Press Releases
Senator Lankford Statement on Death of Iranian General Soleimani
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement regarding an operation that killed Iranian General Soleimani: "For years, the Iranian regime has pursued a reckless strategy of intimidation, fear, and aggression. Its acts of terrorism have destabilized the entire Middle East. As the leader of the Quds Force, General Soleimani has personally been responsible for killing US military and allied forces in Iraq, including a US contractor just last week. President Trum… Continue Reading
12.29.19
Lankford, Rosen Statement on Anti-Semitic Attack in Monsey, New York
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Today, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism, released the following statement regarding last night's mass-stabbing attack at the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg during a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey, New York. "Last night, at a celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, the scourge of anti-Semitism reared its ugly head, bringing darkness with it. We are deeply saddened by… Continue Reading
12.23.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Hail Naming of USS Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today that the Navy's newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine will be named the USS Oklahoma: "Today, the US Navy once again selected the historic name Oklahoma for one of our nation's most powerful platforms for peace, this time a Virginia-class submarine. It's an honor that the US Navy will carry our state's values and history around the world. It has been m… Continue Reading
12.20.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Propose Plan to Give VA Greater Ability to Provide Chaplaincy Services
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today introduced a bill to realign chaplains at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under the Secretary of the VA and also enhance their ability to provide mental health, counseling, and pastoral services to our nation's veterans and VA employees. The move will centralize and streamline all faith-based programs and policies across the entire VA to improve consistency and the opportunity to have additional access to pastora… Continue Reading
12.20.19
Lankford, Durbin, Kinzinger, Loesback Introduce Bill to Support Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02), introduced a new bill to support financially vulnerable rural hospitals facing the risk of closure. The Rural Hospital Relief Act would update Medicare's "Critical Access Hospital" (CAH) designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with quality, affordable health care service… Continue Reading
12.20.19
Senator Lankford to Serve as Chairman of Senate Select Committee on Ethics
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued a statement that he will serve as the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics: "It is an honor to be entrusted with the responsibility to fill the role as Chairman of the Select Committee on Ethics following Senator Isakson. Senator Isakson has been the model of bipartisanship, integrity, and fairness throughout his career in the Senate. It is my desire to ensure the Senate maintains adherence to federal law and Senate Rules. I loo… Continue Reading
12.19.19
Senator Lankford Supports Second Funding Package Focused on Defense
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following Senate passage of a spending bill to fund the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and key law enforcement entities. The bill includes a 3.1-percent pay increase for military service members and vital national security funding. The bill now heads to the President to be signed into law. This was one of two bills to fund the government through September 30, 2020. Lankford opposed the other bill, wh… Continue Reading
12.19.19
Senator Lankford Opposes Funding Bill that Adds to National Debt
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following Senate passage of H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, which also includes a number of extensions for federal tax breaks: "This bill has a number of legislative successes that benefit Oklahoma and our nation. This bill includes necessary funding for NIH research, supporting opioid addiction treatment and Alzheimer's research, funding medical student education at the University of Oklahoma and Oklah… Continue Reading
12.19.19
Senators Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Confirmation of Oklahomans to Serve as US District Court Judges
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today praised the Senate confirmation of Mrs. Jodi Dishman and Judge Bernard Jones to serve as judges on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. "I'm glad to see the Senate confirm two very well-qualified judges today to serve on the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma," said Lankford. "I am confident both will represent our state and nation well in their new roles. I am grateful to both… Continue Reading
12.19.19
Senator Lankford Applauds Signing of FUTURE Act into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) applauded President Trump's signature into law of the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, which permanently authorizes funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for students and families. "I am pleased we were able to resolve negotiations on this bill to provide permanent, rather than just temporary, funding … Continue Reading
12.19.19
Senator Lankford’s Good Government Bills Advance in House
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the House Oversight Committee's work to advance the House versions of two of his bills: the Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act and the Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act. The Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act would require the federal government to make public the details, costs, and assessments related to every federal program. The Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act would crack down on fraud and misuse of federal retirement benefit… Continue Reading
12.19.19
Senators Lankford, Coons Call for Repeal of International Blasphemy Laws
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) today introduced a resolution to call for the global repeal of blasphemy, heresy, and apostasy laws. A number of countries still have criminal blasphemy laws and punish individuals who engage in expression deemed by the government to be blasphemous, heretical, apostate, defamatory of religion or insulting religion. These laws affect Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Bahá'í, secularists, and many other groups. The res… Continue Reading
12.19.19
Senator Lankford Highlights 2019 Legislative Successes, Discusses House’s Impeachment on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's floor speech. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke on the Senate floor to highlight the Senate's work and successes over the past year and specifically the areas in which Lankford and his team were able to make progress in 2019. Lankford outlined the Senate's work on the First Step Act, National Defense Authorization Act, de-listing the American burying beetle, repealing burdensome federal taxes like the medical device tax, supporting grants for fi… Continue Reading
12.18.19
Senator Lankford Questions DOJ IG Horowitz on FISA, Crossfire Hurricane
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's Q&A. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today questioned Department of Justice Inspector General (DOJ IG) Michael Horowitz at a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing about the abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) process by individuals at the FBI to target President Trump's 2016 campaign. IG Horowitz released a DOJ IG report on December 9, 2019, regarding the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investiga… Continue Reading
12.18.19
Senator Lankford Bill to Ensure Justice to US Victims of Terrorism Included in Year-end Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement on inclusion of his bill, the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act in the funding package for FY2020. The bill seeks to provide justice for US victims of international terrorism while promoting the important security cooperation among US, Israeli, and Palestinian security forces. "I'm grateful we were able to find a path forward for the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. Fina… Continue Reading
12.18.19
Senator Lankford Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Moms and Babies from Abortion
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK,) Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced legislation to protect the lives of women by controlling the distribution of chemical abortion drugs, which have high complication rates for incomplete abortions, infections, severe bleeding, and death. The Support and Value Expectant… Continue Reading
12.17.19
Senators Bipartisan Bill to Improve Federal Grant Process Heads to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) applauded the final passage of H.R. 150, the Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency (GREAT) Act. The bipartisan, bicameral bill will require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the leading administrator of grant programs to streamline data transparency requirements for grant recipients and ultimately make data collection and dissemination to the American peopl… Continue Reading
12.17.19
Senator Lankford Supports Defense Priorities
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted in favor of the Conference Report on the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (FY20 NDAA). The bill, which received bipartisan support, was ushered through final passage by Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. The bill includes limitations on the transfer of the F-35 aircraft to Turkey-a bill that Lankford introduced earlier this year. The Conference Report passed the Senate in a vote o… Continue Reading
12.17.19
Senators Lankford, Coons Bill to Support Churches, Charities, and Nonprofits included in Funding Package
WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan legislation from Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) to protect churches, charities, and other nonprofit organizations is expected to become law as part of a bipartisan funding package agreed to by House and Senate negotiators today. The Lessening Impediments from Taxes (LIFT) for Charities Act repeals a section of the tax code that requires some tax-exempt organizations to pay federal taxes on employee benefits, such as parking, meals, or transporta… Continue Reading
12.13.19
Senators Lankford, Rosen Announce New Members of Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, announced the inaugural group of new Task Force members, Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), Rob Portman (R-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Scott (R-SC), Bob Casey (D-PA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Joni Ernst (R-IA)… Continue Reading
