Press Releases
Senator Lankford Recognizes International Religious Freedom Day
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement to recognize International Religious Freedom Day on Sunday, October 27, 2019: "This year marks the 21st anniversary of signing the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Act of 1998. On this day, we remember and pray for those who are oppressed for their faith around the globe. With more than 80 percent of the world's population living where religious freedom is threatened or denied, the United States must remain an… Continue Reading
10.25.19
Senator Lankford Releases Podcast on Decision to Withdrawal Troops from Syria
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released an episode of Lankford's podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford. Lankford discusses the history of the United States' relationship with the Kurdish people, President Trump's decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, and the relationship between Turkey and the Kurds. Earlier this month, Lankford spoke on the Senate Floor to discuss the current situation, specifically… Continue Reading
10.24.19
Senator Lankford Calls for Transparent Impeachment Process
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today cosponsored a Senate resolution to condemn the House of Representatives' closed-door impeachment inquiry process. The resolution was led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "If House Democrats are as serious about impeachment as they're acting, they should apply an equal level of gravity to the process they think is so important," said Lankford. "Speaker Pe… Continue Reading
10.24.19
Senator Lankford Subcommittee Pushes for Simple Online Rulemaking Process
WASHINGTON, DC - The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, under the chairmanship of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today held a joint hearing with the HSGAC Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) entitled "Review of E-Rulemaking Comment System." The hearing follows PSI issuing a bipartisan report on the abuse of online regulatory comment systems. Lankford supports efforts to make the online comment system more user-f… Continue Reading
10.23.19
Senator Lankford Rejects Democrat Resolution to Subsidize Wealthy
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to oppose a Senate Democrat-backed resolution that would undo a $10,000 cap on state and local taxes (SALT) deduction. Lankford's vote to oppose the Resolution of Disapproval effectively blocks removing a cap on the SALT deduction put in place by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. "Repealing the state and local taxes cap will force taxpayers living in middle America to subsidize those living in high tax states and localities," said Lank… Continue Reading
10.23.19
Senator Lankford Recognizes School Choice Anniversary
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today recognized the fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program through the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act, which was introduced in 2011 when Lankford served in the US House of Representatives. Because Congress has jurisdiction over the District of Columbia and its funding allocations, the DC Opportunity Scholarships provided Congress a way to invest in school choice and utilize those re… Continue Reading
10.23.19
The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act Will Not Cost $12.6 Trillion
by Staff of Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act (PGSA) would establish an automatic continuing resolution (auto-CR) to prevent shutdowns and would put into place incentives to encourage Congress to enact its own CR or appropriations bill. Its fiscal effect would be minimal, as the legislation itself is not intended to take effect on a permanent basis. Rather, it is intended to serve as a bridge while policymakers agree to appropriations levels. Due to scorekeeping technicalities, the Congressional Budget … Continue Reading
10.22.19
Senators Lankford, Enzi, Peters, Hassan Applaud Senate Passage of GREAT Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management; Mike Enzi, (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee; Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management toda… Continue Reading
10.18.19
Senators Send Letter to Urge Expanded Access for Families with Alzheimer's
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ed Markey (D-MA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) led a bipartisan group of Senators in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct an outreach campaign to educate clinicians, Medicare beneficiaries with cognitive impairment, and their families on the assessment and care planning services currently available to them. "As you know, more than five mi… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Senator Lankford Opposes Returning to Obama-Era Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today voted to oppose a Senate Democrat-backed resolution that would undo the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) repeal of the Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan (CPP) and also repeal the adoption of the Trump Administration's Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, issued in June 2019. Lankford's vote to oppose the Resolution of Disapproval effectively blocks the Democrats from overriding President Trump's revocation of the CPP, an executiv… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Senator Lankford Applauds Committee Passage of Bill to Ensure Justice to US Victims of Terrorism
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the bipartisan passage of his bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act 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 the Senate Judiciary Committee considered and passed the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act a… Continue Reading
10.17.19
Senator Lankford Statement on Passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the passing of Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD): "Cindy and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Representative Elijah Cummings, and we keep his wife, Maya, and his three children in our prayers as they grieve his loss. I was honored to serve with Elijah in the House and got to know him during our time serving on Oversight. He was a man of strong faith, and he showed great kindness and friendship ac… Continue Reading
10.16.19
Senator Lankford Discusses Syria, Turkey on Senate Floor
CLICK HERE to watch Lankford's remarks on the Senate floor. WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today spoke on the Senate floor to discuss the current situation in Syria and Turkey, specifically as it relates to US military operations in the region to fight ISIS, the Kurdish people, and our precarious NATO alliance with Turkey. Yesterday, Lankford issued a statement supporting President Trump's announcement to issue sanctions on Turkey amid the aggression in the region and Turkey's … Continue Reading
10.16.19
Senator Lankford Announces Public Events for Friday, October 18
WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the public events for Friday, October 18, 2019. WHAT: Senator Lankford Attends KC-46 Maintenance Facility Ribbon-cutting CeremonyWHEN: Friday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. CTWHERE: Tinker Air Force Base, Building 9502 WHAT: Senator Lankford Attends Groundbreaking for Pro Pipe FacilityWHEN: Friday, October 18, 10:00 a.m. CTWHERE: Iron Horse Indu… Continue Reading
10.15.19
Senator Lankford Statement on US Sanctions on Turkey
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement on the announcement from the Administration to impose sanctions on Turkey: "For two years, Turkey unjustly held US pastor Andrew Brunson, and the Trump Administration, at my request, responded with sanctions. When Turkey tried to purchase both Russian and US military equipment, we pushed to stop the transfer of the US F-35 technology to Turkey. Now, as Turkey continues to turn their back on the region it is right that… Continue Reading
10.15.19
Senator Lankford Disappointed with RFS Mandates
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced administrative changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) regarding requirements to reallocate volumes waived through small refinery exemptions (SREs). "The RFS has been a problem since day one, and the proposed increase to the mandate only further complicates a broken federal requirement to blend biofuels into gasoline," said Lankford. "This proposal c… Continue Reading
10.09.19
Senator Lankford Applauds Administration’s Commitment to Regulatory Reform
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, today praised the Administration's announcement of two executive orders (EOs) regarding transparency in agency guidance. The two executive orders, entitled "Bringing Guidance out of Darkness" and "Transparency and Fairness," will help bring light to guidance documents issued by federal agencies. These EOs wi… Continue Reading
10.08.19
Office Visit: PBMs on hot seat
by David Holden
If I were to guess, I have a feeling most people don't know what the acronym PBM stands for? PBM is short for pharmacy benefit manager. According to Wikipedia, PBMs are middlemen that were originally designed to reduce administrative costs for insurers, validate patient eligibility, administer plan benefits as well as negotiate costs between pharmacies and health plans. However, according to the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, PBMs reduce prescription drug costs and improve convenie… Continue Reading
10.04.19
Senator Lankford Announces Public Events for Week of October 7
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Office of Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released the public events for the state work period during the week of October 7, 2019. Below are the events: WHAT: Senator Lankford Holds Community Conversation in Seiling WHEN: Monday, October 7, 10:00 a.m. CT WHERE: The Crooked Arrow Café, 208 S Main Street, Seiling, OK 73663 WHAT: Senator Lankford Addresses Woodward Chamber of Commerce WHEN: … Continue Reading
10.03.19
Lankford, Inhofe Applaud Nomination of Oklahoma City Judge
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) today issued statements of support for President Trump's nomination of Bernard M. Jones to serve as Judge for the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. Jones currently serves as a United States Magistrate Judge on the Western District court. "Having served as a Magistrate Judge for the last four years, Judge Jones is well qualified to step into this role," said Lankford. "There should be no hesitation by… Continue Reading
