. In our nation's mobilized response to global terrorism since that fateful day, 51 Oklahomans have lost their lives fighting in Afghanistan, and 72 Oklahomans have lost their lives in Iraq. Today, Lankford is wearing a tie given to him by Gold Star… Continue Reading
09.04.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe, Congressman Hern Support Border Wall Construction
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statements today regarding the notification that military construction funding will be used for border security: "The mission of the Department of Defense is to secure our nation. Providing additional funding to complete the wall at the US Southern border falls into that mission," said Lankford. "Oklahoma's military in… Continue Reading
09.03.19
Senator Lankford in Tulsa and Jenks on Wednesday
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - On Wednesday, September 4, Senator James Lankford will speak at the Tulsa Rotary Club over lunch and host a town-hall style Community Conversation at the Oklahoma Aquarium in the evening. In the afternoon Lankford will visit with the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the flooding from earlier this year. He will also stop by Oral Roberts University to visit with students. WHAT: Speak at Tulsa Rotary ClubWHEN: Wednesday, September 4, 12 pm CTWHERE: 1115 South Bolder Avenue, T… Continue Reading
08.26.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Ruling for Victims of the Opioid Crisis
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement after today's verdict in Oklahoma's case against Johnson & Johnson regarding the company's "public nuisance" contribution to the opioid crisis in the state. Cleveland County Judge Thad Balkman ordered the company to pay $572 million to Oklahoma, which will be contributed to a state fund and used primarily for research on pain and addiction. "For victims of the opioid crisis and their families, today is a day of justice," … Continue Reading
08.23.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe, and Rep. Cole Applaud Grants for Graduate Medical Education
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) today applauded the Department of Health and Human Services announcement that Oklahoma has earned two grants from the Medical Student Education Program, totaling $9.25 million over four years. The program, created by Inhofe and Cole's provision in the FY19 appropriations bill, provides grants to support graduate medical education in rural states. Both the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Okl… Continue Reading
08.23.19
Lankford Letter - August 23
CLICK HERE for the August 23, 2019, Lankford Letter.… Continue Reading
08.14.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Rule to Ensure Faith-Based Organizations Can Partner with the Federal Government
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement after the US Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced plans to clarify the civil rights protections for religious organizations that contract with the federal government. "This is an important clarification that is needed for Americans and faith-based organizations who exercise their constitutional right to live their faith when contracting with the federal government," sai… Continue Reading
08.14.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Praise Nomination of Jodi Dishman
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) announced their support of President Trump's intent to nominate Jodi Dishman to serve as US District Court Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma. "Jodi's extensive experience makes her a well-qualified nominee to serve as a District Court Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma," said Lankford. "I thank her for accepting the call to serve our nation and state in this role, and I urge my colleagues to confirm her no… Continue Reading
08.14.19
Senators: Abolishing ICE would worsen child smuggling and other US-Mexico border problems
by Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA)
Last month we visited the Rio Grande Valley sector of our southern border near McAllen, Texas. We toured the Hidalgo Port of Entry - a large pedestrian access and processing point for individuals, families and unaccompanied minors. We saw the Donna Holding Facility, a large temporary facility for processing families who cross the border between the legal ports of entry. The Donna facility was added because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is limited in funding, so there is no place to … Continue Reading
08.08.19
Senators Lankford, Scott Introduce Bill to Protect Victims of Natural Disasters
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Rick Scott (R-FL) announced the introduction of the Disaster Contract Transparency Act to improve the disaster contracting process on the federal, local, and state levels of government following natural disasters. The bill will protect victims of natural disasters by ensuring post-disaster services are delivered quickly and taxpayer dollars are spent solely on helping impacted communities. Last year, the Government Accountability Offi… Continue Reading
08.05.19
Senators Lankford, Coons Lead Letter on Concerns to Eliminate Refugee Cap
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) led a bipartisan letter with Senators John Thune (R-SD), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Thomas R. Carper (D-DE), Rob Portman (R-OH), Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Ed Markey (D-MA) to the administration to express concern … Continue Reading
08.05.19
Senators Lankford, King Introduce Bill to Protect Small Businesses Ability to Franchise
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the bipartisan Trademark Licensing Protection Act. The bill seeks to protect the franchise model by addressing the issue of what constitutes a joint employment relationship. It corrects a decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in which the Board reversed a 30-year standard that a business needs "direct and immediate" control over their subcontracted businesses or franchisees. This ruling ultimately… Continue Reading
08.01.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Raising the Debt Ceiling
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on H.R. 3877, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019: "At $22 trillion in debt, even the most conservative of budget proposals include debt ceiling increases, but those moments must be used to confront the serious fiscal challenges facing our nation's future. We should have pursued a plan that includes a long-term proposal to address both our immediate fiscal challenges and a plan that ultimately consists of a way to pay… Continue Reading
08.01.19
Senators Lankford, Feinstein Want to Recognize September as Child Awareness Month
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, the Senate passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) designating September 2019 as "National Child Awareness Month." The resolution promotes the awareness of charities that benefit children and youth-serving organizations across the country. The resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Doug Jones (D-AL), Mike Braun (R-IN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), K… Continue Reading
